Kayak fishing has been gaining popularity over the previous decade among serious anglers. One of the reasons for its growth in popularity has been the cost of quality kayaks. You can now get a high-quality kayak for between $800 and $3000 dollars, which serious anglers find to be very attractive. Another reason, beyond price, is the ease of use and portability. These features give the kayaks ways to access waterways that would otherwise be inaccessible. This means that you can get your kayak into areas with more fish that are eager to bite.
Those reasons are often enough to convince the serious fisherman to incorporate a kayak into their trusted tools of the trade. The most recent adaptations of kayaks offer more versatility and efficiency than previous versions of the kayak. Many fishermen even forgo the use of aluminum fishing boats for the ease of use of these new kayaks.
So there are plenty of reasons to start fishing with a kayak, but what about using a kayak fish finder with your new kayak? Many people are hesitant to use one, as they are afraid that one spill would ruin it. The fact is that it is much easier to roll a kayak over then a traditional boat. This is the reason that many people avoid using a portable fish finder on their kayaks. However, the benefits of using one far outweigh the potential negative consequences and our HawkEye® FishTrax™ series is waterproof, so fear no more.
Finding Fresh Bait with a Fish Finder
Sometimes the amount of time you are able to stay out on the water is dependent upon how much fish bait you have. In order to keep reeling in dinner, it is sometimes necessary to be able to locate baitfish, which can be pretty difficult to do from the surface. Most of the time it is all about trial and error. But what if you had a way to locate that baitfish much more quickly and easily.
There are times that bait fish are suspended in the column of water, these are able to be located via a sounder. Many fishermen have their spot where they go to get their bait fish. However, there are going to be times that you can't get to that spot, for one reason or another. Those are the times that you are going to want a fish finder on your side.
Being able to target specific species, as well as being able to know how deep the water is, will help you in a number of ways, especially if you are fishing in an unfamiliar location. Once you are able to locate a good spot, you can then mark it using landmarks to help you locate that spot again. Once you have a good bait spot, you should also be able to find good spots for predatory fish, making for a much better time on the water.
If you prefer live bait over cut bait, then you can always bring a cast net with you. These can help you to find those elusive schools of baitfish that hide in deeper waters. As long as they aren't frightened away, you can typically find them between 10 and 20 feet around structures. These fish can be extremely difficult to locate, much less catch, without the use of a quality kayak.
What is on the Bottom?
Serious fishermen know exactly what types of environments their prey prefers. Different fish prefer different structures to live in and around. So, that being said, most fishermen know that if they can locate those structures then they can locate those fish. That is why most fishermen look for the perfect spot and guess from there. However, a kayak fish finder takes all of that guesswork out of the equation.
You can only see so far underwater, making many of these structures inaccessible without dumb luck. By using one you are able to locate such structures, making your likelihood of catching your target prey that much easier. This provides you with a huge advantage. What's great is that even if you startle the fish and they leave the area, you can mark it to come back later once they have calmed down and returned home.
These can also help you to locate those monsters that lurk on the bottom. Whether it is in a backwater area, a canal, or a river, those monsters no longer have anywhere to hide, at least not permanently. Having a deeper understanding of what lies below the surface of the water in your favorite fishing spots will help you to be the master of your domain. For example, it is very easy for you to pass by a deep underwater channel that you would never have known about without the use of a kayak fish finder. Once you have one equipped you are going to see your success grow in deeper waters.
Use Your Phone as a GPS
Most of the modern phone now come with integrated GPS systems. You can use these for a variety of things beyond just looking at store or places to eat around you. You can use the phone while onboard your kayak to mark your favorite fishing spots, plot your course for the day, and can even help to guide you back to your launch point. This is especially beneficial for those taking long-range trips on their kayaks. Now, without the proper gear, it can be very easy to get lost on your kayak.
As we previously stated, one of the great things about fishing from a kayak is being able to get to hard-to-reach places that would be unreachable from a standard boat. Having a HawkEye® kayak fish finder and an ordinary modern day smartphone is not only going to help you get to those places, but it will also help you find them again in the future, as well as finding your way back the way you came. All you have to do is follow the phone back to where you started. Many of these units will track your progress automatically. This ease of use is definitely a bonus.
Being able to mark multiple spots that you know are good fishing areas will help to make your future trips more successful, which means it will be more enjoyable. Now, it is possible to use your phone for this, of course. However, I personally recommend sticking with a HawkEye® FishTrax™ fish finder to first find the best spots, as they are waterproof and able to be submerged.
A Few More Reasons
There are many uses for these gadgets that you may not think of. For example, a lot of people like to take their kayaks out to go swimming. Many of these people actually dive directly from their kayaks. If you think this is something you will be doing, then it is best to have an understanding of what is beneath you, for obvious safety reasons. Even if the water is clear it can be difficult to know just how far down dangerous rocks and other structures are.
Maybe you want to go diving to find a good reef to look at. Wouldn't it be beneficial to know just how far down it is? Being able to locate the perfect spot from above the water is going to help save you time and effort by avoiding the guessing game. Also, knowing the depth will help keep you and your loved ones safe from avoidable injuries.
Something to Keep in Mind
When you select your portable fish finder, we recommend that you choose one where the batteries are internal, like the FishTrax™ series. This makes for a more compact system that doesn't require lugging around heavy batteries.