How to Shop for Lightweight Recreational Fishing Gear

Sometimes, it really doesn’t matter how much your fishing gear weighs. If you’re just getting out of the car and setting up a matter of metres away, you can pretty much get away with anything. 

That being said, many of the most stunning fishing spots don’t quite match these limited criteria. You’ll often have to haul your fishing equipment over a long trek, sometimes miles, until you find the perfect area. 

If you’re looking to improve your strategic approach to fishing adventures, then here’s how to shop for lightweight recreational fishing gear.

Check forums

A great place to start when looking for lightweight fishing gear is fishing forums. It’s here that you’ll find lesser-known brands that you won’t find in the big catalogues and fishing stores, often small brands that make absolutely incredible lightweight stuff.

You can check existing threads, or if you’re looking for something in particular, you can make your own post asking for advice. As you’ll know, the fishing community will have your back and will be excited to share all their best bits and pieces.

Don’t forget wet weather gear

You don’t just want to get light rods, reels and bags – you can also save a lot of weight when it comes to your clothing. Take a look at specialist suppliers such as Stormline for inspiration; you might find that you can save a substantial amount of space as well, by choosing multi-purpose items. 

You can also save weight by using a slightly more advanced layering system; that way, you can just take the layers that you think you’ll need for the trip, instead of having to take the big bulky items that might be too hot anyway.

Choose versatile gear

The best way to reduce the weight of your gear is to choose versatility over quantity. While it might not be quite as perfect as having a specific rod, reel and lure set up for every single purpose, you can often find pieces of kit that will serve you perfectly adequately for multiple uses. 

It might take a little bit of trial and error to find out what it is that you can do without, but the end effect could very well be a significantly lighter and simpler setup. 

Don’t go too far

It’s easy to get a bit carried away on the whole lightweight thing, turning it from a practical way of improving your trips into more of an obsession. Every now and then take a step back and think about whether you really need that new reel, and how much of a difference it will make to your fishing trips. 

Ultimately, it’s about being in special places and dedicating time and effort to your skill, and no amount of lightweight equipment can replace that.

This should have provided you with a solid starting point for your lightweight recreational fishing gear search. Reducing the amount of stuff you have to carry on your trips can make them a lot more enjoyable, and if you’re just getting started with your lightweight fishing journey, you’ll likely see a lot of benefits in the months to come.

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