Essential Kayak Fishing Accessories For Beginners

Last Updated on September 20, 2023

If you’re thinking about purchasing a fishing kayak and want to know what else you’ll need to get started as a complete beginner, I’ve got you covered! Even if you’re a seasoned angler trying to freshen up your boat, this post should help you succeed more.

This post has a curated list of essential kayak-fishing accessories that every ambitious beginner angler should consider. This guide will help you equip your kayak with everything essential.

I’ve also broken down the key features of each accessory so that you can make an informed choice. So, whether you’ve just acquired an inflatable fishing kayak or a high-end sea fishing kayak, this post is for you. Let’s get started!

Choosing The Right Kayak

When it comes to kayak fishing, choosing the right kayak is absolutely crucial, especially for beginners like you!

First and foremost, let’s talk about stability, maneuverability, and storage capacity. These three factors play a vital role in determining the suitability of a kayak for fishing purposes.

You want a kayak that provides a stable platform, allowing you to maintain balance and focus on reeling in that big catch without worrying about toppling over.

Maneuverability is also a key, as you’ll need to navigate various water conditions, including tight spots and narrow channels.

Lastly, sufficient storage capacity is essential to accommodate all your fishing gear, ensuring you have everything you need within arm’s reach.

Now, onto different types of kayaks that are particularly well-suited for fishing adventures.

One popular option is the sit-on-top kayak. This type of kayak offers excellent stability and allows for easy entry and exit, making it ideal for beginners.

The open design also grants you more freedom to move around, perfect for casting your line and reeling in those aggressive fish.

Alternatively, recreational kayaks can also be a great choice.

They provide a balance between resilience and maneuverability, making them versatile for various water conditions.

Essential kayak fishing accessories for beginners

Kayak Fishing Rod

When it comes to kayak fishing, a good kayak fishing rod is an obvious necessity. It is so essential that defining it as an accessory is difficult. It’s advisable to bring at least two rods, each around 6 ½ to 8 feet long, with casting and line weights appropriate for your fishing type. 

A 10-15 lb rod with a roughly 15-30 g casting weight is ideal for targeting smaller fish in lighter rivers.

Targeting more powerful species in the ocean may need the use of a rod with a breaking strain of up to 50 lbs.

Fish Finder

A fish finder is an electrical device that detects fish beneath the water by emitting sound waves and visualizing the echoes that return on the screen. This provides a comprehensive image of what’s going on in the briny deep, including the position of fish, water depth, and bottom structure. 

Normally, fishing entails going out and finding the fish yourself. That is all part of your kayak fishing experience. But there’s something about the extra effort of kayaking that makes a fish finder a must-have.

Finding the pockets of fish provides you with a good notion of what style of lure you should use to reach the fish – diving, surface, or subsurface.

Personal Flotation Device (PFD)

While this primarily applies to ocean kayak fishing, a personal flotation device is an essential kayak fishing tool.

If the weather changes and you’re out on open water, you’ll need safety gear to keep you afloat in the event of an accident.

The finest ones have pockets, clips, storage for traditional fishing tackle, and extra safety items such as a built-in whistle.

Paddle Leash

There is almost nothing more frustrating than losing a paddle while kayak fishing. Consider the following scenario: you’re fishing for something that is many miles away from the shore. The wind and waves pick up, and your paddle floats away. What are you going to do?

The best approach to avoid a paddle falling overboard is to use a paddle leash to secure your paddle to the kayak, eliminating this unforeseen possibility. Note that the majority of high-quality fishing kayaks will include a paddle leash.

Waterproof Bag

It seems that when kayak fishing, you would be using equipment you cannot afford to get wet—your phone, wallet, torch, and a lot more. One of the hazards of kayak fishing is the proximity to water. So, if you want to keep your belongings dry, you need to have a waterproof bag. They’re cheap, multi-purpose, and a great last line of defense against these factors.

Anchor Trolley

When the wind and swell come up, your kayak will take you to less ideal locations. Whether from an angling or safety standpoint. This implies you’ll be paddling more and fishing less.

Now, bring the anchor trolley in!

An anchor trolley is a device that attaches to the side of your kayak and is used to keep you in place.

Once you’ve located the fish (using the aforementioned finder), you may need to stabilize your kayak in order to cast securely and effectively.

Tool Kit

A tool kit or repair kit, which is especially important when fishing with an inflatable kayak, is something you should never leave home without. You must be able to repair minor defects such as punctures, leaks, and scratches that may occur during your journey.

Even over the most challenging terrain, the best inflatable kayaks are nearly unbreakable. But there are not many worse circumstances than being stranded overnight with no way to repair your kayak.

Conclusion

On a regular kayak fishing, you may not need every accessory on this list, but having them all will cover all your what-ifs and prevent further unforeseen circumstances.

The possibilities can range from inconvenience, such as going home empty-handed because you did not bring a fish finder, to disastrous, such as putting your life in danger because you’re not wearing a life vest.

Anyway, I hope my suggestions will assist and guide you in having a safe and pleasurable kayak fishing trip. Happy fishing, fellow angler!