Whether or not kayak fishing sounds like an activity that interests you, remember that you can always make your equipment or find a cheap way to try out this activity without spending any money. As long as you know where to look, there are plenty of ways you can enjoy kayak fishing on a budget.
Kayak fishing is a great way to relax and enjoy the outdoors when you're travelling. If you don't have any equipment or know where to find local fishing spots, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this activity without spending much money. Here are five DIY ideas for any traveller who wants to try kayak fishing!
Have the right equipment
The first step to this type of fishing is having the right equipment. The good news is that you don't need much equipment or money to get started. If you rent or borrow some kayaks, you'll only need $20 each way to rent a car for the day. You can even buy fishing kayaks for a decent price without having to break the bank. You should look for a wide kayak with a comfortable seat to increase your mobility and reduce stress on your back. If you want to get started quickly, there are plenty of affordable items you can purchase without any previous knowledge about which equipment works best for this activity. For instance, fishing poles and reels can be found in second-hand shops for under $10, and a tackle box with a few basic supplies can be bought for about the same price. A good fishing pole is the next most important thing that you need because this will determine how successful you are in catching a fish. Also, a tackle box containing assorted lures, lines of different strength/size, crimps (if using wire), swivels (if using wire) and flies are all things you can buy for under $20.
Finding fishing spots nearby
Depending on where you live, there are plenty of spots near you that you might not know about. To start kayak fishing, you should look for calm waters with a sandy bottom and some vegetation. If the water is murky or has rocks in it, your chances of finding fish are much lower. You can use different techniques to find potential spots for kayak fishing. One way is to scout out public parks or vacant lots that have water access and see if anyone else has caught anything nearby recently, which means there may be some good spots around you. If you're travelling out of your city, you should use a map to find the nearest rivers, lakes, and creeks near you. Once you've found a spot that looks promising, go out there as early as possible or during the week to avoid heavy traffic.
Make the most of your trip
When kayak fishing, your best chance of catching something is early in the morning. If it's later in the day, it may be less likely that you'll catch something. There are some other factors to consider about when the best time is to kayak fish, so getting up early or planning your trip for dusk can give you better chances of catching something. You should always bring a fishing license if you're legal to fish where you go. If not, you should practice catch-and-release so you can keep your hobby sustainable. You should also bring plenty of snacks and water if the trip is expected to last more than a few hours. So, to make the most of your trip, the first step of kayak fishing is to find the right lake or river with the type of fish you want to catch, which can often be challenging. When you have found the best body of water, you will need to set up bait on the hooks and tie them together with twine before attaching them to the end of your rod. One final thing that many people forget to do before they start fishing is to wear polarized shades because you are guaranteed to get sprayed with mist from the splash-powered boats that are coming through! If you are not careful, this could lead to accidents, which is not a way to make the most out of your trip.
Have the right companions
When kayaking on your own, it can sometimes be difficult to stay awake and travel faster than the current. This is why it's a good idea to have travel companions who enjoy this activity as well. It's also important that they know the waters of the destination you're visiting, so you can bounce ideas off each other about where to start your kayaking journey. I enjoy kayak fishing on days when I have friends with me. My friends are the ones who are encouraging me to go on more kayak fishing trips. The company of my friends made the kayak fishing experience more enjoyable for me. So, I believe getting to know people who like kayak fishing can reduce your chances of getting bored, which means it's easier to make the most of your trip!
Supporting local fishing businesses
The local fishing industry is full of dedicated people who make their living off of what they love. If you ever plan on kayaking again, it would be worthwhile to purchase some equipment (a kayak, life vest, and supplies) from a locally-owned business. It's also worth spending time talking with the people in these businesses. They are fishing experts, so they can give you advice on how to find what you're looking for and where there are some good spots around. There are a lot of places where kayak fishers can go and fish without being restricted by a certain area. The cost of equipment for kayak fishing is also generally not too expensive. Offering a service to provide transportation services from the shore to the people who would like to partake in kayak fishing is also a good idea as it will give them an opportunity that they might not have been able to afford any other way. Supporting local businesses is crucial because it keeps money in your city when you spend more of it there!
Photo by Filip Mroz on Unsplash
Whether or not kayak fishing sounds like an activity that interests you, remember that you can always make your equipment or find a cheap way to try out this activity without spending any money. As long as you know where to look, there are plenty of ways you can enjoy kayak fishing on a budget.
Main photo by Brady Rogers on Unsplash
