Land Based Pier Fishing Cart Setup
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 2:55 pm
Inspired by SteveoTheTiger’s discussing tackle box storage and the perfect way of carrying tackle, I wanted to share my DIY land-based pier fishing cart setup.
This setup focus is forever a work in progress and is always being upgraded to improve functionality. This setup is convenient, light weight, strong and perfectly sized for carrying all the tackle required to target multi species using three to four rods.
The cart:
The ideal cart is light weight, corrosion resistant, easy to use and all round convenient.
This foldable basket cart is constructed of a lightweight aluminum frame supported by two large and two small rubber wheels on a stainless-steel axle. The white basket bottom is an epoxy coated steel. Running a magnet over the whole cart the only non-aluminum parts are the stainless-steel rivets, stainless axle and white epoxy iron basket bottom. This pre-made aluminum cart cost $50 online. Learnings:
Cheap basket carts online are constructed with epoxy coated iron tubing and are highly susceptible to corrosion and rusting. Stainless steel while a stronger material, these fishing carts are highly expensive $200+, large and heavy. As someone who drives a small car, a Kia Rio a large fishing cart was not practical.
Improvements:
Aluminum is a corrosion resistant material but is prone to pitting and will rust when exposed to saltwater/air without proper care. Treating the material with a marine grade aluminum anti-corrosion will improve the life span and longevity of the cart. Aluminum will react negatively with some marine grade anti-corrosion sprays which are not made for aluminum.
A fine aluminum mesh strengthens the bottom while helping distribute weight and prevent objects falling through the bottom. I used a firm diamond pattern gutter guard which I purchased off eBay for under $5 and clear cable tied to the frame.
Aluminum bull bar rod holders from Wilson and are attached to the front of the cart as this is a backwards pulling cart. This allows for easy access to the rods, and they sit nicely when carrying along the pier.
Aluminum carabiners with 550 paracord are a convenient way to attach tools which require easy access too. I attached a plastic fish ruler and a standard bait knife to either side for easy access. Experience with the cart:
My experience using this cart for five months has made my trips down to the pier a dream. The cart when full of tackle is light weight, liftable with one hand and when pulling behind only requires two fingers. It conveniently holds all my gear and even has room for a rolled up/tucked in rain jacket. The cart has no issues traveling over wood beams and can tackle any incline with ease.
Gear:
Three rods total, two Shimano Quickfire 7’ 2-4kg 10lb mono, a Shimano Quickfire EGI 7’6, 10lb braid and 10lb leader for squid.
I use three Sistema Klip It food storage containers as a tackle box as they are stackable, clear and fit nicely in the cart.
Container 1 contains tools including sinkers, two stainless steel pliers, a hook sharpener, bright pink scissors, 10lb mono leader and a pool noodle for storing my circle hook paternoster. Container 2 contains a large mix of pre-made snapper 6/0 rigs, multispecies pre-made #4 rigs, circle hooks, Mustard Fastach clips, swivels and soft plastics. Contain 3 contains burley pellets, pre-made garfish, weightless and long shank rigs along with spare hooks. Double sided squid jig case can hold 14 squid jigs and has spaces for soft plastics. Stickers on the back are for convivence. Large metal clamp is used to hold my circle hook rig and the carabiner/paracord clips around the neck of the reel for safety. I have seen plenty of rods go over the side of the pier.
Telescopic carbon fiber net is a 80cm extendable to 4M net with a stainless steel ring and mono fishing line net. My pier is 3.5-4M to the water depending on tide movement and this net is light weight and easy to use. I use this net over other nets as squid ink mucus passes right through and doesn’t leave a mess that other nets struggle with. Hope you enjoy the look into my land based foldable pier fishing cart and I welcome any recommended improvements. Happy to answer questions about any part of this post.
This setup focus is forever a work in progress and is always being upgraded to improve functionality. This setup is convenient, light weight, strong and perfectly sized for carrying all the tackle required to target multi species using three to four rods.
The cart:
The ideal cart is light weight, corrosion resistant, easy to use and all round convenient.
This foldable basket cart is constructed of a lightweight aluminum frame supported by two large and two small rubber wheels on a stainless-steel axle. The white basket bottom is an epoxy coated steel. Running a magnet over the whole cart the only non-aluminum parts are the stainless-steel rivets, stainless axle and white epoxy iron basket bottom. This pre-made aluminum cart cost $50 online. Learnings:
Cheap basket carts online are constructed with epoxy coated iron tubing and are highly susceptible to corrosion and rusting. Stainless steel while a stronger material, these fishing carts are highly expensive $200+, large and heavy. As someone who drives a small car, a Kia Rio a large fishing cart was not practical.
Improvements:
Aluminum is a corrosion resistant material but is prone to pitting and will rust when exposed to saltwater/air without proper care. Treating the material with a marine grade aluminum anti-corrosion will improve the life span and longevity of the cart. Aluminum will react negatively with some marine grade anti-corrosion sprays which are not made for aluminum.
A fine aluminum mesh strengthens the bottom while helping distribute weight and prevent objects falling through the bottom. I used a firm diamond pattern gutter guard which I purchased off eBay for under $5 and clear cable tied to the frame.
Aluminum bull bar rod holders from Wilson and are attached to the front of the cart as this is a backwards pulling cart. This allows for easy access to the rods, and they sit nicely when carrying along the pier.
Aluminum carabiners with 550 paracord are a convenient way to attach tools which require easy access too. I attached a plastic fish ruler and a standard bait knife to either side for easy access. Experience with the cart:
My experience using this cart for five months has made my trips down to the pier a dream. The cart when full of tackle is light weight, liftable with one hand and when pulling behind only requires two fingers. It conveniently holds all my gear and even has room for a rolled up/tucked in rain jacket. The cart has no issues traveling over wood beams and can tackle any incline with ease.
Gear:
Three rods total, two Shimano Quickfire 7’ 2-4kg 10lb mono, a Shimano Quickfire EGI 7’6, 10lb braid and 10lb leader for squid.
I use three Sistema Klip It food storage containers as a tackle box as they are stackable, clear and fit nicely in the cart.
Container 1 contains tools including sinkers, two stainless steel pliers, a hook sharpener, bright pink scissors, 10lb mono leader and a pool noodle for storing my circle hook paternoster. Container 2 contains a large mix of pre-made snapper 6/0 rigs, multispecies pre-made #4 rigs, circle hooks, Mustard Fastach clips, swivels and soft plastics. Contain 3 contains burley pellets, pre-made garfish, weightless and long shank rigs along with spare hooks. Double sided squid jig case can hold 14 squid jigs and has spaces for soft plastics. Stickers on the back are for convivence. Large metal clamp is used to hold my circle hook rig and the carabiner/paracord clips around the neck of the reel for safety. I have seen plenty of rods go over the side of the pier.
Telescopic carbon fiber net is a 80cm extendable to 4M net with a stainless steel ring and mono fishing line net. My pier is 3.5-4M to the water depending on tide movement and this net is light weight and easy to use. I use this net over other nets as squid ink mucus passes right through and doesn’t leave a mess that other nets struggle with. Hope you enjoy the look into my land based foldable pier fishing cart and I welcome any recommended improvements. Happy to answer questions about any part of this post.