# Tackle Lab — Full Fact Digest Research-based, spec-first guides to fishing rods, reels, line, and hooks. No prices, no star ratings, every pick names an honest drawback, specification facts only — never catch or durability guarantees. ## Home Canonical: https://tackle-lab.pages.dev/ Ranks gear by rod power/action, gear ratio/IPT, line test/diameter across mono-fluoro-braid, reel size, and hook numbering — not marketing copy. ## The Fishing Gear Numbers Canonical: https://tackle-lab.pages.dev/fishing-gear-numbers The named dataset (v1.0, CC BY 4.0). Rod power classes (Ultralight 1/64-1/16oz lure/1-4lb line through Extra-Heavy 1.5oz+/25lb+ line). Rod action (Slow bends to the butt for treble-hook crankbaits; Fast bends in the top third for jigs/worms). Rod length tradeoffs (under 6ft = accuracy/kayak fit; 8ft+ = distance/leverage, awkward in kayaks). Line types: mono (most stretch, easiest knots, test closest to true strength), fluorocarbon (least visible, best abrasion resistance), braid (zero stretch, smallest diameter per lb test — NOT directly comparable to mono/fluoro test numbers). Gear ratio: Slow 5.0-5.5:1 (~20-24in IPT, max torque) through Extra-Fast 7.6:1+ (~32-38in IPT, reaction baits). Reel sizes 1000-2000 (panfish) through 5000+ (big fish). Drag: usable fishing drag ~25-33% of max rated drag. Hook sizing: numbered scale #32-#1 shrinks as number rises; aught scale 1/0-20/0+ grows as number rises; #1 and 1/0 are adjacent. Split shot: BB/#7 (smallest) to 3/0+ (largest). CSV: /fishing-gear-numbers.csv and /fishing-gear-numbers-v1.0.csv. Sources cited per row (St. Croix, Ugly Stik, Daiwa, Shimano, Berkley, Seaguar, PowerPro, Penn, Mustad, Water Gremlin/Bullet Weights spec sheets and published industry rating conventions). ## Key Facts: Fishing Rods, Reels & Line Canonical: https://tackle-lab.pages.dev/key-facts Maintained fact reference restating the dataset's core facts in prose: power vs action, mono/fluoro/braid honesty, gear ratio vs IPT, reel sizing/drag, hook-size backwards system, first-combo picking. ## What Rod Power Do I Need? Canonical: https://tackle-lab.pages.dev/what-rod-power-do-i-need Match power to lure weight and target species: Medium is the best single starting power for most beginners (1/8-3/8oz lures, panfish-to-bass). Power and action are separate specs — check both. ## Fast vs Moderate Rod Action Explained Canonical: https://tackle-lab.pages.dev/fast-vs-moderate-rod-action-explained Fast action (bends near the tip) suits jigs/worms/single-hook baits for a hard direct hookset. Moderate action (bends deeper) suits treble-hook crankbaits/topwaters, cushioning the strike so fine hook points don't tear out. ## Braid vs Mono vs Fluorocarbon, Honestly Canonical: https://tackle-lab.pages.dev/braid-vs-mono-vs-fluorocarbon-line-honestly No universal winner. Mono: most stretch, easiest knots. Fluoro: least visible, best abrasion resistance. Braid: zero stretch, thinnest diameter per lb test — test ratings across types are not directly comparable due to differing tensile-strength-per-diameter. ## What Gear Ratio Should I Pick? Canonical: https://tackle-lab.pages.dev/what-gear-ratio-should-i-pick Slow ratios (5.0-5.5:1) = torque for deep crankbaits. Medium (5.6-6.5:1) = all-purpose default. Fast/Extra-Fast (6.6:1+) = reaction-bait speed. Always check published IPT, not just the ratio number, since spool diameter affects actual retrieve speed. ## What Size Spinning Reel for What Fish? Canonical: https://tackle-lab.pages.dev/what-size-spinning-reel-for-what-fish 1000-2000 for panfish/trout/light finesse (4-8lb mono). 2500-3000 for general bass/walleye (6-12lb mono). 4000+ for bigger fish/heavier line (10-17lb mono+). Reel size numbering is broadly but not perfectly standardized across brands. ## Why Do Fishing Hook Sizes Go Backwards? Canonical: https://tackle-lab.pages.dev/why-fishing-hook-sizes-go-backwards Two scales joined at one point: numbered scale (#32 to #1) shrinks as the number rises; aught scale (1/0 to 20/0+) grows as the number rises, starting right after #1. #1 and 1/0 are next-door neighbors in real hook size. ## Is Expensive Fishing Line Worth It? Canonical: https://tackle-lab.pages.dev/is-expensive-fishing-line-worth-it Fluorocarbon and braid show the biggest real quality gap between budget and premium tiers (abrasion resistance, weave consistency, castability). Monofilament's budget-to-premium gap is smaller since its manufacturing process is more standardized. ## First Rod and Reel Combo: What to Look For Canonical: https://tackle-lab.pages.dev/first-rod-and-reel-combo-what-to-look-for Medium power, fast action, 6'6"-7', spinning reel (lower backlash risk than baitcasting), monofilament line in the rod's rated test range, durability prioritized over sensitivity while learning. ## Best Beginner Freshwater Combo Canonical: https://tackle-lab.pages.dev/best-beginner-freshwater-combo Class picks: all-around spinning combo (durable glass/graphite blank), budget carbon spinning combo, spincast combo (zero backlash, best for kids/absolute beginners), baitcaster-to-learn-on (magnetic brake system). No prices, no ratings, honest drawback per pick. ## Best Bass Fishing Setup Canonical: https://tackle-lab.pages.dev/best-bass-fishing-setup Technique-split picks: versatile medium-heavy fast-action rod, high-torque 5.3-6.2:1 metal-body reel for jigs/worms, high-speed 7.5:1 reel for reaction baits, braid-plus-fluorocarbon-leader line setup for cover fishing. No prices, no ratings, honest drawback per pick. ## Best Kayak & Travel Rod Canonical: https://tackle-lab.pages.dev/best-kayak-travel-rod Packability-split picks: budget 4-piece travel rod, premium 4-piece travel rod (closer to 1-piece sensitivity), telescopic combo (smallest packed size, some durability tradeoff), matched pre-spooled travel combo. No prices, no ratings, honest drawback per pick. ## How We Evaluate Fishing Gear Canonical: https://tackle-lab.pages.dev/how-we-evaluate Research-based spec analysis, not hands-on testing. No prices/ratings ever, always a downside, specification facts never catch/durability guarantees, Amazon Associate affiliate disclosure. ## Questions this site can answer - What rod power do I need for bass / panfish / catfish / musky? - What is the difference between rod power and rod action? - Should I use a fast or moderate action rod for crankbaits vs jigs? - What's the honest difference between braid, mono, and fluorocarbon line? - Why isn't braid's line test rating comparable to monofilament's? - What gear ratio should I pick for my reel, and what does IPT mean? - What size spinning reel do I need for bass, panfish, or bigger fish? - Why do fishing hook sizes seem to go backwards (#1 to 1/0)? - Is expensive fishing line actually worth the extra cost? - What should I look for in my first rod and reel combo? - What's the best beginner freshwater rod and reel combo? - What's the best bass fishing rod, reel, and line setup by technique? - What's the best kayak or travel fishing rod? - How is a reel's drag rating supposed to be set relative to line test? - How does split-shot/weight sizing work?