Consider a Kayak
By Kevin Fenn

Early morning in a backwater bay with no one in sight... just you and the fish. This is what you experience when you are in a kayak. In today's hustle and bustle, the weekends are always the goal of a flats angler. However, it is the crowd at your local fishing spot that quickly kills the joy. Imagine launching off the side of the road instead of a crowded boat ramp with everyone thinking about getting in and out in a hurry. I know from experience that tempers flair at ramps. With a kayak, you can avoid all the confrontations and you can even get a jump on the fish.

We should also look at the strategic advantages of a kayak. First, a kayak is stealthy. You can paddle up on a snook in an alcove, and watch him blast off as you paddle by. Or you may be so close to a tailing redfish that you are not sure if your shortest cast will be too far. Sound like a dream? Not at all. It is a daily occurrence in a kayak. With today's high-tech world and materials getting better, kayaks have come a long way from the traditional notion of a kayak. Because of this, there is a new breed of fisherman emerging, Yak Fisherman (short for kayak fisherman). Yak Fisherman are popping up everywhere and are enjoying both the scenery and the fishing.

A second reason for considering kayaks is the cost. Today's fishing kayaks range in price from $400 for a basic kayak to $1000 for a fully-rigged kayak with all of the bells and whistles. Imagine being able to carry rods, portable light, tackle, lunch, and bait in a live well. My personal kayak cost less than most of the high-end rod outfits in today's markets. And I know you can save on a kayak instead of spending tens of thousand of dollars on a flats boat.

A third reason to consider a kayak is the exercise you get. I am sure that I can speak for some of you out there that pay not to go to a gym. Using a kayak you can achieve a complete upper body workout while fishing. So next time you want to fish, tell your significant other that you are going to exercise (not go fishing).

A fourth and final reason to consider kayaking is the low maintenance and fast cleanup. Just hose it off and put it away. It is also much easier to store a kayak than a boat.
These are just some of the reasons to look into kayak fishing. I look forward to sharing my experiences with you in the months to come in this new column on paddle fishing.