The hot new bait, the latest electronics, and that must have new color are all fishing gear that can steal the show this holiday shopping season, but are they truly the best investments to improve your time on the water? As fun as new baits can be, efficiency is what puts the most fish in the boat, and we’ve got a few under the radar gear items that can do just that.
Cold Weather Clothing
It’s no secret that the best bite can often be found in the early spring and late fall, which makes investing in quality cold weather clothing a must. If you’re cold, wet, and miserable on the water you’re not going to be focused on catching fish, and you’ll probably be heading for the boat ramp early!
“As walleye anglers we know the best bite often doesn’t correlate with the best weather, which makes the cold weather gear you select critical to both maximizing and enjoying your time on the water,” says Nick Harrington, Owner of Lip Ripper Fishing. “I think a lot of times we think more about the fish and less about ourselves when it comes to a day on the water.”
Anglers can find a variety of options available on the market, all with varying degrees of insulation to provide for comfort throughout the entire season. When it comes to purchasing, doing your research and trying out the clothing is critical to finding comfort.
“I’ve worn a lot of different brands and models, and I think the biggest thing I’ve noticed is you get what you pay for,” continues Harrington. “This past year I tried the Cold Snap CS-One Suit, and I have to say that’s probably been my favorite of everything I’ve worn.”
The ability to layer is one of the most important factors when it comes to comfort, especially throughout a day on the water, and that’s something anglers need to consider.
“There’s a lot of days I put the boat in before sun up and when you run to your spot it’s just straight up cold, but by the time you’re ready to come in the sun is out and the temperatures have really jumped,” details Harrington. “The CS One suit, in my opinion, has been the easiest to layer and stay comfortable throughout the entire day.”
Purchasing something that is waterproof is also a necessity, because even if it’s not raining the waves and water off a windy day can be the deciding factor in how long a day on the water lasts.
“The most common mistake I see is people think ‘rain gear’ and if it’s not raining, don’t dress accordingly,” elaborates Harrington. “I love my tiller, but when it’s windy you better plan on getting wet even when the sun is shining.”
The longevity throughout the course of a season and multiple years also makes these purchases a worthwhile investment.
“The way I look at it, I’m probably going to wear my CS-One suit, whether it’s the insulated liners, rain coat or bibs, or full suit put together, at least from March to May and then again October to November,” describes Harrington. “I’ve worn it in Canada in August on a cold morning, and when you think about just how many hours you spend with it on the water – aside from your boat and maybe a favorite rod it’s really the most used piece of gear you have.”
Many cold weather suits and clothing are also designed specifically for ice fishing, which makes their useful life close to nine months in any given year.
“The CS One Suit itself is really an ice angler’s dream,” continues Harrington. “The additional padding and flotation it’s exactly what an ice angler wants, so when you think about me using it for five months out of the boat, those other three or four months during that hard water season is when it really gets used every single day.”
The combination of increasing an angler’s comfort and safety, along with day to day usage throughout the majority of the year, makes these cold weather suits a worthwhile investment for every angler.
“Do your homework, try them on, and find the suit that fits your needs,” states Harrington. “In my opinion they’re a must-have for any angler, whether you fish on the ice or out of the boat.”
Pliers and Tools
Another overlooked piece of equipment is quality pliers and tools. Whether you’re unhooking a fish, swapping out a crankbait, or fixing a piece of gear, quality pliers are another must have.
“I’ve always overlooked the tools I keep in the boat, such as my pliers, scissors, or other pieces of equipment,” states Harrington. “I’ll be the first to admit they got rusty, and I ended up doing a few bicep curls trying to get pliers open and used as I needed.”
Throughout a season on the boat, these tools are going to go through a variety of temperatures, get wet, dry out, and then get wet again. All of this combines for rust and decreased longevity and function.
“I didn’t realize how bad it was until I actually got a pair of really nice Bubba pliers, and I don’t think I can go back,” admits Harrington. “The ease of efficiently taking the hook out of a fish gets me back on the water fast, when I know there’s fish to be caught.”
While the traditional pliers are what many anglers think when it comes to fish, split ring pliers are also a vital tool to keep on the water.
“I keep a pair of split ring pliers in the boat at all times, I use them to open crankbait snaps and they also allow me to easily replace a hook on the water,” states Harrington. “I’ve found keeping a box of replacement trebles in the boat is faster and easier than putting a new bait on when a hook breaks, I just use the split ring pliers to do the replacement right there and I’m back in the water.”
Split ring pliers are the quickest and easiest way to replace a treble hook without doing any damage to the bait nor split ring itself.
“I replace hooks on crankbaits like they’re pit stops for tires in a NASCAR race,” expands Harrington. “If a big fish pops off, I don’t ever want to question if it’s because I was lazy and didn’t replace a hook when I needed to. Keeping split ring pliers in the boat makes it fast and easy to do just that.”
Quality tools are critical pieces of equipment to have in the boat throughout the entire season.
“Our tools aren’t near as fun and flashy as our rods, reels, and baits, but they’re the supporting cast that keep the operation running smoothly,” concludes Harrington. “Investmenting in some quality tools, and back ups to those, is an investment that will pay off when it comes to being efficient on the water.”
Essential Equipment on the Water:
- Season Appropriate Clothing
- Pliers
- Split Ring Pliers
- Scissors
- Wire Cutter
- Measuring Device
- Scale
- Duct Tape
- Signaling Device/Whistle
- Life Jackets
- Throwable Device
- Fire Extinguisher
- Tow Rope/Line
Holiday Fishing Gear Shopping Tips and Advice
The holiday season is a great time to get deals on fishing equipment, and it is important to make sure you’re stocking up on your favorite baits while trying new baits based on those favorites. This will ensure you’re maximizing your budget and getting gear you’re actually going to use on the water!
Learn More About Fishing Gear
If you’re looking to learn more about essential gear out on the water, check out our Getting Geared Up page! Here you’ll find tackle profiles, how to fish our favorite baits, and other tips for maximizing your budget!
Images Courtesy Waygood Brand Co
All of the images used in this article are courtesy of Waygood Brand Co. For businesses that live outside the lines, Waygood Brand Co offers design, photography, and branding services to take your business to the next level!
