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A lesson learned is a lesson earned. After reading Dennis Suler’s Schooled column in the Summer issue of Kayak Angler, How To Get A New Angler To Love Kayak Fishing, we asked our social media followers for their earliest kayak fishing lesson.
How can a new kayaker get the most out of the first experience? From safety tips to setting up a new kayak, their advice ran the gamut. So whether you’re new yourself or an old salt, read on to see what you might still have to learn.
What’s Your Earliest Kayak Fishing Lesson?
Avoid the Blues
“Do not wear jeans in January or you’ll be blue from the waist down.”
— Chris Funk
“Do not put a bluefish between your legs facing inward, those yellow-eyed demons can bite through neoprene waders.”
— Karl Bruning
Your First Kayak
Most of the responses revolved around setting up a new kayak.
“Buy your second kayak first.”
— Brian Reynolds
“Buy quality yaks, don’t fall for the cheap and plan to upgrade later.”
— rouge12036
Simple Rigging
In light of the arms race to rig kayaks with every option for accessories and power, we were surprised when experienced anglers recommended downsizing.
“Less is more. Get a paddle leash, couple of rods and a tackle tray then go catch fish.”
— acboatworks
“Keep it simple, that’s the beauty.”
— Rito Rodriguez Jr
Don’t Go Overboard
It seems another shared experience is losing valuable gear overboard. “Leash it or lose it” was a common call. Carry a backup for essential gear and tackle. An expert angler breaks down the math:
“One is none and two is one.”
— Alex Tejeda
Staying Safe
We were happy to see the overwhelming advice is to wear a life vest.
“Find a PFD you will wear the entire time you are on the water, it is the most important thing you can buy.”
— Tony Bryant
What’s the Point?
All this advice had us taking the sport seriously; it took one reader to remind us what it’s really all about:
“Having fun! One experience could be the difference between never fishing again and hooked for life.”
— nauti_fish
This lesson resonates with all anglers, invoking the wise words of Captain Ron:
“The best way to find out is to get her out on the ocean. If anything is going to happen, it’s going to happen out there.”
— Living Waters Kayak Adventures
How can a new kayaker get the most out of the first experience? The advice from our social media followers runs the gamut. | Feature photo: Courtesy Perception Kayaks