Continued from page 55—


through the water is a marvel of engineer- ing and physics. What started as a carved branch in the hands of an Inuit became carbon fiber and foam in the hands of the modern kayak angler. But it didn’t hap- pen overnight. Andrew Stern of Bending Branches says that designing and building a paddle blade is a long, careful process that starts with a basic design that goes through a gauntlet of tests and trials before hitting the water. “A wide blade is good for speed and a


narrow one for distance,” Stern explains. “Kayak anglers need both so we use a long, fat shape that is 95 to 103 square inches.” Paddles can be made out of a variety of ma- terials, but Stern says that carbon fiber is the lightest, most durable and strongest. Even if you pedal a Hobie or motor a Torque, at some point you’re going to have a paddle in your hand. For more choices and suggestions for picking out a paddle, check out “Blade Runner” (page 22).


Quality Time


HAPPY HOUR WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY


It seems kayak fishermen enjoy time on the water


almost more than they like catching fish. In the Outdoor Foundation’s 2013 Outdoor Participation Report, 77 percent of kids and 54 percent of adults reported spending time with friends and family as a primary motiva- tion for outdoor activities. And 53 percent of Americans with kids participate in outdoor activities as opposed to 40 percent of child- less adults. Out on the water, you won’t be alone. Americans reported taking 12 billion outings last year, up from 11.5 billion a year earlier. In fact, one quarter of American’s went on two or more outings each week. If you want to see more of your family and friends there’s an easy solution—take them kayak fishing. —Submitted by Daniel Roloff


Rods and


Reels THE WORKHORSE OF KAYAK FISHING


Kayak anglers beat them, bend them and drop them, then throw them in the back of the truck and stack them against the wall. Rods and reels may not get much love from fishermen, but they get a lot of respect from


56 …KAYAK ANGLER WINTER 2013


the fish. That’s because modern rods and reels are more powerful and more reliable than ever before. Rods made out of carbon fiber and Kevlar will outlast fiberglass sticks with cheap components. And smart reels use microchips to control casting speed and retrieve rate on the return. Some reels can even be programmed to jig automatically. With carbon fiber drag washers and compos- ite gears and pinions, modern reels can take abuse from fish and fishermen.


SUPs


PADDLE-FISHING’S YOUNGEST SIBLING


Standup paddleboards are all the rage and it didn’t take


long for paddle anglers to catch on. These supersized surf boards can be launched anywhere and paddled anywhere. Add a couple rod holders and a small cooler, and the board is rigged up to catch anything from largemouth to sailfish. This versatil- ity has made paddleboards very popular. According to the 2013 Outdoor Foundation report, standup paddleboarding had the highest growth in participation in 2012 and more than half of the people who paddled a SUP last year were doing it for the first time. For new paddleboard anglers, Captain Linda Cavitt (www.captlinda.com) recommends a 10-foot board with a convex hull and flared bow that is more stable and forgiving than a surf-inspired boat, which is shorter with more rocker. She adds that the paddle should be 12 inches taller than the angler. And don’t forget your PFD.


Utility


SWISS ARMY KNIFE OF FISHING You would have to buy


three different motor boats to fish offshore, inshore and freshwater, but kayak anglers can do it all in one piece of plastic. Pro kayak angler, Jim Sammons has fished all over the world in all types of kayaks. While one kayak can do it all, he suggests offshore anglers choose a long, narrow kayak with a strong rocker. “Secondary stability is more important to absorb waves and current,” he adds. For inshore action, Sammons looks for a boat with more primary stability, that doesn’t rock when the angler moves from side to side. “These boats are easier to stand and fish on,” he explains. On rivers and swift


—Continued on page 58


Tournaments KAYAK FISHING’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE


It’s simple social science. Put two anglers on the water and before long one will say to the other, “I bet I can catch a bigger fish.” Put 1.4 million kayak anglers on the water and those challenges turn into major fishing tournaments featuring high-dollar payouts and big-name players. The Jacksonville Kayak Fishing Classic is one of the country’s largest events with over 400 participants in 2013. In addi- tion to great fishing and tough competition, last year anglers were treated to fire juggling hula dancers at the awards ceremony. A few hundred miles south,


the Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament in Pompano Beach, Florida boasts the highest cash payout of any tournament. Last year’s win- ner took home over $3,000 in cold, hard cash. “Nothing gets people fired up more than dollar signs,” says tournament director Joe Hector. At last count, there were over 50 tour- naments on the Kayak Angler Tournament Network. And the number grows each time two anglers hit the water and make a friendly bet.


PHOTO: COURTESY JOE HECTOR


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