When it comes to catching fish, it's not how far you can cast, but how accurate and quiet your presentation is.
Casting is even more important when it comes to fishing in a kayak where a large percentage is done sitting down. However, there's more to casting then pushing a button and hoping the lure goes where you directed it.
Kayaks sit right on the water making it hard to see what's below the surface, but easier to make a cast and have the lure land quietly in the water.
OVERHEAD
Most of the casts that kayak anglers make are overhead where the rod tip begins and ends above the shoulder from 9 o'clock to 1 o'clock. An overhead cast allows the angler to cast long distances, but normally results in a loud splash scattering the fish.
Overhead casts are great for when the bass are schooling and making lots of noise, however, not a good casting choice otherwise.
SIDE ARM
A better choice for fishing from a kayak is casting side arm. Now, instead of casting above the shoulders, an angler is casting from the side below the shoulder. A low cast also makes for better casting angles where an angler can put the lure in the optimum location to get a strike when retrieved.
Overhanging tree limbs and boat docks are common obstacles when it comes to fishing, but also open a window of opportunity. By positioning the kayak where the angler can cast side arm low to the surface, an angler can angle the lure to skip like a rock on top of the surface imitating a bait fish skipping across the surface inciting a bass to strike. The best lures to skip have a cylindrical shape with little or no appendages like jigs, tubes or Texas-rigged soft plastic lures.
PITCHIN’/FLIPPIN’
Casting techniques like pitching and flipping can be done in a kayak, but it does take some practice when sitting down. Similar to casting side arm, pitching and flipping keeps the lure close to the surface and allows for a quiet presentation. To get better control, kayak anglers will typically downsize from a long flippin’ stick to a medium/heavy action 6'6".
Positioning of the kayak before casting can make a significant difference in having a good presentation. The best angle is to keep the kayak with the front towards where you are casting. Not only does that help the angler cast, but will allow for a good hook set with both shoulders facing forward.
Just like in a boat, a kayak angler can cast overhead, side arm, flip or pitch from a sitting position. Sure standing on a raised platform has its advantages, but so does sitting low in the water. The lower angle allows kayak anglers a better trajectory making a quiet presentation easier and more productive with any casting technique.
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