Paddler Magazine and Canoe & Kayak magazine features Kayak Fishing!

The July/August issue of Paddler Magazine and the July issue of Canoe & Kayak magazine are dedicated to kayak fishing.  Lots of articles and reviews in both.

Paddler magazine features all of NCKA's events on page 68.

Pure paddling snobs can't ingnore us fishing guys anymore.  We've hit critical mass!

Pure paddling snobs can't ingnore us fishing guys anymore.  We've hit critical mass!

Is this a good or a bad thing?

MolBasser

Is this a good or a bad thing?

That's a good question, I'm not sure...

The Good:
-kayak manufacturers are designing kayaks with anglers in mind
-it's easier to find other people to go kayak fishing with
-we may see kayak specific fishing regulations that allow us to fish when and where boats can't (like the shore anglers now)

The Bad:
-we may see kayak specific fishing regulations that restrict our fishing
-crowded fishing areas... even only a couple years ago my buddy and I could go to a place like Fort Ross on a nice summer weekend and we'd be by ourselves.   It's rare that I don't see a half dozen other guys now.  Just like surfing, SoCal is even worse.   Continuing with the surfing analogy, I wouldn't be surprised if we someday see a lineup on certain fishing spots... drift over the pinnacle try for a fish or two.. paddle back and get in line.  Okay I'm exaggerating, but it's harder to get that secluded, I'm fishing in a remote place feel.

Brian

CHUB and I play a game when driving. For every kayak on a vehicle going down the road the person who spots it first gets to slug the other guy in the arm. It used to be few and far between but now it seems we are constantly hitting each other when we go on trips. Might have to switch the game to be more kayak specific.
Even when I go to a remote spot for kayak fishing I see someone else fishing from a kayak. It is definitely more on weekends. I don't get to do too much weekday fishing. I am sure the numbers are a LOT lower then.

Here's my perspective for what it is worth. Overall, I see this as good news--IMHO the positives out-weigh the few negatives such as increasing crowds. First, based on statistics I have seen, the number of anglers isn't increasing so much as a few more anglers are choosing kayaks over power boats. Kayak fishing is jmostly ust shifting how anglers fish and not so much creating a lot of new ones. I believe that means harbors and other infrastructure (including regs) over time will become more kayak friendly and boaters more safety conscious. It is hard to see that as a negative. I also think it is better for our fisheries: less pollution from power boats and being closer to the fishery make us a bit more environmentally conscious anglers and some fish stocks need our help now or drastic closures might occur later. It is my personal perception and conjecture, but I think there is more C&R on kayaks than boats for instance as well. I am not teling anyone how they should fish, but frankly I find a lake of kayaks, flaot tubes, and kick boats much more serene and enjoyable than dodging the "Turbo Bass boats from Hell". I have been buzzed by jet skis and nearly run down by boats before. Perhaps we'll see more lakes prohibit power boats and jet skis if kayak anglers gain some clout to add to float tubers and kick boaters. I, for one, would find that appealing. I have had a great time fly fishing from a kayak at Crowley Lake far outnumbered by float tubes and boats--crowds are crowds and having more kayaks is, overall IMHO, a good thing.

Well said Surfingmarmot 

I also think of kayak fishing as a "healthier alternative" 

Over all I see it as a good thing too.

I do see a lot of NIMBY attitude in some of the early pioneers.

La Jolla is now completely overrun with kayaks, and this made a lot of the originators a little bitter.

However, I see the increase of kayak anglers as a good thing, on sort of a personal selfish level.  The increase in anglers is forcing the manufacturers to make better fishing kayaks.  This is a good thing.

MolBasser

LJ, over-run, my hiney! Even Mr La Jolla Jim Sammons will tell you its a big ocean out there with plenty of room for all. Want your own piece of water? Just paddle a little farther.

If LJ is over-run with anything, it is Zonies on rental yaks.    That's a little LJ localism sarcasm for you, we SDs love the $ our eastern neighbors bring to town. Laughs too, when it gets thumpy. 

Exposure in Paddler and C&K is a good thing that reflects a trend that will bring us better and better fishing yaks.

👍

An interesting walk down memory lane,

2allensfishing digs up a classic!

Well done.   

This is a cool thread!