The Fish-N-Mate Jr. cart has quickly become a staple for my beach fishing excursions. Its compact design and robust features make it an ideal companion for anglers looking to streamline their gear and maximize their mobility on the sand. This review delves into the cart’s specifications, highlights some personal modifications, and showcases a typical loadout for a successful day of surf fishing.
Specifications and Features
The Fish-N-Mate Jr. boasts dimensions of 14.5 inches wide and 38 inches long, providing ample space for coolers and other essential gear. It comfortably holds up to five rods, but the rod holders can also accommodate other equipment. A noteworthy inclusion is the integrated cutting board with a bait bucket, perfect for storing cut bait, shrimp, and recently snipped rigs. Slots for a knife, pliers, fishing shears, and hooks add to the cart’s practicality. A built-in ruler sticker, a removable handle for easy storage, and an adjustable peg stand further enhance its functionality.
Tire Modification: Enhanced Traction and Performance
One modification I’ve made is upgrading to Polly tires. These tires provide significantly improved traction and maneuverability on the sand compared to the standard pier tires. The difference in performance, particularly when traversing soft sand, is remarkable. A separate video detailing the tire change process will be available soon.
A Typical Beach Fishing Loadout
A typical loadout includes two sand spikes (my preferred choice are taller spikes for easier access), a cooler, two rods equipped with pompano or Carolina rigs for live or dead bait, and a light tackle rod spooled with 10-pound test for targeting Spanish mackerel and bluefish with a Dial-A-Ballistic lure. A shorter, heavier rod (50-pound braid on a 10-foot rod) complements the setup for close-range fishing.
All tackle is efficiently stored in a 5-gallon bucket containing a waterproof box for GoPro equipment and a single tackle tray. This tray holds LEDs, snap swivels, barrel swivels, hooks, beads, floats, artificial lures (Gotcha plugs, Goofy jigs, spoons), Fishbites, and pre-tied rigs organized in a trading card protector. Additional items like fishing shears, a bait knife, extra leader, and pliers also find a place in the bucket. This minimalist approach keeps weight down and allows for quick relocation when the fish aren’t biting.
Conclusion
The Fish-N-Mate Jr. cart is a highly recommended piece of equipment for any serious beach angler. Its thoughtful design, combined with a few strategic modifications, creates a truly efficient and enjoyable fishing experience. From its ample storage capacity to its enhanced mobility on the sand, this cart has proven invaluable in maximizing my success and enjoyment while surf fishing. I encourage you to share your own experiences and modifications in the comments below.
