When fishing at Guntersville, I was bringing 4-5 rods my first trips when I had no idea how I would be catching them. I am now bringing 1 frog rod and one 1punching rod and one spare in case I break something horsing big fish out of the weeds with 50-65 pound line. More importantly, I am bringing VERY limited tackle. 2 extra frogs, 2 packages of soft plastics, 1 extra Tungsten, some hooks, a swim jig, a structure jig, one pliers, one line Cutterz, three bottles of Gatorade, one T-shirt, one Hat, PFD, Buckboard, phone. No need to bring battery for electronics. I am bringing a GoPro or two to capture some video. Total weight of Everything I am bringing is less than 10 pounds, but I am bringing 6 pounds of water.
When smallmouth fishing, it is similar. Three rods, one for top, one for middle, and one for the bottom. Everything fits into a very little tackle box for extras, and a small speedbag if I need soft plastics.
What NOT to bring is as important as what to bring for outings like this. I can drag my kayak through the woods while holding my rods and paddle in another hand. Forget the big tackle boxes, forget the crate, the 10 rods, a terminal tackle box, or any dedicated tackle boxes. Create a mixed box with only what you need and WILL use, not what you may use. If you know what you’ll be using mostly, bring an extra or two if you might break off.
What happens when you pack light like this?
- You know what you have and it is readily available without searching.
- You can leave it in your boat for the next outing.
- Your boat will float higher and be faster and more nimble.
- The effort to pack your boat, and unpack it is way less.
- Your simplified fishing experience is refreshing and enjoyable.
Here is a video that shows how I pack. Fast forward to 6:20 in the video to get right to it.
I understand and know that you see the top competitive kayak fisherman with pedal drive kayaks, trolling motors, and a hundred pounds of gear or more. Many have 10 rods sticking up vertically dragging in the wind, catching trees, bridges, and in the way of casting. Of course you can be successful fishing this way, and the top ones are. Keep in mind that all of the kayak fishing tournament trails are moving closer to the formats you see in a bass boat, with limited take off points (often boat ramps only and only a few) and less ability to go remote. It is a shame to see leagues attempt to take away everything from kayak fishing tournaments that represent the kayak in the first place and turn them into “really little bass boat” tournaments on big boat waters. This is happening in part, by those who load their already heavy boats up with so much stuff that they need a boat ramp, and then don’t like it when people fish where they are unable to, or unwilling to go in their boats. I enjoy fishing the KBF because I can put in anywhere that has public access on the body of waters or their tributaries we are able to fish. Hopefully it won’t bend to pressure to force kayak tournament fisherman battle it out with the bass boats.
Lots of vertical rods, lots of heavy gear- this takeoff could be for a bass boat tournament.
There is a place for all kinds of boats and styles of fishing. This is what makes kayak fishing so special. My style isn’t for everyone. It is an athletic style that provides physical fitness and fishing at the same time as exploration and the promise of adventure. However, the streamlined, more purest form of kayak fishing can be more relaxing, and is certainly easier to pack for, load into your vehicle, unload out of the vehicle into your kayak, and then back again. It is also a different mind set. There is a certain confidence you get when you fish with less stuff. Yes, there are times where you wish you brought something, but 100% of the time you are glad you don’t have to deal with stuff you don’t use.
Give it a try!
🙂
EJ