How to Choose a Trolling Motor

A successful day of fishing depends on a trolling motor. Modern trolling motors do more than just stealthy maneuver the boat. Some have the features like GPS integration and more.
If you’re hesitated on how to choose a trolling motor, this article is for you. By reading this article, you’ll come to know the basics of choosing the best trolling motor for your boat. Let’s dig into it.

How to Choose a Trolling Motor - 8 Things to Consider

1. Mounting type
   Bow-mount motors: Bow-mounting provides better control and maneuverability. It is equipped with the most advanced features and a wide range of control options.
   
   These motors are mounting to the front of the boat with a bolt-on bracket.
   
   Transom-mount motors: it mounts to the back of the boat with a clamp-on bracket. It features hand control and ideal for dinghies, canoes, and smaller boats.
   It is great for standard trolling and normal positioning.
   
   Engine mount motors: No deploying is required for this type of mounting. Mount to the cavitations plate of your inboard/outboard to keep the deck clear of your boat.
   
   
2. Thrust Probably the most important thing when you’re looking for a trolling motor is how much thrust will your boat need. Thrust is the Ibs standard to measure how powerful a motor is. It is measured in pounds.
   The larger your boat, the more thrust you need to be satisfied on the water.
   We recommend you to avoid purchasing a trolling motor with too little thrust.
   
   Board specific thrust charts:
   
3. Fishing conditions Fishing condition also plays a huge important role to take the right decision. In the case of fishing in the smooth lake water with no current, you might be able to stick to the listed minimum thrust without any problem.
   
   O the other hand, if you like to spend huge time in fast moving water with significant currents or waves, move up one or two level in thrust for ensuring ample power in all conditions.
   
   If you want to fish for multiple days without recharging, consider stepping up with a higher voltage motor that provides higher thrust. It provides you significant more run time.
   
   
4. Boat weight and size Boat weight and size is another important consideration when choosing a trolling motor. A general rule of thumb is you need a 2Ibs of thrust for every 100Ibs.
   
   Do not forget to calculate the total weight including the maximum number of passengers, fuel, and fully loaded with gear.
   
   If you don’t sure about the weight of your boat, follow the NADA boat directory.
   
   
5. Shaft length It’s important to choose the proper shaft length because if it too short, the prop may not be submerged sufficiently.
   
   Our recommendation for you to submerge the motor’s center section at least 12 inches
   
   
6. Power consumption and battery “What type of battery to buy” is one of the most confusing aspects to select a trolling motor. There are two types of battery- AGM batteries and deep cycle marine batteries.
   
   Deep cycle marine batteries are designed for re-charging associated with trolling motor. This can be your budget friendly battery. These types of batteries last at most 3 years.
   
   You can purchase these standard lead-acid wet cell batteries for less than $100.
   
   The second choice is the AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) battery. These are made using a glass plate and a gel like substance. AGM batteries last longer than the other one.
   
   Because of the adequate performance and long lasting durability, your budget may be little tight.
   
   
7. Motor style Electric steer motors: For being intuitive and innovative, these models offer you more control options and positioning technologies like i-pilot and i-pilot link. These motors ensure you less time messing with your boat and more time fishing.
   
   Cable steer motors: As cable steer motors are rugged and responsive, these motors require direct link between the motor and the foot pedal.
   
   It provides extra protection from things like stumps to the bass fishermen who used to excel in shallow water.
   
   Hand control motors: are equipped with a tiller handle for responsive control. This type of motors combines industry-leading Minn Kota technology with the traditional steering to give you greater control and precise maneuverability.
   
   
8. Technology and additional features What technologies matter to your decision?
   
   i-PILOT: command speed and steering, record and retrace paths, and use GPS to lock on to fishing spots- all from a wireless remote & an LCD screen.
   
   i-Pilot link: provides all the features of i-PILOT and the ability to connect Minn Kota trolling motor to your hummingbird fish finder that will give you a fully-integrated fishing experience.
   
   Universal sonar 2: provides interface free sonar performance and helps you to get streamlined.
   
   Autopilot allows you to stay on any heading you want. It helps your boat to stay on course when the motor automatically corrects waves, current, and wind. 

Hope this will help you choosing a trolling motor. If you’re still confused about it, you can take help by visiting the site kayakfisherly.com.
Also feel free to consult with the experienced fishermen for choosing the right one. Best of luck.

How to Choose a Kayak Paddle

After selecting the best kayak, the paddle has a huge impact on your performance on the water. Selecting the right size of paddle is more of an art. A proper paddle can make the difference in every stroke.
To choose a kayak paddle, you have to consider a few things. What are they? Take a look.

How to Choose a Kayak Paddle: 10 Things to Consider

 

1.      Durability and material
Shaft Material: Among various materials, we recommend you to choose the aluminum. As the plastic shafts became rare, the aluminum shafts are budget friendly, serviceable, and durable.
One more thing, we suggest you to glove-up because these shafts can get really hot or cold.
Carbon and fiberglass shafts are also durable. Paddlers adore them for their lightweight. These can be your efficient paddle option. The price is also worth it.

Blade material: Plastic blades are often chosen by the recreational paddlers as they are low-price leader. These are creakable and degrade in the sun. Plastic blades are flexible but not stroke-efficient.
Fiberglass blades are excellent in performance and middle in the price range. More durable and lightweight than plastic.
Carbon-fiber blades: If you want top performance, you can pay top dollar for carbon-fiber.

2.      Paddle length and sizing for different kayak
Its surprisingly straightforward to figure out the right length of paddle. Your paddle need to be long according to your boat’s width. Your own height is another factor, if you have a narrow boat. Long ones are for taller paddlers.
So paddles are made considering these two factors. If you fall between two sizes, we recommend you to to go shorter.

3.      Paddle shape
Modern paddle blades feature an asymmetrical dihedral shape. It is relatively narrow ans shorter one side. That helps it angle so that the surface area become more uniform when pushing though water.
Dihedral blade allows water to flow over both halves of it smoothly. As a result, it’s not very difficult to track straight.
Because of being lighter, narrow blades gives comfort in long stretches of paddling. Helpful for a long or multiday trip.
Wider blades provide powerful strokes that make your acceleration quicker. Most kayak riders prefer them for this feature.
Some of the specialized blades feature J-shaped notch for retrieving snared fishing lines and hooks.

4.      Paddling category
Low-angle: low-angle paddling is the another name of relaxed paddling. It’s ideal for casual recreational paddling and touring. It will not tire you although it’s not powerfull enough. Low angle paddling demands a longer paddle.
Low angle is the most common style. Most paddlers use this as this is comfortable.

High-angle: this is a more aggrasive paddling style for generating more powerful strokes. It demands a shorter paddle.
Subtract 10cm from your paddle if you want high-angle paddling.

5.      Seat height
Sit-on-top kayaks contains seats that sit little higher above the water level. This is common fact for fishing kayaks that have both high and low sitting conditions.
If you want to paddle sitting high, consider adding 8-10cm to compromise the distance from the water.

6.      Shaft design
Two types of shaft- straight shaft and bent shaft. The bent shaft paddles feature a “kinked” section that positions your hand s in more comfortable position during the power portion of a stroke, prevents fatigue and discomfort in your joints.
I recommend you to adjust your stroke technique if you’re switching from a straight shaft to a bent shaft.

7.      Blade design
It is quite complex to suggest about blade shapes. It can be simplified by depending on where you paddle.
For cruising on lakes or other flat water, long and skinny blades are the best.
Choose shorter and wider blades for surfing in river or shallow water.

8.      Weight
The weight of a paddle should be lighter that means less fatigue in your joints in a long day canoeing. Not only weight, but also consider the strength and flexibility before shopping.
In the case of flat water canoeing, a flexible paddle can help to absorb shock with each stroke.

9.      Performance
We suggest you to find high-tech paddles if you want the latest in paddling innovation. Lightweight performance paddles are manufactured to help reduce fatigue, swing weight so that you can concentrate on the adventure ahead.

10. Budget
After all these facts, budget is another core factor choosing a paddle. You may have to pay about $150 on average if you want to buy fiberglass models.
If you want to spend money on lightweight carbon paddles, you may have to cost among $275 and $500. We recommend you to select a lightweight paddle.

 

Conclusion

That’s all the factors to how to choose a kayak paddle. Consider these factors if you want the best paddle for your kayak.

You can visit this site for more help (kayakfisherly.com). Feel free to take advice from the experts. Happy paddling!

Inflatable Kayaking Tips for Beginners

One of the greatest senses of freedom paddling down a river is in your kayak.

This article will cover a number of the lesser touched upon inflatable kayaking tips for beginners which will facilitate your benefit and revel in the foremost from this excellent sport.

Preparation & Packing for Kayaking

Wear a life jacket

Wearing a life jacket or personal floatation device (PFD) when on the water in a kayak is strongly advised. Most will insist that children under a specific age must wear a life vest or PFD, usually 13 years old.

Learning how to get in-out of a kayak

There are a variety of basic techniques on a way to get in and out of your inflatable kayak. It’s worth spending it slow learning these techniques on solid ground before embarking on your first paddle.

We recommend you attend a kayaking course.

Once you have got a basic understanding of the techniques, find an acceptable area on the shore of a river and practice.

Inflate the kayak

Use a pump with a pressure gauge to inflate your kayak. Always be careful of the correct air pressure.

Adjust the seating and footrest on dry land before starting your first kayaking too.

Carry Food and Water

Take food and water according to the time you’ll stay on water. We recommend you for putting a small bottle of water and some energy bars in your dry bag before starting off.

Kayakinguses a lot of calories to paddle distance.

Efficiency and performance

After completing the kayaking course and gathering all necessary preparation and packings, its the time now to Choose the right kayak and hit the water.

Adjust Kayak settings

Making proper seating arrangements for traveling a long distance can give you efficient paddling.

Check whether your inflatable kayak model comes with a 2 or 3 seating arrangement. Adjust the seating position according to your height using the footrests or footpegs.

Some kayaks include foot straps instead of footrests can also be used for adjusting your seating.

Start kayaking

Stroke forward to start paddling by using your arms and torso. Make sure that your kayak and paddle stay together using a paddle leash

Few kayaks model include the skeg that is used to make your travel path straight. Commonly used while traveling into the crosswind.

Remember- keep your accessories like a camera, cellphone, GPS, and more other accessories in a waterproof bag.

Safety and experience

Don’t try to go far from the land before you’re fully confident with your techniques of paddling, and stability.

Choose a partner who is experienced in kayaking.

Exposure to the sun for a long period of time can cause sunburn. Mosquito and bugs can make your journey miserable. For avoiding these, you can carry bug repellent and sunscreen lotion with you.

Carry waterproof bandaids for cuts, owies, and blisters. Waterproof matches can help you start a fire if needed.

Keep a kayak repair kit that came with your inflatable kayak. Also, keep a blige pump to get excess water out of your vehicle if needed.

Take some of the water purifying tablets available at any store and it is easy to use.

Wear kayak paddling gloves

You will surely thank me for this recommendation. The skin between your thumb and index will start to chafe and blister, if your padding length lasts a little long.

There’s a tonne of paddling gloves to settle on from and wearing a pair of kayak paddling gloves will ensure it slow on the water is more enjoyable.

Do’s and Don’ts of Inflatable kayaking

Do’s

●     Inform where you’re going and the approximate time of returning to someone.

●     Always keep less weight in the front and more weight at the back.

●     Make sure that all of your essential kits are put in a waterproof bag.

●     Inflate your kayak to its full capacity. It could be sluggish if not blown fully with air.

●     As you’re going to start as a beginner, keep the shoreline well in your sight and don’t go far in the ocean or lake.

●     Also, pack extra warm cloth in your bag that can avoid any unexpected situation.

Don’ts

●     Do not bring alcohol with you when you go to kayaking. It plays the leading role in kayaking-related deaths.

●     Do not drink the ocean or lake water. Use water purifying tablets in emergency situations.

●     When exploring wildlife in a natural environment, do not harm or disturb any animal.

●     Do not drag your vehicle over rocks and gravel. Lift it over your shoulder in this type of route.

●     Don’t collide the head with any sharp object.

Hopefully we’ve discussed the inflatable tips for the beginners step by step.

Although a number of the following pointers don't seem to be essential to follow, they'll make sure that your first paddle in an inflatable kayak may be a more enjoyable one.

Stay safe and happy paddling!