If you're looking for an outdoor excursion on your next vacation, kayak rentals can give you a chance to explore new waters. If you're an avid fisherman, you can bring your fishing tackle along to add even more excitement to your kayaking adventures.
Here are some things to remember when you're adjusting to fishing on kayak rentals.
1. Adjusting to Your Limitations
Fishing from a kayak rental poses some advantages and drawbacks. If you primarily fish from a motorized boat or land, you'll need to make some adjustments to mitigate these limitations.
Unlike motorized boats, kayaking is limited by how far you're willing to paddle. If you are not in great physical shape or the weather is forecast to be extreme, you need to be realistic about your physical limitations. Before taking your kayak rental out on the water, it's important to do some scouting. Ask your kayak rental provider about fishing locations in the area. Once you pick out your fishing spots, look for convenient places to launch your kayak. If you're able to transport your kayak rental by car, you might be able to significantly decrease your paddling distance by launching in a spot where a conventional boat couldn't.
2. Being Selective Tackle Box
Even if you're able to bring your entire tackle box with you on your vacation, kayak rentals have limited storage space. Before you head out on your trip, you need to take a selective approach to downsize your tackle box.
Many fishermen benefit from creating a kayak-friendly tackle box before they hit the water. When creating a downsized tackle box it's important to make room for essentials like extra line and terminal tackle (hooks, weights, swivels, etc.). Once you have your basics covered, consider packing lures that help you fish at various depths. For instance, you might pack a deep diving crank bait in case you need to troll, a suspending jerk bait for shallow water situations, and a topwater plug for actively feeding fish. It's important to make sure you have all of your water columns covered so that you can adapt to the fishing conditions.
3. Working with the Elements
Kayaks aren't designed for rough waters. Before you embark on a kayak rental trip, you should always thoroughly check the weather forecasts. Even if storms seem unlikely, you need to make sure that you're able to return to safety before things become too dangerous.