5 essential tips for planning the perfect fishing road trip

#2  PACKING

Another advantage of route planning is it helps you pack for specific fish and water. Even if you’re pulling a boat or trailer with room for lots of gear, paring down at home aids organization and helps avoid option overload once you’re on the water. A good rule of thumb is to pack tackle for all the situations you’re likely to encounter, not everything you might possibly encounter. Also try to pack versatile tackle that will work well in multiple scenarios. That’s especially true for rods, which can be awkward to store, and are vulnerable to breaking.

Since you’re sticking to (or near) roads, you’ll probably be able to restock or replace gear at local tackle shops or even hardware and general stores. Still, those may be hours away, so I always pack a small “mishap” box of pliers, screwdrivers, zip ties, rope and the holy trinity of duct, electrical and hockey tape, which can temporarily repair everything from rods to trousers to glasses. And even if you’re staying in hotels, it’s handy to have a small cooler for drinks, snacks and fish.