Learning commercial fishing equipment basics before purchasing the gear ensures you're buying the most essential commercial fishing gear for your operation. Some commercial fishing equipment, such as knives, is for every commercial fishing operation, while other gear, such as traps, are only for catching a specific type of fish or crab.

Knowing the basics of commercial fishing gear allows you to make informed decisions when outfitting your boat. For commercial fishermen on a tight budget, it's helpful to know what equipment is absolutely necessary, such as survival suits when fishing in northern waters, and what equipment you can buy after the boat turns a profit. When learning commercial fishing equipment basics, consider the following:

1. Know the difference between a gaff, a harpoon and a gaff-harpoon combo.

2. Cutlery is a broad term used for fish-specific and general purpose knives.

3. Know that both fishermen and retailers also call a crab or shrimp trap a pot.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Know that gaffs are a critical piece of commercial fishing gear

A gaff is essentially a large fish hook that has either a handle or a long spear. These tools pull heavy game fish into the boat as well as maneuver the fish once it's aboard. Gaffs are a safety device and keep hands clear of snapping teeth.

I recommend: Visit Blue Ocean Tackle to see photographs of different styles of gaffs. Compare the "T" shaped gaffs, ideal for handling the fish once it's on board, to the gaffs with long shafts, which grab the fish as it's pulled from the water. FishReports.net discusses the various uses of different styles of gaffs.

Review different styles of commercial fishing equipment cutlery

Cutlery is a commercial fishing equipment key term that refers to cutting instruments used in the fishing industry. Knives and other cutting tools are in use throughout the entire fishing process, from cutting the bait to processing the catch. These knives are often fish-specific. For example, processing halibut requires a knife designed for that type of fish.

I recommend: Read through the list of tools and knives commonly used in the commercial fishing industry at TackleDirect. Click on the individual links to see photographs of the cutlery and read about their specific functions. Visit Go2marine to see photographs of cutlery frequently found in a commercial fishing supply. The photographs have a brief description of each knife's purpose.

See examples of harpoons found in commercial fishing supplies

Equipment for commercial fishing often includes a harpoon. This tool is for catching large game fish such as swordfish, blue fin tuna and sharks. For safety reasons, harpoons are typically disassembled and stored until needed. Although gaffs and harpoons are two different tools, gaff and harpoon hybrids are also available.

I recommend: To see a photograph of a harpoon in action as well as detailed photos of a disassembled harpoon, visit BlueMarlinChronicles. Click on "How to Rig the Poon" for directions and a diagram for assembling the harpoon. To see photos of various harpoons, including gaff and harpoon combos, visit South Chatham Tackle.

Study how fishing industry equipment traps function

Perhaps some of the most recognized supplies for the fishing industry are crab and shrimp traps. Thanks to popular television shows and documentaries on Alaskan crab fishing, nearly everyone knows what a crap trap, or pot as they are commonly called, looks like. Few people outside of the commercial fishing industry understand exactly how they work, though.

I recommend: Read a detailed explanation of how crab traps work at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Click on the links to read more basics about crab fishing. Learn more about how crab traps work when catching specific species of crab at Neptune Marine Products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  On-board commercial fishing products should always include the necessary commercial fishing apparel designed for increasing the chances of survival, including survival suits in cold climates and life jackets for every person on board, which are required by law.

The top producers of commercial fishing equipment span such international areas as Japan, the United States, China and Australia. If your business is often in need of a large stock of items, cooperating with an importer or exporter of fishing equipment is the way to go. There are also providers of commercial fishing equipment that specialize in specific fisheries, such as salmon, tuna, crab and mollusks.

Commercial fishing gear is used for a variety of different fisheries and fishing companies that provide crab, lobster and other seafood products. Commercial fishing companies are always looking to save money on equipment, so you will want to stock new as well as used supplies for the fishing industry. In order to give the best deals on equipment, you will want to:

1. Contact large providers of fishing gear

2. Ask for any discounts that can be given for new customers or bulk ordering

3. Save money buying used commercial fishing gear

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Contact large providers of commercial fishing equipment

Cooperating with the main providers of commercial fishing equipment can save time and money. Large importers and exporters of commercial fishing equipment also provide all the stock items your customers need for a commercial fishing expedition that may not be available in all retail stores.

I recommend: All types of commercial fishing supplies can be found at Hamilton Marine. You can also find catalogs for longline, crab, and trawl commercial fishing supplies at LFS.

Purchase equipment for the fishing industry that meets specific needs

Some providers of commercial fishing gear specialize in certain fisheries and not others, so it is important you contact the right equipment companies for the right fishery needs.

I recommend: Blue Ocean Tackle has an abundance of fishing supply equipment such as blocks and rollers used specifically for tuna. Acadien Marine Broker Services provides a variety of price ranges and fishing boat types for various commercial fishing needs.

Explore used commercial fishing gear to purchase

Used commercial fishing gear is the best way to get a good deal for both you and the customer. Many customers just starting out in the business of commercial fishing will often look for used items rather than new items, so it is a good idea to have both available at your commercial fishing supply.

I recommend: Midcoast Boat Brokerage is a company that provides a wide array of used commercial fishing products. You can also find many used commercial fishing equipment from the Maryland Watermen's Association.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Learn more about the commercial fishing industry by subscribing to commercial fishing organizations such as the National Fisheries Institute. They supply you with news feeds, articles and even have a forum for questions. They also have information on the different fisheries within the United States.

When using commercial fishing gear, good training can mean the difference between life and death. Commercial fishing is a dangerous industry and much of today's commercial fishing equipment is designed to help prevent a tragedy.

Providers of commercial fishing equipment try to make their commercial fishing products as easy to use as possible. That said, even if you are an experienced commercial fisherman, it is a good idea to frequently complete commercial fishing equipment education and training. This way, proper use of commercial fishing supplies will become instinctual. Steps to ensure you are properly trained on supplies for the fishing industry include:

1. Locate literature that explains proper use of a commercial fishing supply.

2. View videos on how to use equipment for commercial fishing.

3. Find classes that teach the use of commercial fishing products.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read up on the best way to use commercial fishing gear

Providers of commercial fishing gear and safety organizations are a great source for commercial fishing equipment training and education. Many publish guide books that explain the proper use of commercial fishing products.

I recommend: The website for the Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examiners Association is a great source of information, including what type of equipment is required aboard commercial fishing vessels. From the linked page, scroll down and click the topic in which you're interested. The North Pacific Fishing Vessel Owners' Association publishes several books that cover proper equipment use and safety techniques.

Watch videos that explain proper use of commercial fishing supplies

A number of different videos are available that explain the proper use of commercial fishing gear. The biggest benefit of these videos is that you can watch them anytime you want and learn about equipment for the fishing industry on a schedule that works for you. The downside is that you can not ask questions, and the video may not cover the specific fishing industry equipment that you have on your boat.

I recommend: Check out the series of videos from Maritime Training Services, which explains survival skills as well as proper use of commercial fishing gear including life rafts, emergency radios and immersion suits. The Alaska Sea Grant College Program produces videos that explain how to use and maintain commercial fishing supplies.

Take classes that teach proper use of commercial fishing products

For complete commercial fishing equipment education and training, there is no substitute for a class with a live instructor. The inconvenience of having to travel to a class location is mitigated by the ability to ask questions, talk to peers in the class and fully submerge yourself in the training.

I recommend: The Alaska Marine Safety Education Association offers courses for captains and crew members who are serving on commercial fishing vessels. Participants will learn survival skills and proper use of commercial fishing gear, especially safety gear. FishSafe is a commercial fishing vessel safety program that offers free dockside equipment inspections and training.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Contact the U.S. Coast Guard for help finding commercial fishing equipment education and training in your area.

What you need for your commercial fishing business will depend on the type of fishing you intend to do. However, understanding what is available and knowing which choices are right for you requires a deeper knowledge of commercial fishing equipment terms. In any business, learning the terms associated to your niche gives you the upper hand, thus enhancing your productivity.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buoys

These are floating devices usually used with an anchor so fishermen can mark the spots in the water where set their fishing nets. Buoys come in various shapes, sizes and can be polyform, steel or inflatable, depending on your need.

I recommend: Globalsecurity.org discusses how commercial fishers use buoys.

Haulers

Haulers are tools that help fishers with hauling fish out of the water. Haulers come in all shapes and sizes, and the one you choose will depend on the volume your boat handles and the method of fishing you use.

I recommend: J.K. Fabrication features high-end longline haulers, offers detailed specs, and describes how the equipment works.

Gillnet

This type of netting is used to catch a large quantity of fish at one time. It is suspended by floats, which both identify the location of the netting and holds it in place.

I recommend: Monterey Bay Aquarium explains the gillnetting method of fishing, as well as other techniques that require various commercial fishing equipment, such as dredging and long lining.

Commercial fishing electronics

This describes a wide variety of electronic items including radios, portable finders and beacons. These items help commercial fishers navigate and are often used to ensure the safety of fishermen.

I recommend: Commercial Fishing introduces a number of electronic items and describes the features and benefits of each.

Harpoons

These are tools shaped sort of like spears. They are used to catch fish by hand, individually. This technique takes great skill.

I recommend: Blue Ocean Tackle discusses various types of harpoons and how they are best used.