By Paul Lebowitz

Kayaks are compact fishing vessels. Every piece of gear we strap onto our small boats serves a purpose. And just as the kayak itself should be viewed as a fishing tool, so too is the paddle and that other often overlooked accessory, the seat.

“It’s the only thing separating us from the hard plastic seat well which wasn’t meant to offer support or comfort,” pointed out kayak fishing guide Jason Morton of Kayak Sportfishing. There’s no danger of mistaking a kayak cockpit for an easy chair. In fact, going without a good seat leads to a numbing problem politely stated as ‘kayak backside.’ Pain in the posterior leads to short, uncomfortable outings.

Fortunately, companies such as Surf to Summit and Seairsports produce a full range of durable, comfortable seats for sit-on-top kayaks. The best of the bunch come with built-in rod holders and tackle packs that turn any kayak into a fishing machine. Here’s a look at a few top of the line models:

Seairsports Angler Enduro and Pacific Angler: The Angler Enduro’s combination of a 20-inch high seat back and self-inflating bottom seat pad are designed to provide long-lasting comfort. The seat back features a large storage pocket and two rod holders. The Pacific Angler adds additional storage pockets, lash points, and webbing loops for carrying more gear. www.seairsports.com

Surf to Summit GTS Elite and GTS Air Wave: The GTS Elite and Air Wave seats feature soft, gel-like foam panels laminated with cool microfiber fabric. Multiple straps provide a custom, adjustable fit. The Air Wave substitutes a self-inflating bottom seat pad. Choose from four detachable storage options: the standard storage pack, a fishing pack with two rod holders, a bottle pack, or a dry bag pack. www.surftosummit.com