Most turkey hunters overlook one of the most effective tools: the kayak. When properly rigged, a kayak becomes your stealthy, silent partner, getting you closer to wary gobblers, accessing untouched terrain, and helping you outpace other hunters. A smart kayak setup doesn’t just boost your odds; it transforms your entire turkey hunting experience.
My “a-ha” moment came early one spring morning when my noisy boat engine sent roosting turkeys scattering before I even stepped ashore. Killing the motor and switching to a trolling motor didn’t help. The birds were already wise to my presence. That frustrating hunt taught me that stealth on the water was as crucial as stealth in the woods.
It took me a few more seasons to dial in my kayak setup and truly harness its advantages. Now, having refined my gear, tactics, and rigging, I’m consistently getting closer, hunting quieter, and filling tags faster. Here are the essential kayak rigging tips that’ll spare you the trials and errors I’ve experienced and get you on gobblers sooner this turkey season.
Looking for a new kayak to chase game and fish? Check out our guide to the best kayaks of the year.
How to Rig Your Turkey Hunting Kayak
I prefer the KISS (Keep It Stupid Simple) method when rigging kayaks. I’m a GearJunkie as much as the next guy, but I end up miserable and frustrated every time I try to cram as much gear as possible onto my kayak.
In my experience, it’s best to stay agile by limiting my gear during spring or fall hunts. If you don’t remember anything else, remember to bring only what you need into the turkey woods.
The Gear
If you own a kayak, you likely have most of the gear you’ll need for a successful hunt. For those who don’t own a kayak, I recommend starting with a 10-foot fishing kayak (they don’t make kayaks specifically designed for hunting, yet) in the $1,000-1,500 range. I’ve listed the kayaking gear I use when chasing ole’ Tom; it excludes my turkey hunting gear.
How to Set Up Your Kayak for Success
Now that we have the necessary gear, it’s time to slap it on the yak in the perfect spot.
It’s critical that you not only have a PFD on board but also wear it. Paddlers are the highest percentage of boating fatalities, primarily due to the lack of wearing a PFD. Don’t be a part of that statistic. I love my Astral V-Eight Fisher PFD because it doubles as my kayak fishing life jacket.
Mount a Kayak Motor & Battery
Next, even if you plan to use a motor or pedal kayak, always bring a paddle. The motor or pedal drive might break, so it’s best to have a Plan B. Motors are great if traveling far, but they can be a hassle otherwise.
Speaking of motors, I used a noisy 5-horsepower surface drive on my Nucanoe F12 for a season because it was faster than my Minn Kota Endura trolling motor. However, I switched to my trolling motor because it’s virtually silent and isn’t as heavy, even with the battery. Ah, the battery: lithium-ion batteries are the only way to go in a kayak. They’re lighter and produce more power than lead-acid batteries of a similar size.
I mounted the trolling motor to the stern (rear) of my kayak and placed the battery in the bow (front) to distribute the weight better. I ran the wires through the hull to keep my deck clean and clear.
Install Some Lights
Placing the battery in the bow also made installing the navigation and LED lights simple (fewer wires to run). You’ll only need the lights if you plan to use your kayak before or after dark (like getting to your spot before sunup or staying until sundown).
Don’t Forget About the Gun Mounts
One item I wouldn’t overlook is a shotgun and bow mount. I’m currently using the YakAttack Gun Mounts, but they have been discontinued; I recommend the Railblaza Gunhold in its place. I like these mounts because they secure your gun or bow to the kayak but remain easily accessible if you need to grab your gun quickly and go.
I mount my shotgun on the right side of my kayak, running parallel. This ensures my deck is open for other gear but keeps my shotgun handy if I hear a gobble. You can also mount it perpendicular to your kayak, but I’ve found it gets in the way more.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve got navigable water nearby, a kayak truly stands out as one of the best tools for bagging early- or late-season turkeys. By gliding silently across the water, you can approach wary birds that rarely expect a threat from the shoreline.
A kayak also extends your hunting range beyond areas accessible by foot or truck, allowing you to explore hidden coves and isolated stretches of shoreline that other hunters overlook.
Moreover, its portability and ease of maneuvering mean you can rapidly adjust your location if conditions change or birds are unresponsive.
Simply put, hunting from a kayak gives you unmatched versatility, stealth, and the advantage of surprise, helping you get closer, faster, and bag turkeys that other hunters never even see.
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