How to Kayak Fish? [The Top 10 Techniques To Become A Skilled Angler]
Kayak fishing is a popular and adventurous water sport that many love. Fishing from a kayak is a nature-friendly activity, as it does not pollute air and noise. In a big or small water body, you can start your kayak-fishing trip to catch tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi and various other fishes. Many people enjoy kayak fishing. However, the method on how to kayak fish can be quite difficult and confusing for many.
In this article, we will be presenting the top 10 kayak fishing techniques that will help you become a better angler.
Top 10 Kayak Fishing Techniques
1) Position your boat and learn how to paddle with one hand
Kayak anglers never remain stable on the water body; they need to cast their rod to reach their targets, often changing their position or direction while fishing.
Thus, the one-handed technique is a must, one hand to use your kayak paddle and steer the boat while the other hand is used for fishing.
2) Control the way of drifting
You may identify several fish species while drifting. Control your drift direction with very minimum effort on paddling. The kayak does not remain pointed downwind, and you can alter the orientation with a backward drive from your paddle.
3) Sight fishing
Use your eyes to identify the presence of the fish in the water. There are special glasses that can help you with this. If you have a wider kayak, you can also try out stand-up fishing. Make sure the rod is prepared beforehand for easy casting.
4) Be aware of the weather condition
Look at the weather report of the day when you are planning to go out for kayak fishing.
Foggy weather conditions makes fishing quite challenging. There is a high chance that you may lose track in the middle of the ocean or river.
Stormy winds and weather condition are also dangerous as they can result in strong waves in the water. Another risk is lightning and thunderstorm that could be fatal. Make sure you are also aware of other dangers of kayaking.
You should also avoid kayak fishing on rainy days. Make sure you know what to wear. Bring along a dry suit or rain jacket in case if it rains suddenly. It will be quite uncomfortable to kayak when you are all wet.
If you happen to experience any of the weather conditions mentioned above, do not panic. Keep calm and paddle back to reach the shore.
5) Length of fishing rod and line
Appropriate fishing line length is very important. It will reduce the effort when hooking up the fish. If the line is too long, it may be harder and more time consuming for reeling it in. This can result in your hooked fish escaping from you.
6) Do some research before heading out
When you have decided on the destination for your kayak fishing adventure, make sure you do a pre study on that area before you head out. Research more about the life cycle of the fish species. You will be able to find out the time that they flourish the most in water.
Study the behavior and appetite of the species too. This will help you in selecting the right bait. You can also find out when is the peak season of the targeted species.
7) Choosing the right paddles and kayak
Your kayak type has to be right. If you intend to use it on a steady lake or river, make sure to invest in the best kayak for rivers. However if you plan to fish out in the ocean or sea, a robust sized kayak is essential for fishing. This article covers more details on how to choose a reliable fishing kayak.
The paddle design is another important thing for all anglers. Make sure you get the right paddle for kayak fishing. Check out the shape of your paddle. For instance, paddles having higher angles are better fit for calmer water.
8) Be aware of the surroundings
Refrain from going to areas with large vessels. The large vessels, like tanker ships move very fast. They transport chemicals, gas and oils, creating big waves. If you move the kayak parallel to those waves, there is a high chance of getting capsized.
9) Have an anchor with you
A folding anchor is important as it keeps your kayak still in the water. Its weight ranges from 1.5 lbs. to 4 lbs. As they are compact, you can store them very easily.
10) Do not move fast
Nearby fishes can easily detect any movement or vibrations from your kayak or from the water surface. Never knock your paddle against the surface of the water as this will scare the fishes away.
How to Kayak Fish - Bonus tips
Buy safety kits for kayak fishing
Kayaking poses some risks. However, fishing from a kayak increases those risks. Therefore, make sure you have all the safety accessories with you.
The life jacket is the most important accessory, even if you know swimming. For protection against sunlight, bring along your sunglasses and remember to apply sunscreen lotion.
Other safety kits for kayak anglers includes:-
Scary and daunting critters
When you are kayak fishing on the sea or ocean, sharks can pose a major threat to your life. If you mistakenly hooked a shark, you will be facing a dreadful situation.
In smaller water bodies, snakes and low-hanging tree branches may cause an issue. To defend yourself, you can start by reverse paddling.
Follow the above tricks and techniques for kayak fishing. Learn the way of moving quietly, effectively and smoothly through the water. It may take quite a fair amount of your time to master the technique of kayaking and fishing but once you have mastered it, everything will be worth the while! For a more detailed guide on how to choose the right kayak, reels and rods, check out this article.
Other Types Of Kayaks And Accessories
