The 6 Best Fishing Backpacks in 2022

Tackleboxes are the tried and true transport of choice for shore-bound anglers. And while they’re great for short trips they aren’t exactly well suited for longer journeys. In addition to your hooks and lures you’ve got rods, bait, refreshments, cell phone chargers, and so on. It quickly adds up to more than a handful, or two.

These types of situations are where fishing backpacks shine. Hard to reach fishing holes require a custom tailored solution that’s well suited for long treks. The proper rucksack for your rods and reels can make your next hike to the honey hole a short jaunt rather than a lengthy drudge.

We’ve put together a list of some of the best purpose-built fishing backpacks on the market along with a shopping guide on what to look for and why. These bags offer angler’s space, comfort, and most importantly, gear security. Nothing is worse than dropping an open tackle tray with terminal tackle. Those micro hooks…they’re gone. Check out some of the best fishing backpacks 2021 has to offer below.

The Best 6 Fishing Backpacks in 2022

Ghosthorn Fishing Tackle Backpack

Ghosthorn’s offering is a fully adjustable backpack uniquely designed for anglers, but with a tactical flavor. Exterior MOLLE webbing provides easy anchor points for compatible accessories that makes for easy customization.

MOLLE stands for Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment. It’s a staple in military spec gear because it offers a simple but effective way to change loadouts on the fly. Accessory components attach via male/female interface on the pouch attachment ladder system (PALS) webbing.

PALS webbing on Ghosthorn’s fishing backpack means you’ve got the ability to attach an AR holster along with a few extra grenades for good measure. More likely though you’ll end up using these for less violent delights. A first aid kit, bottle holster, or fishing accessories can tie in or clip on with a carabiner.

If you’re a fan of gear that’s tough enough to rough it out in any situation than consider the Ghosthorn fishing pack as an option for light load trips. It’s a versatile pack that works well even on trips where you’re not fishing – but who wants to do that? Add in a one-year warranty and it’s easy to see why this is one of the best budget-friendly fishing backpacks on the market.

EGO Kryptek Tackle Box

Ego’s Kryptek tackle box backpack is the biggest and most expensive pack on our list. And also one of the best. Ego turned the dial up to 11 on style, durability, and customization to make a backpack suitable for serious fisherman.

This tackle backpack weighs in at 6.31 lbs primarily due to the generous use of PVC coated 1000D nylon fabric in construction. The exterior features laser cut MOLLE loops for adding attachments rather than more traditional webbing. Not only does this look better, but it’s also much less likely to catch a hook. A rubber base protects the bottom and helps keep the pack upright when it’s off your shoulders. Included with the backpack are four 10″x7″ tackle trays that stack neatly into the lower pocket.

Above tray storage is a voluminous insulated cavity that can hold between 8 and 10 frosty beverages, or a bevy of tools and line. Side pockets feature internal organizers and there’s a minimal use of webbing on the inside which is super helpful for keeping lures unstuck. Abundantly padded should straps with locking clips keep loads comfortable. Finally the bag is adorned in a modern tactical-fishing aesthetic that just looks awesome.

The only knock against the Ego Krypteck is the lack of rod holders. But that’s easily fixed with available accessories or some creative tinkering. Overall this is an amazing bag that we’re confident can survive anything you throw at it.

Piscifun Fishing Tackle Backpack

Piscifcun’s fishing backpack is a quality pack with a reserved look. If you’re into clean lines and straightforward designs then this is a great option. This medium-large bag is mostly made of 1200D Nylon and has 11 separate spaces for storage with SBS zippers.

The bottom compartment holds four durable tackle trays that can be stored vertically or horizontally. Above that sits a removable clapboard to separate the upper compartment. With the divider removed this pack offers a huge internal volume if you need to haul something bigger. On the top sits a water bottle pocket and a reinforced pouch for sunglasses. While on the bottom a flat compartment holds a waterproof cover to keep your pack dry during the unexpected downpour.

Thick padding on the shoulder straps and ergonomic design will help prevent fatigue on longer treks. At a little over half the weigh of the Kryptek, and a significantly lower price, the Piscifun pack takes our pick for best value for a larger size backpack. It’s available in three different colors: black, camo, and tan.

MoiShow Fishing Tackle Backpack

It’s been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Moishow must be fairly familiar with that saying because their backpack is strikingly similar to others on that list (i.e. Ghosthorn). But that’s not a bad thing. Moishow has iterated on a proven design and optimized for an ultra lightweight fishing solution.

Weighing in at only 1.2 lbs the Moishos Backpack is the lightest entry on our list. It’s made from water resistant 600D fabric and features MOLLE compliant webbing on the lower front. Straps are highly adjustable and permit different backpack orientations. Feel free to use this as a chestbag, handbag, or even as a regular travel bag depending on your style and needs.

The Moishow is available in a slim selection of colors and two different sizes; standard and large. It’s an excellent bag for short daytrips or pond-skipping and is a great candidate to live in your truck full time. If you’re on the lookout for an affordable and lightweight bag then you’ll be hard pressed to find one better than the Moishow.

Kast King Day Tripper

We’re pretty big fans of Kast King products here at Yak Logic. They’ve taken a budget conscious approach towards fishing gear and offer high value for the price. The YL arsenal is stocked with a few rods and reels from this NY company, and to date there hasn’t been a single purchase we regret.

This Day Tripper is a one way ticket to comfortable treks with high loads. Constructed from tear resistant 420D rip-stop Nylon and sporting 8 exterior pockets this bag is a high value contender. The biggest differentiator is this bag’s waist and chest support. Padded and breathable shoulder straps pair with a pocketed waist band that helps distribute the weight more evenly across your torso for a more comfortable experience. Two rod pockets and accompanying bungees on the left side are great for carrying extra sticks.

Kast King’s pack can fit up to four 3600 sized tackle trays in the bottom cavity, and unlike other packs opens from the side rather than the front. This design choice enables anglers to more easily access trays; just sling the pack over one shoulder to grab a box. Speaking of trays – they’re not included standard with the day tripper, but are available as a separate item. We think this is a smart choice, as most of us have too many trays to begin with. All in all this is a great backpack for short or long trips available at an attractive price.

Plano 3600 A-Series Tackle Backpack

If you’re known for making some of the best tackle trays in the history of fishing then it might not be a terrible idea to make a bag to carry them. We’re guessing the execs over at Plano had that same idea, and the result is the aptly named 3600 Tackle Backpack.

Introduced in the Summer of 2020 Plano’s updated fishing backpack is a stylish and heavy duty bag with a cool old-school aesthetic. It’s easy to imagine uncovering a bag like this in your grandpa’s attic stocked with bronzed rooster tails and first gen rapalas.

The bag is made from a sturdy canvas fabric and holds five 3600 boxes that are not easily accessible – you’ll have to unzip the entire front panel. Above the divider a mesh liner keeps your raincoat or loose gear secure while pulling a tray. Two side pockets and a front pouch provide extra room for knick knacks and tools. Four 3600 sized boxes come included.

The Plano 3600 backpack is not the biggest, or fanciest, or most advanced bag on this list. But it looks darn good. This is the one bag on our list that would be perfectly at home on a picnic at the winery, or in the bow of a canoe. If you’re a fishing purist, or rolling our flys, then this is the perfect pack to blend into the background while you master your art.

Why Buy a Fishing Backpack?

If you’ve already got your kayak kitted to perfection then why do you even need a fishing backpack? The answer is simple;

Convenience

More than likely your kayak based tackle starts off organized before the trip, and ends scattered around the deck. If you’ve got a junk drawer, it’s filled. It’s a pain in the butt to sort through all that and throw it in a bag any time you want to go on an overland expedition. And when your finished you’ve got to unload from the bag and repack your boat.

A proper fishing backpack bridges the gap between land and sea to make tackle transfer breezy. Rather than scrounging around for your favorite jig-head in the center console you can just grab the bag and go. Having a dedicated go-bag just for fishing makes impromptu adventures just a quick hike away.

Comfort

Remember your old Jansport in high school loaded up with textbooks? After a day of lugging around 20 pounds of books your back and shoulders are aching for relief. Trekking through the brush towards a bank can put an equal hurting on your upper torso without proper load balancing and weight distribution.

Both large and small fishing backpacks offer a comfortable means to haul out to a spot. Many smaller sized packs can be worn in a variety of positions. Larger variants offer reinforced padding, back support, and adjustable straps to get the perfect fit.

Features to Look For

Size and Storage Capacity

Every fishermen has their own unique style. Some of us load up an arsenal of gear to be prepared for any situation. While others hike out with one rod, one reel, and a can of worms. Whatever your approach is it’s important to match your load-out to your style and trip.

If you’re headed for a 3 day fishing trip on a raft down the Mississippi; then a fanny-pack with a whopper-plopper isn’t going to cut it. Conversely if you’re swinging by the local pond for a few hours of fishing then there’s no need to pack a department’s store worth of soft-plastics.

Fishing Backpacks generally come in two flavors; medium and large. Regardless of size they all feature smartly designed storage to bring along more than just the essentials. So if you’re an absolute minimalist then you may want to consider a fabric tackle-bag or fishing-vest instead.

Materials & Durability

Both synthetic and traditional fabrics hold up to general wear and tear pretty well. What’s more important is thread density and water-resistance. Lower thread count fabric (measured in Denier, or D) is lighter and more pliable, but easier to tear or snag a hook on. Higher D fabric is heavier, resists punctures, and repels water more effectively; but it’s also considerably more expensive.

Fishing gear is designed to get wet, so water resistance isn’t the most important factor in choosing a backpack. But it’s also not something you should completely ignore. Certain bags take a more pro-active approach towards keeping gear dry that can be important if you end up stowing electronics or food in your pack. There are totally waterproof bags available that sacrifice accessibility and ease of use for their added protection. If you’re really concerned about keeping dry then a waterproof backpack cover could be a worthwhile investment.

Special Considerations

One of the most important features for any backpack your considering is tray size. Most backpacks are designed around tackle trays that mirror a Plano 3600’s dimensions: 11″ x 7.25″ x 1.75″. Plano set the standard and competing brands have designed their own medium tray boxes to closely match. However, that doesn’t mean your tray will fit. We’ve provided bag dimensions so you can double check your own tray collection for fit. The fabric use in these trays doesn’t stretch much; so if your tray is more than 1/4″ out of spec then you’ll probably need to adopt into a new ecosystem.

The last big variable between bags is the inclusion of, or the ability to add, a rod holder. It’s not an absolute necessity; you can comfortably carry 1-2 rods in your off hand. Rod holders on your backpack are handy if you’re bringing more than two rods on a trip. They’re also useful for keeping rods off the ground when they’re not in use. We think they’re a must-have feature for surf-casting, but entirely up to you for other use-cases.

Overview on the Best Fishing Backpacks

The backpacks above are our choices for the best fishing backpacks available in 2022. These bags are perfect for hauling a decent amount of gear on both short and long adventures. But like any product they’re not perfect in every situation. There’s a big market of hard plastic tackle boxes, duffel bags, and waterproof storage to suit all sorts of applications.

Remember, your fishing trip will be much more enjoyable if you can reach all of your equipment and tackling supplies quickly and easily. Fishing backpacks can make that happen. Thanks for reading and have a great time out there!