Kayaking is one of the more tranquil ways to experience time out on the water. It’s a peaceful way to escape the stress of daily life for a bit and treat yourself for a few hours. Whether your goal is simply to get out on the water and paddle, have a day of catch and release, or to bring dinner home, here are some of the best kayak fishing accessories that will help take your kayak fishing experience to the next level.
The 18 Best Kayak Fishing Accessories For Fun and Safety
These items are broken up into three groups, depending on what it is that you are looking for:
- Kayaking Essentials – great items that any kayaker can benefit from
- Fishing Essentials – a list of fishing gear tailored for casting from a kayak
- Optional Accessories – a handful of items that are better in certain circumstances.
Hopefully you find a thing or two to make your days out on the lake that much more enjoyable.
Kayaking Essentials
These are the accessories every kayaker should have on hand. Whether you’re planning on fishing, or just spending some time out on the water. These items will help keep you and your hard earned equipment safe and secure so that you can focus on enjoying yourself:
Bending Branches Angler Classic Paddle
Bending Branches is known for making long lasting, high quality paddles, and the Angler Classic follows in that line. It’s primarily made of fiberglass, making it light, easy to maneuver, and most of all durable. It also comes with a built in hook retriever, which makes untangling snags and hang ups a walk in the park.
(Be sure to check out our guide on how to choose a kayak paddle)
Freegrace Waterproof Dry Bag
A dry bag is another simple yet extremely helpful accessory for kayaking. You can use it to keep your phone, towel, and other personal belongings safe and close by. The Freegrace dry bag is a great option; not only is it tear resistant and double sealed, it comes with a special pouch specifically for your cell phone, so you can still use your smart phone while it’s being kept dry. It also comes in plenty of sizes to fit your needs, no matter what they may be.
CampingAndKayaking Paddle and Rod Leash Set
In the unfortunate (but inevitable) event that your kayak capsizes, a set of leashes will help keep your expensive equipment from sinking to the bottom of a lake. The CampingAndKayaking set comes with three leashes, one for your paddle and two for your rods. It’s a really cheap way to save yourself a lot of money and frustration in the future; remember, you’re out there to catch fish, not to go fishing for your things!
Stohlquist Fisherman Personal Flotation Device
Another item that will quickly prove its value when your kayak capsizes is a dependable life jacket. This nylon PFD was designed with a fisherman’s needs in mind. It comes with several low profile pockets, so you can carry all your favorite tools on your person easily while still still retaining plenty of mobility and safety. It’s also got padding along the shoulders and back to ensure all day comfort.
Rule 25s Submersible Bilge Pump
Unless you want to spend the day shoveling water out of your kayak with your hands, a decent pump is necessary for keeping water out of your kayak, thereby ensuring you can be out on the water as long as you like. The 25S bilge pump is a small, lightweight choice to prevent your kayak from getting waterlogged. It’s automatic, so you won’t have to make any adjustments on the go; it allows you to focus on what you’re out there to do, which is fish.
Pactrade Adjustable Kayak Seat
For days when you want to stay out on the water as long as possible, a comfortable kayaking chair can make a world of difference. The Pactrade Adjustable Kayak Seat is able to fit just about any sit-on-top kayak, and comes with plenty of padding to give your back a break. It’s also non-slip, so it shouldn’t be any less comfortable by the end of the day. It includes a detachable backpack, should you find yourself in need of the extra storage.
Fishing Essentials
These next few items will help guarantee that you’re fishing experience is frustration free. The last thing you want to realize when you finally paddle out, settle on a great fishing spot, and drop your anchor, is that you are missing crucial equipment. All of the items on this list strike the perfect balance between affordability and high quality:
X-Pak Kayak Fish-n-Tote
The X-Pack tackle box is a great option for keeping your rods, lures, and other equipment well organized during your fishing trips. It comes with rigid rod holders, six tackle trays, outside pockets, and a removable liner for easy cleaning. One thing to keep in mind is that it’s designed for sit-on-top kayaks, so if you have a sit-in kayak, it may be less than ideal.
PLUSINNO Fishing Boat Rods Holder with Large Clamp Opening 360 Degree Adjustable Fishing Rod Racks Folding Holder
The Plussino rod holder is a sturdy holder made from anti-corrosive material. Because it uses a clamp rather than needing to be drilled into your kayak, you can use it without having to put holes in your kayak, making it a really versatile option. Just keep in mind that due to it being a clamping option, it might not fit on every kayak; make sure that your kayak has a spot available for one of these before buying.
CRAZYSHARK FISHING PLIERS
The CrazyShark fishing pliers are a heavy duty, spring loaded, ergonomic set of pliers designed to work in both freshwater and saltwater. It has jagged teeth for gripping, and is able to cut through both mono and braided line. Made out of stainless steel and coated in teflon, it’s a good, mid-range pair of pliers that should last a lifetime of fishing trips.
UNITED PLASTICS FISH GRIP
A fish grip is your best friend when trying to bring in an exciting catch. The United Plastics fish grip comes with a unique jaw design, and can help you pull in fish weighing up to 50 pounds. It is also capable of floating, so even if you drop it while bringing in a catch, you’ll be able to retrieve it easily.
LOWRANCE HOOK2 7 TRIPLESHOT FISH FINDER
A reliable fish finder removes a lot of the frustration that can come with fishing. The Hook2 TripleShot is a great option for those wanting a feature packed option that won’t break the bank. This model has a compact screen and base, making it better suited for kayaks, where space is more limited than a boat. It has 2D sonar, down scan and side scan.
ForEverlast G2SLG Generation II Stringer
One of the trickier aspects of fishing on a kayak is storing your fish, since your space is so limited. A stringer is a simple way to solve this issue, making it easier to hold on to your catches while still having enough room to stay on the water. The ForEverlast Generation II Stringer is a durable, neon colored string, with quick release floats on either end. It’s 15 feet long, which offers plenty of room for an all day trip.
Optional Accessories
These optional accessories are intended for more specific situations and environments. While anyone out on the water could benefit from these, most of them will be better suited to different fishermen, depending on what your average day out on the water looks like:
Seattle Sports Kayak Anchor Kit
The Seattle Sports anchor is a small, effective anchor for keeping you near the fish after you’ve found them. It’s super portable when folded, and it comes with a storage bag for when you’re not using it. It also has 50 feet of line, so it should be capable of keeping you and your kayak in one spot in most situations. This is a straightforward kit that comes with all of the basics.
Advanced Elements Spray Skirt
If you’re planning on fishing in cooler waters, or on a colder day, then a reliable spray skirt will help you keep warm. The Advanced Elements Skirt is a one size fits all option for a fair price. It comes with adjustable straps, safety reflectors, and a small storage pocket. It’s not something you’ll use everyday, but like an umbrella, on the days when you need it, you’ll be glad you brought it.
Lindy Fishermans Drift Chute
A drift chute is a good alternative to an anchor for those still wanting to keep their kayak in a certain area for a longer amount of time, but are facing less harsh winds (like on a lake, for example). The Lindy drift chute is a well constructed chute with solid stitching. It comes in several sizes for whatever your needs may be, and is very easy to store as well as deploy.
VITCHELO V800 Headlamp
For fishing trips that run later into the evening, or start early in the morning, a headlamp will make sure you’re still able to see what you’re doing. The Vitchelo headlamp is a cheap and dependable option. It’s water resistant, adjustable, and comes with different LED color options. The red LED is a great choice for fishing, as it helps you see while attracting less bugs than a white light would.
Hobie Hawg Trough Fish Ruler
The Hobie Hawg Trough fish ruler is a standard and widely used fishing ruler. It’s durable, accurate, and it’s trough shape makes it easy to hold the fish while measuring. Not only is it great for making sure that your fish is within the allowed size range, it’s great for taking pictures of your latest catch with.
Hobie Kayak Sidekick AMA Kit
Another helpful item to have when you’re out on choppier waters is the Hobie Kayak Sidekick AMA Kit. It comes with two inflatable mounts that go on either side of your kayak, giving your kayak a significant increase in stability. Not only does it help with keeping you from capsizing on more intense waves, it also gives you the ability to stand in your kayak with greater ease. Just make sure that your kayak has a place for mounting this set before purchasing.
