Essential Items for Kayak Fishing

[Timothy Quintana]

I change the post around after work.

Essential Items
Shallow Items
Open Ocean
Extras

or something along those lines.

[surfdog]

For beginners safety equip. is a must and put a leash on any thing you don't want on the bottom of the sea.

[kevinfry]

I agree that all of those items are nice to have. However, I differ in where I draw the line between what is absolutely necessary to get started in kayak fishing and what is a desirable accessory. The seminar I give on an introduction to kayak fishing (intended for newcomers) offers these two lists. Most MKF members have quite a few of the items on the second list. However, I have fished on many occasions with just the basics from the first list and have caught plenty of fish (e.g., short trips from my Mini-X; rental kayaks). The items on the second list improve the kayak fishing experience but are not really necessary to get started. But each of us can draw the baseline/optional boundary wherever we wish.

Minimum/critical types of gear for fishing from a kayak - many anglers want more gear, but you can catch fish with just these basics
- PFD (get one that is comfortable and actually wear it)
- paddle (consider shaft length, blade shape and surface area, weight (related to materials – less weight is >$$$)
- at least one fishing rod
- selection of lures, hooks, etc
- noise making device (whistle attached to your PFD)

I'd differ with 2 things on the essential list and one more unless you are fishing C/R: #1 Fresh Water- I think you should never go fishing without; #2Knife- Though I often forget mine, a knife is essential safety equipment. More useful more often than a whistle (though whistle is a legal requirement...see my $70 ticket) #3 if you are planning on keeping fish, measuring device has to be part of the core. I have a rough one marked on my boat so I can't forget it.

[john from md]

In the bay, during the warm months, I carry a spray bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide and a tube of antibiotic cream. Any little puncture gets sprayed immediately and cream applied as soon as possible. I know of three people who have lost fingers or flesh to bacteria in the bay.

[Runnin]

A leatherman is always with me when I fish. Those things are necessary. You never know when you're going to need a knife, or pliers.

[Timothy Quintana]

A leatherman is always with me when I fish. Those things are necessary. You never know when you're going to need a knife, or pliers.

I have my leatherman skeletool cx with me always!

[HJS]

A leatherman is always with me when I fish. Those things are necessary. You never know when you're going to need a knife, or pliers.

Me too concerning the Leatherman (multi-use tool). I forgot to include a Leatherman in my list. I've used the pliers a couple of time to straighten bent hooks.

[loupa5]

My list: Common sense...

[john from md]

My list: Common sense...

I have found that to be in short supply with today's youth.

[PigPen]

In the bay, during the warm months, I carry a spray bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide and a tube of antibiotic cream. Any little puncture gets sprayed immediately and cream applied as soon as possible. I know of three people who have lost fingers or flesh to bacteria in the bay.

. Wow that should be a worth while discussion on its own. I personnaly grew up with the "rub some dirt in it" mantra so if there is some nasty plaugue in the bay maybe I should rethink it. I often catch my self on my retractable clippers and they just tear me up.

[john from md]

. Wow that should be a worth while discussion on its own. I personnaly grew up with the "rub some dirt in it" mantra so if there is some nasty plaugue in the bay maybe I should rethink it. I often catch my self on my retractable clippers and they just tear me up.

I know this is not scientific but, in my opinion, the bay is a breeding area for some serious bugs. I believe last year or the year before, there were a couple of cases of flesh eating bacteria that were bay related. Better safe than sorry when playing with hostile micro organisms.

[Mark]

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/201...izing-bacteria

[Stephen Slotwinski]

I just started this past year and the one thing I have not done yet and should get done as soon as the water warms up is flip my self over and make sure I can get back in it without touching bottom.

[Danno Mattice]

Thanks for the informative page. there were some things in there i didnt figure on, and some non essentials that i might need as well. Danno

[Buzzy.i.am]

Two essential items missing that I personally find very useful:

Sandwiches
Beer

Just sayin....