Things to consider when Kayak Fishings

by D.C. Bienvenue
Sun Coast Kayak Fishing Tours
Sarasota, Florida

After you have chosen and purchased a fishing kayak that fits your style of paddling and fishing the arduous task of outfitting it begins. Though this may seem as easy as just throwing a couple of rod holders on it and hitting the water there is actually a lot more to it than that. Fishing kayaks need to be outfitted so that it is functional for the type of fishing that you plan on doing. Everything you need for your fishing trip needs to be within easy reach but at the same time you can’t have to much clutter which may impede your effectiveness on the water. And above all else remember that you need to travel light. Remember this isn’t a powerboat and your kayak only has a one horsepower engine - you. The following is a list of things to keep in mind when you begin to think about outfitting your fishing kayak.

Rod Holders: There are a number of different styles of rod holders on the market ranging from simple too simply not functional. There is Flush Mount, Tube Style, Conventional, Spinning, and Fly Rod Holders as well as spreader bars, which offer multiple rods holding ability.

Anchoring Systems: There are a number of ways to put a fully functional anchor system on any kayak whether you plan on freshwater fishing for Bass or taking your fishing kayak offshore for some serious saltwater action.

Electronics: Believe it or not it is possible to add state of the art electronics to your fishing kayak to increase your productivity. Bottom Facing Sonar, Forward Facing Sonar, and GPS in addition to VHF Radio are not just for powerboats but kayaks as well.

Safety Equipment: The Coast Guard requires all kayaks to carry a certain amount of safety equipment when you hit the water. These items include a Type III PFD, a 360-degree light and a noise-making device such as a whistle. Above and beyond these items there are a number of other items which can help insure you a safe paddling trip no matter what conditions come your way.

Rudders: A lot of fishing kayaks and sea kayaks now employ the use of a rudder system. Though this is not necessary or beneficial for some types of fishing it is very helpful for others. The decision as to whether or not you have a rudder is based directly on the style of fishing you plan on doing.

Live Wells and Fish Storage: If you plan on using live bait then you are going to need some way of keeping your bait alive. This can be as simple as a floating bait bucket normally used by wade fisherman or a more elaborate electronic system. Once you have caught your trophy fish then how to keep it fresh for the trip back to the launching site becomes an issue. There a number of economical ways to accomplish this from keeping a mesh bag on the deck of your kayak that can be soaked every so often to keep the fish fresh up to more expensive cooler bags that fit inside the hull.

Storage: Optimizing your storage space both above and below the deck is a huge concern for every kayak angler. It is important to make sure that you have everything that you will need for a day on the water within easy reach but at the same time keeping your kayak organized and light.

Other Accessories: There are a number of other accessories that can be added to your fishing kayak as well. These items include leashes, drift chutes, bowlines, and a number of different seats to make your ride a little more comfortable.

Now you have the basic idea of what to start thinking about before outfitting your fishing kayak. Keep in mind that each and every one of these areas needs to be considered before making any modifications to your kayak. Once you make a modification you can’t go back and change it without a great deal of difficulty. Each following section will discuss each area in detail as well as show pictures of products and outfitted kayaks to help you in turning your own kayak into the ultimate fishing platform.

KAYAKS-4U

Things to consider when outfitting your Fishing Kayak