“ I’ d say I stand about 50 percent of the time while I fish,” says Ernst, who chose the Jackson Kayak Cuda HD as his new fishing rig.“ This is a new, sit-on-top hull design. It’ s wider [ than the previous Cuda model ] and very stable.”
Russell Johnson is a certified kayak instructor who spends considerable time chasing smallmouths in the rivers near his Pennsylvania home. To get a good view, Johnson stands up almost continually while fishing, and at 6 feet tall and 270 pounds, he found an advantage to choosing a boat big enough to fit his frame.
“ I fish from a Jackson Kilroy DT, and draft as little water as possible for my size,” he says.
The Kilroy DT is a sit-inside kayak marketed as a tandem unit, but its unique track seating system allows Johnson to covert it to a large, one-man boat.
“ Finding a kayak that was good for me to stand up in was a key,” he adds.“ With a sit-on-top, your feet are 3 to 6 inches above the water line when standing. With my boat, my feet are on the water line.”
Johnson believes the lower position improves stability for pushing and paddling.
So if you’ re considering a kayak and want to stand, it’ s worth the time to do some research on the stability of various models, and to consider whether a sit-inside or sit-ontop model is best.
Technique Variability
Ernst believes that a few bass fishing techniques require an angler to stand, but not all. In fact, he sees advantages in sitting for some techniques.
“ Flipping and pitching, no doubt, I’ m standing. And skipping under docks,” he says.“ My favorite way to fish is cranking. And when I crank, or throw a ChatterBait or spinnerbait, I sit down.”
Ernst believes a seated kayak angler actually excels in scenarios that require casting and winding. Because the position is more stable, he can focus on fishing.
Practice Makes Perfect
As you develop kayak fishing skills, consider practicing standing and maneuvering, just as you’ d practice various seated paddle strokes. Reserve practice for times and places where you’ re not likely to encounter heavy wind or boat traffic, and always wear a PFD. Over time, standing should become easier as you master balance and muscle control.
“ I remember the first time I stood up in a kayak,” Ernst says.“ I wasn’ t comfortable at all. Now, I don’ t even think about it.”
Equipment for Standing
All you need to stand is your legs, but if you want to move and control the kayak while standing, you’ ll need a paddle or push-pole that can reach.
While reservoir fishing for bass, Ernst often paddles while standing using his regular paddle to keep gear and weight to a minimum.
“ I put my hand on the top blade of the paddle and stroke like a canoe,” he says.
On inshore jaunts for redfish, or when stalking spooky shallow bass, Ernst switches to a push-pole.
“ I use the YakAttack stake-out pole [ a shallow-water“ stick pin” called the ParkNPole that is intended for anchoring ]. I push with the T-handle, and stake out my boat by flipping the pole over and pushing it through the scupper hole on my kayak.”
Kayak anglers interested in push-poling should also consider the Superstick Push Pole, a lightweight, telescoping, nearly indestructible unit used by many FLW Tour pros when pushing their bass boats in shallow water. The Superstick is compatible with multiple head attachments, including a paddle blade. I’ ve used it several times in my kayak, and found the extra length to be ideal for paddling / pushing around while standing.
Johnson pushes and paddles along with a Bending Branches carbon fiber paddle.
“ That’ s a very tough paddle,” he says,“ so I don’ t need to carry any other type of pole. I can do everything with it, and I have less to carry.”
PFDs
Neither of our pros feels unsafe whatsoever when standing in his kayak, but it goes without saying that all kayak anglers should wear a life jacket at all times. Ernst likes the models built by Kokatat, which feature the majority of the flotation on the front of the jacket and around the lower waist, a configuration he finds more comfortable for the movements associated with kayaking without sacrificing safety. Idaho-based Northwest River Supplies( NRS) also offers a variety of kayak-specific models.
With practice, kayak anglers can confidently attack the water using their favorite bass fishing methods from a standing position. The trick is to pick the right boat for your individual size and needs, then rise up to the challenge.
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