The basic needs of a fishing kayak

They vary from 4-5 meters in length and have 1 large hatch for rods, tackle and fish with a separate “dry hatch” to store smaller items, like your water, safety gear and maybe a Banana or two, although the term “Dry Hatch” can be a little misleading, as invariably it can be used as a "Live Well" for small baits. There is also deck strapping for "stowage" space on top, where you can strap on water proof bags or baskets for holding fish.

Situated behind the angler are two rear facing rod holders and these days many anglers choose to add a third rod and sometimes fourth rod holder for that all important spare rod, either a rod rigged with a yo-zuri string (for catching bait), a spinning rod or a jigging / drop shot rod.

Add to that the foot controlled rudder system and there you have it, the basic requirements of a fishing kayak. Some models have a built in tackle tray, while all models have optional seat back rests. There are some great features to add on but bear in mind that with treble hooks, gaffs, yo-zuri strings and sharp toothed fish surrounding you it sometimes pays to keep things simple and uncluttered. Add to this a decent quality paddle made of either glass fiber or lighter carbon and you have a highly capable fishing platform!

Once you have your prized kayak, a bit of maintenance will go a long way towards keeping it in good nick. After each use, remove the drainage plugs and allow all water to drain out of the hull and hatches, thereafter wash it down thoroughly with fresh water (including the hatches) and allow it to dry. A bit of polish on the hull and deck every now and then will help extend the shine and life of the paint work.

Make sure you thoroughly inspect the rudder system and inspect the hull and hatch for any structural damage. A nick or two to the paintwork is no hassle, but if there is bad damage to the hull, you will need to take the kayak to a fiberglass specialist and have professional repairs done If you do get any bad dings or cracks in your kayak, I would advise taking it back to the manufacturer for professional repair work. The last thing you need when you are out at sea is a leaking boat.

What do you get when you combine all the aspects of a high quality multiplying reel with the needs of the fishing kayak angler? The answer is a Daiwa Saltist LW! This reel is both beautiful in design and full of features that make tackling fish off the kayak that much easier.

Every feature of this reel screams quality and a single turn of the handle will assure you of this. The drag is silky smooth, even under high load, and is easily adjustable via a clicker style star drag system. The ultra high “super speed” retrieve ratio of 6.4:1 on this reel means that should a fish turn and run towards you (as Kingfish in particular often do) you should be able to keep up with it. It also makes lifting strong fish like Tuna and Dorado easier as you are able to gain line onto the reel in a flash if the fish presents an opportunity to do so. Line capacity is perfectly adequate for any species you are likely to encounter off of a fishing kayak, with the size 30 model perfect for smaller game fish and the size 50 catering for larger species. The high quality level wind feature is great for fishing kayak angling, particularly when it comes to clearing lines out of the water in a hurry, and it also means that you can give your full attention to fighting a fish without worrying about guiding line onto the spool with your hand.

The Daiwa Saltist series of reels have proven themselves extremely capable in the hands of many rock & surf anglers, and this great, feature packed reel should find a way into the arsenal of many a fishing kayak angler wanting a premium reel that delivers premium performance at a reasonable price!