By now you’ve probably heard about the sport of kayak fishing. In case you haven’t let me quickly summarize it up for you. Think of your favorite boat, maybe it’s a large off-shore walk around, a classic pontoon, or even a sleek new bass boat. Now remove the outboard, inboard or electric motors, replace that with a paddle, add a little chaos and viola—you have kayak fishing. Okay, so it’s not exactly like that, but you probably have an idea about how crazy your fishing trip just got. The real idea behind kayak fishing is inherently simple, yet infinitely variable. The amazing thing about kayak fishing is that it requires less, but in many aspects, offers more. Here’s why:
Less Money
“Man I wish I spent the extra money to have my motor warranted,” said no kayak fisherman ever. Kayaks are exponentially cheaper to acquire, maintain, and own than any motorized boats on the market. In most cases a motor itself will cost significantly more than your entire kayak fishing setup. And of course, you haven’t actually bought the boat you’ll need to use it with yet. The costs associated with motor maintenance are another reason to look toward kayaks. This is an ongoing expense that never goes away. Now we can cover the cost of filling your new best friend up with fuel. This is actually a very easy topic to address…it sucks. And finally once you’ve purchased your new engine for your boat, it’s now time to pay the yearly cost of registration or property taxes. That’s right, every year.
Less Space
One thing you’ll notice about kayak fisherman is that they don’t all drive 2500 Power Duty Magna Sport trucks or SUV’s. Because they don’t have to in order to get their boat from point A to B. Many kayak anglers actually use smaller cars to haul their kayaks. And while a powder blue Prius doesn’t exactly exude manliness or power, it does get just under 50 miles per gallon. And believe me if you asked the guys who travel across the country every week with bass boats if they’d like a hundred extra miles out of a gas tank half the size they’d beg you for the keys. (Just make sure to let them know the Prius can be wrapped, so no one has to know it’s actually powder blue) And the smaller cars fit much easier into a garage, which by the way is a perfect place to store your kayak. And did I mention that kayak can be stored suspended from the rafters, above the lawnmower and the grill? So you can have your boat and a driveway!
More Options
If you’re like me, then your goal in fishing is not necessarily to catch quantity, but, rather, quality. Kayak fishing is a great way to go after larger, less pressured, fish of all types. If you’re in a small creek or river, the shallow salt tidal marshes or the flooded timber of a major impoundment, there are places you can get into where fish aren’t as educated simply because larger boats can’t get to them. This will greatly increase your chances at better quality fish. Many of the great destinations offer amenities that you can take advantage of, and since you didn’t’ have to spend $150 on gas for your boat, the entire family can come along and enjoy themselves.
More Fun
There will always be an argument for the “run n’ gun” luxury that a motorized boat will afford fisherman. However, when I speak with people once they’ve fished from a kayak they often relate to me that there’s “something different, and pure, about being in a kayak.” The approach to fishing changes when you do not have the option to fly across the 15,000 acre lake to find fish. Many men and women have said, in fact, it makes them a better angler to be limited to a relatively small area. I have also found I’m able to appreciate what’s around me much more when there’s no electric hum or fuel smell to pollute my senses.
This month, take the time to consider all that kayak fishing has to offer. In many ways this time of year offers some of the best fishing from the coast to the mountains. So grab a paddle and find your new favorite way to fish.
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