There is an endless amount of fishing gear on the market and it’s easy to get overwhelmed quickly. You don’t really need a bunch of gear to successfully catch fish but investing in good gear will make it easier. Here is a basic list of gear that I use and recommend.
Here are the 3 fishing essentials every kayak angler should own:
A Good Fishing Combo (Amazon.com) You don’t have to have a 200 dollar fishing combo to get the job done. The Ugly Stick GX2 is my go-to combo because it is budget-friendly, durable, and has a killer warranty.
A Reliable Net (Amazon.com) PLEASE do not make the same mistake as I did for many years and fish without a net. I fished most of my life without using a net and I cannot tell you how many times I have lost a monster right beside my kayak as I was pulling it out of the water; It’s heartbreaking.
A versatile multitool (Amazon.com). When it comes to a bait knife, the Leatherman Wave Plus fits that role quite well while giving you 17 other tools as well. Leatherman is a reputable brand and provides a 25-year limited warranty. The multitool has the ability to use all tools with one hand, which is good for kayak anglers who always have a rod or paddle in hand. I got mine in black and it is awesome.
A Quality Fishing Combo
Any fishing rod will catch fish, but a quality pole with good line and reel on it will make the difference. While hardcore fisherman may pay up to 200 dollars for an expensive pole (not including the reel), you can pick up a good pole for about 60 dollars. My recommendation for a high-quality fishing pole that won’t break the bank is the Ugly Stik GX2 (click here to see it on Amazon). I recommend you purchase the 7′ one. I have owned this rod (I own 3 of these) for about 3 years now and it is my go-to pole.
Reasons why I love the Ugly Stik GX2:
- Budget-friendly – The GX2 provides a lot of bang for the buck.
- Comes with reel – The reel is kind of mediocre but still does its job well. You can upgrade it if you like, the pole alone is worth the price.
- Durable – The GX2 is famed for being extremely resistant to breaks, I have never had one to break on me.
- Beginner-friendly – This combo is as simple as it gets if you can use a spinning reel you’re good to go.
- Warranty – This combo comes with a 7-year warranty on the rod and 1-year warranty on the reel.
This combo does not come with fishing line so I recommend picking up a spool of monofilament line (Amazon.com).
There are better rods and reels out there, no doubt. But with the GX2 being so cheap and easily replaceable, I’m not afraid to throw it around and put a beating on it. I have yet to break this rod so it’s safe to safe that it takes abuse very well.
A Reliable Fishing Net
A reliable net will save you several heartbreaks, trust me. I found this relatively inexpensive net on Amazon that I use that gets the job done perfectly. I haven’t had any reason to purchase a different net after about 8 or so months of use thus far. There are a couple of sizes to choose from, I linked the smallest and cheapest one because it does its job just fine.
Why I recommend this fishing net:
- Light Weight – Easy to pick up, handle, and use; just as a fishing net should be. The handle is made of fiberglass and the net itself is waterproof nylon mesh.
- Collapsable – This makes storing the net on the kayak easier since you’re so limited on space. I recommend unfolding the net before fishing though, you do not want to be caught trying to fight a bass and your net at the same time.
- Durable – The nylon mesh that the net is made out of is waterproof, which means it will last longer.
A Versatile Multitool
Realistically, you can use just about any knife to perform basic cuts on fishing line and bait but the Leatherman Wave Plus (Amazon.com) is just so much more. When it comes to knives I prefer to buy a good one once instead of buying a cheap one several times and the Wave Plus provides a serious bargain. With minimal care, the Wave Plus will last for years; this thing can take some serious abuse.
I personally recommend getting the black one because it is the one I have and it looks so much cooler than the stainless steel one.
Reasons why I can’t live without my Leatherman:
- Light-weight and compact – The Wave Plus is designed with one-handed use in mind. It takes up very little pocket space.
- 18 tools – What can I say except that the Wave Plus is the jack of all trades. It includes useful tools like Pliers, scissors, a bottle opener, straight and serrated knives, and screwdrivers to name a few.
- Durable – The Wave Plus can take a serious beating. With minimal care, this tool will last for years.
- 25-Year Limited Warranty – This thing is built to last forever and the warranty speaks volumes.
- Comes with a sheath – The sheath is easily attachable to a PFD or belt and is high quality.
I have owned several Leatherman products and have never been disappointed.
