Twenty years ago, I was an obsessive angler without a boat. Fishing from the beach, I stared at the inaccessible horizon and pined.
One day, while I was standing on the beach staring at the horizon, I spotted a small black dot bobbing in the waves a mile away. As the dot moved closer, I saw it was a person in a kayak. Then I noticed a fishing rod sticking out of a rod holder.
Talk about an a-ha moment. My mind raced with the possibilities. Within months, I had a sit-on-top kayak outfitted with rod holders zip-tied to a milk crate. After two decades and thousands of hours, I still remember the first time I launched my kayak and paddled toward the horizon.
Getting Over the Kayak Fishing Learning Curve
One thing all kayak anglers have in common is the a-ha moment: the realization that a fishing kayak opens water not accessible to shore or motorboat anglers. But getting from the a-ha moment to the first fishing experience is riddled with challenges. Then developing the skills and obtaining the gear to take full advantage of the plastic fishing platform presents a steep learning curve.
For this issue of Kayak Angler, we flatten the learning curve with expert advice on starting out kayak fishing. The Beginner’s Guide to Kayak Fishing (page 56) is a step-by-step guide to buying and outfitting a kayak, following safe practices, mastering basic strokes and learning how to catch fish.
We’ve even dedicated the Buzzbait pages to finding resources, buying the right tackle and joining the community at a kayak fishing event. Our columnists Chris Funk and Jeff Jackson share their a-ha moments and the subsequent journey to rock star status. Then the Lip Gripper section highlights easy-to-access locations and target species.
We designed the guide for a serious beginner. Whether the reader is already an experienced paddler or angler or he’s starting from scratch, the beginner’s guide goes beyond just “getting on the water.” We’re looking for an angler who is ready to invest time and some money into a lifestyle.
The payoff is entering a sport that is physically and mentally challenging. Kayak fishing connects people who share a passion for the outdoors and an appreciation for simplicity. With the right start, an a-ha moment can turn into a lifetime kayak fishing.
The author in the early days. | Feature photo: Kevin Whitley
