Sea kayak fishing is a booming sports practice and you can do it from one of our rental boats in Ibiza. Although it is more than 3,000 years old, it has been in this last decade when this type of fishing has become more important internationally. Originating in the Eskimo culture, the ‘ka i ak’ (man boat), is an activity that currently knows no borders and is practiced with the same level of popularity in all corners of the world. Most of our charter boats in Ibiza offers a kayak. A fishing style with a series of very particular characteristics that we present in this post so you can enjoy this aquatic activity with all the guarantees of success and safety.
How to guarantee your safety when fishing in kayak?
We are in Ibiza 2020. Everything has evolved a lot from the small barges that the Eskimos built with reindeer bones, wood and seal skins, it has turned into sophisticated hydrodynamic boats whose light, compact and ergonomic design offers great maneuverability to the paddler who sits inside.
On our boats for rent in Ibiza we have modern kayaks, a very particular version of the traditional pirogue from which you can practice fishing in the sea in a comfortable and safe way. Fishing in sea kayak is an accessible sports activity for all types of sailors and with some simple notions of navigation, some practice and the appropriate materials, you can spend a very fun day at sea.
Regardless of the type of kayak fishing you practice (in the background, trolling or spinning) the safety measures that you should not miss on your way out are:
- Life jacket with whistle and luminous elements. It’s the same type of life jackets we have on our boats for hire in Ibiza and Formentera.
- Breathable isothermal suit during night fishing. Similar to the ones we have on the sailing boats.
- An electronic device to communicate with earth (mobile phone or portable VHF).
- Sun protection (polarized sunglasses, hat or cap, protective cream …). The same protection we recommend when you rent one of our boats in Ibiza.
- Approved lights (to see and to indicate your position during night fishing trips).
How do you fish in a kayak?
10 tips to fish in kayak
1. Learn to sail on a rental boat. It seems quite obvious advice, but there are many people who venture into this type of practice without having knowledge of what it means to operate a boat at sea. It is not necessary to be a great sailor to enjoy this experience, but like sailing on a charter boat in Ibiza, it is very important to recognize the direction of currents, wind or drift in order to ensure faster and safer travel. In any case, you should not go out with your sea kayak if the wind blows with a force greater than 14 knots or if waves of more than 1 meter are recorded, as it could be dangerous.
2. Whenever you are going out sailing, inform the marina in Ibiza. The most advisable thing is that you never leave alone (especially if it is your first contact with this type of activity). But in case you decide to do it, do not forget to let someone know about your departure time and the itinerary you plan to follow.
3. Stick to each scenario. The success of your catches depends not only on your skill as a paddler or fisherman but also on your knowledge of the navigation area of Ibiza and Formentera. Use the lures or seals that are most appropriate to the area in which you fish. This will allow you to attract fish of more attractive dimensions, that is, to your main objective at sea.
4. Choose your anchoring area well in the right side of Ibiza. Avoid unnecessary risks by choosing with criteria the place where you should stop. To do this, you must use complete anchoring equipment that allows you to measure the depth of the water and firmly fix your boat preventing it from overturning as a result of waves, currents or a sudden pull of your prey.
5. Always keep the safety signs in mind. There are several ways to communicate that you are in trouble. They are the same ways you use than when you are renting a boat in Ibiza. From the 3 strong and short beeps with your whistle, to lifting the oar with both hands simulating that you carry a flag (the shovel). When a vessel detects the presence of a rower in a compromised situation, it will emit 5 short beeps to alert of the problem.
6. Make sure they see you from a boat. One of the key factors of a safe exit is that you are visible at all times. It is no coincidence that the kayaks are bright colors. But in addition, you must include reflective or fluorescent safety elements in your equipment and in your wardrobe, especially if you are going to move through areas of high maritime traffic. It’s identical vest than the ones we have on our boats for hire in Ibiza.
7. Better accompanied. Like when you go sailing on a rental catamaran, although a day of fishing alone can be very comforting, when you go out in kayak it is always safer to have company. In addition, the support of other fishermen is very valuable when it comes to ‘battling’ for a long time with a large dam.
8. Think about what you want to fish. It’s like fishing from a boat hire in Ibiza, so if you chase large dams you will have to adapt your fishing gear to them. Do a set-up of your equipment before leaving home: check the brakes on the reels, make sure the hooks are sharp, secure the knots well and take the most appropriate rods (at least 9 kilos for big fish).
9. There is no prey until you reach the shore. Do not let yourself be carried away by the emotion of the moment: fishing is fighting against the prey and that may take longer than you imagine. Although the piece is already muddied and embarked, until you step on solid ground you must stay alert at all times. Large fish can be very strong to the point of jeopardizing the safety of your boat. If you take them home to consume, make sure they are dead when you put them in the kayak because any backlash could cause you to lose stability. And stability is crucial while sailing on a charter boat in Ibiza and Formentera.
10. Do not go out in a hurry. The fun of kayak fishing is enjoying the moment and contact with nature. If you are already an experienced fisherman, you will know that this type of activity requires a lot of patience. And if you’re still starting on the subject, you will soon discover that the most attractive part of kayaking is to let the day advance at your pace while you let yourself be delighted by everything around you.
In this link you can read the history of CharterAlia, our boat rental in Ibiza.