Let’s face it, Kayak Fishing can be just as frustrating if not more so than bank or boat fishing. With the growing popularity of fishing and the increasing congestion anglers are experiencing on the banks and at marinas, the best and most economical solution is to begin kayak fishing. Many people, especially the ones new to kayaks, believe modifications are going to be expensive and overwhelming to install.
Choosing the right mods for your kayak are easy if you follow the basic rules we go by for every kayak we use.
I’m here to assure you that kayak mods can be very simple and effective without damaging your kayak or the wallet.
The 7 mods listed here are simple attachments anyone can apply to their kayak without having to cut into or drill any holes in their kayaks. These are time saving and headache relieving solutions that can make any fishing adventure more enjoyable. And bonus: if you stick around to the end, I’ve got a few tips on how to save yourself some headaches during the installation process.
1. Track-mounted holders (camera, rods, paddle, cup holder, etc.) are an easy mod that doesn’t require altering your kayak
When we talked about some of the easier mods you can start with I mentioned a few of the companies currently making aftermarket parts for your kayaks. Like any business in today’s market, some are going to be interchangeable, some can be with a little tweaking, and some just have to be maintained as their own stand alone systems. Track-mounted holders are a perfect example of this.
RailBlaza has an adapter system that reminds me a lot of the lego system. The actual mount attaches to the track system like normal. The holder (be it a rod holder, a fishfinder screen mount, a paddle holder, or something else) will snap into place on that track mount. This allows your parts to be interchangeable depending on what you’re going to do for the day.
YakAttack, on the other hand, sells their mounting systems as a complete set. The mount and holder are typically a single unit requiring all parts to be purchased together for each mounting you want to do.
Lately there have been several smaller companies dipping their toes into the market with different (and often cheaper) options that can be adapted to work with the RailBlaza system. If you’re going for a middle of the road price point with an easy to install process, these ready made mounts are definitely an option to consider.
2. Velcro or plastic pouches can be carried with you or attached to your kayak as a semi-permanent modification
Now every angler will have those days where she wishes she had an extra hand or two. She’s also, inevitably, faced that situation of searching for the tool that was “just here” a minute ago. When kayak fishing small tools are easy to lose. You can put them in a different spot from your normal location. They can slide under your seat or tackle bag as you’re fighting that actively jumping fish. A minor rolling wave can inch them just close enough to the ledge that you brush them with your elbow as your casting and they take a dive to the bottom of the sea. No matter the reason, two simple solutions can save you a ton of time and frustration.
One is the ever elusive leash. Attaching a simple bungie from the tool to an anchoring point on the kayak can prevent the loss during a tip or the everyday struggles of kayak fishing.
The other is a pouch mounted on your kayak.
Now the sky quite literally is the limit on the options for these containers. Soft sided pouches can be velcroed to the side of your seat. Soft or hard sided pouches can be attached to your seat or the kayak body with double sided tape, glue, screws, or rivets. The containers can be open or closeable. Some even come with magnets to hold your metal tools in place without requiring a leash.
3. Rod and paddle leashes serve a variety of purposes on you kayak
Every person who has fished from a kayak for any decent length of time has lost something over the side of the vessel. For many of us, it has been a fishing rod, paddle, or net. The loss can add up financially.
I speak from experience as I lost my beloved $160 rod and $250 Reel to the bottom of a creek a few years ago.
The method of using your leashes is entirely up to you, and attachment points are as varied as leash designs. What works best for me is a leash permanently attached to an eyelet just behind my seat with a clip that allows me to loop the leash around my rods not in use. While I’m casting and fishing, the rod is in my hand so I don’t have it leashed (even though I really should still keep it leashed). When I am not holding it, the leash is attached.
4. Seat cushion/replacement/upgrade is frequently considered one of the first must have mods
Depending on the kayak you have, there are several options for seating. Many manufacturers sell upgrades, cushions, and seat pads to add to your factory installed seat. There are manufacturers that specialize in seats for kayaks and/or boats.
I personally, like the boat seats with form fitted cushions when using my adjustable seat kayaks. A few of my kayaks have the “seat” attached to the floor of the kayak. Now these are the ones that have required me to get truly creative.
I have used foam cut to shape so it will sit over the original seat.
We’ve used folding stadium seats that I velcroed to the bottom of the boat over the seat.
Recently I’ve begun experimenting with a PVC framed seat that could be easily removed when not in use but would allow more cushioning while on my longer fishing trips.
5. Floor matts can modify the appearance and comfort of your cockpit
EVA foam padding is commonly installed on a lot of the kayaks these days. Many people are confident in the noise dampening qualities of the material and depend on it to muffle the sounds of their accidental thumps.
While I agree that it can help reduce the sound moving around on your hard plastic boat creates, I have a more personal ulterior motive for using it.
I fish in Texas, mostly in the heat of mid-day. Even with pants on, I’ve burned my legs kneeling on the hot surface of my kayak. I have spent several hours standing in the same spot of my kayak with my feet conforming to the grooves on the bottom of the kayak.
Both of these situations are relatively uncomfortable.
My favorite solution has turned into adding this boat carpeting to all of my kayaks. The boats with large drainage grooves on the bottom of the boat required a bit of creativity to work out a flatter surface for my standing, but the carpeting has made the floor much more comfortable to stand on while working those long banks of brush and overgrowth. And, while it does get warm, it’s not the searing heat that plastic tends to be.
6. Bait magnets and Bait Stations are a quick and cheap mod for any angler
Over the years, I’ve adapted cutting boards and other working surfaces to accommodate my need for a small bait station. I don’t like cutting up my fresh bait on the side or floor of my boat. I’ve ended up with several knife gouges due to that. And the blood is a bit difficult to wash off the kayak.
My solution has become to use a moveable, flat surface that I can dip in the water to rinse off after prepping my bait.
A trick I have discovered that has help save me time as well as frustrations is to add a strip of magnet tape to the edge of my board. This way, I can place my hook on the magnet as I’m prepping my bait, then secure my knife to the magnet as I’m baiting my hook. I don’t like to put my knife back in the sheath until I’ve cleaned it off and I’ve learned from experience that it gets very frustrating to pull the knife out multiple times to trim a bait or line as I’m baiting multiple hooks.
Once my hooks are baited and in the water I simply clean off the board and my knife, resheath my knife, slide my board back under my seat, and I have a clear surface to fish from.
7. Tow ropes are a must have mod for anyone on the water
When Kayak fishing there are an infinite number of reasons you’ll need and want a tow rope. We have used mine to tie off to docks, pull the kayak on and off our trailer, secure the front to a tree while fishing in particularly difficult current and wind, and secured tackle bags to the boat when navegating ruff waters. AJ has used it as a standing aid when her legs just weren’t strong enough to get up after a very long day of fishing. And (as the name implies) we’ve used it to tow eachother’s kayaks.
I have some kayaks that the rope is permanently attached to the front of my boat. I would have to cut it off to move it. The only reason I did this is because it is a reasonably long rope and the kayak is used in waterways that require tying off to docks repeatedly.
My other kayaks, the smaller ones that don’t require as much prep, I have the rope tied to the front so I can easily untie the rope and use it for various purposes throughout the day.
Save Yourself Headaches During Installations
Track Mounts:
Ensure the mounting bracket fits the track you are using (Tongue and groove mounts are not going to fit pontoon mounts and vice versa and they come in different sizes, but the good news is that many companies make adaptors for the smaller sized track nuts). Make sure the mount is for the type of track you’re using (side mount vs. top mount). When mixing brands make sure they are compatible.
Pouches and storage boxes:
Zip Ties can be used for a very low cost when you’re attaching these containers to your metal framed chairs. Velcro will hold up longer and offers more attachment options but will cost a little more. The good news there is that your local hardware store will have a variety of styles available and you can opt for stronger velcro (I like the 50-120 lb rating) to ensure the container remains in place until you choose to remove it.
Leashes:
You can easily make leashes with heat shrink tubing and paracord for a rather low cost if you don’t like the elastic bungee style leashes currently on the market. I will caution you, heavier products (such as metal measuring boards) will destroy the nylon bungee leashes on their first fall so don’t be surprised if you have to replace the leashes from time to time. I have not had to replace them too often to resort to self made leashes yet, but it is frustrating to have to replace one that hasn’t been in use for more than one or two outings. Yes, I am a bit of a clutz!
Seat cushions:
Rotational or stationary seats can be replaced with boat seats very easily. When choosing the seat you’re going to switch to, keep in mind the type of PFD you will be using. A high backed seat will interfere with a low backed cushion on a PFD and make the day rather cumbersome.
Flooring:
Self adhesive carpeting is a great option, but to make it last even longer, get the 3M adhesive spray. We applied the self adhesive carpeting with the 3M spray on our kayaks that we take duck hunting. We’re going on 5 years now and there isn’t a single corner that’s pulling up.
Kayaks in general:
Kayaks are treated with a protective coating when they are produced. It helps protect the material during shipping and prolongs the life of the kayak’s color. When working with tape, glue, vinyl wraps, or anything else you want to adhere to the surface of your kayak, make sure you wipe the area down with denatured alcohol and let it completely evaporate before attaching anything. It will save countless frustrations and make the process significantly more reassuring.