There used to be a time when the only way to steer a kayak was through paddling. However, with the advancement of technology, those days are long behind us. Nowadays, you can even attach an electric motor to your fishing kayak to boost your travel speed significantly.
Using an electric motor for kayak fishing is not that uncommon these days. Many professional anglers choose to go with electric motors solely because of the efficiency it brings to the fishing experience. If you are planning to buy an electric motor for your kayak, this article is for you.
In this article, we will give you a quick rundown of the benefits of using an electric motor so that you can decide for yourself whether you want to invest in it.
Is Getting an Electric Motor Essential for Kayak Fishing?
No, you can still go kayak fishing if your kayak does not have an electric motor. However, this small investment can significantly boost your experience and make everything a lot easier for you. You can move faster and can focus more on catching fishes.
Keep in mind, investing in an electric motor is not a small thing. It can be a bit expensive; however, the performance it offers is often worth the cost. Even a small electric motor can drastically enhance your fishing experience with a kayak.
The Benefits of Electric Motor for Kayak Fishing
In the following section of the article, we will take a look at some of the advantages of installing an electric motor on your kayak.
- Position Control
With a motorized kayak, you will have better control over your boat. By control, we mean the ability to keep your boat stable over a fixed spot and also the option to make swift turns. Because of the excellent level of control, most lure anglers think of the electric motor as an essential part of their kayak.
Besides, most electric motors that you can install in your kayak also come with a GPS function. If you get a motor like that, it will automatically calibrate the power to counteract any current movements or wind flow to hold the position of the boat. So you can fish with your full focus without having to worry about the positioning.
- Navigation Maneuverability
Another great benefit of using a kayak with an electric motor is the ability to navigate tight corners easily. By manually rowing your kayak, you will not be able to turn corners that quickly. You have to either sacrifice your control or speed when turning corners.
However, with electric motors, you can maneuver through snags and creeks without too much trouble. Some units come with an option to adjust the running depth. With this option, you will be able to explore shallow waters that were otherwise inaccessible by rowing manually.
- Stealthy Movement
An electric motor, despite being a machine, causes little to no ruckus as you float across the water. In fact, by rowing manually, you will cause a lot of ripples that can alert the fish of your location. However, the minimal noise produced by electric motors keeps your location entirely hidden.
It even produces little vibration and ensures the fishes stay in their spots and do not flee while you make your way to the fishing location. You can sneak up on fishes easily. This means a kayak with an electric motor allows you to catch more fishes and find better success on your trip.
- Safe and Secure
An underrated benefit of electric motors is how they serve as a backup power source. If you have a boat with an outboard motor, and if the motor malfunctions for some reason, you can easily switch to the electric motor. This would allow you to reach a safe spot instead of being stranded on the river.
That is why, for long kayaking trips, it is recommended to keep an electric motor as an alternate source of power. Even if you are rowing manually, you can switch to an electric motor if you are rowing through shallow waters to give your hands some much-needed rest.
- Easy to Use
An electric motor is also quite easy to use. Since they use rechargeable batteries for power, you do not need to keep investing in new sets of batteries. This means the upkeep and maintenance costs for these units are almost non-existent. You will not have to worry about fuel costs if you go on fishing trips regularly.
In addition, you can easily switch your electric motor to another kayak if you want. If you buy a new kayak or are planning to go on a different one, you can instantly detach the motor from the old boat and install it in the new one. Controlling an electric motor is also highly intuitive, and even an absolute beginner can handle it.
- Clean Power
If you have to choose between an outboard motor or an electric motor, the latter one is more eco-friendly. You will not be introducing toxic fumes into the environment. Granted, rowing manually is also eco-friendly, but with an electric motor, you will not tire yourself out.
By using an electric motor, you will be able to keep the environment clean and toxin-free. If you fish regularly, then you should already feel a connection to your regular fishing spots. Knowing that you are contributing to the environmental condition of your favorite fishing location is an excellent reward on its own.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, electric motors offer an excellent way to boost the performance and speed of your fishing kayak. The superior level of control it offers is often alone worth buying one for yourself. Installing the electric motor to your kayak is not a difficult task too if you know the steps you have to follow.
We hope our article could help you figure out whether you want to invest in an electric motor for your fishing kayak.
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