I have written about this before, but it is an important consideration worth touching on again.  How do you plan to transport your kayak?

I have talked to many people at events who are excited about getting a kayak,  however, they have not thought about getting it from home to the water. The challenge is not as big with lighter sit-in touring and recreational kayaks, which are easy to load on a roof-top rack.

Sit-on-top fishing kayaks, which are usually wider and heavier. Add in the even heavier and wider self-propelled fishing kayaks, and the challenge is magnified. Two people can handle most of the fishing kayaks for roof-top transport.  A pick-up truck or a kayak trailer is much easier, especially if you are alone. For the past 12 years, I have been using a kayak trailer, which makes my fishing outings much easier. At most launch sites, I can simply back right up to the water with loading and unloading made quite easy. For storage, I  simply leave the kayak on the trailer. Do your research and ask the outfitter you buy from for their suggestions for transporting your kayak.

I have been out on the waters of Door County several times in my kayaks over the past couple of months and continue to appreciate using the various boat and kayak launches with my trailer. Also, using roads that dead-end at the water and making sure to park off the road. If you put your kayak on your vehicle or a trailer, you will need a rack system. Personally, I prefer the SeaWing style, which is like a cradle. Also, you can often get close to the water but may need a kayak small cart to transport your kayak from parking to the water’s edge.

Smallmouth bass fishing is picking up but still challenging compared to just several years ago. To help protect our fishery, please practice catch, photograph,ing and release, along with getting the bass back in the water quickly, especially with water temperatures quite warm at this time of the year. 

As always, if you have any kayak/kayak fishing questions or questions related to transporting your kayak, please email me at kayakfishingwisconsin@gmail.com