Kayak fishing is fishing from a kayak. The kayak has long been a means of transportation and a means of accessing fishing grounds. Kayak fishing has gained popularity in recent times.
History
Kayaks were originally developed by indigenous people living in the Arctic regions, who used the boats to hunt on inland lakes, rivers and the coastal waters of the Arctic Ocean, North Atlantic, Bering Sea and North Pacific oceans. These first kayaks were constructed from stitched animal skins such as seal stretched over a wooden frame made from collected driftwood, as many of the areas of their construction were treeless. Archaeologists have found evidence indicating that kayaks are at least 4000 years old.[1] The oldest still existing kayaks are exhibited in the North America department of the State Museum of Ethnology in Munich.
Modern fishing kayaks
While native people of the Arctic regions did not rely on kayaks for fishing, in recent years sport fishing from kayaks has become popular in both fresh and salt water, especially in warmer regions due to the ease of entry. Kayaks can be purchased inexpensively and have little maintenance costs. Kayaks can be stored in small spaces and launched quickly. Many kayak dealers across the U.S. have started customizing their kayaks for fishing.[citation needed] These manufacturers offer special models for fishing that are designed and accessorized for this sport, including specially-designed hatches, built-in rod holders, catch bags and equipment mounts. Specially designed fishing kayaks usually have designs similar to those of recreational sit-in and sit-on-top kayaks characterized by very wide beams (up to 36 inches) that increase lateral stability. Some fishing kayaks are equipped with outriggers[citation needed] to further increase stability.
The most popular kayaks for fishing are rotationally molded from polyethylene due to their durability and lower cost. Generally, kayak fishermen look for stable and comfortable designs. The new generation of twinhull (catamaran) kayaks that was recently introduced into the market is stable enough to enable both paddling and fishing in the standing position. This technological development also solves some ergonomic problems that are associated with sitting for long hours without being able to change positions, and frees kayakers from the need to sacrifice speed to stability, which is another problem that characterizes monohull kayaks.
There are also kayaks propelled by flippers or propellers and a foot mechanism. These kayaks offer hands free fishing and all the benefits associated.
Kayak Fishing has taken off dramatically in South Africa. Game fish are caught along the coastline North and South of Durban. Large fish such as Marlin and Sailfish can be caught.
Fishing techniques
Many of the techniques used in kayak fishing are essentially the same as those used on other fishing boats. The difference is in the set-up, how each piece of equipment is fitted to the kayak, and how each activity is carried out on such a small craft.
Contemporary kayaks can be equipped with after-market fishing accessories such as anchor trolleys, rod holders, electronic fish-finders and live-bait containers. Kayak anglers target highly-prized gamefish like snook, red drum, seatrout, tarpon, halibut and cod and also pelagics like amberjacks, tuna, sailfish, wahoo, king mackerel, and even marlin.
While bottom fishing or jigging can be done from small boats, it was long thought that effective trolling required speeds of five to ten knots, a speed well out of the range of someone paddling. However, the discovery that fish could be taken at much lesser speeds has increased the popularity of kayak fishing.
Some anglers launch kayaks from larger boats well offshore so they can play game fish from the kayak. They find much excitement fighting a game fish as it pulls the kayak through the water.
A Sea kayak or touring kayak is a kayak developed for the sport of paddling on open waters of lakes, bays, and the ocean. Sea kayaks are seaworthy small boats with a covered deck and the ability to incorporate a spraydeck. They trade off the maneuverability of whitewater kayaks for cargo capacity, ease of straight-line paddling, and comfort for long journeys.
Sea kayaks are used around the world for marine (sea) journeys from a few hours to many weeks, as they can accommodate one to three paddlers together with room for camping gear, food, water, and other supplies. A Sea Kayak usually ranges anywhere from 10-18 feet for solo craft, and up to 26 feet for tandem craft. Width may be as little as 21", and may be up to 36".
Safety
A sea kayak's primary safety device is its paddler. Although some kayakers consider a well-practised self-righting move such as an Eskimo roll to be essential to safe open-water kayaking, it is the technique of bracing that every well-trained, experienced kayaker practises to maintain an upright position in their kayak. Practice in bracing is often neglected by inexperienced kayakers once they have learned the Eskimo roll. However, the reality is that having to roll really means having to recover from a failed brace. Being in the capsized position in some environments due to missing a brace can put the paddler in danger of colliding with obstacles under the water. Staying upright in surf zones, rock gardens, and rivers is most important and is only accomplished through well practised and successful bracing.
While there are a number of techniques for unassisted righting and re-entry of a kayak after a capsize, most paddlers consider it safest to paddle with one or more others, as assistance is useful if attempting to roll up solo fails. Even if the assistance fails to get you righted, it's a lot easier to climb back into a boat in the open sea if you've got another boat and paddler to help and your boat's been emptied of water first. Nonetheless, experienced paddlers do attempt open water crossings unaccompanied, and several major long-distance kayak expeditions have been carried out solo.
The use of a Paddle float self rescue device, generally consisting of foam, or inflatable bag, attached to the end of a paddle, allows a paddler to use the paddle as an outrigger, while climbing back into the cockpit. Be sure if you use an inflatable paddle float that you use a dual chambered model, but only train with one chamber inflated. A double chambered device will give you redundancy in case of a failure in one chamber. Training with one chamber inflated won't leave you handicapped if one chamber does fail. In many areas (Canada for instance) this is a coast guard required item. This fairly reliable rescue technique, if well practised, allows one to paddle with confidence when not equipped with a 'bombproof' roll.
There is a strong culture of self-sufficiency amongst sea kayakers and extensive safety equipment such as compass, towing lines, manual pumps, repair kits including wet application repair tape, flares, paddle leash, spare paddles, and survival gear are routinely carried; along with supplies of food and a flask of non-caffeinated beverage for non-emergency use. GPS, charts, lights, radios and cell phones, and radar reflectors are also sometimes carried.
Check list
Things you need to get up and running fast.
1. Boat, either new or second hand
2. Fishing Rod, and reel
3. Life Jacket
4. Fishing licence (very important)
5. Lures and bait
6. Gaff or something to handle the fish you catch
7. Kosh, might keep something for the table
8. A good place to launch
9. A paddle
Stuff in/on my boat
A fishingski is a small craft that is paddled through the surf so there is a good chance that you will capsize or be thrown from your boat and sometimes your boat will be washed up onto shore upside down and full of water, that is why all your equipment must be securely tied down and things that can't get wet must be in put into waterproof containers. You have been warned!!
1. Three rods sometimes four: One flick stick with a Dawia firewolf reel on ideal for casting spoons at fish feeding on the surface. A stiffer rod designed for the fishingski with a penn500 on it (perfect for those big couta), the other with an alvey reel which is a very versatile reel as it can be used for both trolling and bottom fishing. Depending on the weather and how I feel a fly rod.
2. Rope with a Velcro loop, it is ideal for tying up on shark nets or another boat.
3. Waterproof Tackle box - Check "stuff in my tackle box" to see what is inside.
4. Waterproof tube for cell phone and car keys. An old flare canister work very well.
5. Gaff
6. Kosh
7. Hook remover
8. Safety equipment (nothing at the moment)
9. A life jacket that I usually take off after I have paddled through the surf.
It is best to have a waterproof container otherwise you will have to wash your equipment after each trip. Saltwater loves to eat metal!
1. Yo-Zuri traces to catch live bait either at a wreck or when the fish are shoaling.
2. A few halco lures. http://www.squidoo.com/halco/
3. Sinkers they are used to attach to the uzri trace and to get the lures to run deeper.
4. Elastic bands - used to attach the sinkers to the fishing line, this is done so that when the fish takes the lure the sinker breaks off.
5. Couta traces - this is for when you catch some live bait you can put it on live to catch the bigger fish. Some will have skirts on some won't.
6. Spoons - Ideal for a flick stick in case you come across some fish feeding on the surface.
7. Fishing license in a ziplock bag (just some extra protection)
The stuff to help you find more fishing spots
Equipment for your fishingski, from gps to fishfinders
Pertec - Suppliers of marine electronics, aviation electronics, GPS navigational equipment and satellite communication systems.
Garmin South Africa- The world leader in Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and an innovator in consumer electronics. Garmin product serves both the aviation and consumer markets. These products are used in flying, boating, driving, hiking, fitness exercising and many other activities.
Lowrance SA - Supplying South Africa with Fishfinders, Gps's and Ski-Boat safety equipment.
