From rods and reels to lures, braid scissors, your clothing, electronics, and many more, there’s a wide array of accessories you need to have a successful saltwater fishing expedition. While some are just that, accessories, others are necessities, like the rod and reel, buckets, and baits.
Over the years, I’ve discovered that the right equipment is crucial for success while saltwater fishing. Even if we’ve located the ideal saltwater fishing vessel, filled the tanks, and are ready to cast off in search of a tasty meal, we’re still just sailing if we don’t have any fishing gear.
However, before leaving the moor, we need to check that you have everything you might need. The following items are necessary for any saltwater fishing expedition, regardless of the species being pursued or the technique being used. If you want to know how to pick the right saltwater fishing equipment, this is the article for you.
Saltwater Fishing Accessories – Ultimate List
1. Fishing Rods and Reels
We understand that this is the most basic requirement, but it bears repeating because of its significance. Who would go out on the ocean or bay without fishing equipment? We certainly don’t want to hear from you.
Evaluate the required duration, intensity, and impact. Casting distance increases with a longer saltwater rod while fighting strength increases with a shorter rod. The action of a rod can range from “rapid” for a very rigid rod to “slow” for a very flexible rod. The “power” of the rod is measured by the heaviest object it manages to raise.
A saltwater pole may be defined further by the pound-test lines or lure mass it is best suited for. Graphite and fiberglass are the most common materials for saltwater rods. Rods made of graphite are firmer and more delicate, while those made of fiberglass are more durable and potent.
Reels designed for use in saltwater are typically either fast or slow. Gear ratios larger than 6:1 allow high-speed saltwater reels to quickly retrieve baits. Reels designed for saltwater fishing with a gear ratio of less than 4 to 1 provide more muscle while fighting large fish. With the click of a button, certain saltwater spinning reels provide fishermen with an option of fishing at high or low speeds.
The line capacity of a reel is another factor to consider when making a purchase. This number is typically imprinted on the reel in yards or feet. We recommend setting the drag pressure (in pounds) at no more than a third of the breaking strength of the line.
Keep in mind that the best reels for saltwater fishing are ones that are compatible with the line weights shown on your rod. The size of the lure or bait you intend to use will determine the weight of the rod you should use for your chosen method of saltwater fishing.
2. Fishing Landing Nets
You can swing some fish right over the gunwale, but if you’re bringing in large fish, you’ll probably end up losing a lot of them. A landing net is a considerably more secure and efficient method of capture.
The roughness of conventional knotted nylon can damage fish that you might opt to release, so when selecting a landing net, look for one with a handle long enough to touch the water from the deck level of the vessel, and make sure the hoop is adequate to accommodate the heaviest fish you hope to catch.
3. Gaff
The end of a gaff, a long metal pole, features a sizable hook. When a fish is too heavy for a rod and reel, it is utilized to bring the fish into the boat. This method is utilized to catch the fish for consumption. A gaff is the quickest way to get a fish into a container if it’s going to be kept.
These saltwater tools may be found in a wide range of hook dimensions and handle lengths, with the best gaffs featuring a tapered aluminum shaft, non-slip grips, and a triangle point. Longer gaffs are better for reaching out and capturing a smaller fish, while shorter ones are useful for handling large fish near the boat.
The gape of the hook should be proportional to the intended catch. Big fish require a flying gaff, which is a snare with a hook that can be detached. You should only use a gaff to catch a fish if you intend to keep it. Utilize a landing net or soaked gloves if you intend to release the fish.
4. A Fishing Bucket
What is the deal with buckets that every saltwater fisherman needs to have on board? Let’s count the ways: holding loose gear, flipping it over for use as a stool, filling it with water to keep baitfish alive, filling it with pre-cut bait chunks, filling it with soapy water for a post-fishing day washdown, and so on.
5. Stainless Steel Pliers
You’d better bring something to remove the hook from the mouth of every fish you reel in. Long-nose pliers are excellent for this purpose, but specialized hook removers are also effective. As a bonus, you’ll always have pliers on hand for quick repairs like bending hooks and cutting leader.
Pliers designed for use in saltwater environments should be constructed of stainless steel or titanium. Saltwater pliers, despite being smaller and more compact, pack a powerful punch, making short work of removing hooks and cutting through strong wire. Needle-nose pliers, because of their length, can reach into small spaces and perform precise tasks.
Regardless of brand, all fishing pliers feature a pair of interlocking jaws in addition to cutting blades. The best pliers for use in saltwater will feature interchangeable blades. Screwdrivers, knives, and scissors are just some of the various instruments that can be found in multi-tools.
Split-ring pliers can be used to change hooks off plugs as well as jigs. Heavy-duty monofilament and wire can be cut with crimping pliers, and the pliers can also be used to cinch down metal crimps. One must also have a nice set of scissors to cut the line and bait.
6. Baits and Lures amazon
Another item that seems too obvious to include is lures and/or bait, which includes things like hooks plus basic tackle, including swivels as well as sinkers. Depending on the style of fishing you perform and the fish you hope to catch, the equipment you’ll need will vary greatly. In many cases, all the understanding you need to make the appropriate decisions can be gleaned from checking local fishing reports or seeking help from the knowledgeable staff at a nearby tackle shop.
7. Binoculars
Most fishermen understand that diving seagulls indicate the presence of fish and that, using marine binoculars, they may observe these fish from greater distances. Meanwhile, binoculars can be useful for seeing flotsam and weedlines that fish may be lurking under.
And if you spot other fishermen off in the distance, you may use binoculars to spy on them and check whether they’re scoring any fish. The best binoculars are those that are gyroscopically stabilized and have a high magnification so you can see far away.
8. Fishing Ruler
A ruler is an essential tool for any conscientious angler who wants to ensure they comply with local laws before bringing home their catch. Of course, before putting any fish in the cooler, you want to make sure they’re at least the required length!
9. Basic Fishing Tool Kit
Reels and other crucial pieces of equipment for saltwater fishing are susceptible to mechanical failures, just like any other type of fishing gear. Screws can loosen, springs get sprung, and parts break away from each other. However, if you have a simple tool kit on board, you can often do quick repairs.
10. Braid Scissors
There was a time when fishermen only needed pliers’ side cutters or a bait knife to quickly and simply clip their fishing line. However, unique snippers are required because of the widespread use of modern braided fishing lines. Braid requires special, sharp scissors because of how challenging it may be to cut.
11. High Carbon Steel Knives
A knife with a blade made of high-carbon steel will make short work of cleaning fish and slicing bait. Cutting bait is a breeze with a short, sturdy knife. Finding a serrated-edge knife is helpful when cutting up fish for bait.
To skin and fillet a fish, you need a knife with a longer, thinner blade. An electric fillet knife is useful when there are a lot of fish to clean. Use a scale and gutting tool on fish that will be cooked whole.
12. Lip-grippers
If you try to grasp a saltwater fish by the mouth like you would a bass, you would likely wind up with a perforated thumb because of the sharp teeth on those fish. There’s a need for lip-grippers in this case. No matter how sharp a fish’s teeth are, you can hold and control it with this tool because it clamps down on the jaw and locks into place.
Catching and releasing fish is more common now than ever before thanks to stricter regulations and widespread conservation efforts. Lip grippers aren’t the ideal option for landing a fish in saltwater, but they do a great job of preventing you from sticking your fingers in the fish’s gills or mouth while holding and releasing it. Find a lip gripper made of stainless steel or aluminum, which won’t rust.
The handle of many lip grippers is shaped like a fish scale. Cut off the lower jaw’s lip gripper, but never use it to hold a fish vertically. The organs and jaw of the fish can be harmed by this. Instead, use a damp glove on your free hand to prop up the fish’s belly.
13. Fish Hook Remover
Getting the hook out of a fish’s mouth can be more challenging than angling for it. Hook-removing equipment makes the process easy and risk-free. The sharp teeth of saltwater fish make it risky to remove the hook with your hands or even pliers. Fish should have their hooks removed before being put back in the water for release.
Modern hook-cutters are highly effective. To release the hook while the fish is still swimming, long-handled tools are used. Shorter implements allow you to flick your wrist to remove the hook and place the fish in the ice chest. Both types of tools use the fish’s weight to force the hook out of the fish’s jaw, where the barb was lodged.
Saltwater Fishing Electronics
14. Saltwater Fish Finder
Finding fish isn’t the only thing a high-quality saltwater fish detector can accomplish for you. The greatest saltwater fish finders have screens that provide a high-resolution color or grayscale view of the bottom, structure, fish, bait, and even the thermocline.
Electronic fish finders use a transducer to transmit an audible “ping” through the water to locate fish. The transducer uses the reflected sound to calculate the depth and composition of an object like a fish, a wreck, or the bottom. In shallow water, a transducer operating at 200 kHz will create a broad sonar beam that can cover a lot of ground, whereas, in deeper water, a transducer operating at 50 kHz will produce a narrow sonar beam that can reveal greater information.
The most cutting-edge saltwater fish finders can provide three-dimensional, side-scan photographs of the seafloor. These depth finders for saltwater usually have a digital readout that shows both the depth and temperature of the water. Gain and contrast controls allow you to tune in to tiny fish in open water or eliminate background noise caused by interference.
15. GPS Device for Fishing
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is one of the most widely used pieces of current saltwater fishing equipment, and for good reason: it will get us to the catch and back again, plus keep us “on the bite” the whole day long. Find reefs and sunken ships with a GPS, monitor your drift’s direction and speed, and plot out a trolling route.
Furthermore, a GPS can help you locate the way towards the dock, even in shallow water, as well as identify potential hazards along the way. The most in-demand is equipment like those used for monitoring the weather via satellite, creating three-dimensional maps, and taking aerial photographs of harbors and ports.
16. VHF Radio for Fishing
Having a VHF radio allows you to communicate with another fisherman, but it can also help you avoid disaster. Many saltwater fishermen who venture out onto the open ocean make their initial purchase of saltwater fishing gear, a VHF radio.
VHF radios are now required for access to the NOAA Weather Radio band, where timely weather updates can be received. VHF channel 16 is monitored by the U.S. Coast Guard as well as other law enforcement agencies, who issue warnings and bulletins to mariners as well as assist those in distress.
The GPS on most radios can be used to activate a distress signal, which can then be relayed to rescuers. As a bonus to its safety functions, you may also use a VHF radio as an effective fish-locating device.
Communicate with friends, get up on the latest dockside rumors, debate hot-button issues, share sports scores, and share tales of yesteryear and today on the VHF radio. But don’t let yourself get duped into a fruitless search for “radio fish” all over the sea.
17. Radar
When it comes to electronics for saltwater fishing, radar is another crucial piece of equipment that serves multiple purposes. Radar is a safety gadget that may identify storms, ships, and other potential threats in the water.
Radar can detect bird colonies fishing over schools of fish. Most skippers must only get stuck once in the mist before they decide to invest in a radar system. The radar picture is superimposed on a GPS map in the most sophisticated variants.
Saltwater Fishing Clothing
18. Foul-weather Gear
Deep sea fishing, especially on a sunny day, might result in a drenching from the salt spray. When venturing out into saltwater, it’s important to have a reliable raincoat, poncho, and waders at the ready.
Even while breathable fabrics are useful in some situations, nothing matches a good pair of PVC bibs, boots, and a rain jacket when you’re out in the wet environment of offshore fishing. PVC clothing designed for deep sea fishing will ensure you stay clean and dry all day; at the end of the day, you can just rinse it off and hang it out to dry before putting it to use again.
19. Waders for Saltwater Fishing
An excellent pair of saltwater waders are essential for those who like to fish from a kayak or in the surf. If you’re going to be wading in water over 65 degrees, invest in a good pair of ventilated saltwater waders and you’ll be as comfy as you would be in your beloved pair of jeans.
If you’re going to be wading in chilly water, get some neoprene waders. Protect your knees, seats, and feet by wearing saltwater waders. Boot foot waders are less expensive than stocking foot waders, which require a separate boot, but they are also thicker and heavier. You should still wear wading boots whenever you go fishing, no matter how warm the water is.
20. Sun-Protective Clothes For Use In Salt Water
The sun, not the wind or the waves, is the greatest threat to your safety in the ocean. Sunburn is not only unpleasant, but it also increases the risk of developing skin cancer. Wearing sunscreen, rather than clothing impervious to seawater, is the most effective method of protecting oneself from the sun. Wearing a lightweight, loose-fitting long-sleeved shirt and slacks is one approach to accomplishing both goals.
Fabrics with a UPF of 40 or above will shield you from the sun’s harmful rays all day long. The modern model of textiles is ideal for use in saltwater since they dry rapidly and keep the skin cool. A wide-brimmed, airy hat is like having your private AC unit on your head.
The sun’s rays can damage your eyes, but a decent pair of glasses will shield them and increase your success in the water. To observe fish and underwater structures clearly, polarized lenses in wraparound frames are a must.
The most effective fishing sunglasses have a broad frame that completely shields the eyes from the light. In bright conditions and clean water, grey lenses perform better than their amber counterparts. To further protect themselves from the sun, some fishermen even wear face masks and gloves of a lighter shade.
21. Gear for Cold-Weather Saltwater Fishing
Cold weather can produce some of the best fishing. The high-tech textiles available now enable extra warmth to be added without extra bulk. We recommend beginning with a layer of lightweight, moisture-wicking cloth.
the skin’s surface and away from the atmosphere. Add a layer made of a breathable material that has a thick loft to act as a thermal insulator. Last but not least, dress in a layer that can withstand water and wind.
Eighty percent of your body heat is lost through your head, so keeping warm requires a hat that is both water and wind resistant and has plenty of insulation. The weakest part of the body is the extremities, so think about getting a lightweight pair of neoprene mittens to wear in the rain.
Thin socks made of silk or another moisture-wicking material should be worn below heavier socks for maximum warmth and dryness.
Some more specialized gear may or may not be required on your boat, but these are the basics. A gaff is an essential tool to have on hand if you want to go after big pelagics like tuna. A cutting board plus a bait knife may come if bait fishing is in the cards.
Also, you won’t have much success with kite fishing unless you have a kite. Then, the weights, rigs, and lures you use to fish will vary according to the water and the technique you employ.