With an office full of fishing fanatics, the OTW Crew churns through some gear every season targeting just about every species that swims in the Northeast. Here’s 70 products that our crew used, and loved in 2025.
Columbia PFG Pro Sport Boot
I’ve tried almost every fishing boot under the sun, including some unknown brands down in Florida like Everglades Fishing Company (EFC), but the Columbia Pro Sport Boot takes the cake. The biggest complaint I’ve always had with fishing boots is that after battling waves or running up and down a fiberglass hull, your feet get tired. With these boots, there is zero attrition. The sole is one of the comfiest soles I’ve personally ever experienced. If you’ve torn through your old fishing boots & you’ve had enough of sore feet, this is your next pair.
-Alex Blackwell
Shimano Ocea Plugger Big Game Rod XXH
The rod strikes a balance between big-tuna stopping power and great feel working a lure. It’s the middle option of the Ocea Plugger Big Game series (between the 7’8″ XH and the 7’0″ XXXH) I’ve been enjoying this rod since feeding a RonZ to a giant tuna with it off Chatham with my friend Devin Acton. I find the rod easy to cast, whether it’s a 4-ounce NLBN, popper, or a stickbait. It has a responsive tip to help bring the lures to life, and power right through the grip for breaking a bluefin’s will.
My feelings about the rod were validated this past fall when I fished with Captain Gene Quigley of Shore Catch Sportfishing, who had a number of the “Seven-Threes” in his arsenal for running and gunning after the giant tuna raging just a couple miles off the New Jersey Coast. When fishing with Gene, I learned that I needed to bump up my braid and leader on the Stella 18K I have seated on the rod. Gene uses a Stella 20K with PE12 Braid and 200-pound-test leader when the giants are in the mix. The rod can handle it.
-Jimmy Fee
Grundens Portal Gore-Tex Wading Jacket
I’m a slightly stingy fisherman and, as a result, I lean toward versatile apparel that can serve more than one purpose. This wading jacket has been excellent both as a surf top and a rain layer when I’m fishing in sloppy, wet conditions which, come fall in the Northeast, are common. Whether it’s blocking out sea spray in a nor’easter or keeping my warm layer dry during a rainy day on the bass pond. Some of the features I like the most are the protective high collar, snug-fitting hood, and neoprene sleeve cuffs, which work together to keep me dry, comfortable, and casting.
I also stuff the pockets with spare pre-tied leaders, TA Clips, my cell phone — things that I like to have access to without de-layering. There is no shortage of storage space in this waterproof layer.
-Matt Haeffner
AFTCO All Day Fishing Pants
From the boat, the office, to the bar, the Aftco All Day Fishing Pants are super comfortable, and durable. I get stains on every article of clothing I own, and these are the only pants I have been able to get Albie blood out of. I do not usually wear pants out fishing but when I am at the office and get the call that a bite is on, I know that I can wear these and not worry about ruining them even if I decide to wet wade.
$89
-Liam O’Neill
Outcast Lures Surfster (MagNeat Rigged)
One of my top performing lures this spring was the Outcast Lures Surfster. This plug absolutely crushed fish in New Jersey. Its side-to-side kicking and swimming action, coupled with its ability to run steady at different depths, makes it a formidable striper lure. This lure always stays on my boat, as it comes in handy whether I’m fishing in 5 feet of water or 30.
Unlike many metal-lipped swimmers, this plug never fouls on me. The magnet in the belly allows the hook to sit flush to the plug’s body which translates to increased casting distance, fewer hang-ups, and greater confidence that it’s swimming effectively.
My favorite patterns include bunker, Jersey Killer, and wonder bread. Simply make your cast, sweep your rod to allow the plug to dig, and reel slowly. Expect big bass to chew when this lure is in the water.
-Jack Larizadeh
Seaguar Gold Label Fluorocarbon Leader
What started as an “oh crap, I forgot my leader bag” purchase on a late fall brown trout trip has turned Seaguar Gold Label into a staple in my leader pouch. As the flagship in Seaguar’s lineup next to Blue Label, I was reluctant to spend the extra money at first, but after using different breaking strengths from 8- to 40-pound-test, I’m sold. Two things stand out the most, softness and strength.
Since my time at Tomo’s Tackle, I’ve become a bit of a knot nerd and usually tie an FG when connecting my leaders. Gold Label is easily the most pleasant leader material I’ve used for knots. It has very little memory, almost no friction when cinching, and lays beautifully, even with more complex knots.
It’s also Seaguar’s thinnest and strongest leader. I was skeptical at first that something so thin could be so tough, but the double-structure process of fusing two fluorocarbon strands together creates a thinner, stronger line. Even when frayed or kinked, it holds up to big fish and nasty structure. I can count on one hand the number of times it’s failed me in the last year.
-Johnny McIntyre
St. Croix Rogue V Boat Rod
I had this new tuna popping rod from St. Croix with me on one of the craziest topwater tuna days I’ve ever experienced. Bluefin of 40 to 45 inches were frothing through helpless schools of small sand eels. The 7’3″ Heavy Action model was perfect for these tuna, casting the 2- to 4-ounce lures far enough to reach distant feeds, a responsive action for bringing stickbaits and soft plastics to life, and enough backbone to lift the school tuna when they started their circles.
-Jimmy Fee
Okuma Tesoro LDJ
A powerhouse of a conventional in a compact package, I enjoyed fishing this jigging reel from Okuma during the late-summer tuna bite this year. The comfortable handle and 40-inch-per-turn retrieval rate made it easy to bring the metal jigs to life, and the 26 pounds of drag pressure had no issues putting the brakes on school bluefin. The reel has plenty of capacity, taking 490 yards of 50-pound-test braid. I actually spooled mine with 65, for a little more stopping power in case a larger class of bluefin moved through.
We had the reel paired to the Tesoro Jigging Rod 601H. The whole setup was lightweight, and a pleasure to work the jigs with.
-Jimmy Fee
YETI Loadout GoBox 15
I am chronically overprepared, so when Jimmy Fee asked me for spare fluorocarbon leader during a lunchbreak albie blitz, I sent him to the cab of my truck where this handy and compact gear case lives year-round. Inside, the removable caddy is filled with eight spools of different variations of Seaguar leader material. Each spool sits snug in the caddy, arranged by breaking strength, so I can make quick and easy adjustments on the fly without making a mess of my gear. The rest of the caddy is stuffed with packs of TA Clips, Spro Power Swivels, extra jig strips, a spare headlamp, line nippers and zip-ties, and in the main compartment beneath it, I keep a bait knife, shears, a spare set of pliers, paracord, and a first-aid kit, among other necessities — like a bottle opener for those days when the bite is worth a celebratory beer. And when I need all the above for a full- or multi-day outing, it comes with me on the boat where it can be easily stowed until I need it.
-Matt Haeffner
12’ MH Shimano Tiralejo XX and Shimano Ultegra XR 14000 XSD
This combo is probably the most purpose-built setup I own. The surprisingly light moderate-fast action rod and slow-oscillation reel make me feel like I can cast a 3.5-ounce pencil popper across the Cape Cod Canal. The rod loads really nicely, but that’s only one of the features that boosts this combo’s casting distance. Shimano’s Spiral X and Hi-Power X construction — which consists of inner and outer layers of diagonally wound carbon tape on the blank — reduce the rod’s weight and increase its torsional rigidity so I can really whip it without worrying about blank twist.
The Tiralejo XX pairs perfectly with the Ultegra XR 14000 XSD, which features a RigidCast spool that is engineered to minimize flexing of the main shaft, rotor and Hagane body. The reel’s super slow oscillation improves line lay which, in turn, increases casting distance. It’s packed with other essential surfcasting technologies like Infinity Drive, which leads to light winding and exceptional cranking power, and X Protect to minimize saltwater intrusion.
-Matt Haeffner
Shimano Tranx 300
When I initially got this reel, I was excited to use it to huck big swimbaits for largemouth bass, but it was around then the saltwater glidebait craze took over. For a compact baitcaster, the Tranx has plenty of guts for saltwater fishing. Chris Megan and I landed bass to 40-pounds on our Tranx 300s this summer, and hooked larger. I paired the reel with a G. Loomis Pro Blue MODEL, which cast and fished the glides well, and did a fine job drifting eels as well.
I spooled mine with 65-pound-test braided line, of which it held more than 150 yards – that might be a little low for tuna, but for stripers, even big stripers, that’s more than enough capacity. I have the high-gear version (300HGB), which has the power handle, that I love, and brings in 41 inches per crank. Even with the high-speed retrieve, I learned that you can’t crank a glidebait so fast that a striper won’t eat it. When the stripers left, I fitted it back onto my freshwater swimbait rod to bring it back to the ponds to cast wakebaits and glides.
-Jimmy Fee
AFTCO Lager Flannel and AFTCO Reaper Windproof Jacket
My kit for shoulder season boat trips, either for tog, tuna, or stripers, usually consisted of the Reaper Windproof soft-shell jacket over an Aftco Lager flannel. The Reaper Windproof shrugs off spray, but is not a true rain coat, and it’s a warm, comfortable outer layer that doesn’t hinder casting or fish fighting, and is easily shed when the fog burns off.
As for the Lager Flannel, for me, flannel season is year-round. The Aftco Lagers do have some water repellence and stain resistance, making them a bit more fishy than your average flannel.
-Jimmy Fee
Quantum Benchmark 2500 and Strive 6000
This is my second season using the reels that re-launched Quantum in the saltwater market in 2024. My Benchmark 2500 (paired with a St. Croix Avid Inshore ASIS73MLF) was with me on a couple dozen backwater trips from late April to the fourth of July. It was there for a banner night of squidding in April, my best weakfish action in a few years in May, some deep wades for salt pond fluke in June. After suffering more than a few dunkings, it was still working flawlessly for the bonito and albie run that began in July and lasted into November.
My experience with the Strive 6000 was limited to a single trip (and fish), but it was noteworthy enough to include here. While in Florida with Captain Cody Rubner, I hooked an estimated 125-pound tarpon that put up a punishing battle. The Strive’s drag, which we continually increased throughout the fight, stayed smooth, and strong, and we eventually got the big silver king to hand. Pretty impressive for a reel that costs less that $200.
-Jimmy Fee
Costa Grand Catalinas
Of my sunglasses, the Grand Catalinas are my wife’s least favorite pair. She says the large size, the side shields, and the gold lenses combine to make me look ridiculous at best. What she doesn’t know, is that these frames marked the return of one of Costa’s original fishing styles, and were worn by the late, legendary Flip Pallot back in the 80s and 90s. She also doesn’t know that these have had a lot of mojo for me, accompanying me on a successful white marlin trip, several good tuna trips, and a lights-out red drum trip, among others.
While Flip’s gravitas helped him pull off these fishing-specific sunglasses in spectacular fashion, the rest of us can enjoy the way the side shields completely block out light from getting in the side of the glasses, helping better cut the glare and see through the water, while reveling in the throwback style we’re sporting. I’ll admit, they look out of place on the sidelines of my kid’s soccer games (where a friend’s wife complimented my “confidence” by wearing them in public), but they are right at home on the water which is where they are meant to be worn anyway.
-Jimmy Fee
Jigging World Night Ranger
I’ve been impressed with the versatility of the Jigging World Night Ranger series since I first used one on Nantucket Shoals in 2023. My conventional, the JW-NR761C-MH, has been with me for tog to 9 pounds and fluke to 11 pounds, two types of bottom fishing I would have previously said required different types of rods. The Night Ranger is lightweight and sensitive, but can handle the deep bends and occasional high sticking that happens while togging. For tapping a popcorn rig or Gulp Grub and Powerball along the bottom, the action of the rod allows for precise movements.
While albie fishing with Captain Diogo Godoi this past fall, I saw he uses the Night Ranger JW-NR721S-MH for casting Albie Snax. The rod casts well, makes the weightless plastics dance, and has plenty of lifting power for the big albies Diogo caught this season. I got one of my own, and have since used it for bonito as well as for tog.
-Jimmy Fee
Simms Free Salt Boots
There is nothing worse than going to lace up wading boots and having rusted grommets pop out. It’s happened to me too many times to count with boots that weren’t designed for saltwater. That’s why I wanted a pair of the Simms Free Salts, which are made with non-corrosive components. They have a neoprene liner, that’s comfortable enough to wear while wet-wading, but also makes them easy to slide over wader booties. They are only available in Vibram soles, not felt, but after a few months of use, they have held onto the carbide studs I added just fine. The boots are lightweight, but in half a season of hard use, aren’t showing much wear. I’m confident that I’ll still be fishing them into the 2027 surf season.
-Jimmy Fee
Magic Tail Outfitters Killshot Jigheads (with 10/0 hooks)
There’s a growing number of super-sized soft-plastic stickbaits, but relatively few light jighead options for them. Earlier this spring, a fellow surfcaster recommended I check out the Killshot Jigheads, which offer 1/4-, 3/8-, 1/2-, and 3/4-ounce jigheads on 10/0 hooks, which is perfect for dialing in the sweep for fishing giant plastics like the 14-inch Big Water Baits Bag Man.
-Jimmy Fee
Berkley Gulp Dragon Tail
When I saw Berkley’s Gulp Dragon Tail introduced at ICAST in 2024, I immediately recognized its potential. At first glance it looks like a smaller, Gulp version of an Albie Snax, but that’s not how I intended to fish them. I thought the 3.2-inch size and slimmer profile would made it a deadly bait for surf and back-bay fluke when paired with a light jighead. In my few shore-bound fluke missions this year, the Root Beer Gold color gave a shrimpy, crabby, mummichoggy look when tap-danced over the mud flats, and I lost count of the fluke I caught while wading the backwaters this summer.
-Jimmy Fee
Z-Man Scented Jerk ShadZ
I’ve had great luck with the larger versions of this forked-tail-style soft plastic to catch stripers from the boat, but this season, I tied on the 4-inch size in the “Coconut Ice” color (rigged on a 1/4-ounce HeadlockZ Jighead) at the beginning of May, and it stayed on there until July. The same soft bait. While it fooled pretty much all of the weakfish I caught this season, more impressive was how it stood up to the tail-nipping scup, which usually eat their way through a pack or two of other plastics in the course of a season’s work of weakfish pursuits. Z-Man baits have made up an increasingly large part of my saltwater lure kits, thanks to their durability, action, and price. Now if they would just make an ElaZtech version of the 12-inch rigged Slug-Go, I’d be set.
Just be sure, when storing any Z-Man Elaztech baits, that you avoid shuffling them in with other plastics, as the materials will react and destroy both baits. Also, note that rigging the Z-Man baits takes a little more time and attention, but the benefit is that once it’s rigged, it’s going to take an awful lot of fish before you need to rig another.
-Jimmy Fee
Yeti Hondo Beach Chair
While chairs don’t usually factor into my beach fishing, one exception is summertime sharking. On those nights, settling into a chair for a nice long soak is necessary for watching the glow sticks on the rod tips bob with the gentle summer swell. This year, I planted myself into Yeti’s new Hondo beach chair, which is sturdy, comfortable, and has a handy shoulder strap for lugging it to the spot. It’s gotten knocked around, soaked with waves, and eel slime, but it looks and feels new enough that my wife is still plenty happy to use it on her less rugged beach days. At $300, it’s an expensive beach chair, without a doubt, but it’s one I plan on having long after I’m too old to wrestle big sharks from the surf.
-Jimmy Fee
Shimano Ocea Jigger 2000NRPG
When I think of conventional reels, the words ‘beautiful’ and ‘smooth’ do not immediately come to mind. But this star drag reel from Shimano is both of those things. Is it overkill? Maybe. It’s definitely the Lamborghini SUV of conventional reels.
I got to use one on a tog trip back in October of 2024 with Rob Taylor and the OTW crew, and I fell in love with its clicky-drag (similar tone to a spinning reel) and its winching power for big tog. I paired it up with a Jigging World Luminous slow-pitch rod and it’s been my go-to tog-slayer.
-Nick Cancelliere
Old Town Sportsman Autopilot 136
A beast of a kayak, but the first time I hit spot lock underneath a South shore bridge and jigged bluefish in the ripping current, I was hooked.
Anchoring from a kayak is never fun. Pushing a button and being able to instantly fish, throwing all caution to the wind? It doesn’t get any better.
-Nick Cancelliere
The Chainbreaker by Fulling Mill and Ben Whalley
I don’t buy flies often, but when I do, Fulling Mill has me covered with cutting-edge designs that are created by credible figures in the fishing community. The 2/0 Chainbreaker is one of those flies that I always like to keep in my box. The chartreuse accent, large eye, long tail, and bucktail body each contribute to a unique action that gets fish fired up. While it’s marketed as a tarpon fly, I’ve had no problem fooling double-digit albies, striped bass, and bluefish on this pattern.
The fly comes in at $8.40 but the hook quality is durable and I’ve yet to have one fall apart.
-Jack Larizadeh
Sporting Wood Danny Metal-Lipped Swimmer (Parrot)
Every time I’ve asked Larry Welcome about his favorite pattern — whether it be a North Bar Tackle Bottle Darter or a Sporting Wood Danny — he’s answered “parrot” without hesitation. This season, I worked on building confidence in metal-lipped swimmers across a range of spots and scenarios, and the parrot-colored Sporting Wood Danny produced results when other similar plugs went untouched. There were times when I was uncertain whether bass were present and, especially in dirty water, the swimming action of the Sporting Wood Danny was enough to seal the deal. It provides plenty of feedback on the retrieve as it wobbles across the surface and, at just over 2 ounces and 6.5 inches long, it’s a manageable size for most surf rods. I’ve had great success with it in harbors and salt ponds when river herring returned in the spring, and on open beaches when there was no visible forage that stripers were feeding on.
-Matt Haeffner
XTRATUF x Rugged Seas Wheelhouse Ankle Deck Boot
Unfortunately, I have big, wide feet, so I’ve struggled to find a deck boot that doesn’t squeeze my foot like a narrow running shoe. But when I slipped on a new pair of these spacious deck boots in early 2025, I felt genuine relief. A little extra wiggle room goes a long way when you’re spending 6 to 8 hours on your feet, bouncing around on a boat. The extra comfort these boots afford me has noticeably minimized the soreness and fatigue I felt wearing other deck boots and even standard XTRATUF Ankle Deck Boots. Bonus points for the reinforced toe and heel (which are typically the first areas to show signs of wear) and the extra cushioned insoles. Swag points for the commercial fisherman skull artwork.
-Matt Haeffner
Costa Sunglasses Mainsail XL Frames
My head, like my feet, is wide. I’ve run through more pairs of sunglasses than I care to admit because either they squeeze my temples too tight for comfort, or worse — the hinges fail. Embarrassing stuff. Fortunately, Costa accounts for folks with big ol’ craniums like me. The Mainsail XLs still boast a secure fit but are not so tight that I get a headache (yes, that really happens). They are medium-coverage frames, so they aren’t oversized, and the hooding and side shields work together to keep the sun out of my eyes at all angles. The vented nonslip nosepads are a bonus; they reduce fogging and maintain the position of my shades even during the peak of summer heat when I’m sweating on the flats while casting for fluke. I sport green mirror lenses because they’re designed to minimize shadows and contrast in shallow inshore applications and sight fishing under high sun, which is practical when I’m wet wading in bay waters from late June through early September.
-Matt Haeffner
Grundens Tourney Bibs
I don’t get out on boats as often as I’d like, but when I do, I’m sporting these lightweight, athletic fit bibs. In fact, I own two sets in different colors. The Tourney Bibs are made from a polyurethane-coated polyester, so they shed water with ease and provide just the right amount of stretch. High-wear areas like the knees and seat are reinforced, the adjustable ankle cuffs seal out moisture, and the waterproof chest and cargo pockets provide accessible storage for spare pre-tied leaders, Zyns, or a cell phone, which is convenient when I need to snap a quick photo or ignore a call because, well, I’m fishing.
-Matt Haeffner
Simm’s Confluence Waders
Breathable, comfortable, and versatile. Everything I would want in a wader. I am able to walk miles on the beach, looking for stripers or wade in the river for Steelhead. I have always been a neoprene guy since I mainly fish in the winter. Spending $70 felt like the most economical choice. However, these waders only lasted me through one season if that. This year I invested in the Simms Confluence Waders. I know that if I take care of them properly, I will get my money’s worth out of them. The “creek drip” is also a nice touch.
-Liam O’Neill
Xtratuf Deck Boot Sport
Whether I am fishing or filming, these Xtratuf Sport Deck Boots keep me comfortable on my feet for hours on end. I was skeptical of them initially, but for me, they have lasted an entire season with no issue. The extra foam really makes a difference. I have only had these for the 2025 season, but I am very interested to see many more seasons they have in them.
-Liam O’Neill
Quantum Merit Combo
It’s nice having friends with boats, but the majority of the time I got boots on the ground. I have stuck to the back waters for stripes in ponds and flats, but I am slowly getting into the surf fishing scene. I got the chance to use the Quantum Merit Combo (MT8000102H2040.P2 ) out on Nauset beach and I was pleasantly surprised the performance of this combo. For someone who is just beginning his plunge into surfcasting, like me, the value and performance of this combo is perfect.
-Liam O’Neill
Berkley J-Walker 100
Most of my co-workers like chasing striped bass from the surf, the boat, and kayak. I pride myself on hunting backwater schoolies and potentially an elusive 30- to 40-inch fish on lighter inshore tackle. The forage in our Marsh & estuaries ranges from peanut bunker to river herring – not your full-grown Bunker. So, this J-Walker 100 from Berkley is the perfect imitation of a “Walnut Bunker,” that 4- to 5-inch bunker that might be lost in the mix of peanuts, the perfect snack for a hungry backwater fish!
With a 7’ 6” Medium Heavy Inshore Stick and a 2500-3000 sized reel, this is my go-to topwater lure. Just make sure you change out your trebles to in-line singles!
-Alex Blackwell
Shimano Tranx 200HG A 7.2:1
Call me unorthodox, but baitcasters are one of my favorite tools in my saltwater arsenal. A simple half crank – rhythmic pattern – can “walk the dog” just as well as the furious rod tip dance of my spin-casting companions. If you’re going to use a baitcaster in the salt, you must make sure it can stand up to the elements. Shimano built the Tranx 200 to withstand the harshest saltwater environments. After a decade-long corrosion study, Shimano developed a reel concept that will deliver long-lasting durability and performance for inshore.
-Alex Blackwell
Free Fly Men’s Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie
Performance/Fishing shirts are a dime a dozen – almost every brand proclaims they make the best one! But each fishing shirt has a different application. The Free Fly Men’s Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie is my go-to layer on cool Fall/Spring mornings up here in the Northeast. Yes, I’ll wear it on those hot summer days, but there are better “moisture-wicking” or breathable options on the market. When it comes to cooler temps (60s to 70s), I love this lightweight hoodie. Its bamboo fabric is buttery soft and doesn’t have that synthetic feel that most performance shirts have or that abrasive cotton feel that you’d find in a Hanes Tee. Simply put – it’s the “coziest” fishing shirt in my closet and when I can shed layers off on a Fall or Spring morning, I want this to be my final foundational piece.
-Alex Blackwell
Z-Man Texas Finesse Jigheads
This might be the Floridan in me speaking, but Articulating Jig Heads are, without a doubt, one of my favorite terminal tackle options in my tackle box. For some reason, New Englanders are stuck in the stone-age of “inshore” tackle. It seems like all the offerings are Open Water focused. Like I previously stated, I like the marshes, estuaries, and backwaters in the Northeast. I feel like I’m targeting redfish, trout, or snook. It’s just who I am. So, when I want to rig up a paddle tail, a shrimp pattern, or simply put, a 3-inch soft plastic, I lean towards this the Texas Finesse Jighead.
Having an articulating jighead does two things for you:
1. More Action from your bait – which generates more strikes.
2. It allows the leverage point to articulate/move when a fish comes up and tries to shake the lure. Striped bass do this all the time!
If you want to attract more fish – and keep them pinned – an articulating jig head is an awesome addition to your tackle box!
-Alex Blackwell
Spy+ Optics – Czar Polarized Sunglasses
Sunglasses can be a hot button topic in the fishing community. You’re either onboard with spending $200+ on a “really good” pair of glasses or you’re someone who just buys the Walmart special $25 Polarized shades. Being on the water as much as I am – and needing a prescription – that kind of limits my options. I’m typically stuck with the same options: Costa, Smith, Bajio, etc. But recently, I’ve found another option in Spy+ Optics. A brand that has strong roots in the Snowboard & Surf community, they recently revamped their polarization & offerings for watermen. They have a grittier vibe and culture surrounding the brand – that I really rock with.
The Czar is not the techiest pair of shades out there, but it has the look and features that I look for in a pair of fishing sunglasses. Think Costa’s Catalina frames without the peripheral guards. Their ”Happy Boost” polarization has a similar saturation & pop as Smith’s ChromaPop Lenses. Happy Boost is SPY+’s proprietary technology designed to not just protect eyes but also boost mood and alertness by harnessing the beneficial aspects of long-wave blue light. So, if you’re looking to try a new sunglass brand – that offers prescription – Spy+ Optics is bringing a new energy to the space, that deserves your attention!
-Alex Blackwell
Simms Men’s Fall Run Insulated Hoody
Layering is essential in the Northeast, whether you’re looking to shed them as the temps warm up or you’re bulking up to withstand the cooler temps all day long. A piece that has been in my closet for the better part of three years is Simms Fall Run Insulated Hoody. It’s the perfect jacket for Fall, the ideal middle layer in winter, and an awesome shed piece in the spring! I’m using it 7 to 8 months out of the year, and if I’m using something that much, I want to make sure it’s built right. It features Primaloft Black Eco insulation, using 60% recycled materials, treated for water repellency, and the 100% recycled shell with DWR finish adds water resistance.
-Alex Blackwell
MarshWear Long Haul Pant
I’m a sucker for a good pair of pants. Shorts are only in the outfit rotation for 4 months out of the year up here – so I lean on pants as my daily driver. I’ve recently fell in love with these Marshwear Long Haul Pants because they’re my favorite “Boat to Bar” pants. They are made of a Tech-stretch woven nylon & elastane mix. They’re tough as nails, yet comfortable enough to wear as a work pant or in a date setting. I’ve worn them fly fishing on the front of a skiff, and reluctantly, have taken a few of my casts back to my knees with no tears or scuffs on the pant. Listen, when you’re punching flies into a stiff wind, it’s bound to happen. I can’t say the same for other pants I’ve worn while fly fishing! All in all, a great pant that was born for the water but lives for being out at a bar.
-Alex Blackwell
Jigging World Onyx Inshore Rod
Jigging World’s Onyx Inshore rod is a staple on my boat. In fact, I carry multiple medium and medium-heavy 7-foot models whenever I’m out on the water. These rods have absurd backbone, grant me plenty of casting distance, and are ultra sensitive. What I love most is that the rod has a custom feel, but it’s widely available and very affordable. Usually, I pair it with a Tsunami SaltX 5000 or 6000, which I spool with 20- to 30-pound-test braid. I’ve put these rods through the wringer and have never had a single one break!
-Jack Larizadeh
AquaSkinz Bucktail and Tin Holster
I won’t go surf fishing without a few bucktail jigs on me, but for too many years, I tried to strategically stuff them into my plug bag. I could never grab the one I needed without pulling out a handful or knocking a few to the bottom of a tube, where they inevitably tangled with rear plug hooks. After a couple of seasons with my plug bag attached to the hip via wading belt, I switched back to the shoulder strap and freed up some valuable real estate. This bucktail sleeve now permanently resides on my wading belt for easy, tangle-free access. It has a strong Velcro flap to keep the jigs secure, and each of the five jig slips can fit up to two jigs and has a drain to protect the hooks from rusting. It may be the best $30 I’ve ever spent.
-Matt Haeffner
Deadly Dick Long Casting & Jigging Spoon
Depending on the species, casting distance and color selection (in my opinion) are two really important things to consider when fishing. Deadly Dicks afford me plenty of distance, rarely lead to wind knots, and mimic slender baitfish profiles so well that everything seems to eat them. I’m a big fan of fishing metals, especially in upper Buzzards Bay, due to there being a good mix of bluefish in any striped bass blitz. The metal construction holds up to the teeth of the blues and the lure itself is long enough to grab and easily unhook an angry bluefish (the snappers can be especially angry). These lures are also highly productive when jigging for black sea bass in the spring. The green and silver colors in the 1.25- to 1.75-ounce range are my go-tos for casting into blitzing fish from shore or boat.
-Adam Eldridge
Luhr Jensen Crippled Herring Spoon
When late summer weather transitions to fall and the average size of baitfish decreases—peanut bunker and bay anchovies abound—this lure effectively matches the bait and fools aggressive fall run fish from stripers to bonito. I usually go with the 1/2- or 3/4-ounce sizes for the fall run, as matching the size and profile is crucial to tricking gamefish keyed in on tiny bait.
-Adam Eldridge
Acme Tackle Little Cleo Spoon
Most of my freshwater fishing is done between the end of the fall tautog season and beginning of the spring tautog season, so when fall the fall tog bite finally wanes, it’s time to put away the salt gear and break out the trout and bass rods. This red and gold Little Cleo spoon (around 2/5 oz.) is the right size, weight, and color to attract plenty of attention in the kettle ponds. In the spring of 2025, it got more bites than any other trout lure in my arsenal.
One of my favorite 2025 fishing adventures was the day the ospreys returned to Cape Cod. OTW’s Assistant Editor Matt Haeffner and I went on a lunch break trout outing and did incredibly well catching rainbow after rainbow on this lure. The bite was so good that I ended up buying about a dozen more Little Cleos when I got back to the office.
-Adam Eldridge
Great Lakes Finesse Marabou Hair Jig
One of my favorite techniques I learned on Lake Michigan and brought back to the Northeast has been finesse smallmouth fishing. The Great Lakes Finesse (GLF) Marabou Hair Jig has been my go-to shallow water finesse presentation, not only for smallmouth but a variety of freshwater species.
Like most GLF baits, the Marabou hair jig is painted with a matte finish, which is chip resistant and lacks the unnatural shine that most baits have. The hand-tied marabou provides a very slow, undulating fall, and life like action on the retrieve. Molded and wrapped on a Gamakatsu 604 hook (I crush the barb for swift penetration), you’re getting a secure hookset every time.
Fished most effectively in clear, clean water anywhere from the bank to about 20 feet, a steady, slow roll will tempt even the wariest smallmouth, largemouth, and big trout.
-Johnny McIntyre
FishPond Nomad Emerger Net
$160 felt like a lot for something as simple as a net. But it was the perfect size and shape to wear on a belt and fit a well-fed brookie from the connetquot river.
Its lightweight, does exactly what its made to do, and has made fly fishing for trout a more seamless experience. It’s also got a pretty trout pattern on the handle.
-Nick Cancelliere
Beast Coast Lil’ Magnum
Growing up on Long Island, there were few bodies of water in which I could fish a jig for largemouth bass without reeling in a clump of algae and pond scum. Our neighborhood ponds were, for the most part, shallow and overgrown with dense vegetation like invasive water chestnuts, so I often reached for weedless-rigged swimbaits and Senkos. Once I moved to Cape Cod, where deep pebble-laden kettle ponds pepper the landscape, jigs joined the regular rotation. It didn’t take long for me to recognize they are a staple among Cape Cod bass fishermen. My friend Robbie Tartaglia, introduced me to the Beast Coast Lil’ Magnum and after a few outings, I realized it just has the juice. Even though it’s molded with 97% tungsten, when I want a slow-sinking craw imitation, the 3/8-ounce Lil’ Magnum in the natural craw pattern is tough to beat no matter the season. I can cast it into 30 feet of water or less than 10 feet, and whether I’m slow dragging on bottom or hopping it over rock and wood, I feel confident in its action and appearance.
-Matt Haeffner
Breakwater Supply Halocline Waterproof Shoe
Deck boots are great for boats, but I’ve found that they sometimes lack the grip needed for fishing from shore and I usually end up just swamping them.
If you’re looking for a comfortable pair of shoes that are waterproof and durable, check out the Halcoline shoes from Breakwater Supply. These come in handy when I’m covering ground and fishing in the shallows of local ponds targeting bass and trout, or wading for fluke in the summer. The adjustable strap and fit make them snug, warm, and dry so I don’t have to worry about rolling an ankle or stepping on sharp rocks and shells. The fit is exceptionally comfortable to the point where I’m wearing these more than my traditional sneakers these days.
-Adam Eldridge
Free Fly Apparel Bamboo Breathe Sun Mask
It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, I never (ever) leave the dock without my bamboo buff from Free Fly. If the sun is out, the buff is on. It’s lightweight, comfortable, and a perfect fit for my head and glasses. While some buffs can be a bit too heavy or itchy, this one has exceeded my expectations. If you’re looking for extra sun protection this coming season, it’s a must have.
-Jack Larizadeh
7′ Daiwa BG 4000/701MH Spinning Combo
In my home waters of Buzzards Bay, this combo is light enough to make every fight exciting but has enough backbone to handle all of the species in the bay, from angry gator blues and over-slot stripers to keeper tautog and fluke. At seven feet, it’s also a good length for both shore and boat and it’s a convenient size for transporting in any vehicle. I’ve used this combo for a few seasons now and really enjoy the versatility and consistency it provides.
-Adam Eldridge
Shimano Stradic 4000XG
For a long time, I’ve done most of my fishing from a boat. These days though, I’m splitting my time between shore and boat. The reel that never lets me down and has become a majority holder in my rotation of fishing setups is the Shimano Stradic 4000XG. It’s the perfect light-tackle spinning reel from the backwaters to Buzzards Bay and can handle all of the inshore species I pursue. It’s got plenty of drag power to subdue larger stripers when they show up in the bay, and I never feel fatigued after long hours of continuously casting heavy topwaters or epoxy jigs because it balances well with most of my inshore spinning rods.
-Patrick Washburn
Shimano Tranx 500
This fall in New Jersey, I spent a lot of time hurling monster topwater walking baits with the Tranx 500. I typically load this reel up with 80- to 100-pound-test braided line. While the braid is heavy, the spool easily holds 200 yards of Power Pro Super 8 Slick V2. The drag is super smooth and maxes out at a whopping 25 pounds. I’ve landed multiple 30-pound bass and tuna up to 200 pounds on this workhorse. Not to mention, it launches large plugs with ease.
I typically throw this reel on an old school discontinued G. Loomis Bucara rod, which is a 7’10”, heavy power model that launches lures up to 8 ounces with no issue. That said, most heavy casting rods ranging from 7’- 8’6″ will pair well with this reel.
Like most Shimano reels, the Tranx 500 is durable, powerful, and picks up line fairly quickly, which is a must when pulling fish out of heavy cover such as boulder fields and reef structure. It is a must-have on my boat when throwing XL metal lips, gliders, and topwater spook baits.
At around $600, it is a great addition to your arsenal if you’re looking to hum jumbo lures! Plus, you’ll be in good hands with warranty and service.
-Jack Larizadeh
Grundens Deck-Boss Ankle Boots
After years of destroying sneakers and work boots with salt, blood and fish slime, I invested in a pair of deck boots from a local tackle shop; but when those started to fail, I picked up a pair of Grundens Deck-Boss Ankle Boots and never looked back. As fishermen know best, having dry feet and support is the key to a successful (and comfortable) adventure regardless of the season. These boots are easy to slide on/off when I’m in a rush, and the slip-resistant grips prevent slips and falls on slick surfaces. Whether I’m out in the boat or leisurely casting down at the dock, I always make sure to swap out my daily office footwear for these moisture-wicking boots.
-Patrick Washburn
Columbia Glennaker Lake II Rain Jacket
This season, it felt like there was almost always rain and/or wind in the forecast with every opportunity I had to go fishing. To combat the gusty, brisk, wet conditions in the spring or fall, Columbia’s Glennaker Lake II Rain Jacket is my ideal top (outer) layer. Whether I’m searching for albies and bonito from shore or by boat, I always make sure to pack it for a little extra warmth and wind resistance. Staying warm and dry helps to keep me focused on fishing, so I don’t miss an opportunity when a surface feed appears.
-Patrick Washburn
SPRO Prime Bucktail Jigs
Fluke is a species I’ve been increasingly excited to target over the last couple of years. They are delicious, challenging to hook, and incredibly fun to catch (although sometimes, landing them is not guaranteed). Every summer, I make a couple of dedicated attempts to fish for fluke from shore in hopes of catching a keeper or two for the dinner table.
These 1- to 2-ounce Prime Bucktail Jigs from SPRO, paired with a proper trailer, have been incredibly effective fluke presentations, especially the white or chartreuse jigs tipped with a white or green trailer.
-Adam Eldridge
Grundens Trident Pants
From shore to boat, Grundens Trident Pants were a game changer this albie season. Rather than sporting full bibs, I needed something more lightweight and breathable for the early morning shore ‘core fix before heading into the office, and these pants over delivered. They’re durable enough to chase down a bite along rugged beachfronts and jetties, and they boast the same water-wicking qualities as standard bibs. Plus, they’re easy to slip on and off, and they keep my phone dry so I can snap photos and keep an eye on the clock to avoid being late to the office.
-Patrick Washburn
Costa Sunglasses Tuna Alley Pro Frames
Growing up, I was never one to wear sunglasses out on the water and if I did, they were cheap gas station hand-me-downs from my family. It wasn’t until a few years back that I decided to splurge and invest in a pair of Costas. Since then, I have a small rotation of different sunglasses in the mix depending on the purpose. For most of my fishing needs, the polarized Tuna Alley Pro frames check all the boxes. They deliver style and performance to keep my eyes safe and vision clear, while eliminating glare and enhancing subsurface vision for sight casting topwater plugs when bass and blues are in shallow.
-Patrick Washburn
St. Croix Triumph Inshore Spinning Rod
Over the years, I’ve had multiple rods fail on me and that’s never a great feeling for any fisherman. Like fishing reels, many of today’s rods don heavy price tags when you’re in the market for a new setup. I was introduced to St. Croix Rods back in my intern days at On The Water and never looked back; they’ve become my preferred rod manufacturer. I may be a creature of habit, but when I find something performs and satisfies my needs over and over, it’s difficult to switch. The 7-foot Truimph Inshore is the rod I carry from boat to beach, along with my older 7-foot, medium-heavy fast action St. Croix Tidemaster. The Triumph Inshore’s carbon blank is strong, sensitive, light in hand, and sports a corrosion-resistant guide train to improve line lay and deliver smooth long-distance casts.
-Patrick Washburn
XTRATUF Ankle Deck Boots
I got my first pair of XTRATUF’s Ankle Deck Boots back in 2016, when the On The Water Store had just opened. Since then, I’ve worn that same pair of boots for nearly 10 seasons of fishing and filming On The Water’s Angling Adventures. They were put through a lot of challenging scenarios (including being filled with tuna blood on an October shoot with Fish Chatham Charters), and they held up very well over the years. Sadly, last year they transitioned into general outdoor boots for yard work, as they finally cracked after countless trips spent hopping in and out of boats and being doused in salt and blood.
These days, most pieces of gear don’t hold up for nearly a decade, so when I needed a new deck boot for the 2025 fishing season, I had to stick with the XTRATUF Ankle Deck Boots, which I’m sure will last for years to come.
-Adam Eldridge
Boomerang Tool
Very nice to have the line cutter on you at all times. I can easily clip this Boomerang Tool on my waders or belt and have it cut any type of line I need it to from light tippet to heavy braid. Saves me time and a chipped tooth!
-Liam O’Neill
Scientific Anglers Amplitude Textured Anadro Indicator Fly Line
I purchased the Amplitude Textured Anadro Indicator Fly Line at the beginning of the year and have loved it since. The most versatile line that I have used for steelhead. I can get short, accurate roll casts if I am in the streams of Erie, Pa or get a long cast into the right seam on the Salmon river. I prefer to only walk with one fly rod and this line allows me to do anything I need when presenting a fly to a steelhead or salmon.
-Liam O’Neill
Grunden’s Tough Seas Ankle Boot
I bought these expecting them to be durable. They aren’t sexy. They’re comfortable as hell, still look brand-new even after a full season of abuse, and are pretty likely to last longer than the 2-seasons my previous pair of boots did. The downside? They aren’t sexy or classic looking like my Xtratufs were – my fiancée constantly reminds me of this.
-Nick Cancelliere
Van Staal VSX2 100
In the past year, I’ve rarely left for a fishing trip without the Van Staal VSX2 100. I opted for no backing, and fit close to 400 yards of 30-pound braid on the spool. With 30 pounds of drag, I can wrench big tautog and stripers away from structure, while still being able to cast a Rebel Jumpin’ Minnow without issue.
I rotate the reel between a 9-foot St. Croix Seage, the 8-foot Jigging World Onyx Surf, and a variety of inshore rods ranging from 7′-7’9″.
Like all the VSX2 series, its fully sealed, which is a must when surf fishing from the rocks or wading the backwaters in the spring. Eight ball bearings and a carbon fiber drag keep this reel working smooth when I’m tight to an albie on the Cape, and even big king salmon back on Lake Michigan when I visit family. Taking in 30 inches of line per crank, the reel can burn in epoxy jigs, or slow roll eels.
Coming in at $899, it’s certainly an investment—but considering how many different situations in which the reel has excelled, coupled with the proven durability of Van Staal, it’s been well worth the price tag.
-Johnny McIntyre
Garmin Vivoactive
It’s not “fishing” gear per se, but Garmin Vivoactive Smartwatch has applications I use mainly for fishing. Tracks my sleep so I can see how many energy drinks I need to consume. Tracks my steps to see how far I have walked without catching a fish. I get text and call notifications when phone is stored away so I know when my buddies are on fish or missed calls from my girlfriend asking why I am out fishing again.
-Liam O’Neill
Grundens Neptune Pants
A search for something cooler than traditional bibs, and with a belt, lead me to the Grundens Neptune Pants. At 100 bucks, these trousers are a solid bib replacement if you are looking for lighter bottoms with less torso coverage. Constructed with Grundens’ medium-weight material, they should hold up to just about any conditions in the Northeast. The single pocket, located on the right leg, housed a rag or an extra piece of tackle for most of my trips. With only two snap-on buttons, the pocket is not quite secure enough for a phone or wallet. My favorite feature has been the belt, which gave me easy access to pliers and a blade while fishing. I liked the belt so much, I bought a second one and set up with a small tackle box in a roll-top dry bag, and a pair of pliers. That setup lives in my trunk in case I drive past a beach and need to make a U-turn to catch a blitz in the surf. Simplicity, effectiveness, and the Grunden’s name should nudge this piece towards the top of your list the next time you’re in need of some weather-resistant gear.
-Johnny McIntyre
Joe Baggs Resin Jig
It seems like every year there is one epoxy/resin jig that just flat out works better than others. For me, the 1-ounce Joe Baggs Resin Jig in olive was the juice this year. All but one of my Albies came on this jig, and probably 60 percent of my bonito. In the surf, I casted the jig right into rocks and jetties more times than I care to admit, but the resin held up. I found its super tight wobble—achieved on a straight, fast retrieve—to be the ticket on both my PB albie and bonito this year. My one knock would be the hook. Although I fished the same exact jig body from June to September (I’m not superstitious, just a little ‘stitious), the hook would rust or dull after just a few outings. But with a pair of split-ring pliers, that’s an easy fix. It’s anyone’s guess what the secret hardtail sauce will be next year, but I know what jig I will be throwing toward the first feed I see come summer 2026.
-Johnny McIntyre
247 Lures Flipping Mullet
During the early spring, when striped bass first arrived in Buzzards Bay, I have two trays full of topwaters that help me search for and build the bite. But one lure has always been a must-have in pearl white and bunker patterns: the 24-7 Lures Flipping Mullet. Its lazy, side-to-side walking action never goes unnoticed. A salty local fisherman shared this “secret bait” with me many years ago, after I watched him out-fish me with a single lure on the same tides. Since then, it has become a mainstay in my spring topwater tackle tray. I always replace the rear treble hook with a dressed teaser for that “extra party in the back” look, which is easier on the fish and still produces plenty of action. The 1.25-ounce model is the perfect weight for launching this lure from the boat on light spinning gear.
-Patrick Washburn
AFTCO Reaper Hooded Sweatshirt
The AFTCO Reaper Hoodie is one of the most versatile and heavily worn pieces of fishing attire in my wardrobe. This hoodie is thick, warm and stain resistant, but it is also breathable, which makes it an excellent choice for those chilly spring mornings that later turn into warm, sunny afternoons.
-Adam Eldridge