New kayakers haven’t learned how to trust their kayak yet. Many are still learning how to fish. The common solution is to look for added stability for your kayak. One of the most common choices is to add outriggers to your kayak. But are they the right choice for your kayak? Are outriggers the best solution for the fishery you’re kayaking? If we start with the details, you can discover if they will be the best option for you.
Exactly what are Outriggers?
According to Medium Webster
outrigger: noun
1 a: a projection with a float or a shaped log at the end attached to a boat to prevent capsizing
b: a spar or projecting beam runs out from a ship’s side to help secure the masts or from a mast to extend a rope or sail
2: a boat equipped with an outrigger
3: a projecting member runs out from a main structure to provide additional stability or to support something especially : a projecting frame to support the elevator or tailplanes of an airplane or the rotor of a helicopter
To put it simply, Outriggers are floats attached to one or both sides of your vessel that can help stabilize your kayak.
Why would you want outriggers on your kayak?
They are most popular among newer kayakers who are still learning the nuances of a sensitive vessel such as the fishing kayak.
Some of the “cheaper” kayaks are considered less stable and can be upgraded to provide better stability by incorporating outriggers.
Kayaking in large, open waters (such as the ocean) leave even the most dependable kayaks vulnerable to capsizing. A large wave, à water creature comparable in size or larger than the kayak can produce turbulence altering the kayaks position unexpectedly.
I admit quite frequently that I am a klutz. While the outriggers are not a guarantee of remaining upright, they provide a bit more security for my outings when I am distracted or using one of my smaller vessels. I don’t use them every time I kayak, but they are readily available for me on any outing I feel I might need a bit of extra support.
When do you use outriggers?
That is a very personal question every kayaker has to decide for herself. As I mentioned, I use them frequently, but not all the time.
When I was new to kayaking I didn’t know about outriggers yet. Learning the nuances of the sport; discovering the intricacies of paddling, fishing from an unstable surface, and maneuvering around much larger vessels that didn’t want me there; I could have put the to substantial use.
The waterways can be ruff and somewhat unpredictable at times. Depending on the kayak I take out, those ruff waters can be challenging enough to make for a disappointing day if I have to focus so much on my stability that I can’t enjoy my fishing. Especially when I’m surrounded by a lot of bass boats that see me more as a mosquito interfering with their outdoors activities than as a fellow angler trying to share the public waters available to us all, I can’t always position myself at 45 degrees for every wake.
Kayak safety class
These are just some of the examples of when outriggers would be a good addition to your kayak.
When do you not want outriggers?
Many kayakers will tell you to never use outriggers. They imply that you’re using a stroller and acting like a baby afraid of the water and undeserving of a kayak if you use outriggers.
Sounds rather harsh, doesn’t it?
Well, that is their intent. With the rise of social media there has become a growing trend of belittling and bullying that has spread even into the world of kayaking. That is why I want to dispel these judgemental myths and ensure you have access to the safety measures and confidence you need to conquer whatever outdoors adventure you’re undertaking.
This in mind, remember that every outing is your personal adventure and only you can decide exactly how much in the way of safety features you need. For me, there’s generally 3 factors that cause me to decide not to take my outriggers.
1
Extremely shallow creeks with a lot of overhanging brush or foliage growing out of the water causes obstacles that can easily be tangled around the hull of the outrigger.
2
There are a few creeks I frequently fish that have very narrow passages. While I could pull the outriggers up to condense my profile, I prefer to stay focused of my paddling and fishing so frequently choose to leave the outriggers home when I’ll be fishing these select locations.
3
A couple of my kayaks are exceptionally wide and stable but I very rarely stand to fish when using them. With knee issues and a balance issue I am exceptionally cautious when standing in my kayak. Therefore, if I don’t intend to stand while fishing I’m less likely to choose a kayak modified for outriggers.
Before all is said and done…
There’s a few uses for outriggers rarely talked about.
Fishing at night is becoming popular with kayak anglers. Many of us take underwater lights that can be used to attract bait fish. Most commonly anglers put the light directly under their kayak or hang it off the side. If you run the line down the outrigger shaft and attach the light to the bottom of the outrigger you can more easily fish the entire circumference of you trap and keep a closer watch on approaching predator fish.
If you film your fishing adventures, many of today’s outriggers have a GoPro attachment built in. DIY outriggers can be fashioned with a similar camera mount to allow for drastically more camera angles that keep your gear out of the way as you land your fish.
It’s just like any other modification you choose to make to your kayak
Outriggers are a tool that can be put to many uses. Your imagination is literally your only obstacle. So take these ideas and let your imagination run wild!
For additional ideas on your kayak’s stability, consider these options we’ve discussed previously.
Then tell us about your adventures with outriggers in the Facebook group.
