Page 11 - 2019 MAY/JUNE Outdoor Oklahoma

ANDREA CREWS/ODWC rigging. When learning to fish from a kayak, experts say you
need to start with very simple equipment. Learn to use this
equipment and then add more equipment, as needed, later in
your fishing career. Many of the kayaks marketed as fishing
kayaks have built-in rigging. This is a good entryway into the
sport. If a fishing kayak comes with the rigging already in
place, it likely has 90 percent of everything you really need.
• PADDLE VS. PEDAL: There is debate among anglers over ped-
al-powered fishing kayaks vs. paddle-powered fishing kayaks.
Some prefer the quiet, natural feel of paddling to pedaling like a
bicycle. It is more serene, and some say it is easier. Pedal fishing
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST kayaks are just like riding a bicycle. People who do not have as
much upper-body strength may have an easier time pedaling.
FISHING KAYAK However, there should be a paddle on board either way.
• SIT-IN VS. SIT-ON: Many anglers prefer a sit-in style. The
Ultimately, the best fishing kayak is the one you can buy sit-in allows anglers to reach equipment a lot more easily. The
right now. You can spend days comparing every detail, but all downside of the sit-in version is that it is harder to get into
that will do is keep you from getting out in nature and enjoying and out of. So, if you plan on doing a lot of wading, where
yourself. Decide on your budget and figure out what products you would have to get in and out a lot, or have difficulty with
are out there that are within your reach. Here are suggestions mobility, then sitting on top might be better for you.
to help you with your choice. • STABILITY: When it comes to shapes, kayak designers do not
• LENGTH AND WIDTH: Generally, the longer the waterline have a one-size-fits-all mentality. There are slight variations that
length, the faster the kayak will go. This means that if you affect overall performance. Choose the design that is the easiest
anticipate having to paddle long distances to get to your favor- for you to use. If you are a beginner or you frequent rougher
ite fishing locations, a 15- or 16-foot fishing kayak will get you waters, consider a wider kayak, which is designed to be more
there faster than a 10- or 12-foot kayak. A wider kayak offers stable. Upswept bows are designed to overcome waves.
additional stability, but can be more cumbersome to maneuver. Regardless of the kayak you choose, safety should always
• FISHING KAYAK TYPES: The main thing separating come first.
a “kayak for fishing” from any other kind of kayak is the (Kayak Review and Necky Kayaks)

Outdoor Calendar FOR NEW UPDATES TO THE OUTDOOR CALENDAR,
PLEASE VISIT THE DEPARTMENT’S
WEBSITE: WWW.WILDLIFEDEPARTMENT.COM/CALENDAR.HTM

MAY 2019 JUNE 2019
3–4 Bird Migration Tours, Hackberry Flat WMA, reservations at 1 Oklahoma City free fishing day, no city permit required.
(405) 990-4977. 1–2 Oklahoma Free Fishing Days, no state license required.
4 Oklahoma City free fishing day, no city permit required. 2 “Outdoor Oklahoma” TV, American Burying Beetle,
4–7 Red Slough Birding Convention, Idabel, 8 a.m., OETA.
www.redsloughconvention.com. 3 Okla. Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting,
5 “Outdoor Oklahoma” TV, Elmer Thomas Bass Fishing, 9 a.m., Oklahoma City.
8 a.m., OETA. 8 Breeding Bird Tour, Hackberry Flat WMA, reservations at
6 Okla. Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting, (405) 990-4977.
9 a.m., Oklahoma City. Women in the Outdoors, NWTF Heart of Oklahoma Struttin’
12 “Outdoor Oklahoma” TV, Butterflies and Pollinators, Hens, Arcadia CEA, (405) 390-9945.
8 a.m., OETA. 9 “Outdoor Oklahoma” TV, Ponca City Fisherman, 8 a.m., OETA.
19 “Outdoor Oklahoma” TV, Red Cockaded Woodpeckers, 16 “Outdoor Oklahoma” TV, TBA, 8 a.m., OETA.
8 a.m., OETA.
Okla. Striped Bass Assn. meeting, 7 p.m., Zebco, Tulsa, 18 Okla. Striped Bass Assn. meeting, 7 p.m., Zebco, Tulsa,
(918) 639-8114. (918) 639-8114.
22 Controlled Hunts application period closes. 23 “Outdoor Oklahoma” TV, TBA, 8 a.m., OETA.
26 “Outdoor Oklahoma” TV, Striped Bass Seining, 8 a.m., OETA. 30 “Outdoor Oklahoma” TV, TBA, 8 a.m., OETA.
• Ducks Unlimited events set in Norman, May 2; Wagoner County, May • Friends of NRA events set in McAlester, June 1; Norman, June 13.
11; Weatherford, May 17. Info: www.ducks.org/Oklahoma/events. Info: www.FriendsOfNRA.org.
• Friends of NRA events set in Yukon, May 4; Durant, May 11; Ponca • Ducks Unlimited events set in Wagoner County, June 15; Oklahoma
City, May 18. Info: www.FriendsOfNRA.org. City, June 21. Info: www.ducks.org/Oklahoma/events.
• National Wild Turkey Federation events set in Altus, May 11. • National Wild Turkey Federation events set in Ardmore, June 8;
Info: www.nwtf.org/events. Sapulpa, June 15. Info: www.nwtf.org/events.
** FOR HUNTING SEASON DATES, GO TO WWW.WILDLIFEDEPARTMENT.COM/HUNTING/SEASONS **

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