Q: I’m considering purchasing a two-person kayak to go inshore sea fishing with my son. What equipment is suitable for beginners? Good areas to fish will also be quite helpful thanks.
VINCE BELLENOT, BILLINGSHURST, WEST SUSSEX
MC says: I’d choose a wider, higher volume kayak as the safest option if choosing a tandem, such as an RTM Ocean Duo or Ocean Kayak Malibu 2 or 2XL.
Remember, though, fishing from a tandem kayak is not as easy as from a single.
You need to factor in two people moving about, the extra tackle and equipment and stowage of two paddles. It is always better to go for two singles if possible, especially as you can offer mutual support if one person has problems.
The capsize risk is naturally increased too, and recovery drills are more difficult, so ensure that you take the time to practice these repeatedly with a bare boat until you are confident that you can do so in harder conditions.
You’ll need a good-quality Personal Flotation Device (PFD) with pockets to hold safety equipment, along with suitable clothing for accidental immersion, ideally a drysuit, although good-quality wetsuits have their place in summer.
Next you require a means of communication, with a VHF radio being the best all-round option. Add a compass in case of fog descending, plus leashes for paddles.
It’s best to buy a fish-finder that includes a chartplotter, along with suitable charts so you can locate likely fishing spots, but this is the money-no-object option. If you want only a fish-finder, then something basic will do because rapid depth changes are often the most likely areas to find fish. A fish-finder is great for locating shoaling fish and discovering the depth you need to work your rigs for the best results.
I can’t really advise on places to fish specifically, so I suggest checking out local angling forums and websites for hotspots.
In general, I adopt the approach of finding a good parking and launch site, and then I explore the area.