No one checklist works for every fishing trip, as there are many variables to consider. Are you fishing saltwater or freshwater? What species are you fishing for? What’s the weather like? What season is it? Are you fishing from a boat or the bank?
This table is a broad list of things necessary for most trips, arranged in order from most to least crucial. Go through this list before each venture, skipping items that aren’t relevant for a particular trip. It should help you remember many of the items you need!
| Fishing Equipment | General Equipment | Clothing |
|---|---|---|
| Rods/reels | First-aid kit | Life jacket |
| Tackle carrier containing all your terminal tackle, as well as your lures and flies | Camera | Foul-weather waterproof bag containing rainsuit, knit hat, gloves, and dry socks) |
| Line clippers | Meals and snacks | Polarized sunglasses |
| Needlenose pliers | Insect repellant | Baseball cap |
| Towel (for drying hands after catching fish) | Flashlight or headlamp | Waterproof boots |
| Cooler containing bait (keep livebait cool and dry, and keep minnows cool and wet) | Cooler containing (nonalcoholic) beverages | Deck shoes |
| Landing net | Thermos | Gloves |
| Extra spool of line | GPS unit or compass | Waders or hip boots |
| Measuring tape | Knife or multitool | Fleece jacket |
| Castnet or seine if you plan to gather bait | Lighter or matches in waterproof case | Shirt – SPF fabric and longsleeved |
| Mouth spreader if you’re fishing for species with teeth | Sunscreen | Shirt – SPF fabric and shortsleeved |
| Weight scale | Hand sanitizer | Long underwear |
| Hand warmers | Convertible pants (pants with zippered legs, making instant shorts) | |
| Plastic bags | Socks | |
| 25 feet of small-diameter rope | ||
| Seat, bucket, or cushion | ||
| Toilet paper |