What's in Your Fishing Kit...?

[timberweasel]

I’ve recently been interested in building a few new 'pocket' type kits for outdoor survival as well as for EDC. I’ve decided to build smaller modules so I can mix and match my load-out depending on the activity at hand (an orienteering & signalling kit, one for medical/first aid, one for fire-building, etc)—let’s use an ‘Altoids’ tin as a size reference and consider a casual seven day lifespan with greater longevity if you really conserve resources. My current focus is to build a functional fishing kit, and I am looking for suggestions.

How much line do you feel is required to be functional? I’m sure any length would be better than nothing at all, but how much line would you pack to feel reasonably comfortable that you could catch your dinner for a week? Is dental floss a more versatile option (I’ve never used it for fishing)?

Hooks and sinkers: how many of each? Would you pack a bobber or do you feel it is easy enough to improvise in the field? Would you pack some kind of lure(s) or just use local insects and critter guts?

Please share your fishing kit ideas! Much appreciated and thanks!

 

[blurton]

i carry hooks,swivels and different color rubber worms. i fish mainly farm ponds in central oklahoma and have had best luck allways with dark purple worms. as for line carry as much as you can. i carry a telescoping rod with zebco 33 reel in my bob. my wife thinks i'm nuts but she seemed to enjoy the fresh fish we had for supper last night.

 

[ROCK6]

You kit(s) will depend a lot on your fishing areas and skill sets. I’m probably “below-average” as an angler and I’ve recently done a lot more bass and pan-fish fishing since I’ve been stationed here in GA. I grew up fly fishing in the PNW along with substantial salmon fishing…my background is varied, but my skill is mediocre. I like the idea of carrying as much line as you can and fortunately, it’s not heavy and can be incorporated into a lot of other gear.

Hooks are the next priority and having a variety of sizes helps give you more versatility.

Sinker weights are helpful but can be improvised, same as floats or bobbers.

Artificial lures are good to have. Live bait is often more effective, but if aren’t constantly looking or have a place to keep them, you may come up on a nice piece of stream or a decent hole and spend half your time trying to scrounge for bait. Artificial lures are just more convenient to get your line and hook in the water faster. I like a good combination of both.

Spoons and jigs are useful but take a little practice to use and knowing how to read the waters in your area.

Artificial worms are handy, but I haven't found a good way to store them as they are corrosive with other plastics and will melt into a nasty goo making your other gear gummed up. I try and rotate them out annually. Anybody know a good way to wrap them up without being bulky?

A hand-casting line is quite useful and can be either improvised or made from all kinds of tubes, pipes or soda cans. With practice, you can get both accurate and some decent distances allowing better access in larger waters or even using trolling baits or spoon type lures.

Don’t discount a trot line! Learn to make a few and even pack those into your kit. A few well positioned trot lines with multiple hooks/bait raises your chances significantly!!!!

A few kits I have made:

ROCK6

 

[dipbait]

I dont have a kit but am planning on making one and using it some time this year. I wont put any sinkers or hooks in it except a couple large hook for bank lines. I plan on loading it with jigs of different types and sizes. Sinkers and hooks do not need to be separated. Ive caught lots of fish with a gob of worm or shad parts hooked onto a jig.

 

[acv]

around the outside:
50' of 50# test spider wire w/ small swivel & size 8 Matzuo snelled hook
2 -15' 50# test spider wire drop lines w/ size 8 Matzuo snelled hooks
12" bright orange surveying tape to mark drop line locations
12" parachord wirst lanyard

on the inside:
14-size 8 Matzuo snelled hooks
6 - artifical baits
1 - spinner bait
2 - bobbers (i have replaced these plastic bobbers shown w/ solid foam ones - better design and won't break if steped on)
screw eye for improvised fishing pole
4 - 1/16oz rubber core sinkers
3 - small swivels
5 - 24" 15# flourcarbon leaders
2 dryflies
Bobin of 50# test spider wire
brekeley artificial power bait gulp alive

 

[The Warrior]

You kit(s) will depend a lot on your fishing areas and skill sets. I’m probably “below-average” as an angler and I’ve recently done a lot more bass and pan-fish fishing since I’ve been stationed here in GA. I grew up fly fishing in the PNW along with substantial salmon fishing…my background is varied, but my skill is mediocre. I like the idea of carrying as much line as you can and fortunately, it’s not heavy and can be incorporated into a lot of other gear.

Hooks are the next priority and having a variety of sizes helps give you more versatility.

Sinker weights are helpful but can be improvised, same as floats or bobbers.

Artificial lures are good to have. Live bait is often more effective, but if aren’t constantly looking or have a place to keep them, you may come up on a nice piece of stream or a decent hole and spend half your time trying to scrounge for bait. Artificial lures are just more convenient to get your line and hook in the water faster. I like a good combination of both.

Spoons and jigs are useful but take a little practice to use and knowing how to read the waters in your area.

Artificial worms are handy, but I haven't found a good way to store them as they are corrosive with other plastics and will melt into a nasty goo making your other gear gummed up. I try and rotate them out annually. Anybody know a good way to wrap them up without being bulky?

A hand-casting line is quite useful and can be either improvised or made from all kinds of tubes, pipes or soda cans. With practice, you can get both accurate and some decent distances allowing better access in larger waters or even using trolling baits or spoon type lures.

Don’t discount a trot line! Learn to make a few and even pack those into your kit. A few well positioned trot lines with multiple hooks/bait raises your chances significantly!!!!





ROCK6

Nice kits Rock.

 

[AeroNautiCal]

I just have several sets of Speed Hooks and some dried bait.