Top 5 Essential Tools & Gear For Successful Kayak Fishing

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:

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

kayak fishing lures

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!

P.S. Want access to our best fishing spots and tips, plus discounts to our online tackle store? Click here to join us in the Insider Club!

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Joe Geis
1 year ago

Good info Tony. Thanks! Joe

salvatore berto
1 year ago

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

Ricky Halle-Podell
2 years ago

Do you have a preferred rod length when fishing from a kayak?

Pablo Diaz Diaz
3 years ago

Great video Tony !!! Need to create your DIY… Thanks

Matt Pfeiffer
3 years ago

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.

Matt Pfeiffer
3 years ago
Reply to  Tony Acevedo

Thanks Tony! Sweet setup!!! Tight lines, dude!

rons23
3 years ago

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.

Last edited 3 years ago by Ron Baran
James Logan
3 years ago

Excellent video. Thanks for sharing.

Ben Lapsley
3 years ago

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

Scott Rispaud
3 years ago

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.

Jeremy Hendricks
3 years ago

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.

rons23
3 years ago

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

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