Kayak Fishing > Buying your first 'yak - Part 2
|
|
|
|
Buying your first 'yak - Part 2Buying your first 'yak - Part 2Published in the July Issue of New Zealand Fishing News.  Time learning the basics in a controlled situation is well spent.
Some of the obvious pitfalls to try and avoid with design are hatch openings that are too small. It might look great to have three or four hatches along the boat but are they all useful? On a four metre and upwards kayak consider how far forward from your seat you need to reach, make sure that you can slide forward to the front hatch without impaling yourself on your deck mounted Scotty or your fish finder. Once at the forward hatch, is it easy to open? How big is the opening? Most forward deck areas are large so it makes sense to have a large opening. A small round hatch really defeats the purpose. Can you reach all the way into the storage area from the hatch opening without becoming unstable? Can you easily store larger items and easily remove larger items? Another consideration is the size of the tank well area. How deep is it? If it’s shallow then gear can be easily washed away with a rogue wave or wake, is there enough room to carry your anchor, chain and rope as well as other gear? Is it suitable to cover with an insulated cover or install an insulated bag for your catch? Is your kayak stable enough for you to comfortable reach around to your tank well area?
Additional features to look for or have added are things like deck bungee’s and eyelets. These are great for stowing extra bits under or securing things too. The seat is often optional but may be pivotal in your comfort. The best seats are adjustable, they should have a high back for good support, and they should be able to be tensioned up to mold to your most comfortable position, strong enough to hold you in that position and easily folded down or removed when transporting your kayak on the car. Rudders are features that a lot of people think they need, but they do bump the cost of your kayak up considerably. Again consider your intentions. If you are not heading off to open water for a ten kilometer trip then there’s every possibility the rudder would be surplus. Deck mounted rod holders are nice but again, consider your intentions. If you’re only heading out for a couple of hours to catch dinner then the likelihood is you’ll use one rod at a time and you’ll be holding it. If you are going to be sitting for a long time and would like your rod just in front of you then a central rod holder is ideal, but invest in either a flush mounted one or a removable one. Remember if you need to move forward to your front hatch you want to do so without painful obstacles. Finally Fish Finders – again consider your intentions, consider your movements on the kayak and consider transportation. Great fun though.
Clothing is also important for the all round comfort of kayak fishing. Because you sit on top of your kayak exposed to the elements it’s sensible to consider what you choose to wear. Liberal use of sunscreen is advisable and cover up. In summer it’s tempting to virtually strip off but the sun and water reflection can do some serious harm so wearing a light weight UV protect top is a good option. Neoprene shorts are also far more comfortable than board shorts and swim shorts. They don’t soak up the water, they dry quickly and they are slightly padded for sitting. The great thing is the kayak fishing doesn’t have to stop in winter. Clothing has developed a long way so it’s no longer necessary to wear a restricting full length wet suit to keep warm. You can purchase long paddle pants and tops that are fleecy lined or made from neoprene coated with an insulation surface. These are of lighter weight and allow more movement whilst still keeping you cosy and dry. Paddle jackets are also a great investment, wind proof, water proof and machine washable. Great.
Safety Safety Safety. Call me a killjoy but seriously, this must be a priority consideration. You don’t drive without a licence, or safety features such as seatbelts, headlights, and brakes so why kayak without similar responsibility? Learn some skills, learn about getting back on your kayak if you come off, and learn about how to brace if a wave hits you or the wake from a passing ferry. Learn how to paddle efficiently so that exhaustion doesn’t put you in danger. You’d be surprised how much more fun the fishing is if you are confident in your kayaking technique and your safety skills. Granted the traditional fishing kayak is a sit on top stable vessel but when you think about it what are the most likely reasons for you to fall off? Adverse weather, exhaustion, boat wakes. In all of these situations you will be attempting to get back on your kayak in less than ideal conditions and with the added challenge of rods, knives, hooks and other potentially uncomfortable obstacles. Knowing what to do could save you. An approved Buoyancy Aid is not really negotiable and in a kayak specialist store there is a large selection of kayak specific Buoyancy Aids to choose from. We will ensure it’s fitted properly and that you are comfortable. Do not use a boat life jacket when kayaking. The padded support behind the neck will force you into poor paddling position and you could end up with strains and injuries. Visibility is a sensible safety precaution and is a personal responsibility. The best way to achieve this when kayaking and particularly when kayak fishing as you may not be in a large group, is to wear brightly coloured clothing and buoyancy aid and ensure the highest point is most visible so a hi-vis hat is a great start. Better still get the kayak fitted with a flag. We do this easily enough by fitting a flat screw base to the stern of your kayak and then you screw on your flag when heading out and remove it for transportation. If you are intending to paddle at dusk, dawn or night then invest in the flag and light combination. Communication. Maritime law requires you to carry at least two forms of emergency communication. These could be any combination of mobile phone, VHF, EPIRB, GPS Tracker, Flares. Store these in a suitable dry bag close to hand. Join a club; it’s never wise to kayak alone so join a club so that you have a network of people to go out with. This is also a great way to learn more or to pass on your knowledge.
I certainly don’t profess to be an experienced fisherman but I do enjoy going out with my partner or our club whenever I can. My strength is that I do have well over twenty years of kayaking experience and truly believe that getting the right kayak for you, the right paddle length, the right buoyancy aid etcetera and some lessons in kayaking will make the fishing so much more enjoyable. It’s really worth considering all of this and no doubt more that I haven’t touched on in order to get the most value for your investment in your sport.
|
