Oops, darn, and crap are some of the nicer comments I have heard from friends over the years when they dropped a cellphone off their fishing kayak. Back in the day when a few raindrops would wreak havoc on a cell phone, I dropped an iPhone in the drink. That was before they were water resistant or waterproof. Wrapping things up quickly, rushing home, and then putting the phone into a bowl of rice did not do the trick. But, at least I was able to recover it. Some of my buddies weren’t so lucky. Their phones were lost to Davy Jones’ Locker in the depths of the Chesapeake Bay or their favorite lake. So, what to do? For years I simply risked it all and carried my cell phone in the breast pocket of my PFD. I would take the phone out to photograph my catch and gently place it back in afterwards. But eventually I bought a cellphone holder that has various adjustments and the ability to hold the phone for taking photos, too. It’s a YakAttack RotoGrip Phone Holder Pro. Yes, because I’m a pro, yeah right… I spent a bit more than I really needed to, as the YakAttack comes in at around $70.

There are several brands on the market that you can mount to your kayak’s rail system. There are also pouches that your phone slips into which are water resistant or waterproof and come with a tether to clip to an attachment point on the kayak or PFD. And yet others that have a silicon phone harness and a tether. 

cell phone holders for kayaks
1: The most expensive option is a rail mount holder, which lets you take all the pics you want. 2: A pouch keeps the phone protected, but you’ll have to remove it to take pictures. 3: A harness prevents the phone from going overboard and allows for some quick picture-taking.

What to buy? Well, that’s a question that you’ll have to answer. Do you want to take photos of your catches with your phone while out, or egg on your fishing partner of the day by sending them photos of your “bigger” catches than theirs? Do you pack the phone away but want it on the kayak for emergency communication? Or, a little of both?

The one I chose came out of my desire to photograph all my catches, but if you’re only looking to keep your phone dry, I’d recommend a water-resistant phone pouch with a lanyard. These will cost you a lot less than the rail mount holder, at $15 to $25. If you do want to take the occasional photo while out, a silicon phone harness with a lanyard would be a good go-between. These make it easy to pull out your phone and take the quick photo, then place it back into your PFD or breast pocket where it’s protected. They run $10 and up.

And remember, a cast not taken is a fish not photographed…. So take the photo!

-By Eric Packard