Kayaking is one gripping adventure right from its start. When paired with fishing, it becomes an enthralling and the most fun-filled activity for many. So, here is a piece of information from us delineating some tips for kayaking accessories and setups useful in numerous ways. Read on!
Kayak Accessories
Any setup or gear for kayaking first begins with a kayak. Any angler will first need to choose the appropriate kayak, like fishing kayak, touring kayak, etc., as per requirement. Then, it comes down to the kayak’s operation. You can either operate the kayak with a motor, paddle, or pedal.
Kayaks running on a motor produce a huge sound and scare the fish away. So, if you are going kayak fishing, it is best to pick either pedal or paddle design. The following accessories are useful for a proper kayak set up in different ways.
Paddle
This choice only comes when you choose a paddle kayak. Here, you need to manage the kayak with one hand and fish with the other. So, it might be a little difficult to get along with them. Different factors of the paddle, like its weight, design, stiffness, length, etc., can ease your fishing. Why? These aspects have a direct impact on the angler’s performance and their way of handling a kayak.
How to choose the appropriate paddle for my kayak?
Anyone looking for a kayak paddle can choose the appropriate one by considering some factors. They include the paddle’s angle, the best shaft length as per your seat’s height, paddle material, etc. You also need to know if the paddle is your main propulsion or if it is an addition to another setup. Together, these can help pick the perfect paddle for any kayak you use.
Personal Flotation Device or Life Jacket
A life jacket or a personal flotation device is an aid to keep you buoyant in case you are over the board. There is an extensive range of options for a life jacket. Recent studies provide evidence that life jackets could save various people from being drowned.
PFDs can be of significant help whenever you face an unprecedented situation amid water bodies. These are quite comfortable to wear. However, the safety depends on the type you choose. In the case of life vests, you are safe only when they are worn. But a PFD can keep you afloat in case of any emergency.
These are common for any kayaking setup you choose. The following tips work for specific kayaking setups and accessories. Have a look.
Kayak Gear for Recreation
Recreational kayaks are those when the kayaking lasts for a few hours. It is usually less than a day. The accessories you’ll need here are often cheap yet exceptionally helpful. Recreational kayak gears often fit in your backpacks.
Safety Gears
Safety gears like ropes, whistles, pumps or bailers, etc., are some common recreational kayak gears. These help control the situation in case of emergencies.
Common Accessories
Some common accessories like a backpack, life jacket, apparel like neoprene footwear, etc. are often suggested for recreational kayaking.
There is special kayaking equipment for this purpose, known as the recreational kayak. The design here is based on the requirement and duration of kayaking. Recreational kayaks are usually meant for a shorter duration, as mentioned above. So, these are mostly used in protected waters.
Fishing Kayak Gears
Kayak fishing uses specially designed equipment called a fishing kayak. Here, you’ll need a little extra gear and care, for it involves two activities. Picking the gear for this kayak is like adding the fish-based equipment along with the other gears. As in, you’ll need additional gears to locate, catch, and store the fish while kayaking.
Fish Finders
A common yet easy way of finding a fish is through the fish finder. These devices show you what is under the water. You can know where to catch the fish and the suitable environment for the fish. This way, it becomes easy to identify the fish species and grab them on your way.
Fish Nets
Once you find the fish, the next concern would be catching it. Fishes are so quick that they jump off your grip in a flick. So, you’ll need additional gear to have a good grip on your fish without slipping it in the water. Anything like a wet towel or a proper net can help you here.
Fish Holders
The last part of fishing is storing the caught fish. Usually, fishing kayaks come with storage space for this purpose. You can use that or add fish holders to your kayak. These holders store your fish with a firm grip. You can choose either of the storage options at your convenience.
Kayak Gears for Touring
Another common purpose of kayaking is touring along with the water bodies. This type is often known as sea kayaking. Touring kayak gears are often the same as recreational gears. The significant difference is found in the accessories’ quality, size, and durability.
Touring on a kayak means you are heading out for more than a few hours. So, you’ll need accessories like PFD, storage bags, apparel, cockpit covers, spray kits, etc. These are slightly expensive since they are made of premium materials and intended to last long.
Camping Gear
Kayak camping is another way of enjoying kayaking. Here, you’ll need accessories like a tent, kitchen stoves, pots, and everything you’ll need for camping. However, what you need to consider here is the size of these gears. Any gear you choose should be small and fit in easily within your kayak’s hatch.
Whitewater Gear
Kayaking amid gushing waterfalls and rapid bodies needs sophisticated gear. Here, your life jackets should also come with an extensive range of features and motion. You’ll need a protective helmet here and sticky river shoes. You’ll also need safety gear like ropes, whistles, etc. As far as shoes are concerned, a pair of waterproof shoes will be great as they will keep your feet dry all the time. If you are looking for some recommendations, check this out: 5 Incredibly Comfortable Waterproof Boat Shoes for Sailing in 2021. Published by Loom Footwear, this article is perfect for people looking for the best waterproof shoes.
Apart from these, one thing impacting your kayaking experience is the clothing. Choose the appropriate outfit based on the water bodies, temperature, and your comfort. In case you are heading out for long, use a backpack to carry your valuables.