What Do You Need For Beach Fishing?

Fishing is a hobby that people of all ages and walks of life enjoy. It is not too costly and can be a great way to de-stress. Most people who fish for recreation do so in lakes or ponds, while others partake in beach fishing.

What do you need for beach fishing? You will require a few tools and accessories for this. Some of those tools include fishing reels, bait, a tackle, a knife, bucket, and a first aid kit. Beach fishing is also a bit different from other types of fishing.

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In this article, we will discuss what beach fishing is and what makes it different from lake and pond fishing. Aside from this, we will enumerate the tools and accessories you will need for your next fishing trip.

Lastly, I will give you some tips as well as tricks that you can use for beach fishing.

What Is Beach Fishing?

Beach fishing is also known as shore fishing and sea fishing. Some people refer to it as surf fishing or surfcasting. It is a type of saltwater angling where you fish from the shore or surf of the beach.

You do not have to ride a boat and go into the middle of the ocean to cast your reel. That would be a different fishing category altogether.

Why Do People Like Beach Fishing?

It has become an incredibly popular pastime for both beginner and experienced anglers. The reasons for this are that unlike other forms of fishing, beach fishing is easier and more accessible.

Let us break down the reasons why beach fishing is popular:

Affordability

Of course, you will have to buy a set of fishing tools and accessories. However, you do not need to rent or buy an expensive boat just to fish, which is a huge plus.

You could even borrow the materials you need if you want to cut back on costs. The only things you would have to pay for are transportation and perhaps a fee to fish on the beach.

Simplicity

Another reason why beach fishing is so appealing is that it is very easy to do. If you already have experience fishing, you are good to go. As for beginners, you can pick it up very easily. All you have to do is to cast your reel and bait from the shore.

Accessibility

If you live near the coast, beach fishing is extremely accessible. You could do this on any day you want, provided it is allowed in your area. There is also no time constraint for beach fishing, as this activity can be done during the daytime or nighttime.

The time you go fishing will mostly depend on what fish species you are trying to catch.

Materials You Need For Beach Fishing

Beach fishing is relatively more affordable since you do not need a boat or fishing vessel. However, you still have to invest in fishing accessories and tools. These materials are necessary, so your fishing trip will go smoothly and will not be a waste.

Here are the tools and accessories you need for beach fishing. Use this as a checklist before heading out:

Fishing Reel

The reel is probably the most important on this list since you will not be able to fish without it. When it comes to reels, you can choose between two options. There is the multiplier reel and the fixed spool reel.

If you are a beginner, the fixed spool reel is your best bet. Fixed spool reels are easier to use and are ideal for lighter fishing lines. These also work better and are more forgiving when you make mistakes with casting your line.

These reels are better for night fishing but are not the best option for targeting bigger fish.

Multiplier reels are a bit more complicated, which is why these should be reserved for more experienced anglers. These reels tangle up very easily while you cast your line, so it can be a hassle to deal with.

However, if you want to catch big fish, use heavy lines, and cast long distances, choose the multiplier reel. It requires some trial and error to get the hang of it, but you will get there.

Bait

The bait is also essential since this is how you will lure the fish in. You can use either natural or artificial bait, but natural and live bait is usually the better choice.

Some examples of live bait you can use are worms, crickets, leeches, and grasshoppers. You may use smaller fish such as minnow and crayfish or other sea creatures like shrimp, squid, eels, and crabs.

Bait can be easily found in stores that sell fishing accessories. You could also find your live bait to save a little money. Most fish will respond to both artificial and natural bait. However, you should pay attention to what bait certain species like better.

For artificial or imitation bait, you can choose from jigs, spinners, flies, and poppers. There are benefits and downsides to both artificial and live bait. You should also look into whether there are any regulations regarding live bait and follow the rules.

Fishing Rod

Fishing rods come in different lengths and sizes depending on your needs. The type of rod you use will depend on what kind of fishing you will use it for. Most saltwater anglers use rods ranging from six feet to fifteen feet long.

If you plan on casting longer distances, you will most likely need a longer rod as well. A firm rod that does not bend too much might also be easier to work with for beach fishing. Larger fishing rods can also catch bigger fish species and will be able to withstand strong currents.

Tackle Box

A fishing tackle box is a must so you can keep your tools organized and in one place. It will also come in handy to protect your bait from exposure to sunlight. The tackle box will keep seagulls from stealing your bait as well.

In your tackle box, you should have two of each item just in case something gets lost or stolen. Some items you should have in your tackle include spare hooks, pliers, a knife, spare lines, and weights.

Bucket

This item will come in handy for storing your catch of the day. Fill up the bucket with salt water to keep your caught fish as fresh as possible. You could also use buckets for your live bait. There are some great buckets on the market that have multiple purposes.

Pocket Knife

You will need a reliable pocket fishing knife inside your tackle box. Make sure that the knife is sharpened and the blade is not blunt. The knife will be useful for cutting up bait and picking bones from the fish you catch. Be careful when using the knife so that you can avoid any injuries while out fishing.

First Aid Kit

Beach fishing is not exactly an extreme sport, but you can still get hurt. You might get cut by your line or pierce your skin with the fishing hook. The live bait you use may also inflict injury on you. There are so many different ways you can get hurt when beach fishing.

You do not need a giant first aid kit but just have some basic medical supplies on hand. It would be good to have rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide for cleaning wounds.

You will also need waterproof gauzes, plasters, bandages, and sterile dressings. You can include pain medication and sunblock in your kit as well.

Cleaning Cloth

A cleaning cloth is not necessary, but it is always good to have one on hand. You will need it to clean your hands, rod, hooks, and fishing knife. The cloth can also be used as a placemat if you catch fish that have spikes.

Hooks

When choosing hooks to use, you should use your bait as the basis for the size. You do not need bigger hooks to catch bigger fish. Even tiny hooks will be able to catch large fish if you know what you are doing.

There are several types of fishing hooks, such as the circular hook, worm hook, octopus hook, and treble hook. All of these have their specific functions.

Nowadays, the circle hoo is growing in popularity because it is so easy to use. As the fish take the bait, they attach to the circle hook almost immediately.

Set Of Pliers

Fishing pliers are highly versatile, which is what makes them such a great tool. They can be used to remove hooks, cutting lines, and crimping. You can also use pliers if you do mini DIY fishing equipment projects.

If you do not own a set of pliers yet, consider buying long-nosed pliers. They should be small enough that they are compact and portable. However, they should also have a long nose for easier use.

Tips And Tricks For Beach Fishing

Beach fishing is not the same as fishing in a lake or pond. Here are some tips and tricks you can apply the next time you go fishing at the bach:

Use The Appropriate Fishing Line

You will have to use specific fishing lines if you want to fish in saltwater—most anglers who dabble inshore fishing use braided lines, fluorocarbon lines, or monofilament lines.

Braided lines are probably the most commonly used line among the three. They are very durable and are ideal for heavy baits. At the same time, they are not too stiff and do have some flexibility.

Fluorocarbon lines are stronger than braided lines. These lines are the most durable out of the three mentioned. They will not be ruined or broken even if they come into contact with reefs or rocks underwater.

As for monofilament lines, they are the thinnest and most bendable. You can stretch these out fairly easily, and it is not hard to tie knots with these lines either.

Monofilament lines are also the most affordable. The only problem is that they are not strong enough to take a beating from any rocks they might encounter.

Know Which Knots To Tie

The knots you use are more important than you think. If you want to make the most of your trip and catch a lot of fish, use the right knots. Some knots you can use to secure your catch are the Palomar knot, unit knot, and the dropper knot.

The Palomar knot is the easiest to tie. Even though it is easy to tie, it is still very strong and will not come loose. You can do a double Palomar knot to make it even more durable.

The dropper knot or the dropper loop is slightly more complicated. It is worth learning, though, since it is the strongest knot. With enough practice, you can tie this knot in 10 seconds or less. The dropper loop is also great since you can use it for different types of lines.

The unit knot is one of the most basic and commonly used knots among saltwater anglers. It is simple, easy to learn, and can be used for many different situations. It is the most common knot because of its versatility.

Keep Your Bait Healthy

If you decide to use live bait over imitation bait, you have to make sure it is in top-notch condition. Take care of your bait and keep it healthy. You do not want to use bait that is half-dead or dying. That would just mean you wasted all your money on bait that is no longer usable.

Bigger and higher-quality fish will be attracted to the freshest and healthiest bait. If you use half-dead ones, you might not catch any fish at all. To keep your bait as healthy as possible, make sure it gets oxygen, and the water is the correct temperature.

Conclusion

Beach fishing is indeed more accessible than other forms of fishing. Even so, beach fishing still requires skill, dedication, and proper tools. Make sure you are using materials that work for you and that you know how to use them.