To survive rough-and-tumble river fishing, gear, tackle and kayaks must be super light and super tough. Crashing into rocks, bouncing through rapids, tangling with deadfalls and making a lightning-fast cast to a moving target requires specialized equipment capable of holding up to the challenge. This year’s highlights include an indestructible inflatable kayak, high-performance rod and reel, abrasion resistant and sensitive fishing line, rock-crawling water shoes and a must-have for every angler’s first aid kit. Our picks for the best river gear makes swiftwater fishing safer and more fun.
Gear of the Year: The Best Stuff for River Fishing
Wilderness Systems iATAK
MSRP: $1,579
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AMAZON ACADEMY SPORTS ECO FISHING SHOP WILDERNESS SYSTEMS
An inflatable kayak bounces off river rocks and slides over gravel without complaint, making the iATAK a good choice for light to moderate river rapids. According to the Wilderness Systems website, ATAK stands for Advanced Tactical Angling Kayak. The iATAK is the first inflatable in the Wilderness Systems family employing these features to squeeze the maximum fishability out of an inflatable kayak.
The iATAK is one of the best paddling inflatables I have tested. The secret is a two-chamber hull with a drop-stitch floor and drop-stitch gunwales joined in a PVC shell. The design gives the iATAK more depth which improves tracking and control.
The Ergoboost seat is a full frame mesh-covered frame seat with lumbar support for all-day comfort. To further elevate the angler off the deck, the seat back folds forward to expose a platform. Sitting on the platform gives me a few extra inches above the water to make casting and retrieving a lure easier and more effective. Moving the seat in the low position is more aerodynamic and ergonomic for paddling.
Kayak fishing is an entry-level sport and anglers with limited transportation and storage options want to get in on the fun. The iATAK allows almost any angler to become a kayak angler.
Lew’s Custom Lite Spinning Reel
MSRP: $189.99
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BASS PRO SHOPS AMAZON FISH USA LEW’S
Sure, holding tight to a broomstick and cranking on a coffee grinder while a monster fish tries to rip off my arms is a lot of fun, but I get just as much excitement from finessing a 20-inch smallmouth bass out of a rocky river. Lew’s Custom Lite Spinning Reel shaves weight without sacrificing power. The Custom Lite’s single-piece frame and rotor are machined from a blend of carbon fiber and metal to achieve maximum strength with minimal weight. Inside the reel, 11 stainless-steel ball bearings and an aluminum shaft increase power and improve durability. The aluminum spool further reduces weight without sacrificing strength.
DHUKR Tool
MSRP: $39.99
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The DHUKR human de-hooking tool made a big impression with anglers and emergency room doctors. The tool, designed by an emergency room doctor, is a quick and painless way to remove a fishing hook from skin. To drive home the point, DHUKR designer Mike Pisano convinced Kayak Angler’s Keith Stevenson to be his guinea pig. After Stevenson intentionally pierced his arm with a 3/0 jighook, Pisano used the DHUKR to safely pop free the hook. For 2025, DHUKR introduced two new models. The DHUKR model called The Yak is designed specifically for kayak anglers with a more compact handle that is easy to clip to a life vest. To remove tiny hooks, like Sabikis and trout flies, DHUKR released a smaller model called The Dink with a single-finger trigger and downsized head to accommodate thin-wire hooks.
Lew’s TP2 Spinning Rod
MSRP: $99.99
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River anglers need tough tackle with lightning-fast response. A river angler is always moving in the current, trying to avoid obstacles and making quick casts to structure. To satisfy river anglers, Lew’s TP2 Series uses a blend of high-modulus graphites with action and power to fish everything from crankbaits to Carolina rigs. The TP2 lineup also includes several “all-around” models to cover a wider range of tactics. The skeletal reel seat leaves the blank exposed so the angler feels the slightest vibration on the line. Lew’s premium Winn Dri-Tac grips provide maximum traction and durability.
Yo-Zuri Super Braid 9
MSRP: $19.99
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If eight-carrier braided line is good, nine-carrier line must be better. For the ultimate in braided line, the latest generation of nine-carrier lines increases the performance of eight-carrier technology. Yo-Zuri’s nine-carrier SuperBraid line weaves eight strands of filament around a central strand to make a line that is stronger, more sensitive and has better knot strength. The big advantage is the increased abrasion resistance of the additional fiber. Going from eight- to nine-yarn isn’t easy. Yo-Zuri developed and manufactured SuperBraid in their Japanese factories to the highest standards of performance and feel.
Astral Loyak EZ HT
MSRP: $100
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By sticking to rocks, protecting my feet and draining and drying quickly, river shoes make river fishing possible. I’ve been wearing Astral’s famous Loyak line from the coast to mountain rivers. The new Loyak EZ HT continues the minimalist water shoe theme with a durable, soft outer sole and shock absorbing inner. The new EZ HT employs an organic Hemp Tech material that is super soft and still durable. I like the wide footbed to improve my balance when I’m standup fishing or hopping from river rock to river rock. The latest Loyak EZ HT adds a slip-on feature, so the water shoes are great around the campsite, too.
Keep it light and simple with Wilderness Systems’ iATAK inflatable fishing kayak. | Feature photo: Patrick Hayes
