As a native Floridian, the backwaters of Cape Cod feel more like home to me than the jetties and boulderfields my colleagues at On The Water enjoy. The Marsh and tidal waters offer a unique experience that reminds me of chasing redfish & snook back home. Here’s some of the essentials, that kept me catching (and comfortable) in New England’s salt ponds and bays this year.
– Alex Blackwell, Creative Director
Check out the rest of the OTW Staff’s Field Test Favorites from the 2025 Fishing Season
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!
$11.99
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.
$254.99
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.
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.
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!
$7.49
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!
$230
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.
$199.95
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.
$99