Why a Kayak?

[Choporoz]

Nobody here (especially not I) is arguing that a kayak is always the best tool for the job.  Just trying to educate against apparent widespread notion that kayak fishermen are settling, and would always prefer a boat.  For some, that's no doubt true.  But for many, as hard as it may be to believe....it is not.

[flyfisher]

Reading through this ever evolving thread shows me a few things.  One is boat owners really don't understand the cost of kayaks and where the industry has gone.  Two kayakers are quick to use exception circumstances to justify the use of a kayak aka offshore, rough water, extreme shallow water etc.  Third, many think kayak owners primary driver is money.

 

And lastly, it all boils down to preference and not making the exception the rule in the argument for or against etc..  The craft with which I fish from is just another tool to me as I mentioned before on this thread.  Some people the craft is part of their enjoyment.  My kayak doesn't give me any more joy than going out in my dad's jet boat or vice versa but catching fish does and if one tool puts me in a better position to do that, then I am all for it.

[Darth-Baiter]

i've often wondered if bass boat guys find kayakers annoying.  

 

one dude once said (loud enough for me to hear) that kayakers are like gnats buzzing around his head.  hahaha..  so funny!!  bzzzzzz!  

[the reel ess]

On 7/19/2022 at 5:00 PM, DaubsNU1 said:

When I was a kid, kayaks were not a thing.

 

I started shore fishing...then got a belly-boat...then fished from a friend's canoe. All were GREAT upgrades from previous!

 

I have mad respect for kayak fishermen! If I didn't have a good tow-vehicle, and a place to store my boat...I too would be getting a yak.

 

A few buddies have transitioned from boats to yak's, and keep trying to talk me in to one. Nope. I have my boat just the way I like it.

 

So why did you get a kayak??

 

 

 

My boat for reference...It is old. It is paid for. I can stand. Makes 20 mph on it's best day. I can fish two if needed.

 

 

I like your boat. As I age I'm starting to desire a jon boat.

 

As for the question...I used to have a fish and ski boat. When my dad still had his place on Lake Wateree, SC I would take the boat over on a Thursday or Friday evening. I'd launch it and make sure it ran fine. I'd get up with the chickens and go out only to find someone was almost always already at the spots I wanted to fish. I could throw a dart at a map and try that spot it and someone would likely be there. There was a time when you could go on a Monday or Friday and have the lake to yourself. That was the 80s. And the people you encounter on the lake have very little manners anymore. So I tired of the rat race of the big lake and the boat ramp and the maintenance on a boat and competing with fleets of bass boats for 2 lb bass. It really seemed to be a bad fish per dollar investment. I bought myself a $500 kayak and started fishing smaller and private bodies of water. I started catching many bigger bass and I was hooked, all puns intended. I've owned 4 kayaks, total. I sold my boat as I live in town and don't really have room for a bass boat. Now I get exercise while enjoying my favorite passtime. I get a real thrill from a 6-7-8 pounder dragging my kayak around. And you're down there on the level with the water. It's like hand-to-hand combat. I don't think I caught a bass larger than 5 lbs. when I fished Wateree and I fished it since I was old enough to hold a pole. I don't miss it now that my parents are gone. I would still go with someone else. But it's not my bag.

On 7/19/2022 at 5:57 PM, KSanford33 said:

@Darth-Baiter has an excellent answer, so mine will be much briefer.

 

I don’t like people, and my kayak takes me to places where I’m very far away from people. 

I have one fishing buddy with a Bass Tracker that I will occasionally fish with. But I am my favorite fishing partner. Solitude is priceless these days.

On 7/19/2022 at 7:01 PM, Deleted account said:

Yak guys talk about preferring them over other water craft, and getting to places others can't, being closer to the water, in touch with nature, blah, blah, blah, but the truth is $.

I sold a boat because I enjoy the kayak more. I mean you can spend a lot on a kayak, electronics, rigging etc. As much or more than a jon boat.

[gim]

3 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i've often wondered if bass boat guys find kayakers annoying.  

I've never once thought that.  But then again, I don't encounter many people in fishing-style kayaks.  The only yakkers I see a fair amount are just out for a paddle.  I can think of at least 5 other types of watercraft I dislike much more than a yak.  Maybe more.

 

I fish a 132,000 acre lake about twice a year and if there is anything more than about 2 footers, no way I'm launching my bass boat.  If I'm not doing it, a yak definitely shouldn't be doing it either.  Not only is it unsafe, but boat control becomes an issue too.  If its dead calm, then a yak could launch on a bigger lake here.  But there is a fair amount of offshore reefs, some of which are 2-4 miles offshore.  I don't think a yak is heading out there.  At least I've never seen one out there.

[Deleted account]

3 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i've often wondered if bass boat guys find kayakers annoying.

I know one salt water guy who also bass fishes who does...

[DaubsNU1]

3 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i've often wondered if bass boat guys find kayakers annoying.  

 

one dude once said (loud enough for me to hear) that kayakers are like gnats buzzing around his head.  hahaha..  so funny!!  bzzzzzz!  

 

Lots of kayakers on one of the local lakes here...The fishermen kayakers are very respectful, good to talk with, share information, etc. I got nothing but respect for them.

 

It's the recreational kayakers that get frustrating.

 

A small business has set up on this lake, and they rent yaks to bunches of people daily (weekends are the busiest).

 

They will often paddle between me and bank / trees / cover, not knowing that I'm fishing right there(!). And they clog up the small ramp...even though they have a dedicated, specialized kayak launching dock just yards away. I smile and try to respectfully educate when I can. Most just don't know.

 

The lake is relatively new (open for 4 years), allows gas motors with 5mph limit / no wake, has great paved trail around entire lake. Lots of foot traffic, families, dogs, bikers, etc.

 

It's a fun lake, holding LMB, Northern Pike, crappie, and bluegill. Catch and release only. Lots of timber...

 

[GaryH]

4 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i've often wondered if bass boat guys find kayakers annoying.  

 

 

Not at all. I usually treat them the same as I do a sail boat and give them the right away or a wide birth. I’ve had pleasure kayakers do dumb/ ignorant things like go between me and the bank. But then again I had boats pull up within 50 feet of me and start fishing in my direction. I had a pleasure kayaker sit sideways at the ramp in around a foot of water reading a book as I was backing the trailer down to get the boat. Again ignorant or just plain dumb.

I don’t believe it’s boater vs kayaker it’s ignorance vs common sense.

 

[KSanford33]

15 minutes ago, GaryH said:

it’s ignorance vs common sense.

Words to live by…

[flyfisher]

8 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i've often wondered if bass boat guys find kayakers annoying.  

 

one dude once said (loud enough for me to hear) that kayakers are like gnats buzzing around his head.  hahaha..  so funny!!  bzzzzzz!  

I remember when I started kayak fishing decades ago i would see another kayak fisherman maybe once every 4-5 trips out.  fast forward to the last 5 years and they outnumber the boats on many lakes around here.  I will say that in general kayakers are the absolute worst at a boat ramp and for talking to people while fishing.  I guess some like the social aspect and want to chat and fish for me, i am out there to fish and not hang out and chat 99% of the time and that other 1% i usually have a few adult beverages along and a line out with cutbait searching for big catfish

[HookInMouth]

Had a boat and sold it. Thought about getting another one and just didn't want to deal with the maintenance. I also prefer shallow rivers. I guess cost is a factor but it's a distant one well below my intended use and maintenance. 

 

I keep looking at boats and just can't justify it because I don't think I would use it as much as my kayak. 

[Bankc]

I know some bass boaters hate kayakers.  Then again, some people just hate other people for whatever silly reason pops into their head.  The primary bias towards kayakers from bass boaters seems to be that we're not serious about fishing.  I'll exchange stories with bass boat guys at the dock or as we pass by on the water, and when I tell them how well I did, I can see the look of "yeah right" wash over their eyes.  Like they don't believe it's possible for me to seriously out fish them from such a tiny craft.  

[Hawkeye21]

On 7/19/2022 at 6:01 PM, Deleted account said:

Yak guys talk about preferring them over other water craft, and getting to places others can't, being closer to the water, in touch with nature, blah, blah, blah, but the truth is $.

Money is a factor but I would not be a good boat owner.  It's too much hassle for me to own a boat.  I don't care for any of the maintenance.  I'll always be a kayak angler because it fits my needs perfectly.

[Deleted account]

On 7/26/2022 at 5:39 PM, GaryH said:

I usually treat them the same as I do a sail boat...

 

Me too...

[Junk Fisherman]

I bought a kayak because I planned on using it on local small bodies of water that were underfished and as a way to get away from all of the heavily-fished tournament places.   Turns out I haven't used it enough to get my money's worth because I simply don't enjoy kayak fishing as much as I thought I would.  Over the 8 years that I've owned the kayak, I always opt to take my boat rather than the kayak.  The times my kayak have gotten the most use was when my motor or trailer were out of commission and during the pandemic when a local lake was open for kayak use.  

 

Kayak fishing is better than wading or shore fishing but it pales in comparison to fishing from a bass boat.  

[Darth-Baiter]

5 hours ago, Junk Fisherman said:

 

 

Kayak fishing is better than wading or shore fishing but it pales in comparison to fishing from a bass boat.  

its different.  fishing two people on a bass boat is a pain.  one guy is seems to always snag and then the entire unit needs to go in for the lure rescue.  

 

on my kayak, my snags are my own problem.  on my buddies bass boat, I hate snagging because it's "our" problem:D

 

I love on a bass boat you just pull into the water and all your gear is already stowed and good to go.  that part is a godsend.  my kayaks feels like I am moving out of a hotel room over and over again.  Groundhog Day.  for at least 15 minutes. 

[Junk Fisherman]

19 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

I love on a bass boat you just pull into the water and all your gear is already stowed and good to go.  that part is a godsend.  my kayaks feels like I am moving out of a hotel room over and over again.  Groundhog Day.  for at least 15 minutes. 

 

I completely agree.  To fish from my boat it is simply a matter of raising the garage door, hooking up and I'm off.  I keep my rods usually rigged up, ready to go and I try to keep my boat organized.  It's considerably more work to load up all the fishing gear I am taking plus loading my kayak, seat, console, ect in my truck when I want to go kayak fishing  Granted, if I kayak fished more I would streamline it.   

[Jmilburn76]

For me its a type of therapy, gets me in and close to nature. It gets me into places most boats would dare to go. The biggest reason I started kayaking and kayak fishing 5 years ago was for the exercise. I fell in love with kayak fishing as soon as I landed my 1st fish though and hope to enjoy it for many more years.

[TnRiver46]

Another reason I like kayak fishing is being down near the water and skipping up under tree limbs and undercut banks 

[Tatulatard]

Launching my boat to the lake 5 min away:

 

Back truck into trailer 

Miss hooking up and have to drag the trailer to the hitch 

Back out boat into street (my garage is drive through)

Hope I don't take out the mail box again 

Drive to lake 

Wait in line to launch 

Wait some more

Back boat into water 

Chock blocks wheels because no parking brake 

Spend 5 minutes trying to get the cold blooded sob to start

The boat starts but doesn't want to come off  

Climb back into truck 

Back in further 

Set chock blocks again

Back off boat 

Idle to courtesy dock and tie off

Pull truck up ramp and park in designated area

Walk back to boat

Get angry looks for hogging courtesy dock 

 

Launching my kayak to the lake 5 min away:

 

Put on the roof of my car or in bed of my truck if not already there 

Drive to lake 

Cut in front of the line of boats and dump kayak off near the ramp 

Put all my stuff in it 

Park 

Shove it into the water 

Refuse to elaborate 

Leave 

[the reel ess]

Why not a kayak?

[Darth-Baiter]

7 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

Why not a kayak?

haahha..funny!!

 

just yesterday i was pouring over google earth pictures of some secret far away place i wanted to take my kayak.  i LOVE that distance calculator on google earth!!  it is the greatest tool.  you can get a very good estimate on how far a place is from your kayak launch.  i calc'd out 5.2 miles.  woof!!  that is my upper limit for sure.  it takes mental fortitude to put into water and just start hauling arse 5 miles.  to date i cant do it.  i always stop to fish a spot.!!  this is purely a kayaker problem.  distance.  i LOVE the addtional challenges.  you have to fish smart, use maps, study winds and currents.  i love it.  boat guys dont have this challenge at all.  well, maybe if they run low on fuel

 

now if i had a buddy with a pontoon boat that could drop me off...............

[the reel ess]

3 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

haahha..funny!!

 

just yesterday i was pouring over google earth pictures of some secret far away place i wanted to take my kayak.  i LOVE that distance calculator on google earth!!  it is the greatest tool.  you can get a very good estimate on how far a place is from your kayak launch.  i calc'd out 5.2 miles.  woof!!  that is my upper limit for sure.  it takes mental fortitude to put into water and just start hauling arse 5 miles.  to date i cant do it.  i always stop to fish a spot.!!  this is purely a kayaker problem.  distance.  i LOVE the addtional challenges.  you have to fish smart, use maps, study winds and currents.  i love it.  boat guys dont have this challenge at all.  well, maybe if they run low on fuel

 

now if i had a buddy with a pontoon boat that could drop me off...............

I fished a place yesterday that was about 85% vegetation at least to the surface. It was even hard to paddle in places. No one with a trolling motor in his right mind would want to fish it. 

[TnRiver46]

4 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

haahha..funny!!

 

just yesterday i was pouring over google earth pictures of some secret far away place i wanted to take my kayak.  i LOVE that distance calculator on google earth!!  it is the greatest tool.  you can get a very good estimate on how far a place is from your kayak launch.  i calc'd out 5.2 miles.  woof!!  that is my upper limit for sure.  it takes mental fortitude to put into water and just start hauling arse 5 miles.  to date i cant do it.  i always stop to fish a spot.!!  this is purely a kayaker problem.  distance.  i LOVE the addtional challenges.  you have to fish smart, use maps, study winds and currents.  i love it.  boat guys dont have this challenge at all.  well, maybe if they run low on fuel

 

now if i had a buddy with a pontoon boat that could drop me off...............

I’ve done a 15 mile float on the Holston river many many times in an aluminum canoe. I’ve also done an 18 mile float in it 3-4 times, you need 4 bologna sandwiches and some

beer for that one. No motor, no pedals

 

You can do 5.2 out and back no problem! 

[schplurg]

On 7/26/2022 at 10:03 AM, Darth-Baiter said:

i've often wondered if bass boat guys find kayakers annoying.  

 

one dude once said (loud enough for me to hear) that kayakers are like gnats buzzing around his head.  hahaha..  so funny!!  bzzzzzz!  

 

If he had more brains there's be no room for the gnats I guess.

 

I've had a few issues with bass boats but none with kayaks (in my yak). What can a kayaker even do to a bass boat or another kayak for that matter? Very very slowly cut them off with their plastic boat?

 

I've seen bass boats buzz by dangerously close to kayaks before, which is kinda impossible in reverse.

 

I've also run into very cool bass boaters. Generally speaking: the bigger the toy the bigger the a-hole [runs for cover]  I made that up, it may not be true!