What’s in My Beach Fishing Backpack: An Afternoon on the Sand

There’s something about the beach at sunset that makes you feel alive. The smell of salt spray, the hum of waves pulling back over the sand, and the anticipation of that first cast — it never gets old.

I’m often asked, “What gear do you take down to the beach?” So, in this session, I’m unpacking exactly what I carry when I head down for a quick fish — every lure, hook, and bit of gear that makes the difference between a quiet evening and a bag full of fish.

Choosing the Right Spot

Before I even think about unpacking, I take a few minutes to read the beach. Most beaches have a few gutters or holes. Take a moment preferably from a higher viewpoint to observe and find the best surf structure. 

Look for structure like a rip that forms a deep gutter. These are perfect for burleying and holding baitfish. Mash up a few pilchards or burley upstream to get a scent trail running before the session gets started. You can also toss down a sack filled with fish heads or guts and let it send out a scent trail.

What’s in the Backpack

Over the years, I’ve refined what I carry. My backpack isn’t fancy, but it’s practical and everything inside earns its place.

Leaders and Line

I carry five different fluorocarbon leader strengths — 12lb, 16lb, 20lb, 25lb, and 30lb. That range lets me fish lighter for bream and whiting, or step up for salmon, tailor, and mulloway.

Sinkers and Swivels

I pack them neatly in ReproBaits Round Tackle Bins — strong, lightweight, and easy to clean. One bin is filled with star sinkers (sizes 2–4), a few ball sinkers, and a handful of lumo beads. Another holds an assortment of floats, swivels, and clips. The screw on lids make it secure so I don't lose anything.

Hooks

A second set of ReproBaits tackle bins keeps my hooks organised and easy to reach.

• Size 4/0 all-rounders for most beach work

• Size 2 stingers for pairing with 4/0s

• 7/0s for big strip baits like mullet or yellowtail

• Long shanks and worm hooks for beachworms

• Ganged hooks for tailor and other toothy critters

Pre-Tied Paternoster Rigs and Wire Leaders

I also keep a few pre-tied paternoster rigs and wire leaders ready to go. The paternosters are ideal for quick changes when the bite shifts to mixed species, while the wire leaders are reserved for those big tailor that can turn up without warning. Having both pre-rigged saves valuable time when the fish are on the move.

Distance Casting Tools

To get my bait where the fish are sitting, I always carry a few bait shields and sinker clips. These streamline the bait and sinker for better aerodynamics, helping you cast further and lose less bait in flight. They’re particularly useful when using pilchards or prawns — stopping them from windmilling or flying off mid-cast. If you fish the surf regularly, these little tools make a big difference to distance and presentation.

Essentials and Tools

Good sunnies, a head torch, braid scissors, pliers, a sharpening stone, a bait knife, a measuring tape or fish ruler — every one of them earns its keep.

A sharp bait knife is essential for cutting squid, trimming worms, or tidying up rigs on the go. I also pack a few floats and glow sticks for after-dark sessions plus soft plastics and jig heads for flicking in the surf when the bite slows down.

The First Cast

With the sun dropping behind the dunes bait up with fresh beachworms — thick, wriggling, perfect specimens from that afternoon’s session. I like to run a two-hook paternoster rig with small floats above the hooks to lift the baits off the bottom. It helps avoid stingrays and puts the worm right in the strike zone.

The Baits That Make a Difference

While worms are the go-to for bream and whiting, I like to mix it up. Fresh squid, cut into chunks or strips, is deadly for salmon, tailor, and jewfish. The trick is to thread the hook through a few times but leave enough of the squid to flutter in the current — that movement makes it irresistible. Don't hide the hook point in the bait though.

On one rod I pin half a squid head with a 7/0 and 4/0 combination. On the other, I stuck with worm baits. I cast the squid setup shortand  just into the edge of a trough and leave the worm rig to drift through the deeper section.

Reading the Water

Understanding beach terrain is key. Suppose to the left was a sandbar with foamy white water spilling over. Just before the bar is a narrow gutter — that’s where the fish will be holding.

The current flows away toward a deeper hole carrying my burley trail perfectly. Walk a few metres upstream to scatter crushed pilchards so the scent drifts back toward the baits.

The Action Heats Up

As twilight settled in the session often warms up. Trevally, salmon, and dart are common but whiting and many other species are not uncommon.

There’s nothing like that moment when your rod arches under load and the line zips off into the surf. You don’t know what’s on the other end — a salmon, a jew, maybe even a shark — but that’s the thrill that keeps you coming back.

Lessons From the Session

Every beach trip teaches you something. Here’s what stood out from this one:

• Variety wins. A mix of baits — fresh worms and squid — keeps bites coming.

• Floats help. Lifting baits off the bottom reduced rays and improved hook-ups.

• Burley smart. Always scatter your pilchards up-current from your lines.

• Use distance casting tools. Bait shields and sinker clips make a big difference for long casts with soft baits.

• Stay ready. Keep rigs pre-tied and leaders pre-cut — more time fishing, less time re-rigging.

• Handle fish quickly. Dispatch or release them fast to keep the bite hot and the fish in good condition.

You never really know what you might catch surf fishing but it sure beats sitting at home or going to work. Give a go at surf fishing a few times and you'll be hooked.