Waterproof Gear for Fishing | Keep Your Phone & Keys Dry
Waterproof Gear for Fishing: How to Keep Your Phone, Keys & Valuables Dry
Rain, spray, wet decks and accidental drops make waterproof storage one of the simplest ways to protect your essentials while fishing.
The best waterproof gear for fishing keeps your phone, keys, wallet, fishing license and other small valuables protected from rain, spray and accidental drops without taking up valuable tackle space. For personal essentials, a compact waterproof crossbody keeps everything together, protected and easy to reach.
Fishing has a way of getting gear wet even when you aren't planning on it.
Boat decks stay damp, fish get handled with wet hands, rain rolls in, tackle gets sprayed and phones somehow end up sitting exactly where the water is.
Your rods and tackle are built for that environment. Your phone, car key and wallet usually aren't.
What waterproof gear should you bring fishing?
Keep your phone, electronic keys, wallet, fishing license and other small valuables in secure waterproof storage. A waterproof crossbody works well for items you want quick access to, while larger dry bags or waterproof tackle storage are better for clothing, electronics and additional gear.
What Should You Bring Fishing?
Your tackle setup depends on where and how you fish, but most anglers bring a similar group of personal essentials.
- Phone
- Car or truck keys
- Wallet or ID
- Fishing license where required
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Snacks
- Small first-aid supplies
- Portable charger
Why Fishing Is Hard on Phones and Valuables
Fishing exposes your gear to more than just water.
Depending on where you're fishing, your valuables may encounter:
- Rain
- Boat spray
- Wet kayak or boat decks
- Fish slime and bait
- Mud and sand
- Wet hands
- Accidental drops into the water
Waterproof Crossbody vs. Dry Bag for Fishing
Waterproof Crossbody
Best for the smaller items you want close and easy to access.
- Phone
- Keys
- Wallet
- Fishing license
- ID and cards
- Small electronics
Dry Bag
Better for bulkier equipment and clothing that can stay stored nearby.
- Rain jacket
- Extra clothing
- Camera equipment
- Food
- Extra electronics
- Emergency gear
Why a Waterproof Crossbody Works Well for Fishing
A crossbody gives your personal valuables their own waterproof space without using up tackle-box storage or forcing you to dig through a larger dry bag every time you need your phone.
- Keeps phone, keys and wallet together
- Provides quick access for photos
- Separates electronics from wet fishing gear
- Stays attached to you while moving around
- Takes up very little space
- Works from shore, kayak or boat
Where Should You Put Your Phone While Fishing?
A phone is useful on the water for photos, maps, weather, communication and navigation.
That also means you're probably pulling it out more often than almost anything else you're carrying.
Keep it somewhere secure, waterproof and easy to reach instead of buried underneath tackle.
Don't move your phone between seats, tackle boxes and pockets throughout the day.
Separate electronics from bait, wet tools and anything coming directly out of the water.
On a boat or kayak, a phone sitting loose can slide or get knocked overboard.
How Do You Protect Your Fishing License?
Depending on where you fish, you may need to carry a physical or digital fishing license.
Paper licenses obviously don't handle water well, and a digital license still depends on your phone working.
Keeping your license or phone in waterproof storage helps make sure it's available when you need it.
Fishing From Shore vs. Kayak vs. Boat
| Fishing Style | Main Water Risk | Best Storage Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Shore Fishing | Rain, mud, accidental drops | Waterproof crossbody or small waterproof bag |
| Kayak Fishing | Spray, wet deck, capsize risk | Waterproof crossbody + secured dry storage |
| Boat Fishing | Spray, wet deck, weather | Crossbody + boat dry storage |
| Wade Fishing | Continuous water exposure | Secure waterproof or submersible storage |
Waterproof Gear for Kayak Fishing
Kayak fishing puts your gear especially close to the water.
The deck gets wet, paddle spray is constant and space is limited.
Small personal valuables are often easier to keep on your body, while tackle and larger equipment should be secured to the kayak.
For more on protecting gear in a kayak, see our waterproof gear for kayaking guide .
Waterproof Gear for Wade Fishing
Wade fishing creates a different problem because you're physically standing in the water.
A normal backpack sitting above the waterline may work most of the time, but one stumble can change that quickly.
Phones, keys and wallets should be stored with the assumption that they could eventually be submerged.
What About Electronic Car Keys?
Electronic key fobs deserve special attention when fishing around water.
If you're miles down a shoreline, standing in a river or returning to a remote boat ramp, a damaged key can turn into a major inconvenience.
Keep it dry and keep it attached to you.
Waterproof vs. Water-Resistant for Fishing
| Protection | Designed For | Fishing Use |
|---|---|---|
| Water-Resistant | Light rain and occasional splashes | Fine for low-risk items |
| Waterproof | Heavy rain and significant water exposure | Better for phones and valuables |
| Submersible | Complete immersion | Best for kayak and wade fishing risks |
How to Keep Gear Safe While Fishing
Keep phones, keys and wallets away from wet lures, tools and bait.
On a boat or kayak, anything loose can shift, fall or end up overboard.
Your phone and fishing license shouldn't require digging through your entire tackle setup.
Fresh water helps remove salt from zippers, closures, straps and hardware.
Fishing Gear FAQs
Where should I keep my phone while fishing?
Keep your phone in secure waterproof storage that's easy to reach. Avoid leaving it loose on a boat seat, kayak deck or next to wet tackle.
Do I need a waterproof bag for fishing?
If you're carrying electronics, keys, a wallet or documents that need to stay dry, waterproof storage is useful. The level of protection you need depends on whether you're fishing from shore, a boat, kayak or directly in the water.
What's the best bag for kayak fishing valuables?
A compact waterproof bag worn securely can work well for phones, keys, wallets and licenses, while larger equipment should be secured separately to the kayak.
How do I keep my fishing license dry?
Keep a physical license inside waterproof storage with your ID and other small valuables. If your license is digital, protecting your phone accomplishes the same goal.
Is water-resistant enough for fishing?
It may be enough for light rain or occasional spray. For phones, electronic keys and valuables that could be submerged or heavily soaked, waterproof or submersible storage offers better protection.
Should I rinse waterproof gear after saltwater fishing?
Yes. Rinse the exterior, zipper, closures and hardware with fresh water to remove salt, then allow the gear to dry before storing it.
Keep Your Valuables Out of the Tackle Box
Your tackle is supposed to get wet. Your phone, keys and wallet aren't.
The SKÖ Waterproof Crossbody gives your personal essentials their own waterproof place to stay while keeping them easy to reach whether you're fishing from shore, kayak or boat.
Fully waterproof protection for your everyday essentials.