Fishing from a Kayak
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
By Steven Becker
A great way to get outdoors and have some fun is to kayak fish. Fishing from a kayak will get you into waters that you may not usually paddle, like small coves which also contain tons of wildlife you may normally miss. The thrill of the fish on the line can make an ordinary outing memorable. It is a great way to get into nature and get some exercise at the same time.
Sit-on-top kayaks are the easiest to fish from. They are wider and stable with plenty of room for gear and storage. They will have tie downs and bungee cords made to secure gear. The drawback to sit-on-tops is in bad weather. They are not good in wind or rough water. Cockpit style kayaks are better in wind and rougher water. They have a better profile in the water but because of this they tend to be unstable and will capsize. Many kayak outfitters give courses in recovery from a capsize. Know how to get back in your boat and dress appropriately for the water temperature to avoid hypothermia.
Kayaks don't offer a lot of storage options. Sit-on-tops are better for gear. They will have a space behind the paddler where a fishing crate can be secured. Fishing crates include rod holders so it is not necessary to mount them on your boat. Storage space is also provided in front of the paddler for items that need to be accessed like terminal tackle and lures. I prefer to keep the trolling rods behind me and a spinning rod or fly rod in front for easy access. Trolling with a rod in front will create problems paddling.
It is important to determine if your outing is going to be a paddling outing or a fishing trip. Paddling outings will usually have some goals like to circumnavigate the lake. If you are out for a paddling outing you can increase your chances for fish by trolling along the bank in a depth where you can see the bottom on one side of your boat. Fishing trips may well keep you in the same spot on the lake if the fish are there. Finding the fish is vital to a good trip.
Weather conditions will dictate which lure color and finish to use. Choosing a lureis easy when you take into account the conditions at the time of your trip. Paddling speed will affect your fishing as well. Change things up until you find the right combination of lure and speed.
With good planning and an organized boat, kayak fishing can be an enjoyable and rewarding pursuit.
Sit-on-top kayaks are the easiest to fish from. They are wider and stable with plenty of room for gear and storage. They will have tie downs and bungee cords made to secure gear. The drawback to sit-on-tops is in bad weather. They are not good in wind or rough water. Cockpit style kayaks are better in wind and rougher water. They have a better profile in the water but because of this they tend to be unstable and will capsize. Many kayak outfitters give courses in recovery from a capsize. Know how to get back in your boat and dress appropriately for the water temperature to avoid hypothermia.
Kayaks don't offer a lot of storage options. Sit-on-tops are better for gear. They will have a space behind the paddler where a fishing crate can be secured. Fishing crates include rod holders so it is not necessary to mount them on your boat. Storage space is also provided in front of the paddler for items that need to be accessed like terminal tackle and lures. I prefer to keep the trolling rods behind me and a spinning rod or fly rod in front for easy access. Trolling with a rod in front will create problems paddling.
It is important to determine if your outing is going to be a paddling outing or a fishing trip. Paddling outings will usually have some goals like to circumnavigate the lake. If you are out for a paddling outing you can increase your chances for fish by trolling along the bank in a depth where you can see the bottom on one side of your boat. Fishing trips may well keep you in the same spot on the lake if the fish are there. Finding the fish is vital to a good trip.
Weather conditions will dictate which lure color and finish to use. Choosing a lureis easy when you take into account the conditions at the time of your trip. Paddling speed will affect your fishing as well. Change things up until you find the right combination of lure and speed.
With good planning and an organized boat, kayak fishing can be an enjoyable and rewarding pursuit.
About the Author:
The Fishing Geek is a great resource for paddle and fly fishing. Interested in kayak fishing check out our ebook Paddle for Trout
Posted byBertie at 2:28 AM
0 comments:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)