What are your top Kayak Fishing hints and tips?

MikeJW

Hello all.

My name is Mike and I'm here to ask a cheeky favour. (Admin, if this is not allowed please remove this post and my apologies).

I lost my job due to Corona virus. I'm still fit and well as are my friends and family so I count my blessings.

In an attempt to create a virus proof income I have decided to try writing ebooks. I decided to start with my passion and keep it kayak related - Kayak Fishing specifically.

I'm looking for general 'Hints and Tips' to include in the new book. Things that make life easier, simple mods or simple DIY projects. 

I know these pages are full of all of these but I wanted to distill the information down to only the 'TOP' hints and tips.

So if you would like to see your hint or tip in an ebook (and there will be a FREE copy for anyone that makes it into the book!) please post a reply. (It may also become an interesting thread in itself!)

Thank you all in advance for any assistance you can give.

Mike. 

krash

I would try to keep it generic... I hate books that use specific product names, same with forum and social media post.

There is lots of very good fishing tackle and kayak gear available out there. try to be generic.
Its ok to have sections dedicated to specific gear, but cover all the main manufacturers if you do so.

Have tips on buying tackle, kayaks, paddles, and other gear, not manufacturers product specific

Add information about paddle vs peddle vs power electric & gas.

Separate fishing into different categories Freshwater lakes, ponds, canals, Inshore, Offshore...

John McKroid

Wow Mike, That sounds like a labor of love!  Like Krash said, it would have to be somewhat generic as fishing methods and techniques vary from area to area, so what works well here probably no so well somewhere else.  Somebody once tried to encourage me to write a book about kayak fishing.  When I think of how long it took me to learn versus the small amount of compensation I might receive, I decided I am not ready to do that.   I wish you good luck in this endeavor.  Let us know when it is completed.

gogittum

.....and make sure you specify the difference between peddle and pedal.

NSB Photog

From what I've seen on YouTube, every kayak fisherman's first purchase should be a GoPro.  That way they can record and upload hours and hours of footage of that one 12-inch largemouth 100 yards away eating a frog next to the lily pad spliced in with b-roll footage of water dripping off the paddles and dubstep music.

Trevfishin

The one thing I’ve learned is keep it simple. The first time I went out on a yak I tried to carry it all with me. I quickly realized it was just more stuff to get in the way and potentially lose getting back to the beach. 

Doesn’t mean don’t go u prepared, just do a better job of organizing and taking what you need, not what you want. 

krash

Un-prepared.. one of the points that should be covered is Safety Equipment.. and different states/countries have diferent requirements.

As I write this LEO is currently looking for a missing kayak'r in Miami.. they found paddle flowting in the intercoastal, and an empty kayak las night in Dumfoundling Bay.

Kayak_Pete

Leash everything that you want to keep.  I make my own.  Here's a pic of a very short one.  I have used metal sleeves on both ends and just knots on both ends.  This example has one of each. That's a Scotty #590 nylon snap hook which sells on Amazon 6 for $10, ouch.  I used to buy them from Austin Kayak for $1.19 each.  So this short leash cost me all of $1.40.

My experience is that the shrimp in my bait bucket stay fresher longer if I recycle the water or just dump the bucket overboard and leave it there temporarily.  You could use a leash for that.

Check out the archives, those that still exist.

Kayak_Pete

I have a kayak checklist pinned to the garage wall by my kayak, a reminder of everything I need to do and take.  You wouldn't believe the number of times someone from my kayak club forgot to bring a paddle. 

I got the idea of a Kayak Float Plan from one of those kayaking/fishing books I read.  Let people know where you're going and when you're coming back, what you and your kayak look like, and what gear you have on board just in case.  I leave a copy on my truck dashboard and text a copy to someone I check in with on my return.

John McKroid

Checklists are a must for many types of fishing.... especially kayak..... nothing worse than arriving at the destination early in the morning only to realize you forgot something -- Been there, done that.