Choosing The Right Fishing Kayak
Presented By Fishing Kayak Diary
Learn about the sport The information highway can lead you to some pretty secluded waters too. While cruising the Internet, if you phrase the questions properly when you search, you can find enough information to quickly overwhelm you. Often you'll find that kayak fishing clubs have already been established in your area, kayak fishing guide services are available to take you to your target species, and discussion forums are buzzing with curious folks like you, as well as seasoned veterans sharing advice. All of these things are available to you long before you ever buy a kayak.
Be About your goals Will you be fishing fresh water, salt water, farm ponds, huge lakes, slow moving rivers, offshore, warm water, or cold water, launching through the surf, or from a dock, or a tiny opening in the shoreline, or a combination of all of these ? Will you be content with taking minimal gear, or will you sometimes want to take a family camping ? Start your journey with the end in mind, and that will help narrow the list of choices.
Speed versus stability, length versus width, and other trade-offs This is battle of good and evil, so to speak. Longer kayaks are normally faster than shorter ones. Wider kayaks are normally more stable than narrower ones. Kayaks that have some "rocker" (upswept bow) do well in waves and current but not as well on flat water. Don't blame the manufacturers. Blame the laws of physics that pertain to all things that float. Often, new paddlers realize that the boat that seemed stable in the beginning soon appears to be slow.
Inside or on top Most kayak anglers prefer the sit-on-top variety of kayak. This allows them to easily add accessories, and also enables them to get out and wade. However, this can be a wet ride at times. So, some choose to fish from "cockpit" style kayaks, which are basically a traditional sit-inside kayak with a much larger cockpit opening. The cockpit boats are great when fishing cold water, and can be a much drier ride.
Consult the experts, try before you buy
Seek out a kayak shop in your area, ask some questions and advice, and take a test paddle in as many kayaks as you can, even ones that you don't think you'd like. Many kayak dealers will allow you to rent a kayak and then apply all or part of that fee toward a new kayak. It's hard to make an informed decision about what fishing kayak is best for you based on a short paddle or simply the opinions of others. These dealers can often provide a class about paddling technique as well.
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