Kayaking is not only cheaper than most other forms of water sports, but it’s also more accessible and less time-consuming. All you need to do is go out on the water with your boat and start catching fish right away! In order to make sure you get the most out of your kayaking experience, it’s important for you to know how to go kayak fishing on a budget.
Getting the Equipment
You can’t go kayak fishing without the proper equipment. There are A LOT of different items and gadgets that promise it’ll make your fishing experience better, but you will actually need only a couple of basic things like a life jacket, fishing rod, and fishing reel, and, of course, a kayak. If you are not sure what to get, you can choose based on what they have at the local store, what your friends use or you can see more options online since there could be found more options, and usually way cheaper ones. These online options usually come with a price and quality cooperation, but the general recommendation is to go with the medium price range as this equipment will last for a while until you decide whether kayak fishing is something you like and plan on continuing in the future!
Borrow items you don’t have
Instead of buying items, you don’t need, borrow them! If you have friends who fish, then it’s highly likely that they have some spare items you can borrow. All you need to do is ask, and probably buy them lunch as a sign of gratitude for letting you borrow their equipment! Also, don’t forget that unknown neighbors can help too! You should check what kind of people live near your house or go visit those who own boats or kayaks so that maybe, just maybe, they will let you use their equipment.
The same goes if you know someone who might be interested in kayak fishing – give them permission to use your equipment! This way, both of you will get an opportunity to spend time outdoors and catch fish, and no one has to invest money into buying new stuff. This way, kayak fishing on a budget becomes easier for everyone!
However, it will be useful to buy the equipment yourself if you plan on kayak fishing a lot.
Take care of it
Nowadays everything is made from plastic and metal so taking care of these materials isn’t too difficult as long as you have a bit of time on your hands. When cleaning your equipment, simply use hot water to remove any remaining blood or guts then use a mild detergent to remove the bad smell. After that, rinse it in cold water and let it dry. To make the equipment shine again, rub it with some cooking oil and wipe it with a soft cloth. Most of the time, just these easy steps will do, but if your supplies and equipment are stored in the water all the time and you notice rust on them, then go get some sandpaper and rub off all the rust. Use metal scratch remover for any other scratches and give everything another coating of oil.
Wash your hands with soap before you touch the equipment. This will prevent any bad smell on your hands from transferring to the equipment and, therefore, ruining your fishing trip!
Finding Cheap/Free Spots
If you’re just starting out then check with local authorities to see if there are any kayak-friendly areas close by that won’t cost anything at all. You can also check with local clubs or associations for advice on free fishing spots, but make sure you don’t trespass on private property because someone’s backyard might not be open to the public. Always ask permission before entering private property, and respect fences and signs which indicate that they don’t allow trespassing.
Getting to the Fishing Spot
Today, gas prices are just insane, especially if you are on a tight budget. If there are any carpooling opportunities for you to join, they can help save some money on fuel since everybody will split the total bill.
Another possibility would be to bike or walk your way to the nearest fishing spot, but make sure it’s not too far away because 5 km can feel like an eternity after biking for over an hour…
Guides and Schools
If you’re new to kayak fishing, perhaps guides and schools might help you out! They usually offer lessons with experienced kayakers that know the area and have some valuable advice for you. If you are on a tight budget then perhaps it would be wise to visit these lessons as they usually offer all of this knowledge, experience, and expertise for a pretty cheap price!
If kayak fishing guides and schools aren’t available in your area or don’t provide this kind of service/knowledge, then going on forums and social boards might be a smart move. Maybe somebody will share some valuable information with you, help you locate free spots, or maybe even tell you what the most effective bait is at the moment. After all, why not ask experienced kayakers from around the world? They can point out some valuable information that will make your trip much more fruitful, especially if they have the same fishing spot as you!
Find a Buddy
If you know someone who already knows how to go kayak fishing, then ask them if they’re interested in going with you. Their experience can save you a lot of money as they can show you what equipment you need (or don’t) and can point out where you can find it cheaper or second-hand. For example, you can go kayak fishing on a budget by avoiding any fancy gadgets such as fish finders or GPS tracking. Some might even go as far as saying that you don’t need them at all, and if you want cheap kayak fishing then these added features do not apply! Just use your eyes and ears and always keep an eye out for anything interesting around you!
It’s good to have safety in numbers since it can get very dangerous when there are waves around, but that’s where the fun factor comes into play! Also having another person means that you can split up fishing duties including baiting/un-baiting hooks while one person fishes, and the other person paddles/pushes the kayak.
Kayak fishing is a wonderful pastime because it’s so relaxing and fun at the same time. Once you have your kayak, all that’s left is to fill in the blanks in how you want to go fishing, with friends or alone. With some research, you can do it without spending too much money or time on gas or travel expenses. Then just remember to make safety a priority and good luck!