If you are new to kayak fishing, you need to take some time to consider how you are going to outfit your fishing kayak. Remember, you are going to spend many hours on this kayak on the water while you are doing serious fishing.
Outfitting your kayak may take some planning in advance, and it will also need some upfront money to get started. Proper planning is key here because you would prefer to have your fishing kayak completely ready for your first fishing trip.
We will take a look at all the must-haves as well as some great ideas to prepare your fishing kayak for fishing. We will also discuss what to look for in a good fishing kayak.
Start At the Beginning
The first thing you are going to do if you do not have one yet is to look for a good and reliable fishing kayak. The following is a list of the necessary features you can look for in a good fishing kayak.
Stability: Your fishing kayak needs to be stable on the water so it will easily accommodate you while you stand up fishing.
Easy Maneuverability: The fishing kayak should also be easy to maneuver on the water when you need to get to your favorite fishing spot.
Comfortable Seating: If you are going to spend a lot of time in the fishing kayak, you need a comfortable seat to sit on. Some fishing kayaks come with a sit-on-top seat so you can easily see what is going on around the kayak.
Flat Surface: A good fishing kayak should have a flat surface to hold your fishing gear without it rolling out of your reach.
Lots Of Storage Space: You also need a well in the hull of the kayak where you can store fishing tackle or the catch of the day. There should also be enough space in the kayak where you can keep food if you spend the whole day on the water.
Fishing Rods Holders: It will be a good thing if your fishing kayak comes pre-fitted with holders to make it easier for you. If it is not, you can always add them afterward, but that will take a little bit of tech-savvy and time.
Outfitting Your Fishing Kayak
This is going to be the exciting part where you can look for the right gear to add to your fishing kayak. There are a lot of extras you can add to your fishing kayak to make your fishing trip much easier as well as more fun.
As mentioned in the previous section, if your kayak does not come with rod holders, you can add them. The following is a list of what you can equip your fishing kayak with to improve the overall user experience.
Fishing Rod Holders
There are a variety of rod holders on the market if you are not happy with those included with your fishing kayak. These can be adjustable rod holders or flush-mounted holders, and even those that lock your fishing rod securely in place.
Anchors
A good anchor is also a necessary addition for those who love to camp on their favorite fishing spot for improved catches. This will prevent you from being drifted off by tides or currents or any other water movements.
Paddle Leash
Not all fishing kayaks come included with a strong and secure paddle leash, so you need to add one to your kayak. This is an excellent addition to your fishing kayak to help secure the paddles into position and prevent them from getting lost.
While you are out on the water and you have found your spot, you want to stay quiet in position. An accidental bump against the paddles may cause them to fall overboard or even make a noise and scare away the fish.
Ideas And Tips
Improvement means more money, but it also means that you will have better comfort as well as possibly improve your fishing skills.
Comfortable Seat
This is one of the main improvements you need if you are going to be out all day or night on your fishing kayak. If your kayak does not come with a comfortable seat, you can always improve that by investing in a much better quality one.
Gear Tracks
Gear tracks installed on your kayak provide you with a way to have everything close to hand when you need them.
Flagpole And Light
While you are out there on the water, it is not safe with larger vessels cruising around on the water. Light will make a huge difference.
Fish Finders
These nifty pieces of radar equipment will help to improve your chances of a catch for the day by showing you positions of fish. Some of them even come with GPS included, making it even easier for you.
Conclusion
Hopefully, these ideas will help to get your fishing kayak ready for the next fishing trip to improve your overall user experience. All these add-ons to your kayak are available at fishing shops as well as at many online retailers at affordable prices.