Kayak fishing: basics you need to know

Fishing in lakes and streams can be a unique experience for many anglers that are keen on trying out new techniques and improving themselves. 

In this regard, learning how to fish from a kayak can be a wonderful asset in your skill arsenal since from it, you can easily reach different fishing spots and try your luck in areas that few others will.

However, there are still some things that you need to know about before heading out for your first kayak fishing trip.

In this article, we will touch upon just that - the basics that you need to know about canoe fishing.

What to know before your first canoe fishing trip in terms of safety

Mastering canoe fishing isn’t difficult, however, if this is you first time heading out into the open waters, keep the following things in mind:

• Bring company - fishing from a kayak should be done in accordance with all safety recommendations. For the first time, you should definitely bring someone to keep you company not just for the sake of fishing or maneuvering and paddling in tiring waters.
• Wear a life jacket - life jackets aren’t there to give you an embarrassing look, they’re there to protect you from potential disaster. Make sure that you and all of your passengers are wearing jackets all the time until you reach dry land.
• Stay centered - when casting, reeling or fighting a fish, you might find yourself rocking the boat from side to side, which can eventually lead to the vessel tipping over. Stay centered as it is by far the place that offers the most stability when on water.

How to properly set up your canoe for fishing

Apart from the safety tips we’ve discussed above, there are some additional things you should do in order to ensure that your vessel is up for the fishing trip.

• Minimal gear - only take the essential gear and keep your tackle to the minimum that you’ll need. This is especially true if you’re not planning on catching anything big your first time out, so leave everything non-essential at home.
• Pay attention to your rig - as you prepare your vessel for fishing, you need to make sure that it has been rigged appropriately. Here you need to consider the conditions of the water that you’ll be fishing as well as your personal experience. For beginners, your best bet is either a diamond or hybrid rig that will keep objects from rolling around in a canoe.
• Have casing for your gear - waterproof bags are a great way of securing the gear that you aren’t using  in case your vessel does tip. This way your gear will stay dry and won’t sink to the bottom of a lake.

At water. How to fish from a canoe.

Lastly, we’ll talk about the very process of fishing from a canoe as it differs from your typical shore angling.

• Be quiet - when in the water, especially if it's a shallow and clear area, make sure that you make as little noise as possible. It’s very easy to scare fish if you make loud and sudden noises.
• Stay smart with your spots - typically, your best bet is to cast as close to any water structure or vegetation spot as you can. Fish are more likely to use these places for habitat and feeding, which naturally increases your chance of a bite.

All in all

Today we’ve discussed the essentials of canoe fishing. It could be said that trying your luck from aboard a vessel is definitely a unique and rewarding experience, however things like safety and good preparation shouldn’t be disregarded.