Choosing a backpack for fishing: what you need to know

Among the many different backpacks that flood our modern market, a person far from hunting, mountaineering and other active tourism is not easy to choose your first backpack. After all, if a person is not engaged in anything that requires carrying certain things on their shoulders for long or not very long distances, it is better to choose such equipment to prepare, so as not to buy yourself something not quite suitable, little useful or unnecessary.

It is possible, of course, conditionally, to divide all existing types of backpacks into separate types of certain characteristics. But this classification will remain very and very conditional, because very many elements are now mixed in the design and further sewing of various models. All this shenanigans marketing, when for the sake of increasing sales manufacturers go to any tricks, just to attract the attention of potential buyers to their products.

Classification of models is very conventional

When you need a tourist backpack?

It was in the days of my Soviet youth everything was simple – backpacks were divided into literally three types – army bags, the actual backpacks (mostly canvas) and rare at that time – tourist backpacks (more often frame). Today everything is much more complicated and interesting. By the way, large tourist backpacks today also stand apart, and it is this type can be safely called a separate type of backpacks. Yes, they differ from each other, but mostly in volume and materials, constructively their similarity is explained by years of research, recommendations and feedback from travelers themselves, which led to the formation of certain standards in this area of production. If we need a backpack to transport a large volume of things, then it is necessary to choose it just from among such large travel backpacks, choosing the most suitable by volume. As for the price, the more often and longer you are going to use such a backpack, the more expensive backpack you should consider buying, because the higher the price and the better known manufacturer, the higher the quality of materials, sewing and fittings, no special complications. Such models rarely become fishing, but there is a percentage of extreme fishermen that climb deep into the taiga with a gun and fishing rod, tent and sleeping bag, in order to taste a week or two of real male romance and adventure.

Tourist backpack will come in handy for a long hike

What is the advantage of a fishing backpack?

The bulk of anglers overwhelmingly prefer to fish in more comfortable conditions, often not far from their cars. In this case, they do not need any backpack. But if the fisherman decides to go along the river, shore or boat, in a small voyage for a few hours, he will need to somehow transport in addition to gear and food with thermos, jacket or raincoat in case of unexpected rain, quite possibly – a camera, because today we all do not mind to share high-quality pictures with friends in social networks. In addition, going on a hike even a few kilometers, it is worth stocking a small first aid kit, because broken glass, snakes, hornets, cuts on sedge and other dangerous adventures are found not only in the Siberian taiga, but also in the usual quiet Moscow suburbs. And in general, it is very convenient to put all your camping stuff in one compact backpack and throw it behind your back, so that your hands were free and nothing interfered with the management of spinning, fly fishing, tenkara, float or any other tackle.

Compact backpack does not interfere with the control of the tackle

To choose a suitable practical backpack for fishing, it is worth first of all to look at the products of companies that specialize in the production of fishing equipment. This choice will be the best and will immediately understand what exactly should be the device fishing backpacks, so that in the future if you want to buy something like this, but perhaps cheaper and from manufacturers with not such a big name, such as Simms, Shimano, Daiwa, Varivas.

Fishing backpacks are more functional

Real branded fishing backpacks are good that they are, what is called, sharpened just for fishermen, they are all built for us, so that we were as convenient as possible not only to put in them and carry all their fishing gimmicks, but also to get them on fishing, without turning the whole backpack inside out. For this purpose, such backpacks are arranged in separate pockets for boxes of baits, separate organizers for small gear – floats, leashes, etc., separate entrances to the backpack on the side, top and bottom, so that you can easily and quickly extract from there something necessary, perhaps even standing in the water at the knee, or waist, while not dropping anything else from a well-designed backpack.

Separate pockets make it easy to find the little things you need

What details should pay attention to when choosing a backpack for fishing?

Here it is worth determining the main conditions in which you will use this backpack. If it is winter fishing, then look first of all at the material of the backpack, it should not be too hard, the softer will be the outer layer of synthetics from which the backpack is sewn, the less it will be “blowing” in frosty days and the more convenient to handle such a backpack in cold weather. Metal zippers and other fasteners should be preferred to plastic, they in the cold is also more reliable (less freezing), and it is better that these fasteners were wider, and their locks are equipped with elongated snatches for easy use them in gloves and mittens. Thick padded back, wide straps and belt of the backpack in winter time can be additional measures to keep you warm, especially if you have to go to the place of fishing and back on a snowmobile.

Plastic fittings are less likely to freeze in freezing temperatures

For other seasons, the choice of backpacks is wider. If we are going to go a lot and far in the summer heat, we look first of all at the backpacks equipped with a rigid mesh, which does not allow the back of the backpack to fit our back, thereby allowing good ventilation, because the back in the hike wet from sweat first and if the backpack will be tightly its back to our back, then be it wet during the entire hike, and therefore the clothes that will be there to sweat and contribute to the appearance of all sorts of pimples and boils on our skin. By the way, between this mesh and the back of the backpack perfectly placed a small sucker on a trip to forest rivers.

For summer, a backpack with a rigid mesh is suitable

Backpacks for demi-seasonal conditions can be and without intermediate mesh that is described above, although it does not interfere and in the fall and spring. But the presence of any ventilation system on the back of the backpack will not be superfluous. Usually it is a padded back, covered with some kind of mesh on top with various channels for venting. Although in fact, all this does not work as effectively as the manufacturers say, because the clothes are usually quite tight against the back of the backpack. The only real ventilation for the back is provided by that extra layer of mesh I mentioned above.

An additional layer of mesh provides ventilation for the back

Backpacks for fishing, as a rule, are equipped with a set of typical options of a modern tourist backpack. These are chest tie straps and sometimes a waist belt. Whether you need these features or not – everyone decides for himself, because we are all different, with different physiques, and therefore the same backpack on different people will sit differently, someone it will be like a fit, and someone will slip off step by step.

The fit of the backpack depends a lot on your physique

Fishing organizers – a useful addition

In addition, the right backpacks are equipped with ties for convenient and quick adjustment of shoulder straps, but today it is difficult to find backpacks without such useful devices, unless very simple, but they all work. But the device of pockets and different organizers for our different fishing gizmos – a useful thing. It is always more convenient to use a backpack in which all the things are in their compartments, and not piled inside one pile, in which you need to pick every time to get the right box or bag at the moment. And if the backpack is also equipped with windows on zippers on different sides for easy access to the inside and quick search in it necessary things, it is the best option!

Tubes are conveniently attached with the help of the outer pocket and the side drawstring

But in addition to the internal device in the fishing backpack, its external equipment is also important. On it depends on the convenience of transportation of any bulky things, if such you constantly or occasionally have to carry. For example, for me it is important to have at least one external side open pocket and an adjustable sling tie above it. The thing is that I often use travel class spinning rods for trips to forest rivers and lakes, and tubes, cases or cases of these rods are very convenient to attach just with the help of an external pocket and a side tie.

Convenient model for travel class spinning rods

In addition, in winter spinning I, for example, often use snowshoes to get to different places open from ice. But often along the rivers it is possible to move safely on the ice in boots or trekking boots, and then I fasten snowshoes to my backpack. That is, a couple of external adjustable sling ties with locks won’t hurt, at least for me.

It is convenient to fasten snowshoes with the help of side ties

The volume of a fishing backpack is usually small, from 15-20 to 30-35 liters, depending on the amount of things we are used to taking with us on our trips. Some of the compact tourist and so-called “city” backpacks may well be suitable for service as fishing backpacks, if they have the functionality and useful volume we need.

Some urban backpacks are also suitable for fishing

Of additional useful “tricks” should recognize the presence in the backpack protective waterproof cover, which quickly and easily can be covered with a backpack at the threat of heavy rain and thereby protect from getting wet all folded in it things and equipment.

Waterproof cover will keep your backpack safe during a downpour

However, such a protective cover can be bought separately, it is inexpensive, so do not refuse to buy a good backpack because of such a trifle. Another of the useful little things in modern backpacks can be present additional external pockets made of elastic mesh fabric, which, if necessary, are pulled out of their pockets and fastened to the outside. In them you can store, for example, a jacket that had to be removed in the warming afternoon after a chilly morning or a raincoat after rain.

It is better to start with proven manufacturers

As you can see, the choice of a suitable backpack for fishing is not so difficult, especially when there is already some experience in using these useful things. If it is not, then start better with branded fishing products from proven reliable manufacturers, it will help to quickly come to an understanding of exactly what functionality in a backpack for fishing you are important and how exactly everything in this backpack should be arranged.

Author: Bob Nudd is an expert fisherman with over 20 years experience and winner of many competitions.