I used a milk crate for my first year of kayak fishing. It was free, it held my tackle boxes, and I could bungee it down in the tankwell. But after watching one too many $8 Plano boxes slide overboard in choppy water, I started looking for something better. That’s when I found the YakAttack BlackPak Pro.
This isn’t just a storage box with rod holders. It’s a fully riggable system designed by people who actually fish from kayaks. After two seasons with the BlackPak Pro mounted in my Hobie Outback, here’s my honest take on whether it’s worth the upgrade.
What Is the YakAttack BlackPak Pro?
The BlackPak Pro is YakAttack’s completely redesigned kayak fishing crate, built from the ground up after more than a year of R&D. It comes in three sizes: 13″ x 13″, 13″ x 16″, and 16″ x 16″. I run the 13″ x 16″ in my tankwell, which gives me four TetherTube rod holders without eating up every inch of space.
Unlike the original BlackPak, the Pro version uses interlocking GridLoc panels that snap together before you even touch a screw. The assembly is intuitive, and YakAttack ships the hardware in clearly labeled kits. The whole thing goes together in about 20 minutes with a Phillips screwdriver.
The 16″ x 16″ version weighs 9.1 lbs without rod holders and 11.5 lbs with all six TetherTubes attached. The 13″ x 16″ drops to 7.6 lbs / 9.2 lbs respectively. That’s roughly 25% lighter than the original BlackPak, which matters when you’re lifting a fully loaded crate in and out of your truck bed at 5 AM.
Construction and Durability
The BlackPak Pro is injection-molded from UV-stabilized polymers. After two seasons of full sun exposure, salt spray, and the occasional flip onto a gravel boat ramp, the plastic hasn’t faded or cracked. The ribbed panel structure gives it rigidity without the bulk.
What impressed me most is the attention to small details. The rubberized feet dampen noise when you’re sneaking into a shallow flat. The stainless steel hardware hasn’t rusted despite constant wet conditions. And the hinged lid uses a CatchLatch system that stays closed when you need it to, but opens one-handed when you’re holding a fish in the other.
One thing I learned the hard way: the Ultra-Sil dry bags I use for backpacking are NOT suitable for kayak fishing. The BlackPak Pro’s rigid construction protects your gear from the abuse that comes with paddle sports. For organizing smaller items inside the crate, I use Plano 3700 series boxes, which fit perfectly in the internal layout.
Real-World Testing: Two Seasons on the Water
I fish mostly shallow saltwater flats and mangrove shorelines in Florida. The BlackPak Pro has been through everything from dead-calm mornings to whitecap afternoons when I probably should have stayed home.
The TetherTube rod holders are the standout feature. Each tube has a built-in hook and tether system that wraps around your rod blank. When a surprise wake from a passing boat sent my kayak rocking last spring, I watched a buddy’s rod bounce out of his generic crate holder and into the water. My rods stayed put. The oversized hooks attach directly to the rod shaft, and the caged attachment points give you multiple hook positions for different setups.
The adjustable hinge on the lid is smarter than it looks. You can set it to pivot freely for quick access, or tighten it so the lid stays at whatever angle you set. When I’m poling through a narrow creek and need to grab a lure, I set it to stay open. When I’m running across open water, I lock it down so spray doesn’t get inside.
The internal storage is optimized for standard tackle boxes, including Plano Edge, Bass Mafia Bait Coffin, and Flambeau. The 16″ x 16″ holds seven 3700 boxes with room on top for soft plastics or a lunch bag. I keep a portable fish finder battery in one corner and a folding anchor in the other.
Pros and Cons
What I Like
- GridLoc mounting system: Every panel has attachment points for accessories. I’ve mounted a CellBlok battery box, a fish finder mount, and a cup holder without drilling a single hole.
- TetherTube rod holders: Built-in leashes mean I don’t have to rig my own. The vertical positioning options let you mount rods high for long butts or low for the HighNDry position.
- Hinged lid: No more losing lures off the top of an open crate. The overtravel stops keep the lid from falling backward into your tankwell.
- Tankwell security: Omni corner brackets with included hooks let you bungee, carabiner, or strap the crate down multiple ways.
- Made in the USA: With a lifetime warranty. YakAttack stands behind their gear.
What Could Be Better
- Price: At around $150-280 depending on size, it’s not cheap. A milk crate is free. But you get what you pay for.
- Assembly time: The first build takes 20-30 minutes. It’s not hard, but it’s not instant either.
- Weight: Even the lighter Pro version adds 7-11 lbs before you load it with tackle. For smaller kayaks, that’s noticeable.
- Size options: The 13″ x 13″ might be too small for serious anglers, while the 16″ x 16″ won’t fit in compact kayak tankwells. Measure before you buy.
Who Is the BlackPak Pro For?
This crate is built for kayak anglers who are serious about keeping their gear organized, protected, and accessible. If you’re running a Hobie, Jackson, Old Town Sportsman, or any other fishing-focused kayak with a decent tankwell, the BlackPak Pro drops right in.
For canoe anglers, the 16″ x 16″ fits beautifully between canoe seats. The rubber feet grip fiberglass and aluminum without sliding. And for SUP fishing enthusiasts, the smaller 13″ x 13″ can strap to a deck-mounted rack without overwhelming a paddleboard’s stability.
If you’re a casual paddler who doesn’t fish, the BlackPak Pro is overkill. You’d be better served by a simple dry bag storage system. But for anyone who opens a tackle box more than once per trip, this is the standard by which other crates are measured.
How It Compares to Other Options
I ran a standard milk crate for my first season. It worked, but rod holders had to be zip-tied or drilled in, nothing stayed dry in rain, and every rough water crossing meant holding my breath that the bungee wouldn’t snap.
The BlackPak Pro solves all of those problems. It’s quieter, drier, more secure, and infinitely more customizable. The GridLoc system means you can add accessories without voiding warranties or drilling holes in your kayak hull.
Compared to Flambeau’s kayak crates, the YakAttack has better rod holders and a more robust mounting ecosystem. Compared to Berkley’s options, the BlackPak Pro is lighter and more riggable.
Final Verdict
The YakAttack BlackPak Pro is the best kayak fishing crate I’ve used. It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s the one that makes me confident my gear will be exactly where I left it when I get back to the ramp.
For the price of a few premium lure sets, you get a system that will outlast your kayak. The lifetime warranty means YakAttack expects it to last decades, not seasons. After two years of hard use, I believe them.
Should you buy it? If you fish from a kayak, canoe, or SUP more than a handful of times per year, yes. The organization, security, and peace of mind are worth every dollar. If you’re a twice-a-year casual angler, start with a milk crate and upgrade when you know what you actually need.
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FAQ
What size BlackPak Pro should I get?
Measure your tankwell before ordering. The 13″ x 13″ fits compact kayaks and SUPs. The 13″ x 16″ is the sweet spot for most fishing kayaks. The 16″ x 16″ is for large tankwells and canoe setups. Remember to add 2.75″ per side if you’re attaching TetherTubes.
Will the BlackPak Pro fit in a non-fishing kayak?
Yes, as long as your tankwell or deck space matches the dimensions. Many recreational kayaks have enough room for the 13″ x 13″ or 13″ x 16″. For sit-inside kayaks, you might need to mount it on the foredeck using deck mounting hardware.
Is the BlackPak Pro waterproof?
The lid sheds water and spray, but it’s not submersible. The latch system keeps rain out during normal paddling and fishing. For electronics or items that absolutely must stay dry, use a waterproof case inside the crate.
Can I use the BlackPak Pro on a stand-up paddleboard?
Yes, the 13″ x 13″ works well on larger fishing SUPs. Strap it to a deck bungee system or use suction mounts. Keep in mind that a loaded crate raises your center of gravity, so balance carefully.
How does the TetherTube rod holder system work?
Each TetherTube has a built-in hook and tether that wraps around your rod blank. The hook attaches to the rod shaft, and the tether prevents the rod from leaving the tube even if the kayak flips. The caged attachment points give you multiple hook positions for different rod sizes.
What’s the warranty?
YakAttack offers a lifetime “Built for Life” warranty on the BlackPak Pro. If anything fails under normal use, they replace it. That’s rare in the paddle sports industry and speaks to the build quality.
Can I add more rod holders?
Yes. Additional TetherTubes are available as single units or two-packs. The GridLoc panels also accept other YakAttack rod holders and accessories.
