Why a Kayak?

[gim]

10 hours ago, newbiedmv said:

They can go places i can only dream off getting to. 

 

One might argue that a boat can go to places that kayak anglers can only dream of too.  Like offshore or on a big body of water.

[Bankc]

47 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

One might argue that a boat can go to places that kayak anglers can only dream of too.  Like offshore or on a big body of water.

Except kayaks were originally made to hunt seals in the Arctic Ocean.  And lots of people take their kayaks out on the ocean to fish for big game.  Ed Gillet kayaked solo from Monterey Bay, California to Maui, Hawaii.  So one might also argue against that as well.  

 

But I'd agree there are limitations with a kayak over a bass boat, like the speed and convenience of which you can travel large distances.  And being able to haul 200lbs of gear or take friends and family along with you.  But I frequently navigate large lakes in my fishing kayak all of the time.  On any of the lakes in my state, there's not a place a bass boat can get to that I can't.  I've even been out in 40+mph winds before (not fun, and not on purpose, but the kayak can handle it).  

 

I've had boats in the past.  I have a kayak now because, let's be honest, they're significantly cheaper and I can store one on the ceiling in my garage without losing a spot for a car.  Plus I don't have to worry about loan payments, gas, maintenance, insurance or registration costs.  And my favorite part of fishing is the solitude and connection with nature.  You get a closer connection in a kayak.  It's like the difference between walking through a forest and driving through one.  

[Stratocat_Joe]

For me, it was more about the simplicity of a kayak.  I bought my first kayak over 10 years ago as I got back into fishing as a young adult.   It reminded me of the days of my youth when I would grab 1-2 rods with a small tackle bag and go wade a creek near my house.  The kayak also opened up more water than just wading the creek.  Over time, I upgraded kayaks and added all of the neat accessories.  When my son was born two years ago, I sold my kayak and bought a boat so I could take my family out on the water with me.  But, when it was just me heading out to fish, there were times I missed the simplicity of just grabbing a kayak, 1-2 rods, a small tackle bag, and just going.  So, I bought another kayak and now have the option for either/or.  I have found that since I carry a ton more tackle on my boat and I can cover more water, I fish differently from my boat than I do from my kayak.  And, although I enjoy fishing from my boat, I'm oftentimes more successful in catching fish from my kayak, which I believe is a result of the simplicity.  There seems to be a lot of truth in the KISS principle. 

[Tatulatard]

17 hours ago, 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.

 

 

Because it can be car topped and moved by one person.  Basically no need for a trailer and all that mess.  It's something I can throw on the roof and go to work then fish nearby lakes in the few hours I have after work.  If I am only going to be on the water for 2 hours before its dark then I'm not going through all the hassle of dealing with the boat.  Any time I am only going for a short few hour outting, unsure if I am even going to go at all (just leave the yak on the roof and go whenever wherever ever during bass pre-dawn and spawn) and small bodies of water without proper support to launch a boat are when I use the kayak.  

[Sphynx]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

 

One might argue that a boat can go to places that kayak anglers can only dream of too.  Like offshore or on a big body of water.

I have a good friend in Florida who fishes in the gulf with his Kayak, admittedly he's not getting anywhere near "offshore" territory, but I don't know many bodies of water much bigger than that and he wears out everything from mangrove snappers to trophy sized tarpon and redfish daily. It's entirely possible he's just plain nuts, but the size of the water body doesn't seem to be an impediment to him at all.

[Tatulatard]

Also I do enjoy a small human powered water craft in small bodies of water. Just something about gliding through the water I enjoy.  On a recent trip to a new body of water with two creek arms I found that I enjoyed exploring the arms as they narrowed and found the ends in my kayak than the fish I caught.  

[Darth-Baiter]

2 hours ago, gimruis said:

 

One might argue that a boat can go to places that kayak anglers can only dream of too.  Like offshore or on a big body of water.

true.  like "FAR".  haha.  my only limits are far away.   and mentally, the Pacific Ocean, but that I categorize as "FAR" as well.   I dont think you can even compare a bass boat to a fishing kayak.  sure they are both boats, but dang.  the differences can't be measured.  

[Darth-Baiter]

to be fair.  I want to own a boat someday.  I want to trick out one of those tiny aluminum boats and turn it into a sick bass boat.  think "tiny boat nation" stuff.  it will be my retirement project.  

[king fisher]

Bait monkey. You need a bass boat. My wife. Are you crazy? A boat to fish for a fish you don’t even bring home to eat. Me. How about a kayak?

[JoeDeal55]

Pros:

Cant afford a boat. I can throw it ontop of my car in 10 minutes. Dont have to take anyone with me. Solitude is bliss. Put it in any water source. Only put me back $500. Couldnt afford the gas if I did have a boat. Easy to maintain. It fits under my house. 

 

Cons:

8 hours in my kayak causes some back pain. (Worth it tho) I dont have electronics on my yak so im fishing blind. (Ive never used electronics to fish so im always blind. Cant miss what you never had.) I cant stand up in my yak without taking a bath. Im too fat to easily turn around for my tackle behind me. Kays are slower that boats.

[casts_by_fly]

3 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

true.  like "FAR".  haha.  my only limits are far away.   and mentally, the Pacific Ocean, but that I categorize as "FAR" as well.   I dont think you can even compare a bass boat to a fishing kayak.  sure they are both boats, but dang.  the differences can't be measured.  

 

Sure you can measure it.  20' minus 12' is 8' different. 

 

From a fishing platform perspective, my autopilot and the way I have it set up will fish a lot like a bassboat with a spotlock trolling motor.  You're standing just behind your motor, you have a small bit of boat in front of you to fish past, your electronics are right in front/below you, and your rods are at foot level laid down with tips to the rear.  Its not as stable as a bass boat, but its still very stable.  The trolling motor will take you down a bank or lock you on a spot just the same as the big boat.  During the act of fishing, its actually surprisingly comparable.  The big difference is the rest of it.  Motoring to spots is very different, as is the storage capability.  

 

2 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

to be fair.  I want to own a boat someday.  I want to trick out one of those tiny aluminum boats and turn it into a sick bass boat.  think "tiny boat nation" stuff.  it will be my retirement project.  

 

Given the lakes around here, that's the most functional for me as well.  Something 16', tiller, decked.  A 9.9 is the restriction on most of the lakes I fish (electric only on most of the rest).  The unlimited lakes around are small except for 1, so a gas 9.9 would be great.  If I could put a 9.9 powered electric motor on then all the better. Maybe by the time I get a boat purchase authorized the battery and motor technology will be good enough for it.  Its close now.

 

1 hour ago, king fisher said:

Bait monkey. You need a bass boat. My wife. Are you crazy? A boat to fish for a fish you don’t even bring home to eat. Me. How about a kayak?

 

Similar conversation.

 

"Honey, I'm taking my dad's old bass boat and refurbishing it".  "No way".  "How about I get a kayak instead".

 

[FryDog62]

I have a nice bass boat that I would like to fish all year in, but live in a state where I can only use it about 5 months of the year.  Started spending 2-3 months in the winter in Florida on a 400 acre, deep quarry lake that has decent largemouth fishing. As a renter, we aren't allowed to bring a gas motorized boat in - and it would also be a long drive to trailer my boat there and back, therefore I leave it behind.

 

So... I contemplated buying a kayak.. for real. Honestly, I was reluctant to get one and kind of scoffed at those who had them. I thought I would never get one for 2 reasons: 1) You sit too low and it would be too hard on the back, and 2) Lack of boat control - you spend more time positioning than fishing. 

 

Last January, I decided I couldn't just sit in our rental next to the water and watch the boats go by and hear about fish being caught. So I bit the bullet and bought a kayak with some hesitancy. After doing a lot of research, I decided to buy an Old Town Autopilot for 2 reasons: 1) it has an electric motor (I haven't used the paddle yet) and 2) because it not only sat up higher, but I could also buy aftermarket seat risers to help take any pressure off my back even more. 

 

Have to admit, I'm a bit spoiled from fishing out of my Lund Pro-V Bass... Spot-Lock, 360 Imaging, Livescope, etc.  But this kayak has the Spot-Lock and I am taking my Livescope with me this year. 

 

I found the boat stable and never felt unsafe. I could stand, and was literally skipping docks in the middle of winter when my fiends back home were ice fishing while sitting on 5 gallon buckets with ear-flap hats, looking like Walter Matthau and Jack Lemon calling each other "Putz." 

 

I ended up liking the kayak a lot more than I thought. Its comfortable, fun to fish out of and yes you can get to places others can't. I store it in Florida but have thought numerous times about how I wish I had brought it back with me to Minnesota to fish some smaller rivers around here, or less traveled hike-in lakes. 

 

With all the extra pressure since the pandemic I'm getting to the point where I would much prefer fishing less pressured waters. The fishing can be excellent. And I like people, I just don't like crowds. Kayaks can get you to these places.

 

I told a good friend recently that I had the thought of selling my bass boat - and buying 2 decked out fishing kayaks so I can always take someone else... buy a high quality long distance trailer, drive it to-from Florida each year and stop off in Tennessee or Santee Cooper to break up the trip. Pocket the leftover money just for gas! Even maybe sign up for the Bassmaster Kayak tournament trail for 1-2 tournaments a year... Guntersville, Grand Lake.... 

 

...He told me to find a dark room and lie down until I come to my senses and the thought completely leaves my brain... 

 

That being said, I have come a long way from a year ago when I said I'd never have one of those silly things ~ 

[roadwarrior]

Well, I'm glad it's working for you, but I would recommend to others that they 

try it before they buy it. Mine as an Ocean Kayak: 

https://www.oceankayak.com/fishing-kayak-guide

 

 

[gim]

Nice write up @FryDog62.  Being both a bass boat owner and a kayak owner, your opinion is a valued one here.

[casts_by_fly]

2 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

I have a nice bass boat that I would like to fish all year in, but live in a state where I can only use it about 5 months of the year.  Started spending 2-3 months in the winter in Florida on a 400 acre, deep quarry lake that has decent largemouth fishing. As a renter, we aren't allowed to bring a gas motorized boat in - and it would also be a long drive to trailer my boat there and back, therefore I leave it behind.

 

So... I contemplated buying a kayak.. for real. Honestly, I was reluctant to get one and kind of scoffed at those who had them. I thought I would never get one for 2 reasons: 1) You sit too low and it would be too hard on the back, and 2) Lack of boat control - you spend more time positioning than fishing. 

 

Last January, I decided I couldn't just sit in our rental next to the water and watch the boats go by and hear about fish being caught. So I bit the bullet and bought a kayak with some hesitancy. After doing a lot of research, I decided to buy an Old Town Autopilot for 2 reasons: 1) it has an electric motor and 2) because it not only sat up higher, but I could also buy aftermarket seat risers to help even more. 

 

Have to admit, I'm a bit spoiled from fishing out of my Lund Pro-V Bass... Spot-Lock, 360 Imaging, Livescope, etc.  But this kayak has the Spot-Lock and I am taking my Livescope with me this year. 

 

I found the boat stable and never felt unsafe. I could stand, and was literally skipping docks in the middle of winter when my fiends back home were ice fishing while sitting on 5 gallon buckets with ear-flap hats, looking like Walter Matthau and Jack Lemon calling each other "Putz." 

 

I ended up liking the kayak a lot more than I thought. Its fun to fish out of and yes you can get to places others can't. I store it in Florida but have thought numerous times about how I wish I had brought it back with me to Minnesota to fish some smaller rivers around here, or less traveled hike-in lakes. 

 

With all the extra pressure since the pandemic I'm getting to the point where I would much prefer fishing less pressured waters. The fishing can be excellent. And I like people, I just don't like crowds. Kayaks can get you to these places.

 

I told a good friend I had the thought of selling my bass boat - and buying 2 decked out fishing kayaks so I can always take someone else... buy a high quality long distance trailer, drive it to-from Florida each year and stop off in Tennessee or Santee Cooper to break up the trip. Pocket the leftover money just for gas! Even maybe sign up for the Bassmaster Kayak tournament trail for 1-2 tournaments a year... Guntersville, Grand Lake.... 

 

...He told me to find a dark room and lie down until I come to my senses and the thought completely leaves my brain... 

 

That being said, I have come a long way from a year ago when I said I'd never have one of those silly things ~ 

 

I have the same boat and my post above confirms that I love mine too.  Just a watchout for you.  If you think taking it to a hike in only lake is a good idea, I'd say reconsider.  If the path is a flat roadway then you'll be okay with a good kayak cart.  If it is bumpy or uphill in any way, the autopilot gets real heavy real quick.  When I think hike in only, I'm thinking hiking trail and hills.  You also have to watch on the rivers.  18" is a very real minimum depth and that's for sand/mud bottom.  Any rocks that stick up from that will definitely find your skeg.  Heck, I've got a local lake that has a bunch of boulders on one bank in 4' of water.  the water is often murky and you only have a foot of visibility.  Some of the boulders are in the 1-2' from the surface area.  if I ever fall out of this boat it will be because I didn't see one of them and was moving with pace. 

[FryDog62]

5 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

I have the same boat and my post above confirms that I love mine too.  Just a watchout for you.  If you think taking it to a hike in only lake is a good idea, I'd say reconsider.  If the path is a flat roadway then you'll be okay with a good kayak cart.  If it is bumpy or uphill in any way, the autopilot gets real heavy real quick.  When I think hike in only, I'm thinking hiking trail and hills.  You also have to watch on the rivers.  18" is a very real minimum depth and that's for sand/mud bottom.  Any rocks that stick up from that will definitely find your skeg.  Heck, I've got a local lake that has a bunch of boulders on one bank in 4' of water.  the water is often murky and you only have a foot of visibility.  Some of the boulders are in the 1-2' from the surface area.  if I ever fall out of this boat it will be because I didn't see one of them and was moving with pace. 

Gimruis and I fish the same small river here locally... the kind of river you have to cast right at the shoreline to get bit many times. With that experience comes snags and the knowledge of the bank and how to get close without tripping up.  Trial and error - ha! 

 

Well, long story short on the transporting of the yak - I have both the Boonedox Landing gear for the rear of my kayak, but also a Wilderness cart for the front. Overkill for sure, but I can pull the yak now with 2 fingers on a smooth pathway, and one full hand grip over most bumpy terrain. Trial and error again taught me this lesson!  

[Bluebasser86]

I have 2 boats at home, a pretty nice bass boat and a johnboat, but I choose to fish from my kayak a majority of the time. 

 

I fish by myself most of the time, so there is no reason to use the boats. The simplicity is a huge factor for me. I can put my gear in the cab of my truck and load the kayak in the back and go. No worrying about trailer tires/lights/bearings, how much gas/oil does the boat have, does the lake I'm going to have paved roads or a ramp I can get my trailer up and down? Are my batteries charged/holding a charge? Just so many issues I don't have to worry about when I'm in my kayak versus the boat. 

[PhishLI]

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 $.

We have several "kayak only" spots on this island, and they're good. We also have places where getting a john boat into is hellish to impossible. A yak is the only viable option in those places. Some are truly treacherous to wade in. There's always a chance that a tough to access place is holding donks, so I do what I gotta do. Even if I don't love humping a yak though the woods to a spot, or I'd rather be on a jon boat, once I'm out I forget about all that and the possibility of dumping. Get some bites or catch some fish, nothing but happy thoughts. Plus it's a great workout.

[Gera]

On 7/19/2022 at 5:32 PM, Darth-Baiter said:

i burn cheeseburger fuel

 

Best line I ever read on this forum. 

[LrgmouthShad]

Why did I get a kayak? Cheaper than a boat and more functional than other similar water craft at the same price range. 
 

I think having both a boat and a kayak would be cool but yeah I ain’t there yet

[TnRiver46]

I have to have them all. Well I don’t have to, but it helps. I’ve got 2 gas powered boats, 5 kayaks, and a canoe. 
 

You can’t fish from a motor boat here

 

wouldn’t mind having one of these rafts either, they go ultra shallow 

 

and you sure as heck don’t want to be fishing right here in a kayak 

Or here 

 

these last two pics are taken right near my house. You don’t want to be paddling in this current unless it’s sunny and warm, and you’ve got a car several miles downstream. The second pic was a day in my 14 foot v hull and it was sporty, snowing sideways with big waves 

 

 

I like to fish all varieties of waters, we don’t have many small ponds or electric only or anything like that. Only having one kind of boat limits your options greatly 

 

[TNBankFishing]

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.

 

 

Ease of transport, use, storage, and price. 
 

I use a fully loaded pedal kayak that with trailer weighs less than 600lbs. I can pull it with a car, my wife’s suv or my truck. It’s easy to launch and load, and can be pulled up a ramp with its built in wheels if the ramps busy. 
 

With an electric motor I have access to all of the same bodies of water and can cover ground as needed. I have a full suite of electronics to locate cover underwater. I also have the option to go skinny and travel rivers and creeks a boat never could. 
 

My kayak is 12 feet long and 2.5 feet wide, storage is simple and easy. My rods, baits, and miscellaneous fishing gear takes up more space than my boat. 
 

I don’t pay for gas, I don’t have to register my yak if I don’t run a motor. When I travel it sits in the bed of my truck. I’ve taken mine to the beach, to tourneys two states away and more. I’ve never had to worry about somewhere to store it when visiting friends and family. 
 

A boat will give you two things a kayak can’t. Speed and onboard storage. Beyond those two items a kayak is just as useful for the process of fishing. If your boat isn’t a bass rig, but a pontoon or ski boat then the comparison is different. 
 

I’ve always felt I’d you don’t live on water a boat is generally never worth the cost of ownership. Building a garage to store it, or paying a slip fee combined with the loan required to buy push boats out of reach for many. If someone doesn’t have the means they often have to buy a smaller boat or settle for an older one which opens its own can of worms. 

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

I have to have them all. Well I don’t have to, but it helps. I’ve got 2 gas powered boats, 5 kayaks, and a canoe. 
 

You can’t fish from a motor boat here

 

wouldn’t mind having one of these rafts either, they go ultra shallow 

 

and you sure as heck don’t want to be fishing right here in a kayak 

Or here 

 

these last two pics are taken right near my house. You don’t want to be paddling in this current unless it’s sunny and warm, and you’ve got a car several miles downstream. The second pic was a day in my 14 foot v hull and it was sporty, snowing sideways with big waves 

 

 

I like to fish all varieties of waters, we don’t have many small ponds or electric only or anything like that. Only having one kind of boat limits your options greatly 

 

I love fishing the spill water of Melton Hill for striper and south of the norris dam for trout/bass. You can fish those areas, but you’ll need a spot lock trolling motor and the experience to handle it. Definitely not a paddle kayak location. 

[TnRiver46]

9 minutes ago, TNBankFishing said:

Ease of transport, use, storage, and price. 
 

I use a fully loaded pedal kayak that with trailer weighs less than 600lbs. I can pull it with a car, my wife’s suv or my truck. It’s easy to launch and load, and can be pulled up a ramp with its built in wheels if the ramps busy. 
 

With an electric motor I have access to all of the same bodies of water and can cover ground as needed. I have a full suite of electronics to locate cover underwater. I also have the option to go skinny and travel rivers and creeks a boat never could. 
 

My kayak is 12 feet long and 2.5 feet wide, storage is simple and easy. My rods, baits, and miscellaneous fishing gear takes up more space than my boat. 
 

I don’t pay for gas, I don’t have to register my yak if I don’t run a motor. When I travel it sits in the bed of my truck. I’ve taken mine to the beach, to tourneys two states away and more. I’ve never had to worry about somewhere to store it when visiting friends and family. 
 

A boat will give you two things a kayak can’t. Speed and onboard storage. Beyond those two items a kayak is just as useful for the process of fishing. If your boat isn’t a bass rig, but a pontoon or ski boat then the comparison is different. 
 

I’ve always felt I’d you don’t live on water a boat is generally never worth the cost of ownership. Building a garage to store it, or paying a slip fee combined with the loan required to buy push boats out of reach for many. If someone doesn’t have the means they often have to buy a smaller boat or settle for an older one which opens its own can of worms. 

I love fishing the spill water of Melton Hill for striper and south of the norris dam for trout/bass. You can fish those areas, but you’ll need a spot lock trolling motor and the experience to handle it. Definitely not a paddle kayak location. 

I’ve seen some kayaks there but not when the water was spilling over the top 

[Alex from GA]

About 20 years ago I wanted to fish the small rivers and creeks that my boat couldn't get to, so a kayak was the answer.

[gim]

On 7/20/2022 at 9:01 AM, Bankc said:

I've even been out in 40+mph winds before (not fun, and not on purpose, but the kayak can handle it).  

I wouldn't even consider launching my boat in winds that stiff.  Not only is it unsafe, but boat control is impossible.  If you are fishing in conditions like that from a kayak...nice knowing ya.

3 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

Speed and onboard storage. Beyond those two items a kayak is just as useful for the process of fishing.

How about fishing with another person or two?  You aren't going to have 2 or 3 people fishing together in your kayak.

 

I often take my dog with when I fish.  There's no way she is coming with me in a kayak.