It’s true to say you can fish from any kayak that has enough room to hold the equipment you’re going to need, but you may notice that a casual kayak or a touring kayak won’t have the stability you need while fishing kayaks are made specifically for that purpose.
The best fishing kayak will have all sorts of little bonuses that might not be absolutely vital but will make your fishing trip easier and more enjoyable but more importantly, the best fishing kayak will be safe and stable so you can stand up to fishing or scope out your fishing area.
Here are some decisions to make and tips to choose the best fishing kayak you want: Tip #1-Speed vs. stability. Decide which one you want before buying. Fishing kayaks won’t have the speed of a regular kayak through the water because they are wider in the spotlight. In narrow waterways, they are however more maneuverable. You’ll lose stability and manoeuvrability if you want pace. You could go for a medium-length boat with a medium-wide width but you probably won’t get all the little extras like rod holders.
Practice #2-Probability. If you want to combine fishing with whitewater paddling, you’ll need a very well built, rugged boat.
Practice #3-Sit in a kayak or sit on top. In a sit on top kayak, you’ll be able to move around more quickly but you can stay cooler and dryer in a sit in kayak. What you choose depends on the time of year you plan to go fishing, and the location of course.
Tip #4-Passenger Number. If you are going to have visitors, tandem kayaks are eligible for fishing with an additional bench. If you are an adult male in your business, make sure the maximum weight the boat is carrying is enough.
Tip #5-Choose a kayak that comes with comfortable seats and rests in the back. Without these it can be tedious to have an entire day on the water. Ensure the seats are large enough to hold riders off the kayak deck.
Tip #6-The bailers themselves. If you have your hands full of fishing gear, a self-bailing kayak is a good idea.
Tip #7-Space to store. Even if you don’t want to spend much money on your kayak, make sure there’s enough room to hold your spare fishing gear secure while you’re paddling or fishing.
Tip #8-The whistles and bells. Rod holders (four is a good number for a tandem kayak), paddleholder(s), cup holders, tackle box and container and plenty of water resistant storage will be the perfect kayaks for fishing. You’ll pay a little bit more for a well-fitted kayak however.
Tip number 9-Color. While a brightly colored kayak is more noticeable and therefore ideal for protection, if you are trying to paddle softly along quiet rivers and lakes and fishing is your primary purpose, a bland paint like olive or sand would render you far less noisy and clear to the fish.
Practice #10-Checks. Read all the comments you can get when you’ve found a few potential fishing kayaks. There’s nothing like having the feedback of people who have actually purchased a boat themselves and used it.
