Basic kayak techniques and pointers by Neil Grose

If there is any branch of angling growing faster than any other, it is fishing from a kayak.

Like any 'new' aspect of fishing, there is a lot of assumed knowledge in most information available. This article is about the very basic aspects of 'yak fishing.

I have been extremely fortunate in this life. Apart from being a trout guide for 10 or so years, I was also and outdoor education teacher for fiver years. This involved many things; one of the most enjoyable was as a kayaking instructor.

I am not a white water kayaker, but I've spent plenty of time on flat water teaching kids and having a great time.

IT'S ALL IN A NAME

To be pedantic, (and I am a well-known pedant), a kayak is a boat that you sit inside, and a canoe is one that has an open top. The line between the two these days is very much blurred, and we have now that most wonderful of fishing craft, the 'sit on top' kayak.

These boats are the most versatile fishing boats, they are light, relatively cheap, easy to store, have next to no maintenance and best of all, can propel the angler into the best light-line fishing imaginable.

STARTING AT THE BEGINNING

Essentially there are two types of sit on top kayaks for anglers these days; kayaks you have to paddle, and kayaks you have to peddle. The peddle-style kayaks are fantastically popular with anglers - the ability to propel yourself while leaving both hands free to fish is awesome. There are, generally speaking, two types; the Hobie Mirage drive, which has an ingenious 'flipper' style drive, and the Native Watercraft Propel Pedal Drive, which, in simple terms, is a similar pedal arrangement to a pushbike that drives a propeller. Both have their advantages, but I'll leave it to another article to discuss that, or have a quick scan of the reviews on HYPERLINK "http://www.fishingmonthly.com.au" www.fishingmonthly.com.au

There are even kayaks such as the Stealth Beaverkill which is set up to be driven with a small electric outboard as well as paddles - there are so many options.

Paddle kayaks are the cheapest way to enter the world of 'yak fishing, and while you can't paddle and cast at the same time, (unless you are particularly talented), they do have a legion of dedicated fans.

IN THE BEGINNING

Ok, you have laid out the cash on the kayak, along with a good quality PFD that fits. Now what?

Well, kayaking is one of those sports where you don't stay dry for long. If you are averse to getting wet, then maybe kayak fishing isn't for you. You will get wet feet getting into the 'yak, maybe a wet bum while you are paddling, spray from all sorts of angles will splash you from time to time, and then you might fall out too, but more about that later.

Wear good quality footwear that will keep your feet warm, if not dry. Do not, under any circumstances, wear gumboots or waders of any description. While they may keep you dry-ish, if you fall in they will almost certainly place you in serious drowning danger. Even gumboots will drag you under.

Seek out good quality neoprene-based footwear as this will keep your feet warm and comfortable and will keep them protected from most sharp objects along the shoreline when getting in and out of the boat.

As I mentioned before, you will get wet, and one of the worst things that make you