If you’re getting ready to set up a surf cart, you probably don’t want to forget a thing. Once you are ready, start sea fishing, everything you need should be at your fingertips. Everyone’s list will vary a bit, but these are the essential items that should be on every list.

To start with one or two long surf casting rods from 10′ to 12′ in length to fish with live bait. Most will want to have more than one surf fishing rod. You could stop there, but why not bring a short rod too? Something you could cast into the breakers to catch bait or pick up some other quick action near shore. You’d be surprised how many good sized fish feed close to shore between the beach and the breakers. After all, that’s where there’s a lot of bait anyway.

Large rods will need grit tips to set them in after you turn them off. A comfortable, lightweight chair and umbrella will keep you out of the sun. Sunscreen will prevent a serious burn. Then you’ll want coolers for drinks and walk-in coolers for your catch.

Whether you bring the bait with you or catch them off the waves, you should have a bait bucket with an aerator. Some surf anglers like to use sand fleas that can be obtained at the water’s edge and are simply kept in a bucket of wet sand.

Don’t bring all the surf gear you have. Sort your tackle box down to the essentials needed for several hours of fishing. It’s better to have a few smaller tackle boxes set up for different types of fishing than one monster box that has more than you expect to use. Weight is a factor when you’re dragging that cart across the sand.

Go through your tackle box the day before and stuff anything but running shorts. Inspect terminal gear for rust and deterioration. The saltwater environment is quite harsh. A pivot or snap could be ready to snap at any moment. Check used hooks and sharpen the tips. Make sure you have enough main material. Ideally, you should have all of your live bait rigs assembled ahead of time.

If you are not up to date on the latest regulations, take the species list for size and bag limits with you when you obtained your fishing license. These days the regulations are constantly changing.

Here is the list:

• Two revised and ready to use surf rods.
• A smaller rod to fish the surf.
• Sand tips for surf rods
• Coolers for drinks and caught fish
• bait bucket and aerator
• utility bucket
• Prepaid & Restocked Optimized Tackle Box
• Surf Fishing Regulations
• Light weight comfortable chair
• sun umbrella
• sunscreen
• Fresh bait (one or two types)
• Rake for sand fleas if you plan to use them as bait
• clean rags or a towel

This list will help you. After a few surf fishing trips you will probably adjust it to your preferences. Take the time to use a checklist and save yourself the fuss of leaving something essential behind.