The complete guide to fishing on holiday

(This article is produced in partnership with FishingMegastore.com)

Huge fish on far-flung tropical islands, monster carp in Europe, and freshwater giants in Thailand - dedicated fishing holidays are the stuff of an angler’s dreams.

But for most of us, trips with our partner or family getaways take priority over these often-pricey trips. It is possible to sneak a bit of fishing in though, and sometimes even get your fellow holidaymakers involved.

In this article, we’re revealing a few great tips that’ll allow you to combine your favourite hobby with a relaxing break, keeping everyone happy along the way.

A TRIP TO THE COAST

If you’ve got a trip to the seaside planned this summer, you have fantastic way opportunity sneak a bit of fishing in.

You don’t need anything fancy to get a few bites, with a rod, reel, line, and a few feathers enough to catch mackerel in many places. These are easily tucked into the car, and a few hours’ fishing when the tides are right is a great way to unwind from the stresses that a family trip can bring! What’s more, as it’s such an easy way to fish, you can get the rest of the family involved too.

Lure fishing is another great way to get your angling fix whilst on the coast.  Get yourself a short rod, lightweight reel, braid, fluorocarbon leader and an assortment of lures, and you’re good to go. These items can be stored in the car, ready to be grabbed if you’re on the beach and see signs of fish, or even if you want to pop out for hours at dawn and dusk and catch the prime tides. Spinners and soft plastics will cover you for a host of species, from vibrant wrasse to bristling bass.

One of the benefits of sea fishing is that it’s free, so you don’t generally have to worry about getting permission. A rod licence isn’t required either!

Not all seaside fishing needs to involve rods and reels, with crabbing one of the best ways to engage youngsters with the aquatic world. Although not ‘angling’ in the way we know it, lifting a crab out of the murky depths is incredibly exciting for youngsters. Get yourself a crabbing kit and a packet of bacon for bait and fish around harbour walls. Whilst it’s mainly for kids, you might be surprised how much you enjoy it!

FRESHWATER FUN

Have you ever gone away and stumbled across a bit of lake, river or canal that you’d love to have a cast in, but sadly there was no room in the car for your tackle?
These days, there have been advancements in kit that mean rods are more compact than ever. In the carp fishing world that’s especially true, with Nash Scopes changing the game with a butt-section that slides neatly inside the rod’s handle. You can easily tuck one or two of these in the car, plus a small bag of terminal tackle. One of the great joys of summer carping is that the fish can often be stalked with a bit of bread or corn, so you don’t necessarily have to bring a pile of boilies with you that’ll stink out the car!

As in saltwater fishing, lure angling is a great way to enjoy a bit of holiday sport, with light dropshot tackle perfect for exploring a river or canal. As these rods are short, you can keep one setup in the car, ready for a few hours’ lure fishing. Small perch are obliging in most places, but you’ll also pick up larger ones, plus the occasional pike and chub on the tactic.

If you prefer a bit of float fishing for mixed species, you can still enjoy some holiday sport. Trying to sort through your existing kit and cutting it down can be tricky. If you don’t fancy doing so, there are inexpensive fishing sets out there that are more than adequate for a few bites.

Before you fish any river, lake or canal, make sure to seek permission from the owner if it’s not a free-to-fish.

GOING OVERSEAS

If you’re fortunate enough to be going abroad this summer, there’s no need to rule out the chance of fishing. Whilst you can sometimes squeeze a bit of tackle in a suitcase, it’s not necessarily going to survive the journey! The best way to protect your kit is in a proper travel case. Although they’re not cheap, they’re certainly less expensive than replacing smashed tackle.

Author Freddie Sandford studied History & Archaeology at the University of Sheffield and started working for Angling Times shortly after graduating. After a few years as a News Reporter, he was promoted to the News Editor Role.