Following up from my other post, I was thinking that this might be a good time to put up a few gear threads for surf fishing.
RE: Backpacks (AFTCO)
As I've mentioned before, I spend a lot of time being in the water while surf fishing, and I always carry 2 rods with me, so finding a good backpack that can fit terminal gear, jacket, food/water with a rod holder (in appropriate position) has been challenging. I generally fish for longer sessions, so no pack is not really an option at the home beach. I've tried a few, and I currently love my AFTCO pack (https://aftco.com/products/aftco-fishing-backpack), but, as it has no rod holder I created one with a loop on the left bag strap and top carry loop deal to keep the rod out of my casting swing area. I use the side pouches for flouro (lighter bait flouro on one side and heavier flouro for artificials on the other side), the lower back pocket for a smaller hook/terminal box, the upper back for keys/cell phone/sun screen/don't get wet items, and the main compartment for trays, jacket, shammy towel for drying off/taking a break (etc.), and food/water. The pack has a second main compartment against your back that can double as fish storage if I catch a legal halibut or can't revive a Corbina/Spotfin. Plus, I have been pretty hard on this pack and the zippers/straps have not failed (I always empty and hose out if possible between uses). Comfort is good, too. So, hard to beat, sans the rod holder issue (which I have an alternative solution for). I will say it is a tad bulky, but that helps when you want to set it down in the sand as it is stable. Also, I really like the variety of compartments as it makes re-rigging easy when you are not searching for stuff hunched over on the beach. Accordingly, overall, it checks a lot of boxes.
However, I am interested in other options if you guys have one you like. Alternatively, I am interested in DIY ideas on rod holders that can offset away from the casting pendulum. I have a basic rod holder on a web belt I use from time to time when I am in the water sight fishing (so I have both a bait rod and LC/swim bait at the ready at all times ... and can shelf a rod to land a fish if needed to keep it out of sand), but would prefer to get the back figured out to the extent that I can switch them out in the water quickly. As it stands, I have to go back to the dry sand and drop the pack to change out rods due to my j-rigged rod holder or drop the pack on the beach and use the belt to carry rod #2 as the pack interferes with the positioning of the rod if the belt is on (pic of the web belt thing w 2 rod holders and pliers/split rings below). Anyhow, I am interested in other thoughts or opinions.
RE: Backpacks (AFTCO)
As I've mentioned before, I spend a lot of time being in the water while surf fishing, and I always carry 2 rods with me, so finding a good backpack that can fit terminal gear, jacket, food/water with a rod holder (in appropriate position) has been challenging. I generally fish for longer sessions, so no pack is not really an option at the home beach. I've tried a few, and I currently love my AFTCO pack (https://aftco.com/products/aftco-fishing-backpack), but, as it has no rod holder I created one with a loop on the left bag strap and top carry loop deal to keep the rod out of my casting swing area. I use the side pouches for flouro (lighter bait flouro on one side and heavier flouro for artificials on the other side), the lower back pocket for a smaller hook/terminal box, the upper back for keys/cell phone/sun screen/don't get wet items, and the main compartment for trays, jacket, shammy towel for drying off/taking a break (etc.), and food/water. The pack has a second main compartment against your back that can double as fish storage if I catch a legal halibut or can't revive a Corbina/Spotfin. Plus, I have been pretty hard on this pack and the zippers/straps have not failed (I always empty and hose out if possible between uses). Comfort is good, too. So, hard to beat, sans the rod holder issue (which I have an alternative solution for). I will say it is a tad bulky, but that helps when you want to set it down in the sand as it is stable. Also, I really like the variety of compartments as it makes re-rigging easy when you are not searching for stuff hunched over on the beach. Accordingly, overall, it checks a lot of boxes.
However, I am interested in other options if you guys have one you like. Alternatively, I am interested in DIY ideas on rod holders that can offset away from the casting pendulum. I have a basic rod holder on a web belt I use from time to time when I am in the water sight fishing (so I have both a bait rod and LC/swim bait at the ready at all times ... and can shelf a rod to land a fish if needed to keep it out of sand), but would prefer to get the back figured out to the extent that I can switch them out in the water quickly. As it stands, I have to go back to the dry sand and drop the pack to change out rods due to my j-rigged rod holder or drop the pack on the beach and use the belt to carry rod #2 as the pack interferes with the positioning of the rod if the belt is on (pic of the web belt thing w 2 rod holders and pliers/split rings below). Anyhow, I am interested in other thoughts or opinions.
