TGIT, friends! Who’s ready for the weekend? Its looking like a good one! This past weekend was the Georgetown Tarpon Tournament (remember this video?), and although I wasn’t able to fish it (Thanks, guys… Just kidding!), I was able to spend plenty of time on the water… Yep, you guessed it – fishing from the paddle board. Can you tell yet that I’m hooked?

Cheesy pun 100% not intended, I swear. But, really… I got all of my gear together and fished away the day.

Disclaimer – this photo was taken after about 2 hours of fishing… Thing’s had gotten messy. Why? With the tide ripping out, I got up close and personal with some pluff mud (always fun), and I’d recently caught a nice (but small) red fish. Woohoo! Why, you ask, is there not a photo of this fish?

I was fishing with 2 lines out, and by the time I hooked the fish, got the second line in (so I wouldn’t get tangled), grabbed the net to land the fish, and got the fish off of the hook… Well, let’s just say doing all that plus, working a camera, while also on a paddle board requires a certain amount of coordination that I just do not possess. It is shocking that I didn’t end up in the water after all of that, honestly! Needless to say, I sat down for a few minutes rest. Thennnnn I was able to find grab my phone. I’ll work on the coordination thing… I really wish I had a photo of that fish!

So, what exactly do I have in that jumbled mess above?

Here are my essentials for fishing on the paddle board – nice and neatly packed at the start of my excursion. You probably have most of this at home, and it’s a super easy (and cheap!) way to DIY your own mobile gear kit.

1. fishing rod
   
2. crate
3. rod holder
4. net
5. anchor + line
6. small tackle box 
7. water bottle jug
8. shoes
9. hat
   

You can’t very well fish without a fishing rod (well, most people can’t), so pick your favorite rig (or two and you’ll be set). Conventional tackle or fly rod – its up to you! Just make sure your rig fairly lightweight. If you’re wanting to stay on the water for any amount of time, you’ll need some more gear, and a place to put it. A plastic milk crate perfectly fits the bill – roomy, open, and drains easily. A 3-tube rod holder fits right inside, giving you a place to keep both your fishing rods and your net. Just hold it in place with some zip ties and it will be sturdy.

Like I mentioned, you might want to bring a net with you. I didn’t take one the first few times I went out, and I didn’t land a few fish because of it. It’s a lot harder to reach wayyy out to your line when you’ve only got 2 feet of board to balance on! I also learned the hard way that an anchor is key. If you find the perfect spot to fish, you’ll be hard-pressed to stay put if the tide or wind is moving even a little. This one is only 1.5 pounds, but works like a charm.

You’ll want some spare tackle while you’re out there. That sinking feeling you get when the fish runs across an oyster bed and breaks the line, losing your hook and lure forever, only to realize you don’t have anything else to use? Been there, won’t go there again. Just a small box with a few of your favorite items is all you need. I have this one, too – you can just take out one of the boxes to save room!  What’s in the tackle box is completely up to you, and will change based on what you’re fishing for. I typically have at least a few jig heads, a gulp or three, a multi-tool for cutting line/removing hooks, a few weights/split shot, and a bobber. An assortment like this should get you started. [I also have a knife and a small cutting board in the crate, particularly if I am using cut mullet for bait, but don’t bring those with me every time.]

The last 3 items – water, shoes, and a hat – can be just as important as the tackle you bring. Hot summer days in the bright sun mean dehydration can sneak up on you, so bring more water than you think you need. You might spill some, anyways… I didn’t, though. Promise. Shoes aren’t as crucial if you’re fishing a sandy-bottomed lake, but the salt water creeks around here are hospital trips waiting to happen. Oyster beds are more than abundant, and if you have to get in the water for any reason (i.e. you fall), bare feet are the last thing you want stumbling over an oyster bed trying to get back on the board. The hat goes right back to those hot summer days, particularly if the tide and your chosen fishing spot have you facing the glaring sun for the next 3 hours. As you can see, mine is from Flood Tide Co... Love it.

 

So, what do you think? Are you ready for some paddle board adventures?

Or are you just ready for some deer hunting?