How to better outfit your fishing kayak depends on the type of fishing you are doing and the situations you are going to encounter. Small streams and reservoirs need factors separate from, for example, offshore big game fishing.
Any sort of fishing you wish to do, kayaking fishing has some special requirements because there is limited space accessible. Prioritizing the most important items you need to access more often will be crucial, and keeping them within easy reach. Many anglers prefer keeping it simple and having the minimum amount of gear: some like bringing anything they might like. There are some simple attachments that can improve, or render it more angler-friendly, a kayak’s fish-ability.
Seats: Apart from a paddle and the fishing gear I’d say a high quality seat is at the top of the priority list. If you want to spend your day fishing easily, you need to buy a quality seat kayak, or mount one on your own.
Rod Holders: These are comfortable and practical locations for secure paddling, fishing or trolling with your sticks. Many kayaks come with flush mounted rod holders or rod holders placed on flexible racks, from the manufacturer. Many kayak vendors can configure your kayak to match your fishery needs by installing rod holders for you: you would choose to install your own.
There are many different styles and rod holders to choose from 1. Flush mount rod holders are low in profile and provide a clean sheet, therefore they are less likely to be a line catcher (especially while fishing for fly). Adapters are available for fly rods, and for traditional rod extensions. When not in use both can be disabled.
- Flexible rod holders mounted on the deck are entirely up and down flexible and provide 360-degree rotate. They come in spin / bait casting versions, or fly sticks. Some may be omitted if not in service, which is a nice feature if you are fishing by flight.
- There are many other possibilities to add rod holders to chairs, milk crates, and many other design setups.
- Regardless of the type of rod holders you’re using, a rod rope should be secured so you don’t drop them overboard. If you’re going to have to make a wave entrance or exit, you can store or lock your rods so they won’t get misplaced in case of capsize.
Anchor Systems: These encourage you to not only remain at one location where you want to fish, but also routinely fish a large area. Whether you’re fishing for visibility, blind casting, or trolling, you need to cover the area as thoroughly as possible and the right anchoring device would help you to do that.
As the foundation for your anchor scheme, you will continue with an anchor trolley: a continuous line running through a pulley on your bow to a pulley on your stern with a snap hook on each end and tied to a middle ring. You should connect your anchor line to or through the loop, so you can change your anchor line from any point along the kayak’s entire length.
This setup allows you to steer your kayak in whatever direction you want in relation to the wind or sea, being able to cast with ease in any direction. When you want to get out of your kayak and wade around, just disconnect the forward hook from the ring and bring the ring back to the rear pulley if it’s going to jam it. Instead loop the cord across your waist upwards and drag the kayak behind you.
Now that you have your anchor trolley in place, how can you make best use of it for your fishing form 1. Anchor: A 1.5 pound or 3 lb kayak anchor would be the most widely used. Grapple anchor model although many other styles are on the market.
Keen (Amazon) Float Tube Anchor-really light weight 13 lbs. Anchor all aluminum in grapple form.
Kwik TekA-2 Full Grapnel Anchor System (Amazon) 3 1/3 pound 4 fluke folding anchor stays in dirt, sand, gravel and rock, 25 foot long marine grade rope and a nylon storage case-the bouy helps you to unhook and drop the anchor without the trouble of dragging it in each time and the grapel keeps well in rock and sand.
Advanced Canoe and Kayak Anchor System (Amazon) system for a canoe or kayak, galvanized grapple anchor collared for 3 lb. Complete with a travel bag of 60 foot, caribineer, line float and net. When anchor is mounted, moving collar locks flutes open Functions very well and holds my kayak in place when fishing coves and other places where the string is long enough. Have no trouble with the snagging of the paw. Normally, I secure two of the four claws that might support too.
Seattle Sports Kayak Fishing Anchor Set (4.7:5) for angling 1.5 pound folding anchor… Features a ring and 2 carabiners, 50 foot rope, drawstring storage bag. No sharp edges and fit well in stronger waves or more wind with an inflatable kayak tho, maybe want a 5 lb.
- Anchor line: You need enough anchor line to get the full depth of water you’ll be fishing with. On your trolley system drive the dead end of your anchor line through the ring and into the kayak. To attach the anchor line off and change the line length you should have a cleat or a clam / jam cleat placed on your kayak. When using a clam or jam cleat, make sure you get one with a hole to pass your line into, and tie a knot at the end of your thread. So, if your line gets out of the cleat you’re not going to lose your anchor and string.
- Chain: Use an anchor that best suits the sort of bottom you are fishing with. If I’m fishing over a rocky ground that would hold a standard anchor I use a chain wide. Also a chain fits well on a very thick bottom of dirt, because it falls into the water. You should change the drift speed by the amount of anchor line you’ve let out.
- Float Chute: If you are in water that is too deep for anchoring, or if you float across a plateau and you want to slow down, you should use a drift chute. If you are facing a large fish you can also use a drift chute to make it harder for the fish to drag you around. The location of your kayak can be changed using your anchor trolley system.
Lindy Fishermans Series Drift Sock (4:5)• Ideal for any fisherman• Safely enjoy fishing • Strengthened nylon avoids fraying; robust • Quick to mount• Fisherman series drift sock strengthens nylon for fast deployment and quick recovery without tangling Comes in various sizes… How to decide every 18-54 inches in 6: increments I used this drift sock for three months and I am very satisfied with its results. It’s a standard part of my fishing package and is used to reduce my drift speed whenever the breeze drives me along (which occurs very frequently). Both supplies are high duty reinforced plastic sheeting and nylon strapping; I believe they will last a long time. I use a carabiner to install my anchor trolley with the hat. The lines on the sock are long enough to discourage a kayaker from having an extra brace though most boaters would definitely do. To allow quick retrieving, you will also need to add a dump line to the small end of the plug, otherwise you will be dragging in a water-loaded boot. All in all, well spent money.
Seattle Sports Kayak Drift Anchor (Amazon)• 36 “Lx 6″-12” W • Stows flat for quick carrying • Special drawstring opening at both ends• Keeps you from sinking • Helps monitor rudder steering 5. Stake Out Pole: A stake out pole is a small pole you can use to pole your kayak while sitting down, or a longer pole you’d use while standing up and fishing.
