When you are fishing, comfort is a big priority. Since you are going to be out on the lake all day, you need to make sure that you have the best experience you can. When you are fishing in a kayak, you are at the mercy of the seat. If you have a seat that is too hard then you will be in pain all day. This will affect how you see future fishing trips. Below is a quiz on the importance of kayak fishing seats.

Are kayak fishing seats expensive?

a) Yes
b) No

The correct answer to this question is b. Kayak fishing seats are actually very reasonable. If you think about their importance in relation to how much fun you have out on the lake or in the ocean, they seem even more reasonable. Even if you spend $50 on some nice seats, it is still worth the money because of how long you will be in the seats.

Do I need a cover for the seats?

a) Yes
b) No

The correct answer to this question is a. Since your seats will be in the sun for a long period of time it is a good idea to protect them with a cover. A cover is very cheap and it works well to protect your more expensive seat investment.

How long do the seats last?

a) A year
b) 5 years

The correct answer is b. With proper care you can have you seats last even longer than 5 years. Like with any products, if you take care of it very well then, it will last a lot longer than it would under normal wear and tear.

Kayak fishing seats are a great way to have a nice time out on the lake or the ocean. If you take the time to find the right ones, it will make a big difference in your level of enjoyment.

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From pond fishing, and slow moving creeks, or small lakes, to saltwater marshes, and even deep sea, offshore saltwater fishing, there is a Perception kayak model available for all types of kayak fishing enthusiasts. Finding these types of kayaks for sale can often be a tough time though, especially if you are determined to find one already rigged, and trying to save money. These criteria present quite a few obstacles, that many anglers are going to find out, is just not available. You can either find a used Perception kayak for sale, that doesn’t have any rigging, or you can find a brand new Perception model, that is fully rigged for kayak fishing.

The length, and width of these boats make them incredibly maneuverable, while still allowing for ample storage space. They are also constructed of heavy duty composite plastics, and even carbon fiber, or kevlar, to increase their durability even further. Cheaper model kayaks will begin fading, and losing their color over time, while the durable plastic that Perception uses for will continue glistening for years to come, even from harsh saltwater and the bright sun abusing it day in, and day out. If you had been on the fence about whether or not to consider Perception kayaks for your fishing purposes, then you may want to think about them again, because they really do the job, well.

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The stealth of a fishing kayak is amazing. Until you have been out on the water, and had fish rolling right next to the bow of your boat, or having dolphins swimming next to you, you really don’t understand how quiet these boats are. You are truly able to paddle over the top of schooling fish, and begin ripping lips, without ever disturbing a soul. When it comes to chasing fish that love shallow water, kayaks will get you back into places, stealthily, where big boats just cannot make it. This is by far one of the greatest reasons to get into kayak fishing.

The cost of fishing on a kayak is also another huge benefit. Large stinkpots cost upwards of $30,000 for the conveniently equipped, shallow running boats, whereas, a fishing kayak, that is pedal powered, or even trolling motor powered will run you around $2,000. There are even boats being built that allow you to stand and fish, such as Native Watercraft, and the classic Gheenoe. While the Gheenoe isn’t considered much of a kayak, kayak anglers rave about the boat when they are looking for an alternative to their fishing kayaks. If you had been on the fence, consider these few benefits, and then decide whether or not you think kayak fishing is right for you.

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First, make sure that you have the necessary rigging in line, on the boat before you buy it, or that you have the budget required to rig the boat with the necessary kayak accessories, once you have made the purchase. Having an ill rigged fishing kayak can mean the difference between you dreading your time on the water, or enjoying every minute of it. Most anglers consider leashes, a crate, a seat, rod holders, and an area for your coolers as required accessories, so you should begin looking for boats that already have these installed, to save yourself some money.

Next, you will want to think about your size, and the comfort of the kayak. By having adequate storage hatches, or the necessary flat space required to properly stow your gear, you will be able to move around much easier. Thinking about the size of your prospective kayak, compared to how well you are going to fit in it, and be able to move about, will save you a lot of frustration on the water. It will also make your job of rigging the boat much easier, if the fishing kayak you purchase doesn’t already have the required accessories.

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If you are someone that is going to need to go out and purchase the best new shiny kayak to fulfill your needs then you are probably going to want to consider reading some fishing kayak reviews to ensure that you are getting everything that you need from the boat. Manufacturers tend to do a very good job at providing anglers with what they are looking for, but sometimes they throw a boat together with accessories mounted in random locations. These are almost a waste of money because you are going to buy them brand new, and turn around to sell them when you find out that they are uncomfortable.

For those of you that want to save some money, but still get on the water you are going to be able to find used fishing kayaks that have been scratched and dented, but are still floating. Often times you are going to be able to find someone that, like mentioned in the previous paragraph, have dropped large sums of money to rig out their shiny new kayak, only to find out it isn’t right for them. When they turn around and tell the boat is your best chance at getting a super deal, and getting into the sport for less than a few hundred dollars.

photo credit: rappensuncle

As stated, there are tons of fishing kayak accessories that can help you get more from your fishing trips, coming in the forms of rod holders, paddle leashes, comfortable seats, fishing crates, trailer setups, and even trolling motors mounted to the rear of the boat. While these types of motors don’t give you the speed that you would expect, they still produce 3-4mph and a lot of fun while you are bouncing around fishing, saving your energy.

Just make sure that you have spent the time figuring out exactly how you think you want your boat setup, so if you do end up purchasing brand new you will still get the fishing kayak that you are looking for. If you are attempting to buy used fishing kayaks, you won’t get to be a choosy about which kayak you buy, but they often come pre-rigged with kayak fishing accessories, and are ready to put in the water.

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Why do people have such a fascination with kayak fishing?

In the last few years, you, as well as others, may have noticed that kayak fishing is growing at a very fast pace.  There are more and more people coming on board every day, either for the thrill of fighting a fish, or just enjoying the outdoors in a peaceful setting.  Whatever floats your boat though, this sport is growing fast.  Most people get into kayak fishing because it is cheap, economical, easy storage, and silent, to name a few reasons.

Cheap doesn’t begin to describe kayak fishing.  If you look around, you can find a used kayak for less than $300 with a paddle and life jacket.  This, compared to a $25,000 bass boat, is chump change.  You can even get a brand new sit inside at big box retail stores for $200.  That is unbeatable!  You don’t have a payment every month on that big sparkley speedboat, or the $200 per day gas bills.  Talk about economy!  (If you haven’t yet, sell your bass boat.  Take the $600-$800 per month you spend, and buy a kayak.  The next month, rig it.  After that, enjoy all the money you have left over!)    When it comes to storing, you can fit most kayaks inside of a closet, or hung upside down in a hallway or garage.  If you have rigging or accessories to store, then keep the kayak upright, and hoist it to the ceiling.

Silence and stealth are one of the main reasons that I chose kayak fishing as one of my favorite hobbies.  Fishermen, bass fishermen especially, have been targeting fish with lures since at least 1949 when Mr. Creme released the plastic worm.  Face it folks, that is 60 years of genetic conditioning.  Fish just aren’t as aggressive as they were in 1949. (Or maybe I tell myself this. Hmm..)  They have grown, from generation to generation, to become smarter than your average sunfish.  Redfish and other sought after saltwater species are already attuned to noises, especially boat noises.  Since these are the two most highly sought after species, kayak fishing falls perfectly into line with stalking them.

In a typical bass boat, people are talking, dropping rods, taking steps around the boat, or just generally making noise.  What people don’t realize, is that this noise is amplified through the empty space in the hull, and transmitted down into the water.  Fish may not hear this sound, but the lateral line allows them to feel changes in frequencies through the water.  In other words, fish feel every bit of this action, and it turns them off.  When they feel something, and can’t figure it out, they don’t eat.  Think about yourself for a second.  If you are nervous, are you hungry?  What about when you figure out what is making you nervous, and it either goes away, or you fix it.  I bet you’re hungrier then, right?  That is why so many people pick up kayak fishing, because there is nothing to bang around on the boat, and you can literally glide over the top of fish.  I have been in the creek on more than one occasion, and could have grabbed stripers rolling right within my hands reach, off the side of my boat.  While still paddling, this is amazing.

Why more and more fishing kayaks are being bought each day.

Now, more than ever, people are buying a lot more fishing kayaks.  They have finally come to realize that the big 70+mph bass boats, and 45+mph flats skiffs are not necessary to catch fish.  More times than not, you catch less fish on a boat than you do out of fishing kayaks.  You can sneak back into any area, and tear it apart.  When was the last time your bass boat was in the sticks on the south end of the lake?  We used to get out of our boat, and wade along the shoreline, hunting for spawning females.  Now, with fishing kayaks, you are able to spot the bed from a better distance, and creep up onto it.  People finally see that kayaks are stealthy, and this is helping their sales, guaranteed.

Another reason people are picking up more fishing kayaks, now than ever, is the storage.  You can’t store a bass boat easily, or a 14-16ft skiff for that matter.  You can easily get 3-4 kayaks up on the wall, mounted, to be able to take the entire family out with you.  Or just have different fishing setups, for different waters. (Me!)  Kayaks also force fishermen to take only what is required for the day out on the water.  I was able to sell off 3/4′s of my tackle, and enjoy a vacation to Bimini with the profits.  Not bad, ‘eh?  I even catch more fish now too!

You don’t have to gas up fishing kayaks.  You don’t stink like gasoline, and you don’t have to deal with the bill.  It is very expensive running decent sized boats these days, and when gas prices were up to $4.50 a gallon and higher, it was rediculous.  It was impossible to take your boat out for the day.  The trolling motor would die, and even that, cost an arm and a leg to charge the battery on.  Times are tough these days, and people realize that you can get into fishing kayaks for very little money.  They also hold their value, and are easily sold if you need to.

What you should look for when purchasing your first fishing kayak.

This is where a lot of people tend to get confused when they start looking for that first fishing kayak.  I say first, because remember, this is your first boat.  It is not your last boat, I guarantee it.  Start with a cheaper fishing kayak, I prefer used boats myself.  The cheaper, the better.  You are probably only going to own this boat for 6 months tops.  You will be able to sell it again for a little less than what you paid for it, or if you bought extremely used, maybe make a profit.  Back to the point though, your first fishing kayak should be cheap.  Lets discuss sit on top vs sit inside kayaks.

The sit-on-top fishing kayak is the most sought after breed of kayaks.  These things are, in my opinion, streamlined barges.  They are wide, usually 32″ or so.  This provides excellent stability, with most of them allowing you to hang your legs over the side of the kayak while fishing.  I call them barges, because you can carry everything, including the kitchen sink on a sit on top fishing kayak.  The flat surfaces provide endless rigging options, you can mount whatever you want, wherever you want it.  Most also have a recess in the aft (rear) of the boat, that is a perfect fit for milk crates or coolers.  We’ll discuss milk crate setups later, stay tuned.  These boats, like I said earlier, are highly sought after.  This also means, that finding one used can be an issue.  Finding one cheap, and used, is almost impossible.  You will have a sit on top one day though, I promise.  Until then though, set your eyes on the real prize:  a fishing kayak you can use now!

That brings me to the topic of the sit inside fishing kayak.  These things are decent little boats, that get discredited quite often.  I am not afraid to use them, for my ego fears me.  Or something like that.  They are perfect in cold weather, because you are sheltered from the wind, and with a skirt, you are also protected from the water.  If you go using hacksaws to your sit inside fishing kayak like I will show you how to do, it is not suited for cold water.  If you roll this thing, you will be in some trouble!  It will bail quick though!  Rambling, sorry.. back to the point.  The sit inside boats allow you to store sufficient gear, as long as it can be kept below deck.  There are ample mounting options, though most aren’t as sturdy as you would find on a sit on top.  The sit inside variety provides a lower center of gravity though, and this helps with your hooksets.

Besides, you can pick up a brand new sit inside for $200, rig it the same way you would a sit on top, and be on the water just as long, or longer than other fisherguys (and gals!).  The cheaper models aren’t near as comfortable as the nicer sit on tops, but for the price ($300 total, paddle and vest included), you can get on the water.  Once you are out, you can rig and modify the boat to fit your needs.  Just remember that this isn’t going to be your last boat.

How to set up your kayak rigging the proper way, to ensure maximum safety on the water.

A few things that you must consider when you are setting up your kayak rigging, are safety, comfort, safety, and reach.  Did I mention safety?  Lets go into this one first.  When you are setting up your new kayak, (probably a sit inside, right?) you don’t want to have your safety gear out of reach.  I am specifically talking about a 360 degree light (for night fishing), a loud, loud whistle, and a bright orange and silver metallic flag.  These items must be in reach.  Though not required by the Coast Guard, other boaters just don’t care about you, your family, or your little kayak out on the water.  Jet skiers have almost made it into this territory, with more and more getting dangerously close to kayakers.  While kayak fishermen shouldn’t be fishing in these areas anyways, you do have to cross bays, harbors, rivers, and active creeks from time to time.  (Some people carry a surf rod with a 3oz or 4oz lead surf weight… Like a bullet flying across the bow of the little jet ski.  He got in your area though, remember!)  Some day, we will get respect, probably when they are trying to fish with us, in their shiny new $2500 Hobie Pro Angler fishing kayboat.

The next thing to consider when you are thinking about your fishing kayak rigging, is the comfort.  For this, you are going to probably only need one trip out on the water to figure out what needs to be done.  If you are able to afford a higher priced kayak, you may not need to modify the comfort at all, instead spending time on rigging.  For those like myself though, a $200 kayak is not very comfortable, and will probably leave you sore the first day.  This is ok, though.  Take a week off, and figure out what to change.  Then check out the store, and get what you need to fix it.  I usually put padding around any rough plastic edges, and add some padding where my arms, and the padde rest.

After safety, comfort, and safety, comes the actual kayak rigging.  You don’t want to have anything out of reach, as moving around out on the water isn’t really easy.  It can be done though.  Most of the time, I will put the rod holders directly behind me, and I prefer the post mounted ones.  There are cheaper flush mounts, that do the job, I just feel I am going to lose a rod while I am trolling.  An anchor trolley can be setup on the side of the boat, to help you position it while you are fishing.  Storage for tackle usually consists of smaller plano tackle cases, thrown inside the boat, or inside a milk crate setup.

A few kayak modifications that will make your day on the water more comfortable.

If you went the cheaper route, and got the $200 boat that I have been telling you about, there are a few kayak modifications that I believe are necessary, to make your day a little more comfortable.  On these cheaper kayaks, any rough edges need to have some padding on them.  I spent the first day on this sit inside, and my knees and calves were rubbed almost raw, and my elbows were banged up pretty nice.  This wasn’t good.  It was easily fixed with some A/C line insulation from the Depot, for around $4.

One other thing I did add to the list of necessary kayak modifications was to take a hacksaw to the fore (front) and aft (rear) of the boat.  On these cheaper sit in kayaks, there is just no room for storage, and most of the time, the seat is molded into the rear deck.  This means that, anything that makes its way behind the seat, stays there.  Not anymore, I tore it apart.  Cutting a hole into the front and rear decks of the kayak opened up a lot of area to be utilized.  It didn’t effect the kayaks structure at all, and increased fishability more than I can forsee.

The last on the list of kayak modifications, would have to be an anchor trolley.  These things are such a dream to have, and are made of parts available at any store.  They help you control the direction of the boat, into the wind or current.  If you move it to the front of the boat, you will be facing the current, or wind.  Move it to the back of the boat, and you will be facing down the current, or have the wind to your back.  It is a pretty simple concept really, putting an anchor on a loop, allowing you to pull it to the front or back of the kayak.  I will teach you how to build a basic one later, so I hope I didn’t confuse you too much.  I will clear it up in a later post, or even a video.  Never know.

Some kayak fishing tips, may help you boat the big one.

When I was talking about anchor trolleys, this also helps when setting the hook on a fish.  If you have your kayak facing sideways, with the fish at your side, think about how much pressure you can really put on the fish.  When you set the hook, all of the energy travels through, sideways, and dies.  If you have your kayak facing the target, when you set the hook, the energy travels lengthwise down the boat, and you can feel the power in it.  It is an entirely different feeling, than having your kayak positioned improperly.  These aren’t big boats, remember.  You aren’t standing on a platform, putting all your might into ripping the fishes lips off.

Since you aren’t able to set the hook with the power you can muster on a big boat, I strongly suggest you use sharp hooks, and use a couple a day (for your longer trips).  If the hook doesn’t stick into your skin with ease, change it.  Fish have strong skin, especially the mouths of tough redfish.  Bass have a very thick bone structure that makes up their lips, so you often have to have a wider gap, extremely sharp hook to get through.  The sharp hooks also create a smaller entry point.  By having a smaller entry hole, it means that the barb on the hook is going to hold, because you didn’t rip a big hole around the hook.  This is why fish are able to throw the hook 99% of the time when bass fishing.  Either this, or too heavy of a weight.  That is for another day, however.

The last of the kayak fishing tips I can provide to you, is cover up.  This mainly applies to daytime fishing, especially down here in the Florida sun.  By this, I mean put a pair of pants on, usually khaki colored, and a lighter blue long sleeve shirt.  You will sweat, but I guarantee that you will be more comfortable like this, than getting eaten by bugs, or having cancer build from being exposed too long.  The next part of the get-up is the hat, with the drop down neck cover.  Yes, you are starting to look like a yuppie, but what is more important?  Looks, or comfort … and your life?
Wow, this post got epic pretty quick.  I hope I can help at least one of you with something in it.  Remember, when you are out on the water, always have your safety gear.  This includes clothing.  Never get caught without it, you never know when you will get caught.  Remember, tight lines, from Kayak Fishing Edge.

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It is once you get to the limits, that the kayak will just dump you.  No warning, just let you have it.  This is called secondary stability.  Fishing kayaks are usually wider, and provide greater secondary stability.  These boats, because of being wider, also allow you to carry more gear.  Wider kayaks provide greater initial and secondary stability.  Length also plays a role in this, but not as great of one as width.

You will be most apt to dump your kayak getting into, and off of the boat.  You should practice these things before you load your yak down with gear, to avoid losing any money to the drink.  When it comes to sit on top kayaks, you will flip your kayak getting into and out of it.  Until you learn the sweet spot, that is.  Sit in fishing kayaks generally have less stability, and really feel like they are going to tip.  This is mainly because of your weight being below the water line, kind of providing a pendulum effect.  With this being said, the sweet spot on a sit inside is very minimal.  Once you find it, it is too late.

Just paddling around, and doing some fishing though, kayaks are not easily flipped.  I can count the number of times I have flipped mine on a “practice” (I didn’t mean to!) session on one hand.  Kayaks aren’t really as unstable as people make them out to be, but with such emphasis being pushed to stability, and reviews pointing to it, people get a false representation that kayaks are unstable.  This just isn’t true.  While you are just yakking around fishing, unless you get into a swift current and a sticky spot, you should not have a problem.

So to sum it up, yes, you will flip your sit inside kayak while getting in or out.  No, you probably won’t flip your sit on top, or your sit inside for that matter, as long as you practice exiting, and re-entering.  And, you may flip it if you end up in a sticky situation.  I hit a section of swifter current, and got pinned against a tree sideways.  This was a very scary feeling, so if swift currents are in your area, make sure you practice maneuvering without any gear on board!  Make sure to stay safe out there while Kayak Fishing, so you can stop back in here and check for new posts!

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