Things to Know Before Buying a Fishing Kayak

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Do you in love with the idea of enjoying the beauty of nature while fishing for hours on a boat? If you do, then we can guarantee you that it is indeed a lovely experience that everyone should enjoy. Fishing gives us a piece of serenity in spite of all the stress and pressure that life throws at us. Fishing allows us to sail away from the shore and enjoy the freedom of exploring different bodies of water.

But as the saying goes, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”. Regardless of your chosen location, fishing can keep your stomach full as long as you have the knowledge and skills. This is also one of the main reasons why fishing is a popular hobby and sport. If you love paddling with a kayak, you would definitely enjoy it more if you fish.

Here are some things to know before buying a fishing kayak:

• Length

Just like any other boat, you should be aware of the fishing kayak’s length before buying one. Take note, the performance of your fishing kayak can be affected by its length too. The longer the kayak, the faster it can be but quite harder to turn. On the other hand, the shorter the kayak the easier it is to maneuver but a little slower. Though the length of short kayaks may vary, it will always be shorter than 11 feet.

At the same time, long kayaks’ length may vary too but it will always be longer than 12 feet. Depending on where you are planning to fish with your kayak, you should always take note of its length. In this case, most long fishing kayaks are used in big lakes, sea, ocean, or rivers. The short fishing kayaks are used in small bodies of water that include small ponds and lakes.

Its length also depends on your height and weight. It is not advisable to get one shorter than 11 feet if you’re a 6 footer that weighs over 130 kilos.

• Design and Stability

Clearly, not all fishing kayaks are the same especially when it comes to its design. Some kayaks are designed with a wider body while others are slimmer or narrower. Longer kayaks with a narrow design are typically used in sports and races since it runs faster in the water. On the other hand, shorter kayaks with a wider design are best for fishing due to its added stability.

The bigger body frame you have the wider your kayak should be especially if you want to stand up. This way, you don’t have to worry about tipping over any minute every move you make.

• Storage

Since you will be using a kayak to fish, storage is very important. If you like to bring lots of gear, then you really need bigger storage regardless of your kayak’s size. Make sure that it offers enough storage to carry everything you need on the trip. Some fishing kayaks are designed with molded areas to carry coolers or even milk crates for storage. Other kayaks also have their own integrated storage if you don’t fancy bringing external storage. Depending on the kayak’s sitting arrangement you prefer, the available storage may also vary.

Sit-in kayaks have an open space in its hull where you can store your gear while sit-on-top kayaks include molded internal hatches. Thus, consider the things you need to carry on the boat before buying a fishing kayak. What’s important is that you know how to maximize the available storage in your kayak once you take it for fishing.

• Gadget Accommodation

Since we’re already in the 20th century, gadget plays an important role in our lives whether we like it or not. As a matter of fact, most people nowadays can’t even complete their way without using at least one. Even though you are out and about to enjoy the calm water, it won’t hurt to bring at least one. Considering that your fishing kayak’s storage is secure and safe from water, you can carry your phone or a digicam.

This way, you can capture the moment while you enjoy it. You can even play soothing music in the background while you fish. Just don’t turn the volume too high if you still want to relish nature’s sound.

• Rudder

The fishing kayak’s rudder can be dropped into the water and retracted back to its little storage. You can control it by pulling 1 of the 2 rotation cables connected to it. These cables are connected to the kayak’s swivel wheel which helps it to rotate using a single attachment point. Unlike other parts of the kayak, the rudder is usually attached as an external mount located on the stern. However, other fishing kayaks may also have it at on the back of the boat.

Regardless, it comes in handy when controlling the kayak. Using the rudder requires you less edging to keep it following its course even if the wind blows the other way around. Thus, it can be easier for you to turn the kayak right where you want it.

• Portability

With all the things you want to bring on board, don’t forget that it adds weight to your kayak. Of course, this includes all the external mounts or attachments that you might want to add in your boat. Thus, it can be harder for you to carry it once you needed to drag it before reaching the water. So unless you’re going heading straight to the shore with your wheels, it’s best to consider the kayak’s portability.

Final Words

So there you have it. With the help of this fishing kayak guide, it will be easier for you to find one now. Depending on your needs and your budget, you can decide on what type of kayak you should buy. However, be careful when choosing cheap kayaks since you can’t guarantee its stability.

Set a budget but never sacrifice the kayak’s quality and performance just because you saw something cheaper to save money. Always take note of these things before you buy a fishing kayak.