Your first Kayak Fishing Tournament- 5 TIPS TO HELP YOU!

This article is not meant to replace or explain the rules. Nor will it talk about fishing tips to help you put fish in the boat. It is simply a guide to help new Kayak anglers who are signing up for their first kayak tournament.

1. Get familiar with the CPR (Catch Photo Release) method

 You paddle out to your best spot as the sun is coming up. It’s time to cast off. You’re excited because you know you can catch them under these conditions. You hook up and bring in a 19” smallie to the boat. You’re shaking and can’t believe what just happened. You try to put away your rod while holding on to the fish. It flops in the bottom of the boat as you wrestle with your Hawg trough that is stowed away in the back. You manage to get the fish on the board and reach for your phone. You pin it against the board while you sweet talk “calm down, I just want a quick picture”. You get a good shot and you release it. Away it goes. You’re pumped and ready to catch an other one. As you reach for your rod, you see it laying on the floor: your identifier. It happens to the best of us. 

Many things can go wrong when you’re attempting Catch Photo Release. Many great anglers underestimate the difficulty level of getting a good quality picture while dealing with all the other challenges of sitting in a Kayak. Take some time to download the app and familiarise yourself with it ( before you hit the water) . The best thing you can do is go out and practice with every fish you catch. Go through all the steps, just like if it was tournament day. Take pictures and analyse them to see if they’re good enough to make the cut. Not sure? Check out the detailed rules or reach out to other anglers on social media. You work hard to get bit, make it count. 

2. Don’t focus on what you don't have

I remember when I rolled into the campground where my first tournament was being held. I had my 12 foot Riot kayak on top of my 2 door Kia forte. It was tied down with ratchet straps and it was sitting on foam cradles. I had 2 rods and one of them was a bait caster that I couldn't cast without birdnesting. I was happy to be there, but I was nervous to see what the other competitors had brought to the party. Trucks, trailers and fancy racks. Peddle Kayaks rigged with sonars and high tech gadgets. I held those anglers up on a pedestal because I was impressed by their rigs. Some of them were great anglers, but it wasn’t because of their kayaks or their equipment. One can argue that technology is advancing at light speeds and can give an angler “the edge”. knowledge, experience and skill will always be the foundation of success. If you don't have a solid foundation, your edge is useless. A kayak can only be as good as the angler sitting in it. 

When you roll up to your first tournament, don't focus on what everybody else has. Focus and work with what you have. You made it there and you will have your line in the water like everybody else. Fish your strenghts and see what happens. It might be magic or it might be tragic. Either way, you will have gained experience and that's a step in the right direction. You’ll be leaving with a check or a list of things to improve. Either way, it’s a win win.

3. Do your homework before you hit the water

Most tournament series have detailed rules on everything you need to know for the event. Obviously, you need to spend some time reading and understanding every rule in the book. Not knowing the rules is not a good excuse when it comes to tournament fishing. It will prevent you from getting one or all of your fish DQ'd because of something that could’ve been easily prevented. You’ve read all the rules and you’re still not sure? Reach out to other anglers on social media and they will help you out. 

 In addition to the rules, weather is always a huge factor when you’re talking about fishing. Multiply that by 10 for kayak fishing. Kayaks don’t have the luxury of running 60 mph to shore when the lake gets nasty. That’s why you need to keep an eye on the conditions and plan accordingly. There are many tools at your disposal when trying to put a safe plan together. I always start with a basic weather app to see what the general forecast will be. For me, the biggest concern is wind. To accurately check wind speeds and direction, I like to use an app called Windy. With this information, I will then look at Google maps and Navionics to find the best spots for the current conditions.

You can then take it one step further and try to select proper lures/technique for the conditions. I’ve learned this the hard way ( it’s hard to fish a Wacky rigged weightless senko in 35 Km winds). Planning ahead will not only increase your chances of hooking up, it will also keep you safe. 

4. Make sure you dress for the occasion

You’ve spent a lot of time organizing your tackle and rigging your rods. You should also make sure that you have the proper gear to spend a good day on the water. Your PFD should be the first thing on your list. It makes me cringe to see kayakers not wearing a PFD (most of the time, it’s in a 8 foot pelican). PFD’s do save lives. In addition, not wearing one will get you disqualified. It’s only a good day of fishing if you live to tell about it.

Don’t forget to pack some rain gear to keep you dry. Even a light and compact suit will help you stay comfortable so you can focus on fishing. Never underestimate the effects of the weather on your body. If you’re going to fish all day in 30+ degree temps, you need to be smart about it. I always wear a long sleeve UPF 50 shirt, a hat and a neck gaiter to protect me from the sun. Of course, I always chose high quality Mig Sig Outdoors apparel. You’ll need some good sunglasses for added protection and to reduce glare. Don’t forget to bring some water. How much water? Bring as much as you can. You’ll be sitting in the sun, paddling/peddling and casting all day. Take care out there!

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5. Enjoy the camaraderie

As the sport grows, communities of passionate kayak anglers are popping up everywhere. Let’s face it, fishing forums and social media groups can often be hostile environments, but I can’t say the same for most Kayak fishing groups. Whether it’s the fact that we all love kayaks and are passionate about fishing, camaraderie always prevails. Don’t get me wrong, some are there to compete and try to win, including me. But you soon get to know the other competitors and realise they’re just as crazy as you are.

The best way to learn is to surround yourself with like minded individuals who have been around the block a time or two. Most anglers will share tips and tricks on fishing, rigging and anything related to kayaks. Don’t be afraid to ask or reach out on social media groups. You will meet some great anglers with tons of knowledge.  At the end of the day, we all want to see the sport we love grow and flourish.

Good luck and have fun!