Kayak Fishing vs. Boat Fishing

Published May 22nd, 2019 by Bernardo

For some, fishing is the ideal sport for both adventure and relaxation. Regardless of how you choose to spend your fishing time, being out on the water can be a rewarding experience. Some individuals enjoy the adventure and physicality of kayak fishing, while others prefer the comfort and space of boat fishing. Inexperienced fishermen can give it a try and learn from an expert by taking an excursion with a professional or renting a boat or kayak.

 

There are some key differences between kayak fishing and boat fishing, so it is important to learn more about the two to better determine which one is a better fit for you. Or, you may find that you enjoy both.

 

Space and Comfort

It's no secret that fishing from a boat will provide you with things that a kayak may not. For example, when fishing from a boat, you have:

  • ● More room to move around
  • ● You can pack more gear, more bait, and more food. Therefore, there is no worry about leaving heavier or burdensome items behind. 
  • ● The ability to upgrade to plush seating and lounging areas for a more comfortable trip
  • ● Room to bring multiple people with you without any additional effort

In contrast, kayak fishing involves the challenge of packing efficiently for the trip since every item you add will add weight and reduce the available space for your personal movement. Some fishermen love this challenge and enjoy the idea of being minimalistic and efficient as a form of sport, especially since kayaks allow access to areas boats cannot easily travel to. Kayak fishing is also a rapidly growing sport with tournaments held all around Florida each year. Many people are able to catch fish that some are not able to do on a boat.

Access to Fishing Locations

Depending on the type of fishing experience you want to accomplish, kayaks and boats give you different types of access and adventure. One significant difference of kayak fishing is a kayak's ability to maneuver into shallow water and inlets, allowing one to explore more remote destinations. Smaller inlet fishing can be a truly enjoyable experience due to less fishing traffic. You can also launch a kayak from nearly any shoreline access location, whereas a boat requires a proper ramp to ensure safety. A boat however can also allow access to your favorite fishing location in a short amount of time in comparison to a kayak, since it can quickly cover a large expanse of water. 

The good news is that at Nautical Ventures, you don’t have to choose one or the other. Our store has a variety of boats, kayaks and even SUPs that you can choose from. Many times, boat owners buy both and have a kayak or SUP onboard. This makes it so that you don't have to commit to one spot for your excursion because you can easily move to another location where the fish are biting.

Cost

Another factor to consider when deciding between a boat and a kayak is the overall cost. The cost to purchase and maintain a boat will, in general, be more than a kayak. For some individuals, the benefits to boat ownership outweigh the costs, since a boating lifestyle is one that many aspire to create. When factoring in the total cost of boat ownership, a variety of considerations should be examined.

 

  • Type of boat. A simple aluminum fishing boat will be less of an investment than a bass boat with many upgrades and advanced technology. 
  • Hauling. In addition to the purchase of a boat, you have the added cost of the trailer as well as a vehicle that is strong enough to haul it. 
  • Gas. A kayak requires no gas other than what you pay to gas up your vehicle, whereas filling a boat with gas is a significant cost on its own. 

Kayaks, although a less expensive option, still can in many cases reach 5-digit numbers. Depending on the type of fishing you do, and the amount of gear and electronics you want installed, the outfitting of a kayak can get expensive. This has been a very popular activity amongst the anglers in tournament fishing because they customize their kayaks to best fit their needs while they are out in rough waters. 

Get Ready to Start Fishing

 

Whether you are a beginner or advanced fisherman, you can start living your dream of owning your own fishing vehicle. Whether you are looking for a new fishing boat or are searching for a kayak for sale, check out the online inventory available from Nautical Ventures and schedule your boat or kayak service should you want to customize it. 

 

 

 

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