More Anglers Try Their Hand at Kayak Fishing
OutdoorHub Reporters 07.23.13
Kayaking is one of the fastest-growing water sports, so it’s no reach to say that kayak fishing has also found popularity among anglers. In many parts of the United States, kayak anglers have already become established with their own communities, clubs, and favorite destinations. However, in states such as Pennsylvania and Kentucky, sportsmen are surprised by the rapidly growing amount of kayaks out on the water.
“It’s been amazing how many kayak fishermen we’ve found out there,” said Noah Heck, who recently started up a kayak fishing club in western Pennsylvania. “We’ve all been used to doing our own thing, or doing it with one or two other people. But there are a lot more kayak fishermen out there than we thought.”
For many, the kayak offers distinct advantages over traditional boats. Kayaks can go where larger vessels cannot, such as the smaller streams and rivers that smallmouth bass frequent. Some anglers say it allows them a more intimate connection with the waters they fish, and is a good way to exercise. Kayaks can also be easy to transport and light on the wallet.
“For me, it’s just the ease,” angler Josh Edmiston told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “You can take it out and launch it just about anywhere, so you don’t need a regular boat launch. You don’t have to worry about gas. You don’t need a big truck to haul it around. You don’t need a second person to help carry it. And they’re great in shallow water, so you can go where other people can’t.”
In Pennsylvania, kayak sales and related launch permits have been steadily increasing for the last several years. It is indicative of a national trend that is seeing kayaks soaring in popularity. According to Ellen Hopkins, communications vice president for the National Marine Manufacutrers Association, Americans bought 239,500 kayaks in 2012. It is the sixth consecutive year that the number of kayaks sold beat the number of canoes sold.
“Three years ago when I first got into kayak fishing, you could barely find a kayak at the boat show,” Joe Maione of Louisville, Kentucky. “This year in Louisville (at a boat show), they had a whole entire area set up with a pool for demos.”
According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, kayak fishing appears to be growing in all parts of Kentucky and local anglers have begun forming dedicated communities. Kayaks are also popular among families as well and can be a good way to introduce children to fishing.
Check out some examples of kayak fishing on the video playlist below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWnZVBpJPd4&feature=share&list=PLmKKg4Zv4BWyLE2y7tc6-NTaW7DeNpeM4
