Exploding Those Pesky Kayak Fishing Myths

It happens to every kayak fisherman at some point.

You're in a sporting goods store having a conversation with someone about kayak fishing, when somebody else rolls up and says, "Ah, you can't fish from a kayak! Get yourself a (pontoon, belly boat, canoe, etc.) instead."

In most cases, the ones who knock kayak fishing haven't actually done it themselves, and if they have, they've maybe tried it once or twice with a yak that wasn't outfitted for fishing. Unfortunately, bad information too often becomes conventional wisdom that prevents people from trying something they might actually enjoy.

In the interest of promoting our sport, we've gathered a few of the most common (sometimes ridiculous) myths we've heard in order to debunk them once and for all.

Myth: You can't fish in a kayak because there's always a paddle in your hand.

This is easily the myth we hear the most, and one that can be debunked with two words: paddle keeper. A paddle keeper holds your paddle alongside the boat, secure and out of the way while you fish. Many fishing kayaks come from the factory with a paddle keeper already installed. Those that don't can be easily outfitted with one. Ours cost three bucks and took about fifteen minutes, ten of which was spent looking for the drill.

If you don't have a paddle keeper, you can just lay the paddle down inside the boat or have it floating on a leash. Whatever way you choose, your hands are free to fish.

Myth: You can't carry more than one rod on a kayak.

Kayaks can be outfitted with as many rod holders as you care to put on, as many as any pontoon and more than any belly boat (don't tell us your belly boat can carry more rods... it can't.) For trolling, your rod can be put in a holder while you paddle, just like with any boat. Milk crates rigged with short lengths of PVC are another common way to carry extra rods. A kayak angler could carry a dozen or more rods onto the water if he thought he needed them.

Myth: Kayaks aren't stable enough to fish with.

Depends on the individual and the boat. While kayaks may not be for everybody, your average, healthy person should have no trouble with one. People of all ages, abilities, shapes, and sizes enjoy kayaking. Most fishing and recreational kayaks are very stable (we've dumped over a lot more canoes than yaks.) In places like Florida where kayak fishing has been big for years, it's not uncommon to see guides and anglers standing up in them.

If you have any doubts about your abilities, rent or demo a kayak before you buy one.

Myth: Kayaks are too fast to troll with.

Can't remember where we heard this one, but it's pretty funny. What can we say? If you're moving too fast to troll, paddle slower. If you don't like paddling slow, hook up a drift sock and you can paddle as hard as you like. There... was that so hard?

Myth: You can't use a trolling motor with a kayak.

Uh oh. Don't tell that to this guy.

Myth: Kayaks don't have much storage space.

Storage space is rarely a problem on today's fishing kayaks, which are outfitted with hatches and plenty of other options. For SIT's, a milk crate secured behind the seat adds even more storage possibilities.

Myth: Kayaks get blown around by the wind.

Wind is an issue for every type of water craft in Colorado, but due to their low profile, kayaks are actually easier to handle in wind than other types of boat, especially high-profile craft like canoes and pontoons. A kayak cuts into the wind much more efficiently than a pontoon. And if the wind kicks up to the point that you have to get to shore for safety reasons, you're going to make it there much faster in a kayak than in a pontoon or float tube.

Myth: You'll get wet in a kayak.

Not if you don't want to. There are all sorts of options for keeping yourself dry... dry tops, splash tops, breathable guide pants and other types of waterproof clothing will keep you as dry as you want to be. And once Colorado's summer heat rolls around, you'll probably be wearing nothing more than some shorts or a bathing suit anyway (with your PFD, of course!)

It's true that, being so low to the water, kayakers get splashed a bit. But if occasionally getting splashed troubles you, fishing might not be your best choice of hobbies.

Myth: You can't fish with a kayak in spring and fall because you'll get cold.

You won't get any more cold in a kayak than in a pontoon, and a lot less than in a float tube. Kayakers have all sorts of options to keep warm and dry during late/early season fishing. Kayak dealers and sporting goods shops sell a wide array of waterproof and weatherproof gear to keep you fishing in the cold seasons.

Myth: Kayaks are too expensive.

Compared to? As with any hobby, the amount of money you sink into kayak fishing depends on how far you decide to go with it. Sure, you can drop two or three grand on a tricked-out Hobie Mirage if you want to, but you don't have to. If you just want to get out on the water with your rod for a seaon or two, you could start with something like an Old Towne Otter, which we've seen priced at less than two hundred bucks, new. Nice sit-on-top models can be found for $400 and up, and if you check Craig's list you might find used models for half that.

Start out however you like. Once you get a feel for kayak fishing, how deep you decide to go is entirely up to you!

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