Kayaking Gifts for Christmas

Finding good Christmas gifts ideas is easy if you think about a persons hobbies. If you are buying for person who enjoys kayaking, here are a few ideas for kayaking gifts.

Kayaking Gifts

Kayaking is a sport that appears to require relatively small amounts of equipment. In truth, it is much more than a paddle and a kayak, which provides you with a lot of potential gift ideas.

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For Kayaking, Being a Bit of a Hoser is a Good Thing

Kayaks are a ton of fun, so maintaining your boat is an important part of a paddler’s life! Always keep in mind that an ounce of prevention is worth its weight in gold. Keeping your kayak clean and well maintained will ensure the longevity of your craft. Cleaning it on a regular basis and keeping it free from clutter is a good first step. Here are a few tips that will help to ensure your craft remains like new for a long time to come. To begin with, it is important to use a hose to rinse the inside and outside of your boat after each use. This keeps the moving parts free of salt and debris. This is especially applicable if you do a lot of saltwater kayaking, as salt will those metal parts on the inside. Inflatable kayaks may not need as much maintenance, but still need caring for.

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Buying And Storing A Kayak

If you are considering taking up kayaking as a hobby or sport the first thing you need to consider is how much you are prepared to spend on a new or used kayak together with the cost of the essential kayak accessories you will need. The next thing to consider is where you will store your kayak when you are not using it.

Not many people take into account the cost of buying all the kayak accessories which together will often be more than the price of the kayak itself. A decent set of paddles are not cheap and can cost from $60 to $500 or more. Also there is the cost of a life jacket, wet gear, gloves, paddles, paddle leash, dry bags, kayak trolleys and so on. The list is almost endless and before you know it you would have spent well over your intended original budget.

To keep the cost down it is well worth looking into the possibility of buying used kayaks. Kayaks are very durable and used kayaks will normally only have sustained superficial scratches to the hull through general wear and tear.

However you must check over any used kayaks for cracks, splits or punctures especially if it is an inflatable kayak. Furthermore always check out the quality of used kayaks when there is good natural light available.

Once you have purchased your kayak or canoe you will need to arrange for practical and accessible storage facilities.

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6 Tips You Should Know Before You Go Kayaking

Like cycling, kayaking is a simple but great sport for beginners. In fact, it's easy to learn, unlike other sports. All you need to do is spend a few hours and you will be good to go. Kayaking is of many types like whitewater kayaking, sea kayaking, and flat water kayaking, to name a few. Before you go kayaking, make sure you learn the basic skills. Given below are the top 6 tips that may help you get started.

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Kayak Garage Storage

If you own a kayak then you know how important it is to keep it in good working order. One of the ways to do this is with garage storage. There are many different kinds of kayak storage systems to choose from, but you want to find one that will keep your kayak up and off the ground, out of the way, and one that is easy to use. One of the things you need to do when using kayak garage storage systems is prepare your boat for storage. You need to clean out the unit itself, check all the seams for wear and tear, clean the surfaces down carefully so any build up doesn’t stay on and damage your kayak while storing it. Kayak storage also means prepping your unit as well, applying the right sealant to the outside, covering it with a tarp or specially made kayak cover, and making sure that there is no moisture inside the boat itself. Other things to keep in mind when setting up garage storage is: Read More: Kayak Garage Storage

Experiencing the Thrill of Kayaking

Kayaking is a great option for people who are hoping to experience the joys of the great outdoors. People who own kayaks are able to go out on adventures across rapids or rivers enjoying the feeling of being with one of nature's few untouched wonders. Kayaking can either be done alone or alongside the company of a friend depending on the architecture of the design. Kayaks are enclosed canoes with cockpit regions in which paddlers can sit. Propulsion is accomplished with the use of a double bladed paddle. Many of the kayaks today are designed from plastic, fibreglass or Kevlar. They can also be designed to be inflatable or not. The general design of most kayaks involves a broaden centre with tapered points at the bow and the stern. Paddlers also make use of kayaking gear such as kayak anchors and kayak leashes. For people who wish to try out kayaking, it is important they start with all the right equipment.

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Kayaking & Dogs

I have two big passions... kayaking and dogs. Some may think that my two passions can't be combined but yes it is absolutely possible to kayak with your dog. Not all dogs are going to want to go kayaking. Some dogs do not enjoy the water or may be extremely fearful. If your dog falls into this category it is important not to force them if they are uncomfortable. Most dogs can be trained to sit nicely in a kayak and even enjoy the time out on the water. It is important though that all dogs are not only trained properly but also have the right safety gear.

1. Kayaking Dog Essentials
2. Kayaking Dog Do's and Don'ts

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Why I Combine Kayaking With Backpacking

A few of my reasons for backpacking, adventuring these past 60 years has been just that, adventure. I enjoy the unsureness of what’s around the next turn, what’s over the next hill. I also enjoy the feeling of self sufficiency. The feeling that I am totally self dependent. In a world where our society wants to protect us from everything and provide a program for any unforeseen event in our life, it’s a good feeling to know that all you have is yourself. And, of course I love the loneliness of solo backpacking. I don’t carry any gadgets with me such as cell phones, iPads, GPS’s, etc. I love to be alone with “it” and me. Observing, planning and overcoming the next challenge on the trail. I was introduced to the Kindle this year and that has lightened my backpack load some. Instead of carrying a book I now carry my Kindle for reading at night or if I decide to make a stop during the day. Most of my backpacking is done in the late fall to early spring… My kayak camping extends from spring until fall. Finding deserted beaches and sandbars is pretty easy in my coastal area. So what has this all to do with kayak backpacking? Read More: Why I Combine Kayaking With Backpacking

Ontario Kayaking Trips – Hidden Gems on a Cottage Vacation

I was first introduced to kayaking on a trip out to Ontario from England, years ago. We stayed at a vacation rental cottage on a small lake and the cottage came with two kayaks, paddles and life jackets. We'd never kayaked before and although it was a little nerve wracking getting in the first time, I was amazed at how stable the kayaks were, and what fun we could have with them. We explored the lake and all the little inlets; came across a pair of loons nesting; snapping turtles sunning on a log, and on one amazing day, came around a bend in a small bay to see a young moose just getting out of the water. It was one of those hidden gems we never expected to see on that amazing vacation.

Lots of lakes and rivers

Ontario has 250,000 lakes and thousands of miles of navigable rivers so there are many locations and opportunities for a kayaking or canoe trip. From a half-day paddle around one of the inland lakes, finding tiny inlets to explore and wildlife to see, to a longer camping and portaging trip in a National or Provincial Park, there is something for everyone. Renting a waterfront cottage is a great option as many of these vacation rentals offer non-motorised boats included in the rental rate. That could be a paddleboat, canoe, row boat or if you're lucky, a couple of kayaks.

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Kayak Fishing Tips On Gear

By Sean K Kelly

If you've ridden the rapids and roved the rivers a few times and want to expand your interest in kayaking and canoeing, sooner or later there's the distinct possibility that you will find yourself in an ocean or touring kayak or canoe on a broader and deeper patch of water where fishing becomes an attractive option. Kayak fishing is fast becoming a very popular sport and there's every chance that you'll be bitten by the fishing bug which usually bites in the place where it hurts most... in your pocket. However, there is absolutely no reason why you can't equip yourself for some great kayak fishing sport with good quality kayak fishing gear designed specifically for small boat applications such as kayaks and canoes

Selecting a suitable fishing rod for kayak fishing.

While there are thousands of rods designed for use in small boats, and a one or 2 piece rod certainly has its advantages over multiple section or break down rods, it's important to consider where the rod will be stored both in your craft and, or in your kit when traveling to and from your launch point. As an accepted compromise, many kayak fishing enthusiast opt for a telescopic rod which as the name suggests, telescopes into it's self to be mare than about 12 inches or 300mm in length and be easily stored in a back pack or stowed in a hatch on the deck of the kayak. With today's technology, rugged materials which are flexible enough to be used in catching good size fish from a kayak and tough enough to take the hard knocks often associated with kayaking are being used to manufacture some truly great fishing rods for kayak fishing gear.

Choosing a suitable fishing reel for Kayak Fishing Gear

This can be a little tricky particularly if you're on a limited budget as it's probably going to be the most expensive part of your fishing gear but it's worthwhile to keep in mind that it's also probably the most important part as well. While there are hundreds of options as there are no reels to my knowledge specifically designed for small boats or canoes, there are many designed for small rods and light lines. Many reels which can be ideal for fishing from a bank or pier are not suitable as kayak fish gear because of their fragility and exterior moving parts. Many kayak fishing enthusiasts will argue this point but I've found from personal experience that reels known as spinning reels or "egg beaters" with the spool on the front are too susceptible to being easily damaged when being used as specific kayak fishing gear, not only because the bail can be easily bent but also because of the distance they protrude away from the rod making it difficult to place on the deck when two hands are needed for other tasks and lending to the chance of you losing it altogether over the side. Personally I prefer bait caster models which although being generally more expensive, are also more robust although a little "land practice" is highly recommended as they can easily "over run" leaving the user with mess of unwanted tangled line until they are mastered. A good way to practice on land with a bait caster before attempting to use one from a boat, is to tie a small pea sinker to the end of the line and while holding the rod at about a forty-five degree angle up from your body, slacken the drag on the reel so that the sinker is just on the verge of falling to the ground just with its own weight with your thumb just touching line on the spool. Have a bucket of water placed about 20-30 feet away and try to cast the sinker into the bucket. It's important to not have the bucket anymore than around 35-40 feet as the further you want to cast, the harder you need to throw and this will (if you'll excuse the pun) b you undone as the spool needs to be stopped with you thumb as the exact moment the sinker hits it's target or the ground in order to avoid over run. It does require practice but after mastering this technique you'll never want to use any other style of reel for kayak fishing gear again. Competitions are held at all major fishing tournaments throughout the world for accuracy and distance in using bait caster reels and once having reeled in a big bass or pike while kayak fishing with a bait caster will have you hooked on using one as a major part of your kayak fishing gear and arsenal.

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BASS FISHING FROM A KAYAK
TOP 10 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A KAYAK FOR FISHING

Bass Fishing From A Kayak

By Richard Underwood

There is a definite thrill involved in catching a bass from a kayak. A bass is a very aggressive fish and this makes it particularly exhilarating when landing one from a kayak.

You have the upper hand by being in a kayak, which makes no sound (unlike those motor boats where every fish within a 10 mile radius hears you coming) so the stealth aspect is second to none. Even so a largemouth has a mind of its own and it is often said of it that it has one of the highest IQ's of any fish.

Having said that it is important to plan your strategy carefully when setting out to catch bass from a kayak. Knowing which lure to use is vital. Unfortunately there is no hard and fast rule as to which one to use for which situation-they are so many factors involved in the decision-why the bass would strike a lure for one. They don't only strike because they are hungry-it can also be a territorial thing, or because they are angry at you for invading their personal space. The other problem with largemouth bass is that they do not have a specific type of food which they eat or a specific place or time of day or season or depth at which they feed. This makes it very interesting for anyone who is up for a challenge.

These bass are opportunistic feeders and will often go for whatever's on the menu at the time-if it can be taken it is-no real thought involved. Examples of their prey include shad, koi carp (mostly newly hatched), bream, and other sea-life which crawl along the lake floor.

Choosing a lure for bass is not as easy as it sounds because all the factors mentioned earlier come into play -time of year is very important because the bass can only take newly hatched carp for instance, before they grow too big. So you will need to know your seasons of spawning and nesting for the different sources of forage for bass. This takes practice and trying different lures at different times. You have to get into the mind of the bass to be successful at landing them. This can be quite complex but is very rewarding -especially from a kayak.

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KAYAK FISHING – LEARNING THE ESSENTIALS
TOP 10 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A KAYAK FOR FISHING

How to Set Up an SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) for Fishing

By Steven M Becker

Successful fishing on an SUP requires organization and planning. With an unstable platform and limited space it is a challenge to rig a paddleboard.

Boards are built differently. A good fishing board is wider (34-36") than a standard board. Good buoyancy and a square tail will aid the angler as well. When planning your fishing setup think about the rods first. With the exception of one rod that I keep in front of me I will place the other rods behind me. I have gotten too many lines caught or cut by the paddle when the rods are placed in front.

I like to place the gear I need to access regularly on front of me. It is easier to kneel down than to sit and turn around. Fishing crates are great for this. They fit the board well and hold lots of stuff. You can buy a fishing crate already set up with pockets and rod holders or make one yourself from materials available at Home Depot. Use 2" PVC pipe and wire ties to secure the rod holders. Secure the crate with bungee cords. If your board does not have tied downs factory installed it is easy to epoxy some on.

My crate will hold all my tackle, lures, water bottle, leaders and misc stuff. I also keep pliers and / or scissors handy. There is an easy setup for a depth finder that I made using a clamp from Home Depot and a "Humminbird Fishin Buddy". I only use this when it is calm as it will bang around in waves.

A cooler behind you is great if your board will hold it. It not only acts as a seat, but will hold gear and act as a fish box. I keep my anchor and PFD in it as well as extra gear. Mounted on the back is a vertical rod holder I use for rods and my gaff or net. In front are 2 clamps that act as a paddle holder.

Lake access is usually easy from a beach area or a ramp. Unless the wind is really blowing I will take as much as I need. The only thought here is that a cooler acts like a sail in the wind making it hard to paddle. Ocean conditions are a little tougher. Depending on the surf I will take as much as I can carry or as little as a single rod, a gaff, and a dry bag clipped to the boat. Surf is easier to get out in than to come back in.

A great resource for all kinds of fishing tips, products and reviews is The Fishing Geek [http://www.thefishinggeek.com].

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