9 Beginner Kayak Fishing Mistakes I Made… And You Should Avoid! 

Happy to help! What yaks are you looking at?

@@wendellfishing He's lookin to go more budget with a Catch Classic 100 from Pelican, and I'm willing to spend a bit more for stability. I'm lookin at the bonafide ss 127, but everything is still in the air for about 2 more weeks. (happy to hear suggestions, his price is closer to 1k and i'm tryin to stay under 2)

@@viktorzolsar8873 Right on. I don't know a whole lot about those specific yaks but I did notice that they were paddle powered. Albeit more expensive, I would highly recommend a pedal powered kayak. You likely won't be able to get it under $2K unless you find one second hand. I've heard good things about the Bonafide though.

@@wendellfishing Understood, I appreciate the feedback.

​@@viktorzolsar8873 I have a couple of kayaks and have been fishing out of them for years. The best tips that I can give to anyone looking to fish out of a kayak are these two things: A quality anchor trolley run from bow to stern and a foot operated rudder. Both of these items can be added to a kayak if it doesn’t already have them. I’ve installed rudders on 3 kayaks that weren’t made for them. It’s a pain sometimes getting them installed but if you’re mechanically inclined, you won’t have a problem. The anchor trolley will allow you to position your yak how you want it to sit to fish a particular situation. The rudder, in current, will allow your hands to be free to fish and not have to keep setting your rod down to grab your paddle and right the direction that your yak is turning. It also allows you to easily position yourself while floating in current to cast to specific spots, all the time your hands are free. In still water it’s beneficial on windy days while fishing. It seems that there are many manufactures that put a couple of rod holders on a yak and call it a fishing kayak, not so. I have an Old Town Vapor Angler and they added a 2 foot long anchor trolley mounted in the back of the yak (that is totally useless), 2 rod holders and a dock cleat. They did this to a standard Vapor and called it a fishing kayak. There are many other things to do to make fishing out of it enjoyable but to me, these two things are the most critical to aid in fishability. One last thing. I really wanted a peddle kayak (and still do) when I bought my second yak but I ended up getting one with a built-in trolling motor (Old Town Predator Minn Kota) instead. The driving force that led me to this decision was that the peddle kayaks required you to turn using a hand operated lever (defeating a foot controlled rudder to leave your hands free to fish). I don’t know if there are any companies out there making peddle kayaks that you can turn without using your hands but if there are, I’d definitely recommend a peddle kayak, if there aren’t, I would not recommend a peddle for fishing. Obviously if you always anchor while fishing, this is a moot point but if fishing while moving, it’s much nicer to have your hands 100% free. Tight lines!

Right on... thanks for the tip Colby!

Hahaha that's what I do lolol

Came here to say this.👍🏼

Ye olde trucker tip... I've been telling all my yakking friends to throw a twirl wherever there's a 'void'

As a truck driver I can confirm your comment... a twist will stop strap vibration.

Right on.. thanks for reaching out and feel free to ask any questions along the way.

Glad they are helpful.. just trying to lower the learning curve on kayak fishing. Glad they are helpful!

Happy to help. Thanks Michael!

No problem! You will absolutely love it.

Thanks!

Right on Carlos.. I got a killer deal in the winter. Noone wants to store them

Right on... thanks tackle box breakdown

I appreciate it! Trying to dial in my thoughts and removing the fluff... Every video is getting better!

@@wendellfishing Yeah you got it nailed. It's incredibly difficult to deliver information at the right speed so it's not getting boring for the viewers. I'm struggling with that a lot.

Hey, just as long as your current video is 1% better than the last than your last then you are on the right track.

@@wendellfishing haha, yeah very true :)

Appreciate it.... Slowly getting better.

WHAT!?! I'm hopping on a plane

@detroit retro gamer drg313 I'll allow it

Yes, I have the same question haha Bass fishing here is too easy compared with other countries. Even land based, you can easily caught over 20 good size bass when it comes to the season.

Thanks Boss! Hope it helps!

Right on Chris! Thanks

Solid tip on the trolling motor but where are you seeing Gator Guard Keel Shields for $20-30? I would buy them at that price.. I only see them for $100+

@@wendellfishing They sell the keel guard/patch from $20-$70 depending upon the size. 3"x6" is a little small but works well where I drag the yaks up on to shore. Also makes an awesome repair when you use a UV light! Watched one 'yakker repair his nephews yak after squirrels got to it and was impressed!!

Heyooo!

Glad it was helpful Ken!

Glad it was helpful!

Right on Frank... Appreciate the Sub and will continue to do all that I can to continue to bring value. A 15.7 yak is a long BEAST. My back hurts thinking about moving it :)

Thanks a ton! reach out anytime Maggie!

Happy to help PG!

N M. Thanks for reaching out and your boys will always remember that time with you. Right on!

Thanks Brendan!

Arthur, thanks for letting me know this. I may start putting something together to cover this. You are right.. I don't see videos on it either. Appreciate it.

Now that's pretty awesome Mitch... thanks for sharing. This idea might make a future video!

Right on Daniel! We are about 3 hours from eachother

Thanks Liz!

Right on Josh…. I’ve been trying to get my dad to buy one for years

Actually getting a FS10 Sit in as well!!!

Makes sense… thanks for the add Gerald!

100%

I would win the race for the fastest kayaker of that happened to me.

@@wendellfishing 😂 Life in the South...but it always gets your heart pumping..

Thanks for the comment!

Solid tip! Thanks for the add

Yup in Pennsylvania we have to have a launch permit to use it at sate game land lakes

Yay nanny state!

In Texas no license is required unless you motorize it with a trolling motor or any one of the electric kayak motors on the market which are quite expensive. Pedal drives are better and don’t require licensing.

Thanks for reaching out boss! I would agree with you. I need to do a video on that hack because the safety flag is $$$. Good feedback! Reach out anytime! Kayak fishing is life!

Right on Dreson.. that would be great

Basic blinds at Walmart are like $10

Solid tip! Thanks for the add!

Right on! I've been happy with it so far and to be honest, have read many reviews of others who have used Kydex believe it's been good to them for years. Let me know if I can help at all.

Good tip!

A man with a plan

PREACH!

Right on.. Thanks Justin

My man.. thanks boss!

Right on.. What lakes do you hit around here?

The game just changed for you brother!

Lol… sometimes a good deal on FB Marketplace outweighs wisdom :)

I'm an Idiot, Bought a Camo yak, too good of a deal, now all my gear is safety orange!

@@KevinShank lol... and also good if you are fishing somewhere you shouldn't be :)

Right on Joe.. welcome

Right on!

True story there

Get some!!!! That's awesome!

Thanks Miriam. Glad they were helpful!

Right on Mike... I'm out of Hartville.. where you at?

@@wendellfishing Struthers. Right outside of Youngstown. I grew up on Berlin lake in the summertime.

The keel was just river rash.. but as you know.. too much it not good. I am not left handed. I don't even think about it anymore. It becomes second nature after a while.

FourWinns, Thanks boss.. I fish in Southern MI every year.. where ya from?

@@wendellfishing I'm originally from the Detroit area but I live near Cadillac now. I have a canal in my backyard that goes out to Lake Mitchell.

@@fourwinnsdummy You are living the dream if you have access like that!

@@wendellfishing I just bought an Old Town Auto Pilot 136 last year. As soon as it gets a bit warmer here I'm going to be installing an electronic system for lights and the eventual fish finder I want.

Nice!

Thanks 704!

Thanks Pat, Appreciate it.

Happy to help!

Thanks for the tip! Makes sense

Right on Gene.. thanks for the add

The issue you may run into is the bond to the HDPE.... Let me know what you come up with.. I'm interested

Like that? :)

Yessir! I’m the one on the camo Bonafide P127 with black and red kayak crate. What rig do you run?

@@wendellfishing I had a SS127 just recently got a P127. Hopefully i will meet ya. Small world!

@@wendellfishing I was fishing topwater on Nims two years ago and had an Eagle swoop down and try to get my Evergreen Shower Blows lure. Crazy experience. I use the One Objective Keel Guard on my Bonafides. I found out that 303 doesn’t work well with adhesive for the guard. So I cleaned the keel off with acetone before installing the guards.

Rodney, Great question… what’s your budget? Pedal or Paddle powered? Your weight? Wha body of water do you primarily fish?

Just in lakes, around 600 for budget, weigh 170 5 ft 4. I'm a beginner so I want to be as steady as possible

I don't personally have a motor on my Yak.. but I have some members of the community who love these: www.amazon.com/Newport-Vessels-Brushless-Kayak-Motor/dp/B08VWG8N8P

Right on

Thanks boss.. and thanks for the add

Thanks Boss!

Nice! Be safe out there boss

Ha! I have a 10… but would like a 12… so you are correct :)

I would say that if you got any kayak for $200 then someone should call the cops because that is a steal. Its a big boat but you definitely have a ton of storage on that bad boy. Sound like you have a fishing machine... now us Midwesterners just need to wait until spring.

Yeah... I would agree.. it's garbage. This is the best DIY option I could come up with.. Hope it helps: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gWgDEaZalbk.html

@@wendellfishing I actually ended up designing and 3d printing a mount for skateboard wheel on my keel.

@@kyleo1236 Like a Boss!

Hey David, I'm over here in the Hartville area so I fish Mogadore a lot! Let me know if you are ever over this way

Awesome I've never been to mogadore but I used to go to west branch alot in my boat haven't had the yak out there yet. I'll keep in touch

@@davidmanevich1040 Right on

Right on Frank. Thanks for the add!

That blue camo color is solid. I could handle that

Try looking up "Landing Gear"

Safe travels!

I didn't end up putting it on my Sun Dolphin because I don't use that yak but a couple times a year as a buddy kayak. Didn't warrant the tape. I honestly don't believe that Gorilla tape will hold up for the weekend warrior. I did another video on a DIY keel guard made out of Kydex. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gWgDEaZalbk.html

@@wendellfishing perfect thanks! Just trying to have prevent any future scrapes

I think this only means that I have waaaay too much fishing gear.

Niiiice! Just passed there hours ago

Thanks for the add! Appreciate it!

Hey Boss... I think this article will better explain than my few sentences: www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/kayak-storage.html#:~:text=It's%20recommended%20that%20you%20don,(if%20on%20the%20ground).

where at in NE OH??

Ha! I just purchased my second fishing kayak.. and yep.. it was camo. Not a huge risk if you are fishing lakes and ponds with low motor limits. Congrats on the yak Kony!

What type of kayak do you have? Is it the steering handle or just the handles to pick up the yak?

@@wendellfishing the carrying handles. It’s an older Predator. The screws just turn. Thanks for the reply

Right on Bass x

Really.. so weird. .. I see them all the time on FB Marketplace.

Big facts there

Wallet goes in the top pocket of my behind the seat backpack, I clip my keys on the top handle of my backpack, and my phone on the propel mount (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HJmHhzBGbKk.html)

now that commercial is running through my head

Lol… I have a straight up camo so you are in good company. What yak did you end up grabbing?

Haven’t had it out yet as it’s my buddy Kayak… I will let you know how it holds up as I’m fishing with it for 4 days straight here in a couple of weeks.

Thanks for letting me know Troy! I just fixed the link on the video.. here it is: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gWgDEaZalbk.html

Ahhhhh yeah.... it's ready now. Come on over!

I never got around to trying it