Rethinking Kayak Tackle Storage

[Koz]

I think that it's about time that kayak manufacturers rethink kayak storage options. I have a Flambeau Tuff Krate Premium that also has a small flip top storage as well as the main crate. I really like it, but as I get older it's not as easy to twist and turn, reach over my seat, and dig through the crate to find the storage box that I'm looking for.

 

I'd like to see kayak companies utilize a flip up deck storage area right in front of the seat, even if it holds only two storage boxes. If the kayak is deep enough, maybe you could stack 2 boxes side by side giving you four to quickly access.

 

They should also make use the interior side walls of the kayak with compartments to store tools or terminal tackle.

 

Yes, this would take a little engineering to eliminate any flex, strength, and watertight issues. Buy I'm sure that it could be done.

[flyfisher]

best bet for that will be raising the seat and going underneath.  I know some have already done drawers and others have put slots on the side that hold plano style boxes.  My flexibility isn't what it used to be either but that is my own fault and I figure if I want it to be more comfortable I can do what I can to increase my flexibility and go from there.  

[FryDog62]

On 10/20/2023 at 10:40 PM, flyfisher said:

best bet for that will be raising the seat and going underneath.  I know some have already done drawers and others have put slots on the side that hold plano style boxes.  My flexibility isn't what it used to be either but that is my own fault and I figure if I want it to be more comfortable I can do what I can to increase my flexibility and go from there.  

Yes, a taller seat and 3 pull out drawers might be about right 👍

[Koz]

5 hours ago, flyfisher said:

best bet for that will be raising the seat and going underneath.  I know some have already done drawers and others have put slots on the side that hold plano style boxes.  My flexibility isn't what it used to be either but that is my own fault and I figure if I want it to be more comfortable I can do what I can to increase my flexibility and go from there.  

I keep a couple of boxes of primary baits under my seat, but they tend to slide around and are not always easy to access.

 

Another reason to rethink built in kayak storage is saving weight. Nowadays kayakers are adding more batteries, electronics, trolling motors, etc. and every pound matters in both displacement and simply lugging the kayak around.

[flyfisher]

7 hours ago, Koz said:

I keep a couple of boxes of primary baits under my seat, but they tend to slide around and are not always easy to access.

 

Another reason to rethink built in kayak storage is saving weight. Nowadays kayakers are adding more batteries, electronics, trolling motors, etc. and every pound matters in both displacement and simply lugging the kayak around.

and by making a tackle box/tray you will be adding weight to the kayak not taking it away.  It will take more structural supports, probably scuppers, and more materia; plus hinges etc.  

I know on my kayak if I need to I throw stuff in my front hatch as I can easily get to it, even if it means getting out of my seat to go forward enough to reach.  

 

One thing that helps for me at least is I put a piece of pool noodle cut in half on my center console deal to put flies mainly but it also works for lures too.  Keeps stuff easily accessible for things I know I will be using.  I tried it on the side originally and it just wasn't working like I wanted it to and got in teh way but being a fly fisherman, I have a lot more to deal with in the way of snagging things than conventional anglers.

[casts_by_fly]

The hobie pro angler has a built in hatch just as you’re describing. It holds two medium boxes which I think are 3600 size. I think the new titan angler does also. 

[Koz]

2 hours ago, flyfisher said:

and by making a tackle box/tray you will be adding weight to the kayak not taking it away.  It will take more structural supports, probably scuppers, and more materia; plus hinges etc.  

No, the purpose is to be able to do away with carrying the crate as well as making tackle easier to access.

 

My kayak doesn't have any forward or rear hatches which is the case with many fishing kayaks, especially pedal drives like mine.

[Will Ketchum]

As a last resort you could minimize what you take with you. Kitchen sink not required.

[flyfisher]

3 hours ago, Koz said:

No, the purpose is to be able to do away with carrying the crate as well as making tackle easier to access.

 

My kayak doesn't have any forward or rear hatches which is the case with many fishing kayaks, especially pedal drives like mine.

you are literally only saving the weight of the actual crate itself though, whatever that may be and I would venture a guess that all the additional engineering needed would probably offset the weight savings and it also may impact glide as well depending on where the weight is now centered.  I also don't evben know how you could add anything into the front area of a boat with pedal drive and make it easier to access but I guess that is why I don't design kayaks.

And by hatch I don't mean internal, mine is a big opening with a flip up hood.

[Koz]

4 hours ago, Will Ketchum said:

As a last resort you could minimize what you take with you. Kitchen sink not required.

I used to pack a lot, but haven't for the past year.

 

But again, the biggest piece of this is access to tackle. Maybe if you're young and 6' 3" it's easy to twist and access gear. That's not the case when you're older or vertically challenged.

 

 

1 hour ago, flyfisher said:

I also don't evben know how you could add anything into the front area of a boat with pedal drive and make it easier to access but I guess that is why I don't design kayaks.
 

 

On my kayak there's enough deck area for a hatch between my drive and my seat. And instead of having a flip up hatch, you could have a recessed handle and pull up a storage area. In other words, the boxes are laying flat and not on their side. 

 

So the unit would have a top, bottom, and three solid sides. The front would be open faced where you could slide in boxes. The entire unit lifts out, then you pop it back in.

[flyfisher]

13 hours ago, Koz said:

I used to pack a lot, but haven't for the past year.

 

But again, the biggest piece of this is access to tackle. Maybe if you're young and 6' 3" it's easy to twist and access gear. That's not the case when you're older or vertically challenged.

 

 

 

On my kayak there's enough deck area for a hatch between my drive and my seat. And instead of having a flip up hatch, you could have a recessed handle and pull up a storage area. In other words, the boxes are laying flat and not on their side. 

 

So the unit would have a top, bottom, and three solid sides. The front would be open faced where you could slide in boxes. The entire unit lifts out, then you pop it back in.

there have been some manufacturers who did this on kayaks in the past, I want to say the jackson coda and some of the ocean kayak models had the feature of a bascially exactly what you stated but I can't remember if they were deep or wide enough for a plano style box to lay flat.

[Alex from GA]

There are enough pockets in my PFD to hold all the tackle I take in a day's fishing.

[Koz]

7 hours ago, Alex from GA said:

There are enough pockets in my PFD to hold all the tackle I take in a day's fishing.

I used to wear a hard vest on my kayak, but it was both too hot and uncomfortable trying to lean back in my seat. I switched to the self inflating vest which is also quicker to get off and on when I'm fishing on a boat.

[Scott804]

Under the seat pullout drawers are my main method

[WRB]

What it sounds like you need is to swing the tackle crate around to one side of you to access it. This can be done by attaching the create to a swing table arm mounted where the create is now sitting. Think of the 2 flat plates with the bottom plate with a corner post mounted to the kayak. The upper plate with a receptacle plate (hole) for the post to be the pivot point. You will need a release latch to hold the plate in both the closed behind the seat position and the rotated to one side position. The plates could be 12” x 16” 3/8” marine plywood or something lighter and stronger.

Tom

[Koz]

13 hours ago, WRB said:

What it sounds like you need is to swing the tackle crate around to one side of you to access it.

I've thought about that, but things are already crowded on deck. First off, there's the pedal drive unit. Then I have a 7" Humminbird, the Yak Attack Switchblade transducer arm, the Yak Attack CellBlok for my battery, and the mount for the head unit. It's like an obstacle course trying to land fish!

 

But I am thinking of attaching the CellBlok behind my seat with some Velcro to free up space, then mount the head unit and Switchblade separately on the rail. The area behind my seat had been reserved for my C-Tug cart, but now that I launch from my backyard or trailer my kayak I don't need it onboard anymore (I used to haul it in and out of my hotel for storage and launch).

[Zcoker]

Native makes a rear seat storage system that I use on my OldTown. Holds two Plano storage boxes on each side as well as outside storage for other items. Just reach back with right or left hand and take out what tackle box is needed. Holds most of my tackle...I travel very light, which is a big first step! Works great for me, quick and easy no fuss and no twisting! 

 

[Koz]

12 minutes ago, Zcoker said:

Native makes a rear seat storage system that I use on my OldTown. 

 

That's always a possibility, but currently I attach a soft cooler to the back of my seat. I have also put a few Plano boxes in there along with my snack and drinks. Still not great for short, old guys with T-Rex arms

[Zcoker]

46 minutes ago, Koz said:

That's always a possibility, but currently I attach a soft cooler to the back of my seat. I have also put a few Plano boxes in there along with my snack and drinks. Still not great for short, old guys with T-Rex arms

 

I guess it would boil down to what you use the most. In my case, I only grab my little Yeti lunch bag when I want something to eat, which is usually only once. Whereas I reach back and grab my tackle boxes many times. My drinks are always up front with me in the cup holders, enough for an entire day or night. So need and necessity vs placement might need to be looked at in order to come up with a practical solution. It's not just the storage, it's how that storage is used.  

[Darth-Baiter]

i actually want LESS holes into my hull.  my Outback has the big one up front i dont even use..i keep two boxes in the one by my "junk".   most of my stuff is in the back box.  i enjoy the side twist needed to get to the stuff.  some days, it is my only calisthenics.   helps me keep my boyish figure. 

[TnRiver46]

Sounds like you should sell you idea to kayak manufacturers and make tens of dollars! 

[Gera]

On 10/21/2023 at 3:12 PM, Will Ketchum said:

As a last resort you could minimize what you take with you. Kitchen sink not required.

I need to learn how to do this.. I'm old enough where I consider staying at home just to avoid loading/offloading. 

 

6 hours ago, Zcoker said:

Native makes a rear seat storage system that I use on my OldTown. Holds two Plano storage boxes on each side as well as outside storage for other items. Just reach back with right or left hand and take out what tackle box is needed. Holds most of my tackle...I travel very light, which is a big first step! Works great for me, quick and easy no fuss and no twisting! 

 

this looks awesome, I really want to get rid of the crate. thanks. 

[Bankc]

They've got waterproof storage hatches.  You could cut a hole on your deck and install one of those to store your baits in.  You might want to line it with some plastic to keep things from rolling around in there.  You could use thick plastic bags, or a Tupperware type container and either plastic weld it or use silicone glue to secure it.  Though, if your kayak is like my kayak, there's a solid core Styrofoam frame below the deck for rigidity and quietness.  So you'd probably want to reinforce the floorboard to keep the kayak rigid.  You could build that out of fiberglass reinforced wood, plastic, or aluminum.  

 

Or, and hear me out, stretching exercises.  You can definitely lose mobility as you age, but you don't HAVE to.  You're going to lose strength.  That's just a fact of growing old.  But I've seen plenty of old yogis who have proven beyond any doubt that you can remain flexible well into your senior years.  It just takes a few minutes of daily stretching.  

 

[Standard]

The Bite has pockets in the side sized to hold 3600 boxes.  My most used tackle goes in there.  

 

This is all loaded up for a weekend of camping on the river, so more stuff than I've been taking lately.  I'd usually carry 5-6 3600 sized boxes, slimmed that down to 3.  Goal for next year is to cut that down to just 1 box.  The crates gonna stay, though.  Need those rod holders for the fly rods.

[Boomstick]

There's a couple of products that might be nice for you:

 

First, the YakGadget Quadbox. Stores tackle trays beneath your seat. May or may not wok with your kayak.

 

Second, the YakGadget crates are angled in a way that might be easier for you to work with.

 

Finally YakAttack recently came out with the TracPak, a rail mounted storage box which might make things easier for you.