There’s so much more to kayak fishing than just fishing. Practitioners like to think of themselves as adventurers. Kayak fishing requires you to paddle effectively for hours on end. You need to make sure that your efforts don’t go in vain and that you return home with fish in your net. The experience is incredibly rewarding. Besides being fun and entertaining, it offers a well-deserved temporary escape from the pressures of daily life. Read this article for tips that will make your kayak fishing experience fun and productive.
Plan Your Trip
This is one trip where you should never attempt to go with the flow. You should not wake up and decide to set out on a kayak fishing experience unless you are very familiar with the water. Going where the wind blows will only cause you trouble. When you go on a kayaking adventure, you have to be aware of which point on the lake you plan on beginning your journey. To do that, you will need plenty of planning. If you lack proper planning, you may find yourself paddling for the majority of your fishing time just so you can find a place in which you can finally rest and start to fish.
Knowing the planning guidelines before you set out on your journey will help you find the right spot at reasonable timing. You won’t also need to spend as much time paddling. It helps to figure out the location in which you wish to fish. You can do that by focusing on finding a huge protected cove instead of opting for an open waters spot. You then need to choose a launch site where you will begin paddling toward your selected spot. Using apps like google satellites can help you determine awesome launch sites. We can’t determine the exact amount of time you will reach your location from the launch point, as this depends on whether you will be rowing downstream or upstream. You can estimate the amount of time it will take you to get there by adding your paddling and fishing time. This way, you can arrange the number of fishing equipment your food, protective clothing, and other items accordingly. Keep in mind that other factors, such as your physical endurance, tides, and winds, can affect your calculations.
Use the Right Gear
What many people fail to realize is that their kayak fishing journey starts long before kayaking. If you want to be a good kayak fisher, you need to be mindful of your choice of gear. Fortunately, the more you hit the waters and obtain more experience, the better you’ll become at choosing your gear. You will inevitably become more detail-oriented and will be able to make more efficient choices. Thankfully, beginners can also learn to be wise and selective regarding their gear choices by keeping a few things in mind. For one, you should not carry gear that limits you.
Having the best gear in the market doesn’t guarantee success. This also applies to the number of equipment you’ll be taking on board. The key is to feel convenience, efficiency, and comfort. You need to pick out your gear based on the type of water you’ll be kayaking through, as well as the number and types of fish you’re expecting to catch. In some instances, you will find that using a motor-compatible kayak is the best option. Your gear sets the tone for your kayak fishing journey. You need equipment that will enhance the overall experience. Make sure you have a tackle box that you can use on a kayak, a rod holder, a landing net, a paddle leash, and an anchor. There are also numerous other tools that you may consider bringing along. However, keep in mind that you have limited space and that it would be wise to only bring the necessary gear.
One-Handed Paddling
Any professional kayak angler needs to be skilled in one-handed paddling and handling. While this may seem counter-intuitive since you need to use both hands to keep the rhythm balanced, you will need to keep your kayak steady upon casting with one hand. You must also be able to paddle back and forth with a single hand if you need to. This is necessary to learn in case you want to bait cast using a single hand, need to fight a fish, wish to remove an obstacle in the way.
Kayak fishing is a very rewarding and fun activity. It offers an unforgettable experience and an adventure of a lifetime. Unfortunately, it isn’t as easy as it sounds, which is why we gathered some tips to help you out.