If you want to enjoy a fishing trip on the beach, you might be looking for a beach fishing cart or a beach wagon that can handle soft sand and help to keep your gear organized.
The question is: what are beach fishing carts? What sort of features should you be looking for? And how can you find a cart that will work reliably on different surfaces? We’ll be answering all of these questions, as well as looking at the best beach fishing carts out there.
The bottom line up front: we like the MacSports Collapsible Outdoor Folding Wagon for the versatility. You can use it as a beach fishing cart, as a general beach wagon, or as a useful tool to haul heavy items. It folds up too, which is useful.
We also like:
- Elkton Outdoors Rolling Fishing Tackle Box – a great little box on wheels that will keep your tackle and rods organized
- Gorilla Carts Heavy-Duty Utility Cart – a super heavy-duty cart that can handle just about anything you could throw at it
If you want to know more, we’ll be looking at:
- What a beach fishing cart is
- The different types of beach fishing carts and what to look for
- Our top 5 beach fishing carts, including their key features, pros, and cons
- Frequently asked questions
- Which ones we like the best and why we like them so much
Table of Contents
- Best Beach Fishing Carts Compared
- What is a Beach Fishing Cart?
- What to Look for in a Beach Fishing Cart
- Top 5 Beach Fishing Carts
- Frequently Asked Questions
- To Sum Up … Which Beach Fishing Cart is the Best?
Let’s start by looking at how our top 5 picks compare to each other!
Best Beach Fishing Carts Compared
What is a Beach Fishing Cart?
A beach fishing cart is a cart designed to make fishing at the beach easier. They can be large enough to fit a cooler, or small enough just to transport your tackle and rods.
Beach fishing carts should have good wheels that can roll easily across soft sand as well as harder sand and gravel. Some beach fishing carts fold down, making them very easy to transport.
What to Look for in a Beach Fishing Cart
Here are a few things you should look for in a beach fishing cart:
Type
Beach fishing carts come in different styles. For example, you can get small rolling carts just to store your tackle and rods, which is helpful if you don’t need a larger cart.
If you want to be able to store a cooler in your beach fishing cart, you’ll need to look for a larger cart. These types of carts can be used for other purposes, too. For example, you could use your beach fishing cart as a regular beach cart, or to haul heavy items or equipment. These types of carts may lack features specific to fishing (for example, rod holders), but have the advantage of being versatile, so you can use them for different purposes.
Weight Capacity
It’s important to look at the weight capacity. Heavy-duty, rotomolded coolers can be heavy on their own, let alone when they’re packed with ice and freshly caught fish. So if you want something that is going to be able to haul your YETI cooler, for example, you’ll need to check out the maximum weight capacity to make sure it will work safely for you.
Wheels
Look for a beach fishing cart with decent wheels. The wheels should be able to handle different types of terrain, including gravel, hard sand, and soft sand – the last thing you want is for your cart to get stuck, or to struggle moving it across different surfaces.
You could also choose a cart with rotating wheels. This makes it a little easier to move around.
Durability
Pick a cart with tough, strong wheels and frame. It’s also useful if the fabric part is made from waterproof materials like polyester, as it may get wet!
It’s also worth looking at how easy your cart will be to clean, as fishing can get messy. (If the material starts to smell, you can use baking powder to absorb the odors, but choosing a material like canvas or polyester can help, as it’s so easy to wipe clean.)
Transportation
You can get folding beach wagons – these are a bit easier to fold and transport. It’s worth looking at the dimensions to see if your beach wagon will fit in your vehicle alongside the rest of your gear.
Extra Features
There are some features specific to fishing carts. These can include rod holders, tackle drawers for organizing your kit (check out Pure Fishing’s Beginner’s Guide to Tackle Management for some great tips), and water bottle holders.
Top 5 Beach Fishing Carts
Let’s now look at our top 5 best beach fishing carts. We’ve included a variety of different styles, so hopefully, you can find one that suits your needs.
MacSports Collapsible Outdoor Folding Wagon – Most Versatile
Key Features
- Color: Red and White Striped
- Dimensions: 9.64 x 21.4 x 31.48 inches (24.48 x 54.35 x 79.95 centimeters)
- Dimensions Folded: 10 x 10 inches (25.4 x 25.4 centimeters)
- Materials: Polyester, stainless steel
- Weight Capacity: 150 pounds (86 kilograms).
The MacSports Collapsible Outdoor Folding Wagon is not specifically designed for fishing, so it lacks some handy features that you might be looking for, but it is versatile. You can use it as a regular beach wagon, a wagon to haul gardening equipment, and so on. It has a folding side table, so you can use it when you have lunch or balance your valuables. It can hold up to 150 pounds (86 kilograms), so you should be able to fit a decent-sized cooler in there.
The wheels work on different surfaces, including deep sand. The wheels are locked in place as opposed to rotating, which means it may be a bit trickier to maneuver when full.
It’s a durable wagon, coated in waterproofing material, so you won’t have to worry about it getting wet. It has an adjustable telescoping handle, allowing you to adjust it to the height that suits you.
As well as the side table, it has 2 holders for water bottles and a mobile phone holder. It folds down really easily, making it super easy to transport.
Pros
- Versatile
- Folds down for easy storage
- Great maximum weight capacity
- Telescoping handle
- Includes side table and cup holders/mobile phone holder
Cons
- Wheels are locked in place
- Doesn’t have some of the extra features from a cart designed specifically for fishing
Gorilla Carts Heavy-Duty Utility Cart – Most Durable
Key Features
- Color: Grey
- Dimensions: 56.14 x 24.9 x 44.1 inches (142.59 x 63.24 x 112 centimeters)
- Dimensions Folded: N/A
- Materials: Stainless steel
- Weight Capacity: 1,000 pounds (453.59 kilograms)
The Gorilla Carts Heavy-Duty Utility Cart is a heavy-duty cart that can hold up to 1,000 pounds (453.59 kilograms), so you should be able to fit a large, full cooler with no problems. It’s a simple cart, and it lacks some extras that are specific to fishing (like rod holders), but it’s durable and ideal for all sorts of situations – you could use it as a beach cart or use it to haul heavy items. The sides are removable too.
The wheels are tough and sturdy and work on all types of terrain. They don’t rotate, meaning it’s not as maneuverable as it could be, especially when full.
It’s a super-tough cart. The stainless steel can withstand all sorts of conditions, and it has a removable liner for easy cleaning, which is ideal for a fishing cart – the easier it is to clean, the better! The handle is adjustable, too.
Pros
- Very durable
- Can hold heavy weights
- Tough, sturdy wheels
- Removable sides and liner
Cons
- Lacks extra features
- Wheels don’t rotate
Elkton Outdoors Rolling Fishing Tackle Box – Best Tackle Box Cart
Key Features
- Color: Green
- Dimensions: 15.7 x 18.5 x 9.6 inches (39.87 x 46.99 x 24.38 centimeters)
- Dimensions Folded: N/A
- Materials: Stainless steel and canvas
- Weight Capacity: 26.5 pounds (12.02 kilograms)
The Elkton Outdoors Rolling Fishing Tackle Box is a tackle box on wheels. This means you won’t be able to wheel around a full cooler, for example. But it’s ideal if you just want to be able to carry your tackle and rods around without having to lift them. You can also use it as a backpack if you’d prefer, as it comes with padded straps.
It’s a pretty durable little cart, with tough canvas to protect your gear and good back wheels that can roll on different types of terrain.
It has a larger upper storage area that can be divided into sections, 5 tackle trays, 4 fishing rod holders, and 3 zippered pockets.
Pros
- Useful for organizing tackle and rods
- Durable
- Wheels work on different types of terrain
- Can be used as a backpack too
Cons
- Small weight capacity – won’t fit a cooler
TIMBER RIDGE Folding Double Decker Wagon – Best for Storage
Key Features
- Color: Brown
- Dimensions: 54.13 x 34.65 x 18.9 inches (137.49 x 88.01 x 48 centimeters)
- Dimensions Folded: 7.09 x 14.96 x 35.43 inches (18 x 37.99 x 89.99 centimeters)
- Materials: Polyester, stainless steel
- Weight Capacity: 225 pounds (102 kilograms)
The TIMBER RIDGE Folding Double Decker Wagon is great if you want to keep your gear organized. It has a double-decker design, with 1 layer on top of another. The lower shelf can be extended so you can fit large items there.
The front wheels rotate, making it really easy to move around. However, if you overfill the top layer, it can get a bit more difficult to move, as it could tip over if it gets too heavy on top.
It’s a durable fabric, made from waterproof polyester, so you won’t have to worry about it getting wet. The curved handle is designed to be comfortable to use.
It’s easy to keep the contents organized, it lacks some of the features that you may want for your fishing gear, like small compartments or rod holders. It is versatile, so you can use it for the beach and gardening too.
Pros
- Good for organization
- Easy to maneuver
- Durable waterproof fabric
- Comfortable to pull around
Cons
- Lacks features like rod holders or small compartments
- May tip over if the top layer is overfilled
Muscle Carts Fish and Marine Cart – Good All-Rounder
Key Features
- Color: Blue
- Dimensions: 27 x 30 Inches (68.58 x 76.2 centimeters)
- Dimensions Folded: N/A
- Materials: Polyester, stainless steel
- Weight Capacity: 220 pounds (99.7 kilograms)
The Muscle Carts Fish and Marine Cart is a good all-rounder and perfect for a day at the beach. It can hold up to 220 pounds (99.7 kilograms) in weight, so you can fit a cooler in there with no problems.
It has 2 large, robust wheels. These are excellent in terms of pulling across different types of terrain, including soft sand, but they don’t rotate, meaning it may be a bit trickier to pull around corners once full. The handle isn’t adjustable, which is a shame, but it feels comfortable to hold.
It’s durable – the frame is thick and sturdy, and the polyester is waterproof, so you won’t have to worry if it gets wet.
It also has rod holders, which is a nice extra.
Pros
- Good maximum weight capacity
- Large, robust wheels
- Easy to pull on sand
- Includes rod holders
Cons
- Wheels don’t rotate
- The handle isn’t adjustable
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you go, here are some frequently asked questions about beach fishing carts:
What other gear would you recommend for a day out fishing at the beach?
A cooler is obviously essential if you want to keep the fish you catch (more on that in the next question), but you should also bring water bottles with you to stay hydrated all day.
You could also try a fishing watch – these are water-resistant watches with handy extra features designed with fishing in mind.
Finally, it’s worth looking into buying a lightweight rain jacket if you can’t guarantee good weather!
Can I clip items onto my beach fishing cart?
Unless specified, you can’t usually clip items onto the side of your fishing cart.
What kind of cooler should I get to put in my beach fishing cart?
A hard-sided cooler would be ideal if you want maximum ice retention. We’d recommend a YETI or Pelican cooler – they’re well known for creating tough coolers ideal for hunting and fishing.
It’s worth taking the time to pack your cooler safely. Popular Mechanics has a helpful guide all about the right way to pack a cooler. You can also read our guide on how to keep ice from melting in a cooler to prepare for your next fishing trip.
Is there anything else I should know if I’m new to beach fishing?
There may be some limitations on the types of fish you can catch. Check out the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s regulations for more details.
You should also be sure to keep yourself safe from the sun. It’s easy to forget to do this, and it can be difficult to find shady areas while beach fishing. Look at the Center for Disease Contol and Prevention’s Sun Safety Tips for more information on how to protect yourself.
To Sum Up … Which Beach Fishing Cart is the Best?
If you want something versatile, check out the MacSports Collapsible Outdoor Folding Wagon. It’s ideal for using as a fishing cart, as well as a general beach wagon and a wagon for gardening.
If you want something that doesn’t need to fit a cooler, you can look at the Elkton Outdoors Rolling Fishing Tackle Box. It’s an excellent tackle box on wheels with rod holders to help you stay organized on the go.
The Gorilla Carts Heavy-Duty Utility Cart is a good option if you want something with a big weight capacity. It’s a tough, durable, versatile cart that can handle all types of terrain.
Hopefully, you’ve found the best beach fishing cart for you. If you have, please feel free to share this article on social media. We’d also welcome your comments – what are your top beach fishing tips? What essentials do you need for beach fishing? We’d like to hear your thoughts!