Tired of fishing from the banks or hauling your boat trailer and burning crazy amounts on fuel to catch zero fish? Have you ever thought about bass fishing from a kayak? Well, in this post, we’ll be diving into the world of kayak bass fishing, showing you its unique advantages, suggesting some of the best kayaks for your needs, and explaining why tournament bass fishing is a fantastic option with the help of a kayak.
Why Kayak Bass Fishing?
Kayak bass fishing is an exciting approach to the sport, offering a range of benefits that might just make it your new favorite way to fish. Here are some of the top reasons why anglers across the world are turning to their kayaks when they want to land that trophy bass.
Pros of Kayak Bass Fishing
1. Accessibility: Kayaks allow you to fish in water bodies that might be inaccessible to larger boats. Whether it’s shallow water, narrow inlets, or overgrown areas, your kayak can glide through easily, getting you to those bass hotspots that others can’t reach. While kayaks aren’t the most effective for large bodies of water, slipping into that shallow water those $60k boats can’t is a win in itself. Catching the unpressured bass is just the cherry on top.
2. Affordability: Compared to maintaining a bass boat, kayak fishing is incredibly cost-effective. With a one-time purchase, you can start your kayak bass fishing journey, sans the worries of fuel costs, storage, and maintenance that come with bigger boats. If you haven’t heard it before, the best days of owning a traditional boat are the day you buy and the day you sell. That doesn’t apply to kayaks, as there is virtually no stress in regards to maintenance.
3. Fitness: Kayak fishing isn’t pushing a boat around pretending to catch fish; it’s also a fantastic workout. Paddling works your upper body and/or lower body, depending on if you are using a paddle or pedal kayak. In my opinion, that is half the fun of kayak fishing. Even if it is a bad day of catching fish, you can skip the gym later that day and felt like you accomplished something. Which, let’s be honest, on the times you get skunked you take any sense of achievement you can get.
4. Stealth: When bass fishing, stealth is paramount. Kayaks are quieter and create less water disturbance than motorized boats, making it easier for you to sneak up on bass without alarming them. On pressured lakes, there is definitely a noticeable difference in spooking less fish, or at least that’s what I tell myself. Why not increase the odds of catching another bass or two? On a completely unrelated note, the same applies for duck hunting with a kayak through the marshes. Can’t do that with your bass boat, suckers.
5. Storage Friendly: One of the often-overlooked advantages of kayaks over bass boats is their ease of storage. The compact and lightweight design of a kayak means it takes up minimal space, whether stored in your garage, shed, or backyard. This is a stark contrast to a bass boat, which often requires dedicated and spacious storage solutions due to its size and weight. You can even wall-mount a kayak or store it overhead to save floor space.
Choosing the Perfect Kayak for Bass Fishing
When you decide to embrace the world of kayak bass fishing, the next step is choosing the right kayak. I am not an expert in the space of picking the right kayak, and there are many great resources out there to help select the best rig for you. Check out Headwaters Kayak or Chad Hoover on YouTube for some solid places to start. However, below are a few options at different price points that are quite popular among the kayak community. As a note, these are all sit-on top style kayaks, which tend to be better than sit-in kayaks due to stability while fishing.
1. Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12: The Pro Angler is a crowd favorite among fishing enthusiasts. It comes with a pedal system that allows hands-free operation, leaving your hands free for fishing. It also has ample storage and fantastic stability. In general, Hobie is the Cadillac of the kayak world. They aren’t cheap, but they are great quality and have a beyond loyal fanbase for a solid reason.
2. Bonafide SS127: The SS127 has gained some major popularity for a variety of reasons. It is stable, well designed, and is easily customizable. A lot of YouTube anglers like Flukemaster and Chad Hoover run the Bonafide SS127 (albeit with trolling motors and all the goodies), but it is most definitely a solid contender in the field and a great choice from novice to pro.
3. Feelfree Moken V2: This is an affordable, feature-rich option. Feelfree has been releasing some great kayaks at some very friendly price points. If you are an angler on a budget that is looking for some more affordable options, kayaks such at the Moken would be where I would look to first.
As mentioned before, there are tons of companies that release some fantastic units. Manufacturers such as Old Town, Wilderness Systems, Pelican, and a bunch more all have awesome options. Do your research, test a few out at your local shop, and make an educated decision. As always, keep your eyes out on Facebook classified pages and similar to score an awesome deal on a nice used rig.
Kayak Bass Fishing Tournaments
There’s a growing trend captivating the bass fishing community – kayak bass fishing tournaments. If you spend too much time on YouTube like myself, you will notice that kayak fishing tournaments are spreading like wildfire. While bass boat tournaments require crazy buy-ins and are much more equipment intensive, kayak tournaments have opened the door for budget anglers across the nation. Speaking of budget angling, take a peek at this article for some snazzy budget rod and reel setups to match with your future kayak.
Kayak tournaments are also unique in the fact that you can’t cover nowhere near as much water as the traditional ones. There is a different strategy and methodology to getting on the leaderboards. Such events implement a catch-photo-release policy, promoting sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Anglers are required to capture a photo of their catch against a standard measuring device, before releasing the bass back into the water. In my opinion, this is a huge plus for fisheries.
Kayak bass fishing tournaments not only stoke the competitive spirit but also build a strong sense of camaraderie among participants. They provide invaluable experiences and pave the way for lasting friendships among fellow kayak fishing enthusiasts. So, whether you’re looking to hone your skills, connect with a community of like-minded anglers, or simply wish to add a new, competitive element to your kayak bass fishing expeditions, participating in a tournament could be just the adventure you’re seeking.
In your area there is likely to be a local kayak fishing league, but if you are more serious you can join the guys like KBF tournies or online tournaments hosted by TourneyX.
Kayak Bass Fishing Wrap Up
To conclude, kayak bass fishing is a thrilling, immersive, and rewarding experience that any angler should consider. It offers many benefits, from accessibility to fitness, and is a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bass boat fishing. It’s time to venture into unexplored waters and reel in the big one from a kayak. Your next bass fishing adventure awaits!
Tight lines,
Dawson