Best Tackle Box For Kayak Fishing: The Top 5 Reviewed

In need of a new tackle box for kayaks? You have come to the right place. In this buying guide, we will reveal to you the different types of tackle boxes, how to choose the right one for you, and which is the best tackle box for kayak fishing on the market!

Let's begin.

Types of Tackle Box

First off, we need to discuss the two types of tackle box, hard and soft boxes.

Hard

The first type is the hard tackle boxes for kayaks. These boxes are simply tackle boxes manufactured using hard materials. They usually use plastic, but some older tackle boxes will have been made with wood; both kinds will have organized storage compartments inside.

Plastic is a good option for a waterproof tackle box for kayak, which is always a good thing for any kayaking or fishing accessory. It's also UV resistant most of the time, easily wiped clean, and usually lasts a long time.

If you're planning on purchasing a hard tackle box, we recommend staying away from the cheaper options. This is because they tend to have plastic buckles or clips that can quickly become brittle and snap or break.

Soft

Soft tackle boxes are more like satchels, shoulder bags, or backpacks. They use durable, water-resistant fabrics, and they are generally easier to transport than the hard kayak tackle box.

The soft tackle boxes also have lots of storage compartments but in the form of pockets, and they usually come with extra pockets so that you can keep your keys, wallet, camera, or any additional tools in them.

However, they are not as easily cleaned or waterproof as the hard tackle boxes, and it can be harder to organize your kit. If you struggle with organization, you can purchase plastic dividers or boxes to combat this and make organizing easier.

How To Choose The Right Tackle Box?

best kayak fishing tackle box

Size

The size of the tackle box you need to take on the water totally depends on the amount of tackle you want to bring.

Tackle boxes come in all sorts of sizes, so you will have to also consider the space in your kayak. After all, you don't want to purchase an all singing all dancing tackle box and can't fit it in the boat!

Waterproof

Tackle boxes need to be designed to have the ability to get a bit wet and still protect what's inside. Most hard plastic tackle boxes do just that, but will not withstand submergence.

When buying a soft tackle box, you want to consider the material and make sure it is highly resistant to rain.

Durability

Durability is always a concern when purchasing any product. You want to get the right balance between ergonomic design and longevity.

You want to make sure the plastic or fabric is durable, so it's not prone to snap and break or rip and tear when you're out on the water. This will save on frequent buying as well.

Compartments/Organization

The compartments required is totally up to you. It could be that you're looking for an all fishing gear in one box, or perhaps you enjoy using a fishing jacket for some of your equipment instead. Only you can decide what level of organization you need.

The larger tackle boxes will come with lots of different compartments some with trays, whereas the smaller tackle boxes might have dividers you can move around to your own requirements.

Some tackle bags come with pockets for your water bottle, iPad, phone, sunglasses, you name it.

Portability

Portability is an important thing to consider when kayaking. It could be that the parking spot is miles away from the water, and nobody wants to take a lot of trips getting the kayak and all your kit down there.

We think soft tackle boxes are more convenient when it comes to portability, as they are much easier to carry.

Our Top Picks & Reviews

Are we feeling more confident finding the best kayak fishing tackle organizer? Good, let's get into the good stuff, cast a line, and see what we can catch.

1. Two Tray Kayak Tackle Box by Plano

two tray kayak tackle box by plano

This Plano kayak tackle box is highly rated and perfect if you're looking for a small and basic kayak tackle box. Plano makes it easy for you to store this box in your kayak and customize it to whatever your organizational preference is. The tackle storage box provides plastic containers with dividers so you can create different sizes of compartments.

The containers are transparent, which is convenient if you're looking for specific pieces of fishing equipment you can find it right away.

This box is a good option as a smaller box you can use on its own or alternatively fit into larger containers.

An excellent option for small convenient fish tackle boxes.

okeechobee fats fisherman deluxe kayak fishing tackle bags

These kayak tackle bags are easy to carry using its handy shoulder strap and have plenty of storage space for things aside from tackle like cameras, phones, wallets, keys, other smaller accessories, etc.

There are three large pockets on the outside of the fishing bag, and the inside has space for eight small storage boxes. A nice feature it has is a small sunglasses pocket, which is handy for easy access to your shades when you're fishing in the sun during the day.

The water-resistant fishing bag is durable and spacious, but if you fancy this tackle bag, it's worth noting that if you are intending on being organized, you may need to purchase small storage boxes to place inside the fishing bag.

This is an excellent choice for a tackle bag that provides lots of storage, and if that's what you're looking for in the best tackle bag for kayak fishing, this might be the bag for you.

best kayak fishing tackle box

This tackle bag is a tackle bag to take down all other tackle bags. It presents as a messenger style bag perfect for kayak fishing storage.

The fabric is exceptionally water-resistant and durable, made from 1000D high-density nylon. All of the zips, material, and buckles are abrasion resistan plus there are no concerns when it comes to longevity.

Pocket-wise, they seem to have thought of everything! There are compartments for your water bottle, lures, and tools, and that's just on the outside!

The outside of the bag uses a reflective material, which makes it easy to spot, especially if you happen to drop it overboard accidentally. This tackle bag can be used as a backpack, messenger bag, handbag, or chest bag but best used as a tackle box as it has rod holders perfect for all your fishing trips.

It uses a breathable mesh design to help keep you cool when wearing it and the innovative ergonomic adjustable and detachable shoulder strap is wide for comfort.

This is an excellent choice for a kayak fishing tackle storage bag if you're looking for plenty of storage and a convenient, comfortable kayak tackle storage system.

plano 23500-00 size stowaway with adjustable dividers

Plano has a wide range of kayak fishing tackle boxes and hard tackle boxes to choose from, and this model is another smash hit.

Perfect for organization, this canoe tackle box is transparent for quick identification and easy access to the contents. It has five to nine adjustable compartments from four dividers and can create up to twenty-five separate compartments.

It is a medium-sized kayak box, which is super durable with brilliant locking clips to secure it shut, so no worries of tackle and tools everywhere when you drop the box on the floor.

Size-wise this is the best tackle box for fishing from a kayak as its a medium-sized box. It's big enough to carry some extra fishing gear and tools while remaining small enough that it isn't bulky and cumbersome to store in your kayak.

wild river by clc custom leathercraft tackle box

Is this the best kayak tackle box on the market? Well, if by best kayak tackle box, you mean the most extravagant ultimate soft tackle box, it could be!

This box has heaps of features but a price tag to match. However, if you're willing to shell out for luxury tackle boxes, this is a great option.

These tackle boxes have plenty of storage as well as convenient custom pockets for pliers, sunglasses, and all the necessary fishing tools. It also sports a rotating grip on the metal handlebar design complete with an LED light, which is useful if you need to find your bag quickly in the dark!

The box has thought of everything you could possibly need, like the removable retracting steel cable lanyard to attach any small tools, keys, or essential items to when out on the water.

The main compartment is large, allowing up to five small box containers, which is convenient if you need extra storage space or are embarking on a more extended fishing trip.

On top of all that, it also has adjustable dividers if you feel the need to organize your tackle and four mesh pockets if you need to identify tools quickly.

This is an excellent bag with brilliant, organized storage and features but all at an understandably higher price.

Our Favorite

After considering all of the bags on the list and their feature, price points, and sizes, we have concluded that the one we think is the best tackle box on the market is...

The one, the only, Piscifun Fishing Kayak Tackle Bag! This bag is a great all-rounder for those looking for one tackle bag to take on the competition. It comes at a sensible price and provides excellent storage with custom pockets built for your tools and rod holders and is a perfect choice if you want the most comfortable, universal, and best tackle box for kayak fishing!

Common Questions & Answers

What should I put in my tackle box?

Many anglers have a different recipe for what should be put in one's tackle box, but here are things you might want to consider.

Extra fishing line, bobbers, lures, swivels, leaders, hooks in different sizes, pliers, knife, stringer, weights, ruler or scale, insect repellent, flashlight, sunscreen, and last but most important, a first aid kit.

How do I organize my tackle?

Again, tackle management is each to their own, but if you are someone who needs one or two tips or guidance in organization, here are some ideas.

  1. You want to group things together, for example, arrange the tackle in groups related to the species of fish, or organize the lures in groups depending on what they do. Keep the same color soft plastic baits together as the colors can bleed if they are stored with others and adjust the tray dividers to match the size of the lures. It's also important to separate the lures from the soft plastic baits as the chemicals used can cause damage or deterioration to the lure or jig paint.
  2. It's convenient to use clear plastic storage boxes in order to quickly and efficiently identify the equipment inside the box in a flash, but if that doesn't do it for you, it might be easier to label the boxes with the contents inside, this would help you identify which box you need quickly.
  3. When you finally get home from your trip (as tempting as it is to throw your equipment in the garage in an exhausted heap), it is essential to let your boxes dry out. This is because the moisture can cause hooks to rust and deteriorate quickly, especially if you have been fishing in the salty sea. It's also important to remember as soon as they are dried out, you should close, lock and secure the boxes so that there aren't any accidental bumps of the table, hooks, lures, and tools flying and scattering on the floor.

Where do you keep fish in a kayak?

The minute you catch a fish to eat, and it dies, it starts to deteriorate. This is why it's essential to keep it as fresh as possible. You have to consider the storage, there are plenty of options on the market to store the fish, whether it be a cooler or insulated fish bag, but once you decide on where you're going to cool the fish, ideally, you will need some sort of ice to keep the fish fresh.

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