Best Kayak Crates For 2025

At the dawn of modern kayak fishing, anglers needed a container to hold tackle and gear that was light, versatile and nearly indestructible. The answer was simple: a milk crate. As kayak fishing turned into a serious sport, the milk crate turned into the modern tackle crate, purpose-built with rod leashes, gear tracks, water resistant lid and molded-in rod holders. And there’s space for a ton of gear and room for batteries to power electronics and motors.

The latest tackle crates reinvent the box for versatile storage and staging, but for minimalists nothing beats a milk crate and a couple of rod holders. My picks for the best kayak fishing crates cover the water from a cut-and-dry plastic box to a blinged-out tackle center to fit any type of kayak and every type of fishing.

Best Kayak Crates: Our Top Picks

• YakAttack BlackPak
• Wilderness Systems Kayak Krate
• Railblaza Gear Hub
• YakGear Kayak Angler Crate
• Plano Kayak Soft Crate

Best Kayak Crate

YakAttack BlackPak

$125 | yakattack.us

Buy from:

YAKATTACK AMAZON BASS PRO SHOP SCHEELS

• 13” × 13”
• Three premium rod holders with rod tie-downs
• Reinforced panels are stiff and light
• Pre marked accessory attachment points
• Locking latches

Why I Like the YakAttack BlackPak

The second generation on the YakAttack BlackPak increases the versatility, reduces weight and includes three new Tether Tube rod holders. The lid hinges allow me to prop open the lid when I’m digging in the crate. The side handles double as tie-downs to keep the crate secure in the kayak. Pre-measured marks in the side panels and lid make it easy to add accessories and mounts. YakAttack’s Tether Tubes use a bungee and hook to secure a spinning or baitcasting rod. The hooks tuck out of the way when I’m not using it. The crate panels use tongue and groove joints to increase strength and make assembly easier. YakAttack uses UV-stabilized plastic in their products, so the BlackPak resists fading and breakdown in the sun.

Bottom Line

YakAttack BlackPak is one of the most popular kayak crates because it is sturdy, versatile and simple. The crate comes in three sizes to fit any fishing situation. To use the BlackPak as a battery box, rig it with a GridLoc through-hull port. For anglers looking to customize their crate with accessories and rod holders, BlackPak’s pre-marked drill holes make installation easy. Just line up the holes on an accessory and drill through the marks to install the hardware.

How To Rig Your YakAttack Crate Like A Pro (Video)

Best Kayak Crate for Tackle Storage

Wilderness Systems Kayak Krate

$149 | wildernesssystems.confluenceoutdoor.com

Buy from:

WILDERNESS SYSTEMS AMAZON BACKCOUNTRY ECO FISHING SHOP

• Two compartments
• Four rod holders
• Blow-molded
• Watertight

Why I Like the Wilderness Systems Kayak Krate

Wilderness Systems Kayak Krate is one of the lightest and toughest crates in this review. The body of the crate is blow-molded out of a single sheet of plastic, no assembly is required. The process also makes the Kayak Krate waterproof and almost indestructible. The main compartment stores tackle trays and tons of gear. A storage compartment in the lid with a clear plastic cover holds the items I use most. If the crate’s main compartment is used for a live well or battery box, the lid storage area provides room for tackle and gear. Four rod holders on the long sides of the crate don’t interfere when I’m opening the lid and accessing the crate. Wilderness Systems and Perception Kayak owners notice the colors and design match the highlights and lines on their boats.

Bottom Line

The Kayak Krate is a full-size storage crate ready for a ton of gear. Anglers who carry everything and the kitchen sink find plenty of space inside the main compartment. The storage space in the crate lid is convenient for soft plastics and rigs and increases the crate’s usable storage space.

Best Kayak Crate for Accessories

Railblaza Gear Hub

$84.99 | railblaza.com

Buy from:

RAILBLAZA AMAZON ECO FISHING SHOP

• Four integrated rod holders
• Slots for track-mounted accessories
• Sturdy lid
• Holds eight 3600 tackle trays
• Rod tethers

Why I Like the Railblaza Gear Hub

Railblaza reinvented the box with the new Gear Hub storage crate. The big news is nine slots on the crate sides to add track-mounted accessories like a camera boom or tool caddy. I like the rod holders integrated into the corners of the crate to save space and allow the Gear Hub to fit into a small tank well. The lid is sturdy enough to double as a seat making the Gear Hub perfect for a standup paddleboard. There are multiple options for tie-downs to secure the crate to a kayak or SUP.

Bottom Line

In addition to the best kayak crate for accessories, the Gear Hub is also the best crate for a standup paddleboard. SUP anglers have less space for gear and accessories, so the Gear Hub is a convenient location for cup holders, camera mounts and tool caddies. When I fish on my SUP, I like to sit on the Gear Hub and paddle with a kayak paddle. The rod holders are integrated inside the crate making the Gear Hub easy to fit in any square space.

Best Value Kayak Crate

YakGear Kayak Angler Crate

$36.99 | yakgear.com

Buy from:

YAKGEAR AMAZON DICK’S SPORTING GOODS PUBLIC LANDS

• 13” × 13” × 11”
• 2.55 lbs
• Mesh storage compartment
• Two rod tubes

Why I Like the YakGear Kayak Angler Crate

My first kayak storage crate was a milk crate I swiped from behind a convenience store. On my paddle kayak, I still use YakGear’s Kayak Angler Crate for lightweight storage set up for the way I fish. To build my crate, I added a three-rod rod holder to the back and the front of the crate with stainless steel bolts, washers and lock nuts. To secure the crate in my tank well, I use one-inch straps and track-mounted tie-down loops. I run the strap through the tie-down and the handles in the crate. The crate is open to the elements, so I keep my gear in dry bags and tackle in waterproof tackle trays.

Bottom Line

A milk crate is still one of the best options for storing tackle and gear in a kayak. YakGear’s Kayak Angler Crate is light and sturdy with plenty of options for adding rod holders and other accessories. While the YakGear Kayak Angler Crate isn’t free, it is the least expensive kayak tackle crate in this review.

Best Kayak Crate for Gear Storage

Flambeau Tuff Krate

$103.49 | flambeauoutdoors.com

Buy from:

FLAMBEAU CAMPSAVER

• 16.75″ × 12.8″ × 15.26″
• Huge main compartment
• Lid doubles as storage
• Two rod holders

Why I Like the Flambeau Tuff Krate

The Tuff Krate is a milk crate on steroids. Larger, stronger and cooler looking, the Tuff Krate is made out of the same HDPE plastic with webbed side panels as a milk crate. To increase the capacity, the Tuff Krate has a snap-on storage space on the lid. I use the space for my scissors and pliers and open bags of soft plastics. The Tuff Krate provides space to carry eight 4000-size tackle trays, my raingear, a tackle bag and lunch in easy reach. The crate only has two rod holders, but I added two more rod tubes to increase storage. The sturdy webbed sides provide plenty of space to add accessories and save weight.

Bottom Line

For a ton of storage weight without weighing a ton, the Tuff Krate carries everything and the kitchen sink in a simple and sturdy crate. The crate is best used with the long side facing the angler so it requires a full-size tank well. Expect to add rod holders to the easy-to-customize crate.

Best Kayak Soft Crate

Plano Kayak Soft Crate

$60 | planooutdoors.com

Buy from:

PURE FISHING AMAZON SCHEELS WEST MARINE

• 12” × 17.5” × 11.5”
• Three external storage bags
• Fits in a 13”x13” storage crate
• D-rings and molle straps

Why I Like the Plano Kayak Soft Crate

The only problem with a milk crate for gear storage is protecting gear from dirt and moisture. The Kayak Soft Crate solves the problem and adds storage space. The soft crate has a rigid insert allowing me to use it as a stand-alone storage crate. Or, I slide the soft crate inside a milk crate to add vertical rod holders and protect my gear. The removable external gear pockets hold 3600 tackle trays and small gear items. The crate lid also has a gear pocket for more storage space. I remove the external pockets and use them to organize gear in my tackle bag. When I return from a fishing trip, the side panels double as handles. In seconds I remove the soft crate filled with my gear and carry it to the truck.

Bottom Line

The soft crate is a great compromise between a light and durable milk crate and a weatherproof kayak crate. The removable pockets double the crate’s storage capacity when I need to carry extra tackle and gear. And it is easy to install and remove between fishing trips.

How We Tested the Best Kayak Fishing Crates

I have a half dozen kayaks and standup paddleboards and I rigged each one with a different storage crate. I use each boat for a different purpose requiring a unique storage solution. On my paddle kayak, I use a simple milk crate with five rod holders to save weight without sacrificing storage space. My pedal kayak has a full-size storage crate with rod holders, light and camera mounts. On my motor boat, I use a kayak crate to store batteries and gear. And my SUP is rigged with a crate that doubles as a seat for long days on the water.

To test the best kayak fishing crates, I used them as the designers intended. I played around with accessories and rod holders, packed the compartments full of tackle, tools, food and water bottles and secured the crates with bungees and tie-downs. There isn’t a bad kayak crate; just a kayak crate used badly. Don’t stick a giant 16-inch by 16-inch crate on the back of a 10-foot paddle kayak or use an old milk crate on a new motorized kayak. Instead, I match the crate to the purpose and rig it with rod holders, tools, lights and accessories to meet my personal needs.

Feature photo: Ric Burnley