Kayak scupper plugs are essential devices that prevent water from entering the cockpit, keeping you dry, giving your kayak greater buoyancy to float a heavy load, and allowing you to sit higher in the water. They are made of various materials such as rubber, plastic, and composite.
When paddling on flat water, scupper plugs prevent water from rising up through the hull of a sit-on-top kayak. However, if you’re paddling on choppy or moving water, remove them to allow any water that splashes over the sides of the kayak and into the cockpit area to drain out. It is not necessary to plug any of the scupper holes, but they are generally used around the seat.
In summary, scupper plugs prevent water from entering the kayak and drenching items on deck. They also limit unwanted hitchhikers like water dripping on deck. When plugged, your kayak will sit higher on the water, while when unplugged, you’ll sit a bit lower on the water. However, sealing the scupper holes completely is not recommended as it could cause your kayak to flood and become too heavy to paddle.
Leaving the scupper holes open and having fun is possible with these devices. The choice depends on your kayak’s weight capacity and how much water you want to drain off the boat. Overall, scupper plugs are a useful tool for kayakers looking to stay comfortable and safe on the water.
📹 A Guide to Scupper Plugs
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I have been kayak fishing for over 14 years now… and I just started thinking about the drag my scupper holes might have on the flow of water under the kayak. For the last few years I have a Vibe 13 foot Seaghost. I really like it. I have 10 scupper holes !!. I run with a Torqeedo… so I think I will be able to determine the difference. I will test by duck taping all but the front holes from the bottom. The fluid dynamics on a completely calm day may not cause much drag…. but those days a rare. The kayak bobbing up and down through waves with exposed supper holes must cause drag as the water “digs” into the exposed surface to the plane of the water angle. Good article… thanks.
Call me crazy and that’s okay! But when I am anchored at a single spot I have been known to drop a little bit of garlic scented liquid down through a Scupper hole as an attractant to the area that my kayak is anchored. I don’t know if it really does anything for me but in my mind it works. Only do this in shallow water six feet or less. Okay now everybody can call me crazy! LOL!
LOL, I have been hooked on my scupper holes two different times that actually were quite serious problems. The first time was on a practice daY FOR A tournament on Toledo Bend where I was hung up on a cypress treetop. I ended up jumping out of my kayak and pilling it off and to the shore in gator waters. Next it happened again at Seminole and it was in January; it took me about an hour to get unstuck that time….
I have never caught anything on fake bait until I watched your articles on bass fishing this weekend I received my baitcaster and killed it took time to get use to the way they bite I also forced myself to use the jig now it’s my most confident lure (black and blue with a white Jr bug trailer) thank you I believe they were there and boom 💥
been wondering if I should run a couple scupper plugs in the back of coosa hd. Have an Xi3 in front and about 60 lb+ lead acid battery in J-Crate in tankwell. Usually take about 2 qts water on/trip. Thinking of moving battery right behind seat before tankwell if I can get it to fit, my only gripe with Jackson is not enough tankwell for a bigger kayak. Optimally I pony up for the lithium ion soon.
I was wondering why my kayak was very hard to paddle in a fishing outing. I had my dry box out of my SS-127 putting a fish finder in it, so all that water was coming into my kayak slowing me down to a crawl. I have never had so much problems paddling a kayak before even in the wind I was able to get some speed up. It was like dragging an anchor behind you. The next time I go fishing my dry box will be with me.
I plug mine all the time. Forgot I took them out once and went out fishing by the time I was done paddling to my spot and looked down I had 2″ of water in my kayak!! I had a troll motor and battery and all my gear plus me = a lot of weight!!! I keep them plugged all the time and keep a sponge with me to bail water when needed
I took my yak out for the first time today and had every single hole plugged but one in the back. I was carrying a 25 lb anchor and my tackle in the back started taking on water in the back end. Could I have prevented taking on too much water to where I needed to bank it by keeping the two front scuppers unplugged because I was takin water in all over the place