By Paul Lebowitz

Some say the essence of this sport is simplicity. Don’t you believe it!

Kayak fishing is gear intensive. Start with a ‘yak and paddle, add safety essentials such as a PFD, then toss on your fishing gear. That’s a lot of stuff!

Save Your Tools from a Watery Grave
Face it. On a fishing kayak you’re never far from the water. Unless you leash your stuff, it’s bound to go overboard sooner or later. Scoff in the face of Neptune when it does. The pliers, braid cutters, de-hookers, gaffs, scales and more from Xtools are designed to float.  Bright colors make sure they are easy to see too. Don’t waste your dough – go with keeper gear designed kayak-tough.

Get Undersea Eyes
An essential for any well-outfitted fishing kayak, a fishfinder such as the Lowrance X67c truly takes a boat to the next level. The bright, sunlight-viewable color screen clearly displays structure spots, drop-offs, and bottom texture (rock vs. sand). Got bait? Skittish schools can’t hide from a sabiki if you’re armed with sonar. Don’t fish blind; get undersea eyes.

Prevent that Sinking Feeling
Kayak pumps don’t look like much. Just a cylinder with a ‘T’ handle, they are as simple as can be. Make no mistake, these babies are mission critical. Even the best made sit-on-top fishing ‘yak takes on water now and then. A little is no big deal. A lot is serious. Feel confident you can drain it. Get a number like the Scotty Kayak Pump and don’t leave shore without it!

Stash Your Rod
This one is a no-brainer. What distinguishes a fishing kayak from a plain ‘ole paddle craft? Rod holders of course. The latest kayak designs provide plenty of deck space for these indispensable items. Mount them up front for trolling lures. Drop them behind the seat for fishing live bait on the clicker. Even put one on the console for easy rod rigging. It’s nearly impossible to have too many. Multiple designs are available from Scotty, RAM Mount, Sea-Dog Line and other companies, each with their own special strengths.

Fight the Malady Known Politely as ‘Kayak Posterior’
Prevent a sore back and a numb rear end. Aftermarket seats such as the GTS Elite from Surf to Summit or the Pacific Angler from Seairsports add immensely to on-the-water comfort. Taller seatbacks for improved lumbar support and plush padding to keep the blood flowing are reason enough to make the change. Here’s another one. Aftermarket seats often come with useful storage packs or even seat-back rod holders for bonus storage.

Look Cool and Catch More Fish
Quality polarized sunglasses like the stylish models from Costa del Mar do more than make you look good. They subdue the on-the-water glare that leads to headaches and eyestrain and provide an almost super-powered ability to peer into the depths. Spot your quarry and underwater structure when the other guy can’t. And look cool too.

Secure Your Trophy
The boys and girls in green – otherwise known as ‘the law’ or the Department of Fish and Game – require every fishing vessel including kayaks to carry a landing net. Enforcement is rare, but why chance it? Instead, grab a compact, kayak-friendly net such as the Trophy Series Collapsible Landing Net from Promar. It stows easily, opens quickly, and features knotless mesh ideal for Plastic Navy tournament use. Land that trophy bass with assurance.

Trade the Yugo in for a Ferrari
That paddle is your engine. Supercharge your fishing machine. Ditch the aluminum and fiberglass cheapie. Go high-tech and higher speed with a space-age replacement like the FishStix from Adventure Technology. This E Glass composite is lighter-weight and light-years ahead in blade design and efficiency. Make every stroke count; a paddle upgrade is the single most effective purchase a kayak angler can make.

Don’t Break Your Back – Wheel that ‘Yak!
So graceful on the water, kayaks are a royal pain to move when high and dry. Ah, but how easy it can be with a set of wheels such as the Kayak Cart-Beach from Wheeleez. A two-person job becomes a walk in the park for one. No longer fear a long portage or deep sand – the balloon wheels float over every solid surface.

Stay Connected on the Water
A submersible handheld VHF radio such as the Standard Horizon HX471S is as much a fishing tool as a safety item. Save your voice from shouting. Radio your friends into that hot bite, or wait to call them until its photo taking time. It’s your choice. The other huge upside? A direct line to the Coasties should things go wrong.