Wait! Don’t put your fishing kayak up for the season just because the weather has gotten cold. Unless your local body of water has frozen over for the winter, it can be a great time to get out and catch a few fish from your plastic boat. However, you must take a few extra precautions to stay safe and warm this time of year. I’ve compiled a short list of items I never leave the shore without (disregarding the typical tackle) when winter kayak fishing; let’s get started.
PFD (Personal Floatation Device): Cold-Water Kayak Fishing
No matter when I’m kayak fishing, I always wear a PFD. When kayaking in cold water, ensuring your life jacket stays on is even more critical. Cold water instantly makes it more difficult to swim, plus you have more clothing soaking up water and pulling you down.
So please don’t use the excuse that you’re a good swimmer, and always wear a personal floatation device while kayak fishing, especially during the winter. If you need a recommendation, I’ve been using the Astral V-Eight Fisher for a few months and like it so far.
Warm Waterproof Clothing: Cold-Water Kayak Fishing
My biggest problem while kayak fishing in cold weather is constantly getting wet, whether that’s from waves splashing, water dripping off my paddle, or handling fish. It’s uncomfortable and deadly in some instances, so wearing warm, waterproof (or at least water-resistant) clothing is a must.
When fishing shallow water, such as a creek or river, I’ll sometimes wear waders with a jacket tucked in so I can quickly hop out and drag my kayak if needed. Other times, when fishing deeper water, I wear bibs and a jacket over the top to lock in my body heat and stay relatively dry.
I’m not a big fan of wearing gloves while fishing, but this is the one time of year when you’ll occasionally see me with gloves on, especially while paddling. Wearing the correct clothing will keep you on the water longer, increasing your chances of catching fish.
Hand Warmers: Cold-Water Kayak Fishing
Instead of gloves, I prefer to bring hand warmers, such as Hot Hands or electric hand warmers. When my hands begin to feel cold, I shove one into my coat pocket and use the hand warmer to regain feeling in that hand.
Once it’s warm, I’ll switch hands. This forces me to slow down, which I typically need to do in cold water to get a bite.
I rarely bring along hand warmers when the temperatures are above freezing. First, my hands don’t get that cold, and second, it means I have less to worry about while on the water.
Chapstick/Lip Balm: Cold-Water Kayak Fishing
If you’re like me, the dry, cold wind instantly dries out your lips and makes them chapped. If you leave them untreated, they crack and bleed, leading to a frustrating and messy day on the water.
That’s why I’ve started carrying lip balm with me. When my lips get chapped, I’ll quickly rub it on them and keep fishing. I have saved several fishing trips by just having chapstick in my pocket.
WTHR Lip Balm and Carmex are my favorites to keep in my tackle box or pocket. Depending on how long I’m out there and how cold and windy it is, I generally only need to reapply them once or twice while on the water.
Snacks: Cold-Water Kayak Fishing
Yes, snacks. I’m known as the snack guy among my friends because I always bring snacks. When I get hungry, that’s all I can focus on, so I need something to curb my hunger. However, eating something also helps keep me warm, as it kickstarts my metabolism and increases my body heat.
Some of my favorite fishing snacks are granola bars, jerky, and trail mix. I also have a bit of a sweet tooth, so some candy occasionally finds its way into my kayak.
Trolling Motor: Cold-Water Kayak Fishing
I’ve found it indispensable from the moment I installed a trolling motor on my kayak. I prefer a bow-mounted trolling motor, but I still want a stern-mounted one over paddling. Using a trolling motor in cold weather is ideal because it keeps you drier (water isn’t dripping off the paddle onto you), but you will also sweat less because you’re not paddling (keeping you warmer in the long run).
Using a trolling motor with Spot-Lock or anchor mode is ideal for winter fish as it holds you in place and allows you to fish slowly.
Fish Finder with Live Sonar: Cold-Water Kayak Fishing
I know it’s controversial, but everyone agrees that live sonar makes it easier to find fish. However, it doesn’t guarantee they’ll bite. Many modern fishing techniques require you to have a grasp on live sonar, especially during the winter.
You can catch fish without it, so if you don’t own a fish finder compatible with live sonar or don’t wish to buy one, you can still succeed on the water during the winter.
“Last Cast”
Obviously, I left out all the fishing tackle you’ll need, but I like to keep things as simple as possible. During the colder months, my tackle box tends to shrink as I prefer to use flat-sided crankbaits, finesse jigs, and small plastics.
While kayak fishing in the winter is a little slower, you have a better chance of landing a giant and less of a chance of encountering other boaters. You’ll have an even better time when you bring the gear listed above! What are some of your winter fishing essentials?
The post Winter Fishing Essentials: 7 Cold-Water Kayak Fishing Must Haves appeared first on AllOutdoor.com.
