Much of my love for fishing has to do with the way it pushes me to explore new places in the great outdoors. Every chance I get, I am researching the waters that meander through the arid lowlands of the Columbia basin here in my home state of Washington, or expanding my search down to the many coves of the Sonoma coast in California in search of new fishing opportunities. But how can we broaden our range of opportunity without only being limited to bank fishing or having to deal with towing a heavy and cumbersome boat behind us everywhere we go?
To me, the simple solution has always been the kayak. Most fishing kayaks can be stored in the bed of a pickup truck or racked on top of a car as small as a Prius. In my case, I store mine on a ladder rack that sits above my truck-camper conversion. With set ups like these, travel becomes simple and stress free, and allows us to move further into the great unknown. There are many considerations to keep in mind when stepping into the world of kayak fishing. As we progress in this mode of angling, the options (and investments) become unlimited, but for now, I want to list off some basics that will help set up the new kayak angler with the foundational knowledge required to enjoy an immensely fun and freeing form of outdoor recreation.
The Kayak the first item on the list will be deciding what type of kayak you want to purchase. There’s an endless list of fishing kayaks from a number of manufacturers. The factors that might inform your decision on what to buy are likely the type of fishing you plan to do, where you plan to do it, and the price you’re willing to spend. For bass fishing in calm waters, you might want to purchase a stable sit on top kayak with a wide pontoon style hull. These kayaks offer plenty of deck room for storing fish and gear, and typically allow anglers to stand while casting.
The downside to wider kayaks like these is that you sacrifice some speed for stability. You can purchase these types of boats with the traditional paddle option or with a pedal drive system, the latter typically being the pricier of the two. For saltwater fishing you might consider a pedal drive kayak that has plenty of length and a slightly narrower hull which affords you the speed needed to cut through strong currents and choppy waves. These are only two examples out of an almost endless list of fishing kayaks. My advice to a new kayak angler would be to plan out your budget, then visit your local kayak dealer and explain the type of fishing you intend to do and the type of environment you plan to be paddling or pedaling in.
Safety
Perhaps the most important part of kayak fishing is keeping safe while on the water. Safety on a kayak involves knowledge, skillset, and gear. Knowledge of Conditions: Having a proper understanding of incoming weather and tides and how those will affect your fishing location should be the first step before loading up the kayak. Utilize weather apps, wind predictions models, and tide charts to determine conditions for that particular day. Always know before you go.
Skillset
Knowing how to right a capsized kayak and how to properly re-enter the kayak are two essential safety skills for any kayak angler. To practice, bring your kayak into a pool or any other chest deep body of water that is of comfortable temperature. From a sitting position: practice capsizing your kayak. Once the boat is upside down, and while using the buoyancy of your life vest, place your palms under the coaming (side of cockpit) of your kayak, and in a quick and forceful motion, throw your kayak over.
Once the kayak is righted, work to keep your body horizontal on the water by kicking your feet. Instead of pulling down on the nearest coaming and running the risk of flipping the boat back towards your face, kick your feet and reach towards the far coaming and pull your body (belly first) onto the kayak. Once your hips are over the kayak and your weight is centered, you can then flip yourself over onto your butt. Repeat this until you’re confident you can do this in a non-practice situation where stress levels are much higher.
Safety gear. A few things I keep onboard when kayak fishing are a manual bilge pump for removing water in the event that it makes its way into the hull, a waterproof and floating VHF radio for radioing coast guard during an emergency, a reliable PDF, a high visibility kayak flag mounted on a pole, a first aid kit, and flares. In the PNW where I live, a wetsuit or a dry suit are both non-negotiable items to wear while out on the saltwater. There is much debate about which is the better of the two for kayak fishing. If I plan to be in and out of the water often, like during surf launches on the coast, a wetsuits work best for me. Conversely, if its winter and below 40 degrees outside, a dry suit will allow the kayaker to layer up in warm clothing beneath their suit. During a midsummer day, when the weather and waters present zero risk of hypothermia, it’s better to dress according to the weather and stick to lightweight clothing that provide both UPF and SPF protection.
Helpful Gear
Fishing kayaks will always come with one or two built in rod holders, but they are often located stern-side of the cockpit and are not advantageous for trolling. Because of this, its helpful to take advantage of track mounting systems that not only allow for additional rod holders, but also allow for accessories like fish finders, cell phones, and other navigational devices. Most tracks will mount on the coaming of your kayak next to the cockpit. Use the rear
rod holder (or at least one) for your fishing net.
Fish storage is a key component to any kayak fishing set up. Early on in my kayak fishing days, I landed a sizable lingcod that wouldn’t fit onto my already maxed out fish stringer. After dispatching the fish and cutting its gills, I stored it in a shallow well on the deck of my boat. For 30 minutes I pedaled around with my eye on this gorgeous ling, and imagined the melodic sizzling from the fryer as I turned my catch into fish and chips for the family. Without warning, the “dead” lingcod’s nervous system kicked into full gear, and in true zombie fashion, the fish thrashed violently until it made its way overboard and left me, a sad angler, watching helplessly as it sank deep into the waters of the Straits of Juan de Fuca.
Don’t be like me on that unfortunate day, and always prepare yourself by having ample storage for the fish you catch. This can be done with portable coolers, insulated fish bags, multiple metal stringers, or a combination of all three. The air and water temperature should guide you in your fish storage technique, just be sure your storage is ample and secure.
So if you’re looking to go beyond the confines of the shore and out into the vast expanse of the open water, but you’d also like an option that imparts a bit more freedom and flexibility then what is typically found with larger and more traditional fishing boats, then a kayak might be exactly what you need for your next fishing adventure.
