Fishing gear
Full-Time Van Life Fishing Setup
My Entire Fishing Gear
Fishing has become a huge part of my life on the road. From remote beaches and rocky headlands to quiet jetties at sunrise, this is the complete fishing setup I travel with full-time in the van.
Everything you’ll find below is gear I personally use, rely on, and trust in real-world conditions. I keep my setup practical and minimal — versatile enough to chase everything from whiting and flathead to snapper and larger reef species, without filling the van with unnecessary gear.
Some links are affiliate links, which helps support my work at no extra cost to you.
Fishing Rods
Over the years I’ve refined what I carry down to a few reliable rods and reels that cover almost every situation I find myself in. I don’t travel with a full tackle shop in the van — just versatile gear that’s tough enough for rock fishing, light enough for jetty sessions, and capable enough for beach work when the conditions line up.
Everything below is what I actually travel with full-time. It’s a balanced setup that lets me fish different environments without overcomplicating things. Simple, durable, and proven — that’s the goal.
My Current Fishing Setup:
Lightweight Rod: Ugly Stik Gold 6' 1pc 2-4kg Spin Rod
Lightweight Reel: Penn Spinfisher VII 2500 Spinning Reel
4ft Fishing Rod: Ugly Stik Gold 4'6" 1pc 4-8kg Spin Rod
Tiny Rod Reel: Shimano Vanford 2500SHG Spinning Reel
Heavy Fishing Rod: Penn Slammer 5'6" 1pc PE5-8 Spin Rod
Heavy Fishing Reel: Penn Slammer IV 4500 Spin Reel
Beach Fishing Rod Combo: Ugly Stik Balance 12' 2pc 8-12kg 8000
Lures & Soft Plastics
If there’s one category that gives me the most flexibility on the road, it’s soft plastics and lures. This is the middle ground of my fishing setup — compact enough to travel full-time in the van, but versatile enough to chase everything from whiting and flathead to snapper, grouper, and whatever else decides to show up.
I don’t carry an endless tackle collection. Instead, I focus on a small range of proven soft plastics, jigheads, and a few reliable hard-body options that cover different depths, retrieves, and conditions. It’s about having enough variation to adapt without overloading the tackle box.
Everything below is what I consistently travel with. It’s a simple system that lets me fish beaches, jetties, rocky headlands, and estuaries without feeling underprepared — while still keeping the setup light, organised, and practical for life on the road.
My Current Lure & Soft Plastic Kit:
4" Soft Plastics: ZMan 4" Scented Jerk ShadZ
5" Soft Plastics: ZMan Scented Jerk ShadZ 5''
5" Soft Plastics: ZMan DieZel MinnowZ 5'
7" Soft Plastics: ZMan Scented Jerk ShadZ 7''
Yellowfin Whiting Lures: Infeet Slippery Dog 65F
Yellowfin Lure #2: Ecogear ZX Vibe
Whiting Hooks: Tackle Tactics Y-Ting Jighead 1/8oz
Whiting Soft Plastics: ZMan Finesse Wormz 4 Inch
Prawns: ZMan EZ ShrimpZ Rigged 3.5''
Crawfish: ZMan Turbo CrawZ 4''
Fishing Storage
When you live on the road, storage matters just as much as the gear itself. I keep my fishing setup organised, compact, and ready to grab at a moment’s notice. Durable tackle boxes, a reliable backpack system, and waterproof storage keep everything protected from sand, salt, and rough travel days. It’s about staying efficient so I spend more time fishing and less time searching through gear.
My Current Fishing Storage:
Backpack + Storage: Black Magic Tackle Backpack Black
Storage #1: Black Magic Double Sided Lure/Squid Jig Box Clear
Storage #2: Black Magic Large Waterproof Box Clear Large
Fishing Accessories
The small stuff might not be exciting, but it’s often what makes the biggest difference. Good braid and leader, a sharp filleting knife, a proper measure mat, and a few safety essentials — these are the things that turn a good session into a smooth one.
I keep this part of my setup simple and reliable. Strong, proven line combinations that handle everything from light estuary work to heavier reef fish. A knife that holds an edge. Basic dive gear that lets me explore, check structure, or recover lures when needed. Nothing excessive — just gear that works and earns its place in the van.
Like the rest of my fishing setup, this is about balance. Enough to be prepared. Not so much that it turns into clutter.
My Current Fishing Accessories:
15lb & 30lb Braid: Daiwa J-Braid Grand x8 Braid Line
16lb & 40lb Leader: Daiwa J-Thread Fluorocarbon Leader
Filleting Knife: Marttiini Martef Coated 7.5" Knife
Measuring: Daiwa Fish Measure Mat Large Black Large
Dive Boots: Cressi Isla Boots
Dive Gloves: Cressi Unisex High-Stretch Neoprene
Dive Mask: Cressi Mask and Snorkel Calibro & Corsica
Dive Fins: Cressi Agua Black Diving Swim Fin
Explore My Work
While you’re here, feel free to explore more of my work below.
LET'S STAY CONNECTED
Join My Travel Journal
Get honest stories from the road, practical lessons I’ve learnt living on the road, new videos, behind-the-scenes adventures, and things I don’t always share publicly.
Contact Me
South Australia
m: 0459367713
e: [email protected]
Living on the Road • Sharing the Story
Australia-Based
Copyright © Matthew Storer
