Kayak Fishing has exploded over the past 8 years, I am sure you have noticed. There are a number of reasons for that, but it can basically be narrowed down to modern designs that make fishing easier and more productive for almost anyone.
With no motor to fuel, no batteries to charge, and the ability to float in a few inches of water and get where powerboats can’t go, the attraction starts to make sense when you think about it.
Kayaks, however, have also become more complex and heavy as they have evolved. Trailers are the norm for the biggest ones with pedal drives, or even electric motors. Fishing Tournaments out of kayaks have become so popular, that you can fish a tournament almost every week in just about every corner of the country.
There is something for everyone in kayak fishing. Florida is a particularly great place for kayaks, especially the simple paddle drive kayaks that go through heavy weeds, super shallow water, and can be easily transported from your vehicle to the water, even if you have to cover some distance.
The only reasonable way to enjoy bass fishing many of Floridas 8,000 lakes, marshes, and ponds is out of a kayak due to no motor rules, difficult access, or shallow, weedy water.
Here are a few tips to enjoy kayak fishing and maximize the benefits it has to offer
Go Light-
- Choose a lightweight boat. Every kayak manufacturer puts the boat specs on their websites. The lighter the boat, the easier it is to get to and from the water, as well as on and off your vehicle.
- Pack light-
- Bring only a few rods
- Combine your tackle boxes into one or two boxes with the tackle you want to use that day.
- Leave it home or in your vehicle. You don’t need to bring an abundance of stuff to fish a day on the water. Remember you’ll have to load it on, drag it to the water and back and unload. Pack light means pack less and spend less time packing. Spend more time fishing.
Learn some efficient and effective paddle strokes- In a kayak, your body is your motor and your paddle is your propellor. I have instructional videos on paddle strokes that will make you last longer on the water, go faster, and be more effective going where you want to go.
Use Google Earth or Maps in satellite mode to find new waters to fish, and catch more fish. Find marshes on the big lakes where big boats can’t go and expect better fishing, or find small ponds, creeks, and marshes that are stand-alone and don’t get any pressure. Use the “onX Hunt” App to find public access to them. You’ll have new waters to fish every time you go out if you want to as the quantity of amazing fishing that exists in Florida is ridiculous.