Fishing Kayak Accessories You Can't Live Without

Without the right gear, a fishing kayak is just a wide kayak. Fishing kayaks are purpose-made to stay stable when you fight fish, and so they can carry everything you need for a good fishing trip. To get the most out of them, you should equip them well.

If you want to really deck out your fishing kayak, here are some accessories you’ll want to know about (and what to look for when choosing them).

What To Consider When Choosing Kayak Fishing Accessories

Knowing what to look for can make all the difference between buyer’s remorse and a piece of gear that you cherish for years. Knowing what your boat can handle is important, and so is making sure that your gear is durable, water-resistant, and suited to your style of fishing.

Know Your Fishing Kayak

Having a well-stocked fishing kayak starts with having the right kayak, in the first place. Consider the dimensions. You probably want a wider kayak, despite the reduced speed, because that adds stability. Consider other factors too, like durability, weight limit, storage space, and whether you want a pedal kayak to keep your hands free. There are a lot of great fishing kayaks out there to use as your foundation for a great loadout.

Durability

Durability is always important in the tools you use, but it’s especially important when you’re accessorizing a boat. You’re out there conquering waves and fighting fish. You’re going to be putting your stuff through its paces. You need to know that it can keep up with you.  That’s why durable gear is so important.

Water Resistance

Obviously, the goal is for you and all of your belongings to stay out of the water. But you’re in a boat. Things are going to get wet. Which means you’ll want to make sure that the water isn’t going to damage anything. Choosing water-resistant accessories is a smart step, but it’s not the only thing you can do.

You can also look into water safe hatches to install on your boat for those things that just don’t come water resistant. (Or items you don’t want to take any chances on, like your phone, wallet, and the most important thing, your snacks.)

Kayak Fishing Gear Must Haves

Now that you have an idea of what to consider when buying gear, let’s talk about the actual gear you’ll want.  While there are plenty of accessories out there to help you with the actual act of fishing, that’s not the whole story. There are also tools to help you move your kayak out of the water, and accessories that help you organize, protect, and secure your tackle. Here are some of the most helpful accessories out there.

Rod Holders

A good rod holder is a must-have. You can’t have your hands on the rod all the time, and being in a kayak means that managing your space is important.

A good fishing rod is a pretty solid investment on its own. You want to make sure that you hold on to it, literally and figuratively. A resilient, reliable rod holder can go a long way towards keeping your rod secure. After all, it won’t be much of a fishing trip without one.

Kayak Fishing Tackle

Fishing tackle is going to depend greatly on what you’re catching and where you are. But getting your fishing gear into a kayak means giving a little thought to what you take on each trip, and how you store it. There are many small packs or open crates designed to help keep your gear organized and accessible.

Kayak Paddle Clip

Despite the name, a paddle clip isn’t just for keeping your paddle out of the way when you’re fishing. It’ll also keep your rod out of the way when you’re paddling.

You don’t necessarily want your rod poking out of a rod holder the whole time you’re traveling. Nobody wants to expose their rod to damage when they’re booking it out to their favorite spot on the water. And it’s not the most aerodynamic thing in the world, either.

Whatever you’re storing in it, a paddle clip is a great way to keep your most cumbersome gear out of the way, but close at hand.

Kayak Anchor

You don’t want to find the perfect fishing spot, just to realize you’ve drifted away while you bait your line. A compact, lightweight anchor kit can do wonders for keeping you steady. Whether you’re paddling or pedaling, you don’t want to stop what you’re doing to adjust. A small anchor can keep you where you want to be.

Kayak Seat Back

A kayak seat upgrade provides support and comfort at the same time. Factors like padding and airflow make a big difference in how your seat treats you. Plenty of fishing trips get cut short because someone’s back (or backside) just couldn’t take it anymore. You deserve a seat back that treats you better than that.

Kayak Scupper Plugs and Valves

The scupper holes in your kayak help water drain out. They’re an important part of kayak safety, but sometimes the water conditions mean that they’re harming instead of helping. Choppy water can slosh up through the scupper holes, and a heavily-laden kayak (for instance, one full of fishing gear) often sits low enough in the water that water may enter through the scupper holes instead of leaving through them. Scupper stoppers help you plug your scupper holes in those cases. Meanwhile, scupper valves will allow water to flow out of your kayak, but not into it.

Fish Finder

Sometimes you want a lazy day on the water, taking in nature’s beauty, and seeing where the water takes you. And some days, you want to go right where the fish are. A fish finder like Humminbird’s HELIX line points you to the fish (and the structures they like to hide under). 

Storage

Kayaks keep you low on the water, close to nature, and running quietly so you don’t scare the fish. But they do put space at a premium. You can work around that by outfitting your kayak with smart storage options. There are many hatches and bags that can keep your gear safe from getting wet and tucked out of the way at the same time.

Kayak Cart

A small, wheeled cart can help you get your boat from the car to the water more easily. Even the most rugged kayak in the world could stand to be treated better than dragged across the ground to the river, right? The cart may not technically be part of your fishing kit, but it’s a great way to save unwanted wear and tear on you and your kayak.

Kayak Carrier

A foam block carrier is a great way to protect both your kayak and your car when you pack up for long road trips out to the water. You don’t need a big car with a roof rack to tote your boat. You don’t even need a big aftermarket rack mounted to your car everyday. The judicious use of strategically-crafted foam blocks and straps is a great way to get the job done.

Go Fish!

Part of the beauty of fishing is that you can do it whoever you are, and whatever you’ve got to work with. But there’s certainly a lot that you can do to make your experience smoother and more enjoyable. Knowing which kayak fishing accessories to incorporate into your setup is one of those things. Ocean Kayak accessories offer durability and good engineering across the line. That means you don’t have to worry about where you’re going to put what, or how you’re going to manage the boat. You can focus on what matters—the fishing.