In 2024 the fishing kayak is a sophisticated fish hunting machine, complete with electronics, running lights, pedal power, comfortable seating and storage solutions galore. Gone are the days of bungee-cording an old milk crate into the back of the yak for a day of paddling and fishing. But that rear storage well is still your main cargo hub. With the growing need for multiple rods and more and more tackle, someone had to step up and create the ultimate crate – YakAttack has entered the chat.
The BlackPak Pro was created by kayak fishermen and it ticks all the boxes for your smart tackle storage needs. I have had mine for most of this season and I could never go back to the old milk crate. The BlackPak is roomier, it has a lid that keeps things secure and mostly dry, it features up to six rod holders complete with integrated rod leashes and it quickly and securely fastens into the bungee system that’s standard on nearly every kayak being sold today. It also acts as its own storage; you can easily detach it from the yak and store it – fully packed – on a shelf in your shed or basement until your next fishing adventure.
There is some assembly required. The BlackPak comes in six pieces (four sides, bottom and lid); the four or six rod holders (depending on model) are also included, along with hinges, screws and various other small parts. With the directions and my screw gun in-hand, I was able to assemble the BlackPak in about 30 minutes. The key is using a variable speed screw gun and going slow, so as not to strip the plastic holes. Once assembled, you will see that the BlackPak is quite sturdy and every little detail has been considered. A few slick features include the quiet-close lid and the ‘chocked’ hinges that rest the lid at a 45-degree angle, ensuring that the lid stays within your reach while you retrieve your gear. The elegant simplicity of the leashed rod holders will allow you to bring more rods and also might save you some serious heartache if one happens to find its way overboard. The bungee clips that fasten each corner to the kayak are more evidence of that ‘leave no stone unturned’ attitude that’s apparent in all YakAttack products.
The BlackPak comes in two sizes, 13×13 (standard milk crate size) and 16×16 for maximized storage. They are fully customizable, allowing the user to decide how many rod holders to use and where to place them, and they can be further customized with other YakAttack products as well. My personal opinion of this product is that it’s a home run, if you fish from a kayak I’m confident that you will feel your money was well-spent. The 13×13 model retails for $125 and the 16×16 is priced at $175.
