Tips for Fishing from a Kayak

Here are some tips for fishing from a kayak. While larger boats are more commonly used for fishing, the kayak has a number of features that make it a great choice for fishing. The small size, light weight, and lack of a motor are all features of a kayak that an angler can use to his or her advantage. Plus, kayaks are significantly less expensive than a traditional fishing boat meaning that they are available to a wider range of anglers. Kayaks can also be rented at many lakes and rivers so that an angler can try one out before purchasing one.

Tips for Fishing From a Kayak - Skip the Boat Ramps

While many large lakes provide multiple boat ramps, there are many areas of the lake far away from the ramps (and other anglers) that a kayak can be put in. Even though bass boats can quickly cover a lot of area, the farthest points from the boat ramps likely receive little fishing pressure.

Tips for Fishing From a Kayak - Small Rivers

Small rivers, creeks, and streams are the natural home for kayaks. Many small rivers that are too deep to wade receive little fishing pressure except where bank fishing is easy. This provides those with a kayak a great place to fish.

Tips for Fishing From a Kayak - Fish on Thin Ice

When a lake has a thin layer of ice on it, it is time to get out the kayak. When the ice is to thin to walk on, most anglers tie a rope to a concrete block and bust open holes to fish through. But those with a kayak can simply head out onto the water. The length of the kayak helps to distribute the weight making it unlikely that the ice will break but if it does, the kayak will still float. Bright, sunny days are best as the ice will melt a little and provide a wet surface for the kayak to slide along. Kayakers will still need to bring along something to make a hole with to fish through.

Tips for Fishing From a Kayak - Go Past the Riffle

Where rivers, creeks, and other streams come into a larger river or lake is often a great place to fish. However, those fishing from a boat with a motor are stopped from going past the first riffle in the stream (or must lift or remove the motor to get through). Kayakers have no such problem as the boat can simply be carried or dragged across to reach the other side which likely receives less fishing pressure.

Tips for Fishing From a Kayak - Fish in the Weeds

Kayaks can be placed into thick masses of weeds and other aquatic vegetation where other boats generally do not go. On hot summer days, the water under the vegetation will be shaded and cooler and these areas are also the home of many prey fish making it an ideal place to fish. One useful method of fishing these thick mats of vegetation is to paddle into them, gently make a hole with a paddle, and drop a jig or bait through the hole (much like ice fishing).

Tips for Fishing From a Kayak - Go Under Cover

Kayakers sit low to the water and this can allow an angler on a kayak to cast under branches, into dugout areas under banks, and under docks and other structure more effectively than those fishing from a higher boat. Kayakers can even slide under limbs and fish banks that others might simply skip over.