Adaptive Fishing Gear

Adaptive fishing gear enables individuals with disabilities to enjoy fishing. With the help of adaptive fishing gear, individuals with disabilities can experience fishing while relishing both the beauty of nature and the excitement of the catch. Numerous common fishing gear adaptations exist, such as:

• Electric reels – fishing reels that use an electric motor to retrieve the line. An electric reel must be attached to a pole or rod.
• Fighting rod belt – can be fastened around the waist or thighs to provide improved leverage and allow for better weight distribution.                       
• Fishing rod mounts/harnesses - can attach to a boat or wheelchair, strap to the user's chest or forearm, or even be designed for sitting to accommodate those with limited or no hand use.
• Reel adapters – hand devices including handle extensions, lever handles, or other reel modifications that provide a solid grip on the reel and are effective for persons with limited hand/finger mobility.
• Fishing rod holders – can be attached to a boat, chair, pier, solid structure on shore, or staked in the ground. These eliminate the need to always hold the fishing rod; action is only needed if the bite occurs, setting the hook and reeling in the fish.
• Fishing rod stabilizing straps – are designed for persons with limited hand function to hold a fishing rod, giving the ability to reel in the fish.
• Knot tyers – can help people thread hooks, tie knots, and cut lines without the need to use both hands.
• Stabilizing chairs – specialized chairs that help with balance and stability to maintain a stable position while fishing from the shore, pier, or boat.
• All-terrain or beach wheelchairs – heavy-duty, manually powered wheelchairs designed to handle rougher terrain than traditional wheelchairs.
• Tracked chairs – off-road motorized chairs on tracks that can handle trails, sand, rocks, and steep inclines.

Common Fishing Gear

Descriptions of common fishing gear with links to the rules and regulations.

• Jugline – For use in freshwater only. A fishing line with five or fewer hooks and a gear tag tied to a free-floating device.
• Pole and Line - A line with a hook, attached to a pole. May include rod and reel or reel-less fishing systems such as a cane pole or Tenkara rod.
• Sail Line – For use in saltwater only. A type of trotline with one end of the main line fixed on the shore, the other end of the main line attached to a wind-powered floating device or sail.
• Throwline – For use in freshwater only. A fishing line with five or fewer hooks and with one end attached to a permanent fixture, a float attached at or above the water line, and a gear tag.
• Trotline – A non-metallic main fishing line with more than five hooks attached, with each end attached to a fixture, floats attached at or above the water line, and a gear tag.

For additional rules and regulations about the common fishing gear listed please visit the Legal Devices, Methods & Restrictions page. For all legal devices, methods, and restrictions please visit TPWD’s General Fishing Rules & Regulations page.