What to Bring on Your Very First Fishing Trip

If you are packing for your first fishing trip, Matthew Davies has a little bit of advice for you. In our last blog, we went over the basic tips for selecting a line and lures. Here, we’ll take a look at a few other things you might want to bring with you on your very first fishing trip. Being prepared with the essentials will help ensure a successful and memorable trip for you; hopefully, you will enjoy fishing as much as we do.

Gear up, we are ready to go!

Let’s get you ready to go with all the essential gears to have a fantastic fishing trip worth remembering. Once you have determined where you want to fish and the type of fish you may encounter, we need to make sure you have the right gear. Let’s get started!

1. Mind What You Wear – One thing I cannot stress enough is wearing the appropriate clothing. Check the weather in the morning, and make sure you pack a change of clothes, socks, and shoes, along with a towel. Drying your hands when needed, will keep your fingers warm, and give you a better grip. There is nothing that will put a bigger damper on a perfectly good fishing trip than spending the day freezing or sweating unnecessarily. A hat is also a crucial piece of clothing that is unfortunately forgotten by numerous fisherman. A good hat will protect your head, neck, ears, and face from getting sunburned. Good shoes – and I mean shoes, not sandals or flip flops – are a must. You want to be comfortable and have something that will protect your feet when you need to walk in the water to retrieve your catch. You want a shoe that will not easily slip off your feet. A good pair of gripping gloves, as well as a pair of warm gloves, is something to add to your fishing kit. Cold hands are not as nimble when it’s time to change lure or reset hooks.
2. Tackle Box – Your tackle box should include all of the essentials – including floaters, sinkers, leaders, hooks, and swivels. You need to have, on hand, everything you may need to reset your line. A sharp pair of scissors, a spool of line, and needlenose pliers are among the essentials that you may forget to bring. Lures and baits will help you get the fish interested in your hook, so don’t leave without them! A good variety is needed. You don’t need to bring every lure you own, but at least enough to be able to switch from time to time. If you don’t get a hit with a specific lure, change color – or type, the fish are just not interested in your offering. Keeping your live bait alive is also a must, so do not be afraid to reset your hooks with new bait. Your dinner plate will thank you. Keeping the local fishing rule book at hand is a must, along with a fish scale and measuring device. The rule book will tell you which fish you are allowed to catch, and also the length and weight allowed. The rules are there to ensure the fish are plentiful in the future. If you do land a fish you are not allowed to keep, all you have to do is release it back in the water. The fish may be protected in spawning season – or any number of reasons. Some fish are invasive species; you will need to dispose of them for the health of the ecosystem. You will find information about those in the rule book as well as at the local fishing store.
3. Fishing Equipment – Once you have decided on what you want to catch, you need to take care of your equipment. Make sure you have set your fishing rods with the appropriate lines. One underrated but handy tool to keep on hand is a fishing net. You want to get a net that is large enough to scoop the fish out, as well as in a material that will easily untangle from the hooks. Make sure it is long enough to reach the water.  Remember, rocks are incredibly slippery in water, so a net that is long enough to reach your catch without you having to step onto the rocks and risk falling in the water is a nice thing to have. A fish stringer will keep your fish alive and will also allow you to keep fishing for a longer period of time. This is the first thing I set up anywhere I go fishing. It may be superstition, but I have never had a good fishing day when I don’t install the stinger first.
4. The Comfort – While not essential, these things are nice to have with you for a long day of fishing. A comfortable camping chair will make your day that much more comfortable. A cooler to bring your catch home with you is a great way to keep your fish fresh and your vehicle clean. I carry with me a cooler on wheels with a retractable handle. I stack my gear on top of it and wheel my things in one go to my fishing spot. Your cooler can also keep live bait, water, as well as your lunch nice and fresh for uninterrupted fishing.
5. Before You Leave – Once your fishing day is over, make sure you bring back with you everything you brought. A small bag to store your trash, cut bits of lines, broken hooks or lures is handy, as you must take all of these items with you. To keep this pure sport enjoyable, we all need to do our part. Keeping the shore, pier, or any other location where you might fish clean is a sign of respect for your fellow fisherman. You would not want your favorite spot to be filled with trash, so dispose of yours properly. It will also keep garbage out of the fauna.

Conclusion

You are now ready for your first fishing trip. Matthew Davies wishes you multiple catches, along with a few exciting fighting fish. You can’t land all of them with ease. Enjoy every season, as fishing is not only a summer sport but one you can enjoy year-round.