8 Tips to Use Inflatable Fishing Kayaks

Are you among the 42 million Americans who love recreational angling?
Inflatable fishing kayaks might be for you. They are lightweight, portable, and easy to store. However, they can also be used on water. You can also get a motor to power your inflatable kayak if you don’t feel like paddling.
Before you dive in and buy an inflatable fishing kayak, make sure to understand the safety rules and best practices for inflatable kayaks.
Safety lectures are not always the most fun, but they are essential. You might end up either injuring your kayak or drinking the beverage.
These outcomes can be avoided by reading our "8 Top Tips for Inflatable Fishing Kayaks" article.'
1. Make a Kayak Packing list
Inflatable fishing kayaks are best when you have a list. You'll be less likely to forget something important, which can compromise your safety and trip.
Do you ever feel that sinking feeling when you realize you have left something behind? This is something we want to avoid at all costs!
Here are some essential items to add to your list:
Kayak Pump
Repair Kit
Paddles
Life Jackets
Waterproof bag
Cellphone
Radio
Emergency Drinking Water
Whistle
Plenty of battery power (if you're using an electric kayak motor).
Duct Tape
2. You can even inflate your kayak
Inflating fishing kayaks with inflatables is easy if you inflate them fully and evenly. This can be done by manually measuring the pressure and feeling each compartment and pontoon with your hand. Special gauges are available for inflatable fishing kayaks, which will show you the pressure inside each chamber.
No matter what method you choose, ensure that the air is evenly distributed throughout the chambers and that each one of them is properly pumped. It can make it difficult for your kayak to maneuver and handle if the pressure isn’t right or high enough.
You should also make sure that you evenly distribute weight if you're packing heavy objects like an anchor, a cooler, or an underwater scooter. This will improve performance and make your experience more enjoyable.
3. Try practicing paddling
Are you familiar with kayaking? You might try paddling on dry land or at home if you have never tried it. You can ask a friend who is proficient in paddling for tips and tricks.
Also, you can check out these Youtube videos about proper paddling techniques.
Are you already proficient at paddling? You might feel comfortable in a kayak. It's a good idea, however, to test your inflatable before you go on your first angling trip.
4. Pay attention to the conditions
Inflatable fishing kayaks can withstand harsher conditions and are more durable than recreational inflatable kayaks. They are smaller and more vulnerable to severe weather conditions, however.
You will need to rely on your arms and legs to return to shore unless you have an inflatable fishing boat with a motor. Strong winds, waves, or currents could cause you to drift further from the shore if you are caught in a severe storm.
Before you head out to fish in your inflatable kayak, make sure to check the weather forecast.
5. Alert someone to your location
It's a good habit to tell someone where you are going fishing. This will help them to find the right place to go if you don’t return on time. Although you should always have a radio or cellphone with you, signal strength can be poor if you are far away or there is bad weather. It's never a bad idea to have an emergency kit.
6. Make friends with water
Another safety tip is to learn as much as possible about your water body. When kayak fishing in a new bay, ocean, lake, or river, it is a good idea to hug the shores as much as you can.
If you have the "lay of water" and a better understanding of current and wind patterns, then you can go further if you are after deeper water fish species.
7. Inflatable Fishing Kayaks: Durability Tested by a Vet
You want to be safe on the water so make sure to test the durability of your inflatable fishing kayak.
There are many quality standards for inflatable kayaks. It is important that your inflatable kayak can withstand the sun and other elements if you plan to use it for fishing. It should also be strong enough to withstand contact with a fishing line or a knife.
Are you unsure where to begin when choosing an inflatable kayak for fishing? This list contains the top inflatable fishing kayaks. This video shows how durable these inflatable fishing kayaks can be.
8. Take care of your fishing kayak
Your inflatable fishing kayak model will eventually lose its durability. When not in use, keep your kayak away from the sun and extreme cold temperatures.
It can be deflated completely and rolled up for easy storage or it can be stored in a garage, boathouse, or undercover.
You should give your inflatable kayak a quick rinse in salt water before you deflate or store it. If your kayak will be stored for a long time, you need to clean it well, inflate it, and then roll it up. It is best to store your kayak in a bag or in warm temperatures.
For storage purposes, roll your kayak loosely each time you fold it. This is because if you fold your kayak up tightly and in the same places every time, it can cause creases and weaken the material.