I’ve been bound to the bank for years and finally decided to pick up a fishing kayak. Got a Field and Stream Eagle Talon 12’ used for $350 and just need a couple of things before its maiden voyage (paddle mainly). Already has an upgraded seat and some stabilizer floats for standing up and fishing. Any mods/tips for someone starting kayak fishing? Thank you ?

     Wear your life jacket, take it out unloaded (Just you your paddle and life jacket) first couple of times and play with it. Find out how far you can lean out before tipping. This is best done in shallow warm water.

     I assume you can swim. If not go enroll in a learn how to swim class! It may save your life.  Learning how to flip the kayak back over after you tip over when your in water over your head is very important skill to have as is being able to get back into it.  Know what the weather is going to do. Don't go out alone until you've mastered the skill of re-righting the kayak and being able to get back into it while on the water.  Get a paddle leash and use it.  If your on the water and you knock your paddle out of the kayak or drop it. You may very well find your self and your kayak (think wind blown) drifting away faster from your paddle then you can hand paddle back to get it. Don't leave the kayak to go get it.  The kayak may blow away faster then you can swim to get it especially if your trying to swim with your paddle.

     Being immersed in cold water even with a life jacket on is no guarantee your going to make it back to shore safely.  Pack a dry change of clothes and a towel in a dry bag or similar. Maybe have a fire starting kit in the bag too. Hypothermia is no joke.

     Be aware of what the weather is going to do and plan accordingly! Go with a friend if at all possible a experienced friend.

     I'm not trying to scare you, I'd love to here how your adventures are after getting off of the bank. 

    Cold fronts are no joke and fishing in the winter time in Texas can be dangerous. If your caught out when a cold front blows in the lake can change from a flat pond to white caps with rollers that you can't paddle into to get back to your launch. Every year there are drowning deaths from new kayak owners that get caught out when a cold front comes through.  Some of them were from when they got a new kayak for Christmas.

     File a float plan (meaning let someone know where your going on the lake your fishing and what time to expect you back). In the event you lose your paddle, or something happens that strands you in a unpopulated area.

     Good luck with your new to you kayak and enjoy fishing from your new kayak. There is a ton of threads on here from people about fitting out their new kayak and some pretty scary stories from your fellow brothers here on Bass Resource about when they tipped over.

Best regards, be safe and smart,

Fishingmickey

 

Thank you that is a lot of valuable information that I will go by ?

Good advice so far the only thing I completely disagree with is the paddle leash, or any leash for that matter.  It simply creates something to get tangled up in should you flip.  Only time I would consider it is offshore ocean type stuff.  I have been in some rough water and fast rives and have yet to drop my paddle.

Also, don't rig anything permanent until you paddle a bunch of times.  I have been kayaking over 2 decades and in a lot of boats and my last one i just got this summer i still went out and paddled a few times with nothing to make sure I knew where I wanted things mounted.  

 

Also, if you fish rivers do not anchor in any direction other than directly off the stern or the bow, lakes you can do whatever really and I suggest an anchor trolley.

 

Above all else have fun and don't get sucked into the follishness many have with rigging and all that in an attempt try and solve a problem they don't even have.

First, get a good PFD. I started out with a kayak specific life vest, but found it a bit cumbersome and not all that comfortable leaning back in my seat or in warm weather. This year I purchased an  Onyx A/M-24 Automatic/Manual Inflatable Life Jacket.

 

Second, don't buy anything else until after you've been out there 2 or 3 times. It's real easy to get caught up in buying a lot of stuff right away. While your out there, think about where you might want things set up (rod holders, electronics, battery, tackle, tools, cup holder, cameras, or whatever else you might want in the future).

 

I have a pedal drive kayak with a rudder but I have also fished out of paddle kayaks. I didn't like fishing out of a paddle kayak because even with a light breeze I spent a lot of time orienting it rather than fishing. So after a few times out if you have the same issues you may want to look into an anchor and anchor trolley system

 

In the meantime, have fun and welcome to the kayak club.

 

Buy the lightest paddle you can afford. 

One other thing from a non kayaker:

 

Remember you are hard to see.  Don't make the mistake of thinking everyone in a power boat can see and avoid you. 

 

Don't start on me about ;the rights of kayakers and other paddlers.  I'm fully aware.  Kayaks are hard to see.   Use some common judgement.  Remember, regardless of who is at legal fault, in a kayak/power boat collision, the kayaker will always lose.

5 hours ago, mcipinkie said:

One other thing from a non kayaker:

 

Remember you are hard to see.  Don't make the mistake of thinking everyone in a power boat can see and avoid you. 

 

Don't start on me about ;the rights of kayakers and other paddlers.  I'm fully aware.  Kayaks are hard to see.   Use some common judgement.  Remember, regardless of who is at legal fault, in a kayak/power boat collision, the kayaker will always lose.

Valid point.  I was told by many boaters that the flags many use are all but worthless but what does draw attention is a brightly colored paddle blade as that is moving and a color outside of the norm.  I was told this after i bought my paddle with a white blade and am now motorized though so I do use my flag with flashing light in areas where boater traffic may be encountered.

Really, just keep your head on a swivel when out in areas with power boats.  You can usually hear them way off in the distance.  When you hear a motor, stop, look for it, and try to figure out what it's doing.  Position yourself so you avoid the close call.  Keep a whistle or horn handy just in case.  

 

I've had a few close calls over the years.  What's kept me alive and dry is always assuming they won't see you.  A boat that's two miles away is still a threat, because it can take you a long time to move somewhere safe, and it won't take them long at all to put you in danger.  Early detection and recognition is key to survival.  And it's not just getting hit directly that can be dangerous.  Sometimes a wake boat or something can swamp or even flip you if you're not prepared and align your kayak to endure the sudden waves.    

On 11/18/2022 at 1:52 PM, PBBrandon said:

I’ve been bound to the bank for years and finally decided to pick up a fishing kayak. Got a Field and Stream Eagle Talon 12’ used for $350 and just need a couple of things before its maiden voyage (paddle mainly). Already has an upgraded seat and some stabilizer floats for standing up and fishing. Any mods/tips for someone starting kayak fishing? Thank you ?

 

My tip is to take it fishing as often as possible. 

my only tip.  take it out a few times sans fishing gear for a week.  i did this exact thing and it was a big money saver.  i was so out of my element floating on that tiny thing, i bet i would have dropped everything overboard in my clumsiness.  just paddle about, shifting your weight.  find the primary and secondary balance points, etc.  once i got the balance and muscle memory kinda headed in the right direction, i brought some gear...not ALL the gear, but some gear.  i got fish..and from there it was a blur.  

 

summer is long gone, but i also put my kayak into a friends swimming pool and fell out of it a few times on purpose.  climbing back in is a learned skill.  i got it down quick.

You're not that far north of me; it's really windy here on the water, thermals I suppose.

I had 40mph gusts in my face on Saturday. Let your takeout point be downwind of where you are fishing. Worst cast you can drift back.

 

For the same reason, an anchor is going to be a must-have. Otherwise you'll miss at least half the fishing days because of wind. You'll get out there and turn right back around. I carry 18lbs or 28lbs depending on the wind, and that's to anchor a 12' or 14' jon boat. And it isn't always enough. But bad wind is also big fish time. 

 

You can't swim knocked out, and you can't swim when you get dropped into cold water unexpectedly - wear the life jacket all the time, every time. I'll even have it on in a 21' boat with the TM down, in calm water. 

 

1. Buy the nicest PFD you can afford and you won't even know it is there. 

 

2. The difference between a 350$ boat and a 1000$ one is an entire different world. And to 2000$ a whole another one. The less time you spend "kayaking" and the more time you spend fishing the better. The lower end kayaks are most suitable for the type of fishing where you paddle out to a spot and then do your best to balance and fish. Any wind and this becomes a pretty difficult experience. A good paddle kayak rigged right can be an awesome experience and is great for fun fishing. A good pedal drive or trolling motor kayak can be an almost quasi-bass boat experience at a fraction of the price. Somewhere around the 1000$ mark the kayaks on the market get enough balance that you can fish out of them without ever actively having to think about anything balance or about how you shift the weight on your body and that is definitely what you want to have a good experience. The next gamechanger is pedal drive. Being able to move hands free and fish and move is incredibly different. You can do so many more things once you can move and fish at the same time, you are not forced to be so methodical.

 

3. You can be stealthy and it can be very effective in a kayak. Too few people don't use this to their advantage. Bass boaters neglect stealth often too. 

 

4. Kayak tournaments are a ton of fun. Look up some youtube videos. 

13 hours ago, Scott804 said:

1. Buy the nicest PFD you can afford and you won't even know it is there. 

 

2. The difference between a 350$ boat and a 1000$ one is an entire different world. And to 2000$ a whole another one. The less time you spend "kayaking" and the more time you spend fishing the better. The lower end kayaks are most suitable for the type of fishing where you paddle out to a spot and then do your best to balance and fish. Any wind and this becomes a pretty difficult experience. A good paddle kayak rigged right can be an awesome experience and is great for fun fishing. A good pedal drive or trolling motor kayak can be an almost quasi-bass boat experience at a fraction of the price. Somewhere around the 1000$ mark the kayaks on the market get enough balance that you can fish out of them without ever actively having to think about anything balance or about how you shift the weight on your body and that is definitely what you want to have a good experience. The next gamechanger is pedal drive. Being able to move hands free and fish and move is incredibly different. You can do so many more things once you can move and fish at the same time, you are not forced to be so methodical.

 

3. You can be stealthy and it can be very effective in a kayak. Too few people don't use this to their advantage. Bass boaters neglect stealth often too. 

 

4. Kayak tournaments are a ton of fun. Look up some youtube videos. 

I dont know about this.  when I first got into kayak fishing, my buddy would absolutely destroy me with his Walmart Kayak.  10 to 1 on some days.  

On 11/30/2022 at 8:08 AM, Darth-Baiter said:

I dont know about this.  when I first got into kayak fishing, my buddy would absolutely destroy me with his Walmart Kayak.  10 to 1 on some days.  

I bought a Sundolphin Journey 10SS for $185 from the local Walmart 5 years ago. Sit on top model, it felt tippy, but after a bunch of outings I adapted to it and got a feel for its balance and response, and  now I can paddle aggressively with it if needed, no problem. It's nimble, very light and so easy to throw in the truck bed or drag to a launch. Once had it loaded down pretty well for a 2.6 mile paddle to a campsite through strong wind and chop and it performed well. I still jokingly refer to it as the "SS Last Resort" but it's the money I ever spent on a boat.

 

An anchor trolley and anchor with a line holder was a game changer for me.  Boat control and getting pushed out of position by the slightest breeze was a major problem.  Then I started to anchor and fish a spot thoroughly and I began to enjoy kayak fishing much more.  

On 11/30/2022 at 8:08 AM, Darth-Baiter said:

I dont know about this.  when I first got into kayak fishing, my buddy would absolutely destroy me with his Walmart Kayak.  10 to 1 on some days.  

Sure, but you still aren't going to see anyone putting up 100" limits on the Hobie BOS trail in a walmart kayak for a reason. As long as you can get on fish, but at the end of the day hands free moving = more casting and more casting = more fish, regardless of anecdotes. Don't mean to diss on those boats though, anything is better than the bank and I fished out of one for a good few months and it served me well. Just want to emphasize the gap in stability/differences because I have met a lot of people who have tried kayak fishing via an Ascend boat, or a walmart boat and thought "There's no way this is for me" and then they got in my boat and had no idea that you can fish the way you can out of one of those boats, being able to stand and move and all. Especially applicable to older folks, accessibility is much higher assuming launching/loading isn't an issue. 

Anchoring was mentioned above but I'm not sure if it's totally safe at all times. The excerpt below says why.

 

"While it may seem tempting and is perfectly safe if done correctly from a larger craft, anchoring in high wind is a great way to flip your kayak in open water. Even with a trolly system that allows you to deploy from the bow, I wouldn’t anchor on a windy day while fishing the Chesapeake or most of its tributaries. Anchoring in a kayak should be used to combat current, not waves."

https://fishtalkmag.com/blog/kayak-fishing-strong-winds

Invest in a good lightweight paddle and a comfortable seat. I sold my Bonafide SS127 yesterday, I haven't seen a kayak seat any more comfortable. If I buy another someday It'll probably be another Bonafide.