Small-boat Options

Inshore boats, flats skiffs and kayaks can’t hold a lot of gear. Space is more limited and not necessarily relative to the boat’s size. Here are some quick tips from our edit staff:

• Tacklewebs’ mesh pouches and similar products add storage to small vessels, often in otherwise unusable spaces. Attach a pair of pouches with paracord or bungee to the legs of a casting or poling platform, or along the fore or aft bulkhead. These can hold waterproof tackle trays or must-have items that don’t need to stay dry.

• Safety gear, a first-aid kit, tools and a release buoy can join the anchor and rode (coiled inside a milk crate) in the bow storage compartment.

• If the boat’s configuration allows, keep life vests in one of the aft compartments, and turn another into dedicated tackle storage. Depending upon the dimensions of the hold, you might fit a dozen tackle trays or more. If the compartment is deep enough, stand the trays on one end, front to back, like a file cabinet. That frequently leaves some space to squeeze in a few more lengthwise along the side, with a 1⁄4-inch-thick Starboard cutting board doubling as a divider.

• To the underside of the aft tackle compartment’s lid, affix a peel-andstick Tacklewebs to stash gloves, leader spools and a fillet knife.

• Mount holders for tools like a Bogagrip, dehooker and spare pliers to the inside of the console doors.

• A kayaker’s most efficient tool is a milk crate or purpose-built kayak crate. Affix a webbed pouch to the framework of the crate for additional storage.

• A life jacket with pockets also holds essentials within a kayaker’s easy reach.

• Yeti also makes waterproof pouches (Sidekick Dry) that fasten with Molle straps to a seat backrest or a small Yeti Flip soft cooler.