Gear Review: Yak Attack BlackPak Pro Kayak Fishing Crate

WHAT IS IT?

Yak Attack BlackPak Pro Kayak Fishing Crate

WHAT SETS IT APART?

The newly revamped BlackPak Pro is a hard-sided crate made for kayak anglers looking for a durable and functional storage and rod organization system. With three different sizes (13 x 13, 13 x 16 and 16 x 16), there is a crate that will fit any size kayak. Injection-molded from UV stabilized polymers, the BlackPak Pro will last for many years, even in harsh marine environments. The ultra-stiff panels utilize a rib structure that offers exceptional rigidity with minimal weight, while their interlocking joints ensure an intuitive, frustration-free assembly process.

The water shedding lid with fully adjustable hinges allows you to go from freely pivoting to a sticky setting that maintains the lid position when you let go of it. Integrated overtravel stops keep the lid within reach and limit it to a manageable angle. Sound dampening rubber bumpers ensure quiet closing of the lid, and the unique CatchLatch retention system secures the lid in a simple but surprisingly functional manner.

TetherTube rod holders with an integrated but easily removable hook-and-tether systems ensure rods stay put if things go wrong. Caged attachment points on both sides of the tube offer multiple hook points, and the oversized hook design is sized to attach directly to the shaft of your fishing rod if desired. The TetherTube rod holder mounts to the GridLock panels using at least three of the four standoff pads, enabling several vertical positioning options.

HOW DO I USE IT?

Assembly of the BlackPak Pro is simple and relatively quick. Interlocking GridLock panels utilize a tongue-and-groove edge. Just press them together and install the included stainless steel screws using a screwdriver. 

The GridLock 2D mounting system offers plenty of attachment points on the inside and outside of the panels for the TetherTube rod holders as well as other attachments that are currently in development. A variety of tackleboxes can fit in the crate, including Plano 3700, Plano Edge, Bass Mafia Bait Coffin, Flambeau and more.

The BlackPak Pro also comes with pieces to attach your kayak bungee cord to the crate, ensuring there is no chance the crate will exit the boat in waves or boat wakes. 

HOW MUCH?

$125 – $175

MORE INFORMATION:

yakattack.us

ANGLER’S INSIGHT:

For my Native Watercraft Slayer Max 12.5 kayak, I got the 16 x 16 BlackPak Pro, and it is going to be a perfect crate for tournament-level kayak anglers who are fishing out of larger kayaks. The 16 x 16 in this kayak fits, but for a kayak that is even a little smaller than that, the 13 x 16 and 13 x 13 size options will be better. The 16 x 16 is large, but it is lightweight and stores seven of my tackleboxes vertically, from Lure Lock to Plano to Bass Mafia, with some room on top to store my raingear or another flat tacklebox. 

I like the lid system a lot as well. It has easy-to-use clasps that are really quiet and help you stay elusive. I haven’t had it out in the rain yet, but the lid system should keep all of my stuff dry, and you can adjust the rod holders to keep the bottom of the crate from sitting in water as well. 

The 16 x 16 comes with six rod holders, and I added two more so far and will have plenty of room for two or three more. In total, you could probably put 12 rod holders in total and have it plenty organized and not too cluttered. They were simple to install, and I’m going to have comfort knowing the rod tethers will keep my rods from being yanked out of the boat by a tree. 

Adding accessories to the crate with the mounting system Yak Attack created will be very easy, and I am interested to see all of the other storage accessories they introduce. For one, I would like to see a little tacklebox accessory to put on the front of it to store my scents and dye or a tool box for wrenches or screwdrivers in case things go wrong on the water.