Gear

Having the right gear is essential for successful sea fishing. Your equipment should match the fishing style, target species, and location. Sea fishing gear tends to be more rugged than freshwater tackle due to saltwater corrosion, stronger tides, and larger fish. Whether you’re casting from the shore, pier, or boat, each setup has its own needs. Here’s a breakdown of the core gear every sea angler should understand.

Rods

Sea fishing rods vary widely depending on where and how you fish. Key factors include length, casting weight, and action.

Beachcasters

  • Typically 12–15 feet long.

  • Designed for long casting from beaches or surf zones.

  • Medium to heavy action, suitable for leads from 4–8 oz.

  • Pair with a fixed spool or multiplier reel.

Spinning Rods

  • Lighter rods used for lure fishing or float fishing.

  • Usually 8–10 feet long.

  • Ideal for species like mackerel, bass, and pollock.

  • Works well from piers, rocks, or harbours.

Boat Rods

  • Shorter, stiffer rods, generally 6–8 feet long.

  • Built to handle vertical fishing over deep water.

  • Commonly used with heavy leads or bait for species like conger eel or tope.

Choose a rod based on target species and casting distance. Check the rod’s casting rating to ensure it matches your planned rigs.

Reels

Sea fishing reels must be salt-resistant, have strong drag systems, and hold plenty of line. Two main types dominate.

Fixed Spool Reels

  • Easier for beginners.

  • Great for shore fishing and lure work.

  • Match with beachcasters or spinning rods.

  • Look for large spool sizes (5000–8000) for surfcasting.

Multiplier Reels

  • Preferred by experienced anglers.

  • Used mostly for beach or boat fishing.

  • Offer precise casting and strong gearing.

  • Must be well maintained to avoid backlash and salt damage.

Boat fishing often uses large multipliers or conventional overhead reels with high line capacity and power.

Line

Choosing the right line affects casting, sensitivity, and landing fish.

Monofilament

  • Slight stretch, easy to handle, and good abrasion resistance.

  • Commonly used for general bottom fishing.

  • Choose 15–30 lb line for most shore and boat work.

Braid

  • Very thin diameter for strength, minimal stretch.

  • Excellent for lure fishing and deep water work.

  • Needs a shock leader due to lack of give.

Shock Leaders

  • A must for casting heavy weights on thin line.

  • Typically 60–80 lb monofilament or tapered leader.

  • Prevents breakage during power casts.

Rigs

Rigs are how your bait is presented. Having pre-tied rigs saves time and ensures consistency.

Flapper Rig

  • Great all-rounder for bottom fishing.

  • Usually has two or three hooks.

  • Good for catching multiple species in one cast.

Pulley Rig

  • Designed for rough ground and big fish.

  • One hook setup that “pulleys” away from snags when retrieving.

  • Ideal for cod, bass, rays.

Float Rig

  • Keeps bait suspended in mid-water.

  • Best for mackerel, garfish, and wrasse from piers or rocks.

Rigs can be bought ready-made or tied by hand using hooks, swivels, beads, and clips. Learn to tie your own for better control.

Hooks

Hook size and style depend on the bait and fish you’re targeting.

  • Size 1–3/0: Common for general shore fishing.

  • Size 4–6: Ideal for small fish like dabs and flounder.

  • Size 5/0–8/0: Used for larger species like conger, tope, and rays.

Match the hook to your bait — a large bait like squid or crab needs a big hook, while worm baits suit smaller sizes.

Circle hooks are growing in popularity due to their better hook-up rate and safer releases.

Weights

Sea fishing requires heavier leads than freshwater due to tides and surf.

  • Breakaway Leads: Have wire grips that hold the seabed. Ideal for beach fishing.

  • Plain Leads: Used when you want bait to roll with the current or when float fishing.

  • Watch Leads: Flat and spiked — good for light surf or estuary fishing.

  • Ball or Bomb Leads: Common for boat drop-fishing.

Weight size varies by condition but expect to use 3–6 oz leads from shore and heavier 8–12 oz leads from boats in deep water.

Terminal Tackle

Small but essential parts of any setup:

  • Swivels: Prevent line twist and help change rigs quickly.

  • Beads: Protect knots and act as rig spacers.

  • Crimps and Tubing: Used to construct custom rigs.

  • Clips and Links: Let you change leads or rigs fast.

Keep a small tackle box organized with spares of each.

Tools and Accessories

Basic tools improve efficiency and safety:

  • Pliers or forceps: For removing hooks.

  • Baiting needle: Helps thread soft baits like worm onto hooks.

  • Bait elastic: Secures soft baits like mussel or lugworm.

  • Headlamp: Essential for night fishing.

  • Scissors or line cutters: For rigging and trimming.

  • Towel or rag: Keeps hands clean and dry.

Clothing and Bags

Comfort and protection matter when exposed to salt, wind, and spray.

  • Waterproof jackets and trousers: Essential for wet conditions.

  • Waders: Useful for surfcasting or estuary fishing.

  • Thermal layers: Crucial for winter sessions.

  • Backpacks or tackle boxes: Keep gear dry and organised.

Saltwater corrodes gear quickly — always rinse rods, reels, and tools in freshwater after each session.

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