Fishing from shore requires different gear than fishing from a boat, and we discuss some of the most key differences. If you are looking for the proper gear that will make your life easier fishing from the bank, we have your covered. Thanks to new innovations, brands are gearing specifically towards shore anglers such as KastKing with their KastKing Karryall Backpack. This new gear allows shore anglers to fish more comfortably and effectively than ever before.
The Angler’s Line is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program as well as other affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites at no extra cost to you.
It seems like shore fisherman are often neglected when it comes to gear reviews and information. My love for fishing and the outdoors ultimately stems from my time spent on the bank. I didn’t have access to a boat, but I realized that shore fishing offers some incredible fishing opportunities as well. Even to this day, I still find myself checking in on my secret honey hole spots by foot. Over the years, I have experimented and found some of the most important essentials that every shore fisherman needs.
Fishing Backpacks
The main challenge for shore anglers is that you have to carry everything you take. Storing your tackle is challenging, but luckily fishing backpacks have come a long way in recent years. Fishing backpacks allow you to carry plenty of tackle, while staying comfortable and mobile. One benefit of fishing backpacks specifically for fishing is that they have designated rod and lure storage compartments. Additionally, it is important to get a high-quality waterproof backpack since it will experience some abuse from the elements. The two backpacks that I recommend to shore anglers include the Kastking Karryall Backpack and Piscifun Tackle Backpack. The main difference between these two is that KastKing Karryall Backpack offers a built in rod holder while the Piscifun Tackle Backpack comes with a portable rain cover.
KastKing Karryall Fishing Tackle Backpack With Rod Holder
Pros: Made from water-resistant and durable material, comes with four tackle containers, and has built in rod holder
Cons: Included tackle containers are not very high quality
Piscifun Fishing Tackle Backpack
Pros: Made from water-resistant material, very comfortable with thick padding, and includes four tackle containers
Cons: No rod holder attachment
Tackle Storage
So now that you have a backpack equipped with boxes for storing hard baits, you’ll need a storage system for soft baits. Like many others, I have used Ziploc bags in the past to store my soft plastics. After a while, holes would tear in them, and water would eventually get in. It is well worth it to buy more durable and long-lasting bags designed for soft plastics. Bass Mafia makes a variety of sizes that should cover almost all your needs.
Pros: Wide variety of sizes to choose from and very durable
Cons: More expensive than ziplocs
Best Rods For Shore Fishing
Moving on, let’s talk rods. I’ve tried shore fishing with all sorts of rods, and some are better suited than others. The most important aspect when selecting a rod for shore fishing is its storability. It is extremely valuable to get a rod that can be broken down into multiple pieces. The two most travel rods include a 2-piece rod or 4-piece rod. There are also travel rods known as telescoping rods that fold in on themselves, but they are not my favorite to tell you the truth.
Spinning:
Pros: Wide variety of models to choose from, 5-year warranty, and very durable
Cons: Slightly more expensive and not as packable as some other travel rods
Daiwa Presso Spinning Pack Rod
Pros: Packs down very small, and very lightweight (best suited for light to ultralight applications)
Cons: Minimal size options available
Baitcasting:
St Croix Mojo Bass Casting Rod
Pros: Made from durable materials, 5-year warranty, and 2-piece models available
Cons: Slightly more expensive
Pros: Budget friendly, lots of model options, and golf style Superpolymer handle
Cons: Not as high of quality materials as the mojo bass
Bonus Tip:
When shore fishing, your equipment tends to take a beating. To keep your rods and reels in good shape, it is worth the small investment to buy rod and reel covers to protect your gear. You can find rod covers here and reel covers here.
Shore Fishing Nets
Depending on the type of shore fishing that you plan on doing, you may want a net. This is by no means necessary but can be very useful at times, especially when fishing rocky shorelines. When choosing a net, it is important that it is packable and lightweight for carrying it long distances.’
Pros: Built with high quality materials, lots of different attachments for customization, rubberized coating, and has floatation
Cons: Slightly more expensive and heavier than some other basic nets
More Information
I hope you enjoyed this article about the Best Gear For Shore Fishing and found it to be informative. If so, we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments down below.
The Angler’s Line is all about building a community centered around fishing and conservation, so that we can all enjoy this great resource for years to come. If this sounds like a mission you can get behind, consider signing up to our newsletter here
For shore fishing tips and tricks, check out this article
Looking for more gear for shore fishing? Check out the Top 5 Best Shore Fishing Rods
For a spinning rod under $100, check out our article about the Best Spinning Rods Under $100
If you are new to fishing and looking for a fishing combo to get started, check out our article about the Best Rod and Reel Combos For Beginners
Pingback: Best Rod and Reel Combos For Beginners - The Angler's Line