by Dan Carns

Kayak fishing as a sport really exploded about fifteen years ago and the manufacturers have responded by producing an army of yaks that are suitable for the novice through professional kayak angler. If you have a recreational kayak, it may be all you need; cut in a couple of flush mount rod holders, throw in your tackle bag and off you go! If you’re considering an upgrade or starting out new, be prepared to visit several shops and ask to test-run them, as you will find an array of new options to consider.

There are several main choices to start, including “Sit Inside” versus “Sit On Top”, peddle drive systems vs paddle power, speed vs stability. Sit Inside kayaks are considered recreational boats and usually need to have additional equipment added to enhance their fishing capabilities. They are generally faster, lighter and dryer and are often used when fishing offshore. They are also less stable in the water and you cannot stand up in them, but those issues may not out-weigh them being faster, lighter, and dryer. Most dedicated fishing kayaks, those made specifically for fishing, are Sit On Top and come with a large assortment of included fishing gear. These are very stable, easy to get in and out of, and have plenty of room to store rods, tackle and even live bait. Generally speaking, they will have multiple rod holders, gear tracks to hold various electronics, pockets and hatches and most have very comfortable seats! The downside to all this convenience; they can weigh twice as much and are harder to transport to/from the launch.

Here is where you really want to make an informed decision, to paddle or peddle! If your kayak is a paddle craft then this is really kayaking, interrupted by periods of fishing! I’m a bit of a purest when it comes to kayak fishing, as I still love kayaking in its original form and as an instructor most people are starting out in a paddle driven craft, so it’s important for beginners to see how it’s done. On the other hand, an angler in a peddle driven craft is hands-free and can fish almost all the time, even re-rigging while moving to the next spot. You will find that almost all kayak tournament winners are using a peddle system, not just for the hands-free option, but for most people your legs have way more endurance in them and you can cover a lot more water.

Price is a real deal maker for many kayakers, as paddle crafts can be half the price of a peddle drive system. We have recently received a shipment of the new Pelican Catch 130’s with their new Hydryve system that is comparable to the Hobie Mirage drive, but at a much lower price, retailing for around $1495.00. This kayak may be just right for you, so plan a trip to our shop, Gulf Coast Kayak, for a test drive in beautiful and bountiful Matlacha!

It’s A Wild World-Get Out There! Fishman Dan

Come by the shop at 4120 Pine Island Rd. Matlacha Fl. 33993 (239)
283-1125 and see for yourself what we have to offer as I’m sure you will
love our location! It’s A Wild World-Get Out There! Fishman Dan