Discovering The Possibilities: Can you fly fish out of a kayak?

You made up a plan and are ready with a fly rod. Even so, a question arises: “Can you fly fish out of a kayak?”. Here is the answer, “yes, you can”. Flying fish on a kayak seems to be a new trend. But actually, the trend started more than a decade ago. Read more to get a clear idea of kayak fishing.

Fly Fishing Kayak

A kayak is a low-to-the-water boat that looks like a canoe. People have been using kayaks from a very early age in the seashore area. Kayaks have been widely used by fly fishermen for a long decade. People have also used kayaks for traveling or crossing rivers. However, nowadays, a fly fishing kayak is widely used as a fish finder.

Here are some essential facts you need to know before kayaking:

The best kayak for fly fishing

Flying fish in a kayak is just a great experience. According to Donnell Henderson, nothing makes kayak fly fishing more joyful than catching fish for dinner. However, selecting the best fishing kayak is the first condition of the journey.

A kayak was first built by the Aleut and Inuit people as a native watercraft over 5,000 years ago. It almost looks like a narrow canoe. The paddler in a kayak mainly sits facing onward. It has a paddle designed as double-bladed for rotation. Kayaks without close cockpits are considered to be the best ones. They are also easy to get out of and into.

Kayak fly fishing setup

Before going out fly fishing in a kayak, some setups are essential. First, take a look at the categories of a kayak. There are verily two types of kayaks found. One is based on the sit inside category, and the other on the top category. Most people choose to sit on top of kayaks for their stability. However, you can select the most comfortable one for you.

Besides that, look for other essential setups as well, like the knee pad, kayak angler, paddle board, fishing gear, and so on. These small but effective things make your fly fishing cozier. Rather, take a look at the rod holder as well. A rod holder will help you set up your fly rod easily. So, next time you are ready for kayaking, check out all the setups.

Best fly rod for kayak fishing

After choosing the best kayak, it’s time to look for a fly rod. A fly rod for kayak fishing is another important piece of equipment. The length of a fly rod tip should not be over 9 feet, though this length is suitable for long casts or heavy lines for flying only. Usually, a fly rod length of 8 or 8.5 feet is considered to be accurate.

Though there is a great variety of fly rods, it is better to select graphite rods as they are inherent in strength and lightweight. They are also very effective for fast action. They are quite great to use for throwing heavy nymphs and during hefty winds. Moreover, graphite rods are best to select while planning to fish for the whole day.

Fly fishing for bass from a Kayak

While fishing in shallow water, the full sinking line is not needed. But fishing in the deeper or larger bodies of water in a full sink line is quite essential. In fact, sometimes, the line with a full sink can end up as the primary line as well. That’s why according to most anglers, a minimum of one intermediate tip, one floater, and a sinking line are preferable as the right lines.

Saltwater kayak fly fishing

Fishing by kayak in saltwater is an amazing journey to explore. But the view of a redfish in the mud is eye-catching more than anything. Catching the redfish in hand is like a dream for almost every fly fisherman. However, it seems much harder to catch. Yet the dream is possible to live with the right kayak.

A kayak best for saltwater fly fishing is built to be more stable to tackle. The paddle boards are also made much more stable to stand on and even spot the fish from a higher range. What you need to do is just try to reach the point silently as much as possible. Just make sure your knees are blended slightly while standing up. Thus you can put your weight more comfortably on the kayak.

Kayak fly fishing river

Though kayaks are eligible for fly fishing even in saltwater, they are mostly used for fishing in rivers. But before kayaking in the river, some necessary things need to be checked out to tempt river trout.

• First, check the kayak’s length. A wide and large kayak is much more comfortable. Moreover, check the kayak’s stability.
• A fly fisherman needs to learn to handle rock broaching as well. You should be careful because sometimes strong currents take you quite near the surface.
• The paddle length is also necessary to consider. With kayak anglers like Angler Classic, Angler Pro, Hobie Pro Angler, and so on, you can shorten the paddle even 15 cm.

FAQs

What is the difference between a fishing kayak and a regular kayak?

A regular fishing kayak is built with a sit-inside design and is intended for usual usage. On the other hand, a fishing kayak with specialized instability and a sit-on-top design is available.

Do you need an anchor to fly fish on a kayak?

An anchor should be added to your kayak. This will help keep your kayak in an accurate position, even in strong currents or heavy wind.

What makes a great fly-fishing kayak?

A kayak with good paddling performance makes a great fly-fishing kayak. Fishing gear, maneuverability, gear tracks, and speed are also considered essential for the right kayak.

Final Word

Flying fish in a kayak is an exceptional moment to enjoy. Wherever you are, river or sea, catching big fish for dinner is eminent. But obviously, you don’t want to miss a trout or a redfish for not having the right equipment.

That’s the reason you need accurate guidance to choose the eligible one. So, now you can select the right one and prepare to make some amazing memories of fly fishing.