A good fishing kayak is an investment in your sport, but without the right fishing kayak accessories, you’ll be up a creek – no pun intended.
Naturally, you need a PFD, a paddle, and all of the other essentials you need for fishing, signaling, and safety – but there’s far more to tackle than that.
Here are some of the lesser-thought-of but still important fishing kayak accessories. Don’t leave port without them!
A Stringer
This one’s for those of you that keep what you catch. Now, granted, not all of you will need this, but if you fish a kayak that doesn’t have a lot of deck space (or room for a cooler) then you need something else to keep your catch fresh. A stringer can be fastened to a cleat, and your fish can be kept in the water, keeping them alive till you return to port.
A Landing Net
More than one of us has lost a big fish boatside and it is never an enjoyable experience. Having a good landing net ready can make the difference between disappointment and proper preparation.
A Paddle Clip
Always keep your paddle on a leash so you don’t lose it. However, a clip (while not a replacement for a leash) will still keep your paddle close by so you don’t have to fish it out of the water all the time.
A Flashlight
Actually, make it two. You always need a good source of light in case you get stuck on the water late. The flashlight can help prevent you from dangerous run-ins after dark.
A Kayak Anchor
You may not need a kayak anchor on every trip, but whenever you’re dealing with wind or moving water, an anchor can help you hold your position – and an anchor is more versatile than a shallow water pole anchoring mechanism.
A Hi-Visibility Flag
Whenever you’re fishing in congested waters, always make sure you’re flying a hi-visibility flag so that other boaters can see you.
Pliers
Rule number one – pliers are one of two essential things you should never fish without (the other are sunglasses). You’ll know why you need them soon enough if you’re ever hardheaded enough to go fishing without them.
Dry Bags
Lastly, dry bags are a nice fishing kayak accessory to have, even if only as a redundant measure. Most quality fishing kayaks have at least one sealable dry well, but having dry bags in reserve is a failsafe against leaks and a swamped deck. Better double up – they’ll keep your valuables dry.
Where to Get Some of These Essential Fishing Kayak Accessories
Looking for fishing kayak accessories like these? Or are you looking for something else?
Either way, if you need it for kayak fishing, you can get it online at No Bad Days Kayaks. Check out their website for a full range of accessories, and if you’re looking for something specific (or need recommendations) get in touch with their customer service at 512-229-0560.
