Top 5 Jet Ski Fishing Upgrades – Essential Gear for Every Rider
Jet ski fishing is one of the harshest environments you can expose fishing gear and electronics to. Salt spray, constant vibration, sun exposure, and long offshore runs quickly destroy equipment that isn’t properly protected.
After more than 9 years of offshore jet ski fishing, here are the five upgrades and accessories I genuinely wouldn’t leave shore without — not because they look good, but because they’ve proven themselves in real-world offshore conditions.
Watch the video, and then see the summary below:
1. Fishing Reel Covers
One of the earliest mistakes I made in jet ski fishing was not protecting my reels properly. Even expensive reels can quickly suffer from saltwater intrusion, noisy bearings, corrosion, and premature wear if left exposed to offshore spray.
Standard neoprene covers helped slightly, but still allowed water to enter through gaps around the reel. That eventually led to developing fully enclosed reel covers designed specifically for jet ski fishing conditions.
Why reel covers matter:
- Reduce saltwater intrusion
- Extend servicing intervals
- Protect expensive bearings and internal components
- Help reels last significantly longer offshore
Even premium sealed reels like Shimano Stella or Penn Slammer models still benefit from protection when running offshore at speed.
👉 After every trip, reels should still be rinsed thoroughly with fresh water and serviced regularly.
Get the Jetcast Reel Covers here
2. Fish Finder / Sounder Covers
Your fish finder is arguably the most important electronic device on your ski. Without it, finding bait, structure, and fish becomes dramatically harder offshore.
Unfortunately, sounders are constantly exposed to:
- salt spray
- UV exposure
- heat
- high-speed impacts from waves
Early on, I experienced corrosion issues in the rear pins of my sounder from repeated saltwater exposure. That eventually led me to the Rusler sounder covers, now sold through Jetcast.
Key features:
- Custom exact-fit design
- Water-resistant marine-grade material
- Built-in sun hood for glare reduction
- Drawstring and retention straps to secure the cover offshore
- Stainless steel support rim to stop the hood collapsing
These covers are now used by everyone from weekend anglers through to professional fishing guides in Northern Australia operating in extreme heat and humidity.
👉 Browse our range of fish finder covers designed for offshore conditions.
3. Tethers (Never Lose Gear Again)
If you fish from a jet ski long enough, eventually something will fall overboard.
Rod holders bounce. Swell hits unexpectedly. Gear shifts while travelling. And unfortunately, once something falls into the ocean, it usually sinks fast.
That’s why I tether almost everything:
- rods
- reels
- gaffs
- tools
- pliers
- nets
Two tether styles I recommend:
Stainless Tether
Ideal for traveling and securing rods in holders. These last forever and Stainless Steel also means strong!
Bungee Tether
Better when trolling or actively fighting fish, allowing extra reach before unclipping.
One-handed clips are especially important on jet skis where you often only have one hand free while controlling the ski.
4. Portable Jump Starter
A flat battery offshore can quickly turn into a dangerous situation.
Even modern jet skis can experience battery failures, especially when running:
- sounders
- radios
- lighting
- electronics
Although my ski runs a dual-battery setup, I still carry a compact lithium jump starter every trip.
Why it’s worth carrying:
- Compact and inexpensive
- Can save your own trip
- Can help other stranded boaters
- Requires very little maintenance
I’ve personally used mine multiple times offshore to help both boats and other jet skis get safely home.
5. Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
This is the one accessory I consider absolutely critical for offshore safety.
A PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) communicates directly with satellites and search-and-rescue authorities during emergencies. In Australia, they are required when operating beyond certain offshore limits.
Why a PLB matters:
- Direct emergency communication
- Works when mobile coverage fails
- Compact enough to wear on your PFD
- Critical if separated from your ski offshore
Unlike larger EPIRBs stored on boats, a wearable PLB stays attached to you at all times — which is extremely important if you become separated from your craft in rough conditions.
👉 Always:
- register your beacon
- learn how to deploy it
- test it regularly
A PLB should be treated as a last-resort emergency device, but it’s one piece of equipment I would never fish offshore without.
Final Thoughts
Offshore jet ski fishing puts enormous stress on your equipment, and over time I’ve learned that the right accessories don’t just improve convenience — they improve reliability, safety, and confidence offshore.
These five upgrades have proven themselves over years of offshore use and continue to be part of my setup every time I launch.
If you’re building your own offshore fishing ski, start with the essentials:
- protect your electronics
- secure your gear
- improve reliability
- prioritise safety
👉 Browse the full range of offshore-tested fishing accessories at Jetcast.
About the Author
Paul Hayes is the creator of Jetcast, a YouTube channel and online store focused on offshore jet ski fishing, marine electronics protection, and real-world fishing gear. After spending nearly 10 years fishing offshore from personal watercraft around Australia, Paul combines hands-on experience with detailed product testing and practical fishing techniques designed for harsh saltwater conditions.
Through Jetcast videos, guides, and product reviews, he aims to help more people safely experience the excitement, freedom, and adventure of offshore fishing from jet skis and small watercraft.