Must-Have Bottom Fishing Gear from ICAST 2024 – On The Water
Who doesn’t like bottom fishing to some degree? In the Northeast, it is arguably the most popular and approachable gateway to our sport. And there are so many ways to enjoy it—whether you prefer slow-pitch jigging scup and sea bass, swimming bucktails over sandy bottom for fluke, or dropping a couple clumps of clam to cod. The beauty of bottom fishing is it can be done almost anywhere, from back bay channels to offshore reefs, by boat or kayak. However, bottom fishing can also be unforgiving; it demands a lot from our gear and, at times, requires excessive amounts of terminal tackle, so we picked out some of the newest must-have bottom fishing gear from ICAST 2024.
SPRO 3700D Waterproof Rigging Box
This rigging box keeps pre-tied leaders organized and wrapped around the included color-coded foam rolls to prevent hooks and line from tangling, and saves you time while the bite is on.
Best Use: Stocking a surplus of pre-tied leaders before fishing over a sticky wreck.
Keep three to six spools of leader material organized and easily accessible in this durable, rip-stop nylon bag. A Velcro flap holds spools snug in place and dual grommets function as dispensers for tangle-free tying on the go.
Best Use: Convenient retying when the fish become leader shy.
This lightweight inshore reel features a multi-disc Carbonite drag system and 10BB+1RB corrosion-resistant, stainless-steel bearings for smooth, powerful performance with 24 pounds of drag pressure.
Best Use: Jigging fast-sinking metals and epoxy-style jigs.
Tsunami Carbon Shield III Inshore Rods
The reconfigured Carbon Shield inshore rods are built around an IM7 carbon-fiber blank and feature lightweight titanium guides with zirconia inserts for smooth, uninhibited casting distance.
Best Use: Pitching or casting jigs up current and working them back along bottom.
Daiwa Blackline Inshore Conventional Rod
Engineered to be lightweight, sensitive and durable, this rod joins Daiwa’s Blackline Inshore collection as the only conventional option, specifically designed for jigging the Northeast’s favorite flatfish. It can handle lures up to 5 ounces and features a moderate action to absorb the headshakes of doormat fluke while maintaining steady pressure.
Best Use: Drrifting for deepwater fluke in hotspots like the Nantucket Shoals.
HUK Gear Men’s Rogue Wave Shoe
Inspired by Huk’s Rogue Wave deck boot, these low-cut slip-on shoes are neoprene-lined and feature a waterproof rubber upper, non-marking rubber outsole for traction on wet surfaces, and molded-EVA footbed for arch support and comfort.
Best Use: Avoiding discomfort and weird tan lines when it’s too hot for deck boots.
Made from corrosion-resistant, marine-grade stainless steel, these pliers have replaceable tungsten carbide cutters for line and leader, plus, a bungee lanyard and molded EVA sheath to keep them secure and accessible on the boat or in the yak.
Best Use: Attached to your belt or belt loops when actively fishing.
Gamakatsu Ceramic Braid Scissors
At 4.75 inches long, these pocket-sized scissors are perfect for the traveling angler. They have ceramic serrated blades that cut through braided line with ease and won’t rust in salt or fresh water.
Best Use: To make braid-to-leader connections clean cut and seamless.
Organize and hang your fishing tools in an accessible location whether on the boat, at the workbench, or on the kayak with this handy gear pouch. It features a locking carabiner for seamless transport, so your tools are always by your side.
Best Use: Clipped to the center console for easy access to essential tools.
Ideal for the boat or kayak, this net is highlighted by its lightweight, carbon composite construction. Two swappable floating handles of different lengths allow you for customization based on your needs, and when it’s time to stow it away, the net collapses into 2 pieces.
Best Use: Collapsed and stowed on or below deck for those days full of double-ups and high/low double-headers.
Intended for use in shallow, backwater fishing, the new and improved Trout Eye jigs tout a custom 2X-strong Mustad hook for maximum sharpness, penetration, and durability through repeated saltwater use. The 2/0 hook features a corrosion-resistant coating, 3D eyes, and conical bait-keeper barbs.
Best Use: Shallow jigging for speckled trout, weakfish, and schoolie stripers.
Made from a salt-infused rubber formula, this 6-inch, squid-flavored paddletail swimbait is designed to cast far and cover water and can be fished on a jighead or a weedless swimbait hook.
Best Use: Jigging up big black sea bass from inshore wrecks.
Berkley Fusion19 Hybrid Jighead
Berkley’s light-wire Fusion19 hook is at the center of this round ball/swimbait jig crossover. It includes a conical bait keeper to keep soft plastics sitting forward and flush to the uniquely shaped jighead, which is designed to cut through current while maintaining balance and a natural presentation.
Best Use: Pitching Gulp! Grubs and Swimming Mullets to hungry backwater fluke.
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