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The 10 Best Fishing Backpacks
Piscifun Fishing Tackle Backpack
This fishing backpack from Piscifun is heavy-duty, but not so heavy-duty that you won't be able to afford it. This is a perfect balance for those in need of a fishing backpack that will hold up to the elements yet don't want to splurge for one of the more expensive ones. For the price, you get plenty of room and high-quality protection that will hold up to even significant wear-and-tear with it's 1200D fabric.
It includes a main compartment that can fit four tackle storage trays, but that's not even half of the overall room this thing allows. The good bulk of storage is divided up into a handful of different zippered pouches, plus a retractable pocket for a water bottle or Thermos. It also features a hardened compartment at the top that is designed to contain fragile items, such as glasses.
This backpack comes in three different color options, including a sporty camouflage design. It features ergonomic padding and breathable mesh on the back so you can still keep comfortable wearing it even on exceedingly hot and humid trips. It's not waterproof, but it does come with a rain cover that you can put over it for when the rain starts pouring down a little too heavy.
Ghosthorn Fishing Tackle Backpack
This is one of the more affordable fishing backpacks on the market. Those who would prefer not to splurge for a pricier and more durable fishing backpack may be able to make do with this one. If you don't have too much to carry, and you don't think your backpack is going to end up taking a lot of damage, this should suit you just fine.
While this one isn't made with the same high-quality materials as the $100+ variants, that doesn't mean it's going to fall apart on you as soon as you're out on the river. You're simply getting a little bit less protection, a little bit less storage room, and an overall slightly less durable package. For a nearly triple-digit price decrease, that slight trade-off in quality shouldn't be immediately balked at; this is definitely a serviceable option for the right crowd.
There's only room for one tackle storage tray, meaning you might have to whittle down your supplies in order to bring everything you need along with you on every trip. However, for single-person parties, this might actually be the perfect amount of room. A multitude of other zippered pockets also allow for extra room besides the main compartment for the storage tray.
This backpack comes in a wide variety of colors, but some styles are more expensive than others. If you want the best deal, stick with the main design, linked below.
Wild River WT3604 by Custom Leathercraft
Right off the bat, this backpack stands out from the others due to its unique LED lighting system. Designed for easy visibility at all hours of the night, the compartments of this fishing backpack from CLC, or Custom Leathercraft, are illuminated by an LED light system that shines through each compartment. While this may factor into the overall increased price point when compared to the competition, it is a nifty feature that will definitely appeal to certain demographics.
Besides it's unique lighting element, this fishing backpack is similar in both design and functionality to the Piscifun Fishing Tackle Backpack we already talked about. However, the $60 price difference might make this one a hard sell unless you're head over heels for the embedded LED lighting system. Otherwise, you're getting the same amount of room for the same four storage trays, along with the expected assortment of various pouches- this time lighted.
This one also once again comes with a rain cover, which should be considered doubly important given the inherent electronic element of the LED lighting system. It also features the same hardened pocket at the top for fragile items. This is certainly a heavy-duty and impressive fishing backpack that can stand up to the best of the rest, but the price point may limit its potential buyers. It's got a cool name, though.
KastKing Pond Hopper
Getting into some more affordable options, this fishing backpack from KastKing provides a comparable amount of storage to the Ghosthorn Fishing Tackle Backpack in a slightly more durable package. On top of this, it provides an ever-so-slightly more ergonomic design, featuring a little bit more breathability during long trips. For those looking for an affordable option who don't automatically want to go for the cheapest on the market, this is a pretty good in-between that skewers the cheaper side while also providing some more base luxuries.
Room wise, this thing provides storage for a single tray, similar to the Ghosthorn Fishing Tackle Backpack. As well, it supplements this main room with a few extra pockets, both in the main area and on the sides. Nothing too extravagant, but it doesn't always have to be. This fishing backpack could be the mild-mannered and minimalist fisherman's best friend.
This bag is made from 420D fabric. This may be a far cry from the 1200D fabric you're getting on the Piscifun Fishing Tackle Backpack, but it can still hold up suitably to a fair amount of wear and tear. It's also a sling backpack, meaning it has one single adjustable shoulder-strap that is meant to be worn sling-style over your shoulder.
KastKing Fishing Tackle Backpack
This is a slightly more upper-tier variant from KastKing that one-ups the Pond Hopper by adding extra storage room and... a second shoulder-strap. We kid, but those sling-style backpacks aren't for everybody. Still, the extra $30 you're spending here goes towards a little bit more than just the extra strap.
This fishing backpack can store four tackle storage trays in it's bottom compartment. On top of that, it features several more compartments allowing for rods, reels, and all the little things you wouldn't be able to fit in the Pond Hopper. These things got plenty of room, but is it as durable as the $100+ fishing backpacks?
Well, the answer is "no". This thing offers a comparable amount of room when weighted against it's more highly-priced brethren but it's still made out of the same materials that the Pond Hopper is. So, while you're getting a great amount of room for your dollar, you aren't getting the most heavy-duty fishing backpack available. That would likely still be the Piscifun Fishing Tackle Backpack.
Still, this is the ideal large fishing backpack on a budget. If you don't want to sacrifice any amount of room but don't need hardcore protection from the elements, you may opt for this one and call it a day.
SpiderWire Sling Fishing Backpack
Here's another good budget option, this time once again of the sling-style variety. Made by SpiderWire, this is a pretty bare-bones fishing backpack with a sleek black design. It features room enough for two storage tackle trays, and it even comes with one.
The included storage tray might be the only little thing that this one has over the KastKing Pond Hopper. Besides the inclusion of the single storage tray, these two offer a pretty comparable package. The ability to store two storage trays might make it seem like this one offers more room overall, but the extra room in the storage tray compartment simply means less room in the upper compartments.
Those who prefer this to the Pond Hopper will likely only do so due to it's much sleeker design. KastKing has a tendency to make products that look as busy as possible in hopes that the consumer will assume that makes them automatically better. While this philosophy is often backed-up by KastKing's overall fine quality besides, their packs can still be a bit of an eyesore if the extravagant is not your thing.
GZTJL Fishing Tackle Storage Bag
This is certainly the cheapest fishing backpack featured on this list, but it's arguably not the least. For the incredibly reasonable price, you're getting a pretty heavy-duty backpack with plenty of storage room. However, the lack of a few features may keep it from being the ideal fishing backpack overall for many fishermen.
Let's look at the positives first. For starters, this backpack is made with 1000D fabric, which makes it barely a step down from the Piscifun Fishing Tackle Backpack with it's 1200D fabric as far as fabric durability is concerned. For a nearly $100 drop in price, a 200D drop in fabric durability seems like nothing. As well, there are multiple pockets that can store a pretty hefty amount of supplies, including two tackle storage trays.
With all that considered, this fishing backpack automatically stands as just about the best value on the market. However, it does lack a few things, including a designated pocket for trays. While it can hold two trays, they must be simply shoved into the basic storage compartments, sacrificing room for others things.
Besides not having the largest amount of overall storage space, this backpack also doesn't have a drink holder. While that may seem like some pretty petty criticism, it actually might prove to be a fairly big nuisance when this backpack is put into practice out in the wild. Still, these little flaws hardly detract from the fact that this is a pretty amazing backpack, especially considering it's one of the cheapest options on the market.
Wild River WT3606 by Custom Leathercraft
Here we have the Wild River once again, this time without the LED light system. While the LED lights are awesome, and they make the lighted version of the Wild River one of the most unique fishing backpacks on the market, they aren't for everybody. As well, if eschewing the lights means we get to save $80, that sounds like a pretty good trade-off.
Without the lights, you're getting a pretty similar package to the Piscifun Fishing Tackle Backpack, with possibly a little less overall durability. For the price point, this is a great high-quality fishing backpack that certainly stands firmly in the upper-tier. It gives fishermen plenty of room, plenty of protection, and plenty of comfort.
Like the lighted version, this thing can hold four tackle storage trays, and it even comes with two. Along with all the extra compartments, you're getting a hefty amount of room at not all that hefty of a price point. If you were interested in the lighted version of the Wild River yet weren't sure about the high price, this toned-down version may be for you.
PLUSINNO Fishing Tackle Backpack
Here's another cheaper option that's a pretty good deal when all things are considered. Made by PLUSINNO, this fishing backpack offers durable 600D fabric and a comparable amount of storage to even the most expensive fishing backpacks on this list. This bag can fit up to four tackle storage trays, but doesn't come with any.
A multitude of pockets all up and down this thing make it so it can pack a pretty solid punch as far as storage is concerned, While it doesn't have the hefty compartment at the bottom for storage trays that some of the more expensive fishing backpacks do, it can fit tackle trays in it's two main compartments. However, just as with the GZTJL Fishing Tackle Storage Bag, that means that there's going to be less room for other things if you opt for the inclusion of the full four storage trays.
Overall, the extra storage on this thing, including pockets for your rod and reel, make this a great budget option for fishermen who don't like to skimp on supplies. Being one of the cheaper fishing backpacks available, it's definitely not looking to sacrifice very much storage or durability in order to come in at a cheaper price point. It also has two shoulder-straps that can be connected together in order for the backpack to be worn sling-style.
Plano A-Series Tackle Bag
Finally, let's look at what Plano brings to the table with their fishing backpacks. With a pretty hefty price tag compared to some of the more simple options, this fishing backpack can be expected to offer it's fair share of storage and durability. Thankfully, Plano doesn't disappoint.
Deceptively simple on the outside, this backpack opens up to reveal plenty of room on the inside. It includes a main storage compartment that can fit four storage tackle trays, as well as room for much more elsewhere. Whereas some other fishing backpacks opt for a surplus of pouches and extra pockets, this backpack features only it's main compartment and a few simple side pockets.
This design allows for a good deal of open storage space that eschews the nooks and crannies of other fishing backpacks. It's main compartment, half designated for the four storage trays and half relegated to an enclosed mesh pocket for the rest of your supplies, should provide plenty of room for any single fisherman. There is also an extra pocket on the front that can hold one extra storage tray, or whatever else you need.
While this isn't the fanciest, strongest, or biggest fishing backpack on the market, it does what it aims to do incredibly well. The space it offers should be plenty for the average fisherman. On top of that, it's simple and attractive design gives it a rugged look that the other fishing backpacks on this list can't really match. Definitely one to look out for!
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