Level 50 PFD from Mustang Survival lying on logs near water.

Kayak Anglers Have A New PFD Option—Here’s What You Need To Know

For agencies like the U.S. Coast Guard, convincing every angler in a kayak to wear their PFD could be compared to the success rate...
Best Prime Day deals

Best Prime Day Deals For Kayak Anglers

Every year Amazon Prime Day offers great deals on rods, reels, tackle and other fishing essentials. It’s a good time to upgrade your kit...
Man and woman standing in front of house holding fish

Tiger Shark Attacks Couple on Fishing Kayak in Hawaii

On May 23, Cheslei Akima and Alika Dickerson were pedalling their tandem fishing kayak in the waters off the coast of West Maui, Hawaii....
Two fishing kayaks on lake surrounded by cliffs

Kayak Adventure Series: New River Revival Recap

The world-class New River fishery brought over 100 anglers to Pulaski, Virginia, for the third stop of the 2026 Kayak Adventure Series (KAS) presented...

Kayak Adventure Series: Great Midwestivus II Recap

From April 24 to 25, the Kayak Adventure Series (KAS) presented by GoPro held its second event of the 2026 season in Plymouth, Indiana,...
a kayak fisherman dismounts from his boat on lake lanier to rush to the aid of a woman who had fallen.

Hero Kayak Fisherman Awarded For Life Saving Efforts (Video)

Marvin Winston was out kayak fishing on a blustery day on Lake Lanier when he heard something strange. Before he even had a chance...
image of a fentnyl fish darter in a palm

Fentanyl Detected in Wild Fish Near Wastewater Treatment Plants (Video)

A new study in Waterloo, Ontario has found trace amounts of fentanyl in the fish of rivers that receive urban wastewater. This is the...
Micheal Kaal, angler, holds up a striped bass catch

Guided By Osprey, Angler Stumbles Upon Pre-Storm Feeding Frenzy (Video)

Kayak angler Micheal Kaal set out on a gloomy day on Boone Lake in Tennessee in search of great fishing, a goal that was...
After a wipeout, this angler decided to try out a fishing kayak

After Wipeout At 21 MPH, Angler Switches To Motorized Kayak

After plunging headfirst off a fishing skiff at 21 miles per hour, Aliex Folgueira decided to take to a motorized fishing kayak instead, spending...
kayak angler holds up a redfish caught with topwater lure

Learn To Catch Redfish On Topwater Lures

Walking a surface lure across calm water while bracing for a redfish to strike is the ultimate anticipation. Redfish are generally bottomfeeders with a...
man hooks a sailfish under the blue water while fishing from a kayak under blue skies

Next-Level Fishing: Married To Sailfish

Some fishing experiences change an angler forever. Legendary kayak guide Captain Eric McDonald hooked a sailfish the first time he fished offshore in his...
man holds up a large permit caught while kayak fishing in the Florida Keys

Everything You Need To Know About Catching Permit

Local guides refer to permit as unicorns because the fish are difficult to find and hard to catch. Permit are one of the most...
Kayak angler in a drysuit during cold weather tries jumping off his kayak into the water

Beginners Guide To Kayak Fishing: Skills & Safety

Ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi says the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. For beginner kayak anglers, the journey begins with the...
Cory Byrnes in his kayak at dusk with DIY lighting installed

Light It Up: DIY Kayak Lighting In One Day

The Coast Guard requires paddle or pedal drive kayaks to display a white 360-degree navigation light after dark. Motorized kayaks fall under the same...

Reader Favorites

Author Spotlight

“Thank God my dad wasn’t a podiatrist,” Ric jokes about following in the footsteps of a famous outdoor writer. After graduating from Radford University and serving two years in Russia with the Peace Corps, Ric returned to Virginia Beach and started writing for The Fisherman magazine, where his dad was editor. When the kayak fishing scene exploded, Ric was among the first to get onboard. His 2007 book, The Complete Kayak Fisherman is one of the first how-to books to introduce anglers to paddle fishing. In 2010, Ric took on the role of editor at Kayak Angler magazine where he covered the latest trends in kayak fishing tactics, tackle, gear and destinations. A ravenous angler, Ric fishes from the mountain to the sea chasing everything from smallmouth bass to striped bass.
A collection of the best saltwater baitcasting reels.

Best Saltwater Baitcasters For 2026

The first rule of saltwater fishing: Even the most advanced baitcasting reels will fail if they aren't made for marine conditions. The precision gears,...
Overhead photo of a kayak angler sitting in boat on greenish water with a cell phone with fishing app held in his gloved hands.

The Best Fishing Apps For 2026

I’ve been using fishing apps since the first weather and navigation apps became available. Nowadays, fishing apps are just as valuable as my fishing...
man stands and fishes from kayak at dawn

Next-Level Fishing: Hit The Road

Casey Reed has spent years traveling across the country competing in fishing tournaments, but his journey started in the Blue Ridge Mountains. “After figuring...
man uses a Norsk lithium ion battery with his kayak with integrated phone app

Power Trip: The Latest Lithium Batteries For Your Kayak Build

Outfitting a kayak with electronics and electric motors is impossible without the latest battery technology. Forward-facing sonar, multi-function displays, trolling motor and electric outboard...
The Okuma Veros is one of the most budget friendly spinning rod and reel combos.

Best Beginner Fishing Rods For 2026

I know what you're thinking: any fishing rod is better than no fishing rod. Starting out in the sport is expensive, and saving money...

Editor's Choice

24 Steps To Kayak Fishing Mastery

My parents have a faded Polaroid of me, at two years old, holding my first catch. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t...
man stands and fishes from kayak at dawn

Next-Level Fishing: Hit The Road

Casey Reed has spent years traveling across the country competing in fishing tournaments, but his journey started in the Blue Ridge Mountains. “After figuring...
Kayak Angler editor Ric Burnley stands and fishes for largemouth bass from a kayak

Gear Of The Year 2026: Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass anglers lead the sport in innovation. Most of the best fishing tackle, tactics and accessories spin off the bass fishing world. And...
man stands and fishes from a kayak during rainy weather in Maine

Lobster Rolling Through Maine

I’ve visited 30 U.S. states and each boasts its own unique charm. Yet, few places jump out to me like catching a hooked bass...
Baseball player Jackie Robinson

Secret Life Of Rookies

We’ve all been there, our first time kayak fishing. Trying something new is humbling with embarrassing errors, but some rookies inspire us with their...
Kayak angler in a drysuit during cold weather tries jumping off his kayak into the water

Beginners Guide To Kayak Fishing: Skills & Safety

Ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi says the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. For beginner kayak anglers, the journey begins with the...
two women fish and paddle the Brooklyn Kayak Company TK122 tandem fishing kayak

Best Tandem Fishing Kayaks

Tandem kayaks are for dreamers: anglers who dream of sharing the fishing and kayaking experience with a friend or family member. But the dream...
Author Kevin Hughes shows a fish caught from his inflatable fishing kayak.

Best Inflatable Fishing Kayaks For 2026

The word “inflatable” is enough to make most hardcore anglers hesitate. For more seasoned (a polite way of saying skeptical and old) anglers like...
Editor Ric Burnley using the fish finder on his kayak.

Best Kayak Fish Finders For 2026

Kayak anglers want to have our cake and eat it, too. We want the convenience of a small, plastic boat and the fishing capability...
A collection of fishing reels.

Best Spinning Reels For 2026

Spinning reels are more popular than ever. Once considered beginner tackle, they’ve gained pro-angler attention for finesse fishing and forward-facing sonar. As a result,...

Best Fishing Kayaks

Asking me to pick the best fishing kayak is like asking a mother to pick her favorite child. I love them all for their...
Stay hooked with Kayak Angler! Join our newsletter for the latest kayak fishing tips, expert gear reviews & rigging secrets. SIGN UP - Kayak Angler
Congratulations to YakOff II Champion! Paul Glass
aerial view of North Alabama fishing grounds in fall

North Alabama: Fishing Central In The Middle Of Nowhere

Anglers don’t visit Northern Alabama to experience the hustle and bustle of city life. They want to get away to the expansive forests, emerald...
hand holds a bass caught while kayak fishing near Minot ND

Why Not Minot: North Dakota’s Best-Kept Fishing Secrets Revealed

I know what you’re thinking: why would I vacation in Minot, ND? The small town in the middle of the vast Midwest prairies isn’t...
Chad Hoover stands on his kayak and grabs hold of a fishing rod on a lake in Alabama

8 Of The Best-Kept Secret Bass Fishing Spots In Alabama

  Anglers don’t visit Northern Alabama to experience the hustle and bustle of city life. They want to get away from it all in the...
icy water on Lake Michigan in front of a lighthouse, where you can catch coho salmon

Catch Coho Salmon By Crankbait On Chilly Lake Michigan

The extreme southern tip of Lake Michigan attracts massive schools of baitfish followed by large numbers of trout and salmon. Coho salmon pilgrimage to...
fishing kayak sits on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay during John Hostalka's birthday tour

Chesapeake Bay Birthday: Angler Celebrates With Trip Of A Lifetime

At 4 a.m., I am jolted awake by the sound of waves crashing close to my head. The tent fly is flapping against the...