guides14 min read
Garmin Striker 4 Kayak Mount: DIY vs Store-Bought (No Drilling)
Mount a Garmin Striker 4 on a kayak without drilling: compare the $15 in-hull duct-seal method with $55-$75 no-drill arms, plus when each wins.
MR
Author profile
Marcus Reed
Senior Gear Editor · Kayak Angler 12+ yrs
- Fish finders
- Rigging & DIY
- Saltwater kayak fishing
Bio
Marcus has been fishing from kayaks since 2012. He owns six hulls across sit-on-top, pedal-drive and inflatable categories, and rigs all of them himself. Before joining YakRigged he wrote gear reviews for Field & Stream Online and contributed to the Kayak Anglers Association newsletter.
Articles by Marcus Reed
guides11 min read
How to Install an Anchor Trolley on a Kayak (2026): Step-by-Step
We installed a kayak anchor trolley in 75 minutes for under $60 — here's the exact placement, the line length math, anchor weight by current, and the quick-release that keeps you upright in moving water.
reviews9 min read
Motorized Fishing Kayaks in 2026: Best Picks & What to Know Before You Buy
The best motorized fishing kayaks in 2026 — from Old Town's Minn Kota AutoPilot to budget Brooklyn trolling-motor models, plus registration rules and battery basics.
guides9 min read
How to Install a Side-Arm Transducer Mount on a Sit-on-Top Kayak
A no-drill, step-by-step side-arm transducer mount install for sit-on-top kayaks using factory accessory holes, a StarPort or track base, and a removable arm.
reviews8 min read
Best 2-Person Fishing Kayaks in 2026: Top Tandem Picks for Every Budget
The best 2-person fishing kayaks in 2026 — tandem picks from Vibe, Lifetime and Brooklyn Kayak Company, plus how to choose length, capacity and solo-convertibility.
guides12 min read
Kayak Fish Finder Setup: The Complete Guide (2026)
From bare kayak to fully-rigged electronics in one weekend. The complete step-by-step sequence — head unit, transducer mount, battery, waterproof box, wiring, and screen — with the deep-dive linked at every decision.
reviews8 min read
Best Inflatable Fishing Kayaks in 2026: Packable Picks That Actually Fish
The best inflatable fishing kayaks in 2026 — stand-up, packable and budget picks from Sea Eagle, Advanced Elements and Intex, plus what to know before you buy.
guides8 min read
How to Fix Fish Finder Screen Glare on a Kayak (7 Fixes Ranked)
Midday sun washes out 90% of fish finder screens — and you can't fish what you can't read. Here are seven fixes ranked from $0 to $80, in the order I'd try them on your rig.
reviews7 min read
Pelican Fishing Kayaks: The Catch Lineup Compared & Best Picks (2026)
A guide to Pelican fishing kayaks in 2026 — the budget-friendly Catch lineup from the paddle Classic to the HyDryve pedal models, compared by use case and price.
guides8 min read
How to Run Wires in a Kayak for a Fish Finder (Without Leaks)
Two ruined batteries taught me the right way to route power and transducer cables on a sit-on-top kayak. Here's the 75-minute install — including the $8 part that stops every leak.
reviews7 min read
Old Town Fishing Kayaks: The Full Sportsman Lineup Compared (2026)
A guide to Old Town fishing kayaks in 2026 — the Sportsman lineup from paddle to pedal (PDL) to motorized (AutoPilot), compared by size, use case and price.
reviews10 min read
Best Pedal Fishing Kayaks in 2026: Hands-Free Picks for Every Budget
The best pedal fishing kayaks in 2026 — fin vs propeller drive explained, plus top hands-free picks from Old Town, Hobie, Pelican and Perception for every budget.
reviews11 min read
DIY Waterproof Kayak Electronics Box: A $40 Weekend Build
A dedicated electronics box keeps your battery, fuse block, and switches dry — and dry-storage hatches don't. Here's the parts list and the 2-hour build that's protected my rig through three seasons of saltwater fishing.
reviews13 min read
Best Fishing Kayaks in 2026: Top Picks for Every Budget & Style
The best fishing kayaks in 2026 — paddle, pedal and budget picks from Perception, Old Town, Vibe, Pelican and Lifetime, plus how to choose stability, length, and propulsion.
reviews9 min read
Best LiFePO4 Battery for Garmin LiveScope on a Kayak (2026 Buyer's Guide)
LiveScope draws 1.5–2A continuous — and most 'fish finder batteries' lie about their real capacity. Here's the spec sheet that matters, the three categories worth buying, and what we'd put on a kayak today.
reviews7 min read
Best PFDs for Kayak Fishing in 2026: Top Life Jackets for Anglers
The best PFDs for kayak fishing in 2026 — why a high-back design matters, foam vs inflatable, and top angler life jackets from NRS, Astral and Onyx for every budget.
reviews8 min read
Best No-Drill Transducer Mounts for Kayaks (2026 Buyer's Guide)
Compare removable external kayak transducer mounts — side arms, track mounts, scupper kits, and transom brackets — and decide which no-drill mount is worth buying.
guides11 min read
Kayak Fishing for Beginners: The Complete Guide to Getting Started (2026)
Everything a beginner needs to start kayak fishing — is it safe, what gear you actually need, how much it costs, choosing your first kayak, and the techniques that work from a yak.
reviews7 min read
Best Kayak Fishing Paddles in 2026: Top Angler Picks & Buying Guide
The best kayak fishing paddles in 2026 — what actually makes a paddle angler-specific, plus top picks from Bending Branches, Werner and Pelican for every budget.
guides9 min read
Can You Mount a Fish Finder Transducer Inside a Kayak? (Yes — with One Big Caveat)
Bonding a transducer to the inside of your kayak hull is a real technique, not a forum myth. Here's exactly when it works, when it doesn't, and the step-by-step bond procedure that survives a summer of saltwater.
reviews6 min read
Best Kids Kayak Paddles in 2026: Sizing Guide & Top Picks
The best kids kayak paddles in 2026 — why weight matters more than length, a youth paddle sizing chart by age and height, and top picks for small kids, bigger kids and teens.
reviews4 min read
Best Fish Finders for Kayaks in 2026: Field-Tested Picks
We rigged six popular fish finders to three different kayaks and spent 40+ hours on the water. Here are the units worth your money — and the ones to skip.
guides6 min read
What Size Kayak Paddle Do I Need? Sizing Chart by Height & Kayak Width
A simple kayak paddle sizing chart based on your height and your kayak's width — plus how to measure, special cases for fishing kayaks and kids, and what happens if you size wrong.
guides4 min read
How to Rig Flush-Mount Rod Holders Without Wrecking Your Hull
A step-by-step guide to installing flush-mount rod holders on a kayak — drilling, sealing, and reinforcing — with the mistakes I made so you don't have to.
reviews9 min read
Best Kayak Paddles in 2026: Top-Rated Picks for Every Budget
Our research-backed roundup of the best kayak paddles in 2026 — top-rated picks across carbon, fiberglass and aluminum, with sizing help and a kayak-angler's buying lens.