Welcome to part 2 of this segment on kayak fishing for beginners. If you missed part 1, click here before reading this post. Otherwise, lets look at some other things to consider before picking a fishing kayak.
A key component of any outdoor adventure is safety. Before we continue with any specific kayak design needs of considerations, we need to look at safety. For us big, tough men, we don’t like to think of safety, especially since we are invincible anyway. However, our families and spouses (if applicable), actually want us to come home safe. The first part of any kayak fishing trip should be a float plan and weather conditions. Before heading out in to new, or even familiar water, understand the conditions and the chances for inclement weather. A basic first aid kit is also a useful tool that should be on board any anglers kayak. Hooks just sometimes end up in places we didn’t intend.
Other safety items that you may want to consider are: Whistle or other signaling device, poncho, two way radios with NOAA weather, etc. I will always recommend that you have and use a life jacket, or other approved PFD regardless of whether or not it is required. I personally use a PFD designed for fishing and helps to store tools and tackle in the vest itself. It also provides an additional work space for tying leaders and lures.
Make sure to check any additional local requirements for safety. This summary is no way is exhaustive enough to ignore common sense or do your own due diligence before heading out on the water. It is always a good idea to check in with a local authority if for no other reason than to confirm that you are well prepared for the day.
Now that we have covered some of the safety considerations, it is time again to look at the kayak itself. One of the most important considerations is boat position. With all the repeated casts and position adjustments needed for the angler on the move, it is important to have your paddle close at hand at all times. You will want a kayak that will allow you to keep your paddle on your lap while fishing, or at the very least, be very easy to access at a moments notice. One skill you will need to develop is the ability to paddle with one hand. Although this technique is not efficient for speed, it is crucial for positioning, especially when there is a fish on the line.
Another consideration is fishing upwind or up current. The stronger the wind or current, the less effective the paddle is for positioning. Selecting a kayak with an easy deploy and retrieve system for an anchor is useful. There are both traditional anchor and electronic versions available today and your specific needs may determine which is the right choice. These anchor systems in conjunction with current and wind can be used to control drift. Some anglers use a drag chain to maintain alignment with the current or wind. This technique combined with minor paddling can help achieve optimal performance in less than ideal conditions.
Okay, so you’ve just hooked a fish and it is a big one. What do you do now? Well, from a kayak there are several things to consider. Understand that a 5lb. fish can drag a kayaker and the boat. Even with the drag set high, a fish is unlikely to break the line in open water. Unless you are looking for big game fishing in an off shore setting, it is unlikely that you will need anything heavier than 20lb. test line. I have personally caught several large sharks on 20lb. test with no issue what so ever. Just remember to keep your rod tip at the bow of the boat. It is impossible for any fish to tip over the kayak if you are in the correct position through the fight.
For the experienced and novice angler alike, it is important to remember conservation. Harvest only the amount of fish you need for a meal or two. Any fish that you don’t intend to keep, should be given the best chance to return to the water safe and healthy. This includes taking extra time if needed to help the fish gain its strength back after a fight. Practicing basic conservation, we can keep kayak angling alive for generations to come.
These are just a few tips and considerations when embarking on a kayak fishing trip. Whether beginner or seasoned, we can each do our part to keeping our waterways clean and safe.