by Sean O’Brien for Anglers Club, May 31, 2016

Kayak river fishing is a world of its own, requiring a large, specialized skill set to cope with the constant changes of moving water. Besides contending with the meandering of the river’s twists and turns, you will need 360 degree awareness, as well as a good sense of speed and timing, because the current can pick up and drop off at a moment’s notice. The reward for developing those skills is a fishing vessel that’s rugged, portable and flexible, able to take you on just about any river in the world.



One of the major benefits to kayak river fishing is its nimbleness. There’s virtually nowhere that you’re unable to get to, and in a river system where maneuverability is key, the kayak is the optimum vessel. The maneuverability allows you to find just the right angle for perfect lure placement, opening up pockets of water that may have been impossible to cast to from a clumsier vessel. The ability to move around on the river is the key to making the best use of your time. Everything is in play.

Trout can be found in deeper pools as the river ebbs and flows, and being in a kayak gives you the option to hit each and every one of those pools. Determining the best avenue of attack, so to speak, will allow you to position yourself downstream, so that your bait of choice is floating as naturally as possible. Trout sit in these deeper pools and allow their food to come to them. Reading the motion of the river you can determine how food naturally floats through that area, and guide your bait along the same path.

Once you’ve found a great spot to fish in on a river, staying there cannot only be a hassle, but sometimes nearly impossible. The right equipment can fix that. In fast moving water, a good anchor can to provide enough time and stability to actually fish the spots where the fish are holding. Generally, the anchor will catch and hold you in a quiet area of the water, so that you can fish pools and overhangs.

Personal flotation devices are also of the utmost importance when you’re dealing with any body of water, but especially a river. Moving water is unpredictable and can change any moment, and the frenetic activity involved in kayak river fishing can increase your risk of capsizing. Leaning over with the net, fixing the tangles and swapping out lures can all lead to a dunking if you’re not care careful! And if you happen to be over a strong hidden current, you could be swept away quickly. As with any form of water sport, better safe than sorry.

Kayak Fishing Gear



One of the biggest changes that I made to my kayak fishing gear was the acquisition of an EmmRod that was specifically made for fishing from a kayak. I have the Kayak King spinning rod, and so far, it has been better than I expected. There have been many many times where I forgot my poles were stored upright behind me, and the got caught on an overhang as I piloted the kayak. I have had pretty good luck in this regard as far as damage to the poles, but my baitcaster has been ripped out of it’s rod holder more than once. The Emmrod packs down to just over a foot, and is very easily assembled. The two big things I was worried about were casting distance and sensitivity. Your casting distance will suffer a bit, but the mobility of the kayak more than makes up for it. As far as sensitivity, in a bizarre way this rod feels almost more sensitive than even my microlights. Compact size, great touch, and the hit you take on distance casting can be mitigated by mobility of the kayak, and practice. Like anything else, the more I use it, the better I get, and accuracy was there from the beginning. Just a great product specifically designed for kayak fishing gear, and you can pick one up at your local Walmart or order from http://www.emmrod.com.

Fishing Multiple Rods

Fishing with multiple poles rigged with different lures has always worked well for me also, so that I can quick change and cast out a different style. This may seem like common knowledge, but more often than not, once you settle into a pattern on the water you just kind of forget about plans, or systems that you intended to run, and you focus on just the act of fishing. When freshwater bass fishing, I like to throw a spinner and hopefully stir up the fish, so when I swing back through the area and throw my wacky rigged worm, the bass are ready to smash. This has worked well, but no one wants to sit and swap out the lures. The minute you look down at your lap, you start to drift. After re rigging your pole, you glance up and find that you are seconds away from smashing into the bank or other obstacle that seemed to be so far away, there was not a chance that you would have hit it. Having the ability to grab another pole and start casting saves time and makes it easier to throw multiple looks at the fish.

Another piece of kayak fishing gear that I have found extremely beneficial is the paddle leash. Nothing worse than using your arms to go after your paddle as it floats away from you. And you inevitably drop something else in the pursuit of said paddle as well. Now if you are in a lake, there should not be an issue with recovering a dropped paddle, but if you are on a fast moving section of a river system, that paddle could be long gone by the time you realize you dropped it.

Another thing to remember is that you should dress like you will be swimming. And rig your gear on your kayak like it will be flipping at some point. Nothing worse than losing a bunch of gear you spent top dollar on because it wasn’t secured to your kayak properly. I also have a PFD with me on my kayak, just in case, as well as a small personal first aid kit. That should be your kayak fishing motto – “just in case.” Prepare and pack for any situation that may arise, and you will be ready for anything that gets thrown your way.

Kayak Fly Fishing

When kayak fly fishing, you are truly at the mercy of the elements. For the most part you are casting from a seated position, so line speed will be the determining factor in effective casting. You will be using only the strength in your arms, rather than your legs and hips when standing or wading. This will make a significant difference, and you will be forced to rely more on technique than strength. We will investigate the techniques that have worked for this writer in a future post, where we can devote the time needed to this fundamental action.

Stability is a major concern when you are fly fishing from a kayak. The assorted sit on top models available have been created with a wider base to allow for more stability and to allow the angler to stand safely. There are a number of stability controls in place as well, and these vary from boat to boat and style to style. This is just another reason why you should be testing multiple type and styles of watercraft before you make a decision, as the subtle differences can play a large role in how you are using the craft. We will look at different styles and types of angling kayaks in another article, because the landscape has grown so varied over the years, as the popularity of kayak fly fishing has soared.

Kayak Fly Fishing Gear

Gear is important to be able to manage in any and all situations when on the water. This is no different with fly fishing, except you seem to have more gear. Flies are everywhere on my kayak, and if (and when) I “go swimming”, I inevitably lose quite a few of them that I have hastily tucked away instead of using the systems I have put in place for dry storage. One of the reasons that this is so important when you are fly fishing from a kayak is that you seem to do much more leaning, and moving around overall than you would normally. This obviously leads to many more opportunities to flip. Standing, as mentioned above, is also more common when throwing flies, and as stable as these boats are becoming, they are still kayaks. Standing increases your chances of taking a dip. One way to negate most of the risk of capsizing is to have a secure spot for everything you will need on a day to day basis, and make sure that you have waterproof storage as well.

One of the major advantages of fly fishing from a kayak, or fishing altogether from a kayak rather than another type of boat, is stealth. A kayak is silent as it glides through the water, and allows you to stealthily go where the fish are, and sight cast at them. While any motorized craft creates noise and waves in the water, and larger watercraft like canoes or even flat bottomed boats make enough noise that they spook the fish. Kayaks, as a rule of thumb, do not. You are able to attack the fish where they are, and get there quickly and quietly.

As with anything else that you are inexperienced with, before making a purchase, get a second opinion, or take the kayak or rod for a trial. Working with a fly shop can pay dividends on getting the correct equipment the first time.