9781422273203

The Basic Skills for Every Kind of Fishing Deep Sea Fishing Fishing Careers Fly Fishing Kayak Fishing Preparing and Enjoying the Fish You Catch

Elizabeth Dee

MASON CREST PH I L ADELPH I A | MI AMI

Mason Crest PO Box 221876, Hollywood, FL 33022 (866) MCP-BOOK (toll-free) • www.masoncrest.com

Copyright © 2022 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America First printing 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Series ISBN: 978-1-4222-4492-0 Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4222-4498-2 ebook ISBN:978-1-4222-7320-3 Cataloging-in-Publication Data on file with the Library of Congress Developed and Produced by National Highlights, Inc. Editor: Jacqueline Havelka - Inform Scientific Cover and Interior Design: Torque Advertising + Design Layout: Priceless Digital Media Publisher’s Note: Websites listed in this book were active at the time of publication. The publisher is not responsible for websites that have changed their address or discontinued operation since the date of publication. The publisher reviews and updates the websites each time the book is reprinted.

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CONTENTS Chapter 1: Choosing a Fishing Kayak.......................... 7 Chapter 2: Equipment You’ll Need............................ 25 Chapter 3: Tips for Kayak Anglers............................. 41 Chapter 4: Safety On the Water................................ 59 Series Glossary of Key Terms. .................................. 74 Organizations to Contact......................................... 75 Further Reading. .................................................... 76 Internet Resources. ................................................ 77 Index..................................................................... 78 Author’s Biography & Credits................................... 80

K E Y I C O N S T O L O O K F O R : Words to Understand: These words with their easy-to-understand definitions will increase the reader’s understanding of the text while building vocabulary skills. Sidebars: This boxed material within the main text allows readers to build knowledge, gain insights, explore possibilities, and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos: Readers can view videos by scanning our QR codes, providing them with additional educational content to supplement the text. Examples include news coverage, moments in history, speeches, iconic sports moments, and much more! Text-Dependent Questions: These questions send the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects: Readers are pointed toward areas of further inquiry connected to each chapter. Suggestions are provided for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. Series Glossary of Key Terms: This back-of-the-book glossary contains terminology used throughout this series. Words found here increase the reader’s ability to read and comprehend higher-level books and articles in this field.

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND

ergonomic: designed with both comfort and efficiency in mind hypothermia: when the human body becomes chilled to dangerous temperatures and causes a medical emergency rising: when fish come to the top of the water to feed on insects sight fish: to see a fish and try and to get it to bite the hook splash guard: a cover that's used in a sit-in kayak to keep water out

Kayak Fishing

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Choosing a Fishing Kayak

A Boat of Your Own Kayak anglers have lots of secrets! They know many hidden fishing spots where other anglers don’t have access. The reason is simple: kayak anglers can travel almost anywhere in their boats even places where bigger boats can’t go. Plus, a big boat with a motor scares away the fish. A kayak provides a much quieter mode of transportation across the water, allowing the angler to sneak up on the fish. Choosing the Right Boat Kayaks come in two styles: enclosed or sit-in boat and open or sit-on boat. For fishing purposes, you need a sit-on boat.

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A sit-on kayak model is best for fishing. There is more room to store gear, and for safety reasons, the sit-in kayak is not recommended for young children.

These models are the best for fishing because you’ll have more space to store your fishing gear. For safety reasons, the sit-in type of kayak is not recommended for young anglers. The sit-in kayak is designed to keep you from falling out of the boat in such instances as shooting down a white water river. When fishing on quiet lakes and rivers, the sit-in boat becomes a hindrance. In my experience, those types of kayaks become waterlogged very easily when used by young or beginning anglers for fishing and can sink. With the sit-in kayak, you can flip over and drown if you can’t quickly free yourself of the boat. It can be tricky removing the splash guard that fits over your body to exit the kayak. Experienced kayakers know maneuvers to turn or escape a flipped boat, but young anglers usually don’t have the body strength. For that reason, it’s best to use a sit-on kayak for fishing.

Kayak Fishing

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A New Type of Kayak Many recent improvements to the sit-on kayak make this type of boat ideal for fishing. These new boats feature great amenities such as rod holders, lots of storage (called dry storage), and comfortable seats with backrests made of waterproof material. Some kayaks also come with an optional pedaling system, so you can move slowly and quietly through the water, not alerting the fish.

Kayaks are made with advanced waterproof materials. Some even come with a pedaling system like a bicycle, and fishing kayaks have lots of storage for your gear.

Choosing a Fishing Kayak

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Thickness Counts When picking out a kayak to use for fishing, don’t choose a model made of thin plastic with no bulkhead. The thinner the plastic, the more likely your boat will spring a leak and probably at the most inconvenient time. Sharp objects hidden beneath the surface of the water can cause a leaking puncture in your kayak. Repeatedly pulling your kayak over sharp rocks on a lake’s shore to launch or retrieve your boat can wear the plastic of the hull thin and cause it to leak. If your kayak is made of thin plastic, your boat could develop a hole in a short time.

As you kayak, look into the water. If fish are rising to the surface, you have likely found a great fishing spot.

Kayak Fishing

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SPOT FEEDING FISH

Choose the best-made fishing kayak you can afford. If you can only afford to buy a cheaper one right now, plan to replace it sooner than later and don’t go far from the shore in it. Don’t use inflatable kayaks for fishing. These boats lack the sturdiness of construction needed for fishing. Picking Your Paddle The type of paddle you choose for your kayak is an important decision too. For top performance, don’t pick a paddle that’s too long, too heavy, or both. Such paddles cause an angler to move in an awkward manner and tire quickly. When boating in a kayak, you can glide almost silently across the water. As you glide, watch the surface of the water for any signs of the fish rising . When you spot a place where fish rise to the top to grab bugs, you know it’s a great fishing spot. Where the fish are feeding, they’ll bite a hook! Fish get very excited when they detect the presence of insects and they go into a feeding frenzy, biting anything that moves. Look for the signs of fish rising: • A cloud of insects over the water • A small splash (or several) • A fish's head poking just a bit out of the water • A small area of swirling water • A fish leaping from the water

Choosing a Fishing Kayak

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Fishing kayaks are typically wider than other types of kayaks, so you’ll need a longer paddle to reach on both sides of the boat comfortably. The taller you are, the longer the paddle you'll need. However, avoid getting on one that's too long. Some paddles are made of a lightweight material, which makes for more comfortable movement, but it increases the price of the product. However, if you need a longer one this is a good option because it decreases the weight of the paddle. This is also a good choice if you are very young or haven't developed sufficient arm strength. Kayak paddles come in two styles: low-angle and high- angle. A low-angle paddle is broader and meant for slow

You will need a long paddle for a fishing kayak. Why? Because a fishing kayak is usually built wider than other sport kayaks.

Kayak Fishing

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Kayak paddles are designed to help you easily glide through the water. They are also designed for arm comfort to reduce fatigue.

speeds, keeping the shoulders relaxed and the arms low. This paddle is a superior choice for a fishing kayak. High-angle paddles, have slimmer blades used for speedier rowing. Zooming through the water isn’t a wise choice when trying to sneak up on fish, but it’s useful when you want to cover a considerable distance. The shaft of the paddles can be straight, or "kinked" in the middle and made of aluminum, fiberglass, or carbon. The kinked section allows a person to place their hands in a more comfortable position on the handle. This ergonomic design feature helps you avoid fatigue and pain while rowing long distances. Some paddles are designed to be taken apart into several pieces for easy storage.

Choosing a Fishing Kayak

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A trolling motor can help you kayak for longer distances. Pay attention to your local boating laws when using a motorized kayak.

Another Type of Propulsion Some anglers like to attach a small trolling motor to their fishing kayaks. Adding a trolling motor is legal, but you’ll need to obey some boating laws. These specific laws vary in each location. If you want to add a motor, check out the boating laws in your area by searching online. A trolling motor is handy if you want to cover longer distances when fishing, such as crossing a large lake. A motorized kayak also makes ocean fishing easier when it comes to navigating sea waves. If you aren’t able to paddle for long distances due to a health condition, adding a motor to your boat makes a lot of sense.

Kayak Fishing

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