Fishing with Kenny: The Allure of Kayak Bassin’

article by Kenny Covington

In the past few years, one of the growing trends in bass fishing has been the number of anglers who have chosen a kayak to fish out of. This particular watercraft, once used for sightseeing and recreational exercise, has become a standard way to prowl our waterways, both big and small, for fishing. Kayak fishing has become a serious part of the bass fishing world and is quickly becoming a sport all its own.

Recently I spent a day fishing out in one of these small vessels, and I must say it was an eye opening experience. Not since I was a kid and scull paddled my way around Cheniere Lake in a 12 foot aluminum boat do I remember experiencing anything close to this method of fishing. In a way it took me back to my fishing roots, but it also opened my eyes to the unlimited fishing opportunities that are available to all anglers. There is a certain allure to fishing out of a kayak.

I had seen the pictures my lifelong friend Bubba Jones would post on Facebook. The scenic pictures were always the back drop to a beautiful smallmouth bass someone had caught in the numerous remote streams close to where he lived in northern Arkansas. The smallmouth bass alone were enough to peak my interest. To learn he was doing this fishing out of a kayak added to my intrigue.
When I finally talked myself out of my continual fear of traveling, we set up a weekend for me to experience fishing from a kayak. Armed with a small tacklebox of suggested lures (and too many I might add) and four rod/reel combinations (another example of overkill), I sat out to conquer the kayak bass fishing world. The scenery driving through the mountain areas of north Arkansas were what you would find on a postcard. As far as my kayak fishing trip, I must tell you I was not disappointed.

The first thing I learned was how to balance myself and get a feel for how the kayak would maneuver and respond as we made our way down the small creek we were fishing. “If you aren’t careful you will tip over at some point,” Bubba’s words rang in my ears. “Sometimes the rapids will push you faster than you expect, and if you hit a rock the wrong way your boat will tip on its side and take on water making you tip over” he continued. All I wanted was to fish, and now I had to worry about boat control even when paddling down a secluded stream. Some things about bass fishing just don’t change, regardless of the type of boat you are in.

While many kayak bass anglers will use rod lengths of all sizes, I believe anything between 5 ½ and 6 ½ feet is best suited for this type of fishing. You are so close to the water that anything longer can be troublesome. Casting angles fishing from a kayak take some getting used to and hook setting can be an adventure until you get comfortable with your set up. It’s all part of the allure of kayak bass fishing!

Our day consisted of catching over fifty bass, except for two largemouth all of them were smallmouth. My experience with these brown fish was limited, as I had caught a handful of them over the years fishing in tournaments in more northern fisheries. This was the first time I had truly focused on catching them. Even better was what I learned observing their behaviors, as I peered into the gin clear water. If you are a crawfish in the world of the smallmouth bass your life expectancy isn’t a very long one, they simply love them. Smallmouth are very mobile and like to move around searching for food, and I can honestly tell you none of the fish we caught had missed very many meals. As many crawfish pinchers that I saw coming out of the gullets of the smallmouth we caught, you would have bet they were all Cajuns.

The actions were consistent as we caught fish on grubs, small topwater lures, in-line spinners and crankbaits. Although it didn’t seem to matter, any lure that required a basic retrieve or upward rod movement seemed to be more fishing friendly. Shorter rods using simple lures – I enjoyed this “back to basics” aspect to our trip. There wasn’t a need to have a dozen rods on the deck of the boat or a desire to run twenty miles down the lake to a potentially better spot. There was a small creek cutting through the mountains and nothing but flowing current, deep pools and a day light of time ahead of us.

The advantages of fishing out of a kayak are numerous. Shallow water areas that can’t be accessed by bigger boats are perfect for kayak fishermen. Kayaks are fantastic when fishing for heavily pressured fish. Places once thought of as being inaccessible are now quietly becoming fishing hot spots because of these specialty rigged fishing crafts. It is a different way of bass fishing, and in this case, different is definitely good.

My weekend in Arkansas opened my eyes to this new way of fishing. I understand why kayak sales are steadily growing across the country and why more and more anglers enjoying this new version of the sport. There are now kayak based bass clubs and fishing tournaments held on the smallest of public waterways to lakes as massive as Toledo Bend. Kayak bass fishing has taken an identity all of its own and the sport is better because of it.

Well, once again it looks like we have run out of time and space for this month. I hope we were able to give you enough insight on kayak bass fishing to peak your interest into learning more about the how’s and why’s of it all. Believe me, it’s adventurous and a lot of fun.

Now that it’s the beginning of hunting season many of you will put your rods up for a while, but regardless if you are in the woods or on the water, please be careful and enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer. See you next month!