Why is fishing gear called "tackle"?

Question

I'm sure there must be an interesting story to explain why it became known as tackle.

Answer 1

i think because when you say tackle...it rolls nice of the tongue..and that is whhy

Answer 2

I think it means to grasp or seize something.

The term tackle has the following etymology:

tackle (n.) c.1250, "apparatus, gear," from M.Du. or M.L.G. takel "the rigging of a ship," perhaps related to M.Du. taken "grasp, seize" (see take), or perhaps from root of tack (1). Meaning "apparatus for fishing" is recorded from 1398. The noun meaning "act of tackling" in the sporting sense is recorded from 1876 (see tackle (v.)); as the name of a position in Amer. football, it is recorded from 1891

Answer 3

Paul g`s  dictionary :            tackle/  to tackle,  to get er dun ,or take on the job at hand with equipment : using all this expensive new and shinny stuff to accomplish it.                                                                                                            tackle this

Answer 4

From Wikipedia:

The term tackle has the following etymology:

tackle (n.) c.1250, "apparatus, gear," from M.Du. or M.L.G. takel "the rigging of a ship," perhaps related to M.Du. taken "grasp, seize" (see take), or perhaps from root of tack (1). Meaning "apparatus for fishing" is recorded from 1398. The noun meaning "act of tackling" in the sporting sense is recorded from 1876 (see tackle (v.)); as the name of a position in Amer. football, it is recorded from 1891.[1]

So basically, the original meaning of "tackle" is "apparatus, gear". The football sense of "tackle" is much newer.

Answer 5

it look like block and tackle used on sail ships