Kayak angling can be an inflatable affair

Take a ride to Leaser Lake in Lehigh County, Blue Marsh Lake in Berks or Mauch Chunk Lake in Carbon and you’ll likely see numerous kayaks on the water, particularly during weekends. Kayaking has really taken off, especially for fishing as kayak anglers can get into shallow area waters boaters can’t and shore fishermen can’t reach with a cast. 

If you’re new to kayaking and are an avid angler, there are many varieties of kayaks from which to choose for fishing. But consideration also has to be given as to how you’re going to get your craft to the waters. Many kayakers strap them to kayak holders on the roofs of the vehicles. Pickup truck owners merely slide theirs into the truck bed. I’ve seen a few on a trailer that as such needs a license as all trailers do. 

If you have a compact or subcompact car for their good fuel economy, some of these kayak transport modes may not be an option. So the next best model may be an inflatable that you can stow in the trunk or in the cargo area if you have a subcompact sedan or crossover.

Two popular inflatables come to mind. There’s Sea Eagle’s 45-pound, 385 FastTrack Angler and Hobie’s 45-pound Mirage iTrek 9 Ultralight kayak. Of the two, the Hobie packs away in a roller backpack bag and easily stows in a trunk or cargo area of a subcompact sedan or crossover, even as checked luggage on a  plane.  

What stands out about the Hobie is their  Kick-Up Fins that are used to propel the craft. According to Hobie, their MirageDrive with these fins and intuitive rudder control, propels the craft. And it inflates with either a hand air pump or electric pump that plugs into a cars’ cigarette lighter or USB receptacle. This ultralight, says Hobie, can turn on its axis and navigate tight waterways. 

It’s versatile too says the company, in that you simply remove the MirageDrive and grab the three-piece SUP paddle and your iTrek is ready to use as a stand-up platform. Included are steering handle mounts on the left or right side of the seat. The kayak can carry up to 350 pounds. 

If you prefer a conventional fiberglass kayak, keep in mind that long kayaks are faster but less agile than short ones. Wide kayaks are more stable but slower than narrow ones. And as most fishing is done while the kayak is stationary, you may want a wider kayak to help keep you stable while casting, reeling and landing fish. Hobie reminds that you don’t want to be fighting the kayak while fighting a fish. 

If your fishing areas might require more paddling, perhaps a narrower kayak makes more sense. 

The company goes on to advise that as far as length is a concern, longer kayaks have more legroom and more room for gear. If your angling pursuits take you to narrow rivers or inlets, a shorter kayak might be advantageous. On the other hand, for open water fishing, a longer kayak will provide more speed getting to and from your favorite spot. 

There are a lot or kayak choices with loads of features in each. It all boils down to price, how you’re going to transport it and the waters you intend to frequent. 
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