By Guide Rick Buss:
So, you’ve got a kayak and you’re planning to set it up to go fishing. Hopefully, I can help so you are able to get it right sooner rather than later. Your rigging can be the barest minimum or you can go high tech with all the bells and whistles.
If all your fishing plans revolve around small freshwater ponds and lakes, then your fishing kayak can be as simple as a little sit-inside hull with a rod stuck behind your seat. If you plan to fish big water, sweet or salt, you will want to opt for something more seaworthy and capable of handling rougher conditions. Generally, the fish are a bit bigger. In this case, I would choose a sit on top kayak.
We here at Belle Isle Kayak Adventures, have a variety of kayaks that run from untouched models to what I feel is needed to successfully fish almost anywhere, anytime.
For a fully rigged saltwater kayak, I feel the things needed are:
- A decent fishfinder, and GPS. I like the combination FF/GPS units.
- A good paddle (with an extra if you’re in a paddle kayak), and a paddle leash.
- A rudder, so you don’t waste energy or break rhythm by paddling on one side only or dragging a paddle.
- A flag and a 360 degree white light, both mounted high enough to be seen when you’re sitting in the trough between swells.
- Rod holders, these are essential for paddlers and handy for pedal-powered craft.
The placement of the above equipment is up to the user. I suggest you use some duct tape to temporarily fasten these items to your boat while you sit in the cockpit. Go through the motions of paddling or pedaling, reaching for a rod in the holder, and pushing buttons on the FF/GPS. This will give you a good idea of where you’ll want to locate these items more permanently.
Personally, I prefer to make as few holes in my boats as possible. You’ll notice in the photo of the fish finder that it’s mounted on a board that I just slip under those two bungee cords when it’s in use and later stow in the forward hatch for transport and storage. The transducer is stuck to the bottom inside with electrical putty, it stays put yet I can pull the whole assembly out and put it into a different kayak in about five minutes.
Various companies make track rails that can be mounted along the gunwales that serve as an attachment point for rod holders. That way, you can slide them back and forth to tweak them even further.
Depending on what kind of fishing you’re doing, sometimes an anchor comes in handy and is also a good piece of safety equipment should you want to hold in an area against wind and/or current. If you decide to use an anchor, then an anchor trolley is needed. It’s a pulley system much like an old clothesline that enables you to run your anchor line off the bow or the stern, so that your kayak points up to the wind.
Check articles on kayak rigging and NewEnglandKayakFishing.com for some other ideas.
Kayak fishing and fishing kayak rigging are uniquely personal, so take your time and think it out. Then, make it your own. See you out there…soon!
FORECAST BY: Guide Rick Buss, (617) 719-2036, www.belleislekayakadventures.com. Kayak specialist and fishing guide Rick Buss fishes, dives & snorkels off his kayak. He runs his guide service out of Belle Isle in Winthrop but can deliver kayaks to your location.