To its most devoted practitioners, bottom fishing is an art form, a craft that requires specialized tools to turn the raw materials of bait and hook into the masterpiece of a fresh seafood dinner. Here’s our pick of the gear that’ll earn its keep(ers) on the shoals, wrecks, and reefs next season.
JVR Industries Vac 100
Let this chamber vacuum sealer handle the heavy lifting the next time you have a full cooler of fillets. Its oil-lubricated rotary pump clears 99% of the air in a 40-second cycle at commercial-level vacuum, so October’s tautog tastes just as fresh in February. It also seals mason jars and sous vide bags, making it useful beyond fishing season.
On The Water Crab Socks
These American-made crab print socks are the perfect stocking-stuffer for your favorite tog fisherman. Made from a soft and durable ring-spun combed cotton, they offer built-in arch support for long, cold days spent dropping rigs and jigs.
Minn Kota Riptide Instinct QUEST
Available in 60- to 100-inch shaft lengths, Minn Kota’s flagship saltwater bow-mounted trolling motor has a reinforced mount and delivers 90 to 115 pounds of thrust for precise control in strong current and ocean swell. Spot-Lock GPS anchoring holds position within a boat-length in open water, and Drift, Follow, and Dodge modes run hands-free.
Bubba Lithium Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife
BUBBA’s cordless fillet knife is powered by a lithium-ion battery to help make light work of a full cooler at the cleaning station. It includes two batteries, a charger, and four interchangeable titanium-nitride blades to cover everything from panfish to bluefish.
YETI Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler
Whether hauling beach beverages through sand or offloading a day’s catch down the dock, YETI’s single-piece NeverFlat wheels and Periscope handle make it easy. It fits up to 76 cans or 54 pounds of ice and includes a dry-goods basket to keep food items from getting wet.
Jigging World Luminous Slow Pitch Rods
Made with 30T carbon fiber, these rods have a slow, responsive tip built to accentuate a slow-pitch jig’s fall-and-dart action and a backbone built to muscle fish off structure. Three powers match jig weights from 80 to 400 grams, covering everything from inshore sea bass to bluefin and yellowfin tuna. Starting at $160; jiggingworld.com
SPRO Squidtail Jig
Featuring Spro’s minnow-style head, this jig has a durable soft-plastic skirt to better resemble the profile and aggressive darting action of a squid, and a Gamakatsu NSB heavy-wire hook to keep fluke, sea bass, and stripers pinned until they’re in the net.
Berkley Fusion19 Bucktail
This bucktail, from the shape of the head to the size and style of the hook, was designed with fluke in mind. A bait keeper holds a Gulp! strip or grub securely, and a double line tie lets you fish it as a leadhead or a teaser. Sizes run from 1/8 to 6 ounces, covering everything from shallow back-bay drifts to deep ocean lumps. Each one has a sharp, corrosion-resistant Fusion19 hook.
Fishbites Fight Club
Fishbites’ new soft baits combine its signature scent technology with lifelike action. The lineup includes paddle tails, curly tails, grubs, jerkbaits, and shrimp, all made to pair with a bucktail or jighead. Instead of PVC, they’re made from a biodegradable hydrogel that pumps scent into the water column so fluke and sea bass home in on your rig.
Tsunami Evict II Low Gear
The Low Gear versions of Tsunami’s sealed, all-metal Evict II spinning reel are tuned for jigging tog and sea bass. A 5.3:1 ratio adds cranking power when you’re pulling fish out of structure. IPX6 sealing, 12 seals, and a sealed carbon drag delivering up to 20 pounds keep it running smoothly through a season of salt spray. It comes in 2500 and 3000 sizes.
Shimano Ocea Jigger HG 1500
This compact star-drag reel is built for slow-pitch jigging. Its HAGANE body and Infinity Drive reduce rotational resistance so it cranks smoothly under load, and its 6.4:1 ratio picks up line quickly between pitches. It weighs just 14.3 ounces and puts out 15 pounds of drag. Pair it with a slow-pitch rod for sea bass, tog, and bluefish over deep structure.
Plano Frost Coolers
These coolers have 1-inch commercial-grade insulation and an airtight Dri-Loc seal to keep the catch cold from the first drift to the cleaning table. Dual-stage latches lock the lid down, integrated tie-down slots secure it to the deck, and a removable dry basket keeps sandwiches out of the meltwater. They come in 14-, 21-, and 32-quart sizes, and the 32-quart has a built-in stainless bottle opener.
Gamakatsu Octopus Style Hooks 100-Pack
There may be no more thoughtful gift for the bottom bouncer in your life that a couple season’s supply worth of all-around hooks. The Gamakatsu Octopus style hook is a go-to for fluke, blackfish and sea bass, especially in the 5/0 to 7/0 sizes. A pack of 100 should last a fluke fisherman four or five seasons and a tog fisherman at least one, depending on how good he is at bouncing out of snags.
Grundéns Neptune Bib
Grundéns built these medium-weight bibs for commercial deck work, and they’ll hold up to cold spray, cutting bait, cleaning fish, and a busy deck. The waterproof PU-coated polyester is stain-resistant and easy to hose off. Adjustable leg closures let the bibs slide on and off over boots, and a snap cargo pocket and interior chest pocket hold pliers and a phone. If you fish late-season tog, look at the fleece-lined Neptune Thermo Bib ($139.99), which adds a handwarmer pouch for the coldest days.