Like most kayak anglers, I got into the sport as a less expensive and intensive way to go fishing. Twenty years later, I’ve dumped thousands of dollars into plastic boats and my garage is still full of gear and tackle.
There is always a new place to fish or a new species to target. Each opportunity presents challenges and requires more gear. For a fishing junkie, this is the good stuff.
Unfortunately, addiction turns ugly when the need for the drug overcomes the joy of using it. I spent so much time juggling boats and gear, I stopped looking forward to time on the water.
Keep It Simple: Streamlined Gear Makes Fishing Better Than Ever
About a decade ago, I made a decision to simplify my fishing. Putting the brakes on the snowball effect brought me back to my roots and made kayak fishing more fun.
Looking at this issue of Kayak Angler magazine, I’m not the only angler making the transition. With the industry emerging from turbulent times and facing uncertainty, manufacturers are luring more anglers to the sport by making kayak fishing more accessible.
Innovation Geared for Every Angler
Not since the invention of the gear track has it been easier to add accessories. Now there are versatile mounting options to customize rigging for each angler. And transporting the kayak is possible with a new breed of kayak carts designed to comfortably carry anything from a full-size plastic barge to a paddleboard.
New kayaks now come in more sizes and flavors to meet the needs of more anglers. There are bigger and badder full-size fishing sleds and smaller, lighter boats for sheltered water and rivers. Matching the kayak to the water and the angler contributes to simplicity and safety.
The biggest advancement for simplicity is motor power. Sure, adding a motor, battery and controls complicates a fishing kayak, but the trend toward compact, light and efficient motors makes electric power more reliable and easier to install. To prove the point, look at the Old Town ePDL with pedals and electric motor in one system. And adding a trolling motor is easier with the latest models designed for kayaks. What is simpler than sitting in a kayak, pushing a button and motoring off into the horizon?
The recent wave of innovation allows anglers to dial in their kayak for a specific target. The trend hit home when I met Jackson Kayak team member, Joe Costa, to test out his new Knarr 2023.
Looking over the full-size, full-featured kayak my first question was, “Where is your gear crate?” Costa pointed to six horizontal rod stagers, a track-mounted dry box, under-seat storage, and huge hatches in the bow and stern. “I don’t need a crate,” he said.
The Knarr’s design eliminates the need for a crate, leaving a cleaner, simpler and more efficient fishing platform. Add in a reliable and versatile redesigned Flex Drive Mark IV pedal system, and the Knarr makes kayak fishing so simple, anyone can get on board.
Fishing Goes Back to Its Roots
The latest generation of hard-core kayak anglers are realizing the value of keeping it simple. From loading and unloading the boat to spending hours searching for the big bite, less junk leads to more bites.
Making the most out of fishing time doesn’t start when the boat hits the water. Success begins in the garage the night before the trip, early in the morning at the launch, and cleaning up at the end of the day. Simplifying the process reduces work and increases engagement.
Anglers and the industry are on a new trend: when kayak fishing is simpler it is more fun. Kayak fishing is supposed to be simple—going back to roots brings more people into the sport and keep anglers fishing for years.
Easy rigging, smart storage, reliable propulsion and stable design help kayak anglers to keep it simple. | Feature photo: Patrick “Buzz” Hayes
I can’t tell you how much I relate to this 😉
Great article!