5 Boat Accessories That Make Fishing Trips Easier

By Debbie Hanson

Aug 10, 2022

List of boat accessories to help you fish more efficiently, keep gear organized. How to maximize time on the water with practical fishing boat accessories

Certain boat accessories can make finding and catching fish easier. For example, every boat can benefit from a good set of electronics to assist with navigation and locating productive fishing spots. Other types of fishing boat accessories can help you approach spots with stealth, keep your fishing gear organized, and measure your catches to ensure you are following size limit laws.

Maximize the time you spend on the water with your family by investing in a few practical boat accessories.

1. Fish Finder/GPS Electronics Package

A fish finder can help you locate structure, such as drop-offs or weed edges, that hold fish. In addition, a good GPS/navigation system can help you navigate unfamiliar waterbodies and keep track of your favorite fishing spots or waypoints. While there are many different types of electronic packages on the market, look for one that’s user-friendly and has an anti-glare screen.

2. Fly Line Management Bucket

If you plan to fly fish from your boat, you may want to invest in a fly line management bucket that will keep your fly line from getting tangled while casting. A stripping bucket can prevent your fly line from getting tangled on cords or trolling motors and prevent it from blowing off the boat. If you want to focus on fishing instead of untangling knots in your fly line, a fly line management bucket is one of the boat fishing accessories you should absolutely have.

3. Trolling Motor

Trolling motors are boat accessories that will help you maneuver your boat without using a loud outboard engine – which means that you’ll be able to find and catch more fish. Today’s trolling motors also enable a boat to stay in one spot by working against current or wind without the need to deploy a heavy physical anchor. When it comes to bass boat accessories, small fishing boat accessories, or pontoon boat accessories; trolling motors have become a must-have for fishing more efficiently.

4. Fish Ruler

If you plan on taking a few of your catches home for dinner, fish rulers are important fishing boat accessories to have on board. You’ll need a fish ruler to make sure any “keepers” are within the state fishing regulations. Some of the fish rulers on the market are made with adhesive backing that you can apply directly to a boat, kayak, or paddle board. Look for closed-cell EVA foam fish rulers that are durable, float, and are easy to clean.

5. Cooler with Rod Holders

If you’re looking for cool accessories for boats (pun intended) that help with organization, particularly to maximize space on small boats or kayaks, look for a cooler that has built-in rod holders. This way, you can keep food and drinks cold on board while also having a convenient place to store a few extra rods.

Since you know about a few boat accessories that can make your upcoming fishing trips easier, don’t forget to make sure that you have all the required boating safety equipment on board before heading out on the water.

Debbie Hanson
Debbie Hanson
Debbie Hanson is an award-winning outdoor writer, women’s sport fishing advocate, IGFA world record holder, and freshwater guide living in Southwest Florida. Hanson’s written work has appeared in publications such as Florida Game & Fish Magazine, BoatUS Magazine, and USA Today Hunt & Fish. To learn more about her work, visit shefishes2.com or follow her on Instagram @shefishes2.