Everything You Need to Start Kayak Fishing

Kayak fishing combines the mobility of a small watercraft with the intimacy of wade fishing. Anglers access water unreachable by larger boats while staying closer to the action than shore fishermen. This guide covers everything needed to start kayak fishing or improve your existing skills.

Choosing Your First Fishing Kayak

Fishing kayaks differ significantly from recreational models. Width provides stability for casting and fighting fish. Length affects tracking and speed. Storage accommodates tackle, coolers, and catch. Understanding these tradeoffs helps match a kayak to your fishing style.

Sit-On-Top vs Sit-Inside

Sit-on-top kayaks dominate fishing applications. Open cockpits allow easy entry and exit. Self-draining scupper holes prevent swamping. Standing becomes possible on wider models. Most fishing-specific features like rod holders and gear tracks mount easily to flat decks.

Sit-inside kayaks offer advantages in cold weather and rough water. Enclosed cockpits shield paddlers from spray and wind. Lower center of gravity improves stability in waves. However, limited deck space restricts fishing functionality.

Hull Design Considerations

Flat hulls maximize initial stability. The kayak feels solid when sitting still, ideal for casting and landing fish. Trade-off comes in rough water where flat hulls slap waves uncomfortably.

Pontoon hulls use twin channels for exceptional stability. Many allow standing while casting. Extra width creates more drag when paddling. These excel for calm water and anglers prioritizing stability.

V-shaped hulls cut through waves efficiently. Secondary stability kicks in when leaning, preventing capsizing. These track straighter and paddle faster but feel tippy to new kayakers.

Size Matters

Length determines speed and tracking. Kayaks under 12 feet maneuver easily in tight spots but wander off course between paddle strokes. Models 12-14 feet balance maneuverability with efficiency. Longer kayaks excel for covering distance but struggle in confined water.

Width affects stability and speed inversely. Kayaks under 30 inches wide feel tippy but paddle quickly. Models 32-36 inches provide fishing stability with acceptable speed. Extra-wide kayaks over 38 inches sacrifice speed for platform stability.

Weight capacity must exceed your weight plus all gear by at least 100 pounds. Overloaded kayaks sit low, paddle slowly, and capsize easily. Check capacity ratings honestly.

Essential Kayak Fishing Gear

Paddles

Quality paddles reduce fatigue dramatically. Fiberglass or carbon shafts weigh less than aluminum. Blade shape affects power and efficiency. Invest in the best paddle your budget allows.

Paddle length depends on kayak width and paddler height. Wider kayaks need longer paddles. Most fishing kayaks pair with 230-250cm paddles. Adjustable ferrules let you fine-tune length and feathering.

Personal Flotation Devices

PFDs save lives. Period. Kayak-specific designs allow arm movement for paddling and casting. Pockets hold small tackle items. Bright colors aid visibility if you need rescue.

Inflatable PFDs feel less restrictive in warm weather. They must be armed to function. Manual models require pulling a cord. Automatic versions inflate on water contact.

Anchoring Systems

Anchors hold position over productive spots. Stake-out poles work in shallow water, pushing into soft bottoms. Traditional anchors with rope hold in deeper water. Anchor trolleys let you reposition the anchor point for optimal boat angle.

Drift chutes slow your drift in wind or current. They deploy off the bow or stern depending on conditions. Collapsible designs stow compactly when not needed.

Fish Finders

Electronics help locate fish and structure. Portable units mount temporarily and remove for transport. Through-hull transducers provide cleaner readings but require permanent installation. Side-imaging and down-imaging reveal structure details traditional sonar misses.

GPS integration marks productive waypoints. Return to exact spots where you caught fish previously. Chartplotting shows depth contours and navigation hazards.

Rigging Your Kayak

Rod Storage

Flush-mount rod holders angle rods behind the seat. They secure rods during paddling and trolling. Install at least two behind the seat and consider more based on your fishing style.

Vertical rod holders keep rods ready for quick deployment. Position them within arm’s reach for fast access when fish appear. Adjustable angles accommodate different rod lengths.

Tackle Storage

Milk crate systems attach to rear tankwells. They hold tackle boxes, tools, and catch bags. Customize with rod holders, plier sheaths, and drink holders. Bungee cords secure contents during rough water.

Built-in hatches provide dry storage for items that cannot get wet. Electronics, phones, and spare clothing stay protected. Waterproof bags add extra insurance for valuable items.

Paddle Holders

Paddle clips secure your paddle while fishing. Nothing ruins a trip like watching your paddle drift away while fighting a fish. Mount clips within easy reach for quick transitions.

Safety Considerations

Self-Rescue Skills

Practice re-entering your kayak in controlled conditions before fishing. Flip your kayak intentionally in shallow, calm water. Learn to climb back aboard without assistance. This skill could save your life.

Paddle float rescues work when you cannot climb directly onto an overturned kayak. The inflatable float stabilizes the paddle, creating an outrigger. Practice this technique until it becomes automatic.

Weather Awareness

Wind affects kayaks more than larger boats. Headwinds exhaust paddlers quickly. Crosswinds push kayaks off course. Plan routes accounting for forecasted wind direction and speed.

Thunderstorms develop rapidly over water. Lightning seeks the highest point, often a kayaker’s head. Get off the water immediately when storms threaten. No fish is worth electrocution.

Communication

VHF radios provide emergency communication beyond cell phone range. Waterproof models float if dropped. Channel 16 connects to Coast Guard rescue services.

Float plans tell someone where you’re going and when to expect your return. Leave detailed information about launch location, intended fishing areas, and return time. Check in when you get back safely.

Fishing Techniques from Kayaks

Casting

Sitting positions limit casting motion. Sidearm casts work better than overhead in most kayaks. Practice accuracy over distance since kayaks position you closer to fish than shore fishing.

Standing expands casting options on stable kayaks. Start in calm conditions with a wide stance. Keep your center of gravity low. Many anglers find standing dramatically improves their fishing success.

Trolling

Paddle trolling covers water efficiently. Deploy lures behind the kayak while paddling at slow speeds. Vary speed until you find what triggers strikes.

Pedal-drive kayaks excel at trolling. Hands stay free for rod work while feet provide propulsion. Speed control improves consistency over paddle trolling.

Fighting Fish

Small kayaks follow big fish. This sounds concerning but actually works well. Fighting from a kayak often tires fish faster than fighting from an anchored boat. They cannot rest while towing your weight.

Side pressure turns fish effectively from kayaks. Avoid high rod angles that pull fish toward you, risking capsize. Keep the rod low and to the side, using the kayak’s weight as leverage.

Landing Fish

Lip grips work better than nets in kayaks. Long-handled nets catch wind and tangle with gear. Grips control fish precisely while protecting hands from teeth and spines.

Many kayak anglers land fish directly into their laps. This keeps the fish controlled and allows quick hook removal. Wet your hands before handling to protect the fish’s slime coat.

Transporting Your Kayak

Roof Racks

Crossbars support kayaks on vehicle roofs. J-cradles hold kayaks on their sides, reducing aerodynamic drag. Saddles support kayaks hull-down. Secure with cam straps, never bungee cords.

Bow and stern lines provide safety backup. If crossbar attachments fail, these lines prevent the kayak from departing at highway speeds. Use adjustable straps with quick-release buckles.

Trailers

Dedicated kayak trailers simplify launching. No lifting required, just push the kayak off the trailer into the water. Multiple kayak capacity makes group trips easier.

Utility trailers adapt for kayak transport with simple modifications. PVC pipe cradles cushion hulls. Straps prevent shifting during transport. Check trailer lights and brakes before each trip.

Truck Beds

Long bed trucks accommodate kayaks directly. Tailgate down, secure the cockpit to bed tie-downs. A red flag marks kayaks extending past the tailgate.

Bed extenders support kayaks in short bed trucks. The extension creates a rear support point. Kayaks angle from the extension to a front rack or through the cab’s rear window.

Building Your Skills

Start in calm, protected waters. Learn how your kayak responds to paddle strokes, weight shifts, and wind before venturing into challenging conditions. Build confidence gradually.

Fish with experienced kayak anglers when possible. They share local knowledge, demonstrate techniques, and provide safety backup. Most kayak fishing clubs welcome newcomers enthusiastically.

Practice casting from your kayak before adding the complexity of fish. Work on accuracy and different cast types until they feel natural. This foundation pays dividends when targeting fish.

Kayak fishing rewards patience and preparation. Take time to rig your kayak thoughtfully, learn the water you fish, and develop reliable techniques. The intimacy of kayak fishing creates memorable experiences impossible from larger boats.