Leave the Shore Behind and Fish From a Kayak

While Mainers are known to love fishing, not everyone has access to a motorboat.  Not to worry, there are other means to gaining your next big catch!

Have you ever considered using a kayak?

It’s become one of my go-to ways to enjoy my favorite pastime.

A kayak is an affordable way to get on the water. There are kayaks that are made specifically for fishing, and while they are nice, they can be expensive. An entry level kayak can work well, and you can always add on extras, such as fishing rod holders, paddle clip, paddle leash, fish finder, etc. There are always used ones for sale, and with the right timing, you could get a new one on sale.
The kayak I use is a Future Beach Trophy 126, which comes with rod holders and a few extras. The non-Trophy version (Fusion 10 model) can be bought for less and is essentially the same kayak without the front hatch and rod holders. I am impressed with these stable kayaks and have landed many fish in them.  They are made by our neighbors up north in Canada.

With a clever set up and a little simple customizing, you can make a respectable fishing boat that will be enjoyable to use. They are also handy to have when accessing remote waters that have no available boat launches. For you fly fishers out there, it is possible to cast from these. It takes some practice but it can be done!

I made a video on YouTube that shows how I set up my kayak for different types of fishing. I’ve been fishing out of a kayak for a few years and in my video I share a few tips I have learned along the way.  Please check it out! If you have any questions feel free to ask! Here is the video:
I hope to see you on the water!
Ben Magee

About Ben Magee

My name is Ben Magee, I am a fishing and outdoor enthusiast, and have my Registered Maine Guide's license. I live in Levant with my family, and have lived in this town for most of my life. I have also spent a lot of my life in the next town over, in Stetson, at my family's camp on Stetson Pond. This is like a second home to me and many of my upcoming videos will feature this pond.