One of the most attractive element that draws people into the sport of kayak fishing is the ability to catch large fish up close and personal. There are hundreds of videos posted online of people on kayaks reeling in monster-sized halibut and sea bass and even sharks. Reeling in fish as big as your kayak is a thrilling experience that's accompanied with a rush of adrenaline unlike any other. Instead of jumping head first into the sport, though, you should warm up some by practicing with smaller fish. This will give you an idea of what to expect when you are out on the waters battling larger fish, but in a safer manner. A general rule of thumb is that smaller bait will attract smaller fish, so keep this mind when you are out fishing from a kayak.
You have to remember that your mobility and movement is pretty limited in a kayak; therefore, you'll need to make sure everything is in arm's reach on your kayak. Some of the items you'll likely need include line clippers (these are a must for any fisherman), bait bucket, extra hooks, net, extra string, and some food and water for when you get hungry. Trust me, battling a large fish for over an hour will easily tire you out.
A small cooler is also a necessary item that every fisherman should keep in their kayak. You can use it to store beverages, food and even certain bait. Contrary to what some people may believe, you don't need a huge cooler that's going to take up half of the room on your kayak. Just a basic, small cooler will suffice.
Safety needs to be your first priority when fishing from a kayak. This means always wearing a life jacket, keeping sharp objects tucked away, and telling someone where you are going. Ideally, you should go kayaking with a friend or family members, as this will give you a backup plan if something happens to your craft. Although accidents rarely occur, just the thought of having another kayak nearby will give you peace of mind knowing.
One of the most common mistakes beginners make when fishing fro ma kayak is not knowing when to cut their line and let a fish go. This is pretty much unheard of from boat fishing, but it's something that every kayak fisherman will encounter. If the fish is too large or if you simply aren't prepared for it, don't try to force it into your fish finder for kayak. Instead, cut the line and come back another time with more preparation. There will always be fish in the sea waiting to be caught, so don't feel like this is the last time you will get one on your line.
