Living so close to the river, it’s always very tempting to go fishing. However, fishing from a boat has a few drawbacks. Many fish and animals are repelled by the sounds of boat motors and the vibrations they create in the water. Larger boats are also difficult to maneuver in shallow areas like mangrove flats, where the most sought-after fish tend to congregate.
The Indian River lagoon system is a fantastic place to fish year round. Several of the most sought after game fish can be caught here, including Snook, Trout, Redfish, Tarpon, Flounder and Sharks.
Why not rent a kayak with 321 Boat and try a new way of fishing?
RENT A KAYAK WITH 321
ORIGINS OF KAYAK FISHING
Kayak fishing is simply sight fishing onboard a kayak. The sport may have gotten increasingly popular in recent years, but its origins can be traced back to around four thousand years ago.
According to Wikipedia, Kayaks (Inuktitut: qajaq) were originally developed by indigenous people living in the Arcticregions, who used the boats to hunt on inland lakes, rivers and the coastal waters of the Arctic Ocean, North Atlantic, Bering Sea and North Pacific oceans.
These first kayaks were constructed from stitched animal skins such as seal stretched over a wooden frame made from collected driftwood, as many of the areas of their construction were treeless. Archaeologists have found evidence indicating that kayaks are at least 4000 years old. The oldest still existing kayaks are exhibited in the North America department of the State.
FISHING KAYAKS AT 321
Thanks to 321Boat , when you decide to go in kayaking trip, you don’t have to bother making your own kayak ! You can just rent it and when you are done, it is our job to wash it, do the maintenance, the storage, to fix it if needed. You don’t have to have a special equipment on your car roof or some space dedicated in your garage.
You can choose between our single or tandem kayaks depending on what you want to do. Our kayaks are sit in kayaks, not sit on top kayaks.
When you are on the river, one of the biggest risks is falling in the water, and in the worse case scenario, drowning. That’s why, when you rent a kayak with 321Boat, we will provide life jackets and recommend that you wear it, even if you are older than the law requirements.
HOW TO KAYAK : THE BASICS
Sitting in a kayak can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re new to the sport. But with a little bit of practice and careful positioning, it can become second nature and help you to paddle effectively.
To start off, it’s important to sit up straight with your lower back and buttocks at 90 degrees to each other. You should also find foot pegs on either side of your kayak, which you can rest your feet on. Your toes should be pointed outwards, with your heels towards the center of the kayak. Finally, your knees should be bent upwards and outwards, allowing contact with the thigh braces for additional stability. With these tips in mind, anyone can learn how to sit properly in their kayak .
KAYAKING GEAR
You will need to bring your fishing rod and small tackle box (small tackle boxes are better because there is no much of space when you sit in kayaks). Here is a list of personal items that you will absolutely need to add .
CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES FOR KAYAKING
The Florida sun is a dangerous thing to face head on. It’s always hot, there are 240 sunny days per year (more than any other state) and you can’t avoid getting burned by its rays!
You can wear your favorite pair of shorts or swimwear if planing on having some fun in the water – just make sure it has an UV protection rating because nothing beats being burnt while enjoying this great vacation spot. You’ll need sunscreen too so bring both hats and T-shirts textiles that dry quickly after being wet. And don’t forget a hat and your sunglasses.
When it’s winter, you need to be prepared for the cold and wet conditions. Bring dry clothes in your backpack or bag, as well as a rain jacket if necessary so that all of those sweating hours won’t go wasted when it comes time hit the road again .
CELL PHONES
An essential gear even when kayaking : a cell phone.
321Boat has a tracking app that you can download to let us know where you are if you need a fast rescue.
Moreover, if you plan a family trip, teenagers won’t agree with you if you tell them that their cell phones are too heavy to bring on our kayak trip. But you will need to make sure that it stays dry.
It turns out you don’t even need a special waterproof bag- just seal up any container properly and put your electronics inside . Then add water repellent chemicals like hairspray before packing things away tight; this will stop everything from getting wet without adding extra bulk or weight.
You can also put them in a backpack or use the straps on the kayak or the hatches provided for this purpose. If your kayak does not have one, lock the canister or dry bags in the front or back of the kayak.
A COOLER
If you’re kayak fishing and planning on keeping your catch, be sure to bring along a small ice chest.
Fill it with plenty of ice so your fish stays fresh, and tie it down near the front end of the kayak so it’s easily accessible. If you don’t have an attachment point for the cooler, you can get a tie-down kit that includes a mount that you drill into the top of the kayak you own. Then, use the included nylon straps to secure the cooler to the mount. That way, you can keep your kayak fishing gear organized and within reach.
Before catching anything, you will use it to keep your snacks and beverages cold. Don’t forget to bring a trash bag with you; you don’t want to pollute the environnement.
LICENSING
As a rule in Florida, if you plan on catching and releasing your fish then it is necessary for there to be some form of license. The only exemption from this law are those who are below 16 years old or 65+.
The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission’s permitting site is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to get their saltwater fishing license. When you order your one-year permit, it will be valid in both freshwater and marine waters so long as the species are listed on here!
All of the package deals include discounts such as combo packs which allow customers save money compared with buying each item separately – not bad considering how much fun these activities can truly provide when done right? You’ll also have access any printable licenses at no extra cost thanks again online services .
Don’t forget to put your license in a plastic bag to protect it from the water!
TIME TO FISH!
Now that you’ve got everything ready and out on the water, it’s time to cast your fishing line.
The guide from U.S Fish & Wildlife Service will teach how exactly do so safely while also being effective at reeling in fish!
Patience is key ; sometimes they’ll nibble before actually taking what we offer them . If our bobber moves harshly or plunges underwater upon setting hook then just tug up sharply with rod set into mouth for an instant reeljob-it doesn’t take much force since their weight helps pull down rods’ tension strings automatically.
LEARN TO CAST ONE HANDED
Kayak fishing is a great way to get out on the water and enjoy the sport of fishing, but it does require some adjustment if you’re used to fishing from the bank or from a boat. One of the biggest challenges is casting, since kayaks are much narrower than boats and there’s not much room between the sitting surface and the water. Experienced kayak anglers use one-handed casts most of the time, with either bait casting or spinning tackle, so it’s important to gear up accordingly. With a little practice, you’ll be kayak fishing like a pro in no time!
USE YOUR FEET
Kayak fishing is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while getting some exercise. However, experienced kayak anglers know that there are a few tricks to fishing from a kayak that can make the experience even better. One of these tricks is using your feet. Feet can be used to steering your drift on rivers, and they also make great anchors when fishing in shallow areas. If you’re kayaking in an area with lots of obstacles, your feet can also help you redirect the kayak so you don’t get stuck. So next time you’re out kayak fishing, don’t forget to put your feet to work!
CAST TO STEER
Kayak fishing is a great way to get out on the water and enjoy some peaceful time reeling in some fish. But kayaks can be difficult to steer, especially if you’re trying to fish and reel in your bait at the same time. However, there’s a little trick you can use to help steer your kayak while you’re fishing.
Baits that offer resistance like crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and chatterbaits can actually be used to help steer the boat. If you’re fishing a crankbait from a lightweight kayak, you’ll quickly realize that the simple resistance of reeling in the bait will actually pull your boat in the direction you’re casting.
Use this to your advantage, and make casts in specific directions to subtly adjust your boat’s position. With this little trick, you’ll be able to focus on fishing and leave the steering to the bait.
STAY NEXT TO THE SHORELINE
Anyone who has kayak fished in windy or up-current conditions knows how difficult it can be to make any headway, let alone fish effectively. In these situations, it’s important to use the minimal draft of your kayak to your advantage. Instead of paddling right down the middle of the river or lake, get as shallow as you can.
The current is much less in super skinny water, and wind and waves are also mitigated by shoreline vegetation and structures. You’ll paddle more efficiently, and you’re going to have much more energy once you get to your honey hole. So next time you’re kayak fishing in less than ideal conditions, remember to use the shallow draft of your kayak to your advantage.
FISHING STRATEGIES
Here are some kayak fishing tips to enjoy your fishing trip at its fullest.
A kayak can’t move as quickly or cover as much water as a power boat. Successful kayak anglers tailor tactics accordingly.
- Use versatile, easy-to-fish lures. This reduces retying and re-rigging, which means you make more casts in the day and catch more fish because of it.
- Locate fish using search baits, like spinnerbaits, swimbaits, and crankbaits. After catching active fish, backtrack with a small jig, drop-shot or other finesse bait to coax more bites from less active ones.
- Change tactics to target different species before leaving an area. Kitchen carries three to five rod and reel combos for fast change-ups between species.
- Troll from a kayak to cover water or as an alternative to casting.
CONCLUSION
The thrill of the hunt is finally over! Now it’s time to see what you’ve caught, and be sure that your catch can legally stay alive. If a fish isn’t native or hasn’t been around long enough in Florida (less than 10 years), then they must all be released after being caught .
Check with us before you head out what type of fish that are legal to catch. Some species, like rays and sharks who are endangered or threatened under Florida law (among others) must be released.
Fishing is a great way to get outside, spend time with friends and family. It’s also easy enough even for first timers!
With 321 Boat Rentals, you can browse our available boats and even book your boat now!