Fishing from a kayak requires a different approach compared to fishing out of a 20 foot bass boat. A kayak has limited space compared to a bass boat that may have up to two rod lockers and several storage compartments. Of course some of the new kayaks that are being designed just for anglers have storage in the hull compartment and a storage area behind or under the seat; however there is still the issue of having multiple rods out with lures dangling around to tangle up. The best way to solve the issue of tangling is to use lure and rod covers like Crankbait Cover-Ups and Rod Cover-Ups.

Fishing with limited storage space out of a kayak doesn’t mean an angler has to limit themselves. Normally, I will have three rods out. Each of the rods out will have a different lure on them to cover the top, middle and bottom zone. I can get all of the lures to cover the top, middle and bottom zone in one medium sized tackle box. The lures I use for topwater fishing in Ozarks streams like Crooked Creek, Kings River, Illinois River or War Eagle Creek include Heddon Super Spook Jr., BOOYAH Pond Magic Buzz or larger BOOYAH Buzz buzzbait or the Rebel Pop-R Lures. Include jig heads rigged with soft plastic trailers for the bottom zone. A BOOYAH Pro Boo Bug with a YUM Wooly Bug is a deadly combination. If the fish aren’t aggressive a 3/16-ounce Pumpkin’ Ed Jig rigged with a Yum F2 Money Craw or finesse worm will get them to bite. When the smallmouth get tight to cover on Ozark streams, I get out my pitching rod and go to casting a Texas rigged YUM Wooly Bug right in the thickest cover. The middle zone runs from below the surface to anything not being dragged across the bottom. My favorite middle zone lure is a YUM Money Minnow rigged with a Money Minnow Hook. I like the smaller 3½-inch size most of the time, but on streams with big smallmouth I will switch to the 5-inch model.

If I am fishing in open water, I will put two of the rods in the holders and keep one by my feet when paddling or casting it. In a river or stream situation, I will always lay my rods down or put them in the storage compartment in the hull of the kayak. I do that especially on Ozark streams like Crooked Creek, Kings River, Illinois River or War Eagle Creek where it is common for limbs to be hanging over the banks just waiting to snag a rod. Before storing or putting the rods in the rod holders or storage compartment, I will put a Crankbait Cover-Ups on the lure and Rod Cover-Up on the fishing rod.

Crankbait Cover-Ups and Rod Cover-Ups (www.crankbaitcoverups.com) come in both freshwater and a saltwater series; in addition to the American Freedom Series, Stealth Series and Alabama Rig Series. Saltwater kayakers will find the Great White Saltwater Series a great addition for keeping their spinning rods and baitcast rods from tangling. Any kayaker fishing with one of the new multi-lure or umbrella rig style rig will find the Alabama Rig Series a must have to keep their rig from tangling with everything in their kayak.

Kayaks do have limited storage capacity, but that’s only a minor drawback compared to all the positive attributes.  Anglers can take their kayaks on any body of water and only need a paddle to move around. No gas or engine oil tank to fill up. As for lures, only a medium sized tackle box with a few lure covering the top, middle and bottom zone are needed.

Tips for storing rods and lures in your kayak article provided by Brad Wiegmann Outdoors for www.bradwiegmann.com.