Kayak Fishing Anytips

[BassfisherMass]

i just bought my first kayak to go fishing with. anyone have any tips for me ?

i am a shore fisher most of the time bought the kayak only cause it looked like fun

[Hi Salenity]

Get a fish finder on it asap.

[grimlin]

I'm gonna be watching this thread,I'm picking mine up at the end of April. I will be joining the kayak group soon!.

[BassfisherMass]

Get a fish finder on it asap.

i am getting a fish finder just did not have the money for one at the time

[Bassn Blvd]

Make sure your paddle is fully charged before heading out.

[dumfish]

Check out the Hobie kayak website.This kayak might be managable for my way of bassing.

[Christian M]

The best advice I can give is make sure you pack you gear as if you know you're going to flip the kayak. That means wearing a lifevest at ALL times, putting floats on anything you dont want to lose (a cheap way to do this is by using empty water bottles, they make great floats), and packing and extra set of clothes. Good luck and enjoy!

[J Francho]

Learn to paddle before learning to fish. Life will be a lot less frustrating that way. A paddling lesson from someone that is an expert with long distance/sea kayaking would be your best route. Once you understand all the stroke necessary to maneuver the boat, add fishing to the equation. As far as rigging rof holders, graphs, GPS, etc. Do it slowly. Mock up any riggings and see if you can live with the addition. Nothing worse than wishing you never drilled that hole....

Have fun!

[outdoorsman110]

As a long time kayak fishermen. I don't use my fishyfinder. I only use it for depth. The basics are, 1 anchor cleat, 1 anchor, 20' of clothespin utility line, adjustable rod holder, and another add one you wish to purchase. Check out my video on YouTube. Search AmericanWoodsman and click ' My Fishing Kayak '

[grimlin]

Learn to paddle before learning to fish. Life will be a lot less frustrating that way. A paddling lesson from someone that is an expert with long distance/sea kayaking would be your best route. Once you understand all the stroke necessary to maneuver the boat, add fishing to the equation. As far as rigging rof holders, graphs, GPS, etc. Do it slowly. Mock up any riggings and see if you can live with the addition. Nothing worse than wishing you never drilled that hole....

Have fun!

That's good advice! Thanks J FRANCHO

I have a small lake that doesn't get boats on it very often.It's very calm water for the most part. I plan to take mine out and practice for a couple of days doing nothing but paddle around it.

[Olebiker]

If the kayak did not come with an anchor trolley get one. They are simple to install and, in my experience, priceless.

[BassfisherMass]

thanks for all the good advice!

[WookieeJedi]

Lots of good tips on here so far, my only addition would be to practice not only boat control, but silent boat control. One of the advantages of the kayak is it's silence. I keep my gear under control, and switch to a short canoe paddle for fishing. That long double is too easy to bang around. Also, take the boat out in shallow water and flip it over. Practice getting back in until you can almost do it in your sleep. A little prep in 78 degree water can save you some time in 40 degree water.

[flipin4bass]

i just bought my first kayak to go fishing with. anyone have any tips for me ?

i am a shore fisher most of the time bought the kayak only cause it looked like fun

Kayaking, it can be a religous experience

[BassfisherMass]

well i took my kayak out yesterday and cought nine big mouth!

[BassfisherMass]

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CrankinCarlos]

If the kayak did not come with an anchor trolley get one. They are simple to install and, in my experience, priceless.

Best thing I ever added to my old kayak. Do it ! Do it !

[BassfisherMass]

i did buy and anchor just have not istalled it yet somthing for me to do this weekend

[J Francho]

Be very careful if you intend to anchor in current. In fact, I don't recommend it, unless it's just a very slight current.

[WookieeJedi]

For current, I use a 8# cylindrical window weight as an anchor. I lower it down, then pick it up a couple of feet and drop it straight down. If I get pushed too hard, the weight topples over and drags. The shape keeps it from snagging.

[MikeinFresno]

what did you end up getting, sit in or sit on top?

[BassfisherMass]

i got a sit in so i could stay mostly dry

[NateFollmer]

Skip the anchor - I've heard horror stories of guys dropping anchor in the smallest of current, flipping, actually getting twisted up in their kayak or anchor line and drowning. All goes back to what J said, learn to paddle, you'd be surprised at how much current you'll be able to sit in without moving. Even a little patch of weeds is usually enough to stop you.

Best thing you can do if you don't have any paddling instructors - Get this DVD: http://confidencebaits.3dcartstores.com/River-Kayak-Fishing-Skills_p_32.html

[kikstand454]

Sorry for the late reply... don't get on here much anymore. Lol.

I have been kayak fishing exclusively now for about 6 months. All the advice that was given before was right on. Learn to paddle, learn to travel light...and most important for you ...learn to get back into your boat. Having a sit inside is.......well......not IDEAL for fishing. Water re~entry MUST be your top priority with a sit inside...as is keeping water out/sinking.

Have fun and be safe with your sit inside....ALWAYS wear your pfd.

Start looking for a good 12ft SOT...... you're going to want it. Twice the room, twice the versitility...a third of the headaches. You're gonna get wet in the sit inside too. SOT is the way to go.

Also.....when you install an anchor trolley.....most of the issues of anchoring in current are subdued. Just make sure you have a means of quickly disconnecting your anchor from your trolley...and put a float on your line so you can come back to it. Down here we do that for chasing tarpon! Lol.