7 Tips To Get Better At Kayak Fishing By Dung Bui
Though a kayak is a means of transportation, it has widely been used for some other purposes as well. Fishing is one such thing that a kayaker does. There are some water bodies which are not large enough to let a boat move in it for fishing. Doing it on a kayak gives you the liberty to get into the remote waters where shore fishermen and boaters cannot go.
Before you get yourself a kayak and rush into the waters, there are a few things that you need to know. Doing something like this without having any prior information is never a good idea. If you are new to the field and looking for some tips to get started, go through, and do consider these instructions in advance.
Talk to an expert
A number of people have been in kayak fishing for around four to five years, which makes them a good mentor. Although they don’t consider themselves to be an expert, holding such an experience suggests otherwise. Having a piece of advice from an expert before doing any strange thing is always helpful. Experts will teach you the measures that are of importance and significance. Practising them, however, is based entirely on the one who is learning the new things.
Selection of a Kayak
Before purchasing a kayak, you need to self-introspect as to what exactly you are going to do with that. Is it a small lake, or a bigger river that you’re going to go? A number of parameters, like stability, storage compartments, seating comfort, transportation of the vessel, have to be looked upon when purchasing a new kayak. Always choose the best kayaks for fishing. Now best means the one that suits your requirements.
Sit-in-Kayaks, Sit-on-top, recreational, touring & sea kayaks, and the whitewater kayaks, are the available options from which you can select the one that best suits your needs, style, and budget.
Use Life Jackets
No matter how good you are at swimming, it is always good to have a backup. Life jackets save do save lives, but only when you wear them. There’s nothing more important than a life vest, quote the experts, when you are in a water body. Bring along the first aid kit, emergency repair kit, and a whistle as well.
Mind the weather
When going for kayak fishing to an unknown location, it is recommended that the weather data of the destination be collected and read beforehand. The foggy environment can make you lose the sight, and eventually the track. Winds, be it the head, tail, or the crosswinds, can be very dangerous for a person sitting in a small vessel surrounded by just waters. Exposure to a temperature a few degrees below the normal body temperature, for an extended period, can even lead to hypothermia.
Higher temperatures are not good for you either, as it may cause the heat stroke. Failing to prevent your body from getting overheated due to the sun rays can lead to skin
Don’t forget the food and water
These two are the definite necessities at any given point of time. While you are on the waters for whatever period, make sure you don’t get dehydrated. Drinking the sea water will not make you feel any better; rather it will cause some health issues. Having plenty of water-rich fruits is always recommended when fishing. Eating and drinking, in a few subsequent periods, keep the stomach inflammation away as well.
Learn the angling skills
You must have an idea about how to handle your kayak at all times. The usage and handling equipment, like paddles, anchors, on board, needs to be learnt properly. These skills techniques include; one-handed cast, handling of the paddle with one hand, since paddling with two hands is a cake walk even for a completely inexperienced person. Learning to use feet to paddle, and utilizing the currents have an added advantage.
Keep a radio in the stack
Having a radio which works on very high-frequency (VHF) bands can come to your rescue when you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere. It is the only means you can communicate to the people in offshore areas. If it is fog around, and you can’t see a thing, a radio is something that will let you know if you are being an obstacle to some other water vessel around. It will most likely prevent an accident from happening in the first place.
So, here the tips one can follow to transform himself from a naïve kayaker to a virtuoso of the field.
Kayaks have one more advantage that they cost significantly lesser than their fuel burner counterparts, and so not create any noise as well. A person with a kayak does not have to pay any property tax for the possession, unlike the one having a boat. The mode of fishing has lately garnered the popularity and is gradually becoming a sport.
Though a kayak is a means of transportation, it has widely been used for some other purposes as well. Fishing is one such thing that a kayaker does. There are some water bodies which are not large enough to let a boat move in it for fishing. Doing it on a kayak gives you the liberty to get into the remote waters where shore fishermen and boaters cannot go.
Before you get yourself a kayak and rush into the waters, there are a few things that you need to know. Doing something like this without having any prior information is never a good idea. If you are new to the field and looking for some tips to get started, go through, and do consider these instructions in advance.
Talk to an expert
A number of people have been in kayak fishing for around four to five years, which makes them a good mentor. Although they don’t consider themselves to be an expert, holding such an experience suggests otherwise. Having a piece of advice from an expert before doing any strange thing is always helpful. Experts will teach you the measures that are of importance and significance. Practising them, however, is based entirely on the one who is learning the new things.
Selection of a Kayak
Before purchasing a kayak, you need to self-introspect as to what exactly you are going to do with that. Is it a small lake, or a bigger river that you’re going to go? A number of parameters, like stability, storage compartments, seating comfort, transportation of the vessel, have to be looked upon when purchasing a new kayak. Always choose the best kayaks for fishing. Now best means the one that suits your requirements.
Sit-in-Kayaks, Sit-on-top, recreational, touring & sea kayaks, and the whitewater kayaks, are the available options from which you can select the one that best suits your needs, style, and budget.
Use Life Jackets
No matter how good you are at swimming, it is always good to have a backup. Life jackets save do save lives, but only when you wear them. There’s nothing more important than a life vest, quote the experts, when you are in a water body. Bring along the first aid kit, emergency repair kit, and a whistle as well.
Mind the weather
When going for kayak fishing to an unknown location, it is recommended that the weather data of the destination be collected and read beforehand. The foggy environment can make you lose the sight, and eventually the track. Winds, be it the head, tail, or the crosswinds, can be very dangerous for a person sitting in a small vessel surrounded by just waters. Exposure to a temperature a few degrees below the normal body temperature, for an extended period, can even lead to hypothermia.
Higher temperatures are not good for you either, as it may cause the heat stroke. Failing to prevent your body from getting overheated due to the sun rays can lead to skin
Don’t forget the food and water
These two are the definite necessities at any given point of time. While you are on the waters for whatever period, make sure you don’t get dehydrated. Drinking the sea water will not make you feel any better; rather it will cause some health issues. Having plenty of water-rich fruits is always recommended when fishing. Eating and drinking, in a few subsequent periods, keep the stomach inflammation away as well.
Learn the angling skills
You must have an idea about how to handle your kayak at all times. The usage and handling equipment, like paddles, anchors, on board, needs to be learnt properly. These skills techniques include; one-handed cast, handling of the paddle with one hand, since paddling with two hands is a cake walk even for a completely inexperienced person. Learning to use feet to paddle, and utilizing the currents have an added advantage.
Keep a radio in the stack
Having a radio which works on very high-frequency (VHF) bands can come to your rescue when you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere. It is the only means you can communicate to the people in offshore areas. If it is fog around, and you can’t see a thing, a radio is something that will let you know if you are being an obstacle to some other water vessel around. It will most likely prevent an accident from happening in the first place.
So, here the tips one can follow to transform himself from a naïve kayaker to a virtuoso of the field.
Kayaks have one more advantage that they cost significantly lesser than their fuel burner counterparts, and so not create any noise as well. A person with a kayak does not have to pay any property tax for the possession, unlike the one having a boat. The mode of fishing has lately garnered the popularity and is gradually becoming a sport.