Fishing Accessories and Gear: What You Really Need
By Jake Harlow · Updated September 2026 · As an Amazon Associate, Tetra Hook earns from qualifying purchases. Disclosure.
The right accessories make fishing easier, safer and more organized, from carrying your tackle to the water to storing rods at home and drilling through the ice. This guide covers the fishing gear and accessories worth owning and links to our researched buying guides.
Our fishing accessory buying guides
| Guide | What it covers | Our top pick |
|---|---|---|
| Best fishing backpacks | Tackle backpacks, slings and rolling packs | KastKing KarryAll |
| Best rod holders for the garage | Wall, floor, ceiling and garage-door racks | PLUSINNO V9 |
| Best pond boats | Small boats, inflatables, kayaks and float tubes | Pelican Bass Raider 10E |
| Best electric ice augers | Battery and drill-powered ice augers | Eskimo E40 |
Essential fishing accessories
| Accessory | Why you need it |
|---|---|
| Tackle box or backpack | Keeps lures, hooks and tools organized and easy to carry |
| Pliers and line cutters | Remove hooks safely and cut line cleanly |
| Landing net | Lands fish without breaking the line and is kinder to fish you release |
| Polarized sunglasses | Cut glare so you can see fish and structure, and protect your eyes from hooks |
| Rod holders and storage | Protect rods at home and in the vehicle |
| Life jacket | Essential on any boat, kayak or float tube |
| Fishing licence | Required in every state for most anglers |
For full checklists, see our basic fishing equipment list, best fishing gear for beginners and essential saltwater fishing gear. Anglers with limited mobility should read fishing equipment for disabled anglers.
Tackle box checklist
- Hooks in two or three sizes, split shot and bullet weights, and a few bobbers.
- A handful of proven lures: soft plastic worms, a jig or two, an inline spinner and a crankbait.
- Pliers, line cutters or nail clippers, and a hook remover.
- Spare line and a small spool of leader material.
- Sunscreen, a hat, polarized sunglasses and insect repellent.
- A small first aid kit, a towel and a bag for litter and old line.
- Your fishing licence, stored somewhere waterproof.
Gear by where you fish
| Where | Extra gear worth adding |
|---|---|
| Bank and pier | Rod holder or sand spike, bucket, folding stool, long-handled net |
| Boat, kayak or float tube | Life jacket, anchor, dry bag, whistle, paddle leash |
| Streams and rivers | Waders or wading boots, wading staff, chest or sling pack |
| Saltwater | Rinse kit, heavier pliers, fish grips, cooler with ice |
| Ice fishing | Auger, skimmer, ice picks, spud bar, warm boots, shelter |
Boats and getting on the water
- Best pond boats
- 10 types of fishing boats
- Boats for fishing freshwater lakes
- Saltwater boats for beginners
- How to fish from a canoe
- Pedal boat fishing tips
- Why to install a boat kill switch
Ice fishing gear
- Best electric ice augers
- Hand vs. gas ice augers
- Do you need a brushless drill for an ice auger?
- How much torque for an ice auger
- How to sharpen ice auger blades
- Ice fishing at night
Storage and care
- Best rod holders for the garage
- How to store fishing rods in a garage
- How to oil fishing reels
- Why fishing hooks rust and how to stop it
Frequently asked questions
What fishing accessories do I need as a beginner?
A small tackle box or backpack, pliers, line cutters, a few hooks, weights and bobbers, polarized sunglasses and your fishing licence.
What is the best way to carry fishing gear?
A tackle backpack if you walk to the water, a sling for light trips, and a rolling pack for piers and docks.
How should I store fishing rods at home?
Upright in a wall or floor rack, or horizontally with full support, away from heaters and direct sun.