Jose Hawkins 1You can go kayaking fishing for long, but sportfishing true kayaking can greatly benefit from some extra preparation. Here are some preferences for kayak fishing rigging from anglers in Hawaii!
Setting up for kayaking fishing actually allows you to enjoy the sport to its fullest. There’s an understandable joy in hooking up to a large fish and it has everything you need from a secure rod holder to landing and storage equipment right at your fingertips. Make your kayaking such a joy for fishing than to take a little planning but go a long way in making your experience positive!
As in boat fishing, kayaking fishing comprises a wide spectrum of different techniques, equipment, and rigs that reflect the fishing method as well as the angler’s personal preferences. Due to the rapid popularity kayaking has experienced in recent years, many kayaking manufacturers offer a specially equipped “fishing model” featuring a built-in rod holder, compartments, and a layout that is perfect for kayaking anglers.
For starters, the most popular fishing kayaks are those that have forward compartments for dry storage and a rear tank, or deck recess, which allow the placement of tackle equipment such as crates with rod holders, bait tanks, or fish bags. Like mine is Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro TW.
Steering or No-Rudder?
The jury was out on the need for steering but I found steering invaluable when trying to row against adverse wind or currents. Plus, I really enjoy working my steering wheel to “follow” the fish as I action them … and they will grab you! While there is the potential to snare my line on the steering wheel, the benefits of increasing efficiency when conditions go down well outweigh the negatives for mounting the steering wheel.
Starting from the bow, I would recommend the bungee lash, or “bungee tree” as they are usually called. It functions as a paddle holder and allows you to save your paddle at a glance, a useful feature to have when you get a strike. My kayak is equipped with a bungee tree in a bow and in the latter’s cockpit that easily holds my tackle box right in front of me.
If you’re thinking positively (and you should!) You need to have something to land and save your catch. For smaller fish a landing net will be made and for larger fish a gap will be more appropriate. Some people keep catch bags in their hulls which require opening the hatch to place their catch into the bag. My preference is an insulated bag which I keep in the back tank – fine. This arrangement is quite different from our mainland counterparts who mostly tend to make use of the back space on their kayaks to store crates with rod holders and / or live bait buckets.
Kayaking fishing in Hawaii involves quite simply, under fishing, trolling, whipping (bait casting), or jigging. I do very little bottom fishing or whipping (casting) of my kayaks because I really enjoy the constant motion that trolling has to offer, not to mention the simplicity of the rigs we use!
In the settings for bottom fishing, whipping, and jigging there really aren’t any specific settings as all you really need is a floating platform to spread your lines. It’s a good idea to get a drift parachute that can significantly reduce your drift when engaging in any of these stationary fishing methods. I mount a bridle, formed by joining a bowline and a fastened line behind me, that holds the parachute in the middle of the boat so that it holds my kayak perpendicular to the direction of the current or wind, whichever might push me away from the area I want to keep in. .
Rod Holders – Forward or Behind?
For trolling, my rod holder is set at the front of the cockpit. This is perhaps the biggest difference from many of our land kayaking partners who seem to prefer to place their rod holders behind their seats. I prefer to be able to watch the end of my mast because I am trolling a lot, the smaller fish will damage the bait without taking the line to make the ratchet sound. When the fish isn’t hitting, the transition from rowing to hook set is one of a smooth one as I quickly place the paddle on the bow lashes then grab my rod.
When placing your rod holder in front of you, be sure to check your maximum forward extension while rowing so that you will not hit the rod holder or rod when stretching.ng forward in your strokes.
