epending on the situation, different types of fishing tackle can be used.

Most c
ommon is the rod and reel, the rod being typically between 8 and 13 feet (4.0 m)
long, and manufactured of tubular carbon fibre or splits of Tonkin bamboo. A re
el is then attached near the base of the rod to hold a long length of line, whic
h is run to the tip of the rod through eyelets. Once cast out, the line can be r
etrieved by winding a handle on the reel.
However, the use of "poles" is also now widespread. Here, the line is fixed to t
he very tip of the rod, with no reel used: in order to retrieve the line, the po
le itself is taken apart until the line can be swung to hand. Poles are often ve
ry long in order to increase the angler's rangeup to 16 metres.
The main techniques used are float fishing, legering and spinning.
In float fishing, the bait is suspended beneath a float made of hollow plast
ic, wood or quill. The top of the float is usually painted a bright colour and b
ites are indicated by the top of the float dipping under the surface of the wate
r, or moving up in the water.
Legering does not use floats. Instead the bait is held on the bottom of the
lake or river by a sinker or large weight. Bites are detected by watching the qu
iver tip of the rod for movement, or with the use of electronic bite alarms, and
more advanced tackle such as polyvinyl alcohol bags, or mesh.
Spinning. Either a brightly coloured lure or a small fish attached to a hook
is towed through the water to attract carnivorous fish such as pike, zander and
perch.
Fly fishing techniques may also be used for certain species, such as grayling or
chub.
For float and leger fishing, groundbait is usually thrown into the water to attr
act fish to the area. Typical baits include nightcrawlers, maggots, bread and sw
eet corn. Lately, advancements in technology and market competitiveness have led
to many types of other ingredients being introduced, including chemicals, such
as betaine, that stimulate the feeding response in fish. Boilies are popular bai
ts for carp fishing.