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Saltwater Gear
Towel
Gentle hands for fish
A wet towel lets you hold a slippery fish without stripping the slime coat that protects it from infection.
What it does
Grips slippery fish gently for photos and release.
When to use it
When handling any fish.
Common mistake
Using a dry towel — it strips protective slime.
🛒 Shop Guide
Clip-on fishing towel
$8 – $15
Stays put in wind and spray.
Rubber-mesh landing net
$20 – $45
Even gentler than hands for bigger fish.
What to look for
- Cheap cotton or a purpose-made fish-handling towel
- A clip or carabiner so it hangs on your bag
- A second dry towel for your hands
Skip this
Skip sandy dry towels — sand plus a dry towel is the worst combo for a fish's skin.
Prices are typical US ranges and change over time. Ask a grown-up and your local tackle shop before buying — shop staff will help you match gear to your home water for free.
🎓 How to Use It
- 1Soak the towel in seawater before you touch a fish.
- 2Support the fish's belly with both hands, horizontally — never hang it by the jaw.
- 3Take the photo fast, low, and over water.
- 4Hold the fish facing into the current until it kicks away on its own.
Care & storage
Rinse and dry fully, or it will get mouldy in your tackle bag.
🛟 Safety Tips
- Watch spines and teeth through the towel.
- Wash your hands before eating.
🧑✈️Captain Tip
Learn one piece of gear per trip. By the end of the summer you will know your whole kit better than most adults.