Top 5 Essential Tools & Gear For Successful Kayak Fishing
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on
What tools do you need to successfully fish on a kayak?
Are there advantages and benefits to different types of gear?
If you are a beginner or an experienced kayak angler, then check out the must-have kayak tools here!
Check out more below!!
Top 5 Essential Tools & Gear For Successful Kayak Fishing [VIDEO]
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Equipment Used:
- Stick It Anchor Pin
- YakAttack Leverage Landing Net
- Fish Grips
- Scotty Rod Holder
- Scotty Rod Holder Track Adapter
- DIY Paddle Holster
You may have your own preferences for what may be deemed as ‘essential’ for kayak fishing.
This video is designed to show you more tactical gear as opposed to safety gear.
1. Anchor Pin
When you are out fishing on a kayak or a paddlecraft, you are at the mercy of the elements.
That may be in the form of wind or current.
You need something that will let you stop yourself and hold your position.
An anchor pin can be extremely useful for inshore fishing on flats or areas with a muddy bottom.
The anchor pin will stop you quickly and quietly.
It is best to use anything from 7 feet and longer but nothing shorter than a 7-foot pin.
When you plant the pin into the bottom, you are losing roughly 2 feet depending on how soft the mud is.
If you have a pin that is too short, you will not be able to anchor effectively.
There are other options for anchors as well in a claw anchor or a ‘Bruce’ anchor.
You can even go as far as tying a dumbbell to a rope and dropping that to the bottom to secure yourself.
Moreover, the anchor pin can have a rope attached to it that can move freely from top to bottom.
Avoid securing the rope to the very top of the anchor pin because when you go to set it to the bottom, the rope will actually pull the pin over and you will not be anchored any longer.
Instead, if the rope is free, it will hold at water level and create a more secure connection.
Furthermore, if you have an anchor trolley on your kayak, you can adjust your position around your kayak and avoid having to pull the anchor up.
You would just need to attach the rope of the anchor pin to the trolley via a carabiner clip and you can adjust your positioning to where you want to fish.
Ideally, if you are using artificial lures, you want to be facing into the current and into the wind so you can retrieve your lure with the flow of the current.
If the wind is too strong, you want to have it at your back.
2. Fishing Net
You want to be able to land the fish in your kayak and avoid losing that fish if you have it in close.
If the fish is on the larger side, you want to be able to control it safely beside the kayak so you can release the fish.
A net allows you to keep the fish controlled in your kayak or hold the fish next to you in the water for it to calm down so you can remove the hook.
3. Fish Grips
If the fish is too large to bring into a net or your kayak, a pair of fish grips will be important.
Fish grips don’t damage the mouth of the fish and secure the fish next to you.
Be sure to have the lanyard strap around your wrist so you don’t lose the fish and your fish grips.
If needed, you can also tie off the fish to the kayak with the lanyard attached to the fish grips.
4. Rod Holder
A rod holder can be kept in front of you on your kayak to keep your rod in place.
What you do not want to do is lay your rod down on the kayak because it can either fall into the water or make a lot noise when you go to set it down.
The rod holder also allows you to go quickly from paddling or pedaling to grabbing your rod and make a cast at a good spot you came up on.
5. DIY Paddle Holster
If you prefer to stand up and paddle to fish from your kayak, you need to be able to set your paddle down quietly without spooking off fish and you want to grab your rod quickly in case there is a fish.
In the case that you don’t have a way of securing your paddle, it could make a lot of noise when you go to set it down on the hull of the kayak or the paddle could fall into the water.
A DIY paddle holster on your belt will benefit you and eliminate the need to set it down and create noise.
This allows you to quickly go from paddling to casting within seconds.
Conclusion
Fishing from a kayak is an excellent way of getting closer to the fish and for patrolling along shorelines and mangroves.
In order to successfully fish off a kayak, you need the right gear.
If you have the right tools, you will fish with ease and catch more fish in the process!
Do you have any questions about kayak fishing gear?
Please ask down in the comments section below!
And if you know an angler who wants to know the must-have kayak fishing gear, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
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Good info Tony. Thanks! Joe
You’re welcome Joe!
Hi Tony
New to salt strong and kayak fishing looking to buy a kayak in the New York area my question is what do you think about brooklyn kayaks or what do you suggest. Thanks
Hey Salvatore! I haven’t really heard much about them. Some of the popular brands would be Hobie, Old Town, and Vibe just to name a few. Hobie’s are going to be at a higher price point since they are pedal drives, but old town and vibe also have some pedal options in. addition to standard paddling kayaks. If able to, I highly suggest finding a place that can do an on the water test to see whats comfortable for you. Or if you buy used, have the person meet you somewhere on the water to try it out.
Do you have a preferred rod length when fishing from a kayak?
Hey Ricky!
It will really be based on your fishing style. I personally like to use 7’6 rods because I stand 99% of the time that I’m kayak fishing. A longer rod also helps if you are fighting a fish and it runs around the kayak.
Great video Tony !!! Need to create your DIY… Thanks
It’s a game changer when standing and paddling/fishing!
Tony, great content and info. While I think I am pretty maxed out and tweaked exactly how I want my kayak to be, have you done a video about how you have your yak set up and accessorized? I don’t “want” to have to consider more YakAttack accessories and goodies, but I’m always open to doing so in the pursuit of perfection! Thanks again, great video.
Hey Matt!
Here is a walkthrough of how I have mine set up:
https://saltstrongdev.wpengine.com/articles/inshore-kayak-fishing-gear/
Thanks Tony! Sweet setup!!! Tight lines, dude!
You’re welcome Matt! Thanks!
Tony, it seems you have it covered. I myself like the anchor pin vs anchor system. I will also say get the proper net. Im not saying go out and by a EGO like i got, but get the correct size. I’ve seen my buddies lose fish with a net that’s small. Good for dink trout and small flounder, drum. Good article 👍 This is just my .02.
Thank you for the great feedback Ron!
Excellent video. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure James!
Hey Tony,
I appreciate the tips. Could you post a pic and describe the “other” part of your paddle holster system – where are you putting the end of the paddle in the bow of the kayak and how do you keep that from banging when you put the paddle down. Thanks
Hey Ben!
I have a handle I attached sideways to the front of my Hobie (its actually one of the handles that are underneath the seat that I never use). Much better than the toggle handle that is typically up there but also doubles as a place to park the paddle. I used to use a bungee up front to park the paddle. Just have to install 2 pad eyes and run a bungee across to each one. Worked perfect!
Hi Tony,
I would make one recommendation. If anglers are going to “dead stick” with cut bait and put the rod in the rod holder, add a tether of choice to avoid and accidental rod overboard to a substantial fish.
Hey Scott!
Great point! Even a small piece of rope can do well and come in handy for other purposes. From a safety standpoint I always recommend keeping a knife on you. You never know when something can get tangled up, especially tethers.
Great tips Tony. I actually ordered a 6 ft anchor pin this morning. Should I return it and get the 7 ft 8 in model? Thanks again for the video.
It depends on the water your fishing. If your a all day flats guy then it should fine. I went with a 7-8′ . Tight Lines
Thanks Jeremy! A 6ft pin would be fine if you are strictly fishing shallow flats or marshes like Rob mentioned. However, even if you mainly fish those shallow depths it doesn’t mean you may need to anchor for some other reason in deeper water. I would keep the anchor pin but possible stash a claw anchor in the hull of the kayak for emergencies.