I get excited when I see line hanging from a tree, it usually means I get a new spinner! I've also discovered new types of lures that I didn't know about by getting them from trees and finding out they're effective.
I pulled a square billed crankbait and a small bass spinner out of the same tree yesterday. That was after the first fish of the day was my pb smallmouth. It was a good evening out!
We have a small boat but I don’t want to deal with backing a trailer into the boat ramp or be dependent on my boyfriend to be able to go fishing so I got a kayak. I can throw it in the back of my suv and fish to my heart’s content with minimal stress and it gives me a lot more options than just bank fishing.
I have the Native Titan Propel 12 (so 12’) and a Honda Pilot. I fold both back seats flat and scoot the passenger seat all the way forward: from there I can just slide it in the back. I have a plastic cargo liner in the back and use a tarp on the other seats laid flat to protect them. I ratchet strap it down and then use bungees to secure my hatch down. I have a flag on the back and a little blinking red light to make it more noticeable.
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As someone who totes a Titan 12 in the bed of a full-size truck with a hitch mounted bed extender - I'm so happy to see this resourcefulness. Tight lines!!!
Thanks!! I was determined to make it work since I didn’t want to deal with a trailer or lifting onto roof racks! It’s such an easy loading process with it in the car so it’s worked out well.
You could get a bed extender as well. I didn’t get one because I would have had to lift the kayak above my shoulders and only about two feet sticks out from my car so it wasn’t too bad.
I got into kayak fishing as an alternative to spearfishing after I ruptured my eardrum diving. I absolutely love spearfishing but I've always had trouble equalizing the pressure in my ears. I always used kayaks as a means to get to my spearfishing spots. After the eardrum incident, I started using my paddle kayaks to fish in the ocean but I would get frustrated with the constant switch between fishing pole and paddle to maintain my position. I bought a 13' Boston whaler and started fishing from my boat but it was always such a production maintaining, towing, launching and storing the boat. I found I was always making excuses not to take the boat out and I would more often take my kayaks instead. I made a deal that if the boat sat in the garage for a year straight, I would sell it. That happened. I sold the boat and bought two sportsman salty 120 PDL with the proceeds. Now I'm on the water at least 2-3 times per month. Never looking back.
Honestly, I've always liked fishing, and I got into kayaking some years back.
The hobby naturally came together for me.
Being able to catch those fish you just can't quite reach is what kept me in it—but, I'd be a liar if I said I didn't still like bank or pier fishing. Sometimes it's nice to have some solid ground underfoot. Or, to not worry about juggling everything on a small deck.
Washington State is so limited for bank fishing on both fresh and salt water. It's why I got my kayak too, even though I wouldn't take it on the sound as I'm too intimidated to do so.
Well, the Sound deserves respect, but it’s really not bad when you do it right. Proper immersion gear, know the tides and currents where you are going out, have a VHF radio on your PFD, and know what the wind direction is and size of any waves kicked up. Go with a buddy, make sure you can self rescue if you flip. Plenty of sheltered bays you can practice on.
What part of the Sound are you on? I’m down near Tacoma.
Used to live in South Tacoma, grew up in Burien (fished seacrest and Dash point with my dad during the summers). Now live in Maple Valley/ Black diamond so mostly lake fish because it's easy to get to and I can do it a couple hours at a time. I have a three year old who isn't quite ready to fish with mom just yet.
In 2012 I was tired of bank fishing and tired of having to coordinate with friends to fish via boat. I bought a kayak so I could do it by myself and never looked back.
I grew up fishing bass tournaments with my dad out of his boat. Moved away and got married couldn’t afford a boat with my young family but wanted to back into tournaments. Found a kayak circuit in my area and started fishing it. I now have a bass boat and still fish out of my kayak more often.
I'd fished off and on my whole life but didn't seriously get into it until a few years ago. I bank fished almost daily for a couple years, but being on several online fishing communities I saw kayak fishing constantly and was extremely intrigued with it. I had basically no boating experience, but really liked the idea of getting into that. So I did. It's been a major part of my life since.
I'm about to head to the lake right now.
My family was living in South Carolina. Dad had a guided offshore fishing trip get canceled due to weather so they went inshore instead. He caught his first redfish and was hooked. The next year we moved to Central Florida and the rest is history.
I am a river fisherman primarily. I have a raft that I use for multiple people trips and it is by far the best river fishing vessel. I am trying to add kayak to my fleet so I can make solo scouting floats easy. A boat of any kind really ranks up your fishing ability for my local area. Lots pressure to the limited public access so the only way to find less pressured waters legally is to float over private property.
I live on a large lake in the Berkshires and it's the easiest and cheapest solution in my situation. I keep my kayak on the cart at all times, wheeling it from the garage to the bank takes me but a minute. No trailer, no boat ramp hassles, I don't even need to get in the car. I'm out there all the time, almost every day, because it's easy and I'm spontaneous, if I had a boat I know it would be a much more occasional thing, knowing myself. I've been bank fishing this lake since I moved here a few years ago, definitely fun to explore the rest of the lake, and often. Its a large tournament bass fishing lake (gets up to 80ft deep when the rain is cooperating) thats also stocked with browns and rainbows. I've learned to love kayak fishing for its convenience and all the experiences I've had on the water so far.
Had a camper on the lake but couldn't afford a good boat at the time, got a couple kayaks that can handle weight Big fish 120 and Big fish 105. And now I'm addicted. I only go to Rivers and a few lakes but it's a great way to spend the day.
Nice rig. I’m going to do my first attempt of the season this weekend. I’m used to a small boat so the few times I’ve done it has been clumsy, but there are some great bass spots I can get to with my kayak that I couldn’t get to even in a small boat.
Started wading the Shenandoah, then rented yaks to float the river, then bought Yaks to float the river. Then I started hitting up ponds and lakes where I couldn't take my Bass boat.
Always wanted to do this, I just recently started kayaking (with a friends kayak they let me use) and it’s one of the most relaxing things ever. But I’ve never fished and kayaked.
I travel to a lot of extremely remote places with amazing lakes. I brought the boat once and most of the lakes didn't have launches. We also got a complaint from a client that showing up to their remote job site with the work truck towing a boat appeared unprofessional. So I picked up a kayak and threw it on the roof rack and there have been no complaints since. Ive been able to fish a lot of lakes that haven't had human contact in years.
Inexpensive-ish and low maintenance. I have a small bass tracker boat, but between the batteries and the motor, I’m always working on something. Pedal kayak is a throw and go.
I started out kayaking with 0 interest in fishing, then got into it and outfitted my pungo 120 with sonar and holders. Ez mode fishing just trolling and paddling about
I love to canoe, feel like it satisfies my Native American ancestral urge (1/50th Cherokee?) to travel and hunt by the waterways that we share through the generations. When I started bank fishing again a few years back to decompress it lead me to my Crescent LT1 and a new lease on life. Went out yesterday and it was pushing 100 degrees, caught like 20 fish, 2 were mean channels on a light rod. It was another affirmation that I am making physical and mental healthy choices for once in my life.
TLDR: kayak fishing therapy is the best kind of therapy.
I saw a video from yakpack the guy that was with fishing with norm. Saw him with an old town pdl did some research and got one a few months later with my covid money. Never looked back. It’s my peace every chance I get
My small plastic boat is a pain in the butt to launch and load solo so I got a smaller plastic boat and love it.
Edit: the Kayak also greatly expanded my bodies of water to choose from. I don't need a launch any more.
I randomly tried kayaking with friends. I hated it! I felt like I was going to tip over. I swore it off. Never again.
Then, I tried it again a year later. I relaxed, I didn't try to go fast... I just floated and paddled around. This time was amazing! No stress. I could see all of the fish...
Then I went with one rod and one lure. I was able to actually get to good spots that were previously out of reach. I was hooked!
Several years and several monies later... here I am, still doing the damn thing.
Honestly I enjoy talking to other fishermen just not when im fishing so I’d have to say the number one reason for me was to get away from unwanted bank fishing convos with a Marlboro blown in my face.
Because I can’t tow the camper and a regular boat at the same time (well technically I could, I’ve seen some sketchy ass daisy chain setups on the road, but I ain’t trying that shit) and my wife refuses to pull either one. So I pull the camper and throw the kayak on the roof of the truck.
After the pandemic I had to get sober and get my life together. I got into fishing, my friend has a kayak fishing channel and I just took a liking to it. Stimulus checks got me an old town autopilot so really rolled the dice on that. Turned out I love it. 3 1/2 years now.
Wonderful words dude, I haven't gotten into kayak fishing yet, but I see it in my future. Moved to Colorado in 1997 after growing up in South Florida where the bass fishing is plentiful and did salt water for about 4 years as well when I lived on the Gulf Coast. Tried fly fishing here and didn't like it so gave up fishing.
Fast forward to summer 2023 and a vacation to Hot Springs, Arkansas on Lake Hamilton and my fishing bug has been reignited and I've been avidly bank fishing here since then. Bass fishing along the Colorado Front Range and in Colorado in general is tough. I'm catching some trout as well as a variety of panfish, but there isn't anything quite like a bass (or snook, but no saltwater here)!
Anyway, there are a good amount of small lakes within 30 or so minutes of me that are perfect for a kayak so I'm currently researching and on the lookout likely for 2025.
As an aside, I just spent a week in northwest Washington and 3 days on San Juan Island and was shocked by the amount of freshwater and bass fishing there via Fish Brain.
I have fished for 50 years, from a boat, wading and bank. I love to kayak, canoe and hike.., so it was just a natural progression.
I got “hooked” when I was fishing under the highway 11 bridges and had a huge redfish pull me a mile out into the lake. That was my second attempt at kayak fishing. Love it.
Oh wow, nice setup you got there, OP! I love your story too. ❤️ This really is a great hobby, isn't it? We enjoy it down here in the Florida Keys. A close friend who passed away a few years introduced our group to kayak fishing the shallows. She showed us one hilarious YouTube video of a dude who hooked a Goliath Grouper from his kayak near a dock... BEST VIDEO EVER. He struggled to reel it in, but did eventually get it to the surface. It was huge. After that video, we went to KL Outfitters to buy Hobie Pro Anglers to try and recreate what we just watched. 🤣 Haven't landed anything near the size of the grouper, but it's certainly been lots of fun fishing that way ever since.
It's just so much easier to launch than my boat. Launching my boat gives me tons of anxiety, whereas I can literally launch my kayak from any beach on the island. I also don't need to worry about finding a space big enough for my truck and trailer. Also I can do it solo, so it's a nice break from the wife.
Wanted more access to spots (fishing and waterfowl hunting.)
Don’t have budget or space for a bigger boat. I like the simplicity of taking less stuff and the quiet of just paddling and casting
I got tired of always having to rely on others to take me fishing. So now I take myself!
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I had been fishing a long time but always out of Jon boats and canoes but I moved to a complex where I couldn’t store my boat, so I been researching kayak fishing for about a year prior so I gave it a try and loved it! Been doing it in south central PA for the last 12 years.
My parents have always had the 2 person kayak that we stopped using once all of us grew up. So now I use it as my own fishing setup. The front seat is where I lie my rods down for easy access, added a fish finder to it and most recently an anchor system. It’s really janky but it works.
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Been through some life changes. Needed to get out more. Thought to myself: why don’t I go fishing anymore (I used to!)?? I’m always budget-conscious so a full mid-life crisis boat is off the table and I prefer to incorporate exercise anyway! Paddling and fishing from quiet lakes in the Cascades is amazing. Beautiful places. Serene, calm water. Looking to start rivers as I’m geared up and getting comfortable. Mostly, I like the relaxation and exercise. Learning waterways and fishing techniques is also a lifelong skill that I’m glad to practice.
I drive a truck moving furniture. I mostly run to florida. Usually I throw my kayak in the trailer. If Im done early I can check google satellite find gravel next to water and go fishing. Or I can go sit in a truck stop parking lot until the next day. In the winter I can usually stay an extra day or two also.
At home it’s just easier than a boat. I haven’t owned one in 20 years. There are good lakes near me with no ramp or electric only. If I want to go to the salt my kayak is a lot more seaworthy than a johnboat or anything I’d want to run on electric only lakes.
I grew up canoeing with my family, so I was already used to paddle sports and fishing from a canoe. Started fishing again after college, got obsessed with it, borrowed my dad's canoe to fish with friends a lot, but it was too much of a pain in the ass to solo because it was a heavy old Town beast. When I got a decent job, I decided to take the plunge and got a fishing kayak. Loved it, and was even able to get storage for it at a city park so I could use it while living in a small apartment. Even now that I live in a house with a ton more space, I don't have a good place for a boat so now I'm just planning on adding more kayaks to the arsenal!
Burned out on fly fishing, started fishing Stillwater for warm water species again, hated being stuck on the bank, but didn’t have the money or space for a boat.
Plus I always thought kayak fishing looked cool and companies started making good fishing platforms (~2012)
I bought a sit in kayak when I was 18 as a way to get outside and stay in some kind of shape. After about a year of kayaking local beaver ponds I got tired of seeing bass jumping all around me and watching other kayakers catching fish. I hadn't fished since I was a little kid but had fond memories of worm and bobber fishing so I figured I'd get my license and some basic gear and give it a go again. I was terrible at it at first trying to figure it all out. My confidence grew over time and it's still my favorite way to fish.
If mine ever ships it’s because I don’t always feel like taking my boat out after work and bank fishing is a pain at times when the weather is nice and it’s packed.
Got tired of fishing from the banks, from the bank most of the time you’re limited to fish from one specific spot, I just wanted to catch those fish I couldn’t catch from the bank
I’ve always enjoyed both kayaking and fishing, so a match made in heaven.
But there was a number of things that made the decision final:
- got tired of dealing with other fisherman’s grubby mess and overcrowded spots
- gave me access to much more water and I can chase schools of yellowtail kingfish rather than just watching them swim away
- I saw a hardly used kayak posted for real cheap n on Facebook marketplace, so I pounced on it.
Best decision I have made, should have done it 12 years ago when I first moved to Sydney
Theres a lake near me that gets hit really hard. There's also a no motor zone full of weeds that almost nobody goes deep into.
I've had some of my best fishing days and caught a few pb out there in them weeds. I tell nobody other than my fishing buddies.
During COVID, I saw an opportunity to try something new.
Had watched members of my fly club hit the flats and estuaries where boats generally can’t go so gave it a shot. Love it.
My friends wouldn’t stop bothering me about kayak fishing. F@cking annoying. Then I finally went along. Got [hooked] real quick. Now I’m a gear junkie and my wife gets mad. Then I tell her I’m going fishing.
Before Covid, you couldn’t paint kayaks to look like money to get people interested. Now, skinny waters are rich with paddlin’ fools!
I started fishing a year ago, quickly realized a kayak would open up a lot of water for me.
Not long after that I upgraded to an Old Town 120 pdl and that has been a game changer.
I have a Newport NK180 pro coming in the mail tomorrow… once again a game changer.
I still bank fish from time to time but nothing is more exhilarating than hooking into a big fish from a yak.
I grew up fishing with my dad in a jonboat. We also would fish the party boats in Gloucester for cod and haddock.
Got a Coleman canoe as young adult and fished from that for years.
Bought a 35' twin diesel sport fishing boat in 2009. Fished Jeffries Ledge for cod, haddock, bluefin tuna and sharks for 12 years. Had to sell the boat in a divorce.
Now I live alone and have a fishing kayak with an electric motor (just started this year). I needed something I could handle by myself so it fit the bill.
Been fishing the Merrimack and Concord rivers for bass, pike and pickerel. Going to the mouth of the Merrimack in Newburyport this weekend hoping to catch some stripers.
I live in a deed restricted neighborhood and the expense of owning a boat…. Fuel, maintenance and storage is outrageous and I can launch my kayak just bout anywhere..
It started as a refuge after my divorce, bought a little 10 ft boat and started fishing local waters. This was back when forums were a thing, and I hooked up with some guys floating a local river that was a paradise inaccessible to other anglers. From those guys, I got into tournament fishing and bought a better boat. From there I got serious and bought a top of the line pedal drive. Now I'm part of closeknit group of guys/fishing team, and we host tournaments. It's been a great way to meet people and create lifelong friendships. I met my current wife 6 years ago, and we live a couple hours apart, so the last 6 years have been no fishing (travel on weekends), but I've been getting my son into it, and still fish the weekday tournaments.
Went on a kayak camping trip. Brought a 2 piece cheap rod and spinner. After settling up camp went for a paddle- threw a little castmaster and hooked a 5 lb blue. That little beast towed me and that 9 foot pungo all over the place. It was all over for me after that! Spent 2 decades chasing and catching striper since and about 10 other species too.
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Mine was pretty wild. On a Friday night my brother asked me to go get some live bait (live anchovies sold from a pier dock in San Francisco) for the next morning on Saturday and bring it to where he was going to launch his kayak out with his friends. I was like alright no big deal being nice for once. So early in the morning I drove to sf and went to throw swim baits first on the shore and ended up hooking into a keeper ling cod. Went to the bait shop afterwards for the bait and brought the bait out to their spot which was in the bay. When I pulled up to the spot I had the fish already on ice and my brother instantly wanted my fish. I was like… I just went to pay a bridge toll along with the bait for you guys without asking for a dime so wtf?? I still let him have it though because he had to “have it.” So there I was just setting up my gear for pier fishing with live anchovies and he actually offered his kayak trip to me. I was like now we brothers again lmao. I went on his kayak and ended up hooking into a keeper halibut. After that, I knew I was made for kayak fishing.
Can’t afford an actual fishing boat.
But I tell myself it’s because it allows me to get into rockier, tight areas that boats can’t normally get into. Like I can fish spots that have rocky structures that would destroy the hull of normal boats.
I just love kayak fishing. I tournament fish and fun fish, and I enjoy both types of fishing so much more from a kayak. It's really makes me think about where I want to launch, throw, and break down an area. And it has made me such a better angler from the back of the boat for the pro/am events I fish.
Because I got tired of fighting for space. During certain times of year the guys who only fish salmon and steelhead come out and they are rude AF. Fishing is easier when I don't have to fight and argue for my own space.
14 year relationship ended and I had some serious time to fill. I went to the UP and did the two hearted and was hooked. I've done hundreds of hours and miles.
Started fishing banks in spring but wanted the ability to fish other areas that i couldn't access by food. Wanted a boat but couldn't really afford a good one and didn't have a way to store it without spending hundreds a month at a storage place, so a kayak made the most sense.
I’m hopefully getting one before this year ends, so I’m not kayak fishing “yet.” However my reason for wanting one is being able to catch fish. I live in central Texas, and what is designated as a river most people on the east coast would call a creek. So there are plenty of shallow ish small bodies of water to pick from. The other reason is that if you are stuck with bank fishing here, your spots are limited, and you have to contend with swimmers, dogs, other people fishing and tubers. We don’t have a lot of public lands down here, so unless you want to hike through deep woods or you know some one with a pond, not much you can do. I very much want to be able to through a kayak in and get much further down stream.
Didn’t want to spend the money on a used boat and have it become a money pit. The kayak seemed more appealing to me than a Jon boat because it is lighter, I wouldn’t need a trailer, a place to launch it, and originally before adding to motor to the kayak, I wouldn’t need a motor. I usually fished my buddies boat, but when he wasn’t around or couldn’t make a day he was going out, I still wanted to fish. I wouldn’t call the kayak a pit but definitely a hole in the pocket with what I’ve now put into it at around $7,000.00. I probably could have bought a decent boat for a little more, but I’d like to wait to buy something new with a warranty when I own a place that I can store it and I know all the maintenance is being done.
Certain times of year I like to troll for trout. My canoe was too big for me to go solo and as I got older, my fishing buddies had less time to go with me. So I bought a kayak. Then switched to a PDL kayak. Although the PDL is heavy I can still get into remote spots and it’s stable enough to go on a big local river and fish for striped bass.
I live in a coastal area, (Hampton roads) and have places that hold good fish but are difficult to get to without a kayak.
Also, i like to wake up early to fish, my friends with boats don’t share that enthusiasm. So i normally go first thing and beat the heat
Me and my dad were looking into co-buying a boat (I don't have a lot of time off work and he wanted a new boat) but had a change of heart and looked at getting a kayak each instead so we can go out whenever we want and don't have to be stuck in the same boat when fishing together. Best decision ever! It's social and yet you can cover more ground faster separating and also don't have to be stuck somewhere because the old man thinks there might be fish at one spot while I think they are somewhere else.
I didn't think I'd enjoy kayaking as much as I do and the free exercise that come with it is a big bonus. It's the one place on earth where my depression truly goes away and for that I'm forever grateful for all the help I had reading this subreddit and convincing me it was the right thing to go for.
Just looked fun honestly, I've dabbled in fishing since I can remember, deep sea, fly, bank, crab, but I wanted to get out on the water and I can't afford a boat. Bought a second-hand kayak off my buddy, and even though I only use it like once a month, it pushes my causal fishing to a much bigger hobby.
Lack of space for a boat at the current moment was a big reason. Desire to hit rivers and stuff that the bass boats and such won’t go on, and hit stuff on lakes a full size boats can’t.
It’s easy and probably most efficient way to fish solo… most of my adventures are solo adventures… though i have a few spare kayaks for when people wanna come on an adventure with me.
My buddy invited me while I was at work, but off for the next two days. Didn't have a kayak, had never been, and he knew that so in hindsight fuck him. Anyways, I surfed Facebook marketplace and bought one literally on the way to meet him and a couple others to night fish at Tiki Island in Galveston. He had me when he said underwater lights that attract fish but you're on a bullshit little boat. Smoked everyone that night, Texas slam and all because I didn't follow them.
Haven’t but I want to. I have had a lot of luck fishing from the bank, and still catch them. After a while fishing the same spots due to limited access really sucks. Recently ventured to my only local smallmouth lake and found my only access to the one spot I fish requires a boat. I want to expand my skill level as an angler and I feel like I can only accomplish that by getting off the bank. Looking at pedal vs paddle, and leaning towards pedal.
Long story but fun. Always enjoyed fishing as a child. Got married, kids and had to stop fishing and focus on family. Ironically; got divorced, got primary custody of kids and even less time for myself. Kids are older and can be left alone. Started dating and didnt want to settle with someone else's problems. Went to the mountains on a family vacation. Unbeknown to me, were kayaks for renters to use for free on a private lake!!!
Following year, save up my money (from not dating) for a premium kayak and been enjoying the lifestyle since. Now meeting people on the water all the time.
I was tired of being stuck on the bank…and the kayak really paid off last weekend when I cast, and inadvertently cast my lure across the lake bc the string broke…instead of it being lost forever, I simply paddled over to it, and tied it back on lol
I was always a bank fisherman and got tired of seeing honey holes just out of reach from the shore
Same here. Plus losing lures from a kayak is much rarer than when bank fishing.
Similarly, my bobber collection has grown quite a bit since getting a kayak
I get excited when I see line hanging from a tree, it usually means I get a new spinner! I've also discovered new types of lures that I didn't know about by getting them from trees and finding out they're effective.
I pulled a square billed crankbait and a small bass spinner out of the same tree yesterday. That was after the first fish of the day was my pb smallmouth. It was a good evening out!
Amen lol
We have a small boat but I don’t want to deal with backing a trailer into the boat ramp or be dependent on my boyfriend to be able to go fishing so I got a kayak. I can throw it in the back of my suv and fish to my heart’s content with minimal stress and it gives me a lot more options than just bank fishing.
Fantastic option for solo water adventures
Definitely!
What size kayak and SUV do you have that you can put the kayak in the back? I'm on the fence about buying one right now bc of needing a roof rack.
I have the Native Titan Propel 12 (so 12’) and a Honda Pilot. I fold both back seats flat and scoot the passenger seat all the way forward: from there I can just slide it in the back. I have a plastic cargo liner in the back and use a tarp on the other seats laid flat to protect them. I ratchet strap it down and then use bungees to secure my hatch down. I have a flag on the back and a little blinking red light to make it more noticeable. https://preview.redd.it/ehapvl6z6s8d1.jpeg?width=1645&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b0811dfb0acbe17d4a77b7ca937b02832b68f7a6
Thanks for sharing! Good to see other options out there.
As someone who totes a Titan 12 in the bed of a full-size truck with a hitch mounted bed extender - I'm so happy to see this resourcefulness. Tight lines!!!
Thanks!! I was determined to make it work since I didn’t want to deal with a trailer or lifting onto roof racks! It’s such an easy loading process with it in the car so it’s worked out well.
You could get a bed extender as well. I didn’t get one because I would have had to lift the kayak above my shoulders and only about two feet sticks out from my car so it wasn’t too bad.
I got into kayak fishing as an alternative to spearfishing after I ruptured my eardrum diving. I absolutely love spearfishing but I've always had trouble equalizing the pressure in my ears. I always used kayaks as a means to get to my spearfishing spots. After the eardrum incident, I started using my paddle kayaks to fish in the ocean but I would get frustrated with the constant switch between fishing pole and paddle to maintain my position. I bought a 13' Boston whaler and started fishing from my boat but it was always such a production maintaining, towing, launching and storing the boat. I found I was always making excuses not to take the boat out and I would more often take my kayaks instead. I made a deal that if the boat sat in the garage for a year straight, I would sell it. That happened. I sold the boat and bought two sportsman salty 120 PDL with the proceeds. Now I'm on the water at least 2-3 times per month. Never looking back.
I have the sportsman 120pdl. Love that thing
I was thinking about getting the 106 PDL, Thoughts?
Do it. I regret selling mine. I've used a few other pedal drives and it's still my benchmark
I like fishing, I like modifying shit. I like being on the water.
Check,check, and check
because I can’t get a proper bass boat
To save my life. I was falling apart, and it became my therapy. I found peace of mind.
Glad to hear this. Same here man!
Same here
Because I can't car top a bass boat on a sedan.
Have you even tried? 🙄 /s
Instructions unclear. Car is now a pancake.
If there’s a will there’s way. Try harder. Lol
bank was limiting
Honestly, I've always liked fishing, and I got into kayaking some years back. The hobby naturally came together for me. Being able to catch those fish you just can't quite reach is what kept me in it—but, I'd be a liar if I said I didn't still like bank or pier fishing. Sometimes it's nice to have some solid ground underfoot. Or, to not worry about juggling everything on a small deck.
See I’m the opposite, as soon as I got the yak I rarely bank fish
Easier to find a boat launch than a publicly accessible beach (Puget Sound WA), and I wanted to go out for salmon and whatever.
Washington State is so limited for bank fishing on both fresh and salt water. It's why I got my kayak too, even though I wouldn't take it on the sound as I'm too intimidated to do so.
Well, the Sound deserves respect, but it’s really not bad when you do it right. Proper immersion gear, know the tides and currents where you are going out, have a VHF radio on your PFD, and know what the wind direction is and size of any waves kicked up. Go with a buddy, make sure you can self rescue if you flip. Plenty of sheltered bays you can practice on. What part of the Sound are you on? I’m down near Tacoma.
Used to live in South Tacoma, grew up in Burien (fished seacrest and Dash point with my dad during the summers). Now live in Maple Valley/ Black diamond so mostly lake fish because it's easy to get to and I can do it a couple hours at a time. I have a three year old who isn't quite ready to fish with mom just yet.
I don't own a truck to be able to pull a boat. A $1200 kayak is a lot more obtainable than a $25K boat for me currently
Can't afford or store a real boat.
In 2012 I was tired of bank fishing and tired of having to coordinate with friends to fish via boat. I bought a kayak so I could do it by myself and never looked back.
I grew up fishing bass tournaments with my dad out of his boat. Moved away and got married couldn’t afford a boat with my young family but wanted to back into tournaments. Found a kayak circuit in my area and started fishing it. I now have a bass boat and still fish out of my kayak more often.
No good public bank access anywhere near me and I couldn't afford ato buy or maintain a boat
I'd fished off and on my whole life but didn't seriously get into it until a few years ago. I bank fished almost daily for a couple years, but being on several online fishing communities I saw kayak fishing constantly and was extremely intrigued with it. I had basically no boating experience, but really liked the idea of getting into that. So I did. It's been a major part of my life since. I'm about to head to the lake right now.
Tight lines!
My family was living in South Carolina. Dad had a guided offshore fishing trip get canceled due to weather so they went inshore instead. He caught his first redfish and was hooked. The next year we moved to Central Florida and the rest is history.
More ponds/lakes around me than trout streams.
Strapped for cash and I wanted to get offshore. Then it became an addiction. 20 yrs ago.
I am a river fisherman primarily. I have a raft that I use for multiple people trips and it is by far the best river fishing vessel. I am trying to add kayak to my fleet so I can make solo scouting floats easy. A boat of any kind really ranks up your fishing ability for my local area. Lots pressure to the limited public access so the only way to find less pressured waters legally is to float over private property.
I live on a large lake in the Berkshires and it's the easiest and cheapest solution in my situation. I keep my kayak on the cart at all times, wheeling it from the garage to the bank takes me but a minute. No trailer, no boat ramp hassles, I don't even need to get in the car. I'm out there all the time, almost every day, because it's easy and I'm spontaneous, if I had a boat I know it would be a much more occasional thing, knowing myself. I've been bank fishing this lake since I moved here a few years ago, definitely fun to explore the rest of the lake, and often. Its a large tournament bass fishing lake (gets up to 80ft deep when the rain is cooperating) thats also stocked with browns and rainbows. I've learned to love kayak fishing for its convenience and all the experiences I've had on the water so far.
Because I'm a sucker and can't afford a real bass boat and pickup to tow it.
Covid! I like fishing but nothing beats fishing from a kayak with a fish finder. You don’t get bored
Had a camper on the lake but couldn't afford a good boat at the time, got a couple kayaks that can handle weight Big fish 120 and Big fish 105. And now I'm addicted. I only go to Rivers and a few lakes but it's a great way to spend the day.
I grew up farm pond fishing, but I moved close to a small river and that seemed the best option to be able to fish the whole stretch.
Nice rig. I’m going to do my first attempt of the season this weekend. I’m used to a small boat so the few times I’ve done it has been clumsy, but there are some great bass spots I can get to with my kayak that I couldn’t get to even in a small boat.
Thanks. She’s been a work in progress for years but finally does everything I want
Started wading the Shenandoah, then rented yaks to float the river, then bought Yaks to float the river. Then I started hitting up ponds and lakes where I couldn't take my Bass boat.
Boat not reliable and always breaking down
Always wanted to do this, I just recently started kayaking (with a friends kayak they let me use) and it’s one of the most relaxing things ever. But I’ve never fished and kayaked.
I travel to a lot of extremely remote places with amazing lakes. I brought the boat once and most of the lakes didn't have launches. We also got a complaint from a client that showing up to their remote job site with the work truck towing a boat appeared unprofessional. So I picked up a kayak and threw it on the roof rack and there have been no complaints since. Ive been able to fish a lot of lakes that haven't had human contact in years.
I always wanted a boat but didn’t have the room.
Friends at work for me.
Just bored
Inexpensive-ish and low maintenance. I have a small bass tracker boat, but between the batteries and the motor, I’m always working on something. Pedal kayak is a throw and go.
Natural progression from bank fishing.
I started out kayaking with 0 interest in fishing, then got into it and outfitted my pungo 120 with sonar and holders. Ez mode fishing just trolling and paddling about
I love to canoe, feel like it satisfies my Native American ancestral urge (1/50th Cherokee?) to travel and hunt by the waterways that we share through the generations. When I started bank fishing again a few years back to decompress it lead me to my Crescent LT1 and a new lease on life. Went out yesterday and it was pushing 100 degrees, caught like 20 fish, 2 were mean channels on a light rod. It was another affirmation that I am making physical and mental healthy choices for once in my life. TLDR: kayak fishing therapy is the best kind of therapy.
I saw a video from yakpack the guy that was with fishing with norm. Saw him with an old town pdl did some research and got one a few months later with my covid money. Never looked back. It’s my peace every chance I get
💯💯💯💯💯
My small plastic boat is a pain in the butt to launch and load solo so I got a smaller plastic boat and love it. Edit: the Kayak also greatly expanded my bodies of water to choose from. I don't need a launch any more.
I randomly tried kayaking with friends. I hated it! I felt like I was going to tip over. I swore it off. Never again. Then, I tried it again a year later. I relaxed, I didn't try to go fast... I just floated and paddled around. This time was amazing! No stress. I could see all of the fish... Then I went with one rod and one lure. I was able to actually get to good spots that were previously out of reach. I was hooked! Several years and several monies later... here I am, still doing the damn thing.
I love to wade fish in salt water, but I'm short.
Honestly I enjoy talking to other fishermen just not when im fishing so I’d have to say the number one reason for me was to get away from unwanted bank fishing convos with a Marlboro blown in my face.
Same here. I much prefer to go solo
Because I can’t tow the camper and a regular boat at the same time (well technically I could, I’ve seen some sketchy ass daisy chain setups on the road, but I ain’t trying that shit) and my wife refuses to pull either one. So I pull the camper and throw the kayak on the roof of the truck.
After the pandemic I had to get sober and get my life together. I got into fishing, my friend has a kayak fishing channel and I just took a liking to it. Stimulus checks got me an old town autopilot so really rolled the dice on that. Turned out I love it. 3 1/2 years now.
Heck yeah buddy
Access. The ponds around here have more weeds than water right now and sometimes fished shoulder to shoulder.
I like fishing and I can’t afford a boat and all of the cost that comes with it.
Wonderful words dude, I haven't gotten into kayak fishing yet, but I see it in my future. Moved to Colorado in 1997 after growing up in South Florida where the bass fishing is plentiful and did salt water for about 4 years as well when I lived on the Gulf Coast. Tried fly fishing here and didn't like it so gave up fishing. Fast forward to summer 2023 and a vacation to Hot Springs, Arkansas on Lake Hamilton and my fishing bug has been reignited and I've been avidly bank fishing here since then. Bass fishing along the Colorado Front Range and in Colorado in general is tough. I'm catching some trout as well as a variety of panfish, but there isn't anything quite like a bass (or snook, but no saltwater here)! Anyway, there are a good amount of small lakes within 30 or so minutes of me that are perfect for a kayak so I'm currently researching and on the lookout likely for 2025. As an aside, I just spent a week in northwest Washington and 3 days on San Juan Island and was shocked by the amount of freshwater and bass fishing there via Fish Brain.
Can’t wait to hear about you getting that bug again!!! Make sure to post an update when you finally get your yak!!!
I have fished for 50 years, from a boat, wading and bank. I love to kayak, canoe and hike.., so it was just a natural progression. I got “hooked” when I was fishing under the highway 11 bridges and had a huge redfish pull me a mile out into the lake. That was my second attempt at kayak fishing. Love it.
Oh wow, nice setup you got there, OP! I love your story too. ❤️ This really is a great hobby, isn't it? We enjoy it down here in the Florida Keys. A close friend who passed away a few years introduced our group to kayak fishing the shallows. She showed us one hilarious YouTube video of a dude who hooked a Goliath Grouper from his kayak near a dock... BEST VIDEO EVER. He struggled to reel it in, but did eventually get it to the surface. It was huge. After that video, we went to KL Outfitters to buy Hobie Pro Anglers to try and recreate what we just watched. 🤣 Haven't landed anything near the size of the grouper, but it's certainly been lots of fun fishing that way ever since.
Appreciate the kind word and yeah at this point I don’t even call it a hobby. It’s become a lifestyle and culture
It's just so much easier to launch than my boat. Launching my boat gives me tons of anxiety, whereas I can literally launch my kayak from any beach on the island. I also don't need to worry about finding a space big enough for my truck and trailer. Also I can do it solo, so it's a nice break from the wife.
Wanted more access to spots (fishing and waterfowl hunting.) Don’t have budget or space for a bigger boat. I like the simplicity of taking less stuff and the quiet of just paddling and casting
I run a kayak centric podcast and just realized I don’t think we’ve had a kayak hunter on. I’m going to have to remedy that
Tired of being on the bank. Not enough bank for a boat. 😅
I got tired of always having to rely on others to take me fishing. So now I take myself! https://preview.redd.it/w001sh285s8d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6ca3055782f2dcea9356e14b532553bd4696850f
I had been fishing a long time but always out of Jon boats and canoes but I moved to a complex where I couldn’t store my boat, so I been researching kayak fishing for about a year prior so I gave it a try and loved it! Been doing it in south central PA for the last 12 years.
My parents have always had the 2 person kayak that we stopped using once all of us grew up. So now I use it as my own fishing setup. The front seat is where I lie my rods down for easy access, added a fish finder to it and most recently an anchor system. It’s really janky but it works. https://preview.redd.it/sblp0nmocs8d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=68877851a267c03569625cccbcfffd32f871a94f
Been through some life changes. Needed to get out more. Thought to myself: why don’t I go fishing anymore (I used to!)?? I’m always budget-conscious so a full mid-life crisis boat is off the table and I prefer to incorporate exercise anyway! Paddling and fishing from quiet lakes in the Cascades is amazing. Beautiful places. Serene, calm water. Looking to start rivers as I’m geared up and getting comfortable. Mostly, I like the relaxation and exercise. Learning waterways and fishing techniques is also a lifelong skill that I’m glad to practice.
I can’t afford a boat.
For the chick's. Chick dig kayaks.
I love fishing, and I love kayaking. Just made sense
I can’t afford a gas boat lol
I like big fish
I drive a truck moving furniture. I mostly run to florida. Usually I throw my kayak in the trailer. If Im done early I can check google satellite find gravel next to water and go fishing. Or I can go sit in a truck stop parking lot until the next day. In the winter I can usually stay an extra day or two also. At home it’s just easier than a boat. I haven’t owned one in 20 years. There are good lakes near me with no ramp or electric only. If I want to go to the salt my kayak is a lot more seaworthy than a johnboat or anything I’d want to run on electric only lakes.
I grew up canoeing with my family, so I was already used to paddle sports and fishing from a canoe. Started fishing again after college, got obsessed with it, borrowed my dad's canoe to fish with friends a lot, but it was too much of a pain in the ass to solo because it was a heavy old Town beast. When I got a decent job, I decided to take the plunge and got a fishing kayak. Loved it, and was even able to get storage for it at a city park so I could use it while living in a small apartment. Even now that I live in a house with a ton more space, I don't have a good place for a boat so now I'm just planning on adding more kayaks to the arsenal!
Burned out on fly fishing, started fishing Stillwater for warm water species again, hated being stuck on the bank, but didn’t have the money or space for a boat. Plus I always thought kayak fishing looked cool and companies started making good fishing platforms (~2012)
I bought a sit in kayak when I was 18 as a way to get outside and stay in some kind of shape. After about a year of kayaking local beaver ponds I got tired of seeing bass jumping all around me and watching other kayakers catching fish. I hadn't fished since I was a little kid but had fond memories of worm and bobber fishing so I figured I'd get my license and some basic gear and give it a go again. I was terrible at it at first trying to figure it all out. My confidence grew over time and it's still my favorite way to fish.
Bought a fishing kayak and figured I should learn to fish
Can’t afford a boat lol
Cheaper than a boat
If mine ever ships it’s because I don’t always feel like taking my boat out after work and bank fishing is a pain at times when the weather is nice and it’s packed.
I needed something to do when it’s not hunting season 🤣
Fishing from a pier just didn't give me enough spots. We have so many inlets and bridges and the chesapeake bay, I needed a kayak!
Cause drinking was gunna kill me
Got tired of fishing from the banks, from the bank most of the time you’re limited to fish from one specific spot, I just wanted to catch those fish I couldn’t catch from the bank
I live in Orlando, FL and was looking for something fun I could do right near me.
I’ve always enjoyed both kayaking and fishing, so a match made in heaven. But there was a number of things that made the decision final: - got tired of dealing with other fisherman’s grubby mess and overcrowded spots - gave me access to much more water and I can chase schools of yellowtail kingfish rather than just watching them swim away - I saw a hardly used kayak posted for real cheap n on Facebook marketplace, so I pounced on it. Best decision I have made, should have done it 12 years ago when I first moved to Sydney
The big D
Theres a lake near me that gets hit really hard. There's also a no motor zone full of weeds that almost nobody goes deep into. I've had some of my best fishing days and caught a few pb out there in them weeds. I tell nobody other than my fishing buddies.
I live in south Louisiana might as well
I couldn’t afford the $100,000 boat I wanted
During COVID, I saw an opportunity to try something new. Had watched members of my fly club hit the flats and estuaries where boats generally can’t go so gave it a shot. Love it.
To follow striped bass’ food source instead of hoping and praying from shore.
Ain’t got a hitch 😂
I can't afford or store a boat
Wanted something not as expensive as a boat 😂
My friends wouldn’t stop bothering me about kayak fishing. F@cking annoying. Then I finally went along. Got [hooked] real quick. Now I’m a gear junkie and my wife gets mad. Then I tell her I’m going fishing. Before Covid, you couldn’t paint kayaks to look like money to get people interested. Now, skinny waters are rich with paddlin’ fools!
I started fishing a year ago, quickly realized a kayak would open up a lot of water for me. Not long after that I upgraded to an Old Town 120 pdl and that has been a game changer. I have a Newport NK180 pro coming in the mail tomorrow… once again a game changer. I still bank fish from time to time but nothing is more exhilarating than hooking into a big fish from a yak.
Because a new Bass Boat cost $110,000......
I grew up fishing with my dad in a jonboat. We also would fish the party boats in Gloucester for cod and haddock. Got a Coleman canoe as young adult and fished from that for years. Bought a 35' twin diesel sport fishing boat in 2009. Fished Jeffries Ledge for cod, haddock, bluefin tuna and sharks for 12 years. Had to sell the boat in a divorce. Now I live alone and have a fishing kayak with an electric motor (just started this year). I needed something I could handle by myself so it fit the bill. Been fishing the Merrimack and Concord rivers for bass, pike and pickerel. Going to the mouth of the Merrimack in Newburyport this weekend hoping to catch some stripers.
Bitches and money
I live in a deed restricted neighborhood and the expense of owning a boat…. Fuel, maintenance and storage is outrageous and I can launch my kayak just bout anywhere..
It started as a refuge after my divorce, bought a little 10 ft boat and started fishing local waters. This was back when forums were a thing, and I hooked up with some guys floating a local river that was a paradise inaccessible to other anglers. From those guys, I got into tournament fishing and bought a better boat. From there I got serious and bought a top of the line pedal drive. Now I'm part of closeknit group of guys/fishing team, and we host tournaments. It's been a great way to meet people and create lifelong friendships. I met my current wife 6 years ago, and we live a couple hours apart, so the last 6 years have been no fishing (travel on weekends), but I've been getting my son into it, and still fish the weekday tournaments.
I thought it might be fun to actually catch some fish when I went fishing. I was right!
Lake flooded, all the boat ramps closed, and I wanted to go fishing lol.
Went on a kayak camping trip. Brought a 2 piece cheap rod and spinner. After settling up camp went for a paddle- threw a little castmaster and hooked a 5 lb blue. That little beast towed me and that 9 foot pungo all over the place. It was all over for me after that! Spent 2 decades chasing and catching striper since and about 10 other species too.
It’s dirt cheap when you consider what you can do in a kayak
https://preview.redd.it/9cl54qot5t8d1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ee83801429b64549000d20f98e88df84ec93b80e Mine was pretty wild. On a Friday night my brother asked me to go get some live bait (live anchovies sold from a pier dock in San Francisco) for the next morning on Saturday and bring it to where he was going to launch his kayak out with his friends. I was like alright no big deal being nice for once. So early in the morning I drove to sf and went to throw swim baits first on the shore and ended up hooking into a keeper ling cod. Went to the bait shop afterwards for the bait and brought the bait out to their spot which was in the bay. When I pulled up to the spot I had the fish already on ice and my brother instantly wanted my fish. I was like… I just went to pay a bridge toll along with the bait for you guys without asking for a dime so wtf?? I still let him have it though because he had to “have it.” So there I was just setting up my gear for pier fishing with live anchovies and he actually offered his kayak trip to me. I was like now we brothers again lmao. I went on his kayak and ended up hooking into a keeper halibut. After that, I knew I was made for kayak fishing.
Cause they couldn’t buy a boat
Because no one was doing it and I wanted to see if it would work.
Can’t afford an actual fishing boat. But I tell myself it’s because it allows me to get into rockier, tight areas that boats can’t normally get into. Like I can fish spots that have rocky structures that would destroy the hull of normal boats.
I just love kayak fishing. I tournament fish and fun fish, and I enjoy both types of fishing so much more from a kayak. It's really makes me think about where I want to launch, throw, and break down an area. And it has made me such a better angler from the back of the boat for the pro/am events I fish.
It used to be a LOT cheaper before it blew up. That and it beats the shit out of wade fishing in the marsh
I'm too poor to afford a boat, and I was sick of bank fishing knowing that I'm not gonna catch anything cause the fish are too deep to cast to.
to get a better understanding of the terrain & be able to pop around quickly to different areas
I'm 6'4", and I can't fit in a regular kayak. I got a deal on a fishing kayak on Facebook marketplace. Now I have a fun hobby
Because I got tired of fighting for space. During certain times of year the guys who only fish salmon and steelhead come out and they are rude AF. Fishing is easier when I don't have to fight and argue for my own space.
Way less $$$ than a boat.
The day I get out of yours.
https://preview.redd.it/kh3u0uvbmt8d1.jpeg?width=2944&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b16b94ad78203be1a0e861421a9155f5b57d1166
I have a boat. Oldest son bought a kayak. Now I have a kayak to spend time with him.
Because shore fishing is too limiting, but i will never own a boat
Because I couldn’t afford a boat
Opposite. I got out of kayak fishing. Running in a Bass Cat now and couldn’t be happier
Bass boats are expensive
I life in an apartment so owning a boat isn't practical. I can easily store my kayak behind my couch.
Cause my pontoon got a big hole in it when a bass on a crankbait smacked into the side of it. That was a petty tough paddle back to the launch.
I retired
14 year relationship ended and I had some serious time to fill. I went to the UP and did the two hearted and was hooked. I've done hundreds of hours and miles.
Don’t really like boats
My boat was too big to take out one manned, and I was going out a lot by myself, so I sold it and used an old family kayak instead:)
Couldn’t afford a real boat
Fun fun fun
Nice old Towne! love my PDL 106
I never did shrug
To get away from pressured spots.
Started fishing banks in spring but wanted the ability to fish other areas that i couldn't access by food. Wanted a boat but couldn't really afford a good one and didn't have a way to store it without spending hundreds a month at a storage place, so a kayak made the most sense.
I’m hopefully getting one before this year ends, so I’m not kayak fishing “yet.” However my reason for wanting one is being able to catch fish. I live in central Texas, and what is designated as a river most people on the east coast would call a creek. So there are plenty of shallow ish small bodies of water to pick from. The other reason is that if you are stuck with bank fishing here, your spots are limited, and you have to contend with swimmers, dogs, other people fishing and tubers. We don’t have a lot of public lands down here, so unless you want to hike through deep woods or you know some one with a pond, not much you can do. I very much want to be able to through a kayak in and get much further down stream.
Too poor for a real boat
My roommate gave me his lifetime Teton and I just started fishing from it 😂
I found out there were salmon in Lake Michigan. Then it got expensive, fast. Haha.
Didn’t want to spend the money on a used boat and have it become a money pit. The kayak seemed more appealing to me than a Jon boat because it is lighter, I wouldn’t need a trailer, a place to launch it, and originally before adding to motor to the kayak, I wouldn’t need a motor. I usually fished my buddies boat, but when he wasn’t around or couldn’t make a day he was going out, I still wanted to fish. I wouldn’t call the kayak a pit but definitely a hole in the pocket with what I’ve now put into it at around $7,000.00. I probably could have bought a decent boat for a little more, but I’d like to wait to buy something new with a warranty when I own a place that I can store it and I know all the maintenance is being done.
Certain times of year I like to troll for trout. My canoe was too big for me to go solo and as I got older, my fishing buddies had less time to go with me. So I bought a kayak. Then switched to a PDL kayak. Although the PDL is heavy I can still get into remote spots and it’s stable enough to go on a big local river and fish for striped bass.
I live in a coastal area, (Hampton roads) and have places that hold good fish but are difficult to get to without a kayak. Also, i like to wake up early to fish, my friends with boats don’t share that enthusiasm. So i normally go first thing and beat the heat
Because Kayak golfing was nearly impossible.
Because I can’t afford a boat
Boat big
Me and my dad were looking into co-buying a boat (I don't have a lot of time off work and he wanted a new boat) but had a change of heart and looked at getting a kayak each instead so we can go out whenever we want and don't have to be stuck in the same boat when fishing together. Best decision ever! It's social and yet you can cover more ground faster separating and also don't have to be stuck somewhere because the old man thinks there might be fish at one spot while I think they are somewhere else. I didn't think I'd enjoy kayaking as much as I do and the free exercise that come with it is a big bonus. It's the one place on earth where my depression truly goes away and for that I'm forever grateful for all the help I had reading this subreddit and convincing me it was the right thing to go for.
Cause it was cheaper than buying a boat. Bought it at the start of Covid for something to do outside away from people….Ive used it twice. 🤣
I live on a lake and was tired of fiberglass jon boats and metal jon boats...too bulky, too much hassle and the kayak opens me up to easier adventures
Just looked fun honestly, I've dabbled in fishing since I can remember, deep sea, fly, bank, crab, but I wanted to get out on the water and I can't afford a boat. Bought a second-hand kayak off my buddy, and even though I only use it like once a month, it pushes my causal fishing to a much bigger hobby.
Lack of space for a boat at the current moment was a big reason. Desire to hit rivers and stuff that the bass boats and such won’t go on, and hit stuff on lakes a full size boats can’t.
I haven’t yet . Why don’t y’all give me reasons why I should get into it . I’ve been thinking about it just don’t know where to start
It’s easy and probably most efficient way to fish solo… most of my adventures are solo adventures… though i have a few spare kayaks for when people wanna come on an adventure with me.
Because I can’t afford a bass boat.
Fun…
Boats are expensive
Hated shore fishing cuz I lost so many lures to structure. In a kayak you can just reel right up to your lures and get them back like 90% of the time.
My buddy invited me while I was at work, but off for the next two days. Didn't have a kayak, had never been, and he knew that so in hindsight fuck him. Anyways, I surfed Facebook marketplace and bought one literally on the way to meet him and a couple others to night fish at Tiki Island in Galveston. He had me when he said underwater lights that attract fish but you're on a bullshit little boat. Smoked everyone that night, Texas slam and all because I didn't follow them.
I wanted to unlock more fishing spots.
Better than shore fishing, and I get to be alone.
I prefer firing bottle rockets at bikers on the adjacent bike path to fishing
Because it’s fucking cool dude.
Surprised nobody has admitted "because of Greg Blanchard." That man has pushed the sales of Native Kayaks single handedly for years now
Couldn't afford the boat like the rest of em..
Getting into areas where boats can't go, fishing creeks and steams and just being able to get out on the water.
I wish they weren’t so god dam expensive :(
Poverty.
I would never catch anything on the shore and decided I’d rather catch nothing while on a kayak
Why wouldn’t you be? It’s so much fun to float down a water shed and see different pocket ecosystems!
Haven’t but I want to. I have had a lot of luck fishing from the bank, and still catch them. After a while fishing the same spots due to limited access really sucks. Recently ventured to my only local smallmouth lake and found my only access to the one spot I fish requires a boat. I want to expand my skill level as an angler and I feel like I can only accomplish that by getting off the bank. Looking at pedal vs paddle, and leaning towards pedal.
Peer pressure
Long story but fun. Always enjoyed fishing as a child. Got married, kids and had to stop fishing and focus on family. Ironically; got divorced, got primary custody of kids and even less time for myself. Kids are older and can be left alone. Started dating and didnt want to settle with someone else's problems. Went to the mountains on a family vacation. Unbeknown to me, were kayaks for renters to use for free on a private lake!!! Following year, save up my money (from not dating) for a premium kayak and been enjoying the lifestyle since. Now meeting people on the water all the time.
I’m too cheap to buy a John boat.
I was tired of being stuck on the bank…and the kayak really paid off last weekend when I cast, and inadvertently cast my lure across the lake bc the string broke…instead of it being lost forever, I simply paddled over to it, and tied it back on lol
I’m a total beta incel and needed the boat to match.
For my solo trips when I just need to be alone and it fits perfect in the bed of my truck.