Kayak Fishing Accessories
Kayak fishing arguably requires more accessories than other forms of recreational, touring, or whitewater kayaking. You will need to have the right gear when the moment arises if you want to be a successful angler. There are a lot of kayak fishing accessories to choose from. Many will be more or less useful to you depending on whether you’re fishing in lakes, rivers, bays, or the open ocean. Here is the list of accessories, both essential and non-essential, to be taken along while going fishing on a kayak:
PFD vest
As the saying goes, safety first! A PFD designed for fishing is a must-have because it’ll do much more than just keep you afloat if you go for an unexpected swim. To keep small items handy and on your person, it’ll also have multiple pockets.
Light weight Paddle
The last thing you want in a paddle for kayak fishing is a bunch of unnecessary weight. A quality kayak fishing paddle should be lightweight but still durable to withstand the rigors of the sport. Another feature that is common to many kayak fishing paddles is a hook retrieval system. This allows you to easily free your line from snags and rescue lures that would otherwise be gone for good.
Anchor System
One of the best parts about kayak fishing is that you can be more mobile than when you fish from land. You’ll also be able to access those hard-to-reach spots that are inaccessible from a motorized watercraft But sometimes you’ll want to anchor to keep your kayak stable and in your desired location while you concentrate on fishing. This is often necessary when fishing on a moving river or combating ocean currents.
Rod Holders
As you gain more experience as a kayak angler, you’ll learn that it’s extremely handy to have multiple fishing rods on board at one time. This allows you to switch back and forth depending on many factors. You might decide to go for a different type of fish in the afternoon than what you were after in the morning or fish might be interested in different baits at different times of the day. Rod holders allow you to keep multiple setups at the ready.
Fish Finder
A key accessory to help you take your fishing prowess to the next level is a quality fish finder. Simply put, when you have a better idea of where the fish are, you’re much more likely to catch at least one, Most fish finders use sonar to give you a picture of what’s in the water below your kayak. A good model will allow you to automate certain settings so that you can set it and get back to fishing.
Tackle Crate
As a kayak angler, you have to have your assortment of tackle at your disposal on the water. For all of the valuable bait and tackle, you also need a secure and watertight container. While you could go with a standard milk crate and strap that down to your kayak, there are a variety of crates out there specifically designed for kayak fishing. These crates offer much more than a standard milk crate or container.
Polarized Sunglasses
Sunglasses are a key item for many outdoor recreational pursuits. The first great reason for sunglasses is eye protection, which is especially important on a kayak because you’ll also have glare coming off the water. As a kayak angler, you shouldn’t look for just any sunglasses though. Polarized sunglasses will improve your ability to see fish behavior through the water and, if they float, that’s an added advantage.
Fish Grips
If you’ve ever caught a fish, you already know that getting a solid grip to remove the hook isn’t always the easiest task. That’s why experienced kayak anglers keep a set of fish grips onboard and handy at all times. Fish grips are especially helpful if you’re fishing in catch-and-release waters, where the amount of time the fish is out of the water should be minimized.
Landing Nets
Once you’ve pulled your catch in and you’re ready to bring it on board, the easiest way to do so is with a landing net. A solid landing net should be able to handle a large fish without the net or handle becoming compromised. While you’re working to remove the hook, this is an essential accessory if you don’t want to worry about fish slipping out of your hands. As you get ready to measure, you can also keep fish safe in the water.
Fishing Pliers
A good set of fishing pliers will make hook removal, bait changing, and knot tying a whole lot easier. While you can make do with a traditional set of pliers, a true set of fishing pliers is built with the angler in mind. Water can wreak havoc on a traditional set of metal pliers. But a quality set of fishing pliers will be resistant to rust and corrosion from exposure to water, which is especially important for saltwater anglers.
Rod and Paddle Leashes
There’s an old saying about unfortunate stuff happening when you least expect it. Far too many anglers have lost multiple rods to the depths in one simple sweeping motion to keep their kayak upright. All of the rods that you bring on board, as well as your paddle, should be leashed to your kayak for safekeeping. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and you never quite know when rod and paddle leashes will come in handy.
