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Spring Break Toolkit |
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Some of the hottest must-have saltwater gear for your retreat to southern climes |
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By Noel Vick |
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CORPUS CHRISTI, TX (March 6, 2025) – It’s the great escape – leaving that surefire March Madness blizzard in the rearview mirror. Let them deal with icy sidewalks and spring head-fakes – acting all warm and then reverting to winter – because you’re traveling south. And what’s a trip to the coast without wetting a line? Miserable. Watching locals hang fish at sunrise and baitfish busting surf, and you’re rod-less? No better way to lose your sanity. Packing a tidy saltwater fishing kit isn’t arduous, either. Something that takes minimal space in the overpacked Mystery Machine or stows neatly in overhead luggage. Had I not permanently flipped the bird to snow and moved to the Gulf of America, here’s what I’d bring, or look for at a local dealer once hitting the ground. |
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Customization is the mother of invention…or something like that. Anyway, RLVNT thinks choosing sunglasses should be like picking the perfect lure. On the water, you choose a bait based on factors like species, season, size, water coloration, weather, and so on and so on. RLVNT – whose tagline is “Tackle for Your Eyes” – lets anglers consider their environmental fishing factors to create the perfect sunglasses. My formula included ‘coastal sight-fishing with a fashionable low profile frame’. The computer spit out the ‘Ranger frame with Green Mirror Lens, Blue Mirror technology, in a black frame’ (frame color my choice). Finally, a sunglasses brand that’s fishing-first… MSRP (Ranger model) $249.99 |
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WHITEWATER Ray’s Performance Hoodie It’s as signature to my look as black is to Johnny Cash. (I’ve even worn it to the gym.) Whitewater’s Rays Performance Hoodie cooling technology steps up as the go-to solution for staying cool and comfortable. The hoodie is enhanced with flexible stretch for improved mobility, top-notch UPF 50+ sun protection, and a versatile design featuring a hood and integrated breathable gaiter for comprehensive coverage. Also features antimicrobial technology and wicking properties. Available in Blue Bell and Open Water Grey. MSRP $79.99 |
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WHITEWATER Sun Protection Fishing Gloves I finally wore holes in mine – a badge of honor. It took three years of saltwater exposure to do it. Most other brands won’t last a season. Made with a blend of ultra-soft poly/nylon/spandex, the UPF 30 Sun Protection Fishing Gloves offer a combination of stretch and comfort that feels so natural you won’t even realize you have them on. Polygiene StayFresh™ helps reduce odor from bacteria and OdorCrunch™ captures and inhibits odors, allowing the gloves to stay fresher, longer. A half-finger style lets you detect the subtlest bite and gives you ultimate dexterity when you’re changing baits. Available in two colors. MSRP $24.99 |
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A shameless plug for a great kids-appeaser while you’re traveling or out fishing. Piloted by awesome illustrations, the easy-reading book features everything from sharks to goliath grouper to redfish and a smattering of freshwater species. Suggested for ages 4 to 10. Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart and other online retailers. MSRP $16.99 |
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I’ve trumpeted this advanced bait bucket before and will keep doing so until everyone owns one. It’s that awesome. With up to 12 hours of temperature control, the lightweight, insulated, and durable TPU Kryptek camo bait cooler features an aerator pocket and port, removable mesh sleeve for easy bait access, and handy-dandy shoulder strap. The cylindrical shape keeps bait swimming freely, not jammed in a corner to exhaust and die unceremoniously. MSRP $69.99 |
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EGO S2 Slider Kryptek Landing Net You’ll see them in the boats of the best – and smartest – inshore guides. Mine lives in the back of my SUV for spot-hopping. Just press and hold the black release button with your thumb and pull the foam rubber handle section. Voila! The handle extends to your desired length. Let the release button set back into the pre-set slot to lock in handle length. So many lengths and configurations to choose from… For my Gulf of America bank-beating purposes, it’s large with a precoated PVC mesh. MSRP $126.99 to $169.99 |
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Nobody does travel rods like DAIWA, and the new Ardito partners premium components in a 4-piece rod that fishes like a one-piece. Ardito features innovative V-Joint technology, which allows the joint connections to flex with the rod sections. The proprietary system ensures unmatched strength, sensitivity, and smooth action. You also benefit from DAIWA’s renowned HVF (High Volume Fiber) Nanoplus graphite, a lightweight yet incredibly resilient material that amplifies rod sensitivity and power. Comes with a sturdy yet pliable case. One spinning and one casting model available. MSRP $249.99 |
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Full disclosure – I have several of these and love them, especially for the price. Science and specs can’t explain why, either, but my BG MQ’s cast farther than other 2500 and 3000 size reels in my collection. The reel’s one-piece Monocoque aluminum body is exceptionally light and strong, as well as distortion-proof. The BG MQ also includes DAIWA’s DIGIGEAR technology with gears that are 20% to 40% larger than comparable reels. That means more torque. And their larger tooth pattern extends the life of the reel. Consider a 2500 or 3000 size to pair with the Ardito spinning rod. MSRP $209.99 |
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I have one tied-on a jigging combo 100% of the time. No joke, it’s that impressive. In fact, my very first sample accounted for dozens of fish, including speckled seatrout in the 28- to 30-inch class. Durability is a hallmark of all Z-MAN soft baits, too, including this gem. The Big BallerZ features a unique ball tail, realistic mullet-like profile, and segmented body for an erratic quivering action. Its V-shaped ridges and diamond cross-section enhance movement, too, while back and belly hook slots allow easy weedless rigging. The pearly white and gold flecked Beer Run pattern has been lights-out. HACK: I nip off the head of the 5-incher – just behind the eyes – wanting a slightly shorter bait but with girth. A drop of superglue on the jig’s collar it stays intact for the week…or longer. MSRP $5.99 (5-pack) |
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Sure, there are umpteen jig brands to fish, but this is my perennial pairing for the Big BallerZ. The versatile jig has a streamlined head shape, oversized 3D eyes, twin conical keeper barbs, and super strong 3/0 or 5/0 VMC hooks. Most impressively, they maintain sharpness longer than anything else I’ve fished. MSRP $5.49 (3 pack) |
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Down South Lures Big Smooth Easy Money If you aren’t throwing Down South Lures in Texas, consider vacationing elsewhere. They’re in every guide boat and likely won more big money tournaments than anything else hanging on the pegs. Specifically, the Big Smooth Easy Money is a durable yet supple soft plastic jerkbait that can be fished on a jighead or rigged weedless with a wide-gapped weighted or weightless swimbait hook. The colors are sensational as well, and customized for the Gulf of America. MSRP $5.99 (4 pack) |
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Now I haven’t fished any of their offerings yet, but my sources at Roy’s Live Bait in Corpus Christi, TX say they’re white hot. In fact, Roy’s recently doubled their selection, covering everything from inshore reds and trout to tarpon. Their jigheads and K-Tails look particularly cool. I will be auditioning them… Various Pricing |
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This is your classic “chunk and wind” bait. Meaning, all you do is cast and reel, because the lure does the work. Its languid slalom-action is designed to exhibit a lazy baitfish, an easy meal, its locomotion produced by a mini-rhinoceros fin on its head. The bait wallows a couple feet down and imparts tremendous strikes, which I’ve experienced angling for redfish and seatrout. The hooks are ridiculously sharp, its anatomic accuracy is impeccable, and color selection superb. Personally, I favor the naturalistic Skeleton Mullet. MSRP $16.99 |
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MirrOlure Heavy Dine Skin Series Florida’s MirrOlure has been a saltwater mainstay for decades, best known for their lipless, hardbody twitchbaits. Wish I had a tap beer for every inshore specimen I’ve wrangled on a MirrOlure. I’m presently enthralled with the MirrOLure Heavy Dine Skin Series. A slow sinker, the series is skinned to mimic baitfish species, to include pilchard, pinfish, mullet, and shad. Not your typical saltwater showboat, these earthy tones cater to the naturalist in you (and the fish). When you can’t pick a pattern – match the hatch. They satisfy most inshore gamefish at just under 3-inches. MSRP $10.49 |
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So new I haven’t hurled one yet – but now available at retail – DAIWA’s Switch Hitter looks like a stud twitchbait. Its built with durable ABS plastic to run over grass flats, oyster bars, and other skinny water. Entices with an S-shape swim pattern accentuated by color patterns within the Lazer Impact reflective structure, which casts light in multiple directions. A unique weight system combined with the shape of the lure causes it to shimmy and flash on a slow fall. Features 3x strong BKK trebles hooks for ultimate penetration and holding power. The 3.5-inch bait comes in six patterns. MSRP $16.99 |
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Easily the longest casting braid I’ve ever spooled – by a metaphoric mile. Still fishing my original 10-lb. sample, too, and it has effortlessly coaxed mega redfish, seatrout, and flounder. Woven using XBRAID’s proprietary WX weaving process, the superline exhibits a density of nearly 50 weaves per inch, which maintains roundness in the line, increases abrasion resistance, and enhances energy transfer for maximum sensitivity. Available in weights from 8- to 80-lb in multiple spool sizes, including a monster 3,300-yarder. . MSRP $25.99 to $399.99 |
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Hand in glove for your XBRAID X8. I don’t even consider casting the brine without a fluorocarbon leader, relying on its transparency and shock-absorber capabilities. Inshore, tether in a couple feet of your desired weight – 15 lb. is my gig unless tackling teeth or sharp structure. Made in Japan, the 100% fluorocarbon material is manufactured using the finest raw materials available. The moonshine-clear line is nearly invisible in the water, sensitive, and abrasion-resistant. 2- to 25 lb. weights in a 200-yard spool. MSRP $14.99 |