6 Kayak-Fishing Tips and Tricks That Will Help You Reel In More Fun on the Water

Kayak fishing isn’t suited for just anyone. But for a special breed of anglers — and especially those who appreciate a good challenge — it’s the perfect pastime. And as such, it requires its own special set of skills (some of them, of course, adding to the sport’s inherent challenge), along with a special collection of equipment designed specifically for kayak fishing.

Whether you’re looking to jump into this exciting sport, or are simply seeking to up your kayak-fishing game, read on for six tips for fishing in a kayak from your friends at Korso Outdoors.

• Get geared up — There are a lot of kayak-fishing methods out there. And no matter which one(s) you subscribe to, having the right gear on your boat can make your days on the water much easier and more productive. A few must-have accessories include a rod holder, bucket, boat tie, tie downs and lie downs — but keep in mind that it’s important to have gear that’s built specifically for kayak fishing. (And for those who want to add a splash of color to their rigs beyond the basic black found everywhere else, Korso’s line of kayak-fishing accessories are offered in an array of colors.)

• Be aware of the weather — It’s critical, of course, to always check for inclement weather before setting out on the water — an especially important step to take when heading out in a kayak. But further, to boost their hauls, anglers should also keep an eye on environmental variables like water temperature, barometric pressure and wind conditions, all of which affect fish movement and feeding. For a primer on the specific weather conditions to seek out for a better day of fishing (and more bites), check out this article. 

• Keep quiet and unseen — Two things that are sure to spook the fish you’re chasing: being seen and being heard. And the good news in this department for kayak anglers is that, thanks to a low-profile fishing vessel and the lack of a motor, they have a leg up on traditional boaters for avoiding both of these. The main tip to know regarding staying out of sight is that, while you don’t have to keep huge distances between your kayak and your intended targets, be careful to avoid rolling right over them or casting a shadow on them. And on the noise front, of course, the quieter you can be, the better. Try to avoid making big splashes with your paddling, and try not to have a lot of gear or trash rolling around and making noise in your kayak. (The aforementioned tie downs and lie downs can work wonders in this department.)

• Learn to bag more bites with a follow-up bait — Just because a big bass misses on a promising strike or simply loses interest in your lure, it doesn’t have to mean that your quest is over. If that trophy catch showed interest in your offering on the first round, there’s a good chance you can get another shot at it — especially if you master the art of presenting the right follow-up baits. Check out this article for a good rundown on the ins and outs of securing yourself another shot by making the right follow-up bait choices.

• Practice all casting methods, like skipping and pitching from a seated position — If you want to reach your full potential on the water, you must be able to utilize as many casting methods as possible. Not everyone has a stand-up kayak, but even if you do, there are times — such as in high winds or in heavy boat traffic — when standing up in your kayak to make a cast simply isn’t a possibility. So being able to skip in under a dock or pitching into heavy cover from the seated position can be a game-changer. Check out this article for some guidance on the different types of casts, plus how and when to employ each one.

• Become an anchoring ace — They may be a bit of a hassle to bring along, but having an anchor on board can be a huge help when fishing from a kayak. (Situations in which they can be especially beneficial include windy days on the water, and when fishing offshore areas where you’d like to stay put and focus on fishing.) Before you toss one overboard, though, read up on how to use your anchor. Then, get some practice in calm waters before taking on more challenging conditions — because an anchoring mishap can leave you with a flipped kayak … and even worse, tangled up in your anchor line.