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Fishing Kayak vs Regular Kayak – Major Differences You Should Know

Fishing Kayak vs Regular Kayak

Fishing Kayak and Regular Kayak

A healthy body and a healthy mind are prerequisites if one wants to enjoy life to its fullest. One needs to get involved in such activities that rejuvenate life and takes him away from stressful daily work routines. Spending time with friends and family and activities like Kayaking provides an opportunity to keep your mind and body healthy. Activities like fishing, camping, etc provide an opportunity to spend time with family and friends and keep our minds fresh and stress-free.

What Really Is Kayak:

A kayak is a small water vessel that uses two-bladed pedals as a propeller. The traditional kayaks have a cockpit to accommodate one paddler. It is sometimes covered with a spray deck, which protects it from water and stops water from entering it. Spraydeck is basically a water-resistant cloth. Spray decks are pivotal, especially in rough waters. Modern boats have made significant changes yet they claim it to be Kayaks.

Modern boats have the capacity to accommodate a number of people while traditional kayaks have the capacity to accommodate only one person. Further improvements include the inclusion of automatic propulsion systems like engines, electric motors, replacing single hulls with two hulls, etc. Two of the most widely used kayaks include inflatable Kayaks and Hard-shell Kayaks

Read More: Canoe Vs Kayak

Fishing Kayak

A fishing Kayak is a specially designed Kayak that facilitates fishing. Its construction includes specific designs and features such as storage compartments that are used to store captured fish or bait. It also includes fishing rod holders. the fishing rod holders get fixed at a permanent position and need not be held by individuals all the time.

One other advantage of fishing Kayak is that individuals can stand and fish in this type of Kayak. These Kayaks are narrow in their design which allows them to move through thin and narrow passageways,  as fish are often found in narrow waterways. These Kayaks have removable skegs and footrests for the comfort of fishermen. Hand pumps and spare air valves are also provided for extra safety

1. Inflatable Fishing Kayaks:

Inflatable Fishing Kayaks

The inflatable kayaks are made up of synthetic rubber and plastic polymer. These kayaks have specially designed plastic roofs to avoid direct sunlight. Besides this, these kayaks also have storage compartments for storing bait and fish. The fishing rods can be adjusted and fixed in rod holders. The material used for these kayaks is light in weight but provides durability.

They are extremely buoyant and remain afloat even in rough waters. If you want to go fishing in calm waters and you do not have friends with you. This might be the best choice as it is light in weight and doesn’t require more people to be put in water. Secondly once deflated it can be easily transported. The best advantage of this type of kayak is its stability in water. It helps in casting fishing rods with accuracy.

2. Motorized Kayaks:

Motorized fishing Kayaks

These kayaks have a hard bodies. They are made up of lightweight but strong materials such as fiberglass and Kevlar.  They are propelled true electric motors for diesel/ petrol engines. This gives them the advantage of traveling swiftly in water. This not only saves time but it is also cost-efficient as the engines consume less diesel/ petrol.

These Kayaks have the ability to withstand the weathering process. Hence, they have a longer life as compared to inflatable fishing kayaks. They have better maneuverability and also have the ability to avoid any fish attack since they can move quickly in the water at high speeds.

Regular Kayak

Regular kayaks are specially designed for recreational purposes. They are mostly used for sightseeing and adventure purposes. They are also made up of lightweight but durable materials like fiberglass and specially designed polymers. They are designed for individuals as well as for groups. Unlike the fishing Kayak, they do not have specific material for fishing like storage compartments and fishing rod holder

1. Inflatable Kayak:

Regular Inflatable Kayaks

Kayaks are made up of a wide variety of materials. The inflatable kayaks are made up of synthetic rubber and plastic polymer. Inflatable Kayaks are assembled in two ways. In one way it is made by inserting tubes that are filled with air just like in a bicycle tyre. While the other uses airtight material which is directly inflated with air just like a tubeless tyre. It provides durability and the ability to stay afloat on water.

Inflatable Kayak has the ability to handle more weight as it uses air to get inflated. An inflatable Kayak may itself have a weight of around 25 pounds but its threshold weight which is the maximum weight that it can carry in water may be up to 500 pounds. Furthermore, It has become famous among strata that could not afford the expensive ones. One of the biggest advantages of an inflatable Kayak is that it can easily be transported. Once deflated it can be easily carried to all place

Safety is one of the biggest concerns for those who go to water. Though the material used in the construction is durable but it is less durable than hard-shell kayaks.

2. Hard Shell Kayak:

Hard-shell Kayaks are made up of an amalgam of substances which include wood, fiberglass, plastic, and other materials such as Kevlar. hard-shell kayaks are all heavy and their weight is around 55 pounds. The outer layer of the hard-shell Kayak is covered by a colored gel coating that forms the surface layer of the Kayak. This not only provides protection but also enhances beauty. The fiberglass and Plastic used are of specialized nature.

The hard-shell Kayak is considered relatively safer. They are composed of strong material that has the ability to withstand rock water and its strong currents. Since safety is considered of utmost importance that is why it is preferred to use a hard-shell Kayak where possible. Rough waters also require greater maneuverability because one has to avoid rapidly emerging water currents and pointed stones. The hard-shell Kayak increases safety through increased maneuverability.

There are cons also of a hard-shell Kayak. Most importantly it is difficult to carry a hard shell Kayak from one place to another since it is not foldable and requires relatively more space.

Conclusion

Recreational activities help resuscitate calmness and reduce anxiety. Since life has become so competitive and stressful, so spending time with friends and family and activities like Kayaking provides an opportunity to keep your mind and body healthy. Activities like fishing, camping, etc provide an opportunity to spend time with family and friends and keep our minds fresh and stress-free.

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