The sport continues to grow
As we approach the end of our third year it's interesting to reflect on how kayak fishing is growing right around the country.
People have fished from kayaks and canoes for as long as there have been kayaks and canoes. I'm old enough to remember articles written in the Seventies by John Turnbull describing canoe trips down some of the NSW rivers in search of Bass. I first fished from a kayak in saltwater more than thirty years ago (unfortunately it was a long time before I again got the opportunity).
In those days kayak fishing was the domain of an eccentric few, and because of the types of kayaks available was largely restricted to the rivers, lakes, and estuaries. The arrival of suitable seaworthy kayaks, particularly SOT's, has opened access to coastal areas up to a few kilometres from shore. Manufacturers and after-market outfitters are selling kayaks rigged for fishing, and fishermen are rigging kayaks with multiple rod holders, depth finders, and all sorts of fishing aids.
It now seems like every week I hear of someone else who is either getting into kayak fishing for the first time, or has been quietly kayak fishing their own area for some time.
The Australian kayak fishing community now has a dedicated Internet forum. The Australian Kayak Fishing Forum is sponsored by Phil from Hooked On Kayaks. I encourage everyone to subscribe to the forum and share ideas. You'll find other kayak fishers with similar interests to your's and may be find someone to fish with.
On a personal note, I'm still trying for that big Flathead and my first elusive Mangrove Jack. Plans this Summer are to spend some early mornings fishing for Mackerel around some inshore reefs, maybe chase some Bass, and keep searching for that Jack that has my name on it!
Cheers, and Tight Lines,
Tony Smith, December 2004.