DIY: Trick Out An Aluminum Pull Cart for Fishing the Surf

DIY Surf Fishing Cart: Modifying an Aluminum Pier Cart

Buying a dedicated surf cart brand new can be a major investment. I’ve found that finding a used aluminum pier cart on Craigslist and modifying it is a much more cost-effective way to get exactly what you need. After a lot of work, I’ve turned a standard cart into a specialized surf machine capable of hauling all my gear across the soft Alabama sand.

The Modifications

• Balloon Wheels: The standard skinny wheels on most pier carts sink in soft sand. Swapping these for large balloon tires is the #1 upgrade for surf fishing. [00:00:05]

• Expanded Metal Floor: I added expanded metal to the bottom of the cart. This provides a much sturdier base for a heavy cooler and prevents smaller items from falling through. [00:00:10]

• Increased Rod Capacity: The cart originally had three rod holders; I added four more for a total of seven, providing plenty of room for spinning reels and large surf rods. [00:00:16]

• Accessory Track: I installed an integrated track system to accommodate a bait station and camera accessories. [00:00:19]

Step 1: The Bait Cutting Station

To save space and keep things organized, I built a custom bait station.

• Use a standard cutting board and drill a hole for a Mighty Bolt. [00:00:38]

• Slide the bolt into the accessory track and tighten the butterfly nut to create a firm, elevated cutting surface. [00:00:44]

• Pro Tip: I also molded a custom knife sheath out of PVC and mounted it directly to the cart so my favorite bait knife is always within reach. [00:00:50]

Step 2: Securing the Cooler

Once the cooler is dropped onto the expanded metal floor, you need a way to keep it—and your other gear—from shifting.

• I added shock cord (bungee cord) that weaves across the top of the cooler, similar to the rigging on a kayak. [00:01:09]

• This creates a perfect storage spot on top of the cooler for lightweight items like sand spikes or a ghost shrimp pump. [00:01:04]

Step 3: Loading the Rods

With seven holders available, there is plenty of room to grow. In this setup, I keep my standard spinning rods on the outside and my larger, 12-foot surf rods in the center holders for better weight distribution. [00:01:40] Even with a sand rake added, there is still space for two more rods. [00:01:54]

Wrapping Up

By starting with a Craigslist find and adding custom touches like the balloon wheels and accessory tracks, you end up with a cart that is more functional than most high-end retail models. It has plenty of space to carry everything you need for a full day on the beach in a single trip.

Let me know what you think of the build or how you’d improve your own surf cart!