The morning fog was just lifting off Lake Murray when I secured my first keeper bass of the season. Three pounds of silver-sided beauty, thrashing in the early light - and within seconds, I had a decision to make. Where does this fish go? That question has haunted kayak anglers for as long as we've […]

Staring at your pristine kayak deck, drill in hand, wondering if you're about to make a costly mistake? I've been there. That first hole feels like a commitment – and it is. But here's what two decades of kayak modifications have taught me: drilling holes into a kayak isn't just safe when done correctly, it's […]

It was 5:30 AM on a Saturday when I discovered my fishing license had expired overnight. I had my fishing kayak loaded, coffee in hand, and a prime fishing spot calling my name. The state wildlife office wouldn't open until Monday, but then it hit me - Walmart sells fishing licenses. Twenty minutes later, I […]

I'll never forget gliding through the Emerald Cave for the first time. The morning sun filtered through the arched entrance, turning the water an impossible shade of jade green. A curious sea lion popped up beside my kayak, close enough to spray me with his exhale. That was twelve years ago, and I've been exploring […]

Sleeping soundly on a kayak or canoe trip doesn't happen by accident. After spending over 200 nights camped along shorelines across North America, from the misty coasts of British Columbia to the sun-baked banks of the Suwannee River, I've learned that restful sleep separates memorable adventures from miserable ones. When you wake refreshed, you paddle […]

Few elements transform a relaxing paddle into a survival situation faster than an unexpected increase in wind speed. I learned this lesson the hard way on a spring morning at Lake Travis when calm conditions deteriorated into 25 mph gusts that turned my 12-foot recreational kayak into an uncontrollable sail. What should have been a […]

There's something almost magical about that first cast with a properly set up fishing pole. The line whips out smooth and straight, the lure lands exactly where you intended, and for a moment, everything feels perfectly balanced. But getting to that moment? That took me years of trial, error, and more than a few spectacular […]

Last summer on Lake Travis, I watched a guy load his sit-in kayak with two coolers, camping gear, and his 80-pound golden retriever. The kayak sat so low that water started pouring over the cockpit rim before he even pushed off from shore. That expensive fishing kayak became a submarine in about 30 seconds flat. […]

Every year, millions of people glide across lakes, rivers, and coastlines in kayaks, drawn by the promise of adventure and tranquility. Yet beneath the peaceful surface lies a reality that every paddler must confront: water demands respect. I've spent 15 years navigating everything from glass-calm Texas reservoirs to churning Pacific swells, and I've learned that […]

After talking with hundreds of anglers across the country over the past few years, one thing keeps coming up in conversation: everyone wants to figure out how to make money from fishing without sacrificing the joy that got them hooked in the first place. Whether it is the retiree in Florida who wants to pay […]