We've all seen it. The stoked new guy asking an innocent question about what kayak/ reel/pfd/sunscreen to buy. Then everybody's biased opinions start flying, arguments erupt and Mr. Newbie isn't so stoked anymore. The water is indeed muddy. As much as online group fishing pages and forums seem the right place for advice, they are not. Few people are willing to be honest and try to help. Someone is always going to try to sell you on what they use. They could be right, they could be wrong. How do you know? Well, here's some suggestions.
DEMO
The best answer to your questions about what gear to get is hands on experience. These days it's pretty easy to line up a kayak demo but kayaks aren't the only thing you should demo. Clothing, tackle, fishfinders and everything else are easier to assess by going to a retailer and putting them in your hands. Asking about something online and then putting in an order can often result in a hard lesson learned. The only way to figure out what is best for you is to try out the options. A kayak demo can be eye opening. Handling a reel in the store can make you change your mind. It doesn't matter what anyone else uses, it matters what works for you.TRIM THE FAT
Okay, so you know you need to go check some stuff out but how do you narrow it all down? The choices are endless, so start at the top. Industry names that are trusted and time-proven are your best place to start. They say imitation is the best form of flattery but the originals usually do it best. Look at things like the warranties offered, top-seller lists and what anglers who win big tournaments are using. These type of things will say much about a product. If you are on a particular budget, make a list of the most important items and spend as much as possible on those. When it comes to things like the right kayak and being safe in it...don't skimp on dollars there. A good way to make your budget more efficient is by checking out the DIY videos on YouTube and seeing what things you might be able get cheaper. Narrow your selections down to a few quality products, go check 'em out, then weigh the personal pros/cons of each product for you.
THE RIGHT RESEARCH
Okay, so obviously online research isn't completely useless. Here are some ways to do it the right way. First, go to an online retailer and check for reviews on the product. Some of these can be eye opening and they are generally not from sponsored anglers. However, on the flip side...take a look at who the company sponsors. If a guy who has won the bassmaster classic is repping something, I'm a lot more likely to be interested. An angler who has experience with many products and has narrowed it down themselves should have good input especially a successful big tournament angler. Also, go to the company's web page and look at product specs, look at what materials they use. Lastly, there are videos out there showing every product you could think of in action. Once you see why and how something works, it's easier to make a decision on if it would work for you.
DON'T JOIN A PRO-STAFF (right away)
One big mistake I'm seeing these days is people who want to join a pro-staff as soon as they start kayak fishing. It's getting easier to do because some companies take advantage of the hunger by signing people up for a discount on a product that is sometimes below par and other times completely unproven. You need to figure out what is BEST for you as an angler if you want your game to excel. Repping a product just because you want to rep a product and then promoting it to other anglers is a detriment to yourself and others. In the end, will you be standing by the product you recommended to other anglers? Would you sell out for a better deal? These are questions you won't have to ask yourself if you develop yourself as an angler first. The only way to get the right direction for a pro-staff is by patience and experience on the water. Once you found the certain item that you truly believe in (and have had success with)so much you think you could sell it, then consider pro-staff options... whether it be a big company or your strange brother pouring custom jigs in his garage. If you are a new kayak angler eager to make a name in the sport then remember only you can make a name for yourself by honing your skills. Don't let a little ego-boosting attention limit you to a certain product until you are certain what products make you the best angler you can be. The water is muddy and there will always be different strokes for different folks but if your heart and passion lies in the sport of kayak fishing then shoot for the stars--not just bright lights.
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