boomchakabowwow
Bushmaster
ever since the beginning of time, humans have been modifying things and taking it to the next level.
to each their own. I am not judging.
to each their own. I am not judging.
Kayak fishing
- Thread starter Riverpirate
- Start date
Other people might overcomplicate things, but that doesn't stop you from keeping it simple. My inflatable kayak is basic. Just a paddle and life jacket.
But I haven't taken mine out at all this year! I need to get out there before it gets cold. My only complaints about kayak fishing - (1) my back begins to hurt after a while, but i think thats a function of the standard life jacket that i wear (2) lack of overall mobility, cant stand up or really move much at all. You just gotta hope a snake doesnt fall from a branch into your lap.
But i love the ability to access otherwise inaccessible spots. You get to see hidden bits of nature that most never see. I once found a very deep pool in an otherwise inaccessible small stream in the middle of absolute Nowhere, Missouri that was filled with nothing but huge gar. They were hardly alarmed by my kayak at all and i just paddled around and looked at them for an hour.
My feeling about it lately is that next time i go out, i dont want to bring fishing equipment. It gets to be a hassle. Maybe i am just losing interest in fishing in general. Or maybe watching people on YouTube saltwater fishing in Australia, Florida, etc made me lose enthusiasm for catching 2.5 lb bass. I think just being out on the water is plenty enjoyable for me these days. I suppose I'll just bring some binoculars and a bag to pick up litter next time i'm out.
QUESTION - Does anyone here kayak in the winter? It honestly sounds really nice and peaceful. Fewer Bluetooth speakers and people yelling...
Pic is a couple excellent books for those of you who are interested in catching smallies in rivers
But I haven't taken mine out at all this year! I need to get out there before it gets cold. My only complaints about kayak fishing - (1) my back begins to hurt after a while, but i think thats a function of the standard life jacket that i wear (2) lack of overall mobility, cant stand up or really move much at all. You just gotta hope a snake doesnt fall from a branch into your lap.
But i love the ability to access otherwise inaccessible spots. You get to see hidden bits of nature that most never see. I once found a very deep pool in an otherwise inaccessible small stream in the middle of absolute Nowhere, Missouri that was filled with nothing but huge gar. They were hardly alarmed by my kayak at all and i just paddled around and looked at them for an hour.
My feeling about it lately is that next time i go out, i dont want to bring fishing equipment. It gets to be a hassle. Maybe i am just losing interest in fishing in general. Or maybe watching people on YouTube saltwater fishing in Australia, Florida, etc made me lose enthusiasm for catching 2.5 lb bass. I think just being out on the water is plenty enjoyable for me these days. I suppose I'll just bring some binoculars and a bag to pick up litter next time i'm out.
QUESTION - Does anyone here kayak in the winter? It honestly sounds really nice and peaceful. Fewer Bluetooth speakers and people yelling...
Pic is a couple excellent books for those of you who are interested in catching smallies in rivers
I kayak fish year round. Some of my biggest fish come in January on the river.
I took up canoeing to increase my fishing. Didn't work. I fish less, because the canoe is just too much fun. Yep, I enjoy seeing the wildlife.
I paddle year round. Dress for immersion. Carry spare warm ups in a drybag. Enjoy the peace and quiet.
daytripper
Tracker
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I stopped fishing a long time ago. I just like seeing the fish and I see plenty of fish while paddling. I also paddle year round. Right now the colors are changing every day. For me it's always very rewarding just to get on the water.
I like to keep things simple, myself.
The more complicated you make things, the more likely it is for something to go wrong. I don't even have a fishing kayak, just a regular cheap sit-inside kayak, and I make it work. It's not as easy or convenient, but it's simple, and that's kinda the whole mantra of Bushcraft.
The beauty of fishing is that you can make it as simple and cheap as you like, or as expensive and complicated as you like. It's all up to you.
The more complicated you make things, the more likely it is for something to go wrong. I don't even have a fishing kayak, just a regular cheap sit-inside kayak, and I make it work. It's not as easy or convenient, but it's simple, and that's kinda the whole mantra of Bushcraft.
The beauty of fishing is that you can make it as simple and cheap as you like, or as expensive and complicated as you like. It's all up to you.
Look at this kayak. Six rods, a huge tackle storage box, forward-facing sonar, a cell phone holder, and some other electronic screen. I'd almost bet it's got a GoPro mount somewhere as well as an anchor system and maybe a powerpole. If he's car topping this, it must take an hour to set up and break all this down, if he has a trailer that is taxes and a plate to deal with instead. Looks like more money in accessories than the boat is worth.
To each their own, but at this point I wonder if he wishes he had bought a boat instead
View attachment 2179197
I bet the farm he is using a trailer. He has added a ton of RAM mounts & RAM bars to this kayak. My RAM bar with 3 RAM mounts weigh about 10 pounds, and this guy has several RAM bars mounted to each side and center. The hull weight alone without rigging for these type of kayaks are 100-110 pounds, plus the RAM mounts and bars, guessing as heavy as 135 lbs. which is already over the weight for rooftop mounts.
Wow, he also has a foot pedal paddling system and a trolling motor, this is the most rigged kayak I have ever seen before.
I had a 12v battery, sonar/fish finder, GPS, Marine VHF radio, metal anchor & Drogue floating anchor, and RAM mounts, but this guy made me look like a was riding a barebone kayak. He probably spent at the very least $7k for everything there. (Hobie Angler kayak with motor costs $7k and they are one of the more expensive kayak companies out there)
At that $$ figure, and since he needs a trailer, I would have definitely gone with a boat myself vs. a kayak.
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A kayak has a purpose and in places they shine, skinny water, small backwater ponds, creeks, and the like. These kayaks with everything from forward facing radar to powerpoles are not that type of kayak; these things are really just competition-driven machines.
What you are referring to seems to be sit in kayaks and not sit on top angler kayaks or ocean sit in kayaks. Kayaks like the one i had and the Ocean sit in kayaks I mentioned are designed to handle the ocean. But I agree with what you said , this guy has one of those competition-driven machines. I am too frugal to do set something like this up with a kayak but would easily do so with a boat
I have sunk a little money into kayaks. I love them. Living in Michigan I have many lakes, the Great Lakes and have been going to the ocean also.
Hobie Pro angler
Hobie lynx
Stealth profisha
Old town ePDL. Haven't had it in the water yet.....
Hobie Pro angler
Hobie lynx
Stealth profisha
Old town ePDL. Haven't had it in the water yet.....
Okay, that's one I've never seen. That Stealth looks fast. What's that black thing sticking up in the middle?
looks like the top to a dry storage bin inside the kayak. Mine is oval.
Yes, dry storage. It’s designed for trolling and to be fast and efficient. You can store your rods in the storage area while getting through the surf. Can also used it to store your fish. Also has a live well right between your legs. Pretty amazing kayak.
Which is why I retired from the sport. I still fish from a kayak and canoes but not with all that. Some days I am sorry to say I was one of the pioneers of what this sport has become. It is NOT what I had in mind.
boomchakabowwow
Bushmaster
visiting this thread again. lots of judginess. there are kids on lawns that need yelling at to get off of them. hahah..
and that Stealth above is sick!! I am considering one since I now surf launch. I love how the rods are inside the boat during the launch. a flip in the surf is a laughing matter if rods are not sinking, snapping in half or washing out to sea. hahah. @Berner9 , which profisha is that? I would buy the slowest most stable version for myself. I am not a speed freak, but not judging if you are.
real life. I had a guy in a deck out boat give me lip. he literally said, "you should just buy a boat! you kayakers are like gnats on the water". hahhaha... FROM his lips!! I grinned at him, and said...between both of us, only one is being annoying - dont worry about what I am doing. hahhaha.. this thread has the same vibe. hahahha..
and that Stealth above is sick!! I am considering one since I now surf launch. I love how the rods are inside the boat during the launch. a flip in the surf is a laughing matter if rods are not sinking, snapping in half or washing out to sea. hahah. @Berner9 , which profisha is that? I would buy the slowest most stable version for myself. I am not a speed freak, but not judging if you are.
real life. I had a guy in a deck out boat give me lip. he literally said, "you should just buy a boat! you kayakers are like gnats on the water". hahhaha... FROM his lips!! I grinned at him, and said...between both of us, only one is being annoying - dont worry about what I am doing. hahhaha.. this thread has the same vibe. hahahha..
@boomchakabowwow
It is a stealth profisha 575. If I was to buy again I’d get the 555. Not as long and wider for stability.
Not a speed freak but a basic paddle puts you are 3-4mph easily. Great for trolling.
It is a stealth profisha 575. If I was to buy again I’d get the 555. Not as long and wider for stability.
Not a speed freak but a basic paddle puts you are 3-4mph easily. Great for trolling.
visiting this thread again. lots of judginess. there are kids on lawns that need yelling at to get off of them. hahah..
and that Stealth above is sick!! I am considering one since I now surf launch. I love how the rods are inside the boat during the launch. a flip in the surf is a laughing matter if rods are not sinking, snapping in half or washing out to sea. hahah. @Berner9 , which profisha is that? I would buy the slowest most stable version for myself. I am not a speed freak, but not judging if you are.
real life. I had a guy in a deck out boat give me lip. he literally said, "you should just buy a boat! you kayakers are like gnats on the water". hahhaha... FROM his lips!! I grinned at him, and said...between both of us, only one is being annoying - dont worry about what I am doing. hahhaha.. this thread has the same vibe. hahahha..
Almost like the compound guys whining about crossbows.
boomchakabowwow
Bushmaster
that's the one I want. 555. my friend has one, but cannot seem to warm up to it. he just has his routine down so locked in on his Hobie he is having a hard time adapting to the change.
your white one is stunning. have you dumped it and tried to get back on from the water? same thing with me an my Hobie. I know how to slip back on board should I flip...hate to have to learn a new routine.
. looks slippery..hahah
Soilman
Guide
I've not kayaked much in winter except to occasionally waterfowl hunt. However, I may do more winter kayaking in the future since I'll be retiring mid December. A few years ago I took an old pair of chest waders that leaked around the knees and boots and cut off the boots. Anytime I do kayak in cold weather, I put on those waders and they keep me dry and warm from incidental splashes and paddle drips.
That seems like a great setup, especially with some added neoprene socks and gloves.
I did a deep cave tour in October. We kayaked in a mile and then waded off and on through chest-high cold water for about another mile. I wore neoprene socks and gloves, then synthetic everything else and I actually overheated at one point and had to shed a layer. Granted, this was closer to 50/60 degrees F rather than 30/40. But I would trust that setup to keep me non-hypothermic in cold weather in case of an accidental spill, at least in relatively mild Missouri winter weather.
Thanks for reminding me of this post by the way. I gotta get out there!
his_glory_alone
Tinder Gatherer
I'll only fish a kayak until I am too old to get in one.
It's all about minimalism for me. I only bring one rod. I focus on one presentation that is a guaranteed fish catcher (Ned rig or senko). No boat maintenance and less gear makes the fishing so much better for me.
Can't wait until we get some soft water here in Wisconsin.
It's all about minimalism for me. I only bring one rod. I focus on one presentation that is a guaranteed fish catcher (Ned rig or senko). No boat maintenance and less gear makes the fishing so much better for me.
Can't wait until we get some soft water here in Wisconsin.
Lee C.
Guide
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Same here in VA.
Soilman
Guide
I started kayak fishing about a dozen years ago. To me, the advantage and appeal of a kayak is simplicity, light weight, portability without a trailer, cost, low maintenance and ability to fish where others can't. When you get a peddle drive, deck it out with all kinds of electronics and accessories to the point that it costs as much or more than a boat, weighs enough to have to use a trailer, you may as well have just went with a boat and motor instead. To each their own though.
I agree with the sentiment, but there are sometimes compelling reasons to have all that without a motor. No motor lakes, easier storage, and much less maintenance come immediately to mind.
I prefer the simplicity of a 30-40 lb canoe with a single blade paddle though.