2019 is shaping up to be a big showdown year in fishing kayak manufacturing. New high-end kayaks from trusted manufacturers like Hobie, Jackson, and Feel Free are gaining some headlines but the real dog fight is further down the pricing ladder. Since late 2017, large name kayak manufacturers have been promising more kayaks in the $999 and below price point. The Continue Reading
Opinion
Kayak Stability Versus Standability
Kayak stability has been a talked about feature for as long as I can remember. Few of the early kayaks (think 1990s) were much wider than 27 inches and anglers, myself included were worried about flipping from a hefty hookset. The question of kayak stability is still prevalent today, however, new anglers aren’t looking for just stability, they want standability. Continue Reading
Kayak Buying Guide for Anglers Over 40
Not every person looking to buy their first kayak is a young whippersnapper of 20 or even 30. Lots of new kayak anglers are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. Allow me a moment, to be frank. As an angler who falls into one of those age ranges, our needs are different than what we would have needed at 20. Continue Reading
13 Kayak Fishing Tips for Beginners
Kayak fishing can be daunting for beginners. Some of these anglers have been bank stomping their entire lives while others are downsizing from power boats. Floating on a piece of plastic and chasing fish of varying sizes, some bigger than your vessel is a great end goal but before you get there, you should work through some things that every Continue Reading
The Morons in My Fly Fishing Spot
The workday had worn on me. Meeting after meeting after meeting. Lawsuits, RIFs, and arguing logic with illogical people had me defeated. Maybe it was time to look for different work. Maybe it was time to just drink a beer and forget about the day. I called my wife from my little commuter car and did my best to muster Continue Reading
About Me: The Two Fellas on My Shoulders
Most people have seen the imagery of a devil and an angel sitting on someone’s shoulders. It’s a strong symbol for the battle of right and wrong. I still have that inner monologue but in the kayak fishing world, it’s not an angel and a devil. On my left shoulder is 2003 Chris. 03C has zero dollars to his name, a Continue Reading
7 Things to Know From a Bass Boat to a Kayak
As people continue to discover kayak fishing as an alternative to power boats ( bass boat ), the questions often come up about the differences. Some of the first answers are the quiet, serenity, oneness with nature etc. Beyond that are some differences fishing in kayaks that every powerboat guy should know first. Gear You know that 300 pounds of Continue Reading
Buying a Unicorn: The Search for the Right Kayak
Buying a kayak for the first time can be daunting. It’s more difficult to choose now than when I bought my first kayak. Back in 2003, I had one option so I bought it for $200. Now, consumers are faced with kayaks across the financial spectrum that have price ranges from $200 to over $4,000 (and even more if outfitted). Continue Reading
A Cheap Kayak and Cheap Whiskey Can Be Really Bad
Thinking about buying that cheap kayak from Walmart? It might be a bad choice. Before we get into the technical aspects of it you need to know a couple of things. #1 I’ve been on a budget. I spent $200 on my first kayak more than 15 years ago. It did what I needed it to by getting me off the Continue Reading
My Picks: $100 Casting and Spinning Reels
You’ve got about $100 for a new casting or spinning reel but which one should you buy? Lots of companies are vying for your business but which ones are a good investment? Which ones can I narrow it down to? I’ve tested a lot of reels, both casting reels and spinning reels. Some I really like. Some I don’t. If Continue Reading
