Every once in a while, kayak owners wonder if there is something else to do in kayaking other than paddling. In fact, there is much more than just paddling: rafting, swimming, and fishing are some of the activities that can be combined with kayaking to make your experience a little more fun.
Kayak fishing practically uses kayaks for what they were invented for. The Inuit, a group of indigenous peoples living in the Arctic regions of Canada, Russia, and the United States, developed this vehicle more than 4,000 years ago for a single purpose, fishing, and hunting during the summer season.
Since then, fishing and kayaks have come a long way and become more practical items that make fishing, in salt or freshwater, a truly enjoyable activity that anyone can enjoy. Thus, kayak fishing is an activity that is becoming extremely popular in the world of kayaking.
The first thing you need to know is what type of kayak is best suited for fishing, but also what type of kayak will perform best in the type of waters you are going to paddle. Kayak fishing can be divided into two categories based on the water you plan to sail: freshwater and saltwater.
Freshwater kayak fishing
The calm waters are from small ponds to large lakes. For fishing in smaller bodies of water, it is recommended to use short and light kayaks that offer great initial stability and also have great maneuverability.
Unlike small lakes and ponds, fishing in a large body of water requires the angler to navigate long distances to reach the most active fishing spots. Therefore, the angler needs longer and thinner kayaks, these offer less initial stability and help him cover long distances in shorter periods of time.
Moving waters are the other side of the coin, moving waters can differ from rivers to streams or calm waters. The first and most important thing when choosing a kayak for this type of water is that you must choose a kayak with both characteristics, great stability, and maneuverability, since you will have to deal with strong currents and, sometimes, obstacles.
The short and wide kayaks are really good for this type of fishing, they offer a lot of stability and maneuverability.
Saltwater kayak fishing
Coastal waters are those defined as those that follow the coast and have a maximum depth of 20 meters. In these types of waters, boaters often face many different water and weather conditions such as strong waves or windy days.
The best type of kayaks to fish in these types of waters are long and thin, with a moderate level of balance, since they give you more speed and easier tracking over long distances. But most kayakers prefer to sit in the larger kayaks as they are extremely stable and virtually unsinkable and extremely easy to re-enter should they tip over or get swept up in a very large catch.
Coastal waters are those that have a minimum depth of 20 meters. Kayak fishing in coastal waters represents a great challenge for anglers as they generally have to paddle long distances and have to deal with windy conditions and steep waves, which is why the most suitable kayaks are long and thin with a moderate level of balance.
What characteristics should a fishing kayak have?
First of all, the most important thing a fishing kayak should have is the rod carriers. The reason for this is pretty obvious, you control the movement of the boat with the paddle and it requires you to use both hands.
If you have already cast your line and want to move to another location or if you are doing some trolling or have to deal with difficult conditions, being able to put your rod aside to row is of great importance.
Some special fishing kayak models come with accessories for a built-in rod holder. Anchor systems are definitely a must when fishing; sometimes you need to stay completely still to improve your chances of catching something and they will help you with the tides and currents to avoid drift.
The best recommendations are to use some anchor weight over 1 pound and you can even do it yourself with lead, metals, and even tie gym weights to a rope. Rowing. When fishing in a kayak it is very easy to lean sideways while casting your line or fighting your fish to the surface and when you lean too much you can flip over and lose your paddle and can be unrecoverable.
To avoid being stranded in the middle of the water, you must make sure that you will never lose your paddle. If you plan to buy a kayak for fishing, make sure it has a leash or buy one that can be attached to your boat, that way you will never lose your paddle.
You will also need sufficient storage space. When you kayak, you need to carry much more equipment with you than when you are sailing, you will catch fish and use a wide set of tools that must be stored properly to avoid losing your equipment.
Today most kayaks come with some kind of storage space, but you really need something big. Some kayak brands include a floating storage container that can be placed inside the kayak or can be pulled back to free up some space.
Security advice
The former means that you should wear appropriate clothing in case you have to return to your kayak after turning around and make sure all your belongings are properly secured.
When you kayak fishing, you are exposed to the weather, therefore you need to wear the right clothing to make your experience as comfortable as possible and reduce the chances of getting wet (which is very common).
The best recommendations are to use some type of drysuit and not to wear cotton clothing, if cotton tends to absorb water, it becomes heavier for a long time; instead, you should prefer polyester or nylon clothing that is lightweight and dries extremely quickly.
A good way to have everything secured is to use cords to tie everything to your kayak or use floating storage containers, this way if you turn around you will not lose any of your equipment. Also, you should make sure to use plastic bags for things that shouldn’t get wet.
When you kayak in large bodies of water or on long trips, it is good to have a map or a GPS as it is very easy to lose your sense of orientation while sailing long distances. Also be sure to always wear a life jacket, in the event of a rollover, this gear will help you stay afloat.
Essential equipment for fishing
Tackle Box: This is not only essential for kayak fishing, but also for all types of fishing, you must have all your lures, hooks, baits, additional lines, and tools well organized so that they take up as little space as possible, and make the most of the space in the kayak.
Swiss Army Knife – While fishing, you will always have to deal with tangled lines and remove hooks. A multi-tool like the Swiss Army Knife is the best option, they usually have a set of pliers, different types of blades, and various other tools to make your life easier.
Some anglers tend to use nail clippers to cut lines and needle-nose pliers to remove hooks, but having a multi-tool is more effective as it takes fewer gadgets but is ready for just about anything that might happen.
Communication devices: when kayaking you are most likely alone in your kayak, and as in any sport or life situation in general, emergencies can arise and it is vitally important to manage to ask for help when you feel like you need it.
Lantern: It is well known that fish are most active and seek food during dawn or dusk of the day. If you plan to fish when there is little or no daylight, having a flashlight can help you identify obstacles and the ability to properly handle and find all of your gear in the dark.
Dry clothes: you are going to fish, in the water, on top of a boat that can be turned over at any time. Having a dry set of clothes will make your trip home more comfortable and reduce your risk of catching a cold or the flu.
Tips for beginners
Pay attention to the weather and water conditions. Do proper research on the environment in which you plan to fish. Fish are in sync with weather patterns and knowing the right times when fish are most active is sure to give you more catches than inappropriate times.
Also, when fishing in saltwater you should pay special attention to the tides, the natural tides tend to make the bait move and attract more fish. Also, colder times are ideal for fishing as they bring the fish closer to the surface to maintain body temperature and in warmer conditions, the fish go to the deep waters as they are cooler than on the surface.
Play both sports separately. It’s hard to be good at both activities if you always do them at the same time. To be a good kayak angler, you have to be a good kayaker and a good angler separately. Both sports require practice to be good and taking both at the same time can be a difficult challenge for beginners.
Ask local fishermen for advice. Unless you know your river, lake, or coast 100%, it is advisable to request information on fishing spots, obstacles, and weather conditions from local experts. In this way, you will gain valuable knowledge to catch more fish and reduce the risk of having to deal with unexpected situations.
Techniques for fishing from a kayak
Learn to Identify Fish
Identify your catch is the act of looking out into the water to find them. Polarized lenses are a must as they cut the glare from the water and allow you to see through the water. If your kayak is extra wide or built for stand-up fishing, practice standing up and paddling along a bank. Have your rod ready to throw.
Move silently
Any vibration that occurs inside your boat or on the surface of the water will be felt and heard by the fish swimming nearby. Try not to hit your paddle or rod against the kayak or the surface of the water.
Swap lures
Efficient lure swapping could mean the difference between catching a fish and not catching it. Many times, you will observe a group only to lose them because your line has an inappropriate decoy. Practice changing lures quickly before your trip.
Drifting
Drifting is a skill that will be useful even more than using an anchor. Paddle a bit in the direction you want to go and then drift with the current. A simple swipe to the left or right side of your kayak will keep you upright.
Fighting a fish
Fighting a fish is the greatest thrill you’ll get from kayak fishing. Whether you come across a trout, one of the best fighting fish out there, or a little silverside, it is always exhilarating. Learn how to properly set the trawl based on the strength of your fishing line and the weight of the hooked fish.
Aim your rod to the side
Fishing against the wind can be very difficult, especially for new anglers. One trick is to point the tip of the reed to the sides instead of up. By keeping the rod and bait low and close to the water, you avoid the higher speed winds above you.
The wind tends to blow in gusts, so try to cast your lure between the strongest gusts. After casting, keep the tip of your rod down so the wind doesn’t push your line and drag your lure out.
