Kayak Fishing: The Evolution Of Fishing Kayaks And Kayak Fishing Hand Paddles

Paddle sports, particularly kayak fishing, are the fastest growing water sport today.  Kayaking, canoeing and rafting are now destination activities.   With all the green and eco friendly activities available, paddle sports have dominated the outdoor adventure scene.   Paddle sports are low impact on the environment, inexpensive, thrilling and always memorable.

 Not to be left out, the fishing and sporting communities wanted in on this explosion.  Kayakers, anglers and sportsmen merged concepts and technologies.  Along with diversity came opportunity.  New specialty equipment, gear and accessories evolved.  Fishing kayaks and kayak fishing hand paddles evolved from this call to action.  

 With the rapid growth of paddle sports, there has been a definitive diversification of the sport into various disciplines.  All the technological and manufacturing advancements have fueled the sudden increase in the sport.  Kayak fisherman and kayak sportsman have recently dominated the growth in the paddle sports arena. 

 Kayak fishermen, also known as kayak anglers, and kayak sportsmen require specialty equipment, gear and accessories to effectively pursuit their sport.  Their fishing kayaks and fishing hand paddles are specifically designed to accommodate their dynamic environments and distinctive sporting activities. 

 Kayak anglers and sportsmen have designed boats for easy access and mobility.  Many facets of their kayak design reflect accoutrements that were found only on motorized fishing vessels.  Today you can find rod holders, live wells, storage compartments, battery wells, fish finders, anchors, etc.  If they can fit a specialty fishing accessory on a twelve to fourteen foot kayak, they will try to get it on there!  They even have twin hulled, foot propelled and battery operated kayaks for the hard core anglers.

 For ease of access and dismount, the anglers use a modified version of the sit on top kayak, or SOT.  SOT’s were a natural conversion platform for kayak anglers. These boats are self bailing, meaning that any water that gets in the kayak will be drained away by gravity.  Getting on and off is much easier than a sit in kayak.  Turning or sliding around to access tackle or gear behind you is a much simpler evolution.

 With this approach to fishing from kayaks, came another conundrum that caused problems in the kayak angling community.  How do you paddle and fish at the same time?  Think about it.  Can you hold your fishing rod and a kayak paddle at the same time? 

 Paddling your kayak and fishing at the same time became a comedy on the water.  It takes two hands to wrangle a seven foot kayak paddle, no matter how you hold it.  Throw in a fishing pole, and you soon realize you need three hands! 

 Kayak fishing hand paddles evolved from pioneering anglers solving this problem with ping pong paddles, Kadema paddles, modified badminton racquets and the sort.  They could hold onto their fishing rod and with the other hand paddle their boat stealthily toward their prey. 

 It soon became apparent that flailing a seven foot paddle is not conducive to shallow water, or skinny water fishing.  The fish can see you!   The best way to sneak up on your prey is to glide stealthily toward them.   While holding your fishing rod, using a little six or seven ounce fishing hand paddle to propel your kayak, about 16” long, is perfect for the task.

 As you begin your foray into kayak fishing, do your research.  Peruse the internet, talk to local anglers, visit local outfitters and try various kayak platforms and fishing hand paddles.  That little effort will certainly make your fishing trip much more rewarding and memorable. 

 Fish on!!

About the Author

Ed Halm is a retired U.S. Navy survival instructor, avid outdoor sportsman, kayak eco-tour guide and owner of Backwater Paddle Company, a paddle sports business located in central Florida.  If you have any questions or comments, you can visit with Ed at www.backwaterpaddles.com anytime!

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The best beaches in the United States

The best beaches in the United States

The best beaches can be found along the Atlantic and the Pacific coast. Here are some ideas you might consider for your next family vacation on the beach.

Lauderdale to Miami Beach, Florida Prime tourist area family vacation. With an excellent climate and miles and miles of beaches, this area is cheap, diversity, and has a wide variety watersports restaurants and many activities for children. In addition, Disney's Vero Beach Resort is considered one of the best in Florida.

Myrtle Beach. Among the many favorite activities of children include: Ripley's Aquarium, The Great Circus, a program known for their acrobatics and other circus artists, and Myrtle Waves Water Park.

With a wide variety of restaurants, shops and other places of importance, Myrtle Beach has been chosen as the main choice for holidays for families in the U.S.

Hampton. The rooms are available in one and two rooms contain fully equipped kitchens and / or kitchen.

Although not the resort's food supply, has a gym and offers morning coffee there.

The grounds are immaculate and there is a large pool (one for the kiddies, too) where you can enjoy the sun. A tennis court is also local.

If you live in the Big Apple, is a 90 minutes journey by car. The hotel is ideally located East Hampton 12 539, five minutes from the city, restaurants, shops and a cinema. You can even make a trip and visit the historic lighthouse at Montauk or pass time on the beach there.

Whatever you choose Island, Hawaii has the most pristine beaches anywhere in the U.S. On the other hand, there are black sand beaches of the island of Maui, and a host of activities for the whole family.

For children, San Diego Zoo and Sea World are not far from the beach of Cabanas.

Located in downtown restaurants and shops, cabins, beach resort is a low cost where Families can enjoy the sun, surfing and other services available. In fact, you can reserve a study that offers a fully equipped kitchen.

Tower Beach. Found in the Santa Monica Bay, this report paradise is ideal for family vacations at the beach. Here you can enjoy water sports, cycling fishing, kayaking, restaurants and shops located near the Santa Monica Pier. There are many shelters that are on the road to the beach or foot. Each has its own set of facilities that are for families.

About the Author

Billy Bobb is a zealous traveler and citizen of the Earth. He's a geography nerd and can study maps for hours on end. His blog Free Printable Maps features maps and travel destination profiles such as a printable map of USA

Kayak Fishing San Diego Bay 11-24-07

From the East or West, Florida beaches are the best â € "Departure from Fort Myers, Florida beaches!

Lee County is home in Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs

and the islands of Sanibel and Captiva. It is the most populous

County of southwest Florida. Based in Fort Myers

The largest city is Cape Coral. The Gulf of Mexico has a large

influence in the region and the three rivers: the Caloosahatchee,

Estero del Imperial, provide wonderful recreational

possibilities.

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Fort Myers Housing is abundant, choose station, a hotel or motel, Fort Myers and Lee County have it all.

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natural waters of the sandy beach of Florida and the invitation warm to relax, read or

participate in a favorite beach activity - bombing. Each track has a

own. personality their family is soft white sand ideal for children. Couples

can experience the solitude and sunsets. And the types active

can enjoy volleyball, picnicking, shelling, biking and skim boarding.

â € ¢ County Lee offers thumbnail annual $ 60 per year.

â € ¢ Bonita Springs residents pay $ 5 for an annual sticker

allowing parking Bonita Beach Park, access to # 1 and Little

Hickory Island Beach Park for free.

â € ¢ Sanibel Island beaches have parking meters. Property

and long-term owners, visitors can obtain a permit A and B parking;

Owners / / $ 12/year; B / visitors / $ 90/year.

â € ¢ to Sanibel, the police will handle the delivery of

wheelchairs disabled for four hours without charge. Call 239-472 -

3111.

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Bonita Beach Park

Location: 27954, Hickory Blvd. In the West End of Bonita Beach Blvd.

Bonita Springs

Phone: 239-533-7275 Parks & Lee County Recreation

Hours: sunrise to sunset

Parking: $ 2 / hour

Services: 3 miles from the beach, restrooms, picnic shelters with tables

and grills, playground, snack bar volleyball,

showers, restaurant

Activities: swimming, fishing, shelling, sunbathing, walking

Pets: No

Of particular interest: Bonita Springs is a coastal community

the beaches are beautiful and less burdened Fort

Myers Beach to the north.

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Playa Bonita (access)

Location: 10 hits in Hickory Blvd. # 1 is located just north

Bonita Beach Park, Bonita Springs

Phone: 239-533-7275 Lee County Parks & Recreation

Hours: dawn to dusk

Parking: limited access to the # 1, $ 2 an hour, Hits # 2-9, and limited

free

Services 3 miles from the beach, no facilities

Activities: swimming, sunbathing, shelling, fishing, walking

Pets: No

Of particular interest: The beach is residential, a mix of high

and mid-rise condominiums and houses.

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Little Hickory Island Beach Park

You Location: 2 miles north of Bonita Beach Park in Hickory Blvd.

Bonita Springs

Phone: 239-533-7275 Lee County Parks and Recreation

Hours: sunrise to sunset

Parking: measured

Services: Three miles of beach, picnic tables, restrooms, showers

Activities swimming, fishing, shelling, canoeing, kayaking,

sunbathe, walk

Pets: No

Key State Park Lovers

You are here: 8700 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. 10.5 miles west of

I75 to exit 116

Phone: 239-463-4588

Hours: 8:00 sunset

Parking: $ 8/vehicle

Facilities: 700 acres, 2 miles from the beach, five miles of bicycle paths,

bike rentals, boat ramp, food and equipment rental concessions,

playgrounds, shelters, picnic grills, trails toiletries nature

pavilion, outdoor showers, guard tours

Activities: birdwatching, boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking,

biking, shelling, swimming, wildlife viewing

Animals Yes, 6a € ™ straps. State parks do not allow pets on the beaches

or playground, or in bathing areas, cabins, buildings in the park or

provide facilities

Of particular interest are a haven for wildlife, the islands and

waters are home to West Indian manatees, bottlenose dolphins,

roseate spoonbills, Marsh rabbits and bald eagles. Two miles

Long Beach is accessible by walking or by tram and was selected as

# 4 of the Florida beach by the Travel Channel.

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Fort Myers Beach

Location: Hits # 11 to # 35 are on Estero Blvd. since the Big

Carlos pass south of Matanzas Pass Bridge to the north.

colored flags designating their location, numbers and symbols have

indicating if they have facilities, accessibility and parking

(Pay) # 37 to # 41 north of Matanzas Bridge

Estero Blvd. allow foot traffic, no parking.

Phone: 239-765-0202 City Fort Myers

Hours: dawn to dusk

Parking: Paid parking is located in Old San Carlos Blvd, Estero

Blvd, San Center and Fifth St. $ 2 per hour, maximum of 2 hours. In San Fifth,

Spaces are $ 1 an hour. The long-term parking is available on all tracks

access roads and park step Matanzas Bridge. $ 1

hours without time limit. During the season, arrive early to find a place

park on the continent and make the car more.

Services: Lynn Hall Memorial Park (Pier): bathrooms and time

Square with restaurants on the beach and shopping

Activities: fishing, swimming, bombing, disabled access,

sunbathing, walking

Pets: Yes, 6a € ™ straps

Of particular interest: Fort Myers Beach (Estero Island) miles

white sand beaches, where the seabed slope

toward the horizon on one level or large waves. All

the beaches are â € œnatural beachesâ €, which means

No raking or combing otherwise. This allows visitors to the beach

enjoy all ™ € s side equipment while preserving his native

environment. The busy intersection of San Carlos Boulevard

and Estero Boulevard is packed bars, shops, beach

restaurants, motels and attract singles and families. Itâ € ™ sa

Coney Island atmosphere known as € € Square.â œTimes

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Lynn Hall Park

You are here: 1050 Main Street, Fort Myers Beach, the heart of

downtown

Phone: 239-533-7275 Lee County Parks and Recreation

Hours: sunrise to sunset

Parking: $ 2 / hour, 100 seats

Services: fishing pier with bait allowed, shelters, picnic

with grills, playground, outdoor showers, baths, shops

Activities: swimming, shelling, fishing, sunbathing, walking

Pets Company: No

Of particular interest: Located at the foot of the north

Matanzas Pass Bridge, next a € € œTimes Square in the heart

Central Fort Myers Beach, the park faces the Bay animation

near shops and restaurants.

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Bowditch Point Regional Park

Location: 50 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach

Phone: 239-533-7275 Lee County Parks and Recreation

Hours: 8 am to half an hour sunset

Parking: $ 1 hour, 75 seats

Services day docks for boats up to 28 feet, boat rowing

Great Calusa Blueway trails launch Paddling Trail, walking

through preserve the area, picnic tables and grills, concession food

bathrooms and locker rooms

Activities canoeing, swimming, fishing, sunbathing, walking,

Disabled access

Pets: No

A particular interest: Located at the north end Fort Myers

Beach, this park has access to the bay and the Gulf and provides

experience much quieter than the beaches of the city.

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Bunche Beach (Preserve)

Location: Myers 18201 John Morris Road, Fort

Phone: 239-533-7275 Lee County Parks & Recreation

Hours: dawn to dusk

Parking: Free

Services none

Activities: swimming, photography, sunbathing, walking

Pets: No

Special Interest: This 731 acre natural tidal

Wetlands area. It is fully intact and offers a natural

sandy beach, mangrove swamps and a variety of

Wildlife viewing.

About the Author

Maria Norton is the creator of Florida-Retirement.Net, a website designed for those who are considering retiring to Florida or buying second homes there. She is a licensed Real Estate Broker and a 20 year veteran of the Relocation Industry. She provides comprehensive, personalized & free, Florida Relocation Services. She has also published 4 eBooks: A Guide to Establishing Florida Residency, The FLORIDA BEACH BOOK, How to Create the Perfect Retirement & How to Buy a Second/Vacation Home in Florida. The FLORIDA BEACH BOOK is a Guide to over 350 Florida Beaches and the Best Restaurants On or Near Them, and includes OVER $750 in restaurant gift certificates. The Guide also contains Florida Beach Maps. The information in the article above is excerpted from The FLORIDA BEACH BOOK. TO GET YOUR COPY visit her website at http://www.florida-retirement.net.

Kayak Fishing Location: Matlacha Florida

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