What works for what – gear by species

Use this as the lookup table: find the fish, then copy the setup.

By Filip Nyman · Updated 2026-10-21

Setups by species

Target	Method	Rod / casting weight	Reel	Main line	Leader	Go-to lure or bait
Perch, summer	Spinning / drop shot	2.1 m, 3–15 g	1000–2500	Braid 0.08–0.10	Fluoro 0.20–0.25	5–7 cm soft plastic, small spinner
Perch, winter	Ice jigging	50 cm ice rod	Small ice reel	Mono 0.14–0.18	None	Balance jig, pimple with maggot
Pike, all-round	Spinning	2.4 m, 15–50 g	3000–4000	Braid 0.15–0.20	Wire or 0.8 mm fluoro, 40 cm	25 g spoon, 12–15 cm shad, jerkbait
Pike, big	Baitcasting	2.1 m, 40–120 g	Baitcaster 200–300	Braid 0.25–0.30	Wire / titanium	20–25 cm shads, glide baits
Pike, fly	Fly fishing	#8–10, 9 ft	Fly reel	WF floating or intermediate	Wire or 0.8 mm fluoro	15–25 cm streamer
Zander	Vertical jigging	1.9 m fast, 10–30 g	2500	Braid 0.10–0.12	Fluoro 0.30 (wire if pike)	10–12 cm shad on 15–25 g head
Trout, stream	Light spinning / fly	1.8 m UL 2–8 g or #4–5	1000 / fly reel	Mono 0.18 or braid 0.06	Fluoro 0.18	Small spinner, nymph, dry fly
Trout, put & take	Float / spinning	2.7–3 m, 5–20 g	2500	Mono 0.20	Fluoro 0.18	Spoon, bubble float with fly
Sea trout, coast	Spinning / fly	2.7–3 m, 10–30 g or #6–7	3000 / fly reel	Braid 0.12–0.15	Fluoro 0.25–0.30	18 g slim coastal lure, shrimp fly
Salmon, river	Fly / spinning	12–15 ft double-handed or 3 m 20–60 g	Fly reel / 4000	Shooting head / braid 0.25	0.40+	Tube fly, spoon, wobbler
Bream / roach	Feeder / float	3.6 m feeder or float rod	3000	Mono 0.18–0.20	0.12–0.16	Maggots, corn, worms + groundbait
Tench / crucian	Float	3.6–4 m float rod	2500	Mono 0.18	0.14–0.16	Worm, corn, bread
Carp	Carp rig	3.6 m, 3 lb test curve	Big pit / baitrunner	Mono 0.30–0.35	Braided hooklink with hair rig	Boilies, corn, pellets
Mackerel	Spinning / feathers	2.7 m, 20–60 g	3000–4000	Mono 0.30 or braid 0.15	None	Feather rig with 40 g sinker or spoon
Garfish	Spinning	2.7 m, 10–30 g	3000	Braid 0.12	Fluoro 0.25	Slim spoon with silk thread
Cod, boat	Jigging	2.1 m, 50–200 g	Multiplier or 5000	Braid 0.20–0.30	Mono 0.60	100–200 g pirk, shad with teaser
Flounder	Bottom	3–3.6 m, 60–150 g	4000–5000	Mono 0.30	Paternoster 0.30	Ragworm on size 4–6 hook

The right gear makes the difference

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