Inflatable Kayak

[TylerD]

I got a new Intex Explorer K2 inflatable kayak for Christmas and would love to use it for fishing this spring. I've taken it out twice on a couple of the warmer days, but mostly just to try it out, only a few casts here or there. I'm excited to use it more when it warms up (both the weather and the fishing action).

I was wondering if anyone has had experience fishing from one of these and could share some tips.

[Gavin]

I would sell it in a second for a hard side canoe or kayak, but fish what you have and learn your boat. Patch kit! Center seat looks best to fish from.

[fishinwrench]

I bought an inflatable once and had my ex-father inlaw make a lightweight camo-canvas cover for it.  I used it for jumping across deep pools while wade fishing smallish streams.   It worked ok.  Helped me get from spot to spot, and even though I wasn't at all "careful".... I never poked a hole in it.    

Portage's were a breeze, and it was nice to be able to take a cooler and several rods along.   I had alot of fun in that thing now that I think about it.      👍 

Had way more fun in that little raft than I did with that confounded rowable fishing pontoon that I spent a literal fortune on.   I hate those stupidass things! 

[snagged in outlet 3]

I sure see a lot of them on the river.  Make it work for you.  
 

[Bass Yakker]

Not sure how much boat experience you have but I'll throw this out there anyway in case you're completely new to it like I was when I first started.  Wear a life jacket.  Be wary of the wind and avoid big open water unless there is little wind.  Don't anchor in the wind.  According to what I've read if the water temperature is below 60 you should wear a drysuit or not go out.  Experiment and find out what works good for you as far as where to put your gear.  Keep it simple and have fun!

[TylerD]

10 hours ago, Gavin said:

I would sell it in a second for a hard side canoe or kayak, but fish what you have and learn your boat. Patch kit! Center seat looks best to fish from.

I would like to get a hard side canoe or kayak but unfortunately as a student I don't have room to store one or a way to transport it. This is probably my best option for the next few years :). 

[TylerD]

9 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

I bought an inflatable once and had my ex-father inlaw make a lightweight camo-canvas cover for it.  I used it for jumping across deep pools while wade fishing smallish streams.   It worked ok.  Helped me get from spot to spot, and even though I wasn't at all "careful".... I never poked a hole in it.    

Portage's were a breeze, and it was nice to be able to take a cooler and several rods along.   I had alot of fun in that thing now that I think about it.      👍 

That's good to hear. I've been thinking about maybe putting something on the bottom of it so I feel more comfortable taking it over rocks and stuff. 

[TylerD]

45 minutes ago, Bass Yakker said:

Not sure how much boat experience you have but I'll throw this out there anyway in case you're completely new to it like I was when I first started.  Wear a life jacket.  Be wary of the wind and avoid big open water unless there is little wind.  Don't anchor in the wind.  According to what I've read if the water temperature is below 60 you should wear a drysuit or not go out.  Experiment and find out what works good for you as far as where to put your gear.  Keep it simple and have fun!

Thanks, those are some great tips! I plan to mostly take it out on smaller lakes without a lot of wide open water, so that should be fine. I'm excited to get out on the water this spring and really try it out. 

[kjackson]

3 hours ago, TylerD said:

That's good to hear. I've been thinking about maybe putting something on the bottom of it so I feel more comfortable taking it over rocks and stuff. 

Waaaay back when I had a two-man raft--which was really a single person craft-- I painted Gluvit on the bottom to help on gravel launches and floating rivers. It lasted a long time... It's a messy/sticky product, but it was the thing guys in drift boats always used on the bottoms of their boats.

[TylerD]

8 minutes ago, kjackson said:

I painted Gluvit on the bottom to help on gravel launches and floating rivers

That's a good idea, I'll have to look into it. I was also thinking maybe a couple layers of duct tape would do it, but I don't know how well it would work.