Plain English
Freshwater fishing glossary
The words that make a first conversation at the tackle shop or fishery easier to follow.
By the Rodmere team
Water and access
- Day ticket
- Permission bought for a particular fishery and period. It is separate from a rod licence.
- Peg
- A designated place from which an angler fishes.
- Stillwater
- A lake, reservoir or pond rather than flowing water.
- Swim
- The area of water an angler is fishing, not simply the bank position.
- Close season
- A period when fishing for specified species on specified waters must stop.
Tackle and presentation
- Hooklength
- The final section of line between the main line or rig and the hook.
- Plumbing the depth
- Using a weight to find the bottom and set a float rig accurately.
- Feeder
- A device that carries bait to the fishing area while also forming part of the tackle.
- Leader
- A section between the main line and fly, lure or rig, chosen for presentation or abrasion resistance.
- Tippet
- The fine terminal part of a fly leader to which the fly is tied.
- AFTM rating
- A standard based on the weight of the first 30 feet of fly line, used to match line and rod.
Fish care
- Unhooking mat
- A padded, wetted surface that protects a fish while it is unhooked close to the ground.
- Disgorger
- A tool used to help remove a hook, especially when it cannot be reached safely with fingers.
- Recovery
- Supporting a fish upright in the water when needed before release, without forcing it back prematurely.