Have you ever had a fishing trip go wrong?
We’ve all had an incident happen here and there. Your cell phone falls into the lake. You slip on the rocks, lose your fish, and sprain your ankle in the process. Or you slice open your thumb trying to get the perfect fillet.
Fishing is all about putting yourself out there in hopes of bringing home fish, which are some of the most elusive creatures on the planet. With the right gear you’ll have a better time fishing—and you’ll probably catch more fish!
Here are a few pieces we recommend:
1. Dry Bags
No matter what type of fishing you’re doing, you can benefit from dry bags. Dry bags come in all shapes and sizes. You can even get clear ones so you know what’s in them without having to open them up.
Store dry food in dry bags so they won’t get wet on the boat ride out to the fishing spot. And keep a spare towel in one on your boat. You never know when you might need a dry towel.
Also, use a dry bag to hold an extra change of clothes so you won’t be wet and miserable after hiking up a stream to find the perfect trout spot. They fold up nicely too so you can easily fit them into a backpack if you’re hiking into a fishing area.
2. Slip-Resistant Water Shoes
Always protect your feet while your fish. Your boat is full of knives, fishhooks, and sharp fish scales. So you need some heavy-duty, slip-resistant boat shoes for a more comfortable fishing trip.
Fishing shoes, like these HUK Men’s Attack Waterproof Low Fishing Shoes, have grippy soles. They allow you to walk along slippery rocks to find a great fishing hole. And they are great for inside a slippery boat bottom. They’re also water resistant, meaning they’ll stay drier than other types of shoes.
You want to opt for a pair that’s light and breathable. But you also want to make sure they’re rugged enough to stand up to sideways gripping and slanting. This gives you maximum footing so you can concentrate on catching fish instead of falling over.
3. Bluetooth Fish Finder
Fishfinders, GPS, and depth finder technologies have never been better. So it’s time to upgrade that old machine you’ve been using and try something new. Fish have an advantage in the game of evolution. And you need the right equipment to take away the house advantage.
We recommend the Hummingbird Helix 9 Mega SI GPS G2N CHIRP Fishfinder Chartplotter. It’s got a ton of great features to help you even out the odds.
The Hummingbird will hook up directly to your smartphone, or to select Bluetooth enabled trolling motors. Keep track of your routes in your unit and take notes of the ones with the most fish. Then you can share those routes with friends… or don’t, the choice is yours!
It’s got multiple sonar capabilities to give you a 360-degree view under the water. It also has an internal GPS to let you know your exact position. And an auto chart function so you can map areas of the lake.
4. Rechargeable Headlamp
If you’re hanging out in the outdoors, you need a headlamp. It’s just a fact. They’ll make your life so much easier.
Many fishing activities happen at dawn or dusk when the light isn’t great. A headlamp is a handsfree solution to a flashlight and you won’t ever leave the boat without one again.
Use your headlamp to tie knots and lures. Safely fillet fish at night right from your boat dock. Work on the inside of the motor, using the light to see the behind-the-way places. Change a trailer tire after dark. The amount of work you can do using a headlamp is endless.
Many headlamps come with a rechargeable feature so you don’t have to worry about changing batteries. Check out the wide selection of headlamps that we offer on the Gander website.
5. Floating, Waterproof Cell Phone Holder
There’s nothing worse than dropping your phone in the water. Odds are good that you’ll never see it again because it’ll sink like a stone. And even if you’re able to grab it, just a few seconds of submersion can kill it for good.
If you’re planning to spend lots of time on the water, invest in a floating, waterproof cell phone holder. Most of these are clear, so you can see if you have phone messages. And they zip tight at the top to keep out the water.
Many come with a lanyard attached so you can put the holder around your neck and have it easily accessible. Having your cell phone handy is great for snapping pictures of your day. But it’s also an essential safety device that you can use if you get into trouble out on the water.
6. Filet Glove
After the fishing, comes the cleaning. Catch and release is a great practice. But sometimes you want to bring home a delicious fish dinner for your family. And having the right gear to filet fish will make your experience safer and more enjoyable.
A super sharp filet knife is a must. And you should pair it with a top-quality Rapala filet glove. It’s easy to have a slip when you’re working with a super sharp knife and a super slimy fish. This glove protects the hand holding the fish with a blend of natural fibers and stainless steel.
7. Briefcase Solar Panels
Worried about battery power? Bring the power along with you! The Nature Power 120-Watt Briefcase Solar Panels are perfect to bring on the boat. And more battery power means longer fishing times. Win-win!
They’re made from solid materials meant for rugged, outdoor use. And they’re great for charging your boat batteries while you’re sitting out in the sun. When you’re done, they fold up to the size of a briefcase and weigh about 33 lbs.
8. Inflatable Life Jacket
Wearing a life jacket is essential any time you’re on the water. But sometimes they can be big, bulky, and uncomfortable. Combat that issue by investing in an inflatable life jacket.
This Mustang M.I.T 100 Automatic Inflatable Jacket is slim and lightweight. You can do almost anything while you wear this. And if you do happen to end up in the water, the vest automatically inflates using a CO2 inflation cartridge. These cartridges are interchangeable so you can rearm the life jacket if it does inflate.
This vest gives you the peace of mind you need out there on the water. Without all that bulky foam to deal with while you’re fishing.
We’ve got a great selection of fishing gear at Gander Outdoors! What fishing gadgets would you add to this list?
