A fishing tackle backpack is one of the best fishing accessories you can buy, but like almost all fishing gear how do you know which is the best fishing backpack? What do you look out for, how much do you spend, how big do you need? Well we are here to help with some information on how to pick a fishing backpack that suits you, as well as our top recommendations.
Why would I get a fishing tackle backpack?
A backpack for your fishing gear is a great addition to your fishing kit, it is one of the best things I have bought. Think about carrying all of your gear from the car to your spot, all the best spots are the most remote as well so you have to get over some rough terrain and through some dense scrub to get to them. Wouldn’t it be great not to have to carry that awkward tackle box and free up a hand to carry something else? Well, the fishing tackle backpack is your answer.
A tackle backpack is a great way to organize your gear, store your gear and, most importantly, carry your gear from place to place. Plus they aren’t just for your tackle, you can even get them with a cooler compartment to keep your food and drinks cold and ready for your lunch break.
We will run through what to look out for in the best backpack for fishing, but here are our top picks to get your started:
Wild River Tackle Tek Nomad Lighted Backpack – our top overall pick for best fishing backpack
The Wild River Tackle Tek Nomad Lighted Backpack is a mouthful to say, but it takes out our recommendation as the best all-round tackle backpack. Simply put, for the price this fishing backpack is packed full of features and compartments for all of your gear.
The main tackle compartment has enough pace to fit 4 medium sized tackle trays, though these are not included with the backpack. These are packed low on the pack with a front access zipper. This allows the weight to sit low in the pack and you can access them from the front so don’t need to dig through your pack. There are also multiple external pockets to hold other accessories and keep them easily accessible, the front pocket also opens into a small work bench which is really handy.
On top we have a permanently fixed sunglasses compartment, which is really important for those of us who are constantly switching between fishing sunglasses and vision glasses. There is also a front mounted LED light, which we really like as an option, that you can use to keep on fishing into the night or getting an early start. Add to this the included rain cover and the large padded shoulder straps and this makes it a good all season fishing tackle backpack.
Weighing in at 4.75 pounds (2.15kg) when empty, it is fairly lightweight but will start to feel a bit heavy when you load in all of your gear. Though with the extra padded shoulder straps and will provide some extra comfort and help sit the weight evenly on your back.
This Wild River Tackle Tek Nomad Lighted Backpack is really well made, as you would expect at this price point, the fabric is top quality and the stitching appears strong in all of our test. It is a backpack that you will get many years of use from.
What we like:
- Molded sunglasses compartment
- Well-made and comfortable
- LED light is very handy when the sun goes down
What we don’t like
- Not waterproof, so not suitable to wading
- No hip strap, there is a small chest strap but an additional hip strap would have been great.
Piscifun Fishing Tackle Backpack – A great value fishing tackle backpack
Our next pick is the Piscifun Fishing Tackle Backpack and is our pick for the value-for-money choice. If you are like me, and most fishing fans, you don’t get out as much as you like so need to spend your money wisely. Then this is the backpack for you.
The Piscifun Fishing Tackle Backpack is a great carry all option, with 11 compartments (with dividers to make this 18) you can carry all your gear easily. The front compartment has room for 4 medium sized lure boxes when the clapboard is removed and is easily accessible from the front of the pack.
Three zipped side pockets, a zipped front pocket, upper storage space, rain cover and a sunglasses holder… what more do you need? Oh yeh, it also has a drink holder!
For the money, the materials and construction of this backpack are top notch. Made with Water resistant 1200D high density nylon fabrics and using KAM buckles and SBS zippers your definitely get good bang for your buck. The 86 sewing procedure also means that the material seams are tougher and also have a 20% higher water resistance.
Wearability scores very well for the Piscifun Fishing Tackle Backpack as well. The back of the pack is tickly padded and the shoulder straps are both adjustable and extra padded too. This will come in really handy when you are carrying all you gear in a heavy pack. All body contact point are made of a breathable mesh to help keep you as cool as possible.
What we like:
- Customizable storage options
- Value for money
- Water resistant 1200D high density nylon construction
- Sunglasses case
- Reflective strips
What we don’t like:
- Has a waist strap but no chest strap. Would be great if one could be added.
- The included tackle boxes are great for average sized lures, but not much else. Not adjustable to smaller compartments
Spiderwire Fishing Tackle Backpack
While it is an ever so slightly smaller fishing tackle backpack, the Spiderwire pack is a great fishing backpack if you are out for a day trip and don’t need to carry ALL of your gear. It is made of 100% nylon construction and is very durable so you don’t have to worry about it scraping against anything. It is also a delight to carry with the thick shoulder straps and extra padding.
The main compartment can fit three medium sized tackle boxes and is also a cooler compartment. It will easily fit the three tackle boxes as well as a packed lunch and a few cans of drink. All accessible from a front zipper and perfect for a day trip!
The Spiderwire fishing tackle pack also boast a plier holder, foam molded sunglasses case, to good sized zip up side pockets and a rod holder. Having a rod holder is a great advantage so you can keep both hands free while packing in and out of your fishing spot.
All up this is a great day tripping fishing tackle backpack, the lack of water resistance and lack of a rain cover means you will have to pick your day and watch out where you leave your pack. We don’t think that is a total deal breaker though, especially for a day pack.
What we like:
- Has chest and waist straps for better weight distribution
- The cooler compartment
- Rod holder
What we didn’t like:
- Not great water resistance
Plano Z-Series Tackle Backpack
Here is a fishing tackle backpack that is designed with one thing in mind – Access to your gear! The Plano Z-Series has NO zippers, it utilized buckles and Velcro for it’s closures. This gives you much easier access to your gear.
This backpack is great for someone who mostly fishes in saltwater, not having zippers here is a real advantage as zippers tend to be easily damaged by exposure to salt. The bag is also made of TPE coated waterproof fabric, so all your gear will stay dry while you are in the boat.
For storage of your gear the backpack will easily fit 4 3700 size tackle boxes and also has two exterior side pockets and a wrap-style front pocket. It has a fairly straightforward design and fits loads of gear, all within easy reach and no fumbling around with zippers!
The Plano Z-Series is a fairly comfortable backpack to carry. We do feel that this tackle backpack is designed to be thrown into a boat or kept near you on a beach as opposed to carried through the bush to get to your spot. More like the straps are there to help you move it, as opposed to carry it long distances.
What we like:
- VERY easy to access all gear quickly
- A great pack for the saltwater angler
- Waterproof material
- Can fit loads of gear
What we don’t like:
- Not an “all day wear” type of backpack
- Velcro catches a lot of sand when fishing off the beach
KastKing Fishing Tackle Backpack
Here is another great tackle backpack for the saltwater angler! The KastKing fishing tackle backpack is a larger fishing tackle backpack, but that means it has loads of space for your gear and is good for a long trip.
Made of 420D rip-stop nylon and given a hydrophobic coating on the outside makes this backpack especially splashproof. KastKing go a step further by adding a PVC layer on the inside to make sure your gear stays dry.
This backpack has heaps of storage. There is a side access area where you can load in 4 3600 utility boxes to the bottom of the pack. It also has a removable separator, so you can make the main compartment even bigger. Top access for the main compartment also has extra internal storage pockets. On the front we have two extra zip pockets and also a sunglasses pocket on the top.
The sides of this pack give up extra pocket in favor of rod holders, which we this is definitely a plus!
This is a comfortable pack to wear with extra padding on the back of the pack and the shoulder straps. Plus the addition of a wait and chest strap give a great weight distribution. This is definitely a pack you can carry around all day!
What we like:
- Lots of internal pockets to keep everything organized
- Rod holders
- Waterproof coating and PVC lined
What we don’t like:
- Hard to find anything on this pack we really didn’t like!
Summary
So there we have it, our picks for the best fishing backpack. We hope this helps you cut down your list and shows you what our favorites have to offer.
We based our list on the best storage and comfort but it’s also important to weight up options depending on the type of fishing you are doing. If you are trekking into you fishing spot then rod holders might be a deal breaker. If you are fishing on a boat, waterproofing might be a priority.
For someone who is new to fishing, think about the type of fishing you will be doing most, and buy a back that would suit. There isn’t the need to go out and buy the most expensive pack (spend that money on a good rod and reel), get something comfortable and durable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here at ProFishingReviews we get a lot of questions from our readers. Here are some of the frequently asked questions around fishing tackle backpacks. We hope these help!
Why a tackle backpack over a tacklebox?
It really comes down to two reasons, amount of storage and moveability. A tacklebox does it job of storing tackle very well, a fishing tackle backpack makes it all so much better.
From a storage point of view, you can fit loads more gear into a backpack than you can a tacklebox. Most of the fishing backpacks we listed will hold 4 medium sized tackle trays, which is about the equivalent amount that your standard tacklebox will hold. That’s just in one compartment of the backpack, you then have other compartments for spare line, tools, wet weather gear, lunch…. The list goes on.
Moving your gear is then the next considerations. With a tackle box in one hand and your rods in the other, how much else can you carry? A fishing tackle backpack solves this. You can carry all of you gear (and your rods) on your back now, meaning two hands now free to carry other things, hold your partners hand, steady yourself if you trip etc.
What is the best tackle backpack for me?
When looking for a fishing tackle backpack your first question is, what type of fishing do I do most? Are you trawling saltwater in a boat, fly fishing small stream, spinning in a dam? All of these will have backpacks that work best for them.
In any type of boat fishing, we recommend you look for a backpack with good waterproofing. When you are on the water there are a lot of opportunities for you bag to get wet so it is important to have good waterproofing to keep all of your gear dry (especially if you have packed a change of clothes).
For someone who has a long trek from the car to their fishing spot, focus on comfort. Rod holders will be a good option here too. Remember that your backpack will be a bit heavier as you are likely carry quite a bit of gear (can’t just run back to the car) and also probably lunch. Look out for padded back and shoulder straps as well as a waist and chest strap. These will help distribute the weight of the back and make it much more comfortable to carry.
Can you take a fishing tackle backpack ice fishing?
Well, yes…. But. Make sure it’s got a least a water repellant coating!
We have been ice fishing with people who seem to forget that ice is actually frozen water. They leave their pack on the ice and then wonder why it’s got a soggy bottom at the end of the day.
Another thing to think about here is storage. Make sure you pack has enough space to store some spare clothes or keep your layers dry. An extra pair of socks never hurts.
How much should I spend on a tackle backpack?
I’ll be honest, this probably shouldn’t be your most expensive piece of fishing kit. Spend money on your rod and reel!
The big question here is, how often will you use it and how will you use it. If you are only going fishing a few times a year there is no need to spend a huge wad of cash on your tackle backpack (again, rod and reel first). How you will use it also comes into play. Waterproof bags are more expensive but definitely worth the money if you are always fishing off a boat.
What should I pack into my tackle backpack?
First priority is the tackle you need for the day – lures, hooks, sinkers etc.
From there we have a few other things we recommend:
- Spare spool of fishing line
- A torch
- Small first aid kit
- Snacks (muesli bars and fruit cups are pretty common in my bag)
- Water purifier tablets (just in case)
- License and maps (keep these in a zip lock sandwich bag for added water resistance)
- Spare pair of socks, one day you will need them and you will thank us
How long will a fishing tackle backpack last?
If you keep it clean and dry they will last a long time. Look for a backpack made of tougher materials and look at the stitching. A good rule here is that if it feels cheap, it is.
If you are fishing in saltwater, remember to wipe down your zippers with a moist cloth after use. Try to get as much of the residual salt off that you can. This will keep them zipping and unzipping.
If your pack does get wet, remember to dry the inside as well. Noone likes to open a pack and everything inside is mouldy.
If you look after your tackle backpack, it will look after you!
Can I just use a regular backpack?
Simple answer, yes. That being said, not the best option. The main reason you have a fishing tackle backpack is to store your gear securely and make it easy to get around. Sure you can throw 4 medium tackle trays into your backpack, but what’s to stop them shifting around side-to-side all day. With a fishing tackle backpack these will be stores securely in place in their own compartment. Making it much easier to carry them.
What do I really like about my tackle backpack? When I come home from a trip I dry it out, clean it up and then store everything in it again and leave it in the garage ready for the next trip. It’s a great grab bag and I know that everything is in there ready to go. No extra thinking at 2 a.m before I hit the road.
Is a fishing sling just as good?
Yes, if you don’t need to carry a lot of gear a sling is a great option. This will keep you necessary gear organized while not weighing you down as there isn’t as much on your back.
Do I need to have a dedicated backpack for saltwater and freshwater?
If your budget allows, go for it. Salt water is corrosive so separating your gear can be a good idea. The downside of two backpacks is, two backpacks. By this I mean you will either have doubles of your gear, or constantly be packing and re-packing bags. You might also forget gear (as first aid kit is useless if you have forgotten it).
Final Thoughts
We hope this article has helped you to find the best fishing tackle backpack for your needs. A tackle backpack is a piece of fishing kit you should definitely buy, after your red this will be your next best purchase (apart from all those expensive lures that a guarantees to catch trophy size fish).
Having a fishing backpack will mean you have all of your gear organised and in the same place, and it’s easy to get to and from your fishing spot. Having all your gear comfortably on your back for the first time will make you wonder why you ever used to lug around a tacklebox.
Remember to think about the type of fishing you will do most, as this will drive you decision based on the features you need. Waterproof is always a great option, as well as rod holders to free up your hands.