Offshore and sea fishing put a premium on reliability and safety rather than the sonar sophistication that inshore bass fishing chases. Here’s the priority order we’d recommend.
1. A reliable chartplotter with AIS
Knowing where commercial traffic is matters offshore in a way it rarely does inshore. A chartplotter with AIS overlay isn’t a luxury out past the harbour — see our Best Chartplotter for UK & European Waters guide.
2. Fixed-mount VHF, plus a handheld backup
A fixed VHF with DSC is your primary means of raising the coastguard offshore. A handheld backup, ideally floating and waterproof, covers you if you have to abandon ship or the fixed unit fails. See our Fixed vs Handheld VHF guide.
3. A personal locator beacon
If you regularly fish beyond VHF range or in exposed water, a PLB is genuinely cheap insurance against the worst-case scenario. See our Best PLB guide.
Building an offshore-ready setup? Get in touch — we’ll help make sure nothing important gets missed.