OFFSHORE KAYAK FISHING SAFETY TIPS
As kayak fisherman, we always crave for action and that next big catch. Kayak fishing offers a great balance for those seeking for both thrill and calm, some days are great and filled with action, while others are a relaxing day practicing your cast on the water. For those looking for bigger and bigger fish to catch, the natural answer is offshore saltwater fishing. However offshore fishing can become dangerous in a small kayak. The waves get bigger, the boats get bigger, the weather less predictable, and the consequences more dire.
So while our appetite for adventure takes us further from shore, it’s still best to know that you’re out of harm’s way while having fun. This is why offshore kayak anglers should consider adding a saltwater trolling motor to their boat.
What makes offshore kayak fishing safer with a saltwater trolling motor?
SALTWATER TROLLING MOTORS ALLOW YOU TO FIGHT WINDS AND CURRENTS AT THE END OF A LONG DAY
Offshore kayak fishing can be quite a challenging sport with big winds, big waves, big fish, big predators, and constant exposure. After a long day on the ocean, it is not unusual to feel like your shoulders are cement, your hands sore and aching, and your energy level dangerously low. With this level of fatigue, wind and waves can be a lot to contend with as you paddle back towards shore, your judgement, sense of direction, and other important senses can be impaired as well, leaving you susceptible to mistakes. Saltwater trolling motors make this part of your fishing trip much safer by ensuring you make it back to shore with no mistakes after a tiring day. These saltwater trolling motors are designed with enough power to push you and your prized catch back to shore after a long day on the water.
TROLLING MOTORS ALLOW YOU TO SET AND MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT LINE COURSE
Another benefit of using a saltwater trolling motor on your kayak is that you can maneuver and hold your boat in position precisely where you want. With the use of a kayak trolling motor, you can easily maintain a straight line course regardless of the wind and current direction. Another advantage of a saltwater trolling motor is that you won’t experience exhaustion due to paddling, which is often the cause of kayaking in a zigzag pattern.
PADDLERS CAN GET PUSHED BACK OUT TO SEA WHILE TAKING A BREAK FROM PADDLING
Offshore Kayak fishing can be thrilling, but it can be dangerous and risky as well. Paddlers can get lost or pushed back out to sea since tidal currents can take them far away. This is less likely to become a risk with a saltwater trolling motor, they are designed to handle big waves and fight strong offshore winds. Anglers can have full control over the direction of the kayak and can use it to hold a position. This increases safety as a kayak angler, and reduces the fear of getting lost or pushed back out to sea even while taking a break from paddling.
SALTWATER TROLLING MOTORS HELP YOU REEL IN BIG FISH, WITHOUT BEING PULLED FURTHER OUT TO SEA
Saltwater trolling motors allow you to have complete control over your boat by manipulating its movement to your advantage. Without a trolling motor, your boat can easily be pulled a great distance while reeling in a big fish in a matter of a few minutes. On my last fishing trip, a big tuna hit my line, inhaling the lure, I battled with the fish for a minute before he dove for deeper water and began pulling me further offshore. I quickly angled my kayak perpendicular to the shore, and twisted the handle to reverse. My saltwater trolling motor not only helped reel in a 75lb yellowfin, it kept me in place and within easy reach of the shore. In times like these, a saltwater trolling motor can help you successfully stay put, and reel in big fish without being pulled further out to sea. In my experience, great boat control contributes to consistently putting more fish in the boat.
TROLLING MOTORS KEEP YOU IN PLACE IN THE WIND AND CURRENT
As we’ve discussed in the blog, kayak trolling motors allow you to hold your position in rough offshore conditions. The trolling motor will help you as an angler respond to the weather and the water conditions, fight substantial wind and water current so you can focus on fishing while the boat remains in place. Allowing you to maintain your position without having to drop and retrieve a heavy anchor.
