Kayak fishing is often referred to as a relatively new and growing sport, which isn't exactly true. The origins of hunting and fishing from paddle propelled boats come to us from over a millennia ago, dating back some 4000 years. The very first kayaks were built from driftwood and animal skins by natives of the arctic regions of Asia, Greenland and North America. Whilst it isn't entirely accurate to say that kayak fishing is a new sport, it certainly would be fair to say that modern-day kayak fishing is relatively new and is growing and evolving rapidly.
The very first fishing kayaks were purpose built for the individual by the individual and were used primarily for fishing and hunting seals. Indeed, the name 'kayak' means 'hunting boat.' It was, of course, the inuits who gave birth to the 'eskimo roll' - a technique that can only be performed in a 'Sit-in-kayak' (SIK) with an enclosed cockpit. This manoeuvre was born out of necessity, due to freezing arctic waters that make it pretty much impossible for any man to safely swim in. SIKs are still very popular today, although they are more often used for general recreational purposes. Few modern SIK models are considered to be ideally built for fishing, however.
Flat boats - or 'sit-on-top' (SOT) style kayaks are based on an ancient Polynesian design, which as the name suggests, were designed for the paddler to sit on, as opposed to sitting in. Poynesians didn't really have a problem with the cold, so there wasn't a need for an enclosed cockpit. Built for stability and simplified boarding, these were also used for fishing, as well as commuting between islands. It is the sit-on top style of kayak that is most popular for modern-day kayak fishing. Whilst it is possible to fish from almost any kayak or canoe, the sit-on top style has emerged as the clear favourite. Not only are they easier to get in and out of, SOT offer more usable deck space, provide far more storage & mounting options and are much easier to get back into in the event of a capsize.
The invent & introduction of polyethylene and rotomould technologies have helped foster a revival of kayak fishing. Inspired by creative-minded fishos customising touring kayaks for angling endeavours, manufacturers have responded with a variety of innovative kayak designs that are built primarily for kayak fishing. Whilst the majority of these manufacturers employ polyethylene as the construction material and rotomoulding as the construction method to achieve these designs, there are also some fishing-friendly fibreglass kayaks available as well. Today it's a buyers market for the ever-expanding legions of kayak fishos, with a fairly large range of models to choose from, ranging from entry level 'tupperware' SOTs through to highly specialised tournament fishing kayaks made from 'super-linear 2 polyethylene' and glass. These can be rigged and modified in a myriad of ways, with various mounting options for sounders, GPS systems, rod holders, safety flags, sail kits, pontoons and more. Some yaks can even be rigged up as outriggers for polynesian-style use and the sail-powered trimarans and also now emerging as one of the most capable forms of fishing kayak.
There's a lot to like about the sport of kayak fishing and it's easy to see why the sport is becoming more and more popular, as evidenced in the kayak series being recently included into the ABT tournament roster. Perhaps the most common aspect of kayak fishing so heavily embraced is that it's simply a great way to find and catch fish. Many kayak fishoes have reported a vast increase in their catch rate soon after getting started, with several factors influencing the results. Not least of which being that there are surprisingly few places that a kayak cannot go. With the mobility offered by a kayak, the angler has far more scope than their land-based counterparts. Not only can the kayak fisherman extend their range to reach places a shore-based angler will never be able to cast their lines, but they can also gain access to many productive in-shore areas that simply can't be reached by foot. Rocky headlands and cliff-based shorelines that are off-limits to the land-based fisherman are fair game for the kayak fisho. It's in many of these areas - largely because are they often so difficult to otherwise access - that some of the best fish can be found. It's also usually quite a bit easier to land a fish from the waterline than it is from the shore.
It doesn't take any stretch of the imagination to appreciate that a kayak fisherman will usually out-fish their land-based counterparts. What is more difficult to believe for some is that the success rate for kayak based anglers is typically higher than that of those who fish from powerboats as well. This concept is often very difficult for powerboat anglers to swallow, but in a lot of scenarios it is true. With the obvious exception of deep-sea fishing (in areas unapproachable to paddle craft, and or where stealth and manoeuvrability doesn't count), a kayak fisherman using the same amount of rods and with a similar strategy and level of skill will often out-fish a powerboat angler. The reason for this is obvious: stealth. Kayaks do not require a noisy fume-spewing motor for propulsion. As such, they can slide into position with a far greater degree of discretion that a motor-powered boat can do. There are numerous species that can be easily spooked with the slightest of sound and keeping noise pollution to a minimum is far easier to achieve from a kayak. This is especially true of fishing from shallower waters.
When one starts out in the sport of kayak fishing it doesn't take long for some other advantages to become apparent as well, such as economy and convenience. Not only are kayaks significantly cheaper than just about any form of boat, there are no on-going costs such as fuel, registration or boat license renewal fees. They are also much easier to launch solo and can be put into the water from a large variety of places. Unlike most power boats, kayak fishermen do not have to rely on boat ramps to launch and as such, aren't subject to the frustrations that often come along with it. The growing phenomenon of 'ramp rage' is not an issue that yak fishoes need to concern themselves with. Indeed, these (along with numerous other) examples are often the primary reason that some enter into the sport to begin with.
Not every one takes up the sport with the sole aim of catching more fish. For some it's all about the experience. The sense of adventure that comes with kayaking is a completely different experience offered by any other form of boating. Put simply, fishing from a kayak brings you much closer to nature. Whilst it's difficult to pinpoint why, it is true that the experience of watching a whale, dolphin or turtle surface nearby your kayak has far greater impact than seeing it occur from a power boat. That elevated sense of adventure isn't exclusive to salt water fishing trips either. Its very rare for anyone on a boat to spot a platypus in the wild, for example, whereas some kayakers have reported seeing them swim right up alongside their yak. The enhanced adventurous experience isn't just elevated by close encounters with animals in the wild either - the elements of nature are also more observable from a kayak. Winds, waves, swells, currents and tides can all have much more impact on someone paddling a kayak. And because a kayaker is (in a sense) their own motor, these elements can certainly add to the sense of achievement gained within the adventure.
Perhaps one of the more common influencing factors that inspire people to take up kayak fishing is that of exercise. This is particularly true for the ambitious off-shore kayak fisherman, who paddle further out to sea. Depending on the approach one takes, kayaking can be physically demanding and this is precisely the reason some people enjoy it so much. Rigorous paddling can make for a fantastic workout, helping to build core strength in the torso, as well as strengthening shoulders, arms, legs (and even character). Of course, this is especially true when paddling into a headwind, upstream or into a tidal current.
On the flip-side, kayak fishing doesn't have to be a physically challenging experience. Speed is rarely a primary consideration for most yak fishoes. Not everyone wants to paddle out into the ocean to chase reef or pelagic fish. Indeed, most of the tastiest target fish can usually be caught nice and close to the ocean shoreline, and not every stretch of coastline is battered by waves, large swells or choppy water. Australia is blessed by numerous protected bays, estuaries and break waters, many of them being prime kayak fishing grounds, not to mention our vast river systems and lakes. Fishing these sorts of areas is usually a very relaxing experience. At the end of the day, kayak fishing can be undertaken for rest and relaxation as easily as it can be for physical exercise. As a sport, it can be as leisurely or physically demanding as you decide to make it.
Some people discover kayak fishing as a natural progression from participation in kayaking and fishing as individual sports. Many of us are introduced to fishing (whatever the category) at a young age, usually through family or friends. Kayaking is often introduced through outdoor education classes in schools or outdoor recreation clubs. With just a little bit of experience in both pursuits it is relatively easy to begin combining the two. Essentially, a combination of both sports is exactly what kayak fishing is. For this reason, kayak fishing really is a diverse pursuit that dictates a lot of thinking 'outside the square' so to speak. The more ambitious one becomes, the more factors there are to consider. Tying it all together is the most challenging aspect of kayak fishing (and is largely what has influenced the creation of this website).
The more I've fished from a kayak and the more experiences I have devoured along the way, the more I have continued to learn. Personally speaking, that's one of the most attractive attributes of the sport - there seems to be no end to the learning curve. Fishing from a kayak challenges the mind (and sometimes the body) more so than any other form of angling you're ever likely to undertake. That's because it's not just fishing and it's not just kayaking. As such, it rewards the participant with all of the fun and challenges associated with kayaking, as well as all of the challenges and fun associated with fishing. It's just a fantastic combination that makes for a recipe for serious fun. Ultimately, that is precisely why many who participate in the sport consider kayak fishing to be the very best way to wet a line.
