What Gear Do You Take With On The Kayak?

[Jdm219]

Hey guys! I was wondering on what you guys take out on the kayak with you. Rods,tackle and all that stuff. I'm finally getting a kayak in the next week or two and realized that I'll have to downsize on what I take. So what tackle and lures are huge necessities for the kayak? Any input is appreciated! Thanks!

[MikeinFresno]

I take a mini selection of what I have on the boat. I keep it in a water proof plastic lure box. Ive turned over once and it floated and saved all my gear. The plastics I keep in their bags or mix a couple of flavors into the same bag and do NOT squeeze out the air when you seal it. The air will float it if you drop it or roll over.

[buzzed bait]

what type of kayak are you going to get?  what styles/baits do you usually use?  how many rods do you usually carry with you?  these questions/answers i think will help to get you a better answer.

[Darren.]

Realize that whatever you do now will likely evolve as you learn your kayak as a fishing platform. I'm years into mine and still evolving my setup(s).

 

Given the high customizability of my Native Ultimate, I currently take about 5 3600 size boxes, all but one with soft plastics. I've got a trick worm box, a senko box, a finesse worm + minnow box, and a creature box. The 5th is hard baits. Actually 6 boxes, the last is my terminal tackle box.

 

I keep four of the boxes under my seat in a drawer that I installed (I sit up high), the other two plus a 6-spool line holder reside in a fishing bag that I keep behind my seat.

 

Also in the drawer are some scents, my digital scale. Along side the drawer I have my bump board (hawg trough). I clip my spring scale onto my seat.

 

On my vest are my whistle, boomerang clips, and attached to my seat is a set of pliers.

 

As for the baits, I put my main colors in 4, 5" sizes. Other colors I leave at home. Same with all the soft plastics, actually. I take what works rather than everything just-in-case.

 

Other times I've used soft plastics in their own bag, tossed together into a gallon zip-lock labeled for each type. I just find the boxes easier to utilize than bags.

[Jdm219]

what type of kayak are you going to get? what styles/baits do you usually use? how many rods do you usually carry with you? these questions/answers i think will help to get you a better answer.

Ascend d10t since the Pescador on my local CL sold before I could get it.

I use a variety of baits. Anywhere from Crankbaits to flukes. And the last answer is 2-4. 1 bait caster and 2 spinning rods usually.

[200racing]

for our creek fishing adventure this weekend. i carried a large waterproof tray loaded with all my tackle. had my cell phone in a waterproof case. i had all that in a backpack that was strapped in behind my seat where i could reach it. i had my wallet, keys,first aid kit and a few other thing in a 10L dry bag below deck.

 

i made me some of these out of a pool noodle. i only carried one rod.

http://www.basspro.com/Blakemore-Rod-Floaters/product/16517/

 

i flipped 3 times and still in rapids over the weekend and still had all my stuff.

[DogBone_384]

I use a fishing backpack (3x3500's & lots of pokets) rather than a box, so that, two rods, an anchor, and a waterproof camera. This is my 1st season on a kayak, so I'm keeping it simple to start.

I'm sure it'll evolve as my experience grows.

[flyfisher]

Depends really on where I am fishing.  It could be as many as 6 conventional rods, 3 fly rods or a combo of the two.  As far as baits go I have a spinner bait box that i took out the dividers in that i take some soft plastics in and then i have a plano box for terminal tackle, one for cranks, one for top waters and one for miscellaneous stuff i think i might need.  It all fits in my crate and if it doesn't fit, it doesn't get to go along for the trip.  

 

Fly fishing is pretty easy because i can take 2-3 double sided fly boxes and have more flies than i would need in a few years and in half the space as conventional gear

 

As far as anything else some gatorades and if i am going out al lady with a lot of paddling i will throw a hoagie in there too.  The go pro usually comes along too as does a pair of pliers and my snips for cutting braid if needed.

 

Other than that, not a whole lot and even though it sounds like a lot, everything fits in my crate so it is a one stop grab and go kind of deal.

[Flywatersmallie]

In my old kayak, where space was more of a concern than it is now, I used to take a couple of these http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Plano-Guide-Series-Two-Tier-StowAway-Utility-Box-4700&i=441785

 

they worked pretty well. Now I usually just take a soft tackle bag with whatever 3700 boxes I want for the day. The bag I throw in the tank well holds 8 of the boxes, I normally take 4-5 and stow my anchor and other odds and ends right in there and leash it. That way if I do flip I don't lose a ton of stuff. I don't really downsize much at all, in fact I take more stuff on the yak with me than I normally carry. I am a river smallmouth fisherman where I usually carry 2 3600 size boxes in a small backpack and one rod.

[buzzed bait]

i'm a lot like flyfisher.  if it doesn't fit in the crate, aside from rods, it's not coming with me.  that doesn't include my depth finder and battery.  I have an Ascend FS10 so essentially the EXACT same kayak.  i built a pretty sweet@ss crate for it that has 6 rod holders.  I can carry every combo, lure, plastic, etc. i own in this kayak.  i have all my plastics in a worm binder, all other lures in some plano boxes.  i will try to snag some pics if i can find some, or take some and show you what it looks like.  

best advice is just don't rig anything final to the boat unless you're absolutely certain thats the right spot for it....

 

ALMOST forgot, i also can fit the dog in with all that stuff, he rides captain style on the front as you can see in my avatar<<<<<< 

[B@ssCrzy]

I normally bring 3-4 rod and reel combinations, crate (with 4 plano boxes, spinnerbait box, carolina weight box, and as many plastics I can fit), Plano bag tackle carrier (that carries two additional plano boxes, fishing line for leaders, and my sonar before I put it on the yak) , sonar and battery, anchor, dry box (for my wallet, keys, cell phone, etc.), small cooler for JJ's Magic, net (if fishing a tournament), scale, scupper plugs, measuring board, water bottle and normally just have a Cliff bar or some beef jerkey for lunch.  Probably have way too much stuff, but I like to be prepared.  I mostly fish lakes and ponds, but if I ever fish a river I will cut way down so that if I do flip I won't lose anything. 

[bassinshankles]

I use a canoe an I take it all. I carry 8 plano 3700 series boxes, 2 soft plastic zippered bags, 7 baitcasters all on 7ft rods, scales, dip net, small cooler, ammo style dry box, hook remover, and pliers.

[FrogFreak]

I carry a smaller tackle bag with 2-3 3600 boxes and any plastics I may use in one of the outside pockets.. It can be a challenge figuring out what rods and tackle to take. I usually carry 3 rods. A MH  St. Croix Triumph paired with a PQ BC filled w/ 10 lb Mono is my all around rod, my dedicated frog/flipping rod is a Veritas MH/Abu Premier combo with 50lb braid, and finally a Daiwa Lexa 100 on a M rod for poppers/cranks/plastics. Oh, and I bring a drink and poptarts in case I get hungry. I've thought about a net but it stays in the boat for now. I also have a small tupperware tray that I've attached to the deck with velcro that I use to keep any loose items in. Very handy.

[Felix77]

I take the following for actual fishing.

 

1 - 3601 Plano for all my hooks sinkers etc.

2 - 3449 - Seven compartment pocket stowaways.  One I converted into a "finesse tube kit".  The other into a Keitech swimbait Kit.

1 - soft sided bag with all my plastics.  holds 10-15 bags of plastic.

3 - rods.  2 spinning one baitcaster.

 

I also carry a basket in the back of my Ride 115x with all my essentials including emergency kits, anchors, paddle leash, etc.

[moguy1973]

2 rods, usually a crankbait rod and a spinning rod on a river or 2 crankbait rods on a lake

A crate in the rear well that has 3 3600 boxes with various lures, all my plastics in their original bags, sunscreen, and a rain jacket

A small tackle bag in my hold compartment that has terminal tackle and commonly used lures

Fish finder and battery

Cooler

[Christian M]

...I usually take 2 casting and 1 spinning setup, but it varies by season, weather/water conditions

...a folding net

...three 3200 plano boxes (one with crank/jerkbaits, one with jigs, and one with topwater baits)

...sling bag with soft plastics, terminal tackle, a small plano box with my "go to" lures, hooks, weights

...a bag with 2 lengths of paracord & two 5lb anchors for my anchor trolley

...a drybag for my phone, wallet, etc.

...digital scale, pliers, boca grips, knife

...camel pack with 2 liters of ice cold water

 

Most of this fits in my milkcrates, I'm working on installing a fishfinder on my Kayak

[shawnmc]

2 Plano tackle boxes, one small, one large. Plastic container that I keep soft plastics in. I take 4-5 rods depending on conditions. My PFD holds my pliers/line cutter.  I have a stake out pole attached to my anchor trolley.  I try and keep it fairly light and simple.

[NJBasstard]

Well it depends on what kind of fishing you plan on doing and if you're doing it during the day or at night. I have a Wild River backpack I use when hiking or on the kayak. It carries 4 3600 boxes (cranks, jerkbaits, topwater & terminal tackle), 2 3500 boxes (1 for jigs 1 for trailers), small box with about 20 spinnerbaits/buzzbaits & a bag full of all my soft plastics. I strap the bag upright behind me in my SOT kayak to use as added back support and I'm still able to get to everything inside. I also have sunglasses, line for leaders, digital scale, soft tape measure, sunscreen, bug spray, spare knife, flashlight w/ extra batteries and probably a couple more little things just in the bag. Besides tackle I also carry 3 rods (1 spinning 2 bc), a ziplock container for my phone & wallet which I keep in the dry storage, anchor, a soft cooler with drinks in the back & an ashtray with a lid that's velcro'd in the cup holder. It sounds like a lot but with almost everything kept in the bag it probably takes less than 5 minutes for me to be setup and in the water. The only thing left for me to figure out is a fish finder.

 

The best advice I can give is to go paddle and figure out what would work best for you.

 

 

Edit: Also do yourself a favor and make rod floats or get leashes

[BassAssassin726]

2 baitcats and 2 spinnign rods. I keep my ultra light ugly stick in the yak between my legs. Up front I have a Jansport schoolbag with 4 plano boxes with lues and all my terminal tackle. In the hatch behind me I have my scale, a waterproof bag for all my soft plastics, waterproof bag for my cell, smokes, lighter and anything else I dont want getting wet.