The typical kayak comes with 1 or 2 standard hatches and possibly a day hatch and or a tank-well. These are very useful for storing camping gear or food and beverages for a long trip. However, on many kayaks it can be a fairly difficult task to access the hatches when out on the water and failed attempts may result in an unscheduled swim. Here’s where the fishing crate comes into play. The average milk or storage crate once modified becomes an essential component of the paddle-fishing craft. It can store almost any item the typical angler will need for a day of fishing and keep it all within arms reach. 

Parts List:

• 1 Milk or storage crate

• 2 14” sections of 1 ˝” PVC pipe – Sch 40 or equivalent

• 6 1/8” Tie straps

• 2 Mini bungee cords

• 1 sheet of 120 grit sandpaper (or Dremel tool)

• 1 Can of semi-flat black spray paint (optional, use color that matches your crate)

I had trouble locating a milk crate locally. So instead I purchased a storage crate from Staples, although any office supply chain should carry some version of the storage crate. Mine measured 13˝” X 17” X 10 ˝”. They come in many different colors for those of you who like to color coordinate your boat and rigging.

The two sections of PVC pipe will be used as rod holders once affixed to the crate. They can be mounted either externally or internally depending on your preference. I painted mine with black semi-flat spray paint prior to installation to match the crate. I also used a Dremel tool to make a notch in the PVC in an effort to center the rods once they were placed in the holders (not entirely necessary as gravity will center your rods anyhow). Be sure to radius the rod holding edge of the pipe to de-burr it by using the Dremel tool or 120 grit sand paper. The PVC sections can be mounted in whatever angle feels most comfortable to the user. Use the tie straps to secure the holders to the crate. It may be necessary to drill some small holes to accommodate the tie straps. In an effort to retain my rods in their holders during rough conditions I used mini bungee cords to strap them down when needed. The bungee cords can be tied on, strapped on with tie straps, or you can drill a couple of holes to provide anchor points for the cords. Any method will suffice.

Mounting procedures for securing the crate to your kayak will vary depending on your specific vessel. I was fortunate in that my particular kayak has a hatch located directly behind my seat. The hatch cover is held on by two straps. I just placed the crate on top of the flat hatch cover and used the straps to hold it in place. I then ran two of the seat’s support straps through the crate for added support. Many paddlers use standard bungee cords to attach the crate to the eyelets of the kayak. In any case try to make it secure as possible due to the fact that when trolling there is always the possibility hooking into a large fish and he may attempt to vacate with your new fishing crate in tow.

Throughout the building process of your crate, be sure to test fit your modifications to ensure you are building an efficient means of accessing your stored items and rods. Tasks that seem easy on land suddenly become difficult when turning around backwards in your seat trying to free your rod from the holder while the kayak is floating in 6” chop. The difficulty level increases if a fish is on the end of the line. But remember also that unlike drilling holes in your boat, nothing is permanent with the crate, and in the worst case scenario you can build another unit and you’re only out $15. It may be a good idea to rig a couple different crates if your kayak is a multi-purpose vessel. Mine is some times used on trips to store photography equipment and a lunch cooler on nature trips. In this case the rod holders aren’t needed.

This is just a basic guide to get you started. Your crate should be rigged according to your unique needs, wants, and physiology. Most crate setups develop into something as unique as the kayaks and individuals who paddle them. Remember there is no wrong answer when designing and building your crate as long as it suits your needs.

Good luck with your project

(Snookout)  

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