You have found your ideal boat for saltwater fishing, the fuel tank is full, and you are set to go out there to see how much fish you can catch. But before you exit the dock, you must ensure that you have the essentials for any eventuality. Irrespective of the species you want to get or the fishing method you want to use, there are important saltwater fishing gears that every boat should have.
If you are a beginner angler, keep reading to see some tips that will help you become successful in offshore fishing. You can also click here to learn about the different methods of fishing.
What Items Are Important for Saltwater Fishing?
You need the following items when fishing offshore:
- Lip-grippers
- Braid scissors
- Basic tool kit
- Ruler
- Bait and/or lures
- Binoculars
- Long-nose plier
- A bucket
- Landing nets
- Reels and rod
Lip-Grippers
Most saltwater fishes have sharp dentures. So, if you try to hold them by their jaws like bass, they may perforate your thumb. This is where you need lip-grippers. The tool helps to clamp down on the jaw of the fish and lock it into place, allowing you to have control over the fish irrespective of its razor-sharp teeth.
Braid Scissors
Before now, anglers could clip their fishing lines using a side cutter on a plier, or a bait knife. But in modern times, braid fishing lines are becoming popular. Therefore, anglers require special snippers. A braid does not cut easily, so you need a sharp, dedicated pair of scissors.
Basic Tool Kit
Mechanical items like reels can break. Screws may come loose, parts may come apart, and springs may get sprung. However, most times, you can do a quick fix when you have a basic took kit on board.
Ruler
This is an important item because responsible anglers ensure that they obey the regulations for keeping a catch. You will use the ruler to measure the length of your catch to see if they meet the length requirement. If they do, you can drop them in the cooler.
Bait and/or Lures
This is another obvious requirement, but we cannot keep it off the list. The type you will need depends on the species you target. Your local gear store can assist you in making the right choice. You can also check out Fathom Offshore to learn more about the right lures to use.
Binoculars
Many anglers are aware that a diving seagull indicates that fish is nearby. As a result, you need marine binoculars to help you see far. They also help you to see if fishes are hiding under weed lines and flotsam.
Furthermore, when you sight other anglers, you can use the binoculars to check if they are casting their nets or taking any action. A gyroscopically stabilized binocular has more magnification that allows you to see miles away.
Bucket
You may wonder why you need a bucket onboard your boat. Here is what you will do with it:
- Holding loose gear
- Flipping it over and converting it into a seat
- Filling it with water to keep your baitfish alive.
- Filling it with chunks of pre-cut baits
- Filling it with water and soap to washdown after the day’s task
There is a lot more you can do with a bucket on your boat.
Long-Nose Plier
When you catch a fish, it will certainly come with a hook in the mouth, and you need something to get it out. A dedicated hook remover works well but a pair of long-nose pliers also does a great job in removing hooks. Additionally, it comes in handy for other tasks like trimming leaders or bending hooks. You can check out https://www.sportfishingmag.com/choosing-pliers/ to know the features to look out for when buying pliers.
Landing Nets
You can swing some fishes over your gunwale, but when it is a large fish. This method won’t work. You will end up losing many of them. It is more effective and much safer to scoop them up using your landing net.
When choosing landing nets, ensure you get those with long handles. They should allow you to easily access the water from the level of the boat’s deck. Also, ensure that their hoops are large enough for the largest fish you want to catch. Landing nets with rubberized coating or rubber mesh are great because the traditional knotted nylon is rough and can injure the fish if you decide to let it go.
Reels and Rods
This is obvious, but it is the most essential item when you are going fishing. No one heads out to the ocean or the bay to catch fishes without reels and rods aboard their boat.
Tips for Saltwater Fishing
If you are a beginner at saltwater fishing, these tips will come in handy.
1. Practice Continuously
If you want to perfect your skills, you need to go on trips more often. You can go with a team so you will practice with experienced anglers. Also, head boats have dedicated staff that helps to teach new anglers.
2. Know the Equipment
It is important to familiarize yourself with processes like baiting, casting, and knot tying. These things will help make your next venture pleasurable.
3. Weather Tips
You need to learn how to pick the proper time and location for offshore fishing. Learn about the impact of the sun and moon on the location of fishes and which time is ideal for catching different species. Also, weather conditions and the wind significantly affect the pattern of fish migration. You may want to read this article to know how the weather affects fishing.
4. Start from the Perimeter
The perimeter is a good place to start when fishing offshore. This ensures that only a few fishes are scared away if a fish becomes hooked.
5. Go with the Tide
You need to get information about the tide when you want to fish. Ebb tides present optimum conditions for offshore fishing. Generally, half falling to half rising tides are ideal.
6. Do Not Give Up Quickly
When fishing in saltwater, always remember not to quickly move from one spot to another. Try at least 2 different baits or lures and ensure you probe all your points thoroughly.
Conclusion
There are various specialized items that you may need in your boat. For instance, if your target is large pelagic such as wahoo and tunas, you need a gaff. However, the items mentioned in this article are the basic things you need in your saltwater fishing gear.