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Your Hobie Angler Pro 14 is a rock-solid, ultra stable fishing platform that’s gear for handling, efficiency, comfort, and which has plenty of room for storing the essentials.

With that said, here are 16 things you will never want to hit the water without.

By the way - these could be considered extras. The obvious things you’ll need, like a rod, reel, current license, and PFD are not covered here.

But you still won’t want to leave port without these.

Pliers

Pliers have a million and one uses on board a kayak, but the important one here is to be able to get a deep hook out, and quickly. If you can’t get a hook out quick you’ll be driving up bycatch mortality.

The other reason you should never fish without pliers is in case you accidentally hook yourself.

A Knife

Honestly, not just one but two. You could need a knife to cut through tangled line, free a tangled fish, and a million and one other things on the water. Never shove off without one.

A Tape Measure

You ever catch a fish that looks like a keeper but you’re not sure and it’s definitely close? You don’t want to unintentionally cooler a short. That could be a fine or worse. Get a cheap tape measure at the hardware store and stash it in your box.

A Scale

A scale is not as necessary as a tape measure but it can still help you keep your “fish tales” legitimate, especially if you catch and release. We’ve all caught a hog at least once and wondered how much it really weighed after letting it go.

Spare Line

Keep a spare spool of whatever line you fish with in your box or pack, if you can. One bad backlash or tangle can rob you of a lot of your spool, and that can cost you a good day on the water. Spooling up while on the water isn’t easy or fun, but it’s better than abbreviating the whole trip.

A Landing Net

With a yak like the Hobie Angler Pro 14, you’ll be pretty close to the water, which will make it easier for you to land some fish, but a landing net can still help, especially with big ones that are more likely to break you off boatside.

A Second Outfit

A rod and reel combo, that is, not clothes. A snapped rod or a mechanical problem with the reel will leave you kicking yourself if it’s the only one you brought. Always have at least one spare, rigged and ready to go, in the boat.

A Packable Poncho

You can get one for like 99 cents at a big box retailer and it’ll pack into something like the size of a deck of cards. It can also save you from getting soaked, or even getting hypothermia, if the weather turns south.

Sunglasses

Never fish without sunglasses. They protect your eyes from hooks as well as they protect them from the sun. While you’re at it, get a pair of polarized sunglasses that will cut glare, making it easier for you to sight fish.

Water

Regardless of whether you fish fresh or saltwater, you should always bring at least a quart of water with you to keep you hydrated throughout the day.

A Chart and Compass

Here’s to hoping you’ll never have to break them out, but you know the old adage - it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Both a chart and a compass can help you orient yourself if you ever get turned around on the water.

First Aid

Basic first aid stuff, that is. You should bring some bandages and gauze, and perhaps a basic disinfectant like hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol or neosporin. Just in case you have to field a mild injury while on the water.

Bug Repellent

Don’t use it if you don’t have to, but for saltwater marsh anglers, biting flies and gnats can be absolutely insufferable during the hot, wet months of the year. Again, better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Sunscreen

Same thing here. You might not want to use it but it’s better safe than sorry and it’ll take up minimal room in your pack.

If You Don’t Have a Cooler, a Stringer

There’s room behind the cockpit of the Hobie Angler Pro 14 for a cooler, but if you keep and forget to bring one (or just don’t want to spare the room) get yourself a stringer. It’ll let you keep your catch alive and fresh till you’re back in port.

A Flashlight

Like a knife and pliers, you should never leave the water without at least one flashlight, and realistically you should bring too. This is not just a matter of preparedness but safety. You might plan on being back before dark, but you know what they say about the best laid schemes of mice and men.

Outfit Your Hobie Angler Pro 14 Before You Hit the Water

Can you think of any other tools or fishing kayak accessories you should never leave port without? If so, let us know and we’ll include them in the next installment.

Till then, rip up your Hobie Angler Pro 14, don’t forget these necessities, and be safe out there.