Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Consider these things before buying that Fishing Kayak

Besides being a mode of recreation and water sports, a fishing kayak is also an easy way of approaching easily spooked fish like the flounder and cobia. Fishing by use of a Kayak is so much popular because it is considered to be a healthy and environmental friendly method. Also if you compare to boats, the kayaks turn out to be an economical affair. Originally, the kayaks were developed by local people residing in the Arctic regions and formerly used boats to fish in the local inland lakes, coastal waters and various rivers. The very first kayaks were developed from animal skins. The skin was stretched over a specially constructed wooden frame. Check out more history of kayaking on wikipedia.

Well choosing a fishing kayak that meets your needs can be quite time consuming but here are a few things you can consider when looking to buy a fishing kayak

Length versus Width and Speed versus Stability

It has been found that longer kayaks are normally faster in speed compared to those with short lengths. In addition, the wider kayaks are also more stable than the narrow ones. The kayaks that have got some upswept bow perform very well in currents and waves and even better on flat water.
Also keep in mind that the more you practice with the kayaks, the more stable and confident you become.

Comfort factor of Seats

If you are likely to spend long hours in fishing kayaks, seat comfort should definitely be a priority. Also check for the back support and if you feel comfortable while sitting. It is best to buy a kayak that has enough space to fit a comfortable seat.


Sit on top vs Sit -in Kayak

You can also be confused over the type of kayak to buy. Sit on top kayak, as the name suggest has the seat on the top of kayak.
A sit in kayak as the seat carved into the kayak.
Most of the kayak anglers, including me :) prefer to sit on top of the kayak. This means you have more storage space. It also enables you to easily get out and wade, in case it tips. This can sometimes result into a wet ride where you get wet all over.
A sit in kayak allows you to be more warm and dry as your legs are inside the kayak.


The storage space

Storage space is also a concern. Typically you need a tackle bag, to carry your fishing baits and reels. Also place where you can hold your fishing rods. These days kayaks come with fishing rod holders, ditty trays and space for securing your cargo. Make sure you check it out before buying it.

Money

Money is definitely a concern for those who are tight on budget. You can find kayaks as high as 2,000 dollars and also as low as a couple of 100 dollars. Make sure you have a budget in mind. For those of you who are on a low budget, you can also try out inflatable kayaks. 

I hope that these points will help you better in shortlisting down to your final kayak.

No comments:

Post a Comment