Kayak Fishing Trip Checklist

by | May 13, 2020 | Instructional, Resources

There are two categories where you can improve your kayak fishing trip with a detailed checklist.  

  1. To make sure you don’t forget anything, and
  2. To keep you from bringing too much stuff that weighs you down and gets in the way.

This is a generic checklist for freshwater fishing, or protected water salt fishing.

Overall goals:   

  • Be Safe
  • Be comfortable
  • Have Fun
  • Catch Fish
  • Be able to pack and unpack easilySafety Checklist:
  • PFD- lifejacket- While it rarely happens, you may fall into the water.   You should know if you are able to get back into the kayak by yourself or not, for starters. If not, don’t venture too far from the shore, especially when the water is cold. If you are reasonable fit, you should be able to get back into the boat quickly. If that is the case, you can consider the inflatable or the standard PFDs. If you can’t get back in, consider a standard foam PFD with extra buoyancy from a CO2 cartridge like the Mustang Khimera.
  • Cell Phone- bring your cell phone in a waterproof case for emergencies. Let people know where you went and are going before you get out of cell phone range. Keep your phone in your PFD pocket or on your person if possible.
  • Proper clothing for the elements- during colder months, make sure to have extra clothes or an outer layer in case bad weather or an unwanted spill into the water happens.   

Comfort Checklist:

  • Bring a snack and drink even on a short trip as paddling can make you hungry and thirsty.   
  • Bring sunglasses, a hat, pants, and a shirt that covers exposed skin if you burn easily or will be out for a long time. The thighs are the most common area of major sunburn for people kayak fishing for the first time as they don’t get much sun normally. Sunscreen if you wear it.

Fishing Checklist:

  • Fishing Rods- 1-4 (anything over 4 and you are crowding your boat, and not selecting your style of fishing in advance. You’ll likely catch less fish and be annoyed at the rods getting in the way)
  • Tackle Bag- pack no more than 3 Plano 3700 size boxes- likely you can manage with 1. Keep your selection of sizes and colors to 1 or 2. Light and dark, large and small, or just medium. Bring enough soft plastics for the day, but not more. Plan on biting the ends off of worms, for example, to get more use from them. Plan on using a trailer missing a leg, etc. You’ll find you are spending more time fishing and carrying less weight. 
  • Tools- Pliers and scissors or Buck Knives Splizzors.  
  • Buckboard if you are measuring fish for a tournament.
  • GoPro Camera if you are capturing any images or video of your day.

Paddle:  

240cm for your Apex Tyr. 250 if you are over 6’2” tall. 235 if you are under 5’3”

I recommend a carbon fiber paddle to go with your carbon fiber kayak. The weight savings and feel of the paddle in the water makes your day on the water more enjoyable and more efficient. Each paddle stroke takes less energy. Lendal makes the lightest paddle and also makes it in a bent shaft, which is more ergonomically friendly, preventing wrist and arm soreness.