Fishing From A Kayak

October-November 2006

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

Story by Allen Sansano and photos by Dan Armitage

Hobie’s Outback line of fishing kayaks is popular among anglers who appreciate the foot-powered Mirage Drive that allows them to keep both hands free for fishing.

I have been an avid angler since I was old enough to hold a fishing pole. Kayaking came later, but I never put the two together until one day I spotted a kayaker fishing in the waters of Monterey Bay. My first thought was, what a crazy idea! That thought immediately led to, how can I do that? Shortly thereafter I rigged up a milk crate with PVC tubes to use as rod holders, and I was soon fishing the waters around Santa Cruz myself.

In the past few years, kayak fishing has become popular across North America. But when I moved back to the Northwest, I discovered that the trend really hasn’t taken hold here yet. This is especially odd considering that the Northwest is an area rich in the traditions of both fishing and sea kayaking.

A kayak offers distinct advantages as a fishing platform. In addition to the obvious cost benefits of a kayak over a power boat, a kayak has the ability to access areas that other boats can’t. On a recent trip to Sombrio Beach on Vancouver Island, a group of us hauled our kayaks down the half mile trail to the beach. The nearest boat launch was more than eight miles from the spots we were fishing, so we saw very few boats. We were able to fish right in the kelp beds, an area that boats normally shy away from, and we were rewarded with halibut, lingcod and rockfish.

This kayak angler seems to have everything he’ll need for a day’s fishing, except his PFD. It’s tempting in warm conditions (in this case Florida) to be a bit lax on the elements of safe paddling, but wearing a PFD should not be considered optional.

A kayak offers intimate access to the marine world. There have been times in which I have been able to paddle into a school of fish feeding on bait balls without disturbing them. I’ve had bald eagles swoop down and catch fish not more than 30 feet in front of me, and I’ve come across sea otters napping in the kelp.

Kayaking causes you to slow down and take in the details around you. You have time to explore areas you might otherwise motor right past. Often you’ll paddle though an area that looks fishy and discover a new hot spot. There’s a real sense of accomplishment and self sufficiency that you don’t get when fishing from bigger boats.

While some people actively fish from sit-inside kayaks, a sit-on-top shines for kayak fishing. The main advantage of sit-on-tops is the stability they offer. Most sit-on-tops used for kayak fishing have a 28-34” beam which is much wider and more stable than most sit-inside kayaks. The stability advantage becomes evident when you hook into a nice fish that pulls you around on a sleigh ride, or when you’re launching or landing through the surf. A sit-on-top also offers more accessible storage in topside tankwells. And in the event you do enter the water, getting back on a sit-on-top by yourself is much easier than getting back into a sit-inside. Scupper holes ensure that water quickly drains from the seating area and tankwells.

When rigging a sit-on-top for kayak fishing, the possibilities are endless. The first issue is where you will store your rods, nets and other fishing equipment. Many kayak manufacturers offer ‘angler edition’ kayaks with built-in rod holders. For kayaks without built-in rod holders, anglers install after-market rod holders (or my milk crate and PVC pipe). Sit-on-tops also have a high-back seat which offers comfort and support.

When dressing for a day of kayak angling from a sit-on-top, you must take into account the added exposure that comes with paddling an open boat. Every kayak angler has a favorite way to dress, from waders to wetsuits to drysuits. It’s important to dress appropriately in the event that you end up in the water. Shorts and a t-shirt won’t cut it in the 50-55°F water most often encountered in the Northwest. At a minimum I wear a 3 mm neoprene farmer john wetsuit, a paddling jacket and neoprene booties. I layer a synthetic shirt under my paddling jacket and adjust the layering scheme depending on the air temperature. PFDs with mesh backs work well with higher seats as they don’t get pushed up at the back.

Safety is always top of mind when kayak fishing. In addition to the required PFD and appropriate attire, you will sometimes be fishing among other boats so it’s important to be highly visible to avoid collisions. I choose kayaks, lifejackets and paddles that are a bright color, such as yellow or red, to ensure I’m as visible as possible. Still, a few times I’ve had to wave my paddle in the air at an absent-minded boater bearing down on me. An air horn would be an excellent precaution.

Sit-on-tops are preferred by most fair weather anglers and are catching on with fishermen in cooler climes who know how to dress for the weather.

I also use a lifejacket that has two large pockets, with a handheld VHF radio in one and a handheld GPS in the other. In the event I enter the water and get separated from my kayak, I have the ability to radio for help and provide my location. I also carry flares and a whistle in order to signal if necessary. A safety knife and strobe light are attached to my PFD. And since I’m working with fishing line, leashes and other ropes, I have a knife to cut myself free should I become entangled.

Everything gets attached to the kayak with a leash. Many people learn this the hard way because it’s very easy to ‘donate’ equipment to the sea. When leashing gear, be sure to avoid entanglements. When entering and exiting through the surf, take the added precaution of stowing everything in the hatches.

And remember, even sit-on-tops can take on water. One day while fishing, I noticed my kayak getting sluggish. Unbeknownst to me it had somehow developed a pinhole leak which allowed water to start filling up my hold. I always carry a handheld bilge pump so I was able to pump the water out and make it safely back to shore. I now stuff a few ‘pool noodles’ in my kayak to ensure added buoyancy in the event this happens again. I’ve tested the pool noodles on a completely flooded kayak and I’m satisfied they’ll keep me afloat in an emergency.

If you want to learn more about kayak fishing or to share ideas on rigging your kayak, there are lots of resources available. There are regional websites and web-based kayak fishing storefronts such as www.kayakfishingstuff.com and www.kayakfishinggear.com. Both have good articles on every aspect of kayak fishing. In the Northwest check out www. NorthWestKayakAnglers.com.

© Allen Sansano is a member of the Fishing Crew for Ocean Kayak (www.oceankayak.com), a manufacturer of sit-on-top kayaks. He also runs the NorthWest Kayak Anglers website (www.NorthWestKayakAnglers.com) with the goal of providing a place for kayak anglers in the region to meet, exchange ideas, and plan kayak fishing trips.