How to Use a Fish Stringer on a Kayak

Kayaking

Written by David Myers

October 12, 2019
kayaking with doggo

Photo of the week!

Kayaks are a great way to go fishing without the added hassle of taking a motorized boat out. First, because they don’t have a motor, their much less likely to scare away any potential catches. Additionally, due to their size and the way in which they are maneuvered (by you, of course!), it’s much easier in a kayak to get into those tight spaces where the best fish are often found.

That being said, there are dozens of ways to enjoy this great water sport from your kayak – using a fish stringer included.

Fish stringers are great for fishermen who want to keep their fish fresh before reeling them in for their next meal. Instead of pulling the fish out of the water and putting them in a cooler, a fish stringer allows you to tow your fresh catch behind your kayak while you stay out on the water, looking for that next fish.

They also make it easy to tell how successful your day of fishing has been. With stringers, it’s easy to look behind your kayak and count all your trophies, based on the number of lines you have attached to the back of your boat. Lastly, it allows for more space.

Coolers and the like will take up room in your kayak, while with stringers, you’re using the environment around you to keep your catch fresh.

Stringers are ropes with needles attached at the end that are often tied behind your boat. Once you catch a fish, you take the fish off your current hook, pass the needle end of your stringer through the gills of your catch, and toss the fish back in.

That way, the fish won’t be able to swim off, but it’ll stay alive as you continue looking for your next meal. Make sure you remember to attach the other end to the back of your kayak, however, otherwise that fish will be gone in the blink of an eye!

One thing to take notice of – because the fish will likely be struggling behind your kayak, it’s important to keep an eye out for predators. If you’re fishing on the ocean, it’s possible that a shark may happen upon your kayak, see the fish being towed behind you, and decide that it’s found a free meal.

To be careful, depending on where you’re taking your next fishing trip, when using a stringer, it’s good to make the line longer. That way, if a shark does come by, there’s no risk they’ll mistake you instead of your catch as their next meal.

Stringers are a great, simple, and cheap way for any fisherman – whether new or experienced – to keep their catch fresh throughout a day of fishing. There are several different types of rope and needles to choose from.

What will work best for you depends on where you are fishing, as well as the fish you’re hoping to catch. Regardless, in using a stringer, you’ll make sure that the next meal you catch will taste just as fresh as it would if you had caught it only five minutes earlier!

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