When it comes to boating, being organized and keeping things clean and tidy is crucial (mostly because you need to be able to find things quickly). Your boat is essentially your workspace, and if you want to be successful, you need to be efficient. Having the right boat accessories ensures that your tools are accessible, everything is packed away neatly, and when things go wrong, you have the gear to fix the problem.
Over the years, I’ve found a few essential boat accessories that have made fishing trips much smoother, and has helped me with the longevity of some of my lures too. In this article, let’s look at three must-have boating accessories that will streamline your setup, reduce clutter, and make fishing more enjoyable – and less panicky.
1. Boat Phone Holder & Camera Mount: Quad Lock Case & Quad Lock Mount
It’s a no-brainer—we all carry our phones when we go out on the boat fishing. While we’d love to completely disconnect and immerse ourselves in what we’re doing, our phones are essential for checking the weather, getting safety updates, and capturing important moments (more importantly, proof of what we’ve caught).
Unfortunately, I’ve learned the hard way that without a boat phone holder, it’s easy to lose a phone or two… or three, overboard. One slipped out of my pocket, another was knocked into the water by a fish, and one just vanished without a trace. You’d imagine, at this point, coming home without a phone was akin to the walk of shame. After purchasing a new phone for the third time, I decided it was time to end this madness. I started looking for the best phone mount for a boat, and that’s when I came across the Quad Lock Mount system. One of the biggest advantages of the Quad Lock system is that is could be used in my car too.
Why the Quad Lock Case and Quad Lock Mount Are Essential Boat Gear
The Quad Lock Case and Quad Lock Mount stood out because they’re secure and versatile—I can use the same system in my car and boat. Now, I have several Quad Lock Mounts installed on my boat, making it easy to move my phone around while fishing.
- Perfect for filming solo fishing sessions – The mount allows you to take steady photos and videos.
- Compatible with GoPro mounts – Quad Lock now offers GoPro mounts, so you can capture fishing action on your GoPro from the same setup.
- Secure and durable – Built for harsh marine environments, these mounts keep your phone locked in place, reducing the risk of water damage or loss.
Just keep in mind that you’ll need a Quad Lock Case to use these mounts. I’m happy to report not having lost a phone since using this system. Now if only they made something like this for sunnies.
Where to Buy Quad Lock Cases and Mounts
- Build your custom setup: Quad Lock Builder
- Available at BCF: Quad Lock at BCF
2. Best Boat Accessories to Keep Your Tools Handy
How often have you or your fishing mates scrambled around the boat looking for pliers or scissors? Keeping essential tools within reach is a game-changer when needing to act quick on the boat. This is especially useful if you’re someone who fishes alone. Nothing worse than having a fish on the line and no idea where any of your gear is.
I have a boat tool holder mounted on the side of my console, where I keep scissors, pliers, and a set of lip grips. This way, I always know where my tools are when I need them. There are plenty of options on the market—just find one that fits your setup and style.
Recommended Boat Tool Holders
3. Tackle Box Velcro Hack for Quick Access to Lures
For my last one, this is not a usual suggestion, but this is a simple but highly effective boating accessory that I can’t live without anymore. I keep a small tackle box velcroed to my console, making it easy to access frequently used lures and store used ones separately.
Why This Hack Works
- Encourages quick lure changes – I used to get lazy about switching lures, often sticking with one that wasn’t working. Having a tackle box within arm’s reach solves that issue.
- Keeps saltwater out of your main tackle boxes – Used lures go into this separate box, preventing corrosion in my main storage.
- Easy to remove and rinse – When I get home, I remove the box, rinse the lures, and restock it for the next trip.
All you need is some Velcro tape and a small tackle tray (but you could even go with a Tupperware container or something similar).
Recommended Tackle Box & Velcro Tape
Upgrade Your Setup with These Essential Boat Accessories
These three simple boat accessories will make your fishing trips more organised, efficient, and enjoyable. Whether it’s securing your phone with a Quad Lock Case, keeping tools within reach, or making lure changes easier, small upgrades can make a big difference, and goes a long way to making you look like a pro.
Bonus: Sounders
If you’ve got a sounder on your boat already, my BIGGEST piece of advice to you is to make sure you’ve got your set-up done correctly. That includes setting up your transducer the right way, and making sure you understand how your settings work so you can adjust it on the fly and not rely on “auto”.
I’ve got a FREE cheat sheet available for download here. This will make sure you’ve got your settings down!
At the end of the day, anything that helps us fish smarter, not harder means we get to spend more time on the water and catch more fish! Watch some of our videos on youtube if you need help with interpreting your sounder or need help identifying fish on your Sounder.
See ya on the water!
