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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