Kayak fishing is a pleasant and peaceful sport you can get into for a low investment. Having no motor gives fishermen the potential of catching more fish and charting smaller areas, but having less storage space and having to paddle present new challenges. If you are just getting into the world of kayak fishing, use these kayak fishing tips to catch more fish while staying safe, as provided by William Schoellkopf:

Purchase A Bright Colored Kayak:

A bright colored kayak is the best choice for safety as it is more visible. Darker colors, especially blues, can be hard to spot and can lead to accidents. When purchasing a kayak, look for green, yellow, and orange.

Practice Kayaking Before Fishing:

So, you just bought a kayak and had it rigged for kayak fishing. You purchased all the accessories, and are more excited than ever to go out and fish. Well, if you don’t have kayaking experience, you need to get the hang of balancing and paddling first. Take your kayak out a couple times just to get the basics down before attempting to bring your fishing gear along.

Get A Good Paddle:

You may want to buy a cheap paddle to save some money, but down the road, you will probably regret it. More expensive paddles are lighter and stronger. You don’t want to be a mile from shore and have your paddle break, and you don’t want to take frequent breaks just to rest your arms.

Paddle Quietly:

This one might seem obvious, but often goes overlooked by beginners. When paddling, paddle smoothly and quietly to prevent splashing. The quieter you can be, the less fish you will scare away.

Bring A Waterproof VHF Radio:

In the event of an emergency, you will need proper equipment to contact emergency assistance. A waterproof VHF radio will do just that. Make sure you know how to use it (what frequencies to use) before hitting the water.

Avoid High-Traffic Areas:

Avoid high-traffic areas where you will be competing with other fisherman for fish. One benefit of kayak fishing is the ability to fish in shallower areas where power boats can’t go. So, look for areas where other people are not fishing and this will give you an obvious advantage.