What is the biggest pain about kayak fishing?

[mytime]

I'll answer that one with a question....Why don't they make dry pants with a zipper?

[JKay]

I'll answer that one with a question....Why don't they make dry pants with a zipper?

That's the exact reason why I had my dry cleaner install a waterproof zipper in my last pair of new waders that I bought. The zipper was a PIA to source, but it works great.

[YaknBass]

simply not catching fish....

[eyedaddy]

I would have to agree it is carrying too much tackle. Making the switch to Kayaking was rather difficult after carrying everything under the Sun in my other boat, if I needed it ...I had it. That doesn't mean it was used, it was just there. I had to transfer the Fly fishing mind set to Kayak fishing instead of power boat fishing.

[Turtle135]

wind (or current) preventing me from making the presentation I need to make

[Frogsauce]

Chasing birds.

SHH tried to mentor me against it, but the temptation takes over and off I go.

Nothing wrong with following birds. But it needs to be birds doing the right thing, eating. Not just flocking around being retarded. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference.

I have learned that I rarely use as much of the tackle as I use to take. I try to keep it to 2 or 3 colors of soft plastics and a few plugs good for most situations. Reducing tackle saves time, space, and weight. I've found that too much gear and accessories is just a hassle.

Amen to that. The minimalist mindset wins in the kayak.

[JohnE]

Biggest pain for me is not being able to fish as often as I would like to because of work. Second biggest pain...inaccurate forecasts. Third biggest was struggling to paddle long distance in heavy current with a reconstructed shoulder that was causing me pain all the time, but at least I finally got that one mostly worked out with the new outback. Another pain is 95 traffic getting to my favorite fishing spots down at VA beach.

[yakkinfish18]

I can't stand trolling rods and getting tangled up in line catching fish! Sucks but still fun

[Yak Fish]

It seems like there's a camp of minimalists and maximalists....if those are really words. I definitely do not fall into the minimalist category, not while fishing anyway. I understand why it's appealing, but when I'm out there I feel like a swiss army knife. Even though I rarely use more than the rods I have rigged plus some spare lures, I like to be prepared for every situation since the best fishing of my life may be ruined if I didn't have the right thing on board. Last week for example, if I didn't have my super umbrella spread, I would have only caught a few fish. I'm always torn with that. Because I take so much stuff, I keep it well organized so loading/unloading is easy as it stays in my crate, which stays in my truck.

I like to carry a lot of rods too, and always debate taking yet another. Each is prerigged and is specialized for some particular purpose. I wish I had more rod storage, particularly horizontal storage. I've hit rods on trees and low bridges and it's a huge pain if you are fishing those areas.

I also don't like having to turn around to get in my crate. I think it's pretty awkward as I fumble around inside.

And son of a gun...isn't it a royal pain when you get a lure stuck at the very front of the hull or on the rudder? Good grief! If I'm ever going to take a dip in the drink, it'll be from trying to unhook the tangle. This happens a lot while trolling two rods (or more) and the fish is sufficient enough to spin the kayak, leaving a mess to figure out.

I'm always thinking of ways to improve things. It is pretty clear that loading/unloading is a pain for most. If you have a pickup like some of us, it's pretty simple (especially with a tailgate extender). For the rest, unless you're able to rock the kayak on end, it could be really tricky.

[DaveO]

x2 for work.

[BassMoore]

choosing between paddling and pedaling..

more tournaments around the nation are won in a paddle yak.. theorys are.. its quieter coming on fish..

you cover lots of water...

the pros and cons go on

[Fishinfool]

The biggest challenges/ pains for me in no particular order are:

1. Unanticipated wind and/or bad weather, which means having to work hard through heavy wind/waves/chop. Thiscan put a damper on an otherwise great day in a hurry.

2. Powerboat people that are clueless to the effect of their 2-4 foot wakes.

3. Snags, break-offs, and snags on piers or trees that cause me to have to re-tie. I have a hard time re-tying in a moving kayak and usually beach it for a break/ re-tie.

4. Bad tangles. I can spend 20 min undoing a tangle to avoid beaching to re-tie. I am getting much better at avoiding tangles though.

5. Loading/strapping down, then re-loading and re-strapping when the fishing is done. I can still handle my 48 pound WS 120 alone, but I am not saying it's a piece of cake either.

6. Forgetting important stuff, like my cooler, my license, a flashlight if it's dark etc.

Everything except weather and powerboat wakes are my own damn fault, so I should just shut up right now.

[Steve]

For me the drive time expended to get on the water is a big pain. However everything can be a pain in some way or other. Forgetting essential gear sucks but like a flat tire you just have to fix that issue. Otherwise it's all part of the passion.

That " blinking the yak into the water" part was hilarious. Ya, then blink the fish under the yak, blink- onto the hook, blink - filleted and in the freezer, blink - back home with celebratory beverages, blink, blink, blink- you wake and realize you're dreaming!

[Salty Dog]

By far, unexpected head winds no matter what the tide is. I try to keep my tackle to a minimum for the trip. At first loading and unloading was difficult. Now that I have a Hullavator, It makes it one Hull of a lot easier to get the yak on the roof. Another think I forgot to mention, getting the yak on wheels.

[imagine29028]

I Have a PA12 and I car top it on a GMC YUKON. The initial lift of the bow up and when taking down is the Hardest. Until and or if I purchase a lift assist to rest the bow on, this will always be the most awkward part of kayaking.

Ive got a Thule assist bar I can sell ya, if you have square bars. Doesnt work w/ my boat.