What to Pack For a Freshwater Destination Fishing Trip

Written By: Pete Robbins

Going on a fishing trip to a distant location – or even a close destination that’s new to you – is part of the thrill of the sport and a key to becoming a better angler. But while the sense of the unknown can be invigorating, it can also be confusing: What conditions, species, or situations will you unexpectedly encounter?

I’ve been fortunate to chase my freshwater dreams from coast to coast within the United States. In recent years, I’ve branched out internationally – repeated trips to Mexico for largemouths, peacock bass, payara in South America, and tigerfish in Zambia, among others. Whenever I think I have packing down to a science, I learn something new, but there are certain universal pieces of advice I can give to help make sure that you maximize your trip and don’t repeat my mistakes.

First Rule: What's the Limit?

Before you consider specific items of tackle or gear, you need to know exactly how much you can bring. Will you be flying or driving? Once you’re there, will you be on foot or in a boat? When I tow my boat, between my tow vehicle and the boat, I can bring more than I’ll ever need for even a week or two on the water. However, on trips into the Amazon, we’ve been limited to 44 pounds of gear and clothing for everything we could tote.

Usually, you’ll be between those two extremes – the goal is to have everything you need without going overboard. It’s a tough needle to thread. Try to find items that’ll do double duty. For example, shirts or pants that will get you through multiple conditions with equal ability.

Also, consider whether you’ll be flying. That adds an entirely new wrinkle to the effort. First, you need to figure out your weight more carefully. Second, you must consider what is allowed in your checked and carry-on luggage and how it should be packed. Finally, consider where you’re heading. Some items permitted within the US might be forbidden or taxed in another country. Be sure to bring along not only the printed TSA policy but also the specific airline policy.

Second Rule: Don't Reinvent the Wheel

Ask what you must bring if you’ll be fishing with a specific guide, outfitter, or lodge. You may not need to bring much gear at all. Many lodges even do daily laundry. You’ll still need to bring your own clothing and personal items, but you’ll have room for more if you don’t need to bring a lot of terminal tackle or a bulky rod tube. It may be worth it to pay a little more for an operation that provides everything. For example, for my occasional trout and salmon trips to Alaska, I don’t have to buy waders, a fly rod, or any other gear that would otherwise collect dust at home.

If you can’t get decent information from the locals, ask to speak with some of their past clients. Read fishing reports and check out fishing weather apps to gain more insight into what the fishing will look like during your trip. Look at online photo galleries from people who’ve been there at similar times. It won’t be foolproof, but it’ll help you narrow things down substantially.

Third Rule: Safe, Not Sorry

Before we even broach the topic of fishing-specific gear, let’s be clear: you can’t fish effectively if you’re not comfortable or safe. A sunburn, hypothermia, or even six days of wet socks can ruin a long-awaited journey. Part of that starts with medical care. On a trip to a remote portion of the Amazon, I got stung by a bunch of no see ums, and my ankle doubled in size. Fortunately, my travel partner had a solid first aid kit and was able to ease my discomfort. I fished the rest of the trip, looking odd, but I could still enjoy every moment. Bring your medications, and pain relief, and some bandages. Also, consider trip insurance or medical evacuation plans if you’re going somewhere off the grid.

Clothing is also a crucial part of this effort. You must protect yourself from the elements—not only the bugs that got me in Brazil but also the sun, wind, cold, and rain. What starts as just uncomfortable can quickly turn into a life-threatening situation.

Start with fishing rain gear, no matter where you're going. It'll still protect you from wind or cold if it doesn't rain. You can use it as a pillow on long rides. Of course, the weight of the suit, whether you'll bring pants or bibs, and other critical features depend on where you're going and when. The light AFTCO jacket I brought to Zambia, where it was 105°, was different than the jacket and fishing bibs I brought to Brazil, where it was 90°, but much more likely to pour. And both of them differed from what I'd bring to Minnesota or Michigan in the spring.

Footwear is also essential. What you’ll need to chase pike in Saskatchewan from a boat will differ substantially from what you’d need to target those same fish from a muddy bank. Make sure your footwear is comfortable, grippy for the appropriate terrain, and, if needed, waterproof.

Next, consider fishing shirts and fishing pants. You’ll want items that protect against the sun, dry quickly, and are stain-resistant. Then add in fishing outerwear, if needed. It should have those same qualities and maximum insulation for minimum weight. Accessories are critical, too. Think about antimicrobial underwear and some sort of hand protection – insulated if it will be cold, lightweight with UPF protection if it won’t. Fishing gloves protect the back of your hands from the sun and your fingers from the harshness of repetitive casting and reeling. Add a hat or two to give you protection and shade. Fishing masks and neck gaiters are also great for keeping anglers’ necks and faces covered. Staying protected against the sun and cold or bugs during long boat rides is a game changer. Bring two pairs of polarized sunglasses to protect your eyes from glare and help you see and catch more of what you came for. Finally, pick fishing clothing that looks good on you and on camera. It’ll be part of a lasting photo reminder of your trophy catch.

Fourth Rule: Go Heavy on Tackle, Tools, and Extras

The rods, reels, lines, and lures you’ll need for your dream trip will vary depending on the location, the species being pursued, and the time of year. That’s enough to fill volumes and is likely subject to debate even among similarly experienced anglers. Still, based on my extensive travels, you can always wear a stinky shirt again, but when your favorite rod breaks or you run out of “the only lure they’ll eat,” it can be a disaster.

So, when I bring all my gear, or even some of what we’ll need, I double dip on certain items:

• One more rod than I think I’ll need (they invariably get broken at the wrong times)
• One more reel than I think I’ll need (they invariably seize up at inopportune times)
• A small tool kit (including the all-time essentials Super Glue, a screwdriver, and duct tape) to fix them
• Extra line
• Replacement hooks
• Something to cut line
• Something to remove hooks (preferably from fish, possibly from people)

Those are my non-negotiables. You might also want to bring some extra guides, a fly-tying kit, or anything that’ll transform a partially working piece of equipment into a dream-fulfilling item.

Storage matters, too. If you fly, your carry-on may also have to double as a boat bag, so pick one that’s waterproof or water-resistant. Store small items in airtight boxes, and you can even take a belt-and-suspenders approach by putting rubber bands over them when in transit—a low-tech solution to keeping things secure. Make your packing as modular as possible; you should never have much more or less than you need.

A Word on Rod Tubes & Air Travel

As noted above, air travel adds a particular wrinkle to the process, as rules and allowances have tightened up in recent years. You don’t want to have your treasured knife confiscated at security, and you don’t want to end up in jail anywhere. Be courteous – it goes a long way.

Rod tubes cause lots of problems. If you’re going to or from a mostly non-fishing destination, the gate agent may not know their policies, so bring a printed copy. Pack the rods so they are protected, tip-to-butt, and wrapped in something soft like towels or bubble wrap. You can even use the shirts you’re taking on the trip to kill two birds with one stone. I frequently use packs of plastic worms on my trips to Mexico. Just assume, however, that some security folks will investigate what’s inside and not know how to put things back together. Make it easy on them by writing where to open the tube on the tube and by not having loose rods clanking around once they’re inside. There are no guarantees, so do everything you can to help yourself. Sometimes, it might be easier to ship your rods there, purchase some and have them delivered there, or buy new ones on site.

Once you get into packing for a freshwater trip, it becomes less of a chore or mystery and more of a window into what you’re about to experience. On each novel trip, I bring some familiar favorite proven items and try to throw in a new fishing shirt or pair of fishing shorts. It feels like the first day of school, a bit intimidating, but also a gateway into new worlds that’ll make you a better and more fulfilled angler.

Author's Profile: Pete Robbins

Pete Robbins is a one of the most trusted and heavily published scribes in the world of bass fishing. He is a Senior Writer for Bassmaster and has blogged for Yamamoto’s Inside Line for well over a decade. He has also been published in outlets as varied as Texas Monthly and Goat Rancher Magazine. He and his wife run a website called Half Past First Cast that’s dedicated to promoting and simplifying fishing travel. Robbins received a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College in 1992, and a JD from Columbia Law School in 1995. In his “day job” he specializes in Federal administrative law.