10 Best Drift Boat Accessories

Once you get a drift boat, the first thing that comes to mind is outfitting and accessorizing it to fit your fishing program. Let’s face it, the moment you get it, you just want to hit the water. To make it easy to hit the water, these drift boat accessories have become essential items on any trip.

Trying to stay minimal, but maybe you’ll see a piece of gear in this guide that you never would have thought about. Given the minimalist mind, we have even jumped into trailers and a few pieces that can make your experience even better. That being said, some of these items aren’t completely necessary but could make or break your day the next time you drop your boat in the water. 

You might not think this is the sexiest piece of gear, but when it’s attached to your anchor, it makes it so much easier. Having a pulley system consists of two things. One, you will need longer anchor line. I like to start with 50 feet of .5 anchor line that you can pick up at your local hardware store or boat shop. Two, the swivel pulley will not spin your line. On typical pulley systems that don’t have an integrated pulley system, your anchor line will spin and get twisted up. The Swivel Block from Tornado Anchors answers the problem: easier to pull your anchor up, and eliminates twisted line. 

Some of the places we like to fish are weird. That being said, don’t just throw your keys in your gas cap for the shuttle driver, keep a lockbox on your trailer and make sure your vehicle stays locked at all times. Sometimes I’ve worried about my shuttle driver having issues getting into the lockbox, however, make it known that your car keys are in a locked unit on your boat over the phone, or in a notes section of any shuttle form you fill out. Rule of thumb: put-in time, take-out time, car model, color, license plate number, and where your keys are located. 

Coffee mugs & insulated drinkware designated for your drift boat. That’s all. Whether or not you’re doing a couple days on the water and overnight, having coffee mugs that are easy to clean and stack nicely when stowed away, the Stackable Cups from YETI are a must. Like your typical Rambler from YETI, we like these mugs due to their stackability and how easy they are to organize. That being said, once you finish your morning cup of Jo, you can refill it with dedicated bottles throughout the day, eliminating the use of water bottles and keeping everyone happy in the boat. Typical days on the drift boat can be hot, tiring, and exhausting by the end of the day, check out our article on how we pack for a day on the water with YETI. 

Might not be the sexiest piece of fishing gear, but a necessary piece in the field. Whether hooks get caught in someone or there’s a light scrape, having a kit that you can rely on when the time comes is always a good call. The Sportsman’s Series 300 Medical Kit from Adventure Medical Kits has everything you need and more to stay safe on the water when you’re out on the drift boat. 

You might have just gotten your boat, it may be used, but how can you make it look and feel comfortable? SeaDek is a company known for making flooring products for boats. Big in wake-board or water skiing boats, drift boat companies have adopted SeaDek, and some even sell it as an a-la-carte option. If you’re looking for a cheaper option and a DIY project, SeaDek sells sheets you can customize for your boat. We like these for the bow and the stern of drift boats, but the customization is endless when it comes to making it your own. The best part, it’s easy to clean, nice on the feet, and durable. 

Forget buying the $5 bags of ice at the gas station. One, it gets old. Two, it comes in plastic and melts quickly. YETI, once again, has delivered a product that changes the game when it comes to keeping cold-cut sandwiches cold, and beer frosty. YETI ice is awesome, take it out of the freezer and throw it in your cooler to keep everything chilled for days spent on the water. 

Boat buckles are a great addition to your trailer. They are super nice as they self-contract and go right onto your gunnels for an easy strap onto your trailer. With that, they are versatile with your mounting points. Typically, most drift-boat owners mount them near the rear of the boat trailer close to the roller bar. Personally, I’m due for a new set, as they are the original boat buckles from 2008. They are durable and super easy to use when your boat is ready for tow. 

You may call a net necessary. However, most people bring a net with a handle that is way too short for the boat. We like having a longer boat net handle for getting over the gunnels, and so the fish is easily caught. Having a little extension goes a long way and there’s even a few brands that have made nets that have removable handles for wade or float fishing. We like rising nets for that reason or a dedicated net that you keep in your boat, like the Fishpond Boat Net. 

There’s no reason for a full oar in a drift boat. Many companies have made break-down-oars to keep in your boat so they can be stored away easily. I like the option from Sawyer Oars, which they call their “Spare Tire Oar.” Designed to be split into three 36” pieces, it’s a spare oar you can rely on and keep in your storage box when you’re floating. 

Having a knife on board is necessary. For emergencies, opening something up, or just having on your PFD you cannot go wrong with a dependable knife. NRS makes some awesome knives for different occasions. Personally, I really like the Titanium Co-Pilot Knife since it’s lightweight, stronger than steel, and the blade holds a keen edge. Take a look at the Titanium Co-Pilot Knife to add onto your PFD or to keep in your boat at all times. 

Bonus: 

Good, reliable communication is something that is very important when it comes to float fishing. Here at Flylords we utilize the Rocky Talkie 5 Watt Radio for our communications on multi-boat floats. Check out our ‘Guide Test’ article on the 5 Watt Radio from Rocky Talkie. 

Rain will come. Colorado is a place we call “never summer.” Having at least 3 reusable rain ponchos is a great call. The people you take fishing will thank you later. 

Do not forget your plugs. That’s why you should just have them everywhere. Just like bobbers, you can never have enough. Keep them in a bag in your boat, and never change the spot you put them in. 

Whether you take your drift boat out a handful of times each summer or keep it rigged and ready year-round, we hope these accessories will enhance your time on the water. While not every item is essential for every outing, a few of these products have made a noticeable difference for me—starting from the moment I hitch up the trailer to when I pull the boat out at the end of the day.

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