YakAttack was nice enough to send me a good bit of gear to review and use throughout the season. Their biggest release in the last while has been the Blackpak Pro so I figured that I'd start with the best first. Here's my Yakattack Blackpak Pro review!
Today we’ll be looking at the 13 x 16” and the 16 x 16” sizes which are the most versatile for what I do. There’s also a smaller 13 x 13” model that we’ll talk about as well.
Before getting started, I want to mention that there’s a helpful video over on the YouTube channel where I show you how to unbox and assemble a BlackPak Pro from beginning to end. I also have this assembly as an easy-to-follow post: YakAttack BlackPak Pro Assembly
BlackPak Pro Review: What I liked
The BlackPak Pro is replacing the original BlackPak.
The original was quite a bit heavier because it was made out of starboard. So first off, I like how much lighter the new one is.
BlackPaks have been on the market for a very long time, and they've always been great crates. This is especially true considering that most of us started out using milk crates and things like that. But I quickly moved on to the BlackPak when it came out because it was light, strong, and versatile.
If there was one thing I didn’t like about it, it was that water and moisture often got into the storage area.
The BlackPak Pro isn’t technically waterproof, but the overhang on the lid is a major improvement. In fact, everything inside usually stays dry in the rain or if the box gets splashed.
Another big innovation with the BlackPak Pro is the handles. The ones on the old BlackPak were just cutouts. So when it was stuffed full of gear, it was often hard to get your fingers in far enough to get a good grip.
Thankfully, that’s no longer an issue because BlackPak Pros have external handles. And trust me, they make it much easier to pick up and move around. This is particularly handy when you need to get out of the way of other boaters who are waiting to use the ramp.
Available in Three Sizes
Another thing I love about the YakAttack BlackPak Pro is that it comes in three sizes.
This is a huge plus because you can pick the one that’ll work best for your kayak and fishing style.
In some cases, the 16 x 16” and 13 x 16” sizes may not work for you. If not, there’s a convenient 13 x 13” size as well. It’s smaller than the others, but you can still fit several boxes inside pretty easily.
Another great feature is that they're shaped and designed to fit the 3700 boxes, so keeping everything organized is a snap.
Are There Any Cons?
One thing that might be a con (but probably isn’t) is that there are nearly unlimited ways to rig your BlackPak Pro.
It can be a bit overwhelming. On the other hand, it allows you to dial in the box to fit your needs and setup.
On my 13 x 16″ BlackPak I only installed three of the four rod tubes that were in the box. I didn't use the last one because I'll be using this BlackPak on my Jackson Kayak Kilroy. I usually just take three or four rods when I fish from the Kilroy.
When I’m in a boat with a larger tank well like the Jackson Knarr, I can get away with the
16 x 16” BlackPak. On this box I can configure those rod tubes pretty much anywhere because the Knarr has a larger tank well.
So now that I think about, versatility isn’t a con. In fact, having so many different rigging options is awesome.
Strong and Secure Latch Points
The YakAttack BlackPak Pro gets high marks in regard to latch points and security.
I’ve spent a lot of time on the water with this product and it always stays shut. So I have no issues to report.
Luckily, I’ve never flipped a boat with a BlackPak Pro in it, but I’ve seen other people do it. In every case, the box stayed closed even if it banged against rocks when the kayak was upside down.
Tie Downs
I also really like the tie down points on the YakAttack BlackPak Pro. And again, there are lots of options and tons of versatility her too. You can put the bungee on directly or use the clips that come with the kit. YakAttack makes the Omni hooks or attachments that fasten right onto the box. For this you can use 1-inch webbing or connect it right to the handles.
Rod Tubes (Tether Tubes)
In addition to being a new crate from the ground up, YakAttack also launched new rod tubes with the BlackPak Pro. They're called tether tubes.
One thing I really like about the new tubes is that they come with bungees and hooks. This allows you to wrap the bungee around your rod and the holder. Then, you can attach the hook to one of the built-in connection points on the side of the tube.
This snugs everything down so if you go under trees the branches won’t pull your rods out of the tubes. It'll even keep the rods in the holders if you flip the kayak.
Even so, I don’t use the bungees and hooks all the time. If not, I usually pull the bungee over to the side and attach the hook to one of the connection points. This keeps them out of the way until I need them.
Straightforward Assembly
Getting your BlackPak Pro unpacked and assembled isn’t that complicated.
There are a lot of parts and pieces that may seem overwhelming at first. But again, I recommend watching the step-by-step assembly video over on my YouTube channel.
Another tip is to take the contents out of the box and spread it out on a flat surface like a table. This keeps everything from getting mixed up and will help you find what you’re looking for. Then, you can assemble your BlackPak Pro one part and one step at a time.
YakAttack also simplified the assembly process by putting the hardware into clearly labeled kits.
Putting together your BlackPak Pro can be a bit time consuming, but it’s not too difficult.
Made in the USA
Believe it or not, the YakAttack BlackPak Pro is made in the United States.
Yak Attack understands and is heavily involved in kayak fishing. So it’s no surprise that they’re an industry leader when it comes to high-quality kayak fishing accessories.
Now, Yak Attack did send me this BlackPak Pro. So I just want to point out that I do work with them. However, I’d still be using their products even if there wasn’t any kind of relationship.
The fact is that their storage crates are integral pieces of gear for what I do out on the water. Actually, I can’t imagine going fishing without them.
Lots of Configuration and Accessory Options
Configuring the BlackPak is really unlimited, because each one of the holes is an attachment point. You can simply use the self-tapping screws to attach accessories pretty much wherever you want them.
For example, I mounted my Jackson Kayak Multibox directly onto my BlackPak. The Multibox was designed to be used with a track system, but with the Jackson's Multiclips I was able attach it right to BlackPak.
The Multibox is a really convenient place to store extra line and things like that. It’s also very easy to put on and take off if you need to.
Another thing I’ve added is a Tackle Web on the underside of the lid. This was easy too, because there are lots of screw points inside the box and under the lid.
Tackle Webs are great for storing loose things you want to keep out of the way like hooks and leaders.
Interior Storage
Staying organized is easy because 3700 tackle boxes easily fit inside the BlackPak Pro.
This is another improvement over the original BlackPak that had a lip around the top rim. Sometimes you had to angle the boxes to get them in and out which wasn’t particularly convenient.
Thankfully, those days are long gone with the BlackPak Pro. You can also stand 3600s up on their ends or turn them on their sides. I also use Z Man Bait BlockZ that fit right into the BlackPak Pro.
For me it’s all about getting the gear I need quickly without too much hassle. When I’m taking my kayak down before traveling, I just throw everything into the box so I only have one thing to load into my vehicle.
Key Takeaways of the YakAttack BlackPak Pro
If you're a serious kayak fisherman like me, YakAttack’s BlackPak Pro may be a piece of gear you just can’t live without.
I use mine all the time. I love having different sizes to choose from to fit different kayaks and fishing situations.
For me, the 16 x 16” holds a ton of gear without ever feeling like it's overpacked. This is a big plus because I really dislike moving one thing to get at something else.
Another takeaway is that all three BlackPak Pros from the 13 x13” all the way to the 16 x 6” are essentially the same. This goes for the hole spacing, materials, and assembly.
The only differences are the size, their footprint in your kayak, and that you’ll either get 3, 4, or 6 tether tubes depending on which size you buy.
Where Do They Fit?
I'm not familiar with every kayak on the market or how big their tank wells are.
However, I know a lot about the Jackson Kayak line because I’ve worked with and for the company for a very long time.
The 16 x 16” BlackPak Pro fits really well in the back of the Take Two, the Jackson Kayak Knarr, and the Coosa X.
The big 16 x 16” BlackPak Pro may fit into other models as well, depending on how you configure the rod holders.
The 13 x 16” fits in the back of my Kilroy nicely because it has a slightly smaller tank well. Of course, the 13 x 13” inch box will fit in most kayaks.
So I recommend measuring your tank well to see which BlackPak Pro will work best for you. Just don’t forget to figure in the extra width of the rod holders. This is important because they’re mounted on the sides.
YakAttack also has a lot of images on its website and social media pages showing BlackPak Pros in the tank wells of various kayaks. So they’re also great resources to check out before you actually buy one.
YakAttack BlackPak Pro Review
Overall, I think the YakAttack BlackPak Pro is a winner.
It’s a big improvement over the original and it comes in at about the same price.
There is a little bit of a price difference between the sizes, but you get more rod holders each time the size of the box increases.
You could always go with a cheap and simple DIY option like a milk crate which is what I started with. That said, I really appreciate the convenience of being able to add things and move them around without having to drill new holes.
I also like that whatever’s inside the box stays pretty dry when it’s raining or when it gets splashed. I’ve even left BlackPak Pros in the bed of my pick during rainstorms and everything stayed dry.
Another big plus is how it ties down in the kayak and how you can secure it with Omni Corners, Omni Hooks, handles, and bungees.
And last, nothing gives me more confidence than knowing my BlackPak Pro has a Lifetime Warranty.
If I have an issue it's nice knowing I can call them up and get my questions answered and my problem resolved. In a nutshell, I think YakAttack is a great company that stands behind high-quality products.
With that in mind, you should definitely consider a YakAttack BlackPak Pro.
Accessories: Yakattack BlackPack Pro
