The 6 Best Fishing Backpacks with Rod Holders: Reviews and Buying Guide

Here is our review of the best fishing backpack with rod holder in 2021.

As fishing enthusiasts, we spend a lot of time fishing. That means that the fishing gear we carry with us is important. If you have been looking for a fishing backpack with a rod holder, then this article will be perfect for you! We’ve gone through deep research, read tons of reviews and compiled a list of six fishing backpacks, and reviewed each one on features, advantages, disadvantages, and what makes it stand out from the crowd. 

With our buyer’s guide at the end, you will be able to make an informed decision about which fishing backpack suits your needs best!

Our Top Picks

1. Wild River CLC WT3604. (Our overall winner)
2. The KastKing Fishing Tackle Backpack (Our Best Value for money)
3. BLISSWILL Fishing Backpack with Rod Holder. (Our budget option)

6 Best fishing backpacks with rod holder

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Piscifun Fishing Tackle Storage Bag

Pros

• Have a warranty that makes you feel better about this bag.
• Have many compartments
• Well made and sturdy.
• Small, but surprisingly, it maximizes space.
• Durable and heavy-duty.

Cons

• Doesn’t have an XL option
• have a large plastic clip digging into your shoulder
• Short straps compared to big guys
• It has a lot of features with no intended purposes and may not be used
• Not enough water resistance, sometimes it lets water in.

Verdict

Piscifun Fishing backpack is an overall great bag. It is perfect for mobile fishermen and bank fishing. However, it’s not suitable for big men as it’s smaller than people expect. Buy it can hold a lot, including all the necessary items. Overall, nothing from the previously mentioned minor complaints would prevent me from recommending it.

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Spiderwire Fishing Tackle Backpack

Pros

• Durable material
• Very comfortable and have very comfy handles
• Holds 2 fishing rods and have plenty of room for other things
• Very big size. However, it’s not bulky
• Includes an insulated live bait section which is good for worms and an ice pack to keep them cool
• the entire middle compartment is well insulated

Cons

• Available in only one color (black).
• Lacks all the different compartments compared to a spider-wire sling bag.
• The storage cases included are a little bit cheap.
• Zippers and zipper pull are of cheap quality
• The three tackle boxes fall off (sometimes) when you open the boxes. However, they are sturdy and big enough to take a lot of stuff.

Verdict

This backpack will hold all your gear perfectly. A minor drawback here is that it comes in only black color which may not fit for the summer season. It would also be nice to add zippers to the internal partitions.

Note: An easy fix to the tackle box problem is to buy a pack of piano boxes. This will add a great upgrade.

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Rodeel Fishing Tackle Backpack

Pros

• Very roomy
• It has a lot of compartments, there’s even a compartment for food and jackets.
• It has a chest strap that makes carrying loads easier
• Comes with 2-rod holders

Cons

• Low-quality zippers, however, are sturdy.
• Cheap tackle boxes
• The straps that go around the fishing poles gets broken easily.
• Not very durable

Verdict

Rodeel Fishing Tackle Backpack isn’t for heavy-duty. It’s perfect for carrying light tackles as it comes with 4 small tackle boxes. It will be better to add more pockets inside. I like how versatile this bak is. It works fine in outdoor cycling, day trips, camping, and hiking. If you’re up to other activities with fishing, this one may be a good fit.

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Wild River CLC WT3604

Pros

• High versatility
• High storage capacity
• Durable and heavy-duty
• Lightweight
• Comfortable with well-padded straps and back
• Have an LED light

Cons

• Expensive or maybe overpriced
• The side pockets are triangles and narrow at the bottom affecting its capacity.
• The containers need to be more adjustable. The slots are too small.
• Zippers are hard to work with, needs some lubrication
• Plastic zippers, but they are strong.
• They need to add a drink holder on the side. 

Verdict

Our overall winner. A great backpack of premium quality, high versatility, and durability, yet it comes at a really expensive price. It’s slightly heavy if you’re carrying it, but you won’t feel its heaviness while putting it on your back. The light is an extra plus point and works fine, just make sure it’s off when you close it (haha). It would also be great if they added an internal skeleton to prevent collapsing. Overall, I recommend buying it if you have the financial abilities. 

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KastKing Fishing Tackle Backpack

Pros

• Excellent comfortability
• Quality material
• Great Value for the money
• Versatile and Durable
• High storage capacity
• Zippers offer easy single-handed open and close. 
• Great customer service as usual.

Cons

• Small sunglass holder
• Gets bulky when putting a lot of gear in it.
• The external storage pockets are small. They even get smaller when you load the bag.
• Some anglers don’t prefer removable dividers.

Verdict

Kastking is popular for its high-quality gear compared to the price. The backpack is versatile and offers excellent comfortability and quality material. The price doesn’t include the storage boxes and you’re to buy them separately. It’s also not very suitable for very big guys. 

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BLISSWILL Fishing Backpack with Rod Holder

Pros

• High versatility
• Lightweight
• Durability
• Good value for money
• Cheap price
• Comfy bag
• ِA wide variability of colors

Cons

• A pretty small pack, but it fits a lot of things
• When the top pocket on the front gets filled, it makes it a little more difficult to unzip the pouch below it.
• The space for the water bottle is really small. 

Verdict

Our budget option. Durable backpack, comfy and offers pretty good colors. it’s pretty small. If you’re going to target species that require a collection of different baits, you want to consider other options. Otherwise, I recommend this bag if you’re on a tight budget.

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Our Buying Guide for a Fishing Backpack with Rod Holder

Here are a few factors to consider when purchasing you fishing backpack:

Backpack Type

Choose which type you prefer depending on your personal preference. Here are the top 3 backpack types:

Traditional backpack

A backpack that has 2 straps for the shoulders.

Frame backpack

Frame backpacks usually have a rectangular shape.

Sling backpack

AKA crossbody bag. This type provides more freedom and adjustability.

Weight

The weight of the backpack is related to its storage. Heavy backpacks get you tired in a short period and make your trip less fun. 

You need to pick the lightest backpack out there keeping in mind how much gear you’ll be carrying in it and how heavy the gear is. 

Storage/size

The storage of your backpack depends highly on how much gear you’re going to use. You need to pick the right size. Don’t get a bigger size, as it will cost more and also will add more weight. You also don’t want to get a smaller size, as it won’t fit your things and will be uncomfortable for you. 

An ideal fishing backpack comes with several compartments. The separate compartments enable you to avoid the mistake of keeping food, tackle, the fishfinder (which is expensive) in the same place. 

Waterproofing

Waterproofing isn’t of ultimate importance. However, it also depends on what gears you have and where you are planning to spend most of your fishing days. If you’re some expensive tackle like fishing finders, mobile phones. It’s worth paying some extra cash to get a water-resistant fishing backpack. Otherwise, you’re risking getting those things damaged.

If you’re a saltwater fishing fan, picking a waterproof and corrosion-resistant backpack is a smart idea to increase its durability.

Some fishing backpacks offer a rain cover, as extra protection. If you’re not fishing in such conditions, it’s not worth the money. You can also buy the rain cover separately in case you need it later.

Comfort

For fishing purposes, you have to pay great attention to comfortability. Anglers tend to fish for long hours and spend whole days outdoors. An uncomfortable fishing backpack will be quite tiring. 

You need to check various specifications to get the most comfortable fishing backpack. Here are a few of them:

1. An adequate soft cushioned padded shoulder straps. 
2. Adjustable straps. (We will talk about it later)
3. Breathable fabric is a preferred material for the back panel and straps. It gets rid of the moisture while wearing the backpack.
4. The smaller the bag the lighter and the more comfortable it.

It’s worth noting also that traditional backpacks are the most comfortable.

Versatility

Some fishing backpacks offer the possibility of being converted to shoulder bags or a handle-wheel bag.

If you get easily tired or maybe have an older shoulder injury, consider being one of those. It will buy your shoulders and back some time to get a break.

Material quality and durability.

You really want to check what material your fishing backpack is made of. Generally speaking, an ideal material is the one that is:

• Durable.
• Water-resistant.
• Tear and wear-resistant.
• Corrosion-resistant.
• Lightweight.

For these purposes, Nylon and Canvas are of the best materials for fishing backpacks out there. They are sturdy and heavy-duty.

Not only materials that affect the durability, but also the seams, zippers, and how the pockets are made. Double stitching seams are more likely to bear heavy weights than single stitching seems.

Zippers

Stainless steel zippers are the best option for more durability. Some fishing backpacks also offer waterproof zippers.

Pockets

The best pockets have some characteristics. I listed them in bullet points to make them easier to remember:

• A variety of storage compartments. You need small and large compartments for different sized equipment.
• Easy-to-reach pockets for the most frequently used tools. 
• Pockets that don’t get wet quickly for the most precious gear.
• You also want to get as many pockets as you can.
• For entertainment purposes, smart organized, and stylish pockets. (an unimportant point .. Haha)

Adjustable straps

You need to ensure that everyone can wear this backpack by choosing the ones that offer adjustable straps. It also helps the backpack to cope with your body changes over time. Make sure to pick the easiest straps to adjust.

Other features

There are several luxurious unnecessary factors to consider if you have the cash! Consider an LED light or retractable lanyard if you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for in a fishing backpack?

Here are some quick things to check before buying from our buyer’s guide:

1. Backpack Type
2. Storage/size
3. Waterproofing
4. Weight
5. Comfort
6. Quality and durability of Material
7. Versatility

How do you secure a fishing rod to a backpack?

It’s better seen than said. Here is a video that teaches all you need to know

How do you make a backpack rod holder?

You need to watch this one also. Here is a video that teaches how to add a rod holder to a backpack DIY:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lboVnuRUUjw

Why do bass fishermen have so many rods?

Multiple fishing rods are a necessity if you’re fishing for various types and sizes of fish. For example, trout need light rods while other larger species need stronger and heavier rods. 

How do you travel with a fishing rod?

A rod holder fishing backpack makes it easier to carry it or travel with it. If you’re traveling abroad, make sure to check with the airline if it’s allowed within the size limitations.

The Bottom Line

A fishing backpack with rod holders is a very important fishing gear for anglers. You can find them in different shapes, sizes, and qualities to suit your fishing needs and preferences. The key considerations when buying one are comfortability, versatility, material quality/durability, and ease of use. In our review, we chose Wild River CLC WT3604 as our overall winner. Let us know if we can answer your questions by commenting below.