Tips For A Fishing Kayak Necessities

The sun is hanging high in the sky. You can feel your heart pounding.

You’re ready to hit the water with your kayak and you can barely contain your excitement.

Before tossing your kayak onto the roof of your vehicle, you should first organize your belongings. Make sure you have packed the bare necessities, so you can fully enjoy your day with no worries.

What do you need? What can be left at home?

You’ll find out below!

Pack Tightly with Dry Bags

Packing your belongings into your kayak can be a little bit like playing Tetris. However, it is arguably true that packing a kayak is far more difficult.

This is the case, because you’ll have to take the water into account. This is where dry bags will enter the picture.

Dry bags give you the ability to tightly pack various items into a small space, while also preventing these belongings from getting wet.

These bags come in various sizes and some are specifically designed for electronics. Using dry bags is in your best interest.

If you want to arrive at your destination with a fresh set of dry clothing, dry bags are a must!

Bringing A Weather Radio

Mother Nature is as unpredictable as a bass out of water. When you begin your drive, there may not be a single cloud in the sky.

That can all change as soon as your kayak touches the water.

To avoid ending up stranded on an isolated island with nothing, it is pertinent to bring along a weather radio.

Storing a few extra batteries in your dry bag is also a good idea. Make sure your weather radio works as intended, so you can avoid a potential showdown between your feeble kayak and mighty Mother Nature.

Kayak itself

One of the most important items needed for a kayak fishing adventure is a kayak. However, it is crucial to note that not all kayaks are designed for fishing, so take your time and choose carefully.

It really will not do much justice to rely on recommendations from friends or family members, because there is no one-size fits all design.

The first and foremost important factor to consider is where you are going to do most of your fishing and paddling.

Freshwater ponds, saltwater harbors and rivers are extremely popular among kayak fishermen, but totally different environments.

The sit-on-top kayak or SOK is probably going to be your best bet, because they provide easy bailing, more leg room and will roll over very easily.

The sit-inside kayak or SIK is also very popular, because of their lightweight design and capability to provide a much drier ride than SOKs.

Kayaks are available with the following:

• Tackle hatch
• Anchor system
• Rod holder
• Livewell

Perform plenty of research and check out the guides at Southtexaskayak.com for tips for finding the right kayak for your upcoming trip.

Kayak Paddle

A kayak cannot propel itself and you cannot propel it with your arms or legs. For this reason, you will need a decent paddle to propel the kayak through smooth and rough waters.

Buying a paddle can be a little complicated, since you have to measure your arms, torso and shoulders, as well as the width of the kayak. These measurements must be obtained, before you even begin your shopping adventure.

Believe it or not, the kayak paddle can make a world of difference in your performance, energy and comfort levels.

Kayak paddles can range anywhere from 210 centimeters to 260 centimeters in length. The length will depend primarily on your height, paddling style and width of the kayak.

If you are looking for a lightweight paddle, you will need to choose a model constructed from fiberglass or carbon fiber.

Other materials utilized for kayak paddles include:

• Aluminum
• Plastic
• Wood
• Laminate
• Foam

A Proper Flotation Life Vest

Anytime you are out on the water in your kayak, you want to have an enjoyable time.

In order to make this possible, you want to ensure you safely make it to the designated fishing spot and back.

There is simply no better way to do this than by equipping yourself with a flotation life vest.

In fact, anytime you take your kayak on the water, a flotation device is necessary. However, not just any floatation device will suffice.

You want one that will provide enough upper body movement, so that you are not completely restricted, while casting or paddling.

In addition to this, some flotation devices come with special pockets that are perfect for storing key items, like pliers, tackle, and portable radios.

One of the most popular choices among professional kayakers is the auto-inflatable vest. This design provides plenty of unrestricted movement in the boat and can be inflated in case of emergency at any time.

Considering Your Anchor System

You have probably already noticed that kayaks are small, narrow boats. This gives them the ability to rapidly navigate through rough waters with ease and speed.

They are also able to access more secluded fishing spots than other, much larger watercraft.

However, due to the small and narrow size, the wind and ocean currents can have major negative impacts on the stability of the boat. This is why a good fishing anchor is imperative for your trip.

You will find that there are a variety of different anchoring systems available. Sea anchors or drift socks come in handy, when battling rough waters and windy conditions.

These types of anchoring system can actually be attached to a specific structure, like a tree or dock.

Trolley kits can also be useful as well, because they allow you to completely fine tune the positioning of the anchor, which in turn will adjust the position of the boat.

Spray Skirt

Initially, the word skirt might throw you for a loop. Do not be deceived. In the kayaking world, the spray skirt is equally beneficial for both genders.

In fact, it can prove to be helpful in all types of weather conditions. Plus, it consumes very little space.

Spray skirts will prevent the cold water from sending a chill up your spine during the winter.

During the summer and spring, this accessory can still keep your legs and other belongings dry. Even better is the fact that it fits over the kayak and your legs.

Therefore, it leaves plenty of room for your other belongings.

Signaling Device

You truly never know what life is going to throw your way. This is ultimately one of the things that makes kayak fishing so alluring.

Nevertheless, it is also important to take precautions to keep yourself safe and out of harm’s way.

This is why you should never leave the pier without some type of signaling device.

A flare gun is definitely the most effective, but a whistle may also do the trick. Judge the distance you expect to travel away from shore and choose the device that works best for you.

Author Bio:

Jeff is a fishing and kayaking enthusiast, a proud father and an avid Houston Astros fan. Jeff created his kayak fishing blog southtexaskayak.com early 2016 with a plan to provide useful information and resources for kayak fishing, canoeing and fishing in general to new anglers. A longtime passion turning into a new career with the help of his son Kevin. You can email Jeff at info@southtexaskayak.com.