Sell fishing gear online to anglers who know what they want

1. 01

   Organize by species and water

   Anglers shop for a trip: trout on small streams, bass in lakes, pike, saltwater. Make a collection for each, and another by technique, so a buyer can find streamers for pike in two clicks.

2. 02

   Make hook sizes and colors options

   One fly pattern with each hook size as an option and stock per size; one lure with its colors and weights. Say whether you sell singly, by the half dozen or by the dozen.

3. 03

   Write the specs anglers check

   For rods, length, line weight or casting weight, action and number of pieces; for reels, retrieve ratio, line capacity and weight; for flies, the hook model and size and whether it’s barbless.

4. 04

   Photograph flies close and true

   Shoot each fly in daylight on a plain background, from the side and the top, next to a ruler. Anglers match the size and color of what’s hatching, so the photo has to be accurate.

5. 05

   Release ahead of the season

   Put early-season patterns up before the season opens in your area and summer patterns before the hatches. A discount code with start and end dates suits opening week.

6. 06

   Offer trips and custom builds on request

   Mark guided trips and custom rods “price on request”. Anglers send dates, group size or the rod they want through a form, and you reply by email.

• Lead tackle rules

  Some places restrict lead sinkers and jigs to protect water birds, including the UK and several US states. Check the rules where you ship, and say on each product whether it contains lead.

• Point anglers to the regulations

  Most anglers need a fishing license, and rules such as barbless hooks or catch and release vary by water. A short page naming your state or country’s official rules is useful and builds trust.

General information to help you get started, not legal advice. Rules differ by country, state and product, so check the ones that apply to you.