Kayak Fishing Interest Expoding in Midwest!

[Marty Hughes]

After 12 years of kayak fishing in Nebraska I am no longer the only kayak fisherman on area ponds and lakes. Everywhere I go people are wanting to know more about them and fish from them. We have a huge following on our Nebraska Fish and Game Forum now. "Demystifying" the fishing kayak has been the most challenging aspect of this fast growing way to catch fish. Just about everyone I guide wants to go out and purchase a kayak right away. Currently, we offer the only Kayak Fishing Tournament in the midwest. We have had one the last three years. The only sad thing is that there is not a lot of opportunity to see the different models available in stores. Sure, Cabelas, Scheels, and Bass Pros carry them but not a great selection. I have referred most clients to stores I know about and trust. It would be cool to be a demo type person here in Nebraska and send the business to a trusted source. I guide frequently and rent our kayaks out quite a bit. I also travel extensively throughout the state participating in tournaments and fishing with friends. I am promoting kayak fishing extensively in our state and bordering states as well. Next week I will have the opportunity to talk on a outdoor show about kayak fishing to a "prime time" audience. It would be nice to send these listeners to a trusted source for purchasing kayaks and accessories. I plan on organizing the Nebraska Plastic Navy very soon! If anyone out there has any ideas please let me know. It is fun to see others kayak fishing!

[JC Cormier]

Hmm. Kayak fishing is still quite new here in Atlantic Canada. I have absolutely NO competition when I go out. I even go duck hunting with it with NOBODY in sight. It's AWESOME!!!!

[Marty Hughes]

Yes, we still have some of that around here too JC. The more populated areas have lots of kayaks on the water. There are still some days on the smaller ponds and lakes where I am the only person on the water in remote areas.

[Jeff Little]

I've watched the same thing happen here in the mid atlantic. We no longer draw stares from the jet boaters on the river. People who used to be on Coleman Crawdads or on the bank are now in kayaks. If your audience next week consists of bass anglers, be sure to mention kayakbassfishing.com. We would love to have more representation from the middle of the country! Nice pics! My vanity plate reads "YAKFISH"

[W. Wade Nichols]

i have been fishing the NE and Central Ohio waters in my Pungo now about 10 years and i can tell you that when i started for the first 4 years i didnt see one other person fishing in a kayak. i think my friends thought i had lost my mind and was taken over by some crazy native american fisherperson... thats a whole other story... anyway, over the last 6 years the number of kayaks period has gone through the roof. and in doing so it seems to have increased the number of yakfishermen right along with it. i would love to see the number go up even more and so i talk to anyone that seems in the least bit interested when im on the ramps. :-)

[Andrew Jarvi]

It's happening Wade, there is a small fleet of us here in Central Ohio, heck there is even a yak fishing section on the OGF Forum!

[M. Wheeler aka Landingcrew]

its a sickness, and i dont want the antidote

[Marty Hughes]

Amen brother!

[Ken Hartman]

Count me in as another NE yak fisherman!  Merritt Reservoir, Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, Ft. Robinson State Partk plus many local ponds/lakes around Omaha.  Any other great spots, please pass on!