Unlimited fishing potential. Minimal startup investment. Outstanding exercise benefits. No maintenance fees.
Too good to be true?
Kayak fishing is a lot like powerboat fishing, minus the repairs, storage fees, fuel, insurance and weekend launch ramp chaos. Kayaks offer an inexpensive entry to anglers getting on the water for the first time, as well as the perfect exit strategy for boaters trying to downsize. Solitude, self-reliance and a good workout come at no extra charge.
While some people might view the kayak’s limited speed as a fishing liability, that isn’t necessarily the case. The slower pace of kayaking can actually improve angling skills because it emphasizes the mental aspects of fishing necessary to be consistently successful. That old adage that fishing tournaments are won the night before? It applies equally to kayak fishing.
Kayakers don’t have the option of firing up the outboard and blasting off to a new spot in search of fish, so they invest more thought in selecting a target area and how to fish it properly. The kayak’s stealth, and its ability to launch virtually anywhere, more than offset its lack of range, and fish-holding structure is easier to spot at four knots than it is at forty.
Anglers contemplating a kayak purchase today can test-drive infinitely more models than I originally had to choose from. There are sizes, styles, features and colors that accommodate virtually everyone—most of my fanatic fishing partners are actually women. The sit-on-top kayak (SOT, versus the traditional Inuit-style sit-inside model) has especially evolved as the fishing flagship of the plastic navy.
Versatile SOTs are far less cumbersome to get in and out of, and offer greater, more accessible dry storage space for gear, along with easier accessory installation. Sealed, watertight hatches and self-draining scuppers keep SOTs afloat and dry even if they flip over, so they are far more functional under adverse weather conditions. The biggest models support 600 pounds of weight—900 with the introduction of the Hobie® Pro Angler 17 tandem—and provide stand-up stability for sight-fishing, along with built-in space for eight fishing rods, camping gear and the family Labrador.
Fortunately, kayak fishing doesn’t require jamming the boat with stuff in order to catch fish. My checklist of essentials: seat, paddle, anchor, life jacket. The basic tenet of kayak fishing is its simplicity, making it easy and inexpensive to get started. If you insist on toys, an entire industry of kayak-specific fishing accessories few people could have envisioned a decade ago—camera mounts, lights, rod holders, electronics, elevated seats, livewells, coolers—is largely targeted toward the SOT market.
Perhaps most importantly, anglers can choose between traditional paddling and hands-free foot-drive propulsion that can double the number of casts in a day. Utilizing far greater torque—and the fact that most people have stronger legs than arms—pedal drives are also superior in negotiating wind, current and waves.
Kayaks are perfect for families and friends to fish together—in separate boats—without getting on each other’s nerves. However, for fishing partners who share small spaces well (or parents introducing children to the water), there is no better vehicle than a tandem kayak for chasing redfish on grass flats, sight-fishing bedding bass or just bird watching.
While the chauffeur quietly handles propulsion and steering, the angler concentrates on spotting and casting to fish. Hobie has front and rear steering controls to their Outfitter, Oasis and new Pro Angler 17 models; anglers can now switch responsibilities without switching seats. If you prefer night fishing in the heat of summer, tandems also excel for pulling fish away from dock lights.
Finally, don’t overlook the health aspects. Kayak fishermen get an excellent upper or lower body workout (some models allow both), plus cardiovascular benefits.
But it won’t seem like work.
