When you’re looking to fish on a river, lake, or in the ocean, using a boat or kayak is a great way of improving your range and position. They’re not always a good option though, and certainly don’t always match up to each other. In this article, we’ll compare kayak fishing and boat fishing and see which one comes out on top when they’re put head to head!
Kayak fishing
Kayak fishing is any type of fishing that’s done from a kayak. Some people stick to slow-moving rivers and lakes, while others go kayak fishing on the ocean or even more powerful rivers. Kayak fishing is very fun to do although it does come with some extra risks when compared to boat fishing. We’ll discuss all of these pros and cons of kayak fishing below.
Advantages of kayak fishing:
The main advantage when fishing with a kayak when compared to a boat is you’re far more maneuverable. Although there are small maneuverable fishing boats out there, they almost never beat the range of motion you enjoy in a kayak. You can get into small pockets of water as well as smaller ditches that move away from the main river or lake. This can give you access to unique spots that other people fishing the river in boats don’t have access to.
This also allows you to move away from trees, rocks or underwater obstacles quicker which can improve your chances of reeling in certain fish. This is especially beneficial in areas with a lot of trees growing near the water’s edge.
Another big advantage of fishing with a kayak is that you don’t have a loud engine. This not only prevents you from scaring away fish and other aquatic and non-aquatic animals, it’s also far better for the environment. If you enjoy watching other wildlife while fishing, or are fishing for fish that are easily startled, using a kayak or other quieter mode of transport can be very beneficial.
The final advantage that kayaks have over fishing with a boat is that it is more challenging, especially when catching larger fish. This can make the experience far more fun than fishing on a boat or from the shore. Obviously, this isn’t always an advantage though, especially for the less-experienced among us.
Disadvantages of kayak fishing:
The main disadvantage of kayak fishing is that it’s harder. I know, right… Just a second ago this was an advantage. Anyway, fishing from a kayak is more difficult than fishing on a boat which can be a real disadvantage for less experienced anglers.
The fact that’s it’s more difficult also makes it more dangerous when fishing for larger species. Salt water kayak fishing is more of an extreme sport than a normal variation of fishing, and you’ll find many interesting yet scary clips of people being dragged along the coastline by sharks or large marlin. It can get very dangers, so it’s not for the inexperienced.
The last disadvantage is that it takes more energy and takes more time to move from one part of the water you’re fishing to another. If you’re planning on travelling between different spots or get tired easily, kayak fishing is probably not for you.
Pros:
- Quiet
- Eco-friendly
- Highly manoeuvrable
- Great challenge
Cons:
- Can be dangerous
- Difficult
- Tiring
Boat fishing
Boat fishing is very popular on the ocean and has some real advantages here. That being said, it’s also very popular on lakes and rivers, giving you access to parts of the body of water you may not be able to reach from the banks.Just like we did for kayak fishing, we’re going to go into variouos advantages and disadvantages of boat fishing compared to kayak fishing below.
Advantages of boat fishing:
A big advantage when fishing on a boat is that you can move very quickly. When you’re fishing large bodies of water like large lakes or seas/oceans, having access to a boat is a big advantage. It gives you a far larger range to fish and makes it possible to fish different areas of the water quickly. What it lacks in manoeuvrability it makes up for in speed, which can be a big advantage in some cases.
Another big advantage of boat fishing compared to kayak fishing is that it’s far steadier. If you’re fishing for large species of fish then a boat is your best bet, especially in the sea or ocean where fish could be hundreds or even over a thousand pounds! This allows you to catch larger fish and gives you a better position to reel the fish in from.
The last advantage of a boat over a kayak is that the boat gives you some luxuries that a kayak doesn’t, like more room for gear and more space to prepare. If you’re going on a long trip or have a lot of gear to take with you then a boat can be very beneficial. It also gives you more room to get everything ready as well as more room to move around once you’ve hooked a fish.
Disadvantages of boat fishing:
The first disadvantage is that boats can be very loud. When fishing for easily startled fish, boats can be extremely difficult to use effectively. This noise can also scare off other wildlife which means you see far less interesting things while fishing. If you’re fishing in a place with a lot of biodiversity you could miss out on the chance to see many rare and beautiful animals you may otherwise have seen on a quieter kayak.
Another disadvantage is that you’re range of motion is limited and you can’t get into smaller side streams you may be able to fish in a kayak. This makes boats great for open water fishing but often less effective in narrower rivers or areas with a lot of trees growing along the banks.
Pros:
- Fast
- Sturdy
- A lot of room for supplies and to move around
Cons:
- Loud
- Not as nimble
Kayak fishing vs boat fishing – which is better?
When fishing a smaller river, fishing from the bank or using a kayak is advised. The same goes for fishing rivers with a lot of trees growing along the banks or when trying to fish mangroves. If you’re after a thrill and like a challenge, kayak fishing may also be a better choice for you on more open bodies of water too, but be careful you don’t bite off more than you can chew (or, more appropriately, that the fish you hook doesn’t).
If you’re fishing an open body of water then a boat can be very beneficial, as well as when you’re fishing for larger fish species. Boats provide a sturdy base to fish from and give you a lot of room to move as well as store your gear. Boats are also a better option for beginners since you don’t have to worry about learning how to kayak too.
Conclusion
Both kayak fishing and boat fishing have clear advantages and disadvantages, but there isn’t one that’s better than the other in all situations. By choosing the right one based on your preferences, experience level, the body of water you’re going to be fishing, and the species you’re after is going to give you the best result.
Hopefully, this post on the difference between kayak fishing and boat fishing has helped you find out which one is best in your situation. If you feel like we’ve missed something or you have any questions, please let us know in the comments and we’ll try to get back to you as quickly as possible!
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