Most fishing sites are affiliate funnels in a trench coat. We’re not. Here’s the honest take: what you need, what you don’t, and what to buy at three price tiers — bargain, sensible, and “okay, I’m hooked.”

The Vacation Week Starter Kit

Under $100 gets you a setup that will catch sea mullet, pompano, spot, croaker, blues, and slot drum.

DIY Sand Spikes

Eight bucks of PVC and a hacksaw beats anything you’ll buy in a tackle shop.

Don’t Waste Your Money

A running list of gear that’s marketed hard and underperforms in OBX surf.