Saltwater Kayak Fishing (Best Kayaks, Accessories, & More)
- By: Joseph Simonds
- on
Want to become a better saltwater kayak angler?
Then you’ve got to hear this discussion with some top kayak fishing pros!
There’s a lot that goes into kayak fishing that waders and boaters don’t have to worry about, and in this video, we’re talking about everything you need to know.
We covered:
- The best kayak brands
- Must-have accessories (and which ones aren’t worth the hype)
- Biggest kayak fishing mistakes to avoid
- How to rig up your kayak
- Essential kayak safety (including a scary story where Luke had to save someone)
- And much more
You can watch the video version of this podcast below, listen to the audio version by clicking the play button underneath it, or listen to it on iTunes, Stitcher, or Spotify.
P.S. Don’t forget to subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, or Spotify and leave us a review!
Saltwater Kayak Fishing [VIDEO]
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Saltwater Kayak Fishing [PODCAST]
Note: Don’t forget to subscribe to the Salt Strong podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or Spotify and leave us a review!
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Related Podcasts:
- HOW TO FIND 90% OF ALL FEEDING FISH IN YOUR AREA (90/10 FISHING RULE)
- BEST WINTER LURES (FOR REDFISH, SPECKLED TROUT, SNOOK, & FLOUNDER)
Here’s a timestamped table of contents from my conversation with the Salt Strong Fishing Coaches about kayak fishing:
2:04 – The biggest mistakes kayak anglers make
8:00 – Why you don’t want to install too many things on your kayak when you first get it
11:45 – The best life jackets for different scenarios
16:17 – The top kayak brands for fishermen (Hobie, Old Town, Heritage, Vibe, and more)
19:36 – How NOT to store your kayak
20:40 – The easiest and cheapest way to get into kayak fishing
21:35 – Pros and cons of different peddle kayaks
27:00 – Justin’s weird toe trick he uses to steer his kayak
30:36 – A warning about knowing your limitations and how far you can travel
32:35 – Whether or not you should add a trolling motor or Power-Pole to your yak
39:04 – Whether or not you should use a depth finder or fish finder
46:01 – Our best advice for bass anglers getting into saltwater fishing
49:21 – What our kayak setups look like
52:10 – Why standing up in a kayak in a game changer
59:38 – An easy way to get better at kayak fishing
Conclusion
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to bust out my kayak and hit the water!
Luke and I have been kayak fishing since the 90s before it was cool and we love that manufacturers are making the sport easier to get into and have success with.
What was your biggest takeaway from this discussion?
Have any other questions about kayak fishing?
Let me know down in the comments!
And if you know someone who wants to get better at kayak fishing, then please TAG or SHARE this with them!
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Related articles:
- BEST WINTER LURES (FOR REDFISH, SPECKLED TROUT, SNOOK, & FLOUNDER)
- HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PADDLE FOR YOU FOR KAYAK FISHING
- HOW TO SAVE SPACE ON YOUR BOAT OR KAYAK (SIMPLE ROD & REEL TIP)
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lso
I am a novice kayak fisherman, super green, but I’m curious if you were to mount a trolling motor on your kayak, what make and model would you pick, and what battery would you choose? I fish in Sargent, TX where the water is pretty shallow, and I’m guessing no more than a 10 mile round trip fishing day. Thanks!
I got “HOOKED” on kayak fishing about 18 months ago. I was pretty confident I wanted a pedal drive and had a friend with a Hobie Outback. I ended up purchasing a tandem Hobie pedal drive on FB Marketplace and thought I had the deal of the century! I didn’t… BUT – I sold it back on Marketplace for $100 more than I bought it for! Next up I found a nice used Hobie Outback. It was a little older, but was an outstanding purchase. I upgraded the pedal drive and had a ton of success on it. Only thing I really didn’t like was that I couldn’t stand in it really at all. Again, back to FB Marketplace and sold it for what I had in and got a newer Hobie PA 14. I love it! It’s big, I can stand, 180 drive helps pull fish out & away from structure. I’ve spent some time really customizing it what fits me well on the water. Can’t say enough about going slow on customizing. I still don’t LOVE my solution for my net, but I’ll figure it out.
For me:
PRO – size is great. super stable. I can stand, sit, and move around without much worry. I can take bigger boat waves and not get swamped (I live near Stuart Inlet and some boats like to plow 5′ wakes) I can go almost ANYWHERE and can reasonably cover up to 10 miles pedaling in a day.
CON – weight. No way is it going on a rooftop, I trailer mine for now. I live across the street from a good launch, so that helps a ton. It is a bit expensive – I found mine use for $2K (2018 model) but I would rather spend the money here versus other $500 reels, etc.
Do some research, try something, buy used & don’t be too worried – these things sell almost instantly online if you want to do something different!
Thanx for the knife comments. Never without a self inflating life jacket or a knife. Fishing it is fixed blade, cross draw, sharp! It is the quickest way to get unhooked from something dragging me where I don’t want to go. Not in the bait block, not a folder in a pocket, it has to be on me, in easy reach.
What is the best pedal kayak under 75lbs? (hull weight)
I have a 2017 Hobie Revolution 11. It’s under that 75lb weight for the hull. What makes this the ultimate setup for me is when I added the Hobie Ama Sidekick outriggers. They are super light and easy to store away and they make the stability amazing. I can easily stand and fish without issue.
Luke, how about a quick video of how your using the rope to handle your paddle board paddle while your standing up? You ever have any issues with it slipping out?
No worries… found an old video of where you demonstrated it. Definitely going to give this a try.
Great show today. As a novice kayak fisherman, this was a great listen, with people who have the experience.
Tony’s analysis of the Jackson Coosa FD was exactly the same as mine. Just sold mine, and now the proud owner of a Hobe PA14, which I rented several times prior to unloading $5K. And also like you guyz, I have been Yak fishing since the mid to late 90’s inshore mainly. Glad to be new member of the club. Big fan! have learned a ton. I live in NC, but fish southwest Fl. several times a year, as well as lots of other spots in NC, SC, Ga, and the Panhandle. Cedric Yak-Bro Cheekz
Over the years I have preferred a light, sit-on-top kayak for ease in loading onto my SUV rack. I have an old Ocean Kayak that weights 50 lbs, and the fishing accessories I add after I unload it – especially rod holders. Many of the tricked out fishing kayaks weigh 75 lbs. and the pedal versions can run near 100 lbs. For me, that requires a trailer since I often meet my fishing friends or I fish alone. I echo the point made to keep it simple with the gear (assuming you fish in 6′ or less and water has come clarity.
For me, this video was perfect timing! I am currently looking to getting into Kayak fishing and the research has been overwhelming. ALOT of the questions I have had was hit on during this broadcast. One of the best purchases I have made was joining the Salt Strong family! Appreciate you guys.