Fishing from a kayak brings a unique thrill and opens up a world of possibilities. To take your kayak fishing experience to the next level, consider adding a fish finder to your setup. With technological advancements, there are now various tools available to help you navigate your way to where the fish are biting. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a beginner, a fish finder can enhance your chances of success on the water.
Why Do You Need a Fish Finder?
While it’s essential to develop your fishing skills, a fish finder can be a valuable asset in your kayak fishing arsenal. Even without a fish finder, there are some fundamental tips to keep in mind:
-
Check the slope: By observing the shoreline’s slope, you can gain insights into the lay of the land. A gradual or gentle descent often indicates a similar underwater topography. On the other hand, a steep bluff adjacent to the water may continue underwater, presenting an excellent opportunity for fishing.
-
Cast at an angle: Instead of casting directly parallel to the shoreline, try casting at an angle. This technique allows you to cover various depths as you reel in and increases your chances of hooking fish.
-
Learn from the birds: Another effective method to locate fish is to watch for feeding birds. Birds diving and baitfish jumping to escape larger predators can provide valuable clues about fish movement and feeding patterns.
However, modern fish finders offer several advantages:
-
Locating fish: Fish finders enable you to locate schools of baitfish or pursue feeding fish in the depths, maximizing your chances of success.
-
Returning to favorite spots: Many fish finders come equipped with GPS capabilities. This feature allows you to mark and easily return to your favorite fishing spots, ensuring you never miss out on a productive area.
-
Mapping the underwater terrain: Fish finders can map the bottom of the water body, helping you locate underwater structures and avoid hazardous terrain. This information is invaluable for identifying potential fish-holding areas.
-
Safe returns: Even if you don’t use the fish finder to locate fish, its GPS capabilities can guide you back to your launch point quickly and safely, especially in unfamiliar waters.
Setting Up Your Fish Finder on a Kayak
If you’ve decided that a fish finder is a valuable addition to your kayaking setup, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
-
Mounting the display: Fish finder displays come in various sizes, so it’s crucial to find one that suits your needs. A display size between five and seven inches strikes a balance between visibility and practicality. Mounting the display within reach but out of the way ensures a seamless fishing experience.
-
Battery placement: Adding electronics to your kayak introduces additional weight, particularly from the battery. Ensure that your kayak can support the weight of at least a 10 amp-hour battery. You can choose between heavier but more affordable lead-acid batteries or lighter but pricier lithium-ion batteries. For optimal weight distribution, place the battery inside the hull, near the seat, and on the kayak’s centerline.
-
Installing the transducer: The transducer is a crucial component of the fish finder as it sends out signals to detect fish. Installing it correctly is essential for accurate readings. Kayak hulls are often thin enough to allow for a flush installation, which minimizes paddle or pedal interference. Look for kayaks with hatches and scuppers to simplify the installation process without the need for drilling into the kayak itself.
Other innovative anglers have found alternative solutions, such as utilizing a special base that fits into the gear track. This setup allows for a fully removable display, battery, and transducer, making storage and theft prevention easier. Additionally, it provides excellent forward seeing sonar and minimizes the need for invasive modifications to your kayak.
When selecting the right kayak for your fishing needs, consider the options provided by Brooklyn Kayak Company. Their fishing kayak models, such as the BKC PK 11, BKC PK 12, BKC PK 13, and BKC PK 14, offer convenient flat areas and gear racks for easy fish finder installation. For those looking for gear tracks and hatches, the BKC FK285 is an ideal choice.
Investing in the right kayak and properly setting up your fish finder will undoubtedly increase your chances of success on the water. Remember, while a fish finder can guide you to the fish, it’s ultimately up to your angling skills to make them bite. Explore the possibilities, make use of innovative solutions, and let your kayak fishing adventures become a reality.
