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 is challenging; this gear makes it easier. BEN DUCHESNEY
[1] DRIFTY BOAT CADDIE
FISHPOND USA | $99.95 | FISHPONDUSA.COM
The fishpond USA Drifty Boat Caddie attaches to a drift-boat frame, canoe gunwale, cooler or crate. A molded beverage holder keeps your water bottle in place and a large zippered main compartment holds small tackle boxes. Keep tools in reach with webbing loops. A molded zip-down fly bench with replaceable foam makes it easy to swap lures on the go.
[2] ROADIE 20
YETI COOLERS | $249.99 | YETICOOLERS.COM
Yeti Coolers are famous for keeping the catch cold and gear dry. But sight-fishermen love these roto-molded coolers for another reason—Yetis are tough enough to stand on to see into the water. The Roadie 20 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.
[3] ROOSTER FRAMES
COSTA SUNGLASSES | $249 | COSTADELMAR.COM
Lots of sunglasses claim 100-percent polarization and UV protection, but Costa del Mar’s polycarbonate and glass lenses are...
[4] FLOATING FISHING NET
WINDPADDLE SAILS | $59.95 | WINDPADDLE.COM
Leaving your catch lying on the hot deck in the bright sun while you grab your camera and remove the hook is bad for the fish. WindPaddle’s Floating Fish- ing Net attaches to the side of the kayak and floats on the surface. Leave the fish submerged in the net to keep it safe and happy. After the release, the net folds up and fits in a hatch or crate.
[5] TIDE RIDER PERFORMANCE LONG SLEEVE
MARSH WEAR CLOTHING | $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. The Tide Rider Perfor- mance Long Sleeve from Marsh Wear comes in a variety of styles and boasts 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.
[6] KAYAK NON-SKID PADDING KIT
SEADEK MARINE PRODUCTS | $45.95-$288.95 | 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 pro- vide extra grip even when covered in fish slime. Change the look and function of your kayak with custom colors and logos.
