What to Pack for a Day of Fishing

You have a day off tomorrow, and the weather is looking just perfect. Your thoughts drift to Cheat Lake, or maybe Mason or Dixon Lake or even Coopers Rock Lake. Your eyes land on your fishing pole, and you decide that tomorrow is going to be a full day of fishing.

Now, the important question: what all do you pack?

The first and most obvious thing you need for a full day of fishing is your fishing pole! Depending on what you are targeting, you should either bring a lightweight pole with six-to-eight-pound line for bass, bluegill, trout and the like, or you should bring something a bit larger and heavier for those big game fish like Muskie and catfish. There’s also the option of bringing both!

Next you need your tackle. For a full day of trying your luck, it’s best to come prepared with an assortment of lures and hooks, as well as live bait if that is your preference (also depending on the lake’s rules). That way, if the fish aren’t biting with your first choice, you have different options to try throughout the day.

Along with tackle comes a rod holder. If you are one who likes to throw your bait in and wait, this is a must. With a rod holder, you can sit back and wait for that tell-tale bending of your rod before leaping up and setting the hook.

Being able to sit back and wait also calls for a fold-out chair – preferably with armrests! If you don’t have one already, there are plenty around for a good price. In fact, Five and Below often carries them.

While we are on the subject of being comfortable, you should also plan on wearing some comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting wet or dirty. You never know what could happen with a full day at the lake. Specifically, for shoes, it is best to wear an old pair of tennis shoes or even some waders, so if they get muddy or wet, it’s no great loss.

Along this same vein, if you want to avoid the seemingly unmatched aggravation of attacking bugs, you should definitely pack some bug spray. Mosquitos can be relentless, especially near lakes.

You should also pack some sunscreen to spray yourself down with. Even if it doesn’t seem too hot that day, or the clouds seem to hide the sun well, you can still get burned by some harmful rays.

When it comes to the sun, it’s also great to pack a pair of polarized sunglasses. The polarization will help you see into the water more clearly, which is a great help for spotting that one fish that keeps circling the bank. This way, you’ll know right where to cast in!

For a full day, you are also going to need some easy, pre-made meals and adequate hydration. Make sure to bring a packed cooler with water and sandwiches or something else ready to eat. Fishing can be hungry work!

Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, never forget your fishing license! If you have yet to get one or haven’t renewed yours, it’s quick and easy to do online at https://www.wvfish.com/. All you have to do after buying it is print, sign and keep it on you! You can also look out for free fishing days for West Virginia residents when a license is not required.

A full day of fishing is a great mini vacation for any day you have free. With the above essentials packed and a little luck, you could be reeling a fish in left and right!

About the Author

Alexandria is a senior at WVU with a passion for writing. She is an Englishmajor with a dual emphasis in creative writing and professional writing and editing. Alex is and has always been obsessed with reading and writing and is hoping to become an editor and a published author one day. Since coming to WVU, she has been involved each year in the Calliope Undergraduate Literary Magazine, and recently has begun focusing on writing about the wildness and wonder of West Virginia.