What to bring to a fishing competition

A fishing competition needs more than rods and bait. You will need measuring and weighing equipment for fair results, safety gear around the water, and enough shelter, seating and catering supplies for participants and officials. This shopping list covers the practical items to buy or bring, including spare equipment and power supplies. Check quantities against your final participant list, and keep bait chilled until registration or the start signal.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 60
Beer tablesqty 4

Sports equipment

Spare fishing rodsqty 10
Landing netsqty 8
Undocking matsqty 8
Bait containersqty 20
Keepnetsqty 10
Measuring boardsqty 8
Measuring tapesqty 8
Digital scalesqty 4
Competition polesqty 20
Barrier tapeqty 4
Life ringsqty 2
Work glovesqty 6

Equipment

Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Megaphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
String lightsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Reusable platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8
Frying pansqty 2
Pliersqty 4

Catering

Match cardsqty 60
Bib numbersqty 60
Prizesqty 12
Groceries
- White casino bread and brown bread - 12 loaves
- Sandwiches - 80 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Egg salad - 4 tubs
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Onions - 2 kilograms
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Hamburgers - 50 pieces
- Hot dog sausages - 60 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 60 pieces
- Potato salad - 8 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 8 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Peanut mix - 4 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Apples - 6 kilogram
- Bananas - 5 kilograms
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blue - 10 crates
- Spa Rood - 4 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 6 crates
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Bait worms - 10 boxes
- Maggots - 10 containers
- Corn for bait - 10 cans
- Trash bags - 6 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces

Tips

Prepare at least one spare fishing rod and landing net for every 10 participants, so a broken item does not stop a competition.
Bring one measuring board, tape measure and digital scale for each scoring station. Test the scales and replace batteries at least one day before the event.
Plan one cooler or bait container for each bait station, and keep live or perishable bait chilled until it is needed.
Allow one reusable cup and plate per person, plus a 10% reserve. Add extra cutlery for officials and catering helpers.
Set up life rings, barrier tape and safety signs before participants arrive. Pack work gloves and walkie-talkies for the people supervising the water and registration desk.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a fishing competition?: Bring fishing rods, spare rods, landing nets, undocking mats, bait containers, keepnets, measuring boards, measuring tapes and digital scales. Add competition poles, safety equipment and communication gear before the first participant arrives.
How much bait should I buy for a fishing competition?: Use the final participant count and the rules to calculate bait, then add a 10% reserve. Split it between chilled bait containers so participants do not repeatedly open one large container.
How many measuring stations do I need?: Plan one measuring board, measuring tape and digital scale per scoring station. As a practical starting point, use one station for every 10 to 15 participants and add another if all catches must be processed quickly.
What should I bring for shelter and catering at a fishing competition?: Bring party tents, foldable tables, chairs or beer tables, coolers, thermos flasks, reusable cups, plates and cutlery. Prepare seating and shelter at least 2 hours before registration, and chill drinks before participants arrive.

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