Fishing Items and Objects I Can’t Live Without

We don’t need a ton of high-end gear to catch bass with. They are accessible and catchable under a variety of approaches and circumstances whether it’s from shore or on a boat. Furthermore, bass are populated in abundance seemingly everywhere. Keep your fishing system simple and efficient, and you’ll do better than most.

My tackle shop contains an entire garage and basement full of equipment, and a lot of it gets unused. In this quick overview, I want to highlight and discuss a few of my most-needed fishing items and objects I cannot live without. My successful fishing has a dependency on each of them.

HDS-12 LIVE with Active Imaging 3-in-1

If I had to buy an expensive piece of technology for a boat, I’m going to unload my bank account for a new top-of-the-line fish locator. Beyond finding fish, you will learn so much about a fishery just by studying map contours, intently looking at the side imaging panel, and interpreting the sonar imaging.

Having upgraded to an HDS Live 12 prior to the start of the 2021 season, I’m eager to acquire a second unit to mount on my console. It’s been well-worth the price tag of $3,700 with tax. It comes with the fastest-ever processing speed and equipped with technologies that include built-in Lowrance C-Map, the support for Active Imaging, Live Sight real-time sonar, Structure Scan 3-D with Active Imaging, Down Imaging with Fish Reveal, Genesis Live on-screen mapping in real-time (this is huge for exploring and charting unmapped waters), plus additional interface capabilities and settings.

I operate my unit utilizing a combination of C-Map and Navionics. What you’ll learn between the two programs is that some lakes are more accurately charted and detailed on Lowrance C-Map, while others are better detailed on Navionics. Use them both, but trust neither. You’ll be surprised by the major differences between both charts, even if both softwares are most-recently updated.

The HDS-Live’s Active Imaging transducer clearly displays bottom composition and features, depths, and habitats. Its powerful imaging also enables me to pick apart fish as well. Active Imaging delivers superb clarity and the highest resolution images of fish and structure at a longer range than any other comparable structure-imaging technology.

Fluorocarbon Leader Line

If you fish clear water lakes where spook levels are high, and visibility deters strikes, or would like to “pike-proof” your rigs to prevent bite-offs, carrying a large and varied supply of fluorocarbon line sizes is imperative. Nowadays, I don’t fish anywhere without carrying a few spools of specific diameters I’ll need that day.

I link braided main lines to a fluorocarbon lead to help conceal my braided lines, prevent line fray, and bite-offs.

A few seasons ago, Cortland Line introduced 30 and 100-yard spools of fluorocarbon line, and they come in ergonomically useful packaging that conveniently connects spools together. Cortland’s fluorocarbon leader line incorporates a glass smooth, virtually invisible finish with superior knot strength and abrasion resistance. This proprietary blend of fluorocarbon is designed specifically for the demands of hardcore anglers and the species they pursue.

For over 100 years Cortland Line has been designing and manufacturing the world’s most innovative fly line and braided fishing line. Acquire a few spools of fluoro, and thank me later.

Plano E-Series 3600 Tackle Backpack

On any given day of fishing, you’re only going to be using 5 to 10 lures. There is no reason ever to lug around a 50 lb. gear bag that’ll clog your buddy’s boat deck, and your guide’s. Since moving to the Lake County region of northern Illinois, I’ve become a mobile angler. Subdivision ponds and private lakes are everywhere. Any pond and small lake with public access that looks good, I’ll make a quick stop before continuing on with my travels. I also do the same in the Minocqua, WI region too. If driving somewhere without the boat in tow and I pass near a good-looking small lake or pothole, I’ve got to try it. Downsizing the tackle and comfortably carrying my essentials with Plano’s E-Series 3600 Fishing Backpack has become an extremely useful gear-bag for fishing by foot.

Covered with a durable, water-resistant exterior, this backpack features comfortable, air mesh straps and a padded back cushion that makes carrying and transportation convenient.

On the inside, the Plano E-Series 3600 Tackle Backpack features a large main compartment with a removable interior partition and comes equipped with three 3600-sie stowaways. You can also fit a 4^th and 5^th box if compelled to do so. On the outside, the Plano E-Series Tackle Backpack features a felt-lined pocket that safely stores valuables, like cell phones and sunglasses.

An additional pocket on the front of the bag holds an additional 3600-size stowaway, keeping frequently used items and lures at your fingertips.

If you’re a pack-rat, you can load this carry-on bag with everything you’ll need for a week of fishing. Highly recommended for all shore fishing, wade fishing, and boat-hopping adventures. Inside of the boat it barely occupies any deck space, assuring you that you’ll never be “that guy!”

Plano Edge 3700 Boxes for Terminal Tackle

Terminal tackle storage has always been a challenge, and I’m sure it is for you as well. Following their popular introduction a few seasons ago, I acquired a few 3700 Plano Edge boxes to help organize and store all of my terminal tackle. This product is the right solution for my needs.

Available in storage-friendly thin and standard sizes, the Edge keeps my hooks, weights, and other small components organized and separate from one another. Water-proof seals and air-tight, corrosion is now a thing of the past. So too is storage disarray. With the Edge, I’ve been able to create more room in my Ranger’s storage compartments for additional boxes.

This is a damn good, ergonomic and useful storage item to have. Well-worth the buy!

Cabela’s Guide Series Wader Pants

I love to fish rivers by wading and boat. If you do the same, you’ll have the need for dry, comfortable waders. Instead of being constricted by bulky suits with suspenders, I choose to wear wading pants with a belt instead. This is huge for all-day comfort and fish-ability.

Since Bass Pro Shops’ acquisition of Cabela’s, I’ve noticed a significant degrade in quality, craftsmanship, durability, and material of Cabela’s branded apparel. In my lifetime, I’ve gone through only 2 pairs of Guide Series pants. Pre-BPS pants were of much more sturdier material, and my first pair lasted nearly 10 fishing seasons. Since their merger, material quality is lesser, so I should expect a minimum of 5 fishing seasons before leaks and wear-out arises. Despite differences in quality, it’s still a good product.

These wading pants are made from super-tough, tightly woven microdenier nylon shell and triple-layered knees delivers maximum protection from abrasion and punctures. An updated fit ensures easier mobility which is very good for boat fishing. Seams are also taped inside and out, featuring breathable and waterproof qualities.

If you don’t fish rivers, or wade, these are great rain pants. Drying and transport is easy with a nylon stuff bag included. Shameful on BPS, the product is now imported.

If you don’t feel like spending more $$$ for Simms wading pants, Cabela’s Guide Series is still a good option.

Sportsman’s Connection Northern Wisconsin All-Outdoors Atlas & Field Guide

Lots of adventure and discovery happens, and cool places are found, thanks to this treasure. Keep this in your vehicles at all times. I won’t travel or adventure anywhere without it.

Each All-Outdoors Atlas map is created at twice the scale of other road atlases, which means double the detail. And while the maps are sure to be the finest quality you have ever used, the thing that makes this book unique is all the additional information. You can decipher what is public land and what isn’t. You’ll find boat landings and other access sites. Additionally, logging roads and other backwoods trails are indicated as well. This gazetteer will open up many new fishing opportunities and new discoveries for you.

Loctite Super Glue

Carrying a tube of super glue is ingenious if you fish plastics. Fix or repair them quickly. A bottle of Loctite gel gives you extra mileage with favorite swimbaits and soft plastics.

For gluing baits to a jig head, Loctite ultragel is the best thing going. Unlike most other super glues, even the thick ones, it’s non-messy and applies cleanly to most surfaces for a strong bond. Loctite can be used as well for sealing and bonding together torn plastics, but for this type of repair job I’ll recommend carrying a small fire stick to melt them back together or a bottle of Mend-It.

We all have gear and fishing-specific items we can’t live without. What are some of yours? Comment and please share them with us in the chat box below.