Seating options
Ocean Kayak Comfort Tech Seat ($59)Easily adjustable, pleasantly padded and a breeze to install, the Comfort Tech Seat will have you fishing at your most comfortable.Crazy Creek S.O.T. Kayak Chair II ($73)While it may be a mouthful, the Kayak Chair II offers a soft yet firm memory foam base and incredible stability out on the water. You can easily unclip it from your kayak and use it as a camp chair, as well.GTS Expedition Molded Foam Kayak Seat ($199)The ultimate in comfort and form. An 18-inch-tall back and 2-inch-thick seat ensure that anyone will stay comfortable while angling, and the foam backrest provides excellent lumbar support. You won’t be feeling your trip in the morning no matter how long you spend in this seat.
So you’ve got yourself a kayak, a fishing pole and an eagerness to paddle out to land some fish. Seems like they should be easy enough to combine, right? They are – provided you have the knowledge and gear to make it possible. Don’t worry, we’re here to help.
One of the most important aspects of kayak fishing which is often forgotten is body position. Many kayaks aren’t designed with fishing in mind, so if you have a whitewater or open-water kayak but have caught the fishing bug, using your old craft for your newfound hobby might not be as easy as you think. A piece of gear to seriously consider is a quality kayak seat or backrest. The lower back pain brought on by fishing in an uncomfortable position for hours can easily ruin a trip. In addition, a great kayak seat will help you stay stable while casting and reeling in your catch.
If you don’t have a kayak and are interested in kayak fishing, you should choose a kayak with this in mind. A perfect model to look into is a W kayak (the initial is a signifier of its brand: Wavewalk), which is shaped exactly like it sounds. With a W kayak, your seated position will be more natural, with your legs comfortably bent, offering a more relaxed position from which to cast and paddle. This type of kayak also offers a much more stable ride than a traditional kayak due to the W’s catamaran-esque design.
If a W kayak breaks your bank, consider a sit-inside kayak over a sit-on-top kayak. Sit-inside designs aren’t as conducive to comfort and control while fishing on the water, but should work just fine. Again, you can upgrade your seat with a relatively inexpensive seat back or cushion.
Models to check out
Wavewalk 500 R ($1,372)A superior choice in design, the Wavewalk series is the pinnacle in control and comfort for fishing. While the price point can be more backbreaking than fishing in a cheap kayak, if you’re looking for the best, look no further.Emotion Kayaks’ Stealth 11 Angler ($499)Emotion Kayaks’ Stealth line is designed specially with fishermen in mind. Its name is no lie; it glides silently and tracks well through the water. It also features specific spots and ample storage for any gear you may have brought.
Organization is key
Kayaks aren’t huge, so having everything easily at arm’s reach can make the difference between a fun and a frustrating outing on the water. A cheap and simple fix for getting gear organized is strapping a milk crate to your kayak using bungee cords. However, you don’t have to stop at a mere milk crate. You can create a DIY organizational masterpiece using the crate, some PVC, a few screws and some zip ties.Take some 1 1/4-inch PVC pipe and cut a small square notch at one of the ends. That will be where your reel rests. Bolt the side opposite the notch to the milk crate at the top and bottom of the PVC and you’ve got yourself a rod or net holder. If you’ve already purchased a rod holder, you can bolt or screw it into the crate with ease for something more adjustable than the PVC.You can make your new tool box as versatile or as straightforward as you’d like. Some thin metal grate and some zip ties make for an easy lid for the top of the crate. Some foam-wrapped PVC bolted to the bottom of the crate will ensure it doesn’t shift around while you’re on the water. Some cheap carabiners and cord screwed to the side of your DIY rod holders can ensure your reels don’t sink to the depths if your kayak flips. You can even secure a small cooler inside the crate to hold any fish you catch. Really, the possibilities are endless.Just ensure your crate is strapped into the moorings on your kayak well, or you could see your hard work sink out of sight.