Gear Notes
Gear Notes for Spring Break Fishing
Starting off this year with some inshore fishing on the Gulf down in Florida I got the chance to test out some new gear that came in pretty handy. Aside from preparing physically which will always give us an advantage to those who have not, there are gear choices that can also put odds in our favor. There are several this year that will be new (or successfully returning) to my lineup that I would like to share with you.
Sawyer – Picaridin Bug Spray
Last year I was introduced to Sawyer products and immediately fell in love. They offer an effective bug repellant, but rather than deet, their products use Picaridin. I did my research and Picaridin is just as effective (and in some bug species more effective) than anything else on the market. I verified this with their lotion last Fall and Sawyer’s Picaridin spray saved me down in Florida in March. During the day the beach and dock were fantastic. However, once the sun went down I was viciously attacked by mosquitoes. Luckily I threw a bottle of Sawyer bug spray in the tackle box and was able to tame the incessant buzzing and biting. If it hadn’t been for Sawyer there is no way I or the kids could have fished each night as we did. With turkey seasons starting all over right now I highly suggest you have some available. It just might salvage an otherwise miserable hunt.
On a wim I stuck the convenient bottle of Sawyer Picaridin in my tackle bag just in case. Boy was I happy with my decision the first night on the dock.
Sawyer's bug spray worked great at keeping Florida mosquitos at bay. The non-greasy and stink-free spray allowed for great nighttime fishing activities. Picaridin Bug Spray: https://www.sawyer.com/products/picaridin-insect-repellent
Gerber - HemoPlier
If you’ve followed Hunting Fit over the years I’ve covered a lot of Gerber products. Mainly because they offer affordable gear that performs well in the field. It also helps that they keep coming out with new products that add convenience to my outdoor activities. This year will be no different with me adding the HemoPlier to my tackle box. The HemoPliers are super lightweight and easily fit into your pocket without being bulky. They offer a needle nose tip for removing hooks from fish mouths but also have a wider flat closer to the handle to secure split shots or pinch-down hook barbs. One of the most important items for me was the serrated line cutter. It cleanly snipped an excess line from my hooks and aided while I had to restring both the poles I took. The HemoPlier has a list of other features but I must make mention the SaltRx coating. Where I was fishing I could wade out belly deep and reach some deeper water. I didn’t want to have to go all the way back to shore to get pliers in the event I landed a fish. I was only wearing swim trunks and a sun shirt so I didn’t have much in the line of storage. So I just slipped the HemoPlier in my pocket and let the saltwater have at them. Being submerged in ocean water for most of the week didn’t phase the pliers. Still today there is no sign of corrosion or degradation in performance.
The HemoPlier has everything you need for a fishing adventure. Here you can see the needle nose pliers, flats for pinching barbs or securing split shots, and the serrated blades for snipping lines.
Fitting comfortably in the hand or pocket, the Gerber HemoPlier is a must for any fishing trip. They packed easily and performed well in Florida for me this Spring. HemoPlier: https://www.gerbergear.com/en-us/feature/pro/guides/hemoplier-31-004027
5.11 – Rapid L2 Flashlight
While I believe a lot of people think of tactical clothing when they hear 5.11, they also offer some great gear. I was introduced to a pair of their flashlights that have become staples in my packs. I used the EDC PL1 AAA this past Fall deer hunting and loved it. It was exactly what I wanted in a flashlight to get me in and out of the woods to my treestand and back. Small, just bright enough, and took up no space in my pack. Needless to say, I was very disappointed when I lost it midway through the season. This Spring though, I slipped the Rapid L2 into a tackle bag for my trip to Florida. That proved to be a good move. I ended up spending a lot of time fishing from our pier in the dark. Having the L2 was essential in tying knots and baiting hooks in pitch black. It was also nice to shine the water throughout the night to see what was swimming by. Having the L2 was essential for me in landing a DIY snook. I was able to see my rod tip, traverse the dock, get to the beach, and remove the hook without issue. I would definitely urge you to take a look at the PL1 and L2 for your outdoor adventures this year.
While packing for my Florida trip I couldn't help but think having a small but bright flashlight would be a great idea. I slipped 5.11 L2 in my tackle bag and was thanking myself when I landed my DIY Snook.
Having the L2 from 5.11 available was key to avoiding tangles in the dark of the night. It lit up the dock and the surrounding water amazingly while pursuing my saltwater quarry. Rapid L2 Flashlight: https://www.511tactical.com/rapid-l2.html
