It may sound like a strange idea, especially considering the amount of space you may need to store your catch, but saltwater kayak fishing is actually a very popular sport in many areas. Of course, there is more than one type of kayak and more than one way to go kayak fishing. You’ll find that some of the preferred options are dictated by the area in which you plan to go fishing.

For example, on the East Coast where waters are warm, kayak advocates seem to prefer the type of kayak where you sit on top rather than inside the boat. This type of kayak provides a large amount of storage, for both equipment and a large catch, and it also promotes a greater level of stability than most types of the vessel.

Farther north, where the waters are cooler, many prefer kayak fishing out of the lighter, sit-in designed boats. However, there is a downside to these kayaks. Cargo space is extremely limited, so it may be a temporarily used vessel that, if between 12 and 16 feet long, can usually be stored on the roof of a surf fishing vehicle.

When considering kayak fishing, you should take into account the material of the kayak and the overall weight of the vessel. Most of these boats are constructed from Kevlar, fiberglass, or polyethylene plastic, keeping them reasonably light at around 50-60 pounds each.

If you are taking your first saltwater kayak fishing trip, you should probably start with the plastic, as these are the most durable and least likely to crack or scratch if they are abused by either the owner or rough waters. They are also less expensive, meaning you can purchase one with little regret should you not enjoy it and decide never to go saltwater kayak fishing again.

Other important factors to consider regarding the choice of a kayak include the standard equipment that comes with the boat. For example, most kayaks come with deck rigging both in front of and behind the cockpit. This is constructed from zig-zagging shock cord under which you can shove anything that will fit.

You’ll want to be certain that the kayak has paddle clips, which hold the paddles while you are fishing and the rods when you need to be paddling. Saltwater kayak fishing also requires rod holders in many cases, so that the anglers inside don’t have to hold them in place all day. You want to make sure that you can easily remove the plug for the bilge pipe while it remains secure in between pumps to remove excess water.

By: Daniel Eggertsen