Why would anyone want to fish from a small, easily capsized vessel when there are plenty of motorized, comfortable bass and Jon boats out there? Kayak fishing is wet, more full-contact, and uses much more energy on the part of the angler. So why bother?
Easy. Because kayak fishing allows you to enjoy the complete experience of stalking your piscatorial prey. You are now on the fishes level, with all the excitement and satisfaction that entails, coupled with the fact that you are creating a negligible impact on the environment.
It really doesn’t take that much investment in time or money, and the returns are more than worth it.
There is something incredibly satisfying about catching fish using nothing but your own muscles and mind. No expensive motors to fool with, in most states no licensing fees, no need for a trailer, which also has to be licensed, and no polluting the water with non-degradable petroleum products.
The cons? Well, you will have to have a good fishing kayak, but I doubt many people would consider that really a ‘con’. You have to expend energy to propel the boat, burn calories, and probably lose a little weight, get healthier, etc…. But is that really a con?
You will have to learn how to paddle properly, navigate, and do a few other things. Is that so bad? The worst thing I can think of is running the risk of almost certain addiction to kayaks, Once you’ve been in a kayak, other boats just aren’t the same anymore. They pale in comparison.
Getting Started
At the risk of starting a lot of internet arguments, it’s been my experience that you can fish from any kind of kayak. I have fished from touring yaks, recreational yaks, and even a whitewater yak. But if you plan to really fish, you need a fishing kayak. They are designed a little differently from the standard formula. Fishing kayaks are usually a bit wider for more stability. They have fittings for tie-downs, paddle holders, rod holders, and some even have a live box compartment. There mounting points for fish-finders, and other accessories.
Although fishing kayaks are made both as Sit On Top (SOT) and Sit Inside Kayak (SIK) models, the SOT is the preferred style for most anglers. SOTs offer easy entry and exit from the water, most gear is easily reached, and you sit a little higher in the water than in SIKs.
Either style is perfectly suited to fishing.
Meet Maria Alexander, the fearless adventurer steering the ship at KayakPaddling.net. Her mission? To convince you that life’s too short for dry land and that the best stories always start with “So there I was in my kayak…”
