So you want to be a kayak fisherman?

Kayak Fishing Basics #1 - Intro to kayak angling

Welcome to the madness! "Welcome to the madness", that's a term you will see on forums and in blogs in regards to kayak fishing. It means, get ready! You just opened up a Pandora's box that for many of us has become a passion or a sickness if you ask my wife. Kayak fishing is seeing huge increases in the number of people getting into the sport and this growth is leading to a boom in product development, innovation, tournaments, and at times a blurring of the lines between kayaking and boating. 

Photo credit - Bassyaks

For me, this is an exciting time to be involved in the sport and I am always glad to see and help new anglers get out on the water. 

At its core, kayak fishing is simple. All you really need to get going is a kayak, any kayak, and some fishing gear. That's it! With this simple setup you can go down to your local body of water, paddle out, and begin fishing. In fact, this is how many people start. They pull out that old, faded, crusty kayak that has been sitting on the side of the garage for years and hit the water. Guess what, it works! Even with some upgrades to the kayak and fishing equipment a lot of people stick with this basic setup. This is what I call the minimalist approach. While others go in an opposite direction, adding all the bells and whistles such as fish finders, lights, anchor trolleys, live bait tanks, etc. The list goes on and on...

Photo credit - Scotty Fishing Products

But, lets back up. What makes kayak fishing so great? If you're like me you have spent most of your fishing life working the shore or bank. Growing up, my family didn't have a boat so we fished along the shore or hiked up the banks of a river looking for holes. Sure, sometimes we would rent one or be invited to join friends on theirs but for the most part if we couldn't catch them from the shore we got skunked. In my 20's I did finally get a boat from my grandfather and it spent more time in my driveway than on the water. The costs of fuel and maintenance and just getting it to the lake which isn't all that close to where I live, all contributed to its lack of use. Years later, when I was introduced to kayak fishing it was like a light went on. From the start I thought it was the greatest thing ever and I still do. 

Kayaks are a great platform for fishing. A kayak allows you to get offshore and out on the water relatively cheap, the maintenance is minimal with proper care and storage, there are no ongoing costs such as fuel and registration fees, they are quiet, relaxing, and can get you into spots that traditional boaters can't always get to. I suppose there are some downsides when compared to boats too, you are not as quickly able to cover area, you have less storage space, you have less working room, and you are lower in the water which may or may not affect your ability to sight fish (we will talk more about this later). For me, these "cons" aren't really cons at all and many can be used to your advantage.

If you are just getting started fishing from a "yak" here is my initial advice, use what you have available to you and/or that you can get into with minimal cost. I say this because there are many factors that as you gain experience will determine what type of kayak and gear is going to fit both your style of fishing and the locale in which you fish. The most important thing right now is, get out there and fish! Hitting the water will help you determine a few key elements, your needs, wants, and fluff lists. First, what gear do you "need"? These are the things that make your outing safe, efficient, and effective. Second, what gear do you "want"? This is the gear that will make your trips easier, more comfortable, and allow you to focus more on catching rather than just fishing. Finally, what I call your fluff list. The things that can be nice to have but don't really add to your ability to catch fish or not. They are just fluff. 

These lists can vary somewhat from person to person but there are some universal items that should at least be on every one's "need" list. Here are the safety items that I consider must-haves when I'm on the water:

- PFD (personal flotation device) What we traditionally call a life jacket. Please do not go out on the water without wearing one. Many deaths could have been prevented if people had taken the time to put their PFD on.

- Signaling device A device that can be used to signal for help if you get in trouble. A loud marine whistle is the minimum you should carry.

- whistle and/or,

- air horn and/or,

- flare gun

- Leashes/tethers It is a good idea to have a paddle leash in place. Even if you carry a spare paddle, tethering your paddle to your kayak is important so that when you knock your paddle overboard while you are trying to land that prize fish it stays with you.

- Proper clothing Dress for the predicted weather but pack for the unexpected. You do not have to bring along a spare suitcase but wear or pack some different layers so that you can adjust your attire to fit changes in the weather. Think wind protection and sun protection along with warm and dry.

- Sunscreen, food and water Long hours on the water can fry your skin. Wear sunscreen and reapply throughout the day. Bring water and a snack with you. If you are putting in some good distances staying hydrated and having food to keep up your energy is important.

- Buddy system Fishing with a partner is probably the single biggest thing you can do to increase your safety on the water. Also, let someone know where you will be fishing and how long you expect to be gone especially if you are fishing alone.

- Other safety items to consider Cell phone, VHF radio, visibility flag, tow rope, 1st aid kit, and some form of bailing system.

In following articles I will elaborate on some of these items but for now those are some thing to take with you to stay safe on the water. The next article in this series will deal with choosing the right kayak for your fishing situation.

Photo credit - Jose Chavez

Until then, get out there and fish! 

Cheers, Tebbs!