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The History of Kayak Fishing Eskimos invented kayaks four thousand years ago and they made their living hunting and fishing from kayaks.  Canoesport pioneered today’s coastal fishing kayak revolution starting in 1983. Our shop has outfitted more kayaks for fishing than any other shop in the world, with thousands of kayak anglers served.  Working directly with the manufacturers, Canoesport has helped design kayaks for fishing Texas waters, with our input originally creating the popular Prism and Tarpon series.  More importantly, we have developed the systems to allow anglers to use and enjoy their boats. What is a Fishing Kayak System? It is more than a plastic kayak with a rod holder screwed on to it!  Just as a motorboat does not work without an engine and trailer, a kayak is useless without the ancillary equipment. The paddle is more important than the boat!  It is the only moving part, so it is critical to have a high quality paddle.  It is your propulsion, steering and brakes and should be lightweight, quiet and very strong.  There is no future in owning a low-grade paddle, as you will quickly want to upgrade to what should have been purchased initially!  Our standard model is constructed of laminated structural fiberglass, with the upgrade to carbon fiber & epoxy.  For those desiring maximum efficiency and quietness, come see the foam-cored performance touring paddles with a straight or neutral  bent shaft.  The neutral bent shaft can be appropriate for individuals with a wrist problem or intend on paddling longer distances at a higher intensity level. How do I get it to and from the water? Unless you only fish in your backyard you will need a safe way to transport your boat without the hassle of a trailer.  Canoesport will assemble and fit a Thule or Yakima Rack System to your vehicle so your kayak, or two or three, will travel at seventy m.p.h. with the A/C and the stereo blasting!  If alone, save your back!  Don't try to dead lift the kayak over your head, use a boat loading device so it can be a one person task to safely load & unload the kayak.  Roll, roll, roll your kayak!   A kayak cart is indispensable when traversing cross country, or across the parking lot.  You can make one pass to waters edge and leave your vehicle in the shade!  This is very important at the end of a long day of catching fish! What else do I need? Since you are the motor, you should be comfortable, well fed and well hydrated to be efficient.  A few items of personal gear can maximize your outdoor experience. We wear the Canoesport Inflatable personal flotation device instead of hot & bulky foam life jackets.   It is custom made for our shop and has six pockets for carrying gear or tackle.  Having no back or sides it offers no restriction of movement, does not interfere with a backrest.  So lightweight and comfortable, you will wear it whenever you are out on the water. You could easily be several miles from your vehicle half way into a day of fishing, so it is necessary to carry lots of food & drinking water.   It is best to keep your center of gravity low, so we have soft coolers made for us that stow below deck out of the sun and wind.  Inside the cooler a special beverage bag is partially frozen and then topped off, providing cold drinking water all day long.  Eat your cookies!  Along with the drinks, pack along sandwiches and snacks to keep your strength up for reeling in the big ones! Safety is of great concern, so be prepared!  In addition to a P.F.D., we are required to carry a noise making devise, and if out from dusk to dawn, a 360 degree white light.  A whistle and L.E.D. deck light meet Coast Guard requirements.  Where do I put my stuff?  Waterproof gear bags are used to keep equipment dry.  Load one with a first aid kit, foul weather gear, flashlight, weather radio, extra hat & sunglasses and personal items.  Smaller items such as wallet, keys and phone are sealed up tight in submersible Aquapac bags. Bag your catch!  We use a fish bag loaded with ice to keep trophy trout, big reds and platter sized flounder fresh for the table.  Come by Canoesport to learn more!