Kayak fishing engagement.
Who else here thinks that we need to be focusing on reducing the barrier to entry for kayak fishing?
I am in no way thinking that we need to change a much if anything about any of the major tournaments or even other existing trails. I do however think that a lot of trails have started out in a manner that anyone coming in with a kayak, paddle, and 1 or 2 fishing rods believed they could be competitive. Now it seems like there is this perception that you need to drop 10,000 before even starting (whether it is necessary or not it feels like the norm).
For this reason, in my opinion, we need a lot more small scale events. And I mean a lot of events. These events should be created with the following characteristics to keep the barrier to entry lower.
- Relatively low entry fee
- Have them everywhere so people can find one close and not need to travel far
- Smaller lakes (more beginner friendly)
- No motors
- Limited Electronics
- Easy to organize and lowkey
- Inviting
It would be great if some of the bigger kayak organizations created mini trails in areas within their operating range. Smaller trails would mean less travel and could have a different rule set to reduce the barriers.
I love my fully rigged kayak and I am excited to try out my new motor but if I thought I needed all that when I started I would have been hesitant to start. I also enjoy fishing tournaments trails. I have won AOY 3 different years but then other years I barely competed because of how expensive and tiring the travel is. Those years I would have loved to have some lowkey and local events to take part in even if it meant dressing down my tournament rig.