Stabilizers installed on kayaks have often been referred to as “training wheels,” as that is what they look like when added, and that nickname does not do justice to the added benefits they offer.

Like any sport played these days on any level, Confidence is always a key factor to success, fun, and a great overall experience. Confidence allows us to let go a little, experiment and try new things. Kayaking is a water adventure that can be enjoyed by all regardless of shape or size and a little extra confidence will help in going a long way. Having the stabilizers installed correctly will add to the enjoyable water experience as they will create a more stable paddling platform and enhance your overall balance on your kayak. Anglers that need a stable platform to cast using lures that work best with a good wrist and body action will benefit from the added stability.

The above will work provided the initial setup of your kayak stabilizers is correct.

Let us look at the correct way to install your Stabilizer Set and get you out there with confidence and stability, and the best experience whether paddling or angling on your kayak.

Attaching the stabilizers to the kayak requires the correct work surface, which would be your local dam, lake, or sea, but for this purpose, we will use a flat surface so that when you hit the open ocean, setup is easy and hassle-free.

Setting up the Stabilizers

When you receive your stabilizer set, you will need to open the box and assemble the stabilizer, taking no more than fifteen minutes to prep and put together.

Inside the box, you will find the following,

• Stainless Steel Mounting brackets x 2
• Stainless Steel Butterfly mounting screws x 4
• T-Knob locking screws x 4
• Polyethylene pontoons with storage hatch x 2
• Aluminum mounting bars (three pieces) x 1

Let’s get the stabilizers all set up and get you out there.

Assembling the Stabilizers

Assembling the aluminum mounting bars is a quick and easy process. There are two identical curved bars and one straight bar. The two curved bars need to be inserted into the straight bar to form the frame of the stabilizer. On the inside of the bars, you will see pre-milled grooves. These grooves will assist in guiding the curved bars into the correct position, fitting them snuggly into the straight bar.

Take the two pontoons and position them loosely, one on either side of the bar and place them so that they both face the same direction. Use the drainage plug point as an indicator on both the pontoons.

Slide the aluminum bar into the pre-molded holes of the pontoon and line up the brass inserts with the pre-drilled hole positions on the bar. Connect and secure the two in place by taking two T-knob screws and tightening them in the correct position. Do the same on the other side of the bar, remembering to keep both the drain plugs facing the same direction.

Now that both pontoons are attached, it’s time to mount the bar onto the kayak.

Attaching the Stabilizers to the kayak

Standing, Position yourself above the center bar of the stabilizers. Lift the bar and slowly place the bar in the molded stabilizer inserts. These are situated at the back of the kayak at the start of the rear tank well. When you lift the stabilizers up, you will notice a lot of movement and that the stabilizer’s pontoons drop to the bottom. The dropping of the pontoons is a natural movement as there needs to be a lot, “of Play” to accommodate moving water conditions. Place the bar in its place with the two pontoons lined up with the rear tank well. In other words, the pontoons should make it look as if the rear of the kayak has wings. The fastening of the bar to the kayak will require the final two items in the box you received. Take the two stainless steel plates and place them over the bar, Lining them up with the brass inserts on the kayak on either side of the bar molds. The plates will not be flush against the deck as they need to be able to swivel and move. Take the remaining four butterfly screws and secure the plates to the kayak. You have now secured your stabilizer to the kayak.

Take a step back for a second and memorize the positioning of the pontoons keeping in mind the process of assembly as the next time you connect the stabilizers, it will be on the water.

Maintenance of your Stabilizers

Polyethylene, Aluminum, and Stainless steel are all designed to be able to handle the harshest conditions. Extra TLC is never a bad thing and will go a long way to ensuring the longevity of your stabilizer set. After your day on the water, there are a few things that you should do to clean off and care for your kayak and stabilizer set.

• Use a hose with fresh water and rinse off the stabilizers
• Open the pontoon hatches and check for moisture. If there is water, empty and leave to air dry.
• Once the set is dry, remove the screws and disassemble the stabilizer set.
• Take some Anti Corrosive oil (Q20, Tool in a can) and spray it onto the brass inserts, T-Knobs, and butterfly screws.
• Pack away, keeping all the screws together as they are small and will get lost.

Once you have completed the setup a few times, the whole process will not take you longer than a few minutes to complete. The stabilizers are a great addition to your Vanhunks kayak if you are looking for more stability on the water. If you need more information on the stabilizers, ask one of our friendly staff members and we will be happy to help.

By Trevor Marsden

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Stand up Paddling was first discovered in 1940 when a Hawaiian Local named John Ah Choy used a canoe paddle on his surfboard, he struggled to get up on the board as he grew older so he would just stand up and paddle with the canoe paddle from the beach.

Another Hawaiian local, Laird Hamilton pushed the boundaries with what was possible on a SUP when he paddled from island to island and took on massive waves in the process. He believed that the action used when Supping was a full body workout and compared a Stand-up paddle board session to pushing a small car uphill as you burned the same amount of calories

As the years passed the boards and paddles started to evolve and newer shapes and designs flooded local surf and water sports shops. You could walk into any surf store and find a board that would be perfect for you without much effort at all and from the first buy you were hooked, and your Supping journey began.

So why would you want to start stand-up paddleboarding? What makes the art of paddling on the water so inviting? It could be the bronzed chiselled bodies you see on the boards paddling around or the girl you saw with her young son standing with her and enjoying the moment. Maybe it was simply the idea of getting out on the water and getting some well-deserved alone time while taking in the serenity of the sea and its wonders. No matter your reason, having the right equipment and getting the right advice on what will work and what won’t is vital.

But let us stop for a second and look at the process of choosing and buying the right board for you as there are so many factors that will determine whether you are in the right gear and by having the right gear you would be able to get all you needed to out of your SUP experience.

When walking into a shop selling water gear, the experience can be a bit daunting as there is so much to look at and so much to choose from that the whole experience can leave you a little overwhelmed. There are so many factors and questions that you need to ask and be asked so before you get flustered, take a breath, slow down and enjoy the first step in getting you out on the water.

In this edition we are going to look closely at the best board and equipment for open ocean and wave riding, ensuring that you get the most out of your gear and your water experience.

Let us look at the design elements that make a Stand-Up Paddleboard great in the ocean and a wave-riding vehicle and then we will look at how the riders’ weight, height, and physical ability determine the board that will be best suited for you.

Rail Design

This plays a massive role in wave riding ability as the shape of the rail determines side-to-side movement and grip along the wave wall. The best design for wave riding ability is a tapered deck to rail design which involves tapering the deck’s width from the centre towards the rail and then trimming down quite sharply at the edge of the rail. Tapered Rails allow you to grip onto the wave wall more easily whilst not losing any speed in the turns.

Tail Shape

The shape of the tail on surfboards, SUPs, and other watercraft has always been a debate as different wave riders have different ideas of what the shape does and how it affects the performance of the board. There are numerous shapes with the most popular ones being the swallow tail, Box or squash tail, and the very popular rounded pin. When choosing the right SUP for you and what you want to achieve on the waves the tail shape plays a massive role especially as you progress and take on bigger and better waves. So, let’s break them down and have a look at each shape’s characteristics and how they adapt and change the way your board will perform.

• Squash, Box, or square tail – This shape allows for a punchier approach to the wave and greatly increases your top to bottom riding ability. The shape of the tail allows you to push out more water on every turn, therefore, keeping you in the pocket (Breaking point) of the wave. This tail shape is great on waves that are small and overhead and will suit most paddlers
• Rounded Pin – I am a big fan of this tail shape and use it on most of my boards as the rounded tail allows you to flow through sections of the wave without losing speed. Your turning ability is smooth and very responsive, and the shape works well on slightly bigger waves.
• Swallow or Fish Tail – This tail shape is incredibly popular for smaller boards and light riders. The two points of the tail aid the fins in grabbing the water or face of the wave on tight and quick turns. The action when on the wave face feels very responsive to weight adjustments and very fast on open face swells.

So, that’s a lot of information to absorb but when starting out the best tail shape is going to be the Squash shape as it’s the most adaptable shape for the conditions that you will be riding for the first few years.

Concave

Concave on a board on the bottom deck allows water to flow quickly under the board and adds to the responsiveness of the SUP on turns and speed. The level of concave will affect the board’s overall performance as too much concave can be a negative point when the swell and wave conditions deteriorate. Personally concave that runs from the center of the board to just in line with the first two fins do add to the board’s responsiveness and it assists the turning capability whilst still maintaining speed in the turns.

Fin material

Firstly there are a lot of fin setups that can be used and work on wave-riding SUPs. Fins on a board don’t just provide a turning ability but also play a massive role in what is referred to as the drive of a board. Certain fins setups and what they are manufactured from will determine speed and agility. Hardened, more rigid fins that are made from polyester will not flex and bend and will therefore draw a direct line on a wave face so you will maintain speed. Composite or plastic fins that have a lot of flex will bend slightly in turns from the speed and pressure which is applied and with this, you lose a bit of speed or drive. The easiest way to understand this is to picture a car with smooth tires going around a sharp bend. As the car enters the bend the wheels start to lose traction s; lightly and therefore the car’s drive slows a little meaning that the driver must apply more gas to maintain his speed and turn. Now picture the same car with new wheels and the tread is perfect so when the driver enters the corner the wheels grip the road and allow the car to maintain speed or drive without having to apply added gas to the turn. The wheels with the good grip are the glass fins that are more rigid, and these allow you to maintain the board’s drive and speed whilst not having to work harder in the turns.

When starting out and choosing your new board to tackle the waves having a softer slightly flexible fin can play to your advantage as slowing down in turns will allow you to manage the board’s movement better and give you time to adjust to the action and direction of the waves.

Nose Shape

The shape of the nose often plays a role in the speed and wave-catching ability. On most SUP designs the boards have a slightly fuller and rounded nose shape as this allows the water to part easily in front of the board pushing water to the sides of the rails and not over the nose.

Rocker – The rocker of a board is the lift of the nose and tail that allows the water to flow easily under the board and helps to avoid nose dives when catching waves. When you paddle into a wave the natural movement when the wave’s power picks you up is down the steep face of the wave. Having that rocker allows you to trim over the water and not nosedive when you turn off the trough of the wave. Tail Rocker will be very slight but helps you to retrieve your easily when wiping out. The board will glide back above the water and not dig in allowing you to get the board back quicker and out of the next waves way.

Height and Weight

Sups and surfboards have dimensions from length to width and thickness and they ultimately give you the board’s volume which is always measured in litres. Your weight, height, and ability will determine what length and litres of volume your board should have. As wave riding SUPS are shorter than flat water SUPs the boards need to carry more volume in their shape even though they have lost volume in length. Choosing the right volume and length is the first and most important step in your board selection as a board that is over buoyant will be difficult to turn and manoeuvre whilst a board that is under buoyant will hamper your catching wave ability. When starting out there are two factors that will allow you to catch and enjoy waves.

Length of Board

The length of the board allows you to generate more speed in the paddle and get onto waves easier.

Width of the Board

The width assists with balance and stability which aids in a more confident paddling style and approach.

These two factors combined allow for confidence to grow and when you are confident you enjoy yourself more. Also, let’s be honest, unless you are catching waves you are not wave riding, you are floating so having the right size and volume is key.

As mentioned earlier walking into a retail outlet can be a little intimidating and having a bit of know-how can go a long way in ensuring that you get the right board and the right advice. So, when you are ready to get your new board, ask a lot of questions and don’t be scared to mention your weight, fear of the ocean, maybe you have a bad back, who knows, but all of these and other factors will help the guy or girl at that shop get you on the right gear and out there catching waves and living the dream.

Written By Trevor Marsden – Vanhunks Pro-staff.

Ready to start your SUP journey?

The post Stand Up Paddling & the Right Gear appeared first on Vanhunks Boarding USA.

One of the latest kayaks from Vanhunks is the 10’ Zambezi. While this kayak can be used by the recreational kayaker it’s by far a superior fishing craft. I’ve recently returned from an off-the-chart kayak fishing trip on Cape Cod and the Zambezi out-performed all my expectations. The 10’ length and the 33’w width makes for steady tracking, super stability, and is very fast. Most of the weekend featured 15-20 MPH winds and the V-shaped bow cut nicely through the waves while the tri-hull below kept the rocking down to a minimum. The V-shaped bow also helps to reduce wave hull slap for those quiet approaches.

At first glance, the entire hull is built with storage in mind. There is covered storage well in the bow with additional hatch bungees. I was able to store my batteries out of the elements in here which is located directly over the access hole for the molded/protected transponder well under the hull. The bungee-covered hatch also serves as a tie-down for extra gear. I’m a bit of a gear hound so the four flush mounted accessory tracks, two along the sides up front and two along the rear storage wells allows me the flexibility to add camera booms, a flag and light pole as well as additional rod holders. As this is a fishing craft, Vanhunks included two rear flush mounted rod holders for those who wish to troll/trawl and two flush mounted rod holders up front for exceptional flexibility while fishing. As a competition angler, it’s imperative that I carry all the necessary gear to compete so my seven-rod holder/basket which serves as a bait well fits nicely in the compartment directly behind the seat for easy access. You’ll find just enough room behind this area to store a dry bag with the included bungee straps.

The true advantage of all the Vanhunks peddle/prop drive kayaks is the ability to fish while moving. The Fin Drive system with its 7 position options and the elevated, adjustable nylon mesh seat allows for any size angler to spend a day on the water with less fatigue and in comfort. This kayak of course comes with a paddle, has a foot-operated steering system, and can be used by the casual paddler but as a kayak angler, I found the deployable rudder combined with the foot-powered drive system exceptional at targeting moving fish without putting my rod down to move. The left-hand operated rudder extends deeply in the water and regardless of the wind or current, I was able to maintain optimal positioning. There is a prop drive available for all of the foot-powered kayaks from Vanhunks that offers superior speed and the ability to reverse simply by reversing the direction of the peddles.

Extra features of the Zambezi include tackle box storage on the sides by the seat with bungee attachments, a cup holder for your favorite beverage and the elevated seat allowing for additional tackle storage or in my case enough room to keep a 34” fish for dinner!

All in all, this addition to the Vanhunks family of kayaks while keeping the recreational kayaker to the serious angler in mind is sure to meet and exceed your kayak needs.

The Zambezi 12’6 Kayak

I’ve recently started using the 12’ 6” Zambezi from Vanhunks and this kayak is everything I had hoped for as a fisherman! This is more than a fishing craft though as the recreational kayaker will also find this kayak enjoyable.

The first thing you’ll notice is the enormous amount of storage. The bow hatch has a bungee strap so you can stow gear inside as well as on top. Directly behind this is another covered hatch that has a latch-able cover that is perfect for the battery and wire harness for your electronics. Directly below this is the integrated transducer compartment in the bottom of the hull so can you permanently mount your fish finder transducer with a wiring chase up onto the deck. As with most Vanhunks Kayaks, there are flush mount track rails in the front and back on each side for additional electronics, rod mounts, flag poles or camera booms. In addition to the two front-covered hatches, there is an additional hatch in the rear that serves not only for storage but is a big access port for any below-deck service that you may encounter. The rear tank well is large and divided into two areas, one for a livewell/rodholder crate and the very back is perfect for storing your float bag or any additional gear with the included bungee straps. Of course, this is set up as a fishing craft so there are six flush mounted rod holders, two up front and four in the rear, perfectly positioned for trolling/trawling. As a tournament angler, it’s important for me to carry multiple tackle bags and due to the way, the rear storage is set up, I can store my largest bag directly behind my seat making it easier to retrieve.

There are several features combined that make this the perfect fishing craft. First of course is the length at 12’ 6’ that makes this kayak track really well and handles itself in rough water. The second is the hull design featuring a V-shaped bow that cuts through the surf and cuts down on hull slap. The pontoon-style hull makes for perfect stability as you’ll be able to stand and sight fish with ease. Like most of their kayaks, the raised mesh of the adjustable seat is made to sit in all day. Vanhunks has put a lot of thought into this kayak as they have added large tackle storage slots with bungee straps on both sides of the seat as well as raising the seat for additional storage under it and improved visibility through the water.

In my opinion, the most important piece of equipment in this kayak is the Fin Drive system that allows you to continue to maneuver or drive your kayak while continuing to fish. Hands-free propulsion changes everything for kayak anglers as you can continue to fish as you move your craft into the perfect spot. Another advantage of the Fin Drive or Prop Drive is the ability to change gear or re-rig as you move from one spot to another. Of course, you can order this kayak with paddles only and it comes with a tool pod where the drive box goes. The beauty of this design is that you can then, later on, purchase the Fin Drive and it fits right in the through-hull port. The Zambezi comes with a deployable rudder that is super responsive and with just a few peddle strokes you can do a U-turn so it’s very agile. If you opt for the paddle-only version there are foot pegs that control the rudder so not only is there an adjustable place to rest your feet, but you also get that super rudder control as you paddle. Another new feature on this kayak is the left-hand steering control so that if you are a right-handed spin caster like me your left hand simply drops to the control handle.

Due to the length of this kayak, you’ll need to consider how to transport and move this kayak to the water at your launch. Vanhunks has several options for car top transportation as well as several dolly systems. My favorite, the balloon tire scupper hole dolly, allows me to travel over very rugged, rocky shorelines or super soft sandy beaches.

All in all, this new dedicated fishing craft will serve the new or the experienced angler well. With Vanhunks design in its DNA, you’ll find this kayak an excellent choice for recreational use or a dedicated fishing craft.

By Pro Staff member Dan Carns

Get the Zambezi 10FT Kayak + Fin Drive + Dolly:

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My Favorite Bass Baits and How to Throw Them

In the world of bass fishing, there is no shortage on lures to pick from while walking through the fishing section at your local sporting goods store.  When you finally do decide on which kind of lure you want to throw, picking out which color becomes just as much of an uphill battle.  In this brief write up I’ll run you through the lures I keep tied on to each rod, and what situations I use them in to help you get more fish on your kayak!  The general idea that I like to stick to, is setting up a rod for each fishing environment I may find myself in for whatever fishery I’m fishing that day.  I always suggest planning to throw a few different types of baits which are topwater, a five inch senko, and a ned rig.  In fact, I could confidently say that if I were to head out on a lake with these five alone I could make it through an entire day of fishing with absolute success.  Here is a little more on each, and what situations I like to throw them in!

Let’s paint the picture, it’s daybreak, the sun is coming up over the horizon of your favorite fishery and the air is just starting to warm up around you (at least in these northern states, down south it stays warm!).  This is the perfect mixture to start to work your topwater down the shore line and over the grass beds.  In my experience, there are two types that I lean towards as far as wake baits that I would suggest to anyone.  The Whopper Plopper is by far one of the most effective baits on the market, followed closely by a less tried and true bait (but one I have come to love which is the Headbanger from Headbanger Lures.  They both operate a little differently, where the Whopper Plopper creates a distinct “plopping” sound as it is pulled through the water leaving a trail behind it and enticing bass to come up and smack it.  The Headbanger is a combination of a swim bait and a wake bait that mimics a bait fish at the top of the water leaving a large amount of surface disruption.  In the early morning, when temps are cool bass are more likely to come up to the surface while they are in an area where they are shallow enough to entice a bite.  Once the sun heats the water, you will realise that the top water bite will cool off midday, this doesn’t mean you are doing anything wrong, it is unfortunately just the way it is.  The way I choose to fish these lures is to get within casting distance of the sure line, and under overhangs to work them back toward the yak.  I’ll work the lures down an entire shoreline casting repeatedly and immediately working the lure back to me.  You will be surprised in the early morning how many times a bass will blow up on your lure as soon as it hits the water if you cast right over it against the shore.  Once the bite cools off it may be time to switch tactics, but the benefit here is in the twilight hours as temperatures cool down, the adrenaline rush that is a bass blowing up on topwater lures resumes, and you can start to throw them again.  (Pics below caught on a Whopper Plopper and my PB Smallmouth)

When I have to change lures up the next thing I’ll switch to is a soft plastic.  I have to admit, I am a bit of a finesse fishing obsessed angler.  So I will lean on my soft plastics heavily through most of day.  One of the largest benefits in my mind, is that you can throw a 5 inch senko worm in more ways than you can count.  But I’m getting ahead of myself, let’s start with which worm to pick off the shelf.  I would like to contribute only two important words to this section, green pumpkin.  Green pumpkin gets more responses than any other color of worm out there, at least in my humble opinion and that of many dedicated anglers.  When throwing your green pumpkin senko, there are two ways that I find the most effective to throw it.  My go to is either the traditional senko on a texas rig, or a wacky rig with a small rubber o-ring attached. With a texas rig, I like to fish it through medium cover, grass beds or pads rigged weedless.  I work it slowly back to the boat gently (GENTLY) pulse my rod tip to pull the lure up and let it slowly drift back to bottom.  The wacky rig, I tend to fish very similarly, but I emphasise the fall of the lure much more prominently.  When fishing with your wacky rig, o-ring or not, you can rig the hook perpendicular or parallel to your senko and run the point about halfway down the body of the worm (punched through the plastic about half way down the body as well) so that it droops on either side of the hook evenly.  As you twitch your rod tip it will cause the “dangly” ends flap in the water allowing you to mimic a worm or caterpillar that has fallen from a tree.  With a few quick twitches upward, allow the lure to fall and settle back to bottom, and you will be blown away how many strikes you get on the fall, so pay close attention to your line tension as you work this lure.

Finally, what be one of the most effective lures I ever throw, the ned rig,  This lure is proof that good things come in small packages.  Ned rigs come in all different colors as well, but I tend to lean toward green pumpkin or watermelon with red flake on this set up.  All you need is a weighted jig head, or a flat top ned hook (my personal preference) that will allow you to let the ned stand up on bottom.  Where the senko shines in the middle of the water column, the ned rig shows its prowess smacking off rocks and cover along the bottom.  My favorite way to fish a ned rig is along solid bottom, or long drop offs when the fish start to stack up after my topwater bite slows down.  I will cast out and allow the ned rig to fall all the way to the bottom.  As I retrieve slowly you will want to twitch the rod tip and “hop” your rig off the bottom of the rocks.  This is two fold as to why, the action will entice the strike with movement, and the weighted head of the rig will help bass locate your lure as the sound travels through the water as it travels over the rocks and cover.  After a few hops and dragging some lake bottom, allow your our to pause for a period of time and keep and eye on your line to see if it starts to run.  This is absolute a lure bass like to inhale and run with off the bottom.  You can see the most success on the ned rig either off rocky transitions as mentioned above, or under tree lines right against the shore.  Experiment with where you through it, and learn the feel of gently hops to get the fish worked up for the chase, even if you’re not a finesse angler, you will absolutely put more bass on your deck with this simple set up.

With all of this being said, there are so many lures out there, a few bonuses that I lean to are the Zoom Super Fluke as a soft plastic swim bait, a 10” ribbon tail worm on a shaky head hook, that same five inch senko on a drop shot, and the occasional crank bait in deeper water where I need to get down to some suspended bass.  To me, that’s the best part of fishing, you may have an entirely different top 3 that work every time you’re out, and that’s ok!  This certainly isn’t the law of the land, but adding these 3 or 4 lures to your set up may help you on a day when your top 3 don’t seem to be getting the job done.  No matter what you throw, enjoy your time out there with your family and friends, and be sure to appreciate your surroundings when you’re out there.  Tight lines Vanhunks family, and never ever stop living your legend!

By: Pro Staff Team Member, Kyle Rose

VIEW OUR LEGENDARY FISHING ACCESSORIES HERE

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I’m a full-time traveler and I carry two kayaks with me: the Mahi Mahi and the Shad, both from Vanhunks. The Shad is an awesome, feature-rich, all-purpose kayak for the recreational paddler or the dedicated angler.

The Shad measures just 10’ 4” in length which allows me to fish in really tight cover whether I’m in fresh water, log-strewn swamps, or up close to mangrove-covered islands. Longer kayaks can be a challenge to maneuver quickly so when I have clients and they need assistance the Shad is easy to spin around and quick to move. This length kayak is also easier to transport as it will fit in the back of a pickup truck or on a roof rack without hanging out too far. There are several scupper hole wheel systems to assist you in moving it around on dry land. I prefer to load my fishing gear in the parking lot, out of the way of other people launching, making sure that I have everything I need, and then wheel it to the water. The balloon tires are my favorite Vanhunks wheel system as I can transport over just about any obstacle including rock-strewn shoreline and if you do need a hand there are five built-in hand holds. The Shad also only weighs 71 lbs making it lighter than many Sit on Top (SOT) kayaks. Total weight with the seat and peddle drive system is 81 lbs so the 440 lbs of capacity leave plenty of room for you and all your gear.

The Shad, at 34” wide has outstanding stability due to the pontoon-style hull and bow. As a kayak fishing guide and angler, I spend a lot of time scouting so standing is a must for me, and getting up and down is a breeze due to it’s stability. The deck area under your feet is foam padded and super wide helping you maintain balance while on your feet. The pontoon-style hull also lets the Shad track really well. The deployable rudder with hand or foot controls is super responsive and can be quickly pulled in shallow water. This kayak handles open ocean conditions really well as the short length lets the kayak ride swell with ease.

Of course, the Shad comes with a paddle and is perfectly suited for casual paddling but as an angler, I feel that it is best suited as a peddle drive kayak. Vanhunks creative thru the hull drive box allows you to choose either the bicycle-style prop drive or the push/pull fin drive. Both drive systems have their advantages depending on where you plan to use this kayak. The prop-style drive is quick and has the ability to instantly reverse by simply peddling backward. The adjustable fin drive really shines in shallow water as the fins can be tucked up under the kayak by simply pushing the peddles opposite each other and can be adjusted according to the kayaker’s height. Either drive propels this kayak quickly and efficiently, especially on those windy days when you wouldn’t even think to launch a paddle craft. When ordered with a paddle only, you get a tool or equipment box with a lid that fits in the drive pod area.

If you plan to spend a lot of time on the water, you’ll appreciate the raised nylon mesh seat with adjustable back and seat straps. The seat is also adjustable front to back on a rail system making it versatile for any size kayaker. As a professional angler, the two preinstalled flush mount rod holders and the front and back track rails let me mount fishfinders, camera booms, landing net, and extra rod holders with ease. There is plenty of room behind the seat for coolers or milk crate style rod holders or bait wells and the bow has a large covered hatch for the things you want to keep dry. Vanhunks has preinstalled additional brass screw bosses for their transom mount motor block as well as their outrigger system.

The Shad is truly a feature-rich kayak, suitable for all types of water including open ocean or flat-water ponds. With a lot of preplanned and preinstalled equipment, you will find this kayak a recreational paddler’s dream or an advanced angler’s weapon.

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VIEW OUR LEGENDARY SHAD KAYAK HERE

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Fin and prop drive system review

Hands-free propulsion has changed everything about kayaking for naturalists, guides, photographers, anglers, and recreational kayakers.  Vanhunks has a whole line of single and double kayaks designed to utilize either of their two drive systems.

The Fin Drive is a technical marvel of engineering as it uses a push and pulls foot motion but a sweeping back and forth motion under the kayak to propel your kayak forward. Another great feature is that it can be adjusted allowing me, a 6’4” tall person, and my wife at 4’10” tall to use the same drive in the same kayak. This style of drive is very quiet allowing you to sneak up on spooky fish, and approach wary birds or other aquatic life as you are not swinging a paddle around in the air or splashing water as you paddle. One great advantage that the fin drive has is the ability to make the fins go almost flush up under the kayak so you don’t run aground. Due to the design, there is no lubrication needed but there are nuts and screws that need to be adjusted periodically. There is an adjuster screw that allows you to change the rubber fin tension and angle for added efficiency.

Vanhunks newest drive is the bicycle-style prop drive. As you peddle, it drives a propeller below the kayak that pushes you along. This may be a little faster than the fin drive but does need to be removed in very shallow water. One huge advantage of the prop drive is your ability to reverse direction by simply peddling backward. When you’re fishing tight up against cover or structure you can easily pull a hooked fish away from it by reversing course.

Both drive systems have some inherent advantages for all kayakers. Paddling can be tiresome after a long trip leading to upper body fatigue. Most of us have better core strength in our legs leading to a more comfortable day on the water. My favorite feature involves adjusting the rudder and using a gentle peddle stroke against a moving tide to maintain the perfect position for fishing. The same holds true for windy days when I would need to deploy an anchor. Hands-free propulsion also means that you can be fishing or doing photography all the time instead of paddling to the next location.

If you are a new kayak buyer or thinking about upgrading, the Fin or Prop Drive from Vanhunks is a true game changer for kayaking.

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VIEW OUR LEGENDARY DRIVE SYSTEMS HERE

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By: Pro Staff Team Member, Dan Carns

The post Shad Kayak and hands-free drive systems review appeared first on Vanhunks Boarding USA.

When we start talking about kayak fishing, we need to start with the essential gear. We are going to start with a few assumptions.

• You have a kayak. (If you don’t view our promotions).
• You know how to operate a kayak.
• You have fishing poles. (If you don’t view our fishing accessories).
• You know how to fish.

The conversation around picking a kayak can go on for pages. From hull design to seat heights. There are options abound that you can choose from in a kayak. The biggest piece of advice I can tell you about picking a kayak is to scope out the customer support. Make that a priority. At Vanhunks you can count on the best customer service in the world. You’re going to be family and the world’s best kayak support is only a phone call away.

Now that we have established you have a kayak, some fishing poles, and know how to fish, let’s jump into the top 8 list of must-have pieces of kayak gear. This list is based on my knowledge and experience of kayak fishing, through good times and crap times. Without further ado:

• Personal Floatation Device (PFD)
• Fishing Pliers
• Fishing Net
• First Aid
• Hydration
• Tackle Storage
• Fish Finder
• Dry Bags

View our fishing accessories shop for any of the above.

Personal Floatation Device (PFD)

Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) come in two flavors. Inflatable and Foam filled. Below we will outline the advantages and disadvantages of both. First, let’s outline why this is priority number one when considering getting into kayak fishing. Let’s talk hypothetically. Hypothetically you’re a great swimmer and its summer time. The water is calm and conditions are perfect for landing that personal best Largemouth. When you reach for your pole, something causes you to overextend past the kayak’s tipping point, BOOM in the drink you go. We can swim though right? Well, that’s fantastic, but what if you’re exhausted from paddling. Your phone goes to the bottom and you’re in a 40’ deep lake. The nearest shoreline is half a mile away and you’re panicked. You can quickly find yourself in a situation where you are in a lot of trouble and there is no help.

Your life jacket, quickly makes a bad situation much better. You are already ahead of the staying alive game and now you just have to worry about remembering where you tipped and coming back to dive for your gear. You’re going home safe to your family, or your dog, or both. You remembered the most essential piece of gear, and one of the only pieces of gear that will almost assuredly mean you get back home every time.

Let’s dive into the two types, their differences, and when is best to use them.

Inflatable:

Pro:

• Lightweight and non-impeding
• No awkward pressure points from foam being in the wrong spots
• Very easy to store and transport

Con:

• Need to make sure it’s always charged
• Need to know the difference between manual and auto
• Should always carry a spare charge kit, in case of accidental deployment.
• Not many storage or access points for gear tethers.

Inflatable lifejackets are my go-to when im out kayak fishing. Most inflatable lifejackets are rated as Type III and above. A lot fall into Type V. The reason for being typed as a V, is that they are not inherently buoyant. If needed in a life safety situation, the only way it can be used is to be worn (can’t be thrown as it will sink). You can get them in manual inflation or automatic inflation. Manual inflators require the pulling of a ripcord to deploy. Automatic inflators have the same manual rip cord, but also have a water dissolvable link that will allow the co2 cartridge to be automatically punctured on contact with water. I prefer auto inflators, in the event you’re unconscious the vest will still deploy. Unfortunately, when it comes to inflatables, they are typically designed to have a minimalist feel. Due to this, there isn’t much in the way of attachment points or tackle/gear storage on them.

Foam-filled:

Pro:

• Always buoyant.
• More storage options
• Usually can be found more on the affordable side

Con:

• Bulky
• Can be restrictive
• Need to keep an eye on the location of the back pad. If too low on the back, it will cause back pain on long sits in the kayak.

Foam-filled personal floatation devices are another great option for PFDs. You can get them with tons of storage. Plenty of d-rings for attaching lanyards and tethers to. They are offered in ranges from Type I to Type V. You won’t often find Type I through Type II comfortable for kayak operations though. They can be bulky and inconvenient to store, but their “Always There” inflation is dependable and fail-proof.

At the end of the day, if choosing an Inflatable or foam-filled PFD, do your research. Go try them on and imagine how they would feel sitting in a kayak. Make sure that they are coast guard rated and go have fun!

Fishing Pliers

You might think it’s a bit peculiar to be listing something like pliers as a number 2, but the first time you don’t have them, you will make them a priority. Now when we talk about fishing pliers, we aren’t necessarily talking about specific branded fishing-only pliers. for the sake of this article, we are covering all kinds. Some kinds of pliers are listed below, but are not limited to:

• Multi-tools
• Split Ring nosed pliers
• Hemostat style pliers
• Needle Nose style pliers

Multi-Tools are fantastic, a must-have in most situations. They can be kind of cumbersome when fishing though. The other issue is they can be expensive. Some things in a rig need to be expensive, but your pliers do not. Why? well, I have bounced more pairs of pliers than I can count, out of the kayak. I don’t personally like to tether things to myself, so I am definitely partial to blame. If you’re going to use those fancy expensive multi-tools, then get a decent tether. Keep your multi-tool limited to gear repair and the like though. Fishing hypodermic needle hooks out of the mouth of bass aren’t the best application for them.

Split Ring Nosed style pliers are the jack knives of the kayak fishing toolbox. In my humble option, they do almost everything you need to do. Make sure they have a great set of braid cutters (or you will throw them in the water when they make you mad). Preferably spring-loaded handles as well. That makes operating them one-handed, on a windy lake, in choppy water, a little easier.

Hemostat-style pliers are great hook extractors. When you get that hookset that happens a little deeper in the mouth than you’re used to, these puppies save your hands and the fish. You’re not going to tighten a bolt with them or crimp split shots, but they will get that deep hook out. Even on those shark-toothed pickerel.

The most common pliers in existence in the boating industry, are needle-nose pliers. God forbid you go and swipe your Dad’s pliers, you didn’t get that advice from me. You can get them dirt cheap at Harbor Freight. If you lose them in the water or forget them on the tailgate, no worries. They can grab those hooks out of a fish, crimp the split shot, and ALMOST tighten the battery terminal.

Again these arent your only options, but they are solid starters to figure out what exactly you’re looking for. Don’t be afraid to experiment, just try not to commit them to the murky deep by accident. Been there, done that.

Fishing Net

We have all watched that guy, in the bass boat rip a 5lb bass out of the water and land it right on the deck of the boat right? He/she has all the time in the world to do what they need to before checking that fish into the live well. Well, that’s cute…we don’t have that luxury. What we have is a 28” wide deck (if we are lucky), that’s full of bait packs and terminal tackle, and sometimes poles. There’s a pesky paddle and maybe even a peddle drive in the way. We have to land that fish between our legs and manage it to the catch board before it flops and plops back into the depths. Enter stage right, the kayak fishing net.

A kayak fishing net isn’t your grandpappy’s old aluminum net, with a 2-foot wide hoop and neon green netting. They have come a LONG way since then. Most specifically made for kayaking, feature a short arm (some with an extended arm brace). They have rubberized netting as well. You will find with the rubberized netting, there is less chance for your hook to puncture into the actual webbing material, making retrieval easier and less emergency room prone.

Having a net allows us to dunk stressed fish back into the water to give them some breathing time, while we get everything laid out to take that measure. It gives us and our fish a safe place for hook extraction, during the hectic landing process. It’s certainly something that improves the overall quality of our fishing experience. More importantly, it increases the survivability of our fish. This allows us to return them safely to the water to be caught another day.

First Aid

We need to always be on alert for First Aid issues. It can be something as benign as a blister or small cut, or it can be serious like heat stroke or a barbed hook buried in the hand. We need to be vigilant and prepared, so that whatever we encounter we can handle it. Let’s cover the basics of what we should have in our first aid kit.

• Antiseptic
• Bandages
• Adhesive bandages
• Eye patch
• Cold compress
• Electrolyte mix
• Water sterilization tablets
• Hemostat pliers
• Butterfly bandages
• Super glue
• Styptic powder

Please don’t consider this list all-inclusive, but this is the primary basis for ALL of my first aid kits. My suggestion is to brush up on basic medical treatment procedures so you are familiar with identifying, triaging, and treating injuries.

Hydration

Hydration is fundamental to any sport. If you don’t stay hydrated, you will obviously become dehydrated. Once dehydration sets in, so does fatigue, disorientation, heat stroke, and even worse. I stick to Gatorade or Powerade zero.  Hydration and electrolytes are a great combination. You can carry water as well, but no full-sugar drinks. I would also mention staying away from energy drinks as they will dehydrate you as well.

I would keep water treatment tablets on hand or a water purifier as well. If you find yourself in a serious situation a long-term water solution is essential to survival. If you’re going to stick to carrying water bottles, stick to using Nalgene style (Lexan) water bottles. Try to make a conscious effort to drink every fifteen minutes, regardless of if you’re thirsty or not. Thirst is not a strict dictator of your level of hydration. Do not wait until it’s too late. If you feel yourself starting to get dizzy or disoriented, find your way to the shade and get off the water immediately. Make sure you notify someone as soon as possible and hydrate.

Tackle Storage

Is tackle storage going to save your life, nope? Is it going to prevent a hell of a lot of frustration? Absolutely! Organized, secured, and readily accessible tackle storage is a necessity when trying to manage multiple poles and baits. Waterproof storage is great, Plano makes a waterproof lure box line that has heavy-duty latches and a nice waterproof gasket. They don’t just keep things dry, but if you capsize or get clumsy, they float. You’re going to want at a minimum:

• Lure Boxes
• Terminal Tacklebox
• Spinner Bait box
• Soft bait binder

I have found that the waterproof Plano boxes are great for lures. I carry two of them, one on each side of my Vanhunks Elite Pro Angler. They are great for organizing the lures and keeping hooks separate and waterproof. The larger size boxes are ideal, Plano offers them in three sizes – Large, Medium, and small. They also offer three packs of small terminal tackle boxes. Each box has 6 storage slots. The Plano edge Spinnerbait box makes storing your spinners and buzz baits a breeze. For the soft bait binder, there are many options on Amazon or at your local fishing retailer. Choose what fits you’re style best.

Fish Finder

Fish finders are not an absolute must. In fact, learning how to find fish without them makes it easier to understand what your looking for in a fish finder. Do your research and figure out what you’re looking for in a fish finder. I run a Garmin UHD 73SV on my Elite Pro Angler. I made my decision based on a few things. I have operated smaller fish finders with 3 and 4-inch non-touch screens. They are all sub-200$ and just didn’t fit what I was looking for. I wanted Maps/Charts, integration with my phone, Touch screen, Side scan, and down scan. Garmin’s solution provides the best platform that checked all of my boxes, at a price I could afford.

Once you get your purchase nailed down, it’s time to figure out where and how to mount your new piece of fishing technology. Most well-made modern kayaks come with in hull transducer mounts. That makes a great spot to get your transducer in the water while keeping it protected. The fishing line of Kayaks from Vanhunks Boarding USA has awesome in-hull transducer mounts. For mounting the fish finder, I went with the YakAttack cellblock with a fish finder mount. It was east, straightforward mounting with awesome wire storage.

You will need a good clean power supply for your electronics. Use a premium quality Lithium battery. Something in the 12ah range is perfect. Amped Outdoors makes a premium quality battery and has support that is second only to Vanhunks’s support. Do not use the same battery you use for your trolling motor if you have one. You don’t want electrical noise introduced into your finder’s power feed.

Dry Bags

You have critical things that you need to keep dry on your boat. These things might include:

• ID
• Car Keys
• Fishing License
• First Aid Kit
• Flares
• Food
• Phone

Again not an inclusive list, but a starting point. Dry bags are essential to keeping everything critical, safe, and dry. If your kayak gets capsized, not only will your stuff stay dry, it will float. That could mean the difference between surviving or not. Vanhunks sells top-notch, rubberized 20L dry storage bags. I keep one in my kayak for all of my essentials that just CANNOT get wet. In a worse-case scenario, you can also leverage your dry bag as additional floatation if you need it.

Conclusion

Never skimp on your essentials, they are the difference between a successful trip and an absolute blunder. You can buy the cheapest stuff out there, and you might get by a few times, but eventually, it will catch up with you. Check your gear before every trip. Make sure that it is functioning properly and is not a safety hazard. If it is worn out replace it. Make a checklist and knock them off one at a time as you’re running through the gear. Most of all, enjoy your time on the water. A day on the water is better than a day at work.

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VIEW OUR LEGENDARY FISHING KAYAK PROMOTIONS TO GET YOUR STARTED

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About the Angler

Eric Valli has been a Vanhunks Prostaff Member for a little over a year. He started in a Vanhunks Shad 10’4” kayak and recently moved up into the Elite Pro Angler 13’. He is the tournament director for the NEBASSIN CT Kayak 13’ and Under Kayak/Small boat division. He is an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. His targeted species are Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass. He runs a Garmin UHD 73SV and Engima Rods and reels. For the purpose of this review, Eric is 6’ and 230 lbs.

The post 8 Kayak Fishing Must Haves appeared first on Vanhunks Boarding USA.

If you’ve been following my articles in the Coastal Angler Magazine over the years you already know that I don’t write fishing forecasts as there are already a slew of highly qualified anglers and Captain’s issu- ing monthly updates on where to go and what to use. Although I do write about fishing technique and some of my articles are about special trips and locations the majority of them tend to focus on everything specific to kayaks and kayak fishing.

In full disclosure I am also a Pro Staff team member and repre- sentative for Vanhunks Boarding out of Sarasota Fl. What is most re- markable about my job, is that I get to travel the country while fishing, filming, and writing about their product lines. Often, I’m asked “what is the best kayak for me” or “what kind of setup do I need and what kind of safety gear and training should I have?”, you get the idea. The answer to these questions is found in asking you, “what do you plan to do with it”?

There are now an extraordinary array of kayaks, and it can be hard to decide. Do you want a lighter weight sit inside (SI) kayak that can be simply thrown in the back of your truck? Are you looking for exercise, or do you want to travel great distances? Will you be alone, or do you want to paddle in a tandem kayak? Are you an angler and do you want to be able to stand up in a kayak? Before you enter a kayak shop consider all the ways you want to use your new craft and where will you launch it. Also consider how you plan to transport it as the new Sit On TOP (SOT) kayaks can be heavier and you might need help loading it. Do you have a roof rack? Can you use a truck bed extend- er like the Boondox or can you tow one of the new kayak trailers both of which Vanhunks carries including the new inflatable roof rack if your vehicle doesn’t have one. Many new kayaks are a technical marvel and have moving parts. Some adjustments may be necessary as time goes along so have a little tool kit on hand and if you’re really rough on parts like me they may need to be replaced after a while.

A visit to our shop in Sarasota or one of our distributers will help you narrow things down like length, weight and width, or how many assessory tracks do you need. Will your new kayak have rod holders or dry storage compartments? Some of our distributors are on the water like Gulf Coast Kayak in Matlacha Fl. where its possible to try one out on the water. Vanhunks has a launch location in Sarasota so if you wish to try before you buy come visit us and we’ll try to help you make all these decisions beforehand! It’s A Wild World-Get Out There!

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VIEW OUR LEGENDARY FISHING KAYAK PROMOTIONS TO GET YOUR STARTED

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Fishman Dan @ paddlinandfishin
@paddlinandfishin

The post Paddlin and Fishing – Coastal Angler Magazine appeared first on Vanhunks Boarding USA.

I’m a Vanhunks Pro-Staff team member and one of my roles in the company is to launch and review their various kayaks and stand-up paddle boards (SUP) as well as all the other Vanhunks branded products where I see fit. As a full-time traveler, I have the opportunity to fish fresh and saltwater so I carry multiple kayaks and an endless amount of gear. There are a couple of non-kayak locations but I felt compelled to include them as they were just too good not to include.

Texas is home to one of North America’s best fisheries but requires some effort to get to as it’s on the American and Mexican border. Lake Amistad, an impoundment of the Rio Grande, is a huge reservoir and is surrounded by the Lake Amistad National Recreation area so there are a number of locations within the boundary to camp or RV. The Bass Pro series has fished here and if you go, you’ll see why. During the spring you’ll find bedding Largemouth along the boulder-strewn shoreline. This fishery is unique in that there are hundred-foot, water-filled canyons that go straight down with countless caves and niches holding some of the country’s largest bass! I managed to lose three of the biggest Largemouth Bass of my long fishing career but still managed to land what would be trophy fish for most anglers.

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VIEW OUR LEGENDARY FISHING KAYAK PROMOTIONS TO GET YOUR STARTED

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The Laguna Madre inside Padre Island National Seashore on the Texas coast is an absolute dream to fish with its bait-filled embayment’s, channels, and flats. Sight fishing for Redfish might be my favorite but black drum, and really big ones get a lot of attention and are simple to target from a kayak.

Colorado has to make this list and there are countless miles of trout water but I fished two miles of the most productive piece of trout river I’ve ever seen along the lower end of Eleven Mile Canyon just south of Lake George. Expect to find Brookies, Rainbow and Brown Trout all in the same piece of water. Colorado with its ever-prominent Trout fishing is also home to the Blue Mesa Reservoir just west of Gunnison. This is a remarkable 22-mile-long reservoir within the Curecanti National Recreation Area where camping/Rv’ing is plentiful and the fishing is legendary! Home of the country’s largest Kokanee Salmon fishery as well as Browns, Rainbows and Lakers. I boated a Brown Trout big enough to make a pot of fish chowder for all my neighbors at the campground!

Florida with its endless opportunities to kayak and fish has an enormous reputation as the best fishery in the world. Matlacha just west of Cape Coral is home to Gulf Coast Kayak where I’m considered an honorary guide for life due to my years of guide work with them and is also home of the Matlacha Aquatic Preserve. Within two miles of their launch over twelve species of fish can be caught including Snook, Redfish, Tarpon, Snapper, Grouper and Jacks. Bluefish, Cobia and a half dozen Shark species call Matlacha home part of the time. The Caloosahatchee in North Fort Myers is one of my favorite deep winter locations due to the chance of catching Tarpon, Snook and Redfish that are slightly hibernating in most places. Charlotte Harbor is as versatile a fishery as there is. Deep water passes, home to the world’s largest Tarpon fishery is surrounded by countless flats opportunities and an untold number of fish. No list would be complete without a location in the Florida Keys. I like Bahia Honda as you can access off shore reefs by kayak as well as multiple bridges and endless flats. Be prepared to tangle with Barracuda, one of my favorite fish to engage while kayak fishing as they will test out your drag system! I can’t really say anything about Islamorada that hasn’t already been said, just go online and search Islamorada fishing and see for yourself. Three Rivers State Park west of Tallahassee has the sweetest little campground on a superior bass fishery. This made my list due to its quiet, secluded and fishy environment. Last but not least is Lovers Key south of Fort Myers Beach. I love fishing in this location, especially on a calm day as you can access the Gulf of Mexico and several reefs and then kayak fish any number of Mangrove-covered islands where Snook, Spotted Sea Trout and Redfish abound.

Arizona with all its desert surroundings is dotted with precious little dams of which Bartlett Dam in the Tonto National Forest north of Phoenix is my favorite. Besides the stunning beauty enveloping this little waterway the Largemouth bass fishing can be stellar. Cliff lines and rocky shores make for suitable bass fishing year-round.

California has so many places to fish but the San Diego Bay is probably one of the country’s best urban fisheries and home to the principal Pacific Fleet so while you are out kayaking you may be asked to scoot over while a warship or submarine makes its way in or out as I was asked to do! Offshore but not too far out are Yellowfin, Bluefin, Yellowtail, Albacore, and MahiMahi to name a few while inshore you may encounter Calico Bass, Rockfish, Sheephead, and Corbina but my all-time favorite is the chance to catch Halibut in the winter close to shore!

Vermont, my home for many years has an amazing Bass fishery in Lake Champlain. This was labeled the best two-tier Bass fishery in all of America by members of the FLW tour series. You can target just Largemouth or Smallmouth depending on the environment you choose or you can launch at any of the ramps surrounding Lake Champlain and mix it up. Just be ready to max out your fish count many times over. The Lamoille River between Wolcot and the Mountain View Campground is my favorite river to fish. You can launch in Wolcot and float back to the campground and expect to catch anything from Rainbow and Brown Trout to Smallmouth bass in the many riffles, runs, and holes. Depending on the season and water flow expect to encounter a couple of small Class Two runs but more likely you will need to drag through shallow water here and there. I often go down a run, beach my kayak, and fish back up to the top of the run. The Green River Reservoir in Northern Vermont is home to a great bass fishery and outstanding forest beauty. This fishery has water access campsites and countless places to fish, so many places if fact that every cast has the potential to catch fish. Lake Groton is another one of those lakes that has the potential to catch either Smallmouth or Largemouth bass on every cast. There is so little pressure on this lake that the fish can be big. Rock structure around this lake makes for great fishing in spring, summer, or fall. Valley Lake, AKA Dog Pond has a very limited parking area but is so secluded that almost no one is ever there and the fishing reflects it. Defined by deep crystal-clear water, rising sharply to pebble-strewn shorelines (read crawfish habitat) and shallow grass flats toward the back makes this place my favorite all-time bass fishery. Early morning, thirty fish days are not uncommon here! Good luck finding it!

Cape Cod, another one of the places I called home for twenty-plus years is where fishermen are born and yearn to return to if they leave as I did. Extending out into the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by beaches, bays, and inlets there are a number of fish species to target. By far most folks are chasing Striped Bass and Bluefish that call this home during late spring, summer, and late fall. While Herring Cove at the very end of Route 6, within the Cape Cod National Seashore, is not a true cove, it is one of the best places on the Cape to target very big Stripers by kayak. Within a five-minute paddle, you will be in about 50’ of water and in the same general area that the commercial fisherman uses to bring big fish to market. Do plan to go out when the wind is light and best if out of the E/NE. Nauset Marsh in the Orleans/Eastham area is by far my favorite place to fish. This marsh is 5 miles across and has multiple free town landings. Fed by a large tidal inlet, the marsh is one of the first places big schools of fish come in to feed after the spring (June’ish) migration and the action can be off the chart. Top water poppers rule as it is not very deep but plugs and swimbaits can be effective in the deeper cuts. Cockle Cove on the Nantucket side of Chatham is another great spring location for Blues and Stripers but is best fished at the outflow of Mill Creek on an outgoing tide. On the freshwater side in the town of Orleans is a little kettle pond called Pilgrim Pond. You will need a town parking pass to fish here but the Largemouth Bass fishing here is worth the price. No fishing trip to the Cape is complete until you surf cast the great beach called the Outer Beach by the locals. Almost 45 miles of uninterrupted beach with multiple beach access points. If the weather is calm and the surf is reasonable you can simply use your standard kayak saltwater gear as the ocean drops off quickly and the fish tend to come close to shore at sunrise and sunset. There are two bridges that span the Cape Cod Canal and this is where you will find the canal men and women who travel back and forth either by car, truck or bicycle in search of the latest fish blitz moving from Buzzards Bay to Cape Cod Bay. You will need to be prepared to really give it a go here as the tides combined with a potentially huge fish will test everything you have so do a little research online before you try.

New Mexico is home to my final 25 places to fish in North America in a place called Navaho Lakes just north of Navaho City. Cottonwood Campground, only ten minutes from the lake is a convenient place to stay. The lake is big so I spent most of my time here fishing across the face of the dam for Smallies but found great Largemouth Bass up against the boulder strewn shore on the other side of the dam. I spent several days here with over a hundred fish per day and cannot wait to return during my next cross country fishing trip Paddlin and Fishin!

Vanhunks Pro-Staff team member Dan Carns
Live Your Legend
@paddlinandfishin

The post 25 Places To Fish In North America appeared first on Vanhunks Boarding USA.

So, you have your brand-new fishing kayak, and you’re ready to hit the water to find some fish, great! You’ll soon learn that fishing from a kayak is a totally different game when compared to fishing from shore or even from a bass boat. You are able to do so much more than you realize and the world is your proverbial oyster, but where do you start? Here’s a quick look at 5 things to keep in mind when you’re trying to put fish on the deck of your kayak, and some common mistakes to avoid, in order from what I feel is the least impactful to the most important. Hopefully, this helps you on your kayak fishing adventure, to end up with a big haul at the end of the day!

The first tip may be common knowledge to most but is absolutely something that you can benefit from no matter your stage in the game, and that is scouting your fishery. Scouting can come in many ways, but using Google Earth has become the way that I seem to be able to make the most impact. I like to look over the map of the lake and learn first and foremost where do I want to access the fishery from. Knowing your launch points ahead of time will put you in the best position to get into fish quickly. While knowing your launches are important, knowing the structure of the lake is even more necessary. I like to look for laydowns, steep drop-offs in topography, or naturally occurring “humps” or structures that fish will tuck up into. When you are armed with this ahead of time, you can make a game plan on what sections of the water you want to hit first which can make your day so much better when fishing from a Kayak. One thing to keep in mind is the areas your Kayak can get to, that bass boats and other watercraft cannot. Tucking into tight corners, or overly shallow water is an absolute advantage for us as kayak anglers. Don’t be afraid to keep places like this in mind while scouting your fishery, where kayaks lack in speed they shine in the areas we can fit them in. It’s no secret that compared to a bass boat, covering water out on a kayak is far more time-consuming; in all reality, very few of us will cross entire bodies of water in a given fishing day. Being armed with the knowledge of the points you want to hit, and where you can go to put in and access them quickly can get you on to fish that much faster.

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VIEW OUR LEGENDARY FISHING KAYAK PROMOTIONS TO GET YOUR STARTED

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Now once you get to the fishing spot you chose, what do you do? I like to pre-rig my rods ahead of time and have a plan of attack for which baits I plan on throwing that morning or evening. The number one trap most anglers fall in too is overcomplicating their bait and trying to force something to work. The bait and lure market has been booming lately, and there are so many different types out there I doubt I could fish them all in my lifetime. The biggest tip I have ever received is to keep it simple and don’t try to throw the kitchen sink. Sure, we all have days where it seems like nothing is working, so we just spend the day retying lure after lure praying that something strikes, but most of the time that just turns into a day of retying lures. When I set out, I look at the three main styles of fishing that I prefer, top water, finesse, and flipping or pitching grass pads. I will set my rods up accordingly and mix in one or two other disciplines like spinnerbaits or medium depth cranks to allow me to cover the water column, and I will try not to stray from that. By keeping things simple and getting a feel for the types of lures you prefer to fish with, you will begin to know when one works and when another will be the better bet. All of this, will lead you to landing more fish in your boat, don’t get too caught up in the hype of the newest latest, and greatest lure, keep things simple as you learn what works for you, and grow from there.

Now that you have your day on the water planned, and your points on the map you want to fish, how do you find the fish? Well, that is a question of many circumstances generally speaking. It really comes down to what species of fish you are targeting, and the time of the day or year you are targeting them. Most of my trips are for largemouth and smallmouth bass, so take my examples with a grain of salt if you aren’t a bass fisherman, but the techniques can absolutely apply to most any species. The best bet to get on your fish of choice is to know where to look for them. Unless you are in the open water pinging fish many feet down with sonar, most fish will stick to some sort of cover, an ambush point for smaller bait fish, laydowns and tree branches, or places where the fishery comes together in a natural point. Know what type of habitat your fish species likes to be found in, and begin by picking those areas apart. I prefer to start in an area with tree cover up toward the shoreline when bass fishing. Working a lure out of cover and through the color line in the water (the line where you can see the water actually change colors from one to another) as I work my way down the shore. Working your lure off the shoreline and back into the main body of the lake, the goal is to get the fish to react and bite as it swims by. Fishing through points of cover like this will allow the bass (or other fish) to react naturally and ambush your bait as if it was its next meal as it passes by them and will help you entice many more bites. As my dad used to tell me when I was learning to fish as a kid, “you can’t catch ‘em where they ain’t!”

There is a very fine line, however, on wearing out your welcome, the last tip section is two-fold. So, for tips 4 and 5, all me to summarize them into one statement, don’t leave fish leave the location. What in the world does that mean you might ask, and you’re right, let me explain. Many times, even in tournament settings we will hook in on one or two decent fish and decide to move down a little further and try another spot only to spend the rest of the day going without a nibble. If you’re in an area and catch a fish, you can almost guarantee there are more to be found. At that point, your job is to figure out what they will eat collectively, and if the first fish hit, there’s a good chance you’re on to what they want to eat already. Don’t be too quick to leave a spot assuming it’s dried up after you land one or two. That being said, don’t overstay your welcome in an area just because it “looks fishy”. I cannot tell you how many times I have tried to force the situation by fishing an area of Lilly-Pads or high grass that just looked like bass heaven, to never catch a fish. While it’s true you need to be in their habitat, if you have been in an area for an extended period of time and can’t seem to land a fish, don’t be afraid to move on, no matter how good that honey hole may look, if it’s not producing.

Hopefully, by combining everything above, you can start to put together successful trip after successful trip. Remember, most importantly, that it’s called fishing and not catching so don’t get discouraged. Fishing is an ever-learning process, and the more time on the water the more you will learn about what works with your strengths when it comes to fishing. The biggest tip of all, and a freebie at number six, is to spend time on the water. Like anything else out there, it takes practice and the more time you put into it, the more rewarding your experience will be! Tight lines, and I will see you on the water!

Kyle Rose
Vanhunks ProStaff

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4th of July Edition Kayaks: What to Know Before You Buy!

The 9 ft Whale Runner Kayak is the kayak for everyone and every adventure. With a variety of features to accommodate paddlers of all levels, this kayak will take you anywhere you want to go. Whether it’s a lazy day on the lake or an adventurous paddle down the river, this kayak has it all. The 4th of July edition comes with all the gear including a 2-piece paddle that is adjustable, a Deluxe padded seat, 2 Storage hatches, 2 Side handles with bungees to secure your paddle, 4 integrated rod holders and more! It stands out with its proud Red, White and Blue colors and will be sure to turn heads this July.

The Voyager is a tandem kayak, which means you and a significant other can enjoy time on the water. It features two padded seats, storage hatches, side handles, bungee to secure your paddle, rubber carry handles (front and back), drain plug, scupper plugs and bungee at the back storage area with 6 D-rings. The kayak has space for rod holders on both sides and cup holders. The length of the Voyager is 12 ft. and weighs 77 lbs. You can comfortably fit 2 people and all your gear on it, as it has a maximum weight capacity of 550 lbs. Please don’t forget the patriotic red, white and blue color that the 4th of July edition of the voyager comes in. A great kayak for the family to paddle around on this monumental holiday.

4th of July Kayak Deal

This 4th of July we thought we would do something special. Vanhunks is offering a free kayak dolly with every purchase of our 4th of July edition kayaks. Get your hands on a Red, White and Blue Whale Runner Kayak for $695 or our 4th of July edition Voyager Tandem kayak for $995. These kayaks will be limited to special holidays so I would hurry while stocks last.

Where to Find a Vanhunks 4th of July Kayak

As we welcome our 4th of July edition kayaks to our fleet, we wanted to make things easy for you. Our new additions are available on our Vanhunksboarding.com website. It is as easy as a click of a button. You can also pop into our Vanhunks store in Sarasota to look at these beautiful and proud kayaks. If you are not in the area, you are also welcome to call our store and order your 4th of July addition of the Whale runner or Voyager kayak. You better hurry as these are going to fly off the shelves like the fireworks on the 4th of July.

What to do this 4th of July

Do you have something fun planned for the fourth of July? If not, that’s okay. It’s not too late to think of something! If you live by a lake or some sort of body of water, consider going for a paddle and spending your day on the water with friends and family. The fourth of July is one of the best holidays to spend outside; it has everything we could ever want in a summer celebration: fireworks (obviously), barbecues, family get-togethers, and plenty of water activities. So, grab all your gear and head down to your local body of water.

Why not try something different this year and watch the firework displays from the water. Keep a lookout for any events near or on the water in your area and check with your local authorities on what is permitted. What better way to view the firework displays than with your own private view!

Conclusion

4th of July is a special day for all Americans and there’s no better way to celebrate than by kayaking! Not only is it a great way to exercise, but it’s also a great way to relax and have fun with your friends and family. Don’t forget to get your Vanhunks 4th of July kayak for your Independence Day. Our Whale Runner and Voyager Kayaks have never looked better!

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