The Best Boat Bags for Fly Fishing
Updated How we research
A boat bag is a different animal from a gear bag: it lives on deck, in spray and rain and bilge water, and must open wide, stay open, and keep contents findable while the boat moves. Rigid or semi-rigid bases stop tipping, and weatherproof fabrics and zippers earn their cost quickly. Bags vary in closure style, from roll-tops to storm-flap zippers, plus size, pocket layout, and lash points for securing to a frame. We favored bags that balance genuine weather resistance with quick access, since a fully sealed bag you cannot open one-handed tends to get left unzipped anyway. Drift boat and skiff anglers should size up and prioritize a stiff base and a rain-shedding lid. Raft anglers running whitewater need true submersion-proof closures. If your bag rides in a dry hatch, a lighter option with good organization makes more sense.
The short version
We compared 7 picks. Our scores range from 7.0 to 8.9 out of 10.
- Best overall:Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag, Large, Sterling. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.9/10.
- Also great value:KastKing Hoss Saltwater Resistant Fishing Tackle Bag, Medium, Orange. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.0/10.
- Solid build:Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag, 1709-1831 cu in, Sterling, Small. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Feature-rich:KastKing Lunker Saltwater Resistant Fishing Tackle Bag, Large, Blackout. Features score of 7/10, overall 8.0/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag, Large, Sterling
Simms Dry Creek boat bag, large, in sterling, a big waterproof bag for carrying a full day's gear on the water.
Our score8.9/10Budget
Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag, 1709-1831 cu in, Sterling, Small
Simms Dry Creek boat bag, small, 1709-1831 cu in, in sterling, a waterproof bag for drift boats and kayaks.
Our score8.6/10Budget
#1Simms Dry Creek boat bag, large, in sterling, a big waterproof bag for carrying a full day's gear on the water.
Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Large capacity holds jackets, reels, boxes and lunch
- + Waterproof design protects gear from rain and spray
- + Durable Simms materials survive boat and truck use
- - Large bag takes up space in small boats and kayaks
- - High price compared with non-waterproof alternatives
#2Simms Dry Creek boat bag, small, 1709-1831 cu in, in sterling, a waterproof bag for drift boats and kayaks.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Waterproof Dry Creek construction keeps gear dry on boat floors
- + Small 1709-1831 cu in size fits reels, boxes and a rain jacket
- + Simms build quality holds up to splashes and rough handling
- - Small capacity is limiting for full-day boat trips with layers
- - Premium price compared with basic tackle bags
#3KastKing Hoss saltwater resistant fishing tackle bag, medium, in orange, a tough bag for boats and shorelines.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Saltwater resistant materials handle spray and salty air
- + Medium size balances storage with portability
- + KastKing offers good value in tackle storage
- - Designed more for conventional tackle than fly gear
- - Not fully waterproof if left in standing water
#4KastKing Lunker saltwater resistant fishing tackle bag, large, in blackout, a big bag for full boat days.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Large capacity carries fly boxes, reels and extra clothing
- + Saltwater resistant build suits coastal fishing trips
- + Blackout color hides dirt and stains
- - Large size can be heavy when fully loaded
- - Tackle-box layout is geared to conventional fishing
#5KastKing Karryall water resistant fishing tackle bag with padded shoulder strap, a versatile carry bag for boats.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Water resistant fabric handles splashes and light rain
- + Padded shoulder strap makes carrying heavy loads easier
- + Versatile bag works for fly and conventional gear
- - Not submersible or fully waterproof
- - Check the bag size before ordering
#6Calamus rip-stop PE fishing tackle bag in orange with padded shoulder strap, a budget carry bag for boat days.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Rip-stop PE fabric resists tears and splashes
- + Padded shoulder strap makes carrying comfortable
- + Orange color is easy to spot in a boat or truck bed
- - Water resistance is not the same as a fully waterproof bag
- - Check the bag size before ordering
#7Fishoholic waterproof dry bag for kayaking, boating and fishing, a roll-top style bag for keeping gear dry.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Waterproof dry bag protects clothes and electronics
- + Useful for kayak and drift boat trips
- + Simple design is easy to clean and pack
- - Dry bag lacks internal organization for fly boxes
- - Check the bag volume before ordering
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Large bag takes up space in small boats and kayaks (Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag, Large, Sterling)
- Small capacity is limiting for full-day boat trips with layers (Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag, 1709-1831 cu in,...)
- Designed more for conventional tackle than fly gear (KastKing Hoss Saltwater Resistant Fishing...)
- Large size can be heavy when fully loaded (KastKing Lunker Saltwater Resistant Fishing...)
- Not submersible or fully waterproof (KastKing Karryall Fishing Tackle Bag, Water...)
- Water resistance is not the same as a fully waterproof bag (Calamus Fishing Tackle Bag, Rip-Stop PE with...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among the best boat bags for fly fishing?
Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag, Large, Sterling is our top overall pick. Simms Dry Creek boat bag, large, in sterling, a big waterproof bag for carrying a full day's gear on the water. It earns our score of 8.9/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag, 1709-1831 cu in, Sterling, Small is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. Simms Dry Creek boat bag, small, 1709-1831 cu in, in sterling, a waterproof bag for drift boats and kayaks.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span $ price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Fly Fish Nest independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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