Just like with kayak fishing and wadefishing, I like to keep shore and jetty fishing as simple as possible. However, it is important to know that shore fishing is oftentimes more complicated because, by its very nature, there are a wider variety of fish and conditions that you may have to contend with. But, I still try to keep it as simple and straight-forward as possible.
I am basically a “backpack fisherman” when I do shore fishing, so let’s start off with the discussion of my backpack:
I picked it up free at a family garage sale years ago, so nothing fancy. It is ugly, cheap looking, and has been with me on many fishing trips. It this small backpack, I am able to fit:
- Up to three tackle boxes
- Spool of fishing line/leader material
- Wire leader material
- Pliers
- Lip grippers
- Knife
- Fish towel
- Packages of Fishbites and/or Berkley Gulps
- Altoids can with an assortment of small fishhooks
- Popping corks
- Cast net (if desired)
- Stringer (if desired)
- Wire cutters/bolt cutters
- Water
- Snacks
- Jacket or rain gear
- Sunscreen
- Car keys, phone, etc.
I enjoy backpack fishing because it allows be to be extremely mobile, and it allows for easy and quick cleanup when I get home. The backpack is not required for surf fishing if I drive the truck on the beach, but for “walk-in, walk-out” fishing (such as pier, jetty, or seawall/breakwater fishing), it is extremely helpful.
There are some items not carried in the backpack that may still be needed. These items are typically carried by hand, and include:
- Landing net
- Bait bucket
- Rods/reels (discussed below)
Tackle Boxes
I mentioned in my article titled Simple Tackle Box that I only use one tackle box when wade/kayak fishing (see here). Well, when shore fishing, I still bring along the same tackle box, because it contains useful lures, along with terminal tackle like hooks, swivels, leaders, etc. This tackle box covers me for nearly all “close-in” fishing for bay-sized fish. Sometimes, this tackle box is all we need.
However, I also bring an ADDITIONAL tackle box or two. The reason for this is that there are a wide variety of fish, conditions, and challenges that you will run into in some shore fishing situations, particularly at jetties. Sometimes the conditions turn out to be different that what you had envisioned so you have to be able to adapt on the fly. You may have to deal with strong currents, rocks (they steal your tackle), other people in close proximity, wind at odd angles, etc. Extra tackle helps with some of this by giving you options. As much as I like to keep things simple, you must carry the tackle to adapt to conditions or your trip is a bust. Below I list some items stored in these other tackle boxes.
Additional tackle box #1 (the “Sinker Box”) contains:
- An assortment of lead sinkers 2 oz and heavier, including (at a minimum) pyramid sinkers, egg sinkers, and some spider weights.
- Large jig heads (1 oz and heavier), so that I can cast larger soft plastic lures (normally swimbaits) than I normally would in the bay.
Additional tackle box #2 (the “Big Lure Box”) contains:
- Gold/silver spoons 1 oz and heavier
- Large swimbaits for the large jig heads mentioned above
- Large plugs (mainly topwaters and large swimming plugs/crankbaits)
How Many Rods?
This is completely up to you and what you feel like carrying, but I take two or three, even if I am fishing alone.
- Rod #1 is a bay rod of my choice, used for all close-in fishing and for catching small fish for use as cut bait or live bait.
- Rod #2 is a beefy rod of my choice, usually an 8 ft rod rated medium-heavy power, that is capable of chunking some larger lures or baits out a ways, and has enough backbone to handle large fish like bull reds and jack crevalle. This rod could be spinning or casting (your choice), with a reel that holds 250 yards or more of 20lb monofilament line. Note that this is NOT a bay rod, it is much stronger than that. Bay rods are just not cut out for this heavier work.
- Rod #3 is a medium-heavy surf rod of my choice (I typically use a 10 ft rod) with a reel of similar line capacity to Rod #2.
If I am only surf fishing, then Rod #2 and Rod #3 will both be surf rods.
That’s Lots of Stuff
It may appear that my backpack or tackle box inventory is a lot. That’s because shore fishing requires proper gear and adaptation to conditions, as already mentioned. You don’t want to “improvise” how to land a big fish at the jetties because you forgot your gaff or landing net. However, note that I don’t take all of this stuff on every shore trip. I tailor it to the type of fishing I plan to do. For example, if I’m going to fish the harbor or some inshore canal, I likely don’t need the beefy rods, heavy weights, and gaff. If I’m going to fish the jetties in rough conditions, I may very well need all of that.
Carrying It All
With the backpack on, my hands are free to carry other items. I usually carry my rods in one hand, and a gaff or net in the other hand. Sometimes, I will also carry a bag of dead shrimp (or a bait bucket) in the gaff/net hand. It sounds like a lot, but these are all essential items.
There you have it, some simple tackle carry for shore fishing.
Have a reel good day,
– The Simple Fisherman