Some good reasons to be yacking about ’yaks

LATELY, I HAVE COME to accept that I have a 90-pound canoe and 89 pounds of lifting power left to place it atop my vehicle at the end of a long fishing trip. This is why I have been seriously considering purchasing a kayak – or the services of a very strong butler. Strange as it may sound, this is my one concession to getting older.

I know, most of us associate kayaks with young, trim people who can actually fit into the cockpits without the aid of half a pound of lard and a shoehorn. That’s true, but the other side of the coin is that kayaks are easier to handle outside of the water and place atop a vehicle. And that’s a big draw as you get older – especially if you were previously used to a 90-pound canoe.

My research tells me the average kayak is approximately five feet shorter and 40 pounds lighter than my canoe, which means it would be easier to load on top of my vehicle for the quick solo fishing trips that I often embark upon.

That’s a huge plus and would ensure that I get out to the small local lakes I love even more often. My problem is twofold. First, I have always been under the impression that kayaks are for people who can hold their breath a lot longer than I can. Second, I have always worried that any loss of balance would cost me hundreds of dollars in fishing gear.

Having said that, I am a great believer in signs. For instance, the other day, I saw one that said “Kayak Sale!” And that was almost enough to negate my two issues.

I also discovered that kayak fishing was really trendy about eight years ago, which makes it perfect in terms of timing for me. You see, like most middleaged men, I am generally a minimum of five years late on getting in on any popular trend. Heck, I’m just starting to dance Gangnam Style now.

There are good things about getting in on a trend like this a little late. For instance, you can look up all the people that made it really popular in the first place just to make sure they are still alive. You might even get a deal on a used kayak.

Also, you will be able to learn important things from their mistakes, such as, it’s much easier to fly cast when a kayak is upright – or at least on the upward part of the roll.

Obviously, there is much research to be done before you put out hard-earned dollars.

I have been told by many anglers about the advantages of a sit-on-top kayak, though they seem obvious to me. Honestly, who would want a sit-onbottom one, especially when you fish as many shallow rocky shoals as I do?

I have also been told by kayak anglers that this is an exciting way

to fish and that, on occasion a good fish will tow you around the lake, which is another selling point since, I’m as happy not to paddle as the next guy. As I write this, I’m still undecided about the whole thing. I may or may not get a kayak. But, if I do, hopefully you’ll catch me on the flip side.