9 Essential Kayak Fishing Tips

There are all sorts of fishermen, there are those who live fishing in rivers or ones who like to fish in stocked lakes, and there are even those who love to go deep-sea fishing.

For others, there is a combination of the above, and this is fishing out of a kayak.

kayak for beginners1. Kayak Fishing for Beginners

Some people might ask why fishing from a kayak is any good. It looks like a lot of effort and cost to do as you could from the side of a lake.

But this isn’t true. Many fish are not accessible from the water’s edge, and even in deep-sea fishing, the boats need to roam around to find the best area.

Kayaks allow fishers to find the best positions while giving their fishing expedition a very different and relaxing element.

Kayak fishing has actually been around for thousands of years, and only the fishing methods have really changed.

There are a few advantages of fishing from a kayak, and maybe these might convince you, it isn’t a lost effort or cost as you might think.

  • Access – kayaks can launch in water’s many boats can’t. There are more areas open to kayaks than boats powered by outboard motors.
  • Lower maintenance – boats can cost much more to maintain or repair than kayaks; these savings can go toward many more kayak fishing trips throughout the year.
  • Being stealthy – you can paddle carefully into fish-populated areas easier than you can in a boat. Before they know you are there, you will have already landed a few.
    Being versatile – the right kayak can allow you to fish a range of water types. These can be from large lakes and reservoirs to tidal estuaries.
  • Fully customizable – a kayak can be adapted for the type of fishing you like to do. It doesn’t matter if you are a fly fisherman or the type who wants to fish with lures. A fishing kayak can cater to all kinds.
  • Friendly to the environment – they are eco-friendly. With no fuels to leak, there is no chance to pollute the water and harm the fish you are trying to catch.

best fishing kayak2. Best Fishing Kayak for the Money

When starting kayak fishing, there can be a substantial investment, so getting the most for your money is crucial. Experienced kayak anglers know only too well that the most expensive kayak doesn’t mean it is the best.

Some beginners ask, ‘is kayaking hard?’ Because they think they might not be able to cope with paddling and fishing at the same time.

This is where the different types of kayaks come into play. They can make it as hard or as easy as you want.

Assuming you are a beginner at kayak fishing, you might be looking for a new fishing-specific kayak. These come in a couple of types, and the differences you can see here:

sit-in kayakSit inside kayaks

Anglers don’t as widely use this type because they can become uncomfortable for extended periods of sitting. But, in certain situations, they can be better than a sit-on-top kayak.

If you fish in cold, windy weather, a sit-in kayak will offer more protection. They give more stability, but the lack of deck space can be one of the most significant drawbacks.

Sit-on-top Kayaks

These are known as the best type of fishing. When in the right conditions, you can stand with no fear of capsizing while fighting a fish.

This also allows you to cast properly rather than from being in a sitting position. They have lots of deck space for rods, tackle, fishing line, and additional gear and can even accommodate a full-sized cooler.

Most are designed with a hollow construction, and if the worst happened, they are practically impossible to sink.

Due to the nature theme, the designs have improved, and now rather than using a paddle, pedal-powered kayaks can make things even easier for beginners.

longer kayak3. Kayak Size

The longer the kayak, the more stable it is, and the quicker it can cut through the water. Kayaks used for sea fishing are good examples of how waters can be a little choppier than on a lake. One downside of a longer kayak is its lack of maneuverability.

Shorter kayaks can be highly maneuverable, but speed and stability suffer as a result. With this in mind, most fishing kayaks tend to be between 10 – 13 feet in length.

Width also has a significant impact because this is what can allow a fisher to stand. The wider the bottom of the kayak, the more stable it would be. This width affects top speed so that it would become slower. (Read Is Fishing A Sport)

Most fishing kayaks fall between 28 – 40 inches in width, and the most common breadths of hulls being 31 – 33 inches, which can give the best speed and stability.

kayak as exercise4. Is Kayaking Good Exercise?

The amount of exercise you can get from fishing in your kayak can vary on the type of kayak in use.

Before, paddle kayaks were the only option, giving the upper body a good workout. Still, nowadays, other fishing kayaks can be powered without using hands as a means of propulsion, which makes kayaking good exercise.

Here are the three forms of powering your fishing trips with your kayak.

  • Paddle kayaks – although this is the traditional type of propulsion, it can be hard to juggle paddles and your fishing gear when the weather is windy and waters are a little choppy. If you want to stay in position, it might mean using an anchor line, which in itself isn’t suitable.

Getting them into the water can be much easier, and they do weigh in a lot cheaper than the next option.

  • Pedal Kayaks – these are what are mostly associated with sit-on-top kayaks. They have a seat designed for the purpose, and when you power the kayak using pedals. This allows you to propel the kayak easier and give a lower body workout as much as the top.

Upsides are you now have your hands free to cast your line and land fish without resting paddles on your lap.

They are also easier to keep steady rather than restoring to an anchor because you can pedal in either direction and quickly turn the rudder with one hand.

When it comes to transportation, the pedals can be removed on some models, so when you look at the best car top carrier for your kayak, you need to see if you can remove the pedals and buy a carrier to suit.

  • Motorized kayaks – these, in effect, are like a small powerboat. You have a battery-powered trolling motor for propulsion and to maneuver you into position. These can also make it easy to fight tides to stay among the fish. They are, though, much more expensive and more cumbersome.

The other downside is that you won’t get a workout if you resort to this propulsion system.

There is also the problem that they can’t go into shallow water. In some scenarios, this can make it difficult when getting in and out of the water or fishing closer to the shore.

Fishing gear for kayaks5. Fishing Gear

Fishing kayaks are designed explicitly with fishing in mind. Even the aftermarket seats you can purchase are, in some cases, designed for fishers.

There are accessories you can add that will make your kayak fishing much more straightforward. Although there are a lot of items you can buy, here are some of what is available.

  • Paddle – no matter what type of powered kayak, you need a backup paddle, just in case.
  • Seat – seat upgrades are well worth it; factory-installed is cheap and not always cheerful. Some come with a built-in pouch, which is ideal for holding a first aid kit.
  • Rod holders – these can be crucial while you are heading across the water, so your rods are out of the way. You also need rod holders to hold your rod once you are in position.
  • Anchor systems – this helps to hold your position in the water.
  • Paddle and rod leash – this helps to secure items to the deck of your kayak.
  • Fishfinders and GPS – many anglers now use kayak fish finders to locate the fish and give themselves the best chance to catch more fish. (Read our Best Kayak GPS guide)

Fishing Safety Gear6. Fishing Tips for Beginners & Safety Gear

Waters can be unpredictable. Make sure you are prepared for the worst, especially if kayak ocean fishing. Here’s a list of what you need.

  • Flares
  • VHF marine radio
  • Sun protection clothing
  • 360-degree light and flag
  • Knife
  • Whistle
  • Quick-release PFD (personal floatation device)
  • Whistle

fishing kayak7. Fishing for Beginners & Where to Go Kayak Fishing

Kayaks are very versatile when it comes to fishing locations, but depending on skill levels, you might not want to tackle open water, to begin with.

You can tackle offshore kayak fishing as long as you keep close to shore; this way, you can get accustomed to how the kayak reacts.

Lakes and reservoirs are good places to learn, and also if you prefer sight fishing and aren’t bothered about landing a big fish to start with.

If you start following the steps like fishing for beginners until you gain experience, it won’t be long before you can hit the rivers and ocean to learn how to kayak fish in harsher conditions.

8. How to Fish for Beginners & Using Casts for Position

This is one piece of advice that you won’t find in every great article on fishing tips. You can use the bait or lure to help pull you into position if they offer resistance against the water. When water is calm, it can take little effort to move a kayak.

This can help you enter the fishing zone without disturbing the waters and the fish.

9. Using Eddies for Position

This might not be a beginner fishing kayak tip that you can do straight away, but using an eddy can be beneficial if you fish on rivers.

Head above the fishing point and tuck your kayak into an eddy. If you are in the right position, it takes minute adjustments to keep your spot now and again. (Read more: Best Pedal Fishing Kayak)

9 Essential Kayak Fishing Tips

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