TRUTH: The 5 Best Kayak Fishing Accessories You Need

Hey there, fellow BFS Addicts! In this video, I'm sharing my personal favorites when it comes to the best kayak fishing accessories out there. As a seasoned kayak fisherman, I've tested countless gear to enhance my fishing experience, and these are the ones that have truly made a difference.
From must-have safety essentials like PFDs and whistles to practical tools like paddles for maneuverability, I'll cover everything you need to stay safe and optimize your fishing game on the water.
But it doesn't stop there! I'll dive into the importance of rod holders for keeping your gear organized and secure, as well as the lifesaving necessity of a phone tether to prevent those heart-stopping drops into the water. Get the one I recommend here: amzn.to/49cWaLw
Plus, I'll share insights on kayak carts for hassle-free transportation and the game-changing benefits of a reliable kayak net.
Whether you're a newbie looking to gear up for your first kayak fishing adventure or a seasoned pro seeking to upgrade your arsenal, this video has got you covered.
So, join me as I unveil my top picks for the best kayak fishing accessories and get ready to take your angling game to the next level! Don't forget to hit the subscribe button for more valuable tips and gear reviews. Let's make every fishing trip an unforgettable success!
0:00 - intro
0:47 - Safety Essentials
1:40 - Rod Holders
4:09 - Phone Tether
5:42 - Anchors
8:07 - Cart
9:37 - Net
11:24 - Bonus #1
13:48 - Bonus #2
14:49 - Bonus #3
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[@zoommaster7253]

Excellent review great advice

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Thanks. Working on the rod holder solution now. :)

[@johnleahy4604]

If you are still looking at anchors, check out anchor wizards 4 and 6 lb anchors. I am going with the 4 lb for my NRS Kuda 106. The design is what I like, it should not get hung up like others do.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Much appreciated. Haven't decided on an achor yet.

[@Side85Winder]

Now i don't kayak fish but i watch a few youtubers so take that with a grain of salt. Kayak crate solves 2 problems, rod storage vertically and gear storage. If i ever did it i know i would buy a esky that fits in that rear well and bolt pvc rod holders or stainless deppending on your budget. A esky solves fish storage for eating and rod holders. It may store some gear deppending if you put water in there. Any personal water craft needs rod holders i love keeping a rod dead stick and let rodny the rod holder fish it. Drifting with a paternoster or a spare squid jig all ways picks up a extra fish in the boat. Maybe the crate has a 45° angled holder on left and right with a tether system for the trawl. But you deffently want one at your left and right side in arms reach. Just make sure the holder is secure and the rod is secure in the holder you don't want to lose anyrhing. I seen some nice fold up anchors they look suitable. Make sure you run the attachment to the bottom and zip tie it up the shaft. If it gets stuck the zip tie will brake and the anchor will pull out backwards.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Appreciate the thoughtful comments! Yeh - the anchor zip tie process I'm familiar with - just want to look at the range of options in general. And not losing gear is priority. :P

[@Side85Winder]

@AaronHuntFishing you would be surprised how many are not familiar with zip tieing their anchor so it pulls out backwards when stuck. I seen a few posts in fb groups about losing grappler anchors in reefs and how much they love their new 'boomer anchor' (aussie brand has a sheer pin for when stuck). If you asked people where to attach an anchor, it would have a chain/ rope attached to the eye at the end. Not many would know the zip tie trick.

[@rougaroux2359]

Aaron please do yourself a favor when it comes to depth finders. Use one with down and side scan. Stay away from the live scope area. And here is why. I have been hearing a lot that live scope will be banned from tournament fishing. And if you go down the rabbit hole of live scope get ready for a $3,600 price tag. Well that’s what it was going to be for my boat. Also if you wanna check out a great video about kayak ankers check out Aggressively Average Anglers. They are kayak fishermen and they done a video devoted to carts and ankers. Thanks for another great video.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Thanks man. Livescope for tournaments might become like the "juiced ball era" in baseball. :P I briefly had a sidescan on my canoe a while back. It was useful. Not sure if or when I'll make that addition to the kayak.

[@devondadude420]

I enjoy how you planned this out. It's cool you didn't just go out and buy everything under the sun first.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Thanks. I amde a list at first, then added it up and thoguht "But WHAT IF this isn;t what I really want or need? How else could i spend that cash? " That's when i decided to wait a year...

[@devondadude420]

@AaronHuntFishing I'm about to get my first kayak and the only things I'm gonna purchase are the basics. I will be building a kayak crate though.

[@TyCampbell666]

good vid mate, i have been fishing in a kayak for over a 3rd of my life and caught countless fish including metre plus Murray Cod I have caught in both sit on and in i can honestly say that the accessories is never wrong nor right as we all have our own with setups etc. go bareback kayak for a few sessions and take note of how you adjust to everything involved and go from there to suit your style etc. i nowadays personally love a bare minimum of gear in/on my kayak for the trip but have all the essentials for all situations and I have come to the conclusion that no matter what you do/use it will always be a problem in some way some how. I personally also only use rod holders in travel where I am not in rod breaking hazards as no matter what holder and placement, rods have incredible grabbing capabilities and will grab/catch so i place my rods in along the middle using the bar on my raised seat as a rod rail with a good quality thick felt strip and have lil to no worries with rod grabbing even with my 7ft single piece Berkeley venom sidewinder baitcaster even in extreme heavy timber. do what works for you, your fishing styles, your equipment and your budget is my biggest piece of advice on how to set-up your kayak. remember the reason for this is to have fun and experience the awesome adrenalin rush of catching trophy fish in unreal circumstances where you overcome and get the pics of your catch and enjoy. tight lines to all.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Well said. Maybe one day I'll do some fishing down there! My only visit was work-related, and very limited time to explore.

[@raygissendanner1476]

I am looking forward to being able to get a kayak great tips

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Awesome. My challenge this year is to fish more from the kayak than I do from foot during the warmer months. But the kayak got me to places and fish I couldn't have reached last year, inlcuding my largest LMB and SMB of 2023.

[@perfectleveladventurefishi619]

good info

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@skippt2]

Aaron, sorry if I'm late to the party for responses. I set up my seaghost 130 for lakes and rivers with reasonable depth, I have a generic milk crate that I put ~4" of 1.5' pvc cut into 3 storage rod holders, I added a 4' pvc coupler for a claw anchor with 30" of rope and I use some bungies to sort extra tackle, that gives me 5 rods (3 are safe for low overhang), 3 3700 trays or a lunch size cooler and a 3600 tray, an anchor with a cleat for depth and storage. I have a forward facing rod holder for my kastking extension net or when I need to put my rod down for a time. Otherwise, one thing that I feel is for safety of gear and items, I have a rod or paddle leash for each major item , 5 rods, 1 paddle, and 1 net. I have room for sonar but don't want to run power unless I rebuild my cart and build a trailer, I don't like going to the roof of my suv with an 80ish lb kayak. I also keep a dry box for my phone, license, wallet, and phone.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

sounds like a cool setup.

[@skippt2]

@AaronHuntFishing took about 6 months of research on what overall opinions were. Honestly, I wish I had a bank hook and a collapsible cart with some rod tubes inside for traveling with my 1 piece rods. Keeping the front and your casting side free enough to cast and net fish is the singular thing I took from all my research into what works.

[@jnogle6]

Snacks are important for a slow day of fishing.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Very true! I'm more focused on water and maybe an NA beer or two...

[@gmanisfishing]

awesome video. i too have a kayak that i have had for about a year and ive been running it with the barebone basics. just got a fishfinder for it and it definitely helps im looking forward to seeing what you come up with for some of the accessories you research. cant wait for the spring to start using it again

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Thanks - sounds like a good start with the fish finder. I'll try to keep the deep dives coming every 3 weeks or so through spring.

[@prizmatik8696]

kayak crates seems interesting might have to check them out, thanks for the video man

[@AaronHuntFishing]

You are welcome. thanks for watching. Ooh! I forgot to add chapters on that one! :P

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Added!

[@DavidBronstein1961]

I have the older Black Pack crate, the one with the flimsy cords for closing the lid. Flipped my yak and lost $500 worth of baits and backup reel-that lid closure system bites. The newer version has better clasps. But my issue: reaching back to any crate for baits is awkward. Maybe it’s more of an issue for me because I am in a tippy yak (Crescent UL). Also: rod tethers are huge. When I flipped, I had 2 very $$ baitcasting combos in 2 of the 4 vertical rod holders that were attached to the crate. They were tethered so I didn’t lose em. Definitely would have ended up in the bottom of the lake. So frankly my biggest issue is not accessories-it’s getting a new yak that fits me better (I’m 6’ and 190 lbs and that Crescent is just too damn unstable.)

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Makes sense. I do have rod tethers, but with those added to the rods on the floor it becomes a nightmare. So whatever rod holders I get need to have a way to secure the rods as well. The awkwardness is something I've been hesitant on as well - but maybe you just get used to it...

[@54kasey]

Hi, Great video. I've been kayak fishing for about 8 years. On my second boat. I've finally figured out that, for me, less is more. It's easy to get too wrapped up in all the gadgets and gizmos...I did :) I trailer mine and usually only fish lakes with a ramp, so I don't have a cart. I do like a crate, but a simple "milk crate" works pretty good for me. Oh, and having lost a phone over the side, that tether is essential! Rod leashes are good too... Lesson learned.... Don't ask... Bottom line though is think it through, as you suggest. Buy/rig to suit your style of fishing. Gonna be different for everyone Cheers!

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Exactly. Kind of why I make the "research" videos - they seem helpful for people to think about why a certain "thing" may or may not work for them.

[@kenkayser9587]

There are so many accessories for todays kayaks that it will make your head spin. It's smart to do your research. On my Unlimited I installed the Yak Gadget horizontal rod holders. They are fully adjustable, I easily store 4 rods and my stake out pole on it. I like to fish weed beds and pads, this is perfect for a stake out pole. I have an anchor that I rarely use do to the fact that I hate dealing with an anchor line. (just 1 more thing to snag up on) I have the same wilderness cart as you that I store in the rod holders of my crate. The tubes slide right in assembled and is out of the way behind my seat. Your lucky that you learned you need a whistle while out on the water. The 1st time the fish commish. police ck you out at C.C. lake they will write you up without it. Nice video.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

I didn't even mention pole options for anchoring. But I'm sure I will in the deep -dive video. Glad I learned aboutt he whistle the cheap way! :P

[@B.A.Bassangler]

Good to get some time on the water first; I thought I had it all figured out, and changed my setup 4 times until I got it right, lol. I settled on horizontal and vertical. Say if I have 2 at my feet, and 3 rods in storage, the ones in storage have to be able to go vert/horiz...QUICKLY! You get the picture.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

I feel like a combo approach will be where I land, but gotta look into it more for sure.

[@raygissendanner1476]

Safety frist

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Yep. Never want a trip to be you last when your could have prevented it...

[@ScottMillerFishing]

I have the yakattack omega, and omega pro. I use the pro for trolling and the regular omega for staging. Teachers are your friend for everything that is loose, phones, paddles, whatever. I also have a yakattack track stack for keeping my used baits off the floor and just extra storage in general. I also have an anchor trolly and a yak gear pole, but also a claw anchor which I don't use that much. Needless ro say I did a lot of trial and error with my kayak. Just recently added a trolling motor, for bigger lakes, that is easily removable. I'll be posting a video of my rig in detail.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Awesome - yeah, there are so many options. I orginally made a list, totaled it up, and decided to wait for a year just to see what I thought I really needed. Especially after the intial Kayak expense!

[@johnleahy4604]

I like your approach to purchasing items for your yak, but you can research too much and not get anything. I am in the process of equipping a new nrs kuda 106 kayak and some of the items I have purchased were based on a number of you tube videos from folks like yourself. I will check back and see how your making out, keep the videos coming and have a great fishing season.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Thanks. I expect rod holder and net videos to be coming out relatively soon... decisions have been made.