Easy Kayak Upgrades & Add Ons

Today’s kayaks come well-equipped with almost everything you need to get out on the water. Most modern kayaks are created with a specific purpose in mind, from basic models designed for easy paddling to fishing kayaks with advanced propulsion and gear management features. 

Regardless of its intended purpose, kayak upgrades, customizations, and modifications can be added on at any time to meet a kayaker’s needs.

Kayak Storage Upgrades

Kayak anglers, especially those who have owned a boat, tend to pack a lot of gear. While fishing kayaks have gotten larger and come with lots of space for gear, managing that gear and keeping it within arms reach takes some configuring.

Crates

Tackle crates are perhaps the most common fishing kayak accessory. Your standard milk crates provide a decently secure space to throw a few tackle boxes and tools. And if you zip tie a few PVC tubes to the crate you now have extra rod or net holders. Milk crates are an affordable option, as you may be able to find one for free.

The downside of using a milk crate is that it was not designed for kayak fishing, and it's usefulness has limitations. The YakAttack BlackPak Pro is like a milk crate, but better. It is purposefully engineered for secure tackle organization and mounted accessory fixtures. The BlackPak Pro comes with four TetherTube rod holders, a hinged lid, and enough space to carry up to five 3700 sized tackle boxes. 

Bungees

One of the most common ways to store gear on a kayak is to attach it to the pre-rigged bungee cord. Most kayak decks come standard with a webwork of elastic or static cords in varying lengths. The cords provide placement to secure gear to the deck and a convenient place to stash a spare paddle.

Bungees allow you to create kayak modifications on the deck of the boat for added storage.

Fishing Kayak Upgrades

Fish Finders

A popular upgrade for anglers who purchase a fishing kayak, paddle, and life jacket, is to invest in a fish finder. While some fish finders are more compact and offer limited features, other fish finders provide down, side, and 360-degree imaging, and provide valuable information like depth, water temperature, and detailed mapping. 

In order to attach your fish finder to your kayak, you’ll likely need a mount kit.

Rod Holders

All Old Town fishing kayaks, and most modern fishing kayaks in general, will come with at least one flush-mount rod holder. These are typically located on the gunnel, slightly behind the seat. Many models in the Old Town Sportsman line, like the AutoPilot 120 and BigWater ePDL+ 132, come with a forward-facing rod holder located in the cockpit. Forward-facing rod holders allow you to quickly set your rod down to tie on a new lure or land a fish. 

Many avid kayak anglers like to install aftermarket rod holders as well. These purpose-build rod holders come with more adjustability to dial in the perfect angle and location, and can be mounted to most factory accessory tracks. The YakAttack Omega Pro Rod Holder is one of the best selling aftermarket rod holders for kayak anglers. The Omega Pro comes with an adjustable and easily-removable track mount, extension arms, and carries a lifetime warranty. 

Cup Holders

Like rod holders, most kayaks come with factory-installed cup holders. Having a secure space to keep a bottle of water or thermos of coffee is essential to most paddlers and anglers. There are also several aftermarket cup holder options that can be mounted to factory accessory tracks, like the YakAttack MultiMount Cup Holder. The MultiMount Cup Holder is large enough to carry most Nalgene and YETI insulated bottles and tumblers, while kayak anglers like to use them as a "junk drawer" to throw their used or broken lures and hooks. 

Kayak Upgrades and Add Ons Make for an Optimal Experience on the Water

Old Town kayaks are designed to maximize your enjoyment on the water, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make your kayak even better with a few modifications and upgrades. Upgrade the look of your kayak by adding stickers, graphics, or a name badge. Make it unique and personalized. Whether you purchase from your local kayak shop or go the DIY route, accessorizing your kayak is all part of the experience.