Top 5 Kayak Fishing Accessories: Must-Have Gear Review

Imagine paddling out onto glassy water, the morning sun just starting to warm your face. You have your rod ready, but something feels… missing. Have you ever reached for a tool on your kayak only to find it just out of reach, or struggled to keep your catch cool on a long trip? Kayak fishing opens up amazing water access, but without the right gear, it can quickly turn from peaceful to frustrating.

The market is flooded with gadgets, mounts, and storage solutions. How do you know which kayak fishing accessories truly make a difference and which ones just take up valuable space? It’s easy to spend money on the wrong items, leaving you with a cluttered, less efficient fishing platform. We understand that struggle.

This guide cuts through the noise. We will explore the must-have accessories that boost your comfort, organization, and catch rate. By the end, you will know exactly which additions will transform your kayak into the ultimate fishing machine. Let’s dive into the essential gear that makes every trip better.

Top Kayak Fishing Accessories Recommendations

Bestseller No. 1

UV-RESISTANT & WATERPROOF FOR YEARS OF USE: Built for harsh marine environments, this 36" fish ruler resists fading, peeling, and damage from saltwater, sunlight, soap & more. The tough matte overlaminate shields against wear, while industrial adhesives ensure long-term grip.
VISIBLE ON ANY SURFACE, LIGHT OR DARK: This transparent decal features high-contrast markings that pop on any background—white boat hulls, black kayaks, wood tables, nets, and more. Clear and bold visuals ensure accurate fish measurements at a glance.
BUBBLE-FREE APPLICATION: Includes cleaning prep wipes and step-by-step instructions for a smooth, bubble-free install. Strong enough to stay put in all conditions, and look great doing so.
DESIGNED FOR PHOTOS & EASY CATCH-AND-RELEASE: Large 1-inch width and oversized numbers show up clearly in fishing photos, even in low light. Perfect for catch-and-release anglers who want clear documentation of legal lengths and quick release without fumbling for a tape.
CRAFTED IN THE USA, BUILT TO LAST: Made and hand-packaged in the U.S.A. by our family-run company since 2016. Every ruler is made with fishermen in mind, and backed 100% against material or workmanship defects. This is professional-grade gear trusted by serious anglers.

Bestseller No. 2

MOPHOEXII Kayak Paddle Leash Kayak Rod Leash Kayak Paddle Lanyard Stretchable Coiled Lanyard Leash Kayak Fishing Accessories for Kayak and Paddles(Orange -1 Pack)

✿【DURABLE MATERIAL】The kayak paddle lanyard is made up of nylon fabric, which features with nice anti-corrosion performance and longer service life, and the fixed elongation will not overstretch and lose its elasticity.
✿【EASY TO USE】This kayak ore leash easy to install and attach. You can choose to connect the paddle by the hook and loop or directly by knotting. All you have to do is to tie its one end to the paddle or fishing rod and attach the other end to your life jacket or your boat with the hook.
✿【LIGHT WEIGHT and LONG ENOUGH】 This kayak paddle tether is very lightweight. No Bulky. Easily put into your pocket or backpack.The leash can be extended from 36" (91 CM) while unstretchable to 72" (182 CM). Long enough for most usage.
✿【NEW STYLE ALUMINUM HOOK and ADJUSTABLE VELCRO PADDLE LOOP】The hook is made of thick aluminum.The loop is made of adjustable velcro loop - easy to attach and detach. The kayak paddle rope can be wrapped around any paddle or fishing rod up to 2 inches in diameter.
✿【INCLUSIVE USAGE】The kayak paddle strap not only can be applied as a kayak paddle tow rope, but also can be applied as a rod tow rope, gear tow rope or paddle tow rope to ensure your paddle and rod will not drift.

Bestseller No. 3

4 PCS Horizontal Tie Downs for Kayak Track Mount Black Track Mount

High-Quality Accessory: Our kayak track mount tie downs are compatible with most track systems, designed to secure bungee cords and straps onto your kayak.
Appropriate Size: 2-pack Tie Downs for Kayak Track Mount are suitable for flat woven straps with a width of 1.2 inches or less.
Safety and Convenience: The kayak track mount tie downs feature a low profile and compact design, ensuring they won't affect paddling speed while providing high levels of safety.
Reinforced Composite Material: The tie downs for kayak track mount are made of marine grade polymer and corrosion-resistant 314 stainless steel, ensuring sturdiness, durability, UV resistance, waterproofing, and long-lasting performance.
Easy-to-Install and Adjust Kayak Accessory: The installation process of the horizontal tie downs is straightforward, utilizing a T-bolt for quick setup and effortless position adjustment.

Bestseller No. 4

OHIKA Microfiber Fishing Towels with Clip, Waffle Pattern for Effective Cleaning of Fishing Gears or Dirty Hands, 16” x 16”, Camping Towels, Hiking Towels, Pack of 3 (Black/Grey/Blue)

Microfiber Fishing Towel: this is the towel set for any fishing enthusiast. Perfectly sized at 16” x 16”, it is handy enough to be kept in your back pocket or clipped to your belt loop, always in position to clean your hand after handling bait or a quick release, dry your hand after a fillet, clean your fishing gears after your harvest.
Superb Cleaning Ability: OHIKA microfiber towels are made of high quality waffle pattern microfibers, they are quick drying, light weight, stain resistant and super absorbent. Quick drying feature avoids unpleasant odors. Wet the towel a little bit and let the cleaning result speak for itself.
Multifunctional Microfiber Towels: these towels are also ideal for camping or hiking, it works great to keep your hands dry or your trekking poles clean. In a gym, it helps you to maintain proper gripping force of your hands against the equipment by keeping the them clean and dry.
Durable Easy-to-Use Clip: each towel comes with a metal carabiner as standard. Clip your towel onto the hooks for easy access and easily keep your hands or equipment dry and clean during your fishing trip.
Package List: 3 OHIKA 16” x 16” microfiber towels, 3 metal carabiners.

Bestseller No. 5

PLUSINNO Floating Fishing Net for Steelhead, Salmon, Fly, Kayak, Catfish, Bass, Trout Fishing, Rubber Coated Landing Net for Easy Catch & Release, Compact & Foldable for Easy Transportation & Storage

【Dimension of the Net】- 15.8" x 11.8" hoop, 11.8" depth and16.7 inch handle. The classical shape and size of the fishing net will surely look good in your pictures. Long handle with excellent grip afford plenty of leverage to land the next fish.
【Design to Float】- Designed with the wade fisherman in mind, the PLUSINNO floating landing net has foam padding to the hoop and providing buoyancy. The floating design makes it easy to retrieve encase the net dropped or blown overboard. So you'll never have to worry about losing it!
【Rubber Coated Non-snag Net】- The rubber coating net is hook/snag free. It keeps the fish safe for catch and release; Non-absorbent coating also prevents the net from waterlogging or odor absorption.
【Lightweight and Foldable】- The handle utilizes a strong, lightweight aluminum design that provides economical and dependable functionality. The 12.5 ounce weight and foldable design makes it compact for easy transportation & storage.
【PATENT DESIGN 】-PLUSINNO is committed to developing and manufacturing the most suitable fishing gear for all anglers. The unique designed PLUSINNO floating fishing net is great to use on any boat, kayak, canoe, and in any streams, rivers, ponds and the ocean. Suitable for both fresh and salt water. It would be a great Christmas gift or birthday gift for boyfriend, husband, father, son and your friends.

Bestseller No. 6

LUCKY Kayak Portable Fish Depth Finder Water Handheld Fish Finder Sonar Castable Kayak Boat Fishfinder Transducer Fishing LCD Display FFC1108

✦ Fish Finder and Depth Finder : It is a portable fish finder that could display approximate fish location and water depth. The sonar transducer can be attached to the hull of kayak or boat in order to understand the changing of water depth when you are moving by. The water depth detection range is between 3ft(1m) and 328ft (100m) when the transducer is completely immersed in the water.
✦ Helpful Data Display : Besides fish depth and water depth, the handheld fish finder will also display short & tall weeds, sand & rocks on the bottom. Meanwhile, the measurement unit of the depth can be freely switched by feet or meter. The display is also visible in sunshine or darkness by turning on the back light.
✦ Handheld & Portable : The size of kayak fishfinder is designed for just one hand held. You will find a neck strap in the package which allows you to wear it around neck when you are busy on the kayak or boat. Meanwhile, 5 levels sensitivity adjustment makes fishing possible both in clear water or turbid.
✦ Fish & Fish Schools Alarm : Once the toss fish finder transducer into the water and turn on the display unit, you will get alarms when fish or fishing schools passing by. The portable fish finder can be working continuously for at least 4-5 hours with brand new battery. It can be working even longer by turning on battery save mode.
✦ Ideal for Fishing & Fishing Gift : It is easy to use LUCKY depth finder in boat fishing, ice fishing, shore fishing no matter in freshwater or in saltwater. If you are looking for a gift for your husband, father, friends or any anglers, then look no further, the LUCKY fish finder is now better than ever.

Bestseller No. 7

Otoolling 2 Pack Low Profile Pulley for Kayak Anchor Trolley Kayak Pulley System Kayaks Accessories

Dual Pack for Versatile Use: the low profile pulley for kayak anchor comes in a handy 2 pack, offering you double the functionality for establishing anchor systems or rigging setups on your kayak; It's fit for both standard and customized DIY projects, making your kayaking adventures more adaptable and tailored to your needs
Glide Through Waters with Ease: designed with a low profile, unobtrusive architecture, these pulleys boast a compact protective casing; This thoughtful design minimizes the risk of snagging on docks, branches, or stumps, while reducing waterline resistance; The result is a kayak that performs optimally, ensuring smooth and unhindered navigation
Silent and Smooth Operation: equipped with coated nylon rollers, this pulley ensures a smooth and quiet experience; Even in salty marine environments, it operates silently, offering long lasting performance while keeping noise to an absolute minimum; This feature enhances your paddling tranquility and efficiency
Stress Free Installation: featuring a universal hole pattern that aligns with standard pulley layouts, installation is made hassle-free; The provided stainless steel hardware ensures easy setup and secure attachment, allowing you to focus more on your kayaking adventures rather than equipment worries
Wide Range of Applications for Enthusiasts: specifically engineered for kayak anchor towing and rigging, this versatile pulley system excels in numerous applications; Whether for heavy lifting, small spinnakers, or customized DIY setups, its compatibility with 550 paracord or 0.16 inch ropes makes it an essential accessory for varied kayak configurations

Bestseller No. 8

Alemon Shark Teeth Mouth Reflective Decals Graphics Sticker Fishing Boat Canoe Car Truck Kayak Decals Accessories,14.8 x 5.0 inches

【Package】1 pair of shark mouth and 2 pair of shark eyes in the package.
【Material Durability】 This reflective shark teeth decal size L x W:14.8 x 5.0 inches,thick graphics, the vinyl material is highly durable, waterproof, and UV-protected, ensuring resistance against harsh weather conditions and sunlight exposure without fading or paint damage.
【Ease of Application】 The decals are easy to apply by peeling off the backing and firmly rubbing them down onto the surface. A heat gun can aid in conforming the material to complex curves, though it may not adhere well to textured or uneven surfaces. Removal is clean without leaving residue or surface damage.
【Appearance】Awesome, adorable, and cool. The quality graphics that can range from goofy to stern, enhancing the overall appeal of the sticker.【Recommended Uses】 The decals are recommended for use on various vehicles such as canoes, kayaks, boats, cars, trucks, motorcycles, and others, indicating versatility in application.
【Installation Method】The installation process involves cleaning and drying the surface, positioning the decal, scraping out bubbles, and ensuring a flat surface. It's advised to keep the installation area dry and avoid direct sunlight or water exposure for 48 hours post-installation to ensure proper adhesion.

Your Essential Kayak Fishing Accessory Buying Guide

Getting the right gear makes kayak fishing much more fun and successful. This guide helps you pick the best accessories for your next trip. Think about what you need to store your catch, keep your rods safe, and stay comfortable on the water.

Key Features to Look For

When shopping, focus on these important features:

Rod Holders: You need holders that keep your rods secure, even in choppy water. Look for adjustable angles. Some holders attach easily, while others require drilling into your kayak.
Storage Solutions: Dry bags and crates keep your important items dry. Good storage means you can bring extra snacks, safety gear, and more lures.
Anchoring Systems: An anchor keeps your kayak steady while you fish a good spot. Look for easy-to-use retrieval systems.
Fish Finders/Mounts: If you use electronics, sturdy mounts that handle vibrations are crucial.

Important Materials Matter

The materials used directly affect how long your gear lasts and how well it works.

Plastics (UV Resistant): Many rod holders and mounting bases use high-grade plastic. Make sure it is UV resistant. Sunlight quickly breaks down cheap plastic, causing it to crack.
Stainless Steel: This metal is best for hardware like screws, clips, and anchor components. Stainless steel resists rust, which is important because you are always around water.
Nylon/Fabric: For straps, dry bags, and seat pads, durable, water-resistant nylon is the standard. Look for high denier ratings, which mean the fabric is tougher.

Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

Quality is not just about the price tag. Small details make a big difference.

What Boosts Quality?

Tool-less Adjustments: Accessories that you can tighten or adjust without needing extra tools usually offer better on-the-water convenience.
Marine-Grade Hardware: If a product uses genuine marine-grade stainless steel, it will last much longer than standard hardware.
Modular Design: Gear that fits into standard kayak tracks (like the RAILBLAZA system) offers flexibility and a stronger connection.

What Lowers Quality?

Thin Rubber Gaskets: Poorly made rubber seals on electronics mounts let water seep in.
Flimsy Hinges: If a rod holder hinge feels weak, it will likely break when a big fish pulls hard on the line.
Non-Corrosion Coatings: If metal parts are only painted instead of properly coated, they will rust quickly.

User Experience and Use Cases

Think about how you actually fish. Your experience changes based on the accessory.

The Active Caster: If you move around a lot casting lures, quick-release rod holders are essential. You need to grab and stow your rod instantly.
The Trolling Angler: Anglers who troll need heavy-duty, lockable rod holders that can handle constant strain. A good paddle leash is also necessary so you do not lose your paddle while fighting a fish.
The Storage Maximizer: If you fish long days, you need a reliable cooler or crate system that attaches securely to the stern tankwell. Make sure the attachment points are strong so the crate does not float away.

Good accessories simplify the hard parts of fishing, like fighting a fish or staying organized. Bad accessories create frustration.

Top 10 Kayak Fishing Accessory FAQs

Q: What is the most important accessory for kayak safety?

A: A properly fitted personal flotation device (PFD) is always number one. Beyond that, a bilge pump or sponge is vital for removing unexpected water.

Q: Do I really need a kayak anchor?

A: Yes, especially if you fish in moving water or wind. An anchor lets you hold position over a productive spot instead of drifting away.

Q: What is a “milk crate” in kayak fishing?

A: It is a simple plastic crate often zip-tied to the back of the kayak. Anglers use it to hold tackle boxes, bait, and often a small cooler.

Q: How do I attach accessories without drilling holes?

A: Use track systems or suction cup mounts. Track systems are generally stronger and more reliable for heavy items like fish finders.

Q: What size dry bag should I buy?

A: A 10-liter to 20-liter bag is usually enough for essentials like your phone, keys, and wallet. Larger bags are needed for extra clothing or bulky safety gear.

Q: Are flush-mount and deck-mount rod holders different?

A: Yes. Flush-mount holders fit into pre-drilled holes, sitting level with the deck. Deck-mount holders sit on top of the kayak surface.

Q: What is the purpose of a paddle leash?

A: A paddle leash connects your paddle to your kayak. If you drop the paddle while fighting a fish, the leash keeps it attached so it does not float away.

Q: How often should I clean my gear?

A: Always rinse all metal hardware with fresh water after every saltwater trip. This prevents corrosion from salt residue.

Q: Which material is best for fish grips?

A: Stainless steel or high-impact, non-slip plastic grips work best. They must offer a secure hold, even when your hands are wet and slimy.

Q: Will cheap plastic mounts break easily?

A: Often, yes. Cheap plastic becomes brittle in cold water or under strong UV exposure. Invest in UV-stabilized or marine-grade plastic for mounts.