# Kayak fishing

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{{short description|Fishing from a kayak}}
[[File:Kayak fishing at Okmulgee Lake.jpg|thumb|240px|right|Kayak Fishing at [Okmulgee Lake](/source/Okmulgee_County%2C_Oklahoma), [Oklahoma](/source/Oklahoma)]]

'''Kayak fishing''' is [fishing](/source/fishing) from a [kayak](/source/kayak), a type of light [human-powered watercraft](/source/human-powered_watercraft) propelled by handheld double-[paddle](/source/paddle)s or [pedal](/source/bicycle_pedal)led [fin](/source/swimfin)s/[propeller](/source/propeller)s. [Recreational](/source/Recreational_fishing) [rod](/source/fishing_rod) [angling](/source/angling) is the predominant form of kayak fishing, although other [fishing technique](/source/fishing_technique)s such as [handlining](/source/handlining), [net](/source/fish_net)ting, [trap](/source/fish_trap)ping, [spearing](/source/spearfishing), [snagging](/source/snagging) or even [shooting](/source/bowfishing) can also be used.

Having long been a traditional means of [waterborne transport](/source/waterborne_transport) and [seal hunting](/source/seal_hunting) by the [Eskaleut](/source/Eskaleut) [indigenous people](/source/indigenous_people) of [North American Arctic](/source/North_American_Arctic) and the [Bering Sea](/source/Bering_Sea), kayaks have been adopted by European settlers and gained popularity as a form of lightweight [recreational boat fishing](/source/recreational_boat_fishing) in recent times due to its convenience of deployment, agility and versatility in narrow [waterway](/source/waterway)s, and small [draft](/source/draft_(hull)) that allows access into shallow, [snag](/source/freshwater_snag)-prone waters that are typically risky and thus un[navigable](/source/navigable) to [motorboat](/source/motorboat)s and [yacht](/source/yacht)s.

==History==
{{See also|History of the kayak}}
Kayaks ([Inuktitut](/source/Inuktitut): ''qajaq'', [Inuktitut syllabics](/source/Inuktitut_syllabics): ''ᖃᔭᖅ'') were originally developed by indigenous people living in the [Arctic](/source/Arctic) regions, who used the boats to hunt on inland lakes, rivers and the coastal waters of the [Arctic Ocean](/source/Arctic_Ocean), [North Atlantic](/source/Atlantic_Ocean), [Bering Sea](/source/Bering_Sea) and [North Pacific](/source/Pacific_Ocean) oceans.  These first kayaks were constructed from stitched animal skins such as [seal](/source/pinniped) 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.<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2521235,00.html Made in Anglesey, paddled in the Arctic: the Inuits' plastic kayak rules the waves]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} ''TimesOnline'' December 2006</ref> The oldest still existing kayaks are exhibited in the North America department of the [State Museum of Ethnology](/source/State_Museum_of_Ethnology) in [Munich](/source/Munich).{{Citation needed|date=March 2007}}

==Modern fishing kayaks==
thumb|left|Sit-on-top kayak rigged for fishing
:''See also [Fishing kayaks](/source/Kayak)''
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 cost. Kayaks can be stored in small spaces and launched quickly. Kayak wheels and trailers can be purchased to assist in the transportation of kayaks. Many kayak anglers have started customizing their kayaks for fishing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yakangler.com/articles/how-to/kayak-rigging/item/1020-kayak-rigging-options|title=Bridge Side Marina Saltwater Bay Fishing Spot and Kayak Launch in|first=Eli|last=Braud|website=YakAngler.com}}</ref>

These manufacturers offer special models for fishing that are designed and accessorized for this sport, including specially designed hatches, built-in coolers & rod holders, gps receivers and equipment mounts. Other accessories include live wells, anchor trolleys and running lights. 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. The increases stability allows for the angler to stand up and fish on the kayak. These kayaks provide a considerable space for storage inside their hulls which allow the angler to stow rods, fishing gear, batteries for fish finders, extra paddles, anchors, and wheels to tow the kayak from vehicle to the water. The cutouts molded into the top of the kayaks are well-suited to hold milk crates with additional supplies. Some anglers equip their fishing kayaks with [outrigger](/source/outrigger)s to further increase stability.<ref>[http://www.yakangler.com/paddling-gear-review/193-review-hobie-outriggers Review: Hobie Outriggers Hot] 1 August 2011.</ref> In recent years people have begun using kayaks for [fly fishing](/source/fly_fishing), most models suited for upright fly casting include upright braces that allow you to safely stand up.<ref>[http://troutster.com/fly-fishing-kayak/ Various Kayaks For FlyFishing] 20 November 2013.</ref>

The most popular kayaks for fishing are rotationally molded from [polyethylene](/source/polyethylene) due to their durability and lower cost. Hard shell kayaks are preferred over [inflatable](/source/inflatable) kayaks, since they are not susceptible to lure punctures.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.outdoorgearup.com/best-fishing-kayak/ |title= Outdoor Gear Up |publisher=outdoorgearup.com |access-date=28 May 2016}}</ref>
Generally, kayak fishermen look for stable, durable 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.

Pedal driven kayaks have grown in popularity since their debut in 1997. Pedal driven kayaks utilize either a propeller or fin system driven by the paddlers legs, comparable to a bicycle. These kayaks enable fishermen to bypass paddling in order to keep their hands on fishing rods, allowing for more frequent casting and retrieval.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chris|date=2020-02-12|title=The Pedal Kayak Guide to Hands Free Fishing|url=https://yaklogic.com/pedal-kayak-guide-to-hands-free-fishing/|access-date=2021-06-22|website=Yak Logic|language=en-US}}</ref>

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. On the east coast of the United States, the kayak is quickly becoming a favorite method for accessing fishing spots in the Chesapeake Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway.

==Fishing techniques==
[[File:Greenland kayak seal hunter 2006.jpg|thumb|left|[Inuk](/source/Inuit) seal hunter in a kayak, armed with a harpoon.]]
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.

thumb|160px|right|Modern fishing kayak - high transverse stability of the hull allows for safe fishing without the risk of overturning
Contemporary kayaks can be equipped with after-market fishing accessories such as [anchor trolley](/source/anchor_trolley)s, rod holders, electronic [fish-finders](/source/Fishfinder) and live-bait containers. Kayak [anglers](/source/Fisherman) target highly prized gamefish like snook, red drum, seatrout, tarpon, [halibut](/source/halibut) and [cod](/source/cod) and also [pelagics](/source/Pelagic_zone) like [amberjack](/source/amberjack)s, [tuna](/source/tuna), [sailfish](/source/sailfish), [wahoo](/source/wahoo), king mackerel, and even [marlin](/source/marlin).

While [bottom fishing](/source/bottom_fishing) or [jigging](/source/Jig_(fishing)) can be done from small boats, it was long thought that effective [trolling](/source/Troll_(angling)) 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yakangler.com/articles/how-to/fishing/item/706-kayak-fishing-the-oregon-coast-pt-1|title=Colonel Island Saltwater Marsh Fishing Spot and Kayak Launch in|first=zane|last=faulk|website=YakAngler.com}}</ref>

Another popular method of fishing from kayaks which has emerged is that of softbaiting.  This involves weighted jig heads and rubber or plastic soft lures in the shapes of baitfish.  This method is the predominant method now used, particularly in the Southern hemisphere, as it reduces the need to take messy livebaits on board the kayak.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fishing.net.nz/fishing-advice/how-to/kayak-fishing-and-softbaits-the-perfect-combination/|title=Kayak Fishing and Softbaits - the perfect combination! - The Fishing Website|website=The Fishing Website}}</ref>

Some anglers launch kayaks from larger boats well offshore so they can fish from the kayak. They find much excitement fighting a game fish as it pulls the kayak through the water.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fishing.net.nz/fishing-advice/how-to/kayak-fishing-from-a-mothership/|title=Kayak fishing from a mothership - The Fishing Website|website=The Fishing Website}}</ref>

Recently kayak fishing has started to move inland to freshwater lakes and rivers, where anglers target gamefish like [largemouth bass](/source/largemouth_bass), [smallmouth bass](/source/smallmouth_bass), trout, [muskellunge](/source/muskellunge), and [salmon](/source/salmon).

Some benefits of kayak fishing are in the ease of use and transportation, the affordability of the equipment compared to motorized boats, they're an eco-friendly watercraft, and they provide fun and exercise.

==See also==
* [Kayaking](/source/Kayaking)
* [Sea kayak](/source/Sea_kayak)

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
* Routh, Cory (2008) ''Kayak Fishing : The Complete Guide'' No Nonsense Guides. {{ISBN|978-1-892469-19-9}}
* Burnley, Ric (2007) ''The Complete Kayak Fisherman.'' Burford Books. {{ISBN|978-1-58080-147-8}}
* Daubert, Ken (2001) ''Kayakfishing : The Revolution.'' Coelacanth Pubns. {{ISBN|978-0-9678098-2-3}}
* Null, Scott and Mcbride, Joel (2009) ''Kayak Fishing: The Ultimate Guide 2nd Edition.'' Heliconia Press. {{ISBN|978-1-896980-43-0}}

{{angling topics}}
{{Canoeing and kayaking}}
{{fisheries and fishing}}

Category:Recreational fishing
Category:Kayaking

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kayak fishing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayak_fishing) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayak_fishing?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.