Gone Fishin’: How to Pack & Prepare for a Fishing Trip

You have your rod, reel, bait and hook. You are ready to go fishing. Whether you’re going to your local lake or deep sea fishing across the world, the first thing you should do before any fishing trip is purchase a license and registration. You can do this online for most states and countries.  Keep these important documents in a waterproof container and make sure they’re easily accessible. Besides the basics you’ll need spools of line and tackle, unless it’s provided by the company you charter for your trip.

Pack according to the type of fishing trip you’re planning and make a list so you don’t overlook any of the essentials. Below are a few different type of fishing trips, estimated costs and packing must-haves.

For the Local Fishing Trip…

Possible Destinations: Lake Michigan, Lake Washington, Lake Erie, local hometown lake or river

Estimated Costs: For a group of six people, chartering a boat for a lake trip could cost anywhere from $500-800, depending on the type of your trip you’re looking for and your destination. You can always fish for just the price of your supplies and the license/registration if you fish from a lake pier or dock.

Packing Must-Haves:

• Pack your meals and don’t rely on eating fish for lunch or dinner, as many regulations require you to release the fish you catch.
• An extra rod and reel are useful since some of the smaller lakes won’t have sport shops nearby, should you need new supplies if something breaks.
• Cabela’s fishing waders for trekking through marshlands and streams keeping you dry throughout your trip.

For the Deep Sea Fishing Trip…

Possible Destinations: Channel Islands, middle of the Atlantic, Destin, Florida

Estimated Costs: $150-$200 per person, depending on your location and the size of the boat

Packing Must-Haves:

• Extra fuel for the boat in case of an emergency. You’ll be a long way from land.
• An EPIRB or PLB to send a satellite signal to the coast guard, also in the case of an emergency.
• A cooler with ice to take home your fish fillets.
• Motion sickness medication (like Dramamine) is a must, even if you’ve never had seasickness before.
• Deck boots so you can navigate the boat comfortably and confidently, even after it gets wet and slimy.

Tropical Fishing Trip

Possible Destinations: Coral reef fly-fishing, Andros Island in the Bahamas, Costa Rica

Estimated Costs: Depending on your location, the length of your trip, your package, and whether you’re going during high season or low, prices can range anywhere from $800-$7,000

Packing Must-Haves:

• Sun protection such as sunblock, a hat that covers your ears, sunglasses (don’t forget to reapply every couple of hours).
• Small bills to tip the folks who make your life easier by lugging around your gear and belongings on your fishing trips.

Traveling Fishing Trip

Possible Destinations: Australia for black marlin, halibut and salmon in Homer or Seward Alaska, Washington’s Olympic Peninsula

Estimated Costs: $250-600 per person, depending on the fish you’re targeting (not including lodging and airline costs)

Packing Must-Haves:

• Solar chargers or external chargers since some remote fishing spots don’t have electricity in the lodges or on the boats.
• Your passport is an easy one to forget, but very necessary.
• Depending on where you’re going, gear for weather (rain, snow, freezing spray) is essential. Don’t forget supplies to treat hypothermia too, just in case.

photo credit: Anonymement via photopin (license)