Kayak Fishing Tips for Beginners: How to Fish your First Kayak Tournament

In 2016 the kayak bass fishing tournament scene was not what it is today. It’s been such a joy to watch this sport grow. And grow it has. If you are wanting to scratch that competitive itch this year and make fishing buddies for life, hop on Facebook and reach out to your local league. That’s a great place to start. Like all things, there are levels to this sport. I liken it to major and minor leagues with Hobie BOS and BASS events being the majors and our local week-nighters as the minor leagues. There are spin-off events, team events, online events, year-long events, month-long events and the list keeps going. The first kayak fishing tournament I fished was in 2016 out of a used Tamarack Angler 100. I had a suction cup Fish Eagle fish finder that ran on eight D batteries. Now I have a 2022 Native SlayerMax 12.5 fully equipped with side imaging, a Newport 12V trolling motor and best in class accessories. There are levels and make no mistake…it’s addicting. We used a measuring board called a Hawg Trough, took pictures with our ancient smartphones and gathered after the event to judge the pictures to get our winner. This has all changed. Kayak tournament fishing in 2023 has changed. If you’re new, here’s what you should know.

Helpful Accessories for Kayak Fishing

I get jittery even thinking about my first kayak tournament. I laid everything I thought I needed out on the floor of my apartment and looked at my kayak and thought, “where am I going to put all this crap?”. Here are the absolute essentials you should pack.

Safety Equipment – Must haves for kayaking

• USCG PFD – A high back fishing vest is recommended
• A 360 Navigation light/visibility flag
• Small airhorn and/or loud whistle
• Correct clothing – kept in dry bag
• Food and Hydration
• Paddle with leash or holders

Most kayaking leagues require a certified USCG life vest. You can get a standard fishing PFD or an air-assisted. I want to be sure and float if something unexpected happens and prefer the standard. Make no mistake, if you are seen without a PFD on, you may be disqualified from the event. Navigation lights are required in most states before and after daylight. Boaters can miss you when you’re in a kayak. A visibility flag and airhorn are nice if a yacht is bearing down on you. Clothing is important. You need to be comfortable but prepared for the worse. I wear layers in the morning and use a dry storage bags for shedding them during the day. With this basic list you are safe, legal, comfortable and mobile. Now for the fishing-focused essentials.

Kayak Tournament Fishing Accessories Checklist

• • Fishing Rods, Reels, Tackle Boxes
  • Tiedowns for gear – what if you flip?
  • Measuring board & tournament ID
  • Phone harness
  • Net and donkey leash

How to be a responsible kayak angler – Stay dry, catch fish

A group of anglers were preparing for a tournament in 2021. One angler tossed a hot lure to his buddy and the bait didn’t make it all the way to his pedal kayak. The other angler leaned over to grab the lure from the water and soon gravity took him over. In slow motion, the fishing kayak flipped, his whole rig and with it…all of his gear into the icy shallow water abyss. I was the one who threw the baits and will forever feel guilty for a bad toss. My buddy Heath knew exactly what to do. He had on his certified life jacket and had practiced re-boarding his boat. Most of his gear was attached to the boat, lassoed rod holders and suck, so when he flipped it right-side up, his rods and reels flipped right over with it. Unfortunately, quite a few boxes, his measuring board, phone and pride took a swim. We laugh about it today but he was one of the lucky ones. Because he was ready. Unfortunately, kayakers are taken by the waters they so love every year.

Kayak Fishing Hint: Best for paddle kayaks but applies to all. It’s a great practice to keep you head and core balanced within the inside of your kayak. Always where your life jacket.

Know the Tournament Rules

Some groups use national rules like KBF (Kayak Bass Fishing) official rules. Some have their own rule books. You should read these and know them. It’s very important to know where you can and cannot launch your boat. Most only allow legal public launches. You will likely have a launch time, a lines-in time, a lines-out time and a check-in time. Check-ins are the most important of these. Check-ins are to assure your and your friends safety. I recommend setting alarms on your phone for the other key times. Certain tournaments now have different leagues for different style of fishing kayaks. Check the rules to make sure your propulsion style is allowed. What do I mean? There are paddle, pedal drive, fin-driven and electric motorized kayaks now. Some/most tournaments are welcoming to all. Please note that it is a best practice to always have a quality two-piece paddle onboard any style.

Kayak Fishing Tips – A few things we’ve learned

• • Sit-on style kayaks are better suited for tournaments then Sit-in styled kayaks

• • Navigating and controlling your kayak on tournament day is difference maker

• • Paddle kayaks allow for hands free fishing which means more and better casting

• • Organizing tackle boxes and rods is important to minimize tangles and unneeded awkward movements on the water

I caught a fish…now what?

Nothing hurts more than losing a big fish at the boat. Losing a kayak tournament fish feels more personal likely to the front row view you have of your blunder. Here are some best practices for beginners, I’ve learned the hard way:

• • Angles are all different when you fish from a kayak. Practice casting, fighting and landing the fish while seated in a kayak

• • Use the net…every time. Be aware of treble hooks. I keep a pair of quality hook cutters onboard.

• • Use a donkey leash and let fish chill out while preparing phone and measuring board. Giants get the leash and net

• • Use your paddle to safely move to a safe area or drift to focus getting a photo and fish care

Measuring Fishing Videos

This is all building to the stressful part…measuring the fish. Here is a stress-free series of videos that have resulted in ZERO lost fish or penalties in the last 5 years of tournament fishing.

Keep fish in a deep net and/or donkey leash in the water to relax while you prepare

Notice the angle of the board to keep fished relaxed and mouth closed. Wetting measuring board before bumping fish also helps calm fish.

Make sure you have a good photo including entire fish, clear board at nose and tail and tournament ID. Release safely!

Choosing the Right Fishing Kayak

When it comes to choosing the best kayak for you, there are several important factors to consider. The type of fishing you’ll be doing, the size of the kayak, and the features you need are all important considerations. Here are some tips to help you choose the right fishing kayak for your needs:

• • Determine the type of fishing you’ll be doing. Are you fishing more lakes or river systems? Calm situations where standing is needed or will a comfortable seat be more important? Are you wanting a quality paddle kayak for quiet control or a pedal kayak to cover water. Tournament Fishing kayaks are designed for different types of fishing.

• • Consider the size of the kayak. In most cases the longer and wider a kayak is, the more stable and faster it will be. You do need to consider portability, your vehicle, is trailering an option. Ten to twelve feet is standard in the tournament world for length and wider the better. It will be more stable and allow for more weight capacity.

• • Look for features that are important to you. Some fishing kayaks come with flush mount rod holders, storage compartments, paddle holders, pedal drives and even livewells for keeping your catch fresh. Think about the specific features that will make your fishing experience more enjoyable and look for a kayak that has them. We really like track systems on quality made pedal kayaks. These allow for maximum customizing.

• • Test different kayaks before making a decision. If possible, try out a few different fishing kayaks to see which one feels the most comfortable and suits your needs. This will give you a better idea of what to look for when making a purchase.

• • Consider your budget. Fishing kayaks come in a wide range of prices, so it’s important to consider how much you’re willing to spend. While it’s important to invest in a quality kayak, there are options available at different price points to suit a variety of budgets.

Have fun fishing!

When a little money gets on the line, people can do weird things. Above we laid out what technical and fishing gear you should have with you if tournament fishing or fun fishing. With rules to remember, fish to find, boats to dodge and prep to do, it’s easy to forget to slow down, have fun and just fish. Don’t make the mistake of taking this too seriously.

Best Tournament Bass Fishing Resources – Learn more

A few of our favorite experienced tournament anglers have very fun and informative YouTube Channels. Getting out on the water is the best way to learn but these videos can supplement the learning process. This is a very friendly community available to answer questions. Greg Blanchard Fishing Kristine Fischer YouTube Channel