Before we go to the basic beginner tips for kayak fishing, first, we have to know what a kayak is. Kayaks is a boat with a pointed bow and stern with no keel and covered from everywhere except the cockpit where the paddler sits. A double paddler is used to move it around, and it generally fits a single person. Kayaks vary by type of water as well.
Kayak fishing is relatively a new sport, so many people don’t know about it. There is not that much information about Kayaking because it is still in the development phase, and the experts of this sport have 4 to 5 years of experience. If you want to know more about the sport, we have collected some information on kayak fishing.
Where To Fish Using A Kayak?
Kayaks are very versatile in that they can go to most of the places that a regular boat or a person can, due to which your chances of catching a fish increase. Kayak fishing depends on the distance you cover, time, and rowing ability.
Kayaking requires physical strength for rowing, but it can tire you quickly. In kayak fishing, instead of hitting hard on the row, be smart and plan to catch more fish. Google Maps is a great application to locate some sweet fishing spots around you.
What Type Of Kayak To Use?
Kayak fishing is not that easy, and before you buy a kayak, you should know where you will be fishing in freshwater or saltwater. You should also see the type of fish you are targeting and how much equipment you will use. Take all these things into consideration while going kayak fishing.
Kayak Fishing In Freshwater
Freshwater includes lakes, rivers, and ponds. But if you are in a small calm body of water like a lake or a pond, the best option is to go for short and light kayaks, which are easy to use.
On the other hand, if you fish in moving water like rivers or streams, you will require a different kayak. Choosing a kayak for this water, keep in mind that the kayak should have stability and manoeuvrability. In rivers, you face obstacles and strong currents, so that the best kayak will be short and wide.
Kayak Fishing In Saltwater
Kayak fishing in saltwater is very different, and it requires more experience. Anglers in this kind of water face harsh weather, strong waves, and strong winds. The best kayaks for this kind of weather are long and thin. These kayaks have a moderate level of balance because they give you more speed and easier tracking over long distances. Make sure to use anchor weights just over one kilo.
If you are a beginner, you need to pay attention to the water condition and weather. You should conduct proper research of where you plan to fish, as fish are directly in sync with water patterns. If the water is cold, fish tends to move close to the surface to maintain their body temperature. Similarly, during the warmer season, you are more likely to find fish in the deep water. So, if you are familiar with it, you may land a better catch; if not, you may spend a whole day in a kayak with no catch.
When offshore fishing in a kayak, it is very common to lean sideways when throwing your fishing line or fighting fish to the surface, and when you lean too far, it’s possible to flip over and lose the paddle and put your life in danger. To avoid drowning and getting stranded in the middle of the water, make sure you do not lose your paddle. For this purpose, make sure you buy a kayak with a leash attached to it. This will make sure you do not lose your paddle.
Essential Equipment For Kayak Fishing
Kayaks have very crowded luggage space, so it is essential to carry the right fishing equipment easily adjusted. Most kayaks these days come with some storage space, but you need something big. Some kayak brands include a floating container placed inside the kayak that you can pull back to free up space. Some of the essential equipment used in kayak fishing are tackle boxes, army knives, communication devices, lanterns, and dry clothes.
If you are a beginner at Kayaking, it is most likely that you get wet frequently. So, wearing the right clothes is essential to have a much smoother experience, and your chances of getting wet are fewer. The best advice is to wear some dry clothes and not cotton clothes. Since cotton tends to absorb water, it becomes heavy for a long time; instead, you should choose polyester or nylon clothing that is lightweight and dries quickly.
Conclusion
Since Kayaking and fishing (angling) are different sports, it’s not easy to play both simultaneously. For being a good kayak angler, you have to be a good kayaker and a good angler separately. Both of these sports require practice and patience.
We hope you are ready now for a debut in the world of kayak fishing. But we recommend you do a little more research about it.
