Kayak fishing has become increasingly popular recently among sport fishermen.
With an affordable entry point and the ability to go places a larger boat can’t, what’s not to love?
If you’re looking to pull fish out of water this summer, kayak fishing might just be the route for you.
Let’s take a look at 7 tips to help you catch more fish.
1. Choose Your Kayak Wisely
Kayaks have been around for thousands of years, but recent developments have made them more affordable, accessible, and practical for kayak fishing.
It isn’t necessary for you to buy the most expensive kayak you can find, but it’s worth doing some research. Seek the opinions and advice of experienced kayak fishermen. The right kayak for you will depend on your height and weight, paddling ability, and the water you plan to be fishing in.
To help you decide whether it makes sense for you to invest in a 24V trolling motor, check out these trolling motor reviews.
Once you’ve chosen a kayak, you’ll want to test it out with no gear in it first. This way you can get a sense of its stability and how far you can tilt in it.
You’ll have a lot of options when it comes to decking out your kayak. Research online to get ideas about DIYing your fishing kayak setup.
2. Develop Your Paddling Skills
Kayaking is a skill itself before you start adding fishing to the mix. Take the time to learn to crawl before you walk and develop your paddling skills.
Sometimes you’ll be facing a strong current or wind, and proper strokes will be essential to getting to where you’re trying to go.
The most common stroke you’ll be using is the forward stroke. Here are some basic kayaking tips:
- Look in the direction that you’re trying to go
- Put the paddle blade in the water as far forward as you comfortably can, ideally near your toes
- Submerge the blade fully in the water before you start to pull back on it
- Activate your core muscles in your torso in order to pull the blade through the water, rather than you arm muscles
Once you’ve mastered basic kayak paddling, you can start working on paddling one-handed. This will be an essential skill if you’re other hand is busy fighting a fish on your line.
3. Learn to Cast One-Handed
If you’re used to fishing from the bank or a larger boat, learning to cast one-handed might take some practice.
Take a cue from the pros, who typically cast one-handed with either spinning tackle or baitcasting. You’ll probably want to use a lighter combo than you might normally use fishing a larger stable boat.
4. Use Eddies to Your Advantage
One of the benefits of kayak fishing is that you can go places other boats can’t. Most kayaks are light and short enough to float entirely in an eddy. This means that your boat won’t be moving downstream and you won’t have to worry about paddling.
5. Invest In a Lightweight Paddle
Lighter paddles will come with a higher price tag, but it’ll be worth it. This is particularly true if you’re going to spend long days out on the water.
The right paddle for you will depend on your height, the type of kayaking you’ll be doing, and the width of your kayak.
While you can find kayak paddles made out of a wide variety of materials, carbon blends are going to be the lightest blades available. Not only that, but they are quite durable. Investing in a carbon blend blade can be a life-saver if you have pre-existing shoulder or wrist problems.
6. Start Fishing With Just the Basics
When you finally get your kayak for fishing, it can be tempting to get out there with all your finest gear.
It’s best to resist that urge.
Instead, start small. Bring only one road and one small tackle box to start. You’ll need to adjust to the experience of fishing in a kayak versus other methods.
Doing this will help you get a sense of what you’ll need and what you won’t need in your kayak setup. Plus, it’s possible you could flip your boat a few times when you’re first getting the hang of it. Don’t let your most expensive rods be a casualty of the learning process.
7. Take the Proper Safety Precautions
There’s no benefit in catching tons of fish if you won’t make it home safely.
- Always wear your PFD (personal floatation device). You can purchase kayak specific PFD that is more comfortable, more breathable, and often even have storage for tackle and tools.
- Never be caught without a straight blade. In the event that your fishing line or anchor line gets caught on something, a straight blade is essential to cut it free with haste.
- Never drop your anchor in a swift current. A swift current can quickly turn your kayak in the wrong direction, causing it to take on water. It’s important that you attach a float to the end of your anchor line when you do anchor. This way you can retrieve it if you need to cut the line.
- Make yourself visible. Choose highly visible colors for your kayak, paddles, PFD, and clothing. You can also outfit your kayak with lights and flags. In addition, it never hurts to have an air horn or a safety whistle.
It doesn’t matter how experienced you are or how good of a swimmer you are. Unexpected weather or occurrences can happen to anyone. Never leave the shore without having taken the proper safety precautions.
Once You Learn the Basics of Kayak Fishing, You’ll Never Want to Leave the Water
Kayak fishing is a great way to practice your favorite pastime without the expenses of a large motorboat. Even if you’re an experienced kayaker, angler, or both, it can still take some getting used to. Once you get the hang of it, though, it’ll quickly become your favorite summer activity!
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