9 Must-Have Fishing Accessories

To be successful at fishing, you have to have all the fishing accessories needed to get the job done. If you don’t have the gear, you don’t get the fish! If you are new to fishing, knowing what accessories you need and which aren’t necessary can be difficult. It can also be time-consuming and costly to research and buy the items you need or think you need.

Even if you are a pro-fisherman, sifting through all the latest brands and exciting new gear can be a bit overwhelming. Here is a guide to what fishing accessories you need, which are good to have, what you can do without, and what is making a splash on the fishing scene this year.

Why Are Fishing Accessories Necessary?

​Fishing accessories can be divided into three categories- basic accessories, extras, and the latest favorites. Not all accessories are necessary for fishing, but there are some that you must have if you want to cast your line in the water. Even the ones that aren’t necessary can get you reeling in a big catch in no time, so they are good to have if you want to use them. To understand why fishing accessories are necessary, let’s look at the basics first.

The Basics

Fishing accessories can be divided into three categories- basic accessories, extras, and the latest favorites. Not all accessories are necessary for fishing, but there are some that you must have if you want to cast your line in the water. Even the ones that aren’t necessary can get you reeling in a big catch in no time, so they are good to have if you want to use them. To understand why fishing accessories are necessary, let’s look at the basics first.

​The basic accessories include:

• ​A Fishing pole
• ​Fishing Line
• ​Fishing hooks
• ​Bobbers
• ​Sinkers

• ​Bait
• ​Needle-nose pliers
• ​Knife
• ​Tackle box

​Image Source: pixabay.com

Of course, you need a fishing pole of some kind to go fishing. Your preference can range from the basic cane pole to the latest rod and reel rig, or you may choose your pole based on what you are fishing for; you can’t catch large tuna with a basic set-up, for example.

To use your fishing rod, you need line, hooks, bobbers (to help you see when a fish is nibbling your bait), sinkers to sink your line and bait to attract the fish to the hook, needle-nose pliers to help you get the hook out of the fish’s mouth, and a line cutter in case you get snagged and need to cut your line.

Finally, you need a tackle box to keep it all organized so you can easily find your gear. The kind of tackle box you choose, though, is up to you. Hard-plastic tackle boxes are the most popular, but tackle bags are quickly rising in popularity and offer more options for carrying your gear.

Extra Accessories

​After the basics, loading your tackle box with some extras will help make your fishing experience much better. Some of these extras are not considered “extras” by some fishermen, but they are considered needed basics. However, for the basic functions of fishing, they are listed as “extras.” Extra accessories include:

• ​Extras of all the basics, except tackle box
• ​First aid kit
• ​Sunscreen

• ​Insect repellant
• ​Rod cushion
• ​Insulated tumbler cup

​Image Source: pixabay.com

These extras aren’t the top-of-the-line gear that people are raving about, but they make fishing easier (and safer). First, having extras of all your basics is just plain smart. Rods break. Line gets tangled. Bobbers get lost. Having extras of everything will keep you from running out of the basics while you are trying to enjoy a day out on the water.

Speaking of being on the water, sunscreen will protect your skin so you can stay out longer and not go home looking and feeling burned to a crisp. Safety first just makes sense. For that same reason, you should also have insect repellant. Mosquito bites can be irritating and dangerous, but beyond that, insects flying around your face, into your mouth and eyes, and generally annoying you with their buzzing can ruin a day of fishing faster than running out of a cold drink.

It’s no secret that fishing can be dangerous. You are working with sharp objects and fish that have teeth and sharp spines. For this reason, having a first aid kit on hand for any cuts and scrapes helps keep you safe just like the sunscreen does.

The last two- a rod cushion and an insulated drinking tumbler- may not seem like needed fishing accessories, but if you plan to be out on the water all day, they are. It’s no secret that having a cold drink pairs with fishing like peanut butter pairs with jelly, so having a cup that can keep your drink cold for hours is essential.

If you plan to sit and fish (and drink) for hours, you will want to protect your hips from bruising. A rod cushion can help make gripping your rod easier and more comfortable, reducing the risk of lost fish and bruises on your hips from using the butt of the rod on your hip to help pull fish from the bottom of the water.

​Latest Favorites

​Once you have the basics and the extras, the latest must-haves are next. The hottest fishing accessories on the market include:

• ​Portable Fish Lip Grabber and Scale
• ​LED Headlamp
• ​Hook File
• ​Fishing Gloves
• ​Lures

​Image Source: pixabay.com

When fishing for multiple species of fish, knowing what is in seasons and not is essential so that you are following the laws. After that, you need to know if the fish are the size they need to be in order for you to keep them. A portable fish grabber and scale can help!

You may have turned your nose up at the suggestion of an LED Headlamp as the newest craze to add to your tackle box, but if you ever want to go fishing after dark, it is a must for safety and for keeping your hands free so you can use them for fishing.

A hook file saves you money and frustration. How many hooks have you tossed out when they got dull? How many times have you been on the water and had to fight with a dull hook or two? A hook file can fix all of that!

Fishing gloves may seem like a waste and unnecessary, but if you want to protect your hands from injury and want to have a better grip of your rod, gloves are an accessory that you will want to add to your tackle box.

Fishing lures are not unheard of, nor are they considered an “accessory” for some fishermen, but rather a necessity. However, with basic fishing, lures are not needed. That being said, they add quality to your rig and lure in more fish.

​Can You Fish without Accessories?

​Fishing without accessories has been done for centuries, but with today’s technology and all that is on the market, why would you want to? From safety equipment to gear that will help you catch bigger and more fish than ever before, fishing accessories have come a long way, and they have upped the fishing game.Of course, the question of fishing with or without accessories is best answered when you think about what a fishing accessory is. For some, a rod and reel would be an accessory. You can fish with a stick and pole after all. Of course, that is not recommended, now, especially when there are so many available styles of fishing rigs at all different price points.For others, the latest lures and fish finding trackers would be considered an accessory. For those people, the answer is “yes, you can fish without accessories.” You do not need the latest lures, headlamps, or fishing gloves to go fishing, but if you can afford them and they make fishing easier and more fun, then why not?

​Different Types of Fishing

​It is also important to remember that there are many types of fishing and each requires its own gear. While the fishing accessories listed here are for basic cast fishing, there are other types of fishing to consider, including:

• ​Freshwater fishing- done in lakes, ponds, rivers, bayous, and streams
• ​Saltwater fishing- done in oceans
• ​Fly-fishing
• ​Ice fishing- done in winter and over iced-over bodies of water
• ​​Shore fishing- done from the shore
• ​Rock fishing
• ​Netting- done with a net
• ​Canoodling- done with bare hands

​Must Have Fishing Accessories for Your Tackle Box

Sunline Super FC Sniper

[amazon box=”B004C360BO”]

​Without fishing line, you cannot go fishing. Choosing a quality line is essential to helping you reel in fish without worrying about them breaking the line and getting loose. Super FC Sniper is extremely strong, but it features a triple resin coating that was designed to be soft on your hands.

​Piscifun Aluminum Fishing Pliers

[amazon box=”B07591GBWZ”]

​We have established that needle-nose pliers are a fishing necessity. The Piscifun Aluminum Fishing Pliers are a high-quality set of needle-nose pliers that are lightweight and act as a fish gripper. They help you remove fish from your hook faster than regular pliers, and they feature a lanyard that clips to your belt for safekeeping and quick access.

​SAMS Retractable Fishing Nippers (Clippers)

[amazon box=”B01G1OZKM6″]

​You may need a cutting tool to cut fishing line, but it doesn’t have to be a knife. In fact, using a knife on the fishing line can result in sliced fingers. Enter SAMS Retractable Fishing Nippers (Clippers). These retractable clippers clip on to a tackle box to keep them handy and secure, and they easily cut through the fishing line.

​Shimano Baltica Tackle Bags

[amazon box=”B00M3D1J98″]

​Finally, keep all of your gear organized with the Shimano Baltica Tackle Bags. Smaller than most bags, made of quality and durable nylon, featuring many compartments for organizing gear, offering a shoulder and hand-carry options, and lightweight, these bags are perfect for keeping all your fishing accessories on-hand and at your fingertips.

​Favorite Extras for Your Tackle Box

​When it comes to the extras, check out these top-rated brands for making fishing a little easier.

​Sawyer Products Stay-Put Sunscreen Lotion

[amazon box=”B005SO9H3E”]

For sunscreen, protect yourself with Sawyer Products Stay-Put Sunscreen Lotion. The selling point for this sunscreen is that it allows for just one application that will stay put no matter how much you sweat!

​Cush It “Big Bass” Fishing Rod Cushion

[amazon box=”B00AU5XITK”]

​A great rod cushion to consider is the Cush It “Big Bass” Fishing Rod Cushion. This rod cushion fits a variety of rod sizes, and it comes in many colors. It is virtually indestructible and can help you grip your rod tighter than using a rod without a cushion.

​Yeti Tumblers

[amazon box=”B073WJX9ZV”]

​When it comes to tumblers, Yeti makes the best. Stainless steel for durability and double walled for added insulation that keeps drinks cold for up to 12 hours, these tumblers are a must-have for anyone spending a day reeling them in. You can grab a variety of styles, sizes, and colors to take along.

​3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent Lotion

[amazon box=”B004LA5SUC”]

​Insect repellant is an item you don’t want to skimp on. Still, you can grab 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent Lotion for a great price and protect yourself from mosquitoes, fleas, flies, and chiggers. It lasts up to 12 hours and is made with a time-released formula. That means that it is good for one application, and you can get to fishing.

​M2 Basics First Aid Kit

[amazon box=”B01M0MWXOZ”]

​Being prepared for anything is smart, so having a first aid kit along when you go fishing is a necessity. The M2 Basics First Aid Kit features 300 items like a CPR facemask, a tourniquet, medical tape, emergency blanket, compass, and more. Fix cuts, take care of a broken arm until you can get to a doctor, and even survive the wilderness all with a lightweight and affordable kit.

​The Latest Favorites Everyone Wants

​Finally, the latest must-haves may not be a true necessity, but if you are going to buy them, you should buy quality. That’s what these brands offer:

​Piscifun Portable Fish Lip Grabber and Scale

[amazon box=”B07F753ZYY”]

For a portable fish grabber and scale, The Piscifun Portable Fish Lip Grabber and Scale is made of stainless steel and features a rubber grip, making this durable, comfortable, and easy to use.

​GRDE Super Bright LED Headlamp

[amazon box=”B01M9H41FL”]

​If you find yourself out on the water late at night, don’t pack it in, light it up! The GRDE Super Bright LED Headlamp has 3 modes: high, low, and strobe. It comes with rechargeable batteries, a wall charger, and a car charger.

​SF Hook File

[amazon box=”B000XASBBC”]

​As stated above, a hook file will save you lots of frustration with dull hooks, as well as money by allowing you to refile and sharpen your dull hooks. The SF Hook File features two different size diamond grit files – medium and fine. Both files are double-sided to sharpen the flat and rounded sides of hooks, and the rubber handle on the SF improves and cushions your grip.

​Berkley Fishing Gloves

[amazon box=”B005OTYSQO”]

​Protective fishing gloves help you keep a grip on your rod and your fish while protecting your hands from cuts and fish smell. The Berkley Fishing Gloves are thick and coated to form a textured grip that is firm, yet flexible.

​Rose Kuli Multi Jointed Fishing Lure

[amazon box=”B00VY51V4O”]

​Protective fishing gloves help you keep a grip on your rod and your fish while protecting your hands from cuts and fish smell. The Berkley Fishing Gloves are thick and coated to form a textured grip that is firm, yet flexible.

​Yamamoto Senko Bait

[amazon box=”B003CTR0GS”]

​If you prefer a soft lure, the Yamamoto Senko Bait is a soft plastic that is perfect for bass food, but it can be used on many types of rigs. They are also salty flavored, so fish go crazy for them!

​Livetarget Hollow Body Frog

[amazon box=”B004BLCHIC”]

​If you go fishing in shallow water filled with underbrush, lillypads, or other debris, you can use the Livetarget Hollow Body Frog lure to get your catch without snagging your line. This lure comes in 3 different colors, and they are flavorful to attract more prey.

​Must Have Fishing Accessories for Your Tackle Box

​Now that you have the gear you need, it’s time to organize your tackle box and keep it maintained. A poorly-maintained tackle box can result in you not having functioning gear when you need it, costing you both time and money. Here are some basics for keeping your tackle box organized and your gear intact:

• ​Group tackle together by function to find them quickly 
• ​Organize lures based on function
• ​Keep colored lures in with like colors and materials
• ​Store hooks, sinkers, and small tackle in trays or boxes to find them easily
• ​Choose clear plastic containers for inside your tackle box to make it easier to find things
• ​Use labels to identify contents
• ​Close and lock your tackle box when it is not in use
• ​Dry out wet gear before locking it away to prevent rusting
• ​Check gear for tears and other imperfections, like dull hooks that need sharpening

​Image Source: ​flickr.com

Tackle management does not just happen on the water, and the best way to ensure you save the most time and money is to keep up your gear and tackle box at home. Make sure you have space for all of your gear and use containers, hooks, shelves, and bins to keep all of your lures, lines, and rods in order, clean, and dry using the tips listed above. By taking some time to prep and organize your gear before and after each use, you will save yourself time when you go out on the water because you will know that you have everything you need and it is in working order.

​Conclusion

​ Fishing accessories are not simply extras that make fishing fun; although, they can do that, too. The basic fishing accessories are needed to get you casting a line, but the latest must-haves on the market are not really needed to perform the basic functions of fishing. They can, however, make fishing easier, more lucrative, and more fun.When you are setting up your tackle box, remember to always have your basics on hand, then add in the extras that will keep you safer and more comfortable. After you have this foundation, you can buy all the latest and greatest extras you want to help you with catching more fish.As always, quality gear is going to make your fishing experience better, so when you are choosing the gear you want, remember to select products that will give you your money’s worth. We’ve listed some of our favorites in this article, but there are many more options on the market. What you choose all boils down to what type of fishing you are doing, where you are fishing, the time of year you are fishing, and what gear you prefer.Overall, fishing accessories are both needed for basic fishing and safety, and simply extras that make your fishing experiences better and more successful.