Kayak Fishing - For Plenty Of Excitement And Fun

Kayaking with or without fishing is always associated with plenty of fun. All you need to do is throw in your inflatable kayak in the back seat of your car, pack your fishing gear and safety vest, load your binoculars and take off to the nearest lake, river or ocean.

Even though kayaking by itself is quite the rage as a water sport for fun and fitness, standalone kayak fishing has its own devoted enthusiasts. How did the modern day kayak anglers evolve? There could be many answers. Shore anglers had their own limitations. Private boat owners wanted something more convenient and fishermen wanted to catch fish without spending thousands of dollars. Fishing enthusiasts were looking for something which meant plain fun. Whichever way you look at it, kayak fishing has sunk deep into many an angler's routine and for some good reasons too. Freedom of choice, unlimited personal options and splendid catches has made kayak angling addictive not only to experienced anglers but also to newbie fishing enthusiasts.

Basic Pointers

Here are some basic pointers for beginners who wish to have a great kayak fishing experience.

Kayak Fishing Gear and Accessories

Select the kayak carefully. Even though there are many models to choose from, select one on which you can sit comfortably for reasons of safety and ease of angling. Opt for a paddle considering its size, weight, and construction. If the seat that has come with the package deal does not suit you, discard it and spend a few bucks on a seat that is comfortable. The other accessories that you need include life jacket, surface anchor,

bowline, rod holder, deck sheath, live bait tank, and possibly a shark shield if you are on an ocean kayak.

Starting Out

An entry level kayak angler does not need too many items to start with. A knife, a rod, a pair of dykes, some artificial bait with a terminal tackle will do the job. A minimalistic approach with stress on low maintenance is best suited to kayak fishing as this will allow new entrants to concentrate and acclimatize to the surroundings and avoid unnecessary distractions and mishaps. It is always a good idea to start on a day that has a favorable weather forecast. Early morning is usually a great time to go kayak fishing but this again would depend on the tide, the wind and moon phase. Drop some bait down to the bottom and do not forget to try different spots. If there is still no success, try artificial lures like chrome spoons or poppers.

As you put more hours in the waters, your confidence will get a boost and you can add more fishing gear like additional rod holders, a wider variety of tackle and lures, and even a GPS for marking successful locations. VHP handheld radios are perfect additions for effective communication with fellow anglers.

Safety: Like all water related activities, utmost safety precautions should be followed for kayak fishing too. Before you hop into your kayak, master the self-rescue process. Learning to balance, paddling and accessing gear is essential without which hooking and landing a 50lb catch will be an ordeal.

Once you have taken care of your safety, mastered the basics, practiced launching and surfing several times, you are ready to go kayak fishing.