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Updated on: January 11, 2024
Finding the best fishing cart can make a day of fishing more time-efficient and easier on your back. When the fish are biting, and the sun is shining, who wants to make fifteen trips to your vehicle to haul your gear.
Use a fishing cart to concentrate on what’s important – getting your line in the water.
Fishing is a great way to relax and a fun way to explore and enjoy many different environments. But to fish, you need gear. A fishing cart is an efficient way to transport a multitude of fishing gear to your destination efficiently.
If you’ve always wanted to fish on a beach or even try fishing on a rural pond, a fishing cart can make that adventure less of a hassle. Finding the best fishing cart to carry your cooler, fishing rod, tackle box, and bait will make your day on the water much more enjoyable.
There are many considerations when selecting the best fishing cart. The obvious first consideration is the amount of gear you need to haul. If you have massive amounts of fishing gear, you’ll want a heavy-duty cart with a higher weight capacity. Others may simply want a lightweight, simple cart to hold the basics.
Another consideration when purchasing the best fishing cart is the terrain your cart needs to cross. You may want a cart that can trek across a sandy beach for a day of surf fishing. Or you may want a pier fishing cart that travels easily on hard surfaces.
Other considerations are the number of rod holders, wheels, and long-term durability of the cart over time.
Let’s dive deeper into the world of fishing carts to make this decision easier.
Depending on where you hope to fish determines the type of fishing cart you need. The two main types of fishing carts are pier cart or a beach cart. A pier cart can be considered universal and can also work on sand, but a beach cart typically doesn’t work well on a pier. The difference in the two carts lies in the wheels.
Another type of cart to consider is an electric cart. Remove the manual labor of lugging a cart and save your strength for hauling in fish.
Knowing how each cart functions will guide your decision.
A pier cart is typically made of durable, hardy material to withstand frequent trips. A non-corrosive and powder coat finish protects from saltwater and prevents rusting. The wheels on a pier cart are universal and work well on different terrains.
A beach cart needs soft wheels to transport weight over sand or gravel. Heavy-duty balloon wheels are typical with traction treads to glide over sand with a low chance of flat tires.
The amount of gear you plan to bring determines the size of your fishing cart. If you only need your fishing rod and tackle box for a short day, then a smaller cart works well. If you’re looking to spend the day fishing, you’ll need a larger capacity cart to haul multiple fishing poles, a cooler with plenty of snacks, bait buckets, and tackle. If you’re pulling in large fish off the pier, you might need enough storage space to bring home your catch.
The material of your fishing cart should avoid corrosion and make the cart lightweight. Plastic materials are less expensive and lightweight, but can be less durable or break. An aluminum fishing cart is slightly heavier, but able to withstand more wear and tear while carrying a heavier load.
Pier carts tend to have more non-corrosive materials to resist saltwater and the elements. Some carts use nylon to make the cart foldable for ease of transport, but this tends to be less durable and may tear. Others may be made of heavy-duty polyurethane to avoid corrosion.
Some fishing carts have a fabric lining that prevents your gear from falling through. Knowing if your fabric lining is durable and can be easily washed after bringing home a cart full of fish is essential.
You must consider the weight of your gear. If hauling large amounts of tackle, you’ll need a heavy-duty cart to support the weight. Those looking for a less intense day of fishing, might look for a lighter weight streamlined fishing cart. Most carts typically hold no more than 200 lbs, but this can vary.
In addition to the weight of your gear, you must consider the weight of the cart itself. Can you get it in and out of your vehicle? Some heavier carts may be foldable or collapsible to assist.
The terrain of your fishing location is the most important consideration when choosing a fishing cart. If you’ll be hauling your gear across a beach and soft sand, then you’ll need a surf fishing cart with large, treaded tires to manage. If you’ll be on hard surfaces such as docks or concrete, a pier cart will be the better choice.
Fishing carts vary widely in the number of rod holders. If fishing with a group, you’ll need more fishing rod holders to carry the poles. If you’re out alone for some solitude on the water, the total number of rod holders is less of an issue. A cart with specified rod holders protects your fishing poles during transport.
Ease of use is an important consideration to choose a fishing cart. If you have limited storage in your vehicle, then you may need a collapsible cart that takes up less space. If you have tons of fishing gear, you’ll want a cart with enough capacity, yet light enough to pull. You won’t want to stop and pick up gear that falls out as you trek across the beach.
The key is one-stop-shop to lug gear from your vehicle to the fishing hole so the fishing can begin.
The type of wheels you need on your fishing cart is the biggest question to ask before any purchase. Poly wheels tend to support more weight than rubber wheels and also be more durable. Heavy-duty balloon wheels with traction tread are needed to travel across soft sand or gravel while resisting flats.
With so many fishing carts on the market, we developed a Fishing Cart Buyers Guide to assist. Knowing what qualities you want in a cart, will help to narrow down your decision.
Fish N Mate is a reputable company known for great fishing carts. There are multiple varieties available. Made with lightweight aluminum and durable construction, they are versatile fishing carts with heavy-duty hauling power. Optional cart liners can be purchased separately to prevent gear from falling through the bottom.
The Fish N Mate 310 Large Cart is a top pick by many fishermen. It has a large capacity to haul loads of gear in a durable cart.
The Fish N Mate Sr. Cart is ranked the best by many users. As an aluminum cart, it is corrosion resistant. It’s a heavy-duty design that’s lightweight and durable, with a large capacity.
Berkley designed more than one fishing cart that comes in compact or collapsible options. For those with limited storage or space to transport it in your vehicle, the Berkley Fishing Carts make a great option.
The Berkley Sportsman’s Cart comes in two collapsible sizes, regular and jumbo. Both collapse to allow easier transport and storage.
The Berkley Jumbo Fishing Cart is a great option when you need lots of storage space, but have limited capacity to transport or store your cart. It collapses down to manageable size to fit easily in your trunk.
The Berkley Sportsman’s Pro Cart is similar to the Sportsman’s Cart but with a closed design and two additional rod holders. The smaller cart still holds plenty of gear.
Gorilla Carts have produced multiple versions of a utility cart that can adapt to many different activities. An extra incentive is that the company offers a 1-year warranty on their products.
The Gorilla Fish & Marine Cart has a spacious bed to hold tons of gear. The 13-inch all-terrain tires make it a great option for both surf and pier fishing. It has eight rod holders and a moveable bait tray.
The Gorilla Garden Cart has a high-capacity. It’s heavy-duty and can also be used for plenty of needs outside of fishing.
The Gorilla Garden Dump cart is what you’ll need if you plan to haul half of your house to the beach. It can hold a massive 600 lbs.
We have listed below a few more of the best fishing carts on the market. All of these have made the list because they offer good stand-out features and come with raving reviews.
The Mac Sports Utility wagon is a heavy-duty, large capacity option that collapses down to 10-inches for easier transport and storage.
The Muscle Carts Fish and Marine Cart has a high load capacity to carry your fishing gear, chair, and cooler all in one trip.
The Sea Striker Deluxe is a good economical option for pier and surf fishing.
The Mighty Max fishing cart is a great pier fishing cart. It has an expandable base frame that can be used as a flatbed to haul your gear. It's lightweight and small in design.
In addition to having a great name, the Reels on Wheels fishing cart has what you need.
The Elkton Outdoors Rolling Tackle Box is exactly what it states – a rolling tackle box. This is worth mentioning with the fishing carts because it might be exactly what you’re looking for – and it’s affordable.
Don’t have the money to buy a fishing cart? Make your own!
There are many reasons to consider building your own fishing cart. You can save money and customize a fishing cart to perfectly suit your needs.
You can repurpose utility carts, dollys, or wheelbarrows and build upon the frame. Consider stealing your kid’s wagon as a great option. Choosing materials that resist corrosion and stainless steel screws will prevent rust. Zip ties work anywhere.
You’ll want to have heavy-duty axles and wheels to withstand the weight. PVC pipe easily transforms into a rod holder. A tool belt fastened to your cart can hold pliers, line-cutters, and other quick-grab items.
You can build in an umbrella for optional shade, or even design a fillet table on your cart to easily clean your catch.
The options are endless with many design styles only limited by your imagination. There are numerous plans to DIY your own fishing cart on YouTube or other online sites.
The Fish N Mate wins for the best overall fishing cart. Both the Fish N Mate Large Fishing Cart and the Fish N Mate Sr. Cart are reliable and durable to withstand daily trips to the water. The Sr. Cart edges out ahead for most anglers because it has everything you need in a lightweight and easily transported design. The large capacity cart holds plenty of gear in a durable design. When surf fishing on soft sand, the large tires with good tread make the journey easier.
Fishing carts that collapse to make storage and transport to the beach make life easier. The Berkley Jumbo Fishing Cart provides a massive amount of storage room while still easily collapsing to a manageable size.
The price of a fishing cart can vary from $90 - $350. It’s best to look for a fishing cart that meets your needs but is also durable to avoid corrosion to withstand years of fishing.
The Berkley Sportsman's Cart may be the most budget-friendly fishing car at $99.99. The Mac Sports Utility Wagon compares at $90.99, but may require some adaptation to add rod holders specific for a day of fishing.
Our top pick of the Fish N Mate Sr. Cart comes in at $299, but has the durability and versatility to provide years of enjoyment. Spending a little more for a fishing cart can save you valuable trips back and forth to your vehicle and give you a dependable product that will last a long time.
Both pier and surf fishing carts come with detachable handles. The handles need to withstand the weight of the cart as you lug it to your destination. You need a reliable handle that can sustain the weight of your gear.
You should consider if the handle is padded or has a degree of rotation to make transporting your gear easier. Removing the handle gets it out of your way to grab your gear and slay some fish.
Yes! As mentioned above the Fish N Mate Fishing Cart is the best overall cart when you factor in its durable, non-corrosive aluminum construction, large capacity with a lightweight frame, and overall design with rod holders and bait cup to make your day on the water perfect.
Fishing carts can be found at major sporting goods stores that specialize in fishing, such as Cabelas or Bass Pro Shops. Most fishing carts can be ordered online through the cart’s developer or on Amazon. Buying a fishing cart online is a safe and decent option. Most carts are lightweight and fold down, making for less packaging.
Finding the best fishing cart depends on knowing where you’ll be fishing and how much gear you’ll need. There are many options with differing small details that make some fishing carts better than others.
Once you’ve determined the best fishing cart to make our journey to the water easier, get out there and catch some fish!
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