Apex Watercraft Guide: Mastering Stand-Up Kayak Fishing
By Eric Jackson
So you’re here, which indicates that the idea of stand-up fishing from a kayak piqued your curiosity. Responses to this are often polarized – either you’re scoffing at the thought of balancing on a kayak, or you’re grinning, confident in your sea legs.
Regardless of your initial reaction, the tips I’ll share can help improve your kayak fishing experience. Let’s delve into the reasons for standing, methods to try it, advanced tactics, and safety measures to keep you high and dry.
Why Stand and Fish:
- More precise and extensive casting range.
- Facilitates pitch/flip.
- Increases visibility of underwater structures, fish, and other indications of a potential catch.
- More effective hook setting posture.
- Easier to prevent fish from snagging onto obstacles, reducing the chances of losing them.
Summed up, standing while fishing means more catches, provided you’re comfortable enough to concentrate on fishing rather than preventing a tumble.
How difficult is it to stand and fish? Factors to consider:
- Your fitness level, flexibility, leg strength, and weight.
- The height of your seat from the boat’s deck.
- Kayak stability – remember, all boats aren’t created equal. Wider ones are easier to stand in.
Starting Out: Practicing
Standing up technique
On Dry Land: Start with basics on solid ground. Sit in the kayak, place your feet as close to the seat as possible and stand up, applying even pressure on both feet. The stand-assist strap can help lessen the strain on your legs by approximately 30% if you’re not physically fit.
Next, practice sitting back down by squatting as low as possible, maintaining even pressure on both feet before landing squarely on the seat. Avoid placing one hand on the seat while holding a rod in the other! Repeat these steps until you’re comfortable standing up, bending over to grab your rod, casting in various directions, and then sitting back down. At this point, you’re water-ready!
In the Water: Your first in-water standing attempt should be near the shore, donning a life vest. Enter your kayak from the shore, push off into at least 6” of water, and get a feel of the boat’s stability. Trust the boat, remain relaxed while standing, and avoid a struggle to keep the boat steady, which can affect your balance.
Get your feet positioned close to the seat and equidistant from the boat’s center, with a wide but not edge-to-edge stance. Then, stand up! Keep your knees slightly bent and eyes on the horizon (Image 10). Practice shifting your weight between your feet to understand the boat’s lean limits and avoid panic when it does lean.
Finally, practice sitting back down, using both hands or no hands on the seat, ensuring your weight remains centered.
Before Fishing: For advanced practice, try standing up with a fishing rod, while the kayak is moving. Practice paddling and moving the boat with your paddle as a SUP paddle. Casting in all directions, especially behind you, may be challenging initially but will become easier with experience .
Congrats! You’re ready to stand up and fish from your kayak!
Let’s move to some advanced techniques that open up more possibilities for you. You can maneuver your boat using your fishing rod or lure, which increases the number of casts you can do without having to set down your rod and pick up a paddle.
Turning around backward, while requiring confidence and balance, allows you more casting options, especially when anchored or otherwise unable to maneuver .
By now, you should be ready to stand up and catch more fish! Standing up while kayak fishing is a staple technique worth learning, and with some practice, almost anyone can master it.
paddling while standing up- paddle board or kayak?
Stand up and discover a whole new fishing perspective!
Happy Fishing!
EJ