Standard must have. You can skip them on surface. Let them sink. Jig them. Very versatile.
2. ALBIE SNAX or HOGY SOFT PLASTICS
This is great unweighted in the natural colors when nothing else will work.
3. SLUGGO
I like the 4" on a weighted jig head in various colors; white, pink, and natural.
4. FLUOROCARBON
Albies have keen eyesight a 4-6' section of flouro is a must. 15lb is standard but 12lb is common on those greasy calm days. Sometimes even 10lb is necessary.
5. 7' Medium Light Rod
Any brand rod will do. Something that can tame them in a 5 minute or less fight.
6. 3000-5000 Size Spinning Reel
Any brand will do. I prefer shimano because I find they have the smoothest drags, with very little start up inertia.
7. Hook File
Always good to have regardless. I like to just run the file 2-3 times on each hook in one direction to keep them sticky sharp.
8. A CPR Plan
Have your phone/camera ready to go. Know where you will be standing and how to hold fish for a quick CPR (Catch, Photo, Release) in order to insure a high survival rate.
9. Release
You should drop the fish into the water head first, so that the pressure of the water going through the mouth and into the gills of the fish acts as a "jump start" to get the fish revived. If you do this properly the fish should swim off quickly, immediately after hitting the water.
10. Patience
If you have fished for them before, you already know what I mean. If you have never, then you will learn to be a patient; waiting for them to show up, hoping that they eat your offering, patient for them to be in casting range. However once you get a taste, you will never want to fish for anything else.
