Fishing From A Kayak

We've been hearing lately that there's a growing interest in using kayaks for fishing. The portability of our inflatable and folding kayaks give fishermen and women the opportunity to explore areas that may be hard to reach with a conventional boat. In addition, inflatable kayaks may offer more space than you'll find in inflatable pontoons with less carry weight. The following article is from "The Kayaking Journal".

Learning the Art of Kayak Fishing Takes Time, but Most Find it a Unique and Rewarding Angling Experience:
If you're an avid angler who's been there and done that, or if you're a veteran paddler who's looking for a new experience on the water, you might want to consider the fast-growing sport of kayak fishing. Fishing from a kayak that sits only inches above the waterline gives the angler a sense of intimacy that can't be duplicated on larger boats or fishing from shore. An additional benefit of kayak fishing is the fact that almost any part of a lake or harbor is accessible to a kayak, and you don't have to worry about a wake or noisy motor disturbing sensitive fishing grounds. Kayaks are easy to transport and maintain, and you won't waste a good part of your morning traveling 20 or more miles out to some remote fishing spot to trail your line.

Sharpen Your Kayaking Skills:
Before you head out on the water in search of that trophy-sized sea bass, however, you'd better have your paddling skills in order. If you're new to kayaking, you might want to restrict your first few excursions to lakes, harbors and estuaries where you won't be fighting the surf in addition to that big halibut or barracuda. Taking a class or going out with a group of anglers is another way to get some experience and learn what it takes to kayak and fish at the same time. Another consideration is your choice of a boat. Sit-on-top kayaks are particularly well suited for fishing. These open-cockpit kayaks are stable designed not to roll over, and they have a lot of storage area for rods and other fishing gear. Another good option is a sea kayak that's been modified for fishing. These 'washdeck' boats have been stripped down and outfitted specifically for anglers. They can also be used for other types of recreational kayaking as well.

Have The Proper Gear:
Other essential kayak fishing gear are a fish finder or other type of underwater sonar, GPS if you can afford it, and a good VHF radio and compass. And as always, dress for the weather. In short, kayak fishing is a great way to get out on the water and drop your line in spots that are inaccessible to other anglers. Many anglers find that they fish a lot more from a kayak, and enjoy themselves a lot more. So get out there and give it a try!