If you want to go fishing using a kayak, you will be able to travel farther away from the shore than if you were to stay on the bank.
However, this also means that you will need to have a few essential items with you.
Best Kayak Fishing Accessories
Here we will discuss the must have kayak fishing accessories…
Life jacket
A PFD is an absolute necessity if you are going to get out on a fishing kayak. This cannot be stressed enough. We have reported on several kayak fishing tragedies over the years, and most could have been avoided with a life jacket. Please make this a critical purchase when you buy a fishing kayak.
Paddle
The second most important item for kayak fishing is a paddle. Although pedal drives and electric motors are more popular now, a good paddle is always reliable. I have seen pedal drives break down (often during transport) and electric motors get damaged, but a paddle will always get you back to shore.
A comfortable paddle is a good investment, but a basic paddle will suffice for fishing in a small body of water.
Tie downs
Tie-downs can be helpful to have when you are buying a kayak, especially if you plan on doing any kayak fishing. There are many different types of kayak fishing accessories, but a good set of bungee straps is a good place to start.
Seat
While most fishing kayaks come with a seat, comfort should be taken into consideration if you plan to spend a lot of time in the kayak. Look at the different seat options available when making your decision. Some kayaks offer advanced seating options.
Dry storage
If you want to keep your belongings dry and safe while fishing from your kayak, you should get a dry bag that you can tie down.
Other optional kayak fishing accessories
RAILBLAZA C-tug Kayak or Canoe Trolley Cart
Carrying a kayak that weighs over 100 pounds is not enjoyable. Many people find it difficult to do.
This kayak is built from super-light reinforced polymers and can hold up to 300 pounds, which is much stronger than similar aluminum-framed options. This means that kayaks like Jackson Kayak’s Mayfly and Big Rig FD can be fully loaded without any problems.
This is a huge deal because this will crushes the competition.
The C-tug has solid polymer wheels which means there is no worry about punctures or airing-up. The wheels are grippy enough for any terrain and wide enough for sand.
When you’re done using it, simply disassemble this cart and store it in your bow hatch.
Key features
- Super strong
- Light
- Durable
- Ideal on mud, sand, rock, and gravel
- Easy to break down and store
Standard Horizon HX890 – Handheld VHF Radio
Standard Horizon is the best handheld VHF radio, and the HX890 is a big part of why. This radio is excellent and its competitors can’t match it.
Standard Horizon radios offer easy line-of-sight communication as well as the expected over-the-horizon possibilities of the Coast Guard. Each of these radios offers that kind of performance, so nothing is outstanding about the Standard Horizon here.
The radio also provides access to American, international, and Canadian channels, as well as all-weather channels, so you can stay informed about small craft advisories, high winds, and rough seas.
The Standard Horizon has a longer battery life than either the Uniden or the Icom, and can be recharged in about three hours.
The screen is easy to read and the controls are easy to use. However, I would still recommend reading the user manual.
The Distress Signal Communications Device is activated by a button on the right rear of the radio, which is then augmented by GPS to broadcast the radio’s exact position. The sound quality of the broadcasting is excellent.
The Standard Horizon also does well in terms of waterproofing, with an IPX8 rating. It also floats, and has a strobe light that activates whether the radio is powered on or not.
This is a big selling point for me, as it means you won’t have any trouble with wind-borne spray or rain. If the radio falls in the water, there’s no need to worry.
I believe that the Standard Horizon is the best handheld VHF radio that is currently available for purchase.
Key features
- Full-featured
- DSC and GPS equipped
- Access to all weather channels
- Superb battery life
- Very nice, easy-to-read screen
- Excellent sound quality
- Good range
- Extremely waterproof and adept at floating
Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2 PT – Kayak Fish Finder
This fishing accessory is perfect for kayak anglers with a powerful CHIRP sonar that can penetrate 1,500 feet of water.
The kayak’s 5-inch display is large compared to its competitors and provides clear images even in direct sunlight.
The Helix 5 has a transducer that is mounted on the back of the boat and is powered by a large 10-20 VDC rechargeable battery. Customers have reported that the battery life is good, with about 16 hours of continuous use.
Although sophisticated fish finders have a lot of features and options, users say that they can be difficult to understand. If you decide to get one of these devices, take some time to read the manual so that you can learn how to use all the features.
Key features
- CHIRP sonar
- Large screen
- Awesome resolution and image quality
- Great maximum depth
- Portable
EGO S1 Genesis Landing Net
The EGO S1 Genesis is a great landing net for fishermen who have the space and want to keep it simple. You can tie it to the bow with a bungee, attach it to the side of the boat in a rod holder, or store it behind your seat, so there’s always a good place for it.
The hoop on this fishing net is big, and the handle is 31 inches long and made of aluminum. It’s easy to reach and land big fish with this net.
There are many different kinds of mesh material that you can use for your net. I recommend the clear rubber model because it’s less likely to scare the fish and cause problems when you’re trying to land them. I would never recommend using a nylon model because they can cause a lot of damage to delicate fish.
This net is deep enough to catch big and bad redfish, pike, and any other fish you would use a landing net on.
This tough and durable float is virtually impossible to lose on the water.
Key features
- Very strong, very light handle
- Awesome rubber mesh that’s deep enough for big fish
- Excellent hoop size for large fish
- Plenty of reach for larger boats
- Floats!
Moocy 42″ Drift Sock – Kayak Fishing Drift Sock
Anglers who fish close to shore know how frustrating it is when the current and tide pull their kayaks away from fish that are biting.
You have found the perfect spot for fishing but you are having trouble staying in that spot in your kayak.
The answer: a drift sock!
Drift socks work similarly to a small parachute by slowing the effects of the tide and current. This allows you to stay in place when the water is too deep to anchor. You can also use an anchor trolly in conjunction with drift socks to keep your boat facing the current.
The Moocy drift sock is made from tough PVC, and can last a lifetime if you rinse it down when you get home. It is also light and foldable, making it easy to store on your kayak.
To use a drift sock, you will need to purchase both the line and float separately, as they are not sold together.
Key features
- Ideal for deep water
- Light
- Durable
- Easy to store
Ontario RAT 2 – Kayak Fishing Knife
The RAT 2 folder from Ontario is very popular, and it is easy to see why it is so popular.
The Ontario knife is a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts due to its low price and high quality. The AUS-8 blade is made from mid-range stainless steel, which is easy to sharpen and very tough. The full flat ground and drop point make it useful for everything from cutting bait to cleaning fish. The thumb-ramp and choil provide excellent control of the tip.
I have found that this knife is easy to sharpen and keeps its edge well. I have had some trouble with the edge chipping when cutting bone, but this was easily fixed with one sharpening.
The knife can be opened with either hand using the thumb stud, and it locks into place with a satisfying click.
The knife’s stainless steel lining makes it very durable, while the micro-textured surface provides a good grip. The only downside is that the surface can get slippery, but the overall shape of the handle is excellent and the open design makes the knife easy to clean.
If you’re a lefty, the RAT 2’s four-way repositionable pocket clip is ideal.
I have found that after a few months, the clip can become loose in the mounting holes, but a drop or two of Loctite can fix that immediately.
Key features
- Great price!
- Nice steel
- Excellent blade design
- Awesome handle design
- Solid lock
- Easy to open and close one-handed
KastKing Cutthroat 7” Fishing Pliers – Kayak Fishing Pliers
KastKing’s Cutthroat Fishing Pliers are made from tough, durable materials and offer fantastic performance at a reasonable price.
KastKing has decided to make the Cutthroat from Teflon-coated stainless steel, which makes them very durable and tough. The combination of Teflon and stainless steel works well to prevent corrosion from salt water, and I think this is a good choice because steel is more durable than aluminum when it is worked hard.
This fishing plier features two tungsten carbide blades on the outside of the mouth, allowing for easy cutting of heavy braid. While not as common among the competition, this plier can also do a reasonable job on wire cutting.
It may not be the first choice for this task, but it is capable of doing it.
There are plenty of teeth on the jaws which provides a great grip. There are also crimping tools and a split ring tip. KastKing recommends putting the hooks through the eyes that are drilled into the jaws to tighten knots.
I don’t think that is necessary, but you may feel differently.
This handle is coated with a rubber grip that I prefer to bare metal. I think I get a more secure grip on these pliers than I do with the competition, and the spring-loaded hinge ensures easy one-handed use.
This is our top pick for a pair of fishing pliers because they are reasonably priced and have two excellent positions for the included lanyard.
Key features
- Long, thin nose can reach deep
- Great grippers
- Spring-loaded
- Excellent cutter
- Reasonably priced
- Great lanyard
- Awesome handle
Final Thoughts
When shopping for kayak fishing accessories it can be difficult to decide what you need and what is not useful. There are many choices and it can be hard to figure out what is essential and what is not.
