Fishing Terminal Tackle
Terminal Tackle Across The Best Brands – Buy In-Store & Online Australia-Wide
Compleat Angler Nedlands stocks hooks, sinkers, swivels, snaps, crimps, rings and pre-made rigs from BKK, Decoy, Gamakatsu, Owner, Oceans Legacy and dozens more, the same components serious anglers reach for when a fish actually matters. Whether you're rigging a basic paternoster, premium drone rigs or custom sword rigs, we've got the components and the knowledge to back it.
How to Choose the Right Terminal Tackle
Terminal tackle is everything that connects your main line to the hook, including hooks, sinkers, swivels, snaps, crimps and rigs. Here's how our team thinks it through, from someone tying their first rig to someone building leaders for marlin.
What Hooks Should I Use?
Hook choice comes down to brand strengths as much as size. BKK offers strong, sharp hooks at genuinely good value, a solid everyday choice across most species. Decoy specialises in jigging and finesse work, where hook weight and gape need to be dialled in precisely. Then there's the two Australian names. Oceans Legacy built its reputation on jigging and popping terminal, assist hooks and rigged options that hold up under sustained drag, and now runs a full standard terminal and bait hook range as well. Vexed came up through demersal and bottom jigging — the fishing a lot of our customers are actually doing — and has expanded into everyday terminal and bait hooks too. All four are quality, and the right pick usually comes down to technique rather than one brand being universally better.
Understanding Hook Sizes
Hook sizing runs on two separate scales that trip a lot of anglers up. Smaller numbers with no suffix (size 8, 4, 2, 1) get bigger as the number gets smaller, so a size 1 hook is bigger than a size 8. Once you hit size 1, the scale flips to the /0 (aught) system, where bigger numbers mean a bigger hook, so a 6/0 is bigger than a 1/0. For general estuary and bream fishing, sizes 4 to 2/0 cover most situations. Bigger baitfish and larger target species push you further up the /0 scale.
Cheap vs Premium Terminal Tackle, Is It Really Worth Paying More?
Premium terminal tackle uses better grade steel, which means stronger construction, a sharper point that holds its edge, and real resistance to corrosion in saltwater. It also comes down to quality control. A split ring that's slightly out of spec can pop open under load, and a hook with a weak point can bend or straighten at exactly the wrong moment. These are small, inexpensive components, but they're also the single point of failure between you and a fish that's taken you months to hook. It's one of the cheapest upgrades in the tackle box relative to what it protects.
Sinkers, Swivels and Snaps, What Each One Actually Does
Sinkers get your bait or rig to the right depth and hold it there against current, ball sinkers for running rigs, bomb or snapper leads for structure and current, star sinkers for holding bottom in a run. Swivels stop your line twisting under load, particularly important with lures or baits that spin on retrieve or during a fight. Snaps let you change lures or rigs quickly without retying, useful when you're switching techniques through a session but not something you'd use on a leader where a direct connection matters more.
What Terminal Tackle Do I Need to Get Started?
A terminal tackle kit for beginners should include hooks in a size 4 to 2/0 range, a selection of ball sinkers, barrel swivels and a few pre-made rigs while you're learning to tie your own. From there, jig heads, assist hooks and snap swivels are the natural next additions as your fishing style develops and you start targeting specific techniques.
Crimps and Components for Game Fishing
Serious game leaders are built, not just tied. Heavy duty crimps, game rated swivels, are what hold a lure rig together under the sustained drag pressure a marlin or tuna puts on gear during a long fight. This is one area where cutting corners on component quality is not a good idea, since a leader is only as strong as its weakest crimp or swivel.
The Terminal Tackle Range Serious Anglers Actually Need
302+ products across more than 60 brands, from everyday hooks and sinkers through to specialty hooks and deep drop lights for monster sword fish.
Why Our Customers Buy Their Terminal Tackle From Us
Trusted Brands, Properly Stocked
Everything you need from BKK, Decoy, Gamakatsu, Vexed, Oceans Legacy and dozens more.
Advice From Anglers, Not Salespeople
Our team rigs this gear themselves and can talk you through hook sizing, sinker choice and rig building for your exact target species.
Right For Beginners and Experts Alike
Rigging your first paternoster or building a custom sword rig from scratch, we'll get you the right components the first time.
Small Parts, Shipped Properly
Every order packed to arrive complete and undamaged, wherever in Australia it's headed.
Want Help Building a Rig?
Whether you're building your first terminal tackle kit or upgrading an existing terminal tackle box, getting the sizing, gauge and component compatibility right is much easier with expert advice. If you're near Nedlands, bring in what you're targeting and we'll help you build the rig on the spot. Ordering from elsewhere in the country, tell us your target species and technique and we'll put the right components together for you.
- Address
- 154 Stirling Hwy
Nedlands WA 6009 - Contact
- (08) 9389 1337
- Opening Hours
- Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Saturday: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Frequently Asked Questions About Terminal Tackle
What hook brand do you recommend?
BKK offers great value with strong, sharp hooks, and Decoy specialises in jigging and finesse work. Oceans Legacy and Vexed are the two Australian-designed options — both came up through jigging and demersal fishing, and both now cover everyday bait and terminal as well, so you can rig a whole session out of one brand. All four are excellent, the right pick depends on your technique.
Is premium terminal tackle really worth it over cheap gear?
Yes. Premium components use better steel, which means stronger construction, a sharper point and real resistance to corrosion. A split ring that opens or a hook that bends can cost you a trophy fish. It's a small cost relative to what it protects.
What terminal tackle do I need for basic fishing?
Hooks in a size 4 to 2/0 range, a few ball sinkers in different weights, barrel swivels, and some pre-made rigs to start.
Do you stock game fishing terminal tackle?
Yes. Heavy crimps, game rated swivels, wind on leaders, hook rigs and all the components needed for marlin, tuna, and swordfish rigs.
How do hook sizes actually work?
Two scales are in play. Smaller numbers without a suffix (8, 4, 2, 1) get bigger as the number drops, so a size 1 is bigger than a size 8. Past size 1, it switches to the /0 scale, where bigger numbers mean a bigger hook, so a 6/0 is bigger than a 1/0. Most estuary and bream fishing sits in the 4 to 2/0 range.
What's the difference between a swivel and a snap swivel?
A standard swivel stops your line twisting under load, useful with lures or baits that spin on retrieve. A snap swivel adds a quick release clip, letting you change lures or rigs without retying. Snaps are handy for switching techniques through a session, but a direct tied connection is usually stronger for leaders where breaking strain matters most.