Wesley Littlefield 04.25.25
Rigging a fishing kayak correctly will make your adventures exponentially extra pleasing. I’m usually requested why my kayak is decked out with a lot gear, and my reply stays that I get pleasure from it. Nevertheless, I perceive some anglers get pleasure from a way more simplistic method, so I’ve coated the spectrum on this article.
By the tip, you’ll higher perceive the right way to rig your kayak from plain Jane to completely loaded and all the pieces in between. So that you’ve got the very best time on the water.
Plain Jane Method
Despite the fact that I’m a little bit of a gear junkie, I like the minimalistic method. The wonderful thing about kayak fishing is that you just solely want a kayak, a paddle, a PFD, a fishing rod, and some lures to begin catching fish.
That is my favourite option to rig a kayak when fishing a river or once I’m restricted on time. I maintain my rod mendacity throughout the deck or in my lap whereas I paddle, and my small sort out field beneath or behind my seat. There’s no have to run wires or work out the right way to set up something, making this method interesting to freshmen.
Traditionalists swear that that is the one option to kayak fish, as a result of they consider that including further gear detracts from the spirit of kayak fishing. Whereas I perceive the place they’re coming from, I might disagree that it’s the solely approach. I consider a stability might be struck between minimalism and overkill.
Goldilocks Method
The Goldilocks method is that excellent center floor most kayak anglers will discover themselves in. Typically, rigging a fishing kayak this fashion includes adopting a minimalist mentality, incorporating electronics, using a special technique of propulsion, and carrying further gear.
It’s additionally when studying the right way to rig a fishing kayak correctly is extremely helpful. That is the place I began as a brand new kayak angler as a result of I already had numerous fishing gear, so I needed to discover ways to handle it in a small house.
Right here’s how I arrange my kayak for many journeys:
I favor to maintain the deck as open as potential, whether or not paddling, pedaling, or utilizing a trolling motor. This enables me to land fish extra simply and keep comfy, stretching my legs and standing up.
When utilizing my bow mount trolling motor, I’ve a plug within the entrance of the kayak, with wires operating to a plug within the again, the place my battery sits. I additionally maintain my kayak crate (loaded with all my lures, rods, and internet) simply behind my seat for fast entry.
If I’m catfishing or trolling, I’ll have a few rod holders mounted to the tracks on both aspect of the kayak.
My greatest mistake when studying the right way to rig a fishing kayak was not testing the rigging I had carried out. I might make an adjustment everlasting by drilling or screwing into the kayak earlier than I examined to see how I appreciated it. Inevitably, I needed to regulate it, however I didn’t wish to drill extra holes. That’s why I like to recommend utilizing the gear tracks as a lot as potential. You possibly can rapidly alter your rod holders, electronics, and some other gear put in on them with out the necessity for extra drilling.
The Goldilocks method is all about testing and tinkering with what works greatest for you, however generally you’ve simply gotta go large or go dwelling.
Decked Out Method
We’ve lastly come to my favourite a part of the article as a result of it speaks to the gear junkie in me. Nevertheless, this method is overkill for 99% of anglers. Kayak match anglers and guides are the one ones who have to rig a kayak like this, however as a weekend warrior, it’s enjoyable to have at your disposal.
A decked out kayak sometimes has one or two motors (a trolling motor on the entrance and an electrical 2-3hp motor on the again), electronics (2 screens, one in all which is devoted to stay sonar), a shallow water anchor, 6-8 rods and rod holders, and a kayak crate jam filled with sort out containers.
You need to grasp the right way to rig a fishing kayak to have an pleasing time on the water; in any other case, you’ll combat your gear your complete journey. Belief me, it’s not enjoyable.
My typical decked-out setup is a bow-mounted trolling motor, fish finder, 6-8 rods, paddle, internet, absolutely loaded kayak crate, and a shallow water anchor. I nonetheless need my deck uncluttered as a lot as potential, so I maintain the crate and rod holders behind my seat. I can’t try this with the fish finder, however I’ve it mounted on gear tracks, so it’s out of the best way however accessible.
My greatest suggestion when taking this method is to do it in levels. I’m glad that I realized how I appreciated my fish finder arrange earlier than I put in my trolling motor.
Lastly, I’m nonetheless bettering my setup. Simply this weekend, I rigged up a few pull cords to make deploying and retracting my trolling motor a lot simpler. It’s one thing I want I had carried out sooner.
Parting Photographs: Rigging a Fishing Kayak
I continuously alter my rig to match my journey, as I fish in numerous areas, together with lakes, rivers, creeks, and ponds. So, on some journeys, I would like all my electronics; on others, I would like the naked necessities. Rigging a fishing kayak is a private endeavor, so my excellent setup most likely received’t be just right for you, however you will get concepts from different anglers to enhance your rig.
Rigging a fishing kayak is a unending course of, so benefit from the expertise.
