# Gear > A gear guide for inland fishing: rod, reel and line types, what weight the gear handles, a full kit list and recommended setups. Source: https://finnfisk.no/en/utstyr Language: en Alternate: https://finnfisk.no/utstyr (nb-NO) --- Field guide · Gear A spinning rod with a casting weight of 5 to 15 g and 0.20 to 0.25 mm line covers most inland fishing in Norway. Updated 6 October 2026 With a handful of 5 to 12 g lures you can fish for trout in mountain lakes and grayling along the river. Adapt it to the water and species. For fly fishing, see the separate [fly guide](https://finnfisk.no/en/flueguide). ## Which rod and reel suit which fish? Trout in mountain lakes take an ultralight rod that handles about 1.5 kg, while pike need a rod that handles 3 to over 10 kg. The table shows rod, reel and line for the common species. All of it is advisory. Rod, casting weight, reel and line for each species, and how heavy a fish the setup handles | Fishing | Species | Rod | Casting weight | Reel | Line and leader | Handles fish | Tips | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Trout in mountain lakes | Brown trout and Arctic char | Ultralight spinning rod, 6-7 ft | 2-10 g | Size 1000-2500 | 0.18-0.22 mm nylon, or 0.08-0.10 mm braid | Up to ~1.5 kg | Small spinners and spoons. Shy fish in clear water need thin line and a careful presentation. | | Trout, all-round (river and lake) | Brown trout and grayling | Spinning rod, 7-9 ft | 5-20 g | Size 2500-3000 | 0.22-0.25 mm nylon, or 0.10-0.12 mm braid | Up to ~3 kg | Covers most of the trout fishing. Slightly heavier lures when there is current or wind. | | Big trout (trolling and otter board) | Brown trout | Heavy spinning or trolling rod, 8-10 ft | 15-40 g | Size 3000-4000 with a smooth, strong drag | 0.28-0.35 mm nylon, or 0.15-0.20 mm braid | 3-8 kg | For big waters like Mjøsa, Vangsmjøse and Tesse. Plugs and spoons behind an otter board or on the troll. | | Arctic char (mountain lake and ice fishing) | Arctic char | Ultralight spinning rod or jigging rod | 1-8 g | Size 1000-2000 | 0.16-0.20 mm nylon | Up to ~1.5 kg | Small spoons in red or natural colours. Jigging lures and maggot through the ice in winter. | | Perch | Perch | Light spinning rod, 6-7 ft | 3-15 g | Size 2000-2500 | 0.20-0.25 mm nylon, or 0.10 mm braid | Up to ~1.5 kg | Jigs, worms and small spinners. A shoaling fish, so search along edges and jetties. | | Pike | Pike | Heavy spinning rod, 7-8 ft | 20-60 g | Size 3000-4000 | 0.15-0.20 mm braid + wire leader | 3-10+ kg | Big plugs, jigs and spinnerbaits. A wire leader is a must against the teeth. | ## Find your gear Pick species, where you fish and technique, and we suggest a complete setup with rod, reel, line and lures. What do you want to fish for? Where? Technique Suggestion ### Trout in mountain lakes - **Rod**: Ultralight spinning rod, 6-7 ft - **Casting weight**: 2-10 g - **Handles fish**: Up to ~1.5 kg - **Reel**: Size 1000-2500 - **Line and leader**: 0.18-0.22 mm nylon, or 0.08-0.10 mm braid - **Try these**: Mepps Aglia, Blue Fox Vibrax, Mepps Black Fury Colour to start with: Silver [Colour guide](https://finnfisk.no/en/fargeguide) ## Rods, reels, line & swivels The spinning rod and the fixed-spool reel are the most common types, and nylon of 0.18 to 0.35 mm is a cheap all-round line. Here is the difference between them, so you know what is what. ### Rod types Spinning rod 1.8-2.7 m · 2-40 g The most common rod. Casts lures, spinners and plugs using the bait's own weight. Available from ultralight to heavy. Telescopic rod 2.1-3.6 m A collapsible spinning rod that is handy to bring on a mountain trip. A little less sensitive than a two-piece. Ice fishing / jigging rod 50-90 cm A short rod for vertical fishing through the ice, used with a jigging lure or a mormyshka. Trolling rod 2.1-2.7 m · 20-150 g A heavy rod for pulling baits behind a boat on big waters. Handles heavy fish and sinkers. Float rod 3-5 m A long rod for float fishing with a bobber, bait and a light sinker. Common for perch and coarse fish. ### Reel types Fixed-spool reel (spinning reel) Size 1000-4000 The most common and simplest. Line peels off a fixed spool. Suits a spinning rod and most species. Baitcasting reel (multiplier) Size 150-300 Sits on top of the rod and gives more power and precision, but has a steeper learning curve. Popular for pike and trolling. Closed reel (spincast) Size 10-40 A reel with a cover over the spool. Beginner-friendly and rarely tangles, but casts shorter. Ice fishing reel Size 500-1000 A small, light reel for ice fishing, often on a short jigging rod. ### Line types Nylon (monofilament) 0.18-0.35 mm A cheap all-round line with a little stretch that cushions jerks and runs. It floats and is easy to handle. Fluorocarbon 0.12-0.30 mm Almost invisible underwater and it sinks. Little stretch. Used as a leader, or as the main line in clear water. Braid 0.08-0.20 mm A braided line with no stretch. Gives maximum contact and long casts at a thin diameter, but it is visible, so always use a leader. Leader / tippet 0.10-0.25 mm The thin, transparent end between the line and the bait. A wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon is a must against pike teeth. ### Swivels & snaps Snap swivel Size 12-1/0 A swivel and a clip in one part, between the leader and the bait. The clip lets you change lures in seconds, and the swivel turns so spinners and spoons do not twist the line. Sizes count downwards: size 12 is small, 1/0 is big. Use the smallest one that handles the fish, an oversized snap is visible and kills the action of light lures. Ball bearing swivel Size 10-6 A swivel with ball bearings that keeps turning even with heavy load on the line. Worth it for spinners, which twist the most. A plain barrel swivel seizes up more easily under load. ## Kit list An all-round spinning rod handles fish up to about 3 kg, and 0.20 to 0.25 mm nylon breaks at about 3 to 5 kg. The tags show how heavy a fish the rod handles, and how much the line and swivel take before they break. All of it is advisory. ### Rod All-round spinning rod Max ~3 kg 6-9 ft, casting weight 5-20 g, covers most of the trout and grayling fishing. Ultralight spinning rod Max ~1.5 kg 6-7 ft, 1-7 g, shy fish and small lures in clear water. Pike rod 3-10+ kg 7-8 ft, 15-40 g for big baits. ### Reel Spinning reel size 2000-2500 Matches the all-round rod; smooth, finely adjustable drag. Ultralight size 1000-2000 For thin line and light lures. ### Line & leader Nylon (mono) 0.20-0.25 mm ~3-5 kg breaking strain All-round for trout; the stretch cushions jerks and runs. Braid 0.10-0.13 mm ~5-9 kg breaking strain Better contact and longer casts, always use a leader. Fluorocarbon leader 0.14-0.20 mm ~2-4 kg breaking strain Nearly invisible in clear water. Wire / heavy fluorocarbon leader Pike-proof Necessary against pike teeth. ### Swivels & small parts Snap swivel size 12-10 ~5-8 kg breaking strain Ultralight and light spinning: 1-10 g lures for trout and char. As small as possible in clear water. Snap swivel size 8-6 ~12-18 kg breaking strain All-round: 10-30 g spoons and plugs, trolling and otter board. The size most people use most. Snap swivel size 4-1/0 ~20-35 kg breaking strain Pike and big baits, together with a wire leader. Ball bearing swivel size 10-6 ~7-15 kg breaking strain For spinners that twist the line. Turns freely even under heavy load. ### Accessories Unhooking pliers Quick and gentle unhooking, especially with barbs. Net with rubber mesh Gentle on the fish and does not tangle hooks. Waders & wading boots For river fishing and edges in mountain lakes. Polarised sunglasses See fish and structure, and protect your eyes from hooks. Lure box Keep things tidy and keep the baits dry. Fishing licence on your phone Buy it on inatur or iFiske before you start. ## Recommended setups Light spinning at 5 to 15 g covers most fishing, ultralight at 1 to 7 g takes shy fish, and pike need a wire leader. ### Light spinning (all-round) Rod with 5-15 g casting weight, 1.8-2.4 m. Reel size 2000-2500 with 0.20-0.25 mm line or 0.10 mm braid. Lures 3-12 g: Mepps Aglia, Blue Fox, small spoons and plugs. Perfect for trout in mountain lakes and along Lågen. Fish ~0.5-3 kg · line 3-5 kg ### Ultralight spinning Rod 1-7 g, thin line (0.14-0.18 mm). Small spinners and microjigs for shy trout and grayling in clear water. Fish ~0.3-1.5 kg · line 1.5-2.5 kg ### Pike/perch A heavier rod (15-40 g), braid and a wire leader for pike. Big plugs, jigs and spinnerbaits. Perch take small jigs and spinners. Pike 3-10+ kg · line 7-12 kg ## Common questions ### What do I need to start fishing? - A six to seven foot spinning rod, a small fixed-spool reel with 0.20 mm line, and a handful of lures between five and twelve grams. Add pliers, a knife, some spare hooks and a couple of snap swivels and you are set. All of it costs less than a decent pair of boots. [The full kit list](https://finnfisk.no/en/utstyr) ### What line thickness should I use? - Monofilament of 0.20 to 0.25 mm covers nearly all inland fishing for trout, perch and grayling. Thinner line casts further and is less visible, thicker takes more abuse from rock and pike teeth. If you are after pike, add a leader that survives the teeth. Read next - [Reel guide Reel types, size and drag](https://finnfisk.no/en/snelleguide) - [Knot guide Nine knots, with diagrams and steps](https://finnfisk.no/en/knuteguide) - [Lure guide The lure types and when to use what](https://finnfisk.no/en/slukguide) - [Fly guide Flies, class and technique](https://finnfisk.no/en/flueguide) - [Fishing with children Rules, safety and good trips](https://finnfisk.no/en/barnefiske)