Kayak Fishing Setup & Rigging Essentials
HOW TO OUTFIT A KAYAK FOR FISHING
Rigging a kayak for fishing is all about customizing your kayak in a way that enhances your fishing style. Proper rigging can make a kayak the perfect choice for a modern angler.
Rigging a fishing kayak is an ongoing process, and you’ll probably keep making changes and optimizations as you spend more time on the water and understand what really works for you.
Take a look at some of our fishing kayak rigging essentials. New to kayak fishing? Read some of these essential kayak fishing tips to help get you started.
KAYAK FISHING RIGGING LIST
Our top 7 choices for the ultimate kayak fishing and rigging essentials are:
- Fishing Life Jacket
- Fish Finder
- Tackle Crate
- Rod Holders
- Kayak Cart
- Measuring Board
- Scupper Valves
FISHING LIFE JACKETS (PFDS)
Life jackets are not just an essential piece of safety gear, kayak anglers can use them as another tool in their arsenal for rigging their fishing gear. Most fishing life jackets come equipped with zippered pockets, stretch mesh pocks, adjustable straps, which make it a perfect place to store your phone, pliers, safety knife, or a VHF radio.
Old Town’s Performance High-Back Fishing Life Jacket features their AirComfort System, keeping you cool on even the warmest of days on the water.
FISH FINDERS
Nothing can give you a more productive day on the water than a fish finder. These electronic devices use sonar and imaging technology to help you locate fishing hotspots, as well as GPS to plot your location over a detailed depth chart and set waypoints for your favorite fishing spots.
There are fish finder apps that you can download to your phone, but experienced kayakers will want to invest in something a little more sophisticated from a leading brand like Humminbird.
Most kayak anglers prefer a fish finder screen in the 5"-9" range. A fish finder in this size, like the HELIX 7, is large enough to show great detail while remaining compact and out of the way of paddle strokes and casting.
TACKLE CRATES
Even if this is your first time rigging up a fishing kayak, as an angler you will already have a tackle crate of some kind. Many kayak anglers started out by using a milk crate to store their tackle boxes, and attached some PVC pipe to use as rod holders. There are some more elegant solutions on the market today, like the YakAttack BlackPak Pro that come ready-to-use out of the box with tackle storage and rod holders.
The Sportsman Tackle Box will keep your tackle organized while fitting under your seat. It fits gear that is too big for a fixed compartment box and is perfect for spools, small tools, and bait packs.
ROD HOLDERS
Old Town fishing kayaks come with flush mounted rod holders, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for more. Many avid kayak anglers like to bring an entire quiver of specialized fishing rods that are pre-rigged for certain baits or tactics. When you need to store a lot of rods, or even mount one in a certain angle for trolling, you will need to purchase an accessory rod holder. Our favorite is the YakAttack Omega Rod Holder, which mounts quickly and easily to our accessory tracks, and can be adjusted to dial in the perfect location and angle.
KAYAK CARTS
The most popular fishing kayak cart is the bunk-style carts that work well with Old Town’s lineup of sit-on-top fishing kayaks. The bunks conform well to the recesses of the pontoon-style hulls that characterize these kayaks. Our favorites are the YakAttack TowNStow BarCart and the YakAttack TowNStow Bunkster. Both of these carts are sturdy, support up to 450lbs, and quickly breakdown (without tools) to store in a hatch or tankwell.
MEASURING BOARD
Most anglers want to know how big their catch is, and that's where a measuring board comes in. Easier to use than a measuring tape, a measuring board - or bump board as they are commonly called - lets the fish rest in a supportive cradle while you take the measurement. This is an ethical way to keep the fish healthy (if you plan to release it). If you're thinking about entering a kayak fishing tournament, a Ketch board is often required. A quality measuring board like the Ketch X Board will stand up to years of use thanks to its durable aluminum construction.
SCUPPER VALVES
Sit on Top kayaks come with scuppers - or holes in the hull that allow water to drain out of the hull. Scuppers also provide support and rigidity in larger sections of a kayak like the tankwell or deck. Most anglers use Two-Way Scupper Valves that allow water to drain out of the scuppers, while preventing water from coming up into the kayak from below. Check out our Scupper Guide to see how many and which size scupper valves your kayak needs. Scupper valves and plugs should be removed in offshore or big water conditions to allow water to drain freely.
THERE ARE ENDLESS WAYS TO CUSTOMIZE A KAYAK FOR FISHING
When you’re learning how to outfit a kayak for fishing, your best bet will just be to get out on the water and make tweaks after each trip. Rigging a fishing kayak will take time to suit your personal needs, so don’t expect to have the perfect setup on your first try. If you need a little inspiration, check out the Sportsman AutoPilot 136 and see how it makes for the ultimate kayak fishing rig.
