There’s no greater thrill than spotting a feeding fish, making a perfect cast and fooling the fish to bite. That thrill comes with a cost—hours of paddling, standing, squinting into the water and searching for a sign. Sight fishing the flats is challenging, but this gear makes it easier.
Fishpond USA
Gunnison Guide Pack
$129 | fishpondusa.com
The Fishpond USA Gunnison Guide Pack can sit on your hip or clip on to a drift-boat frame, canoe gunwale, cooler or crate. Constructed of recycled nylon, the pack includes two handy water bottle holders to keep you hydrated. Tabs, cord loops, Velcro attachment points and an integrated net holder keep all your essential tools in reach. Large zippered main compartment holds small tackle boxes. Easily swap lures on the go using Fishpond’s molded zip-down fly bench.
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Yeti
Roadie 24 Hard Cooler
$199 | yeti.com
Yeti coolers are famous for keeping the catch cold and gear dry. But sight fishermen love these rotomolded coolers for another reason—Yetis are tough enough to stand on to see into the water. The Roadie 24 fits into the tankwell or cockpit of most kayaks and the available tie-downs make it easy to secure to the deck. The lid is sealed and latched to keep contents dry or cold.
Costa Del Mar
Blackfin Sunglasses
$179 | costadelmar.com
Lots of sunglasses claim 100-percent polarization and UV protection, but Costa del Mar’s polycarbonate and glass lenses are a cut above the competition. Available in a variety of frame and lens colors, Blackfin glasses bring clarity and comfort to the serious sight caster. Upgrade to the new Blackfin Pro for a more customizable fit and upgraded sweat and moisture control.
Bubba
Fishing Net
$144–214 | bubbablade.com
Capable of handling up to 75 pounds, the Bubba Fishing Net can tackle the biggest fish. Comes in three sizes. Bubba’s famous red grip keeps hands on the handle. If it does go over, the Bubba Fishing Net floats.
Marsh Wear Clothing
Redfish Magnolia Long Sleeve Performance Shirt
$39 | marshwearclothing.com
The best sight fishing is under clear skies and blazing sun. Sight-casters need a high-performance shirt to stay cool and un-crispy. Performance Long Sleeves from Marsh Wear come in a variety of styles and many boast a 50 UPF rating. That means the shirt offers five times more sun protection than bare skin. Superior moisture wicking keeps skin dry and antimicrobial properties keep the shirt from stinking.
SeaDek Marine Products
Kayak Non-Skid Padding Kit
$45–$320 | seadek.com
Stand up sight and cast all day long and you’ll feel the searing pain in your feet. Upgrade your kayak’s deck with a made-to-fit Kayak Non-Skid Padding Kit from SeaDek. Shock absorbent and made to last, these kayak pads provide extra grip even when covered in fish slime. Change the look and function of your kayak with custom colors and logos.
The right gear will make fishing the flats more comfortable and more effective. | Feature photo: Courtesy of Old Town Canoes & Kayaks
