Fishing a little further offshore
When you're a fisherman and you're fishing from the shore, you're quickly attracted by what's going on a little further offshore, beyond the distance of a cast. Of course, to go offshore, you can buy a boat, but then you're not on the same budget. What's more, a kayak angler likes to go for a session without having to put up with the noise or smell of petrol or diesel from an engine. Kayak fishing is the perfect solution.
For all budgets
Over the past few years, with the growing success of this practice, manufacturers have been offering more and more models and solutions, as we'll see in future articles on the subject. Every practice has its costs, which must of course be taken into account. In this field, there's something for every taste and every budget, averaging between 400 and 6,000 euros depending on the brand and model, and even a little more depending on the equipment. That's still an affordable price at the lower end of the market.
Good for your health
As with all sporting activities, there's nothing but health benefits. Pushing a kayak with its cart across a sandy beach works a whole series of muscles you'd forgotten even existed. If the return after the first few outings is a little painful, with practice, the body will regain sensations previously lost. Paddling for a few hours will help you gain sheathing in your abdominal muscles, as well as strength in your arms. Choosing a propulsion kayak will give your legs a workout. It's also good for your heart.
This strengthens social cohesion
You can practice with your family, your children or your friends, and like Tintin, from 7 to 77 years of age, and some people are even much older than that. After a session lasting a few hours, a break on the beach to share a picnic is good for morale.
And what about fishing?
Whether in freshwater or in the sea, every practice and technique is possible. With a little practice, you can even set a trap or two in the shallows. Visit a promising rock that can only be uncovered on a high tidal range to flush out crabs and abalone. You can also fish with soft lures, hard lures, jigs, tenya, madaï and kabura. Even fly fishing is possible for the more agile. In short, there are no limits.
A leisure activity close to nature
When you're on the water, you'll be able to admire all the flora and fauna that can't be seen from the shore, or at least as easily, as seabirds and marine mammals, which can sometimes be seen at close quarters. You'll also have a front-row seat to the state of the waterways and coastlines. Kayak fishermen often bring back a few plastic bottles and other UFW (unidentified floating waste) for disposal in the dockside garbage cans.
Other benefits
- Easy, do-it-yourself maintenance
- Easy to store
- Low maintenance costs
- Rapid learning
- Wide choice of models
- Easy second-hand resale, etc.
As you can see, the list is long, and everyone will find their own reasons for kayak fishing.
There's one major drawback: you quickly become an addict! In the next few articles, we'll look at the different fishing techniques in detail, choosing a kayak, transport, regulations, the differences between a paddled or powered kayak, the different equipment: accessories, depth finders, clothing, the list goes on and on... Kayak fishing is for you!
