Kayak Fishing Accessories DIY Mods and How to Outfit a Kayak for Fishing
So you bought yourself a nice fishing kayak and now you want to customize it so that it is just right for you.
In this article we will go over the different kayak fishing accessories and some DIY Mod tips on how to outfit a kayak for fishing.
I am a kayak fishing guide on the Treasure Coast of Florida. I have been fishing the grass flats and mangroves all over Florida for more than 40 years.
There are all kinds of neat bells and whistles that you can add to your fishing kayak. In the article below we will cover some of the cheap ones and the more pricey ones for you to consider. I will also cover some of the pros and cons of the different accessories.
Let's get started.
Watch the video below to see how I like to outfit a kayak for fishing.
So you bought yourself a nice fishing kayak and now you want to customize it so that it is just right for you.
In this article we will go over the different kayak fishing accessories and some DIY Mod tips on how to outfit a kayak for fishing.
I am a kayak fishing guide on the Treasure Coast of Florida. I have been fishing the grass flats and mangroves all over Florida for more than 40 years.
There are all kinds of neat bells and whistles that you can add to your fishing kayak. In the article below we will cover some of the cheap ones and the more pricey ones for you to consider. I will also cover some of the pros and cons of the different accessories.
Let's get started.
Watch the video below to see how I like to outfit a kayak for fishing.
Kayak Fishing Accessories-- Paddle
There are all kinds of different paddles for you to choose from for your new fishing kayak. The paddles are usually made of fiberglass or nylon but if you want a very expensive one you can get one made of carbon fiber. Unless you are doing a whole bunch of paddling I would suggest getting a nylon or fiberglass paddle. They are plenty strong and light enough to paddle all day.
A rookie mistake that I see new kayak fishermen make is getting a paddle that is too short. Most paddles let you choose from 230 cm to 260 cm in length. If you ask me, too big is better than too small. Make sure that you put some serious thought into which paddle that you decide to purchase.
There are lots of different price ranges and colors for you to choose from. A good cheap paddle will cost you about $75. You can expect to spend upwards of $350 or $400 for a top of the line paddle.
Kayak Fishing Accessories-- DIY Pole Anchor/Push Pole
I like to make as many of my kayak accessories and do as many DIY Mods as I can because I am a cheap bastard. The DIY pole anchor/push pole in the video below took less than 10 minutes to make and costed less than $10 to make.
A push pole and a pole anchor are extremely useful if you want to fish in very shallow water. Most of my fishing happens in 6 feet of water or less. So if you are anything like me then this DIY accessory is a must for stealthy kayak fishing.
If you choose to buy a pole anchor, then you can expect to pay at least $90 for one that is 7 feet in length. They are usually made from fiberglass which means that they are strong and flexible. BUT so is the one that I made in the video below.
Watch the video and learn how to DIY a pole anchor push pole.
Kayak Fishing Accessories-- Anchor
The type and weight of the anchor that you choose depends upon where you are fishing. You will need to ask yourself a few questions.
- Is there a lot of current where I am fishing?
- How deep is the water where I am fishing?
- Is the bottom that I am fishing over made of sand, mud, stones or reef?
If you have a bottom that does not have a whole bunch of current and no hang ups, then a simple mushroom anchor will probably work the best for you. These types of anchors are usually coated with vinyl to help protect the metal from rusting out too quickly. These anchors usually cost about $20.
A very muddy or sandy bottom with lots of current might require you to get a folding anchor with spoon tines to dig into the bottom. As the current pulls on the anchor it will dig into the sand even deeper. Another good thing about folding anchors is they can be stored easily.
Kayak Fishing Accessories--DIY Anchor Trolley
If you are going to use an anchor, then you will want to have some sort of anchor trolley to get the anchor to the front or back of your kayak. An anchor trolley is just a series of pulleys and ropes that you can attach your anchor to.
This is a good system because if you are in a current and move your anchor to the back of your kayak you will be casting with the current. If you move your anchor to the front of your kayak, then you will be facing into the current.
Let's say that you are fishing some docks with live bait. I like to let the current take the bait to the docks so I don't scare the fish when I cast right to the dock. In this scenario you would want your anchor at the back of your boat.
Now let's say the you are fishing some bridge pilings and want to cast a jig up current and bounce it back to you. You would want to be facing the current which means that your anchor should be in the front of your kayak. I very rarely fish this way so my anchor trolley only goes to the back of my kayaks.
Watch the video below and set up your own anchor trolley system.
If you are going to use an anchor, then you will want to have some sort of anchor trolley to get the anchor to the front or back of your kayak. An anchor trolley is just a series of pulleys and ropes that you can attach your anchor to.
This is a good system because if you are in a current and move your anchor to the back of your kayak you will be casting with the current. If you move your anchor to the front of your kayak, then you will be facing into the current.
Let's say that you are fishing some docks with live bait. I like to let the current take the bait to the docks so I don't scare the fish when I cast right to the dock. In this scenario you would want your anchor at the back of your boat.
Now let's say the you are fishing some bridge pilings and want to cast a jig up current and bounce it back to you. You would want to be facing the current which means that your anchor should be in the front of your kayak. I very rarely fish this way so my anchor trolley only goes to the back of my kayaks.
Watch the video below and set up your own anchor trolley system.
Kayak Fishing Accessories-- Carriers and Carts
There are all kinds of different kayak carts and carriers that you can use depending upon where you like to kayak fish. If you are one of those courageous offshore kayak fishermen, then you will probably want to go with a cart with the big balloon tires that will allow you to easily pull your kayak across soft beach sand.
If you are like me and launch in tidal creeks, mudflats and mangroves, then you can get away with a cheaper kayak carrier. The one that I use fits right into to the scupper holes on the back of my kayak. These types are very easy to use and don't require you to strap anything to your kayak.
Mine came with the kayak as part of an end of the year sale at Bass Pro Shops. If you can wait until after Christmas you can get some great deals on kayaks and kayak accessories.
A cheap scupper hole type of carrier will run you around $60 and the best of breed carriers with beach tires will run you about $250 to $350. This of course depends on whether you get a heavy duty brand name carrier or some knock off.
Kayak Fishing Accessories-- Rod Holders
Just about every fishing kayak comes with flush mounted rod holders on either side of your seat. I added one to the lid on the front compartment of my kayaks. Between those three you should be all set for a fishing trip but if you need more you might consider adding some to your fishing crate instead of making permanent holes in your kayak.
You can find a decent rod holder to mount on your compartment lid for around $20.
Just about every fishing kayak comes with flush mounted rod holders on either side of your seat. I added one to the lid on the front compartment of my kayaks. Between those three you should be all set for a fishing trip but if you need more you might consider adding some to your fishing crate instead of making permanent holes in your kayak.
You can find a decent rod holder to mount on your compartment lid for around $20.
Kayak Fishing Accessories-- DIY Fishing Crate
If you are doing a long fishing trip, then you will definitely want to buy or make a fishing crate to hold all of your fishing gear. A kayak fishing crate will hold quite a bit of gear if you set it up correctly. Your crate can hold your tackle box, extra rod holders, snacks, first aid, fish pliers, knives, you name it...…
You can buy a great fishing crate for $60 all the way up to $150 for a best of breed crate. These are heavy duty and have extra pouches and tie downs and are turn key as far as set up goes.
I make my own out of milk crates for about $10 and some spare pvc pipe pieces. Mine are definitely not very nice compared to the ones that you can buy but they work for me.
Watch the video below and see how to make your own kayak fishing crate.
If you are doing a long fishing trip, then you will definitely want to buy or make a fishing crate to hold all of your fishing gear. A kayak fishing crate will hold quite a bit of gear if you set it up correctly. Your crate can hold your tackle box, extra rod holders, snacks, first aid, fish pliers, knives, you name it...…
You can buy a great fishing crate for $60 all the way up to $150 for a best of breed crate. These are heavy duty and have extra pouches and tie downs and are turn key as far as set up goes.
I make my own out of milk crates for about $10 and some spare pvc pipe pieces. Mine are definitely not very nice compared to the ones that you can buy but they work for me.
Watch the video below and see how to make your own kayak fishing crate.
Kayak Fishing Accessories-- Cooler
Having something cold to drink on a hot day of fishing is a nice thing. You will have to figure out if it is worth the weight and the space that one will take up. I don't use them when I am fishing for fun but I do supply them for my kayak fishing charters.
There are lots of different brands vying for your attention but I have heard that the Engel coolers float and some of the other big brands like Yeti do not. That is definitely something to consider if you are fishing in deep water.
I use cheap six pack coolers from Walmart so I can't give you any personal recommendations on whose cooler is the best. BUT I would recommend buying something smaller like a 13 quart and definitely nothing bigger than 19 quart just because of the very limited deck space on a fishing kayak.
Kayak Fishing Accessories-- Fish Finders
If you want to have a fish finder, then you will also need to have a battery. Batteries are heavy so keep this in mind before buying any electronics. I think electronics are great but I know that some people regret adding all of the wiring and weight to their kayaks after the fact. AND you have to poke more holes in your kayak for the transducer.
A good fish finder will run you from $150 up to $700 depending on its capabilities. If you are fishing offshore you will probably need to get some electronics to find bait and your target species. If you are fishing the flats most of the time you probably won't need electronics to find fish. This is another accessory that only you know if you need one or not.
If you want to have a fish finder, then you will also need to have a battery. Batteries are heavy so keep this in mind before buying any electronics. I think electronics are great but I know that some people regret adding all of the wiring and weight to their kayaks after the fact. AND you have to poke more holes in your kayak for the transducer.
A good fish finder will run you from $150 up to $700 depending on its capabilities. If you are fishing offshore you will probably need to get some electronics to find bait and your target species. If you are fishing the flats most of the time you probably won't need electronics to find fish. This is another accessory that only you know if you need one or not.
Kayak Fishing Accessories-- Bait Wells
A live bait well is a great accessory to add to your kayak. I like to fish with live bait but I use a 5 gallon bucket and a $15 battery operated bubbler from Walmart. That works just fine for me but there are some amazing lithium battery powered bait wells available to kayak fishermen.
You have to figure out how important live bait is to you but I would certainly get a bait well of some kind if you want to keep your live bait happy. You can get a top of the line live bait well that sucks fresh water right from your scupper holes. These bait wells are insulated; use powerful lithium batteries; usually have rod holders attached to them; and sturdy handles to carry them around with. These types of bait wells will run you around $300-400.
A live bait well is a great accessory to add to your kayak. I like to fish with live bait but I use a 5 gallon bucket and a $15 battery operated bubbler from Walmart. That works just fine for me but there are some amazing lithium battery powered bait wells available to kayak fishermen.
You have to figure out how important live bait is to you but I would certainly get a bait well of some kind if you want to keep your live bait happy. You can get a top of the line live bait well that sucks fresh water right from your scupper holes. These bait wells are insulated; use powerful lithium batteries; usually have rod holders attached to them; and sturdy handles to carry them around with. These types of bait wells will run you around $300-400.
Kayak Fishing Accessories-- Trolling Motors
Trolling motors have come a long way when they are for a kayak. You used to have to get some wood and mount your standard trolling motor to the side of your kayak. OR you would rig some rope and pulley system to pull it left or right and have it mounted on the back. Not anymore.
Those little torpedo motors that I am starting to see everywhere are pretty cool. They mount on the back of your kayak and you can control them right from your seat BUT they are EXPENSIVE!!!! The new ones will run you about $2,000 or more.
Watch the video below to see how to outfit your kayak for fishing on a poor man's budget.
Trolling motors have come a long way when they are for a kayak. You used to have to get some wood and mount your standard trolling motor to the side of your kayak. OR you would rig some rope and pulley system to pull it left or right and have it mounted on the back. Not anymore.
Those little torpedo motors that I am starting to see everywhere are pretty cool. They mount on the back of your kayak and you can control them right from your seat BUT they are EXPENSIVE!!!! The new ones will run you about $2,000 or more.
Watch the video below to see how to outfit your kayak for fishing on a poor man's budget.
Kayak Fishing Accessories-- Seats
In the old days a kayak seat was the least comfortable seat in the world. That has changed too. The new kayak seats are downright comfy. You can get seats that adjust up and down and even spin around if you want that. They have lumbar support and you can get a high backed seat or a low backed seat. It just depends on what you want in a kayak seat.
The ones that came with my Ascend kayaks are very comfortable but they are made of steel and begin to rust very quickly if you fish saltwater all of the time like me. If you get the cheaper ones they will rust so make sure to have some stainless steel replacement bolts and nuts for the day that they inevitably rust out.
The cheaper steel seats will run you around $80. If you want to upgrade to aluminum you will spend around $120. If you want the ones that adjust up and down and spin around, then you will have to spend around $300 for those.