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Best Kayak Crates Reviewed & Rated for Quality
Many of our products can be installed without using hardware, and even more of them can accept tons of different additional gear making them fully customizable for the best fishing experience possible.
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Features
One of the main considerations we had when making this list were the features that are on each kayak crate. We love crates that offer up a variety of storage options to keep you organized. We also love kayak crates that have true waterproofing or water-resistant properties.
Crates that come with customizable storage options and gear add ons also rank highly in this category for us. As do those crates that feature easy-access storage and the come with custom tackle boxes designed to fit snugly inside.
Size
Size was a major consideration as well because space is limited on your kayak. We work to provide the most exact dimensions and weights possible so that you can have a better idea of whether or not a specific product will work on your kayak.
Compatibility
Piggy backingon size, compatibility was also a huge factor we looked at. We work to highlight which products are specifically compatible with which brands, and this can go two ways.
First, we looked at which crates were known to be compatible with which kayaks. While we try to provide exact matches, there are, of course, tons of brands and models of kayaks so we could not list each compatibility. But we list compatibilities provided by the brand’s themselves and by reviewers of the products.
Then, we looked at which gear brands were compatible with which crates. As many of the crates have customizable gear options, it is important to know whether or not specific gear can be accepted by your crate.
Ease of Use
When considering ease of use, we want to highlight two things.
First, we looked at how easy each product was to install. We love products that can be installed with bungees instead of being hardware installed because this makes organizing and moving the kayak crate easier.
We also considered how easy it was to access while in your seat on the water. Kayak crates with more compartments that are easily accessible score highly in this category.
Value
Prince ranges vary pretty widely for these products, so we worked to bring you the most functional products for the best price. You’ll notice that the most expensive product is ranked number 10 on our list so for us, more expensive is not always better.
10 Best Kayak Crates
1. Wilderness Systems
We jumpstart our list with the Wilderness Systems. It is one of the most premium products that we feature, and it is well worth shelling a little extra out for.
This crate comes with tons of storage and even offers up four-rod holders so you won’t have to worry about leaving any of your gear behind when you hit the water.
Dual Opening Lid
The Wilderness Systems offers tons of storage space--more than you’ll find in almost any other product on the market. To begin with, it features a large amount of storage in the main compartment. But that’s not all. The heavy-duty lid also provides more storage for smaller items and quicker access.
As one of the best crates for kayak fishing out there, it is a bit on the larger side as a result of its extra storage capacity. It measures 18 inches long, 13.5 inches tall, and 13.5 inches wide. It weighs in at just under 11 pounds.
4 Rod Holders
This comes standard with some pretty excellent features. There are four-rod holders (2 on either side) that are strategically placed so you won’t have to worry about getting lines crossed or tangled.
The crate is super durable and can withstand quite a beating. With 3 superior rubber latches that promise to hold, you can rest assured that your lid won’t fly open and expose your gear. Plus, the crate is largely water-resistant when the latches are secured into place.
Cost and Value
This option rings up at the very top of our price range and we love its value because it comes loaded with tons of features and offers up more storage than other crates out there. Plus, it works to keep gear dry on the inside so you can protect your gear from the elements.
2. Plano Weekend Series
The Plano Weekend Series Kayak Crate Soft Bag is a wonderful alternative to typical hard body kayak fishing crates, though this product can fit snugly inside a standard milk crate if desired (milk crate is not included with your purchase).
This crate option is lightweight and ideal for those with stability and weight issues on their kayak. Plus, it offers up multiple storage compartments to help you stay organized while you’re out on the water.
4 Different Storage Compartments
The Plano Weekend Series Kayak Crate Soft Bag is a dream of lightweight and customizable storage. The main storage compartment is large and features a divider to help keep items in their place. With your purchase, you will receive 2 stowaway boxes. The main storage compartment can hold a total of 9 stowaway boxes.
There are two storage panels on the side of the bag that doubles as insanely durable handles for transport. You may also remove these panels all together if you choose and attach your own customized storage gear on the sides. These panels feature numerous D-rings for hanging gear and also boast 2 tool holders for easy access while you’re on the water.
The lid also features a storage compartment for smaller items, as well as an extra zipper for easy access.
Sturdy, Water-Resistant Fabric
The Plano Weekend Series Kayak Crate Soft Bag is made from a sturdy fabric that is treated to be water-resistant to keep your gear safe and functional during inclement weather and wake.
This crate offers up tons of storage without taking up tons of space. It measures 17 and a half inches wide, 12 and a half inches tall, and 12 inches deep. It weighs in at just around 2 and a half pounds when it is empty.
Cost and Value
The Plano Weekend Series Kayak Crate Soft Bag rings up in the low middle of our price range and we love its value because it is a super customizable option that is lightweight but still offers up tons of storage and weatherproofing to keep your gear safe.
3. BIGANT Collapsible & Stackable
The BIGANT Collapsible & Stackable Crate is a wonderful option is space is limited for you. For some, it can be a challenge finding storage space for your storage items when they are not in use. This product breaks down to basically nothing so you can store it anywhere when you’re not out on the water.
Customizable Configuration
The BIGANT Collapsible & Stackable Crate is an excellent option for those with limited space. The unit measures 15.6 inches long, 11.6 inches deep, and 10.2 inches tall. When collapsed, it only measures 2.95 inches thick. The crate weighs just 3 pounds.
You may choose to put all 4 sides on the unit or leave the front or back off for easier access of items inside. You may also choose to purchase a lid that is sold separately to complete your kit.
Can Really Hold Its Weight
The BIGANT Collapsible & Stackable Crate features an innovative locking system that guarantees the sides of the crate stay intact. It can hold weight up to 140 pounds of gear.
You can pick up this product in 3 different colors: charcoal gray (pictured), blue, and red.
Cost and Value
The BIGANT Collapsible & Stackable Crate rings up at the bottom of our price range and we love its value because it maximizes storage space and capacity without taking up tons of room. Plus, it collapses down when not in use so it is easy to store out of the way.
4. YakAttack
The YakAttack Kayak Angler Crate is another premium option to make our list. It comes standard with 3 rod holders and is designed to fit on a large variety of kayak brands making it a great option for a wider range of kayak users.
Compatible with More Kayaks
The YakAttack Kayak Angler Crate is designed to be compatible with more kayaks than many other products on the market today. In fact, this crate can be easily installed using the shock cord rigs that are on most kayaks out there.
Specifically, this crate is compatible with kayaks from Ocean Kayaks, Vibe, Wilderness Systems, Feelfree, Bonafide, Hobie, Nucanoe, Jackson and even more.
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Drainage Holes
The YakAttack Kayak Angler Crate is durably and thoughtfully made. Drainage holes on the body of the crate ensure that water flows freely out and doesn’t pool in the bottom of the crate.
The lid closes snugly with shock cord. It opens and can fold back completely, making access a little bit easier, especially while out on the water.
There are E-slots on either side of the crate. One side is loaded with 3 rod holders leaving the other side open for additional gear of your choosing (sold separately). This crate has 10 different “stations” for holding rods at different angles and accepts MightyBolt accessories.
When you purchase this product, you’ll get a free SPF face mask made by Waterman’s Wear.
This product measures 16 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 11 inches tall. It weighs about 10 pounds. You can purchase it in either tan or black.
Cost and Value
The YakAttack Kayak Angler Crate rings up at the top of our price range and we love its value because it comes with tons of customizable options so that you can get the setup that is just right for you. Plus, it is compatible with more kayaks and you don’t need hardware to install it so you can move it from kayak to kayak more easily.
5. Yak Gear Crate Basic Kit
The Yak Gear Crate Basic Kit is more than just a crate--it is a full utility kit that comes with some super handy gear to help you get your best fishing done while you’re out on the water. So if you are totally new to kayak fishing, this is a great option to get all of your gear in order.
Ample Storage
The Yak Gear Crate Basic Kit is the perfect size to hold all of your tackle and gear. It measures 13 inches long, 13 inches deep, and 15 inches tall (standard size). Thus, it can fit on most kayaks that are good for fishing.
This crate comes with an additional mesh storage pouch that can be installed on the side. It can hold a tackle kit measuring up to 9 inches by 11 inches.
Comes with Anchor and Gear Leashes
The Yak Gear Crate Basic Kit is basic, but it still provides tons of goodies and essentials. You’ll not only enjoy the storage that comes with this kit, but you’ll also love the grapnel anchor (3.3 pounds) and cleat (plus all necessary installation hardware).
With your purchase, you’ll also receive 2 leashes that can be attached to your paddles or rods to ensure they don’t float away or sink to the bottom of whatever body of water you are in.
Plus, the kit comes with 2 rod holders for your favorite fishing poles that are easy to install as well.
But that’s not all! There’s a whole line of Build a Crate products that you can peruse to customize your crate even further. This crate is designed to accept all gear from that series.
Cost and Value
The Yak Gear Crate Basic Kit rings up in the middle of our price range and we love its value because it is super customizable and because it comes with several necessary gear items for the new-to-fishing kayaker.
6. Plano Kayak V-Crate
The Plano Kayak V-Crate is one of the most uniquely shaped crates on our list and it packs in a crazy amount of storage that is super accessible so that you can hit the water totally prepared. If space or weight is a major issue for you, then this may not be the best option.
Comes with 4 Tackle Boxes
The Plano Kayak V-Crate comes complete with pretty much all of the different storage needs that you might have while you’re out for a day on the water. The arms that make up the V design hold 2 tackle boxes each which actually come with your purchase.
These tackle boxes come with dividers inside that can be adjusted to fit your needs and are ideal for storing lures, hooks, and other small fishing gear. The tackle boxes are held in place by heavy-duty rubber straps that are super secure, but also easy to hook and unhook.
Drywell Storage
The Plano Kayak V-Crate is one of just two crates on our list that actually offer up total waterproofing. The bottom compartment of the crate locks on both sides and has a protective seal making it waterproof. This is a safe place for you to keep your camera, phone, or other sensitive valuables while you are on the water.
The larger top compartment does not have a lid and is therefore not waterproof. However, it does offer up tons of additional storage space for whatever your needs might be.
There are also 2 aluminum gear bars on either side of the crate that can be used for mounting additional gear like rod holders or extra storage bags.
This crate can be mounted using bungees (though it is top-heavy so you’ll want to make sure it is super secure so it doesn’t topple out of your kayak and cause you to lose all of your gear) or you can permanently install it to your kayak using hardware.
Cost and Value
The Plano Kayak V-Crate rings up in the high middle of our price range and we love its value because it has a larger variety of different storage spaces and options than many others on our list and because it has a true waterproof function to keep your sensitive items safe. We also really like that it can be installed in two different ways as this makes it a more versatile option.
7. Hobie H-Crate JR
The Hobie H-Crate JR is another of the more premium options on our list. It is super easy to assemble and breaks down in a breeze as well. Plus, with tons of mounting points, you can secure just about any gear imaginable to the sides so that you can fish comfortably for hours on end without having to paddle back to shore.
Tons of Gear Options
The Hobie H-Crate JR may be smaller but it still comes with tons of customizable gear storage options. With 4 H-Rails that double as the crate’s handles, you can install any H-Rail gear that you please.
Plus, each wall is outfitted with recessed points for mounting so you can install pretty much any other kind of gear you choose as well.
This crate comes with rod holders at each corner (4 in total).
Small Footprint for Better Compatibility
The Hobie H-Crate JR is a smaller version of the larger Hobie H-Crate. This more compact size makes it a better fit for a larger variety of different kayaks. This crate measures in at 14 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 13 inches tall.
We love that you do not need hardware to install this crate. It comes with 4 hooked straps (one at each corner) so that you can easily install and remove, no matter what kayak you’re on.
Plus, this puppy is easy to assemble and breaks down super quickly as well so you can count on faster mobility. This product weighs around 8 pounds when empty.
Cost and Value
The Hobie H-Crate JR rings up at the very top of our price range and we love its value because the customizable gear additions are endless, and all with taking space into major consideration. Plus, you don’t have to hardware install this unit so it is easy to move from kayak to kayak.
8. Flambeau Tackle Tuff Krate
The Flambeau Tackle Tuff Krate is an excellent option for those who require serious organization because they have tons of gear, but who don’t want to shell out premium dollars. A perfect midrange crate with tons of storage, this buddy will ensure you have all the gear to make your fishing trip a successful one.
Universal Mounting Stations
The Flambeau Tackle Tuff Krate is an excellent pair for all sorts of gear add ons. With universal mounting stations on every face of the crate, you won’t have to worry about leaving any of your gear behind.
The main storage compartment of the crate can hold up to 8 Flambeau Tuff Tainers.
The premium model that we feature (pictured) comes with a lid that offers up additional storage. This is a great option for quick access to smaller items, though it can hold tackle boxes as well. You may choose to leave the lid off if you desire, or if it exceeds the weight that you are shooting for.
This crate also features 2 rod holders for your convenience.
Install with Bungees
The Flambeau Tackle Tuff Krate is easy to install and is compatible with a wide range of crafts. It comes with shock cord stays to help you secure the crate and the contents within.
The crate measures 16.8 inches long, 15.3 inches tall, and 12.8 inches deep. It weighs around 8 pounds when empty.
Cost and Value
The Flambeau Tackle Tuff Krate rings up in the low middle of our price range and we love its value because it accepts all sorts of gear additions and because it can be easily installed without hardware. It boasts many of the same features as more premium items at a not so premium price.
9. Perception Splash
The Perception Splash Kayak Crate is a great soft body option for those who are looking for a lighter weight crate for their craft. It is fully lined with D-rings so you can attach a ton of gear to it and it folds down nicely for easy storage when it’s not in use.
Simple and Efficient
The Perception Splash Kayak Crate is straightforward and efficient. It is lined with D-rings and extra loops to make storing quick-access items on the outside a breeze. With carabiners or hooks, you can easily attach tons of extra items on the exterior to make accessing them easier while you are on the water.
This crate is compatible with other Perception products like rod holders or storage containers.
The lid opens fully allowing for easy inside access while in your boat.
Waterproof
The Perception Splash Kayak Crate is one of the most waterproof options on our list. The lid and materials ensure that your gear stays dry and good to go no matter what the elements throw at you.
This crate can be easily installed on any kayak with front or rear storage wells. It measures 17 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 12.5 inches tall. It weighs in at 5 and a quarter pounds.
Cost and Value
The Perception Splash Kayak Crate rings up in the middle of our price range and we love its value because it can fit easily on most kayaks and because it is a simplified option that is actually waterproof.
10. Hobie H-Crate
The Hobie H-Crate is the most premium option on our list and it is the perfect way to round out this ten best. It is the larger brother of the Hobie H-Crate JR that we featured above (check number 6). It has tons of customizable options so that you can create the crate that is just right for your next big fishing adventure.
Features 4 Rod Holders
The Hobie H-Crate comes complete with 4 rod holders (one on each corner of the crate). This serves to keep rods separate and lines apart so that lines don’t get tangled and make a mess of your gear.
This crate measures 17 and a half inches long, just over 14 inches tall, and 13 inches wide. However, the inner storage dimensions are a little smaller at 13 and a half inches long and 10 inches wide. This option weighs in at just under 6 pounds when empty.
Tons of Customizable Options
The Hobie H-Crate comes loaded with customizable options. Each wall of the crate features mounting holes for additional gear. And the handles on this crate are also H-Rail mounts that accept H-Rail accessories so you can outfit the crate with additional gear.
Cost and Value
The Hobie H-Crate rings up at the very top of our price range and we like its value because it is super durable and can accept tons of customizable options for you to outfit your storage to fit your exact needs.
Sources
- , 5 Rules for Choosing the Right Fishing Kayak, Article
- , BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO TACKLE MANAGEMENT, Article
- , Organize Your Tackle, Article
