ANGLER ESSENTIALS
BASICS
FISHING GEAR
- Life vest (based on your size / weight) – required by law, many boaters don’t have child sizes. Life vests MUST be worn at all times while main boat motor is running. Angler is not required to wear it while fishing.
- Water and whatever else you need to stay hydrated for 8 hour fishing trip.
- Lunch
- Sunscreen
- Rain gear - Pants or bibs and jacket. (2 piece)
- Polarized sunglasses (with strap so they don’t fly off on the boat or in the water)
- Hat
- Buff to cover face
FISHING GEAR
- A couple of rods and reels (whatever you are comfortable with spinning or baitcaster). No more than 5 rods per trip.
- Basic hooks: 3/0-5/0 EWG for plastic baits and bullet weights range in sizes from 1/8 to 1.5 oz tungsten or lead.
- Plastic Worms / Creature Baits: stick worm (senko), ribbon tail, and cut tail and crawfish imitator creature). Colors vary but Green Pumpkin, June bug, June bug red, Watermelon red and Black and blue are most popular.
- Spinner Bait: white and chartreuse or all white with willow shaped blades.
- Top water baits: Frogs, (plastic or hollow body), poppers, buzz bait.
- Crank Baits: (shallow water square bill, lipless, etc.)
- Fishing line: 30-65 lb.braid or 15-17 lb. fluorocarbon or monofilament.
- Tackle Bag / Box: Backpack style-small to fit in boat storage areas.
- Small towel to wipe hands after catching your big fish.
- Fish tags to mark your fish.