Paddlin’ with Madalyn – An Introduction to Kayak Fishing Adventures
Story and photos by Madalyn Roberts
(Editor’s Note: We want to welcome Madalyn Roberts as a regular monthly columnist for CrappieNOW.com. Her subject – fishing from kayaks. If you spend any time on the water at all, you’ve seen it happen. In a 2024 “Special Report on Fishing,” from “Take Me Fishing,” it was reported that in 2024 kayak fishing made up 7 percent of all fishing trips in the United States — up from 4 percent a decade earlier. That translates to more than 67 million annual kayak-fishing outings in the United States. If you count yourself among those ranks, or you are thinking of joining them, you will look forward to “Paddlin’ With Madalyn” every month in CrappieNOW.com.)
Hello and welcome to Paddlin’ with Madalyn— a creative think space where I, your columnist, Madalyn Roberts will take time each month to share tips, tricks, and techniques I’ve learned in recent years in my endeavors in fishing for crappie from a kayak.
One of the key takeaways I hope readers will gain is that kayak fishing can be such an accessible way to immerse oneself in nature. It is a sacred opportunity to subtract oneself from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, tapping into an alternate universe of sorts. Fishing has been a welcome hall pass to leave all my problems on the shore and dial into nature’s way of being.
Not to mention is way less expensive than investing in a $40,000 bass boat.
I invested in my first “fishing” kayak in 2021 and things admittedly escalated rather quickly from there. Before I got to the point of pursuing fishing seriously, however, the preceding years were spent paddling smaller creeks and waterways in a bright yellow Lifetime sit-in recreational kayak similar to this – just about as basic as they come. With a hatch for a cooler in the back, and bungee cross straps on the front to secure a small tackle bag, it had everything I needed at the time to get out on the water and explore, which many times meant wetting a line along the way.
Determining the preferred method of fishing will, in many cases, help you decide what type of kayak is most suitable for you. In my case, when I zeroed in on crappie fishing and decided to invest in a fishing kayak, I knew I would be long lining for crappie. That meant I required a kayak with a track system to mount rod holders – and a kayak that could accommodate a trolling motor to maintain continuous motion.
I landed on a gently used NuCanoe Frontier 12 found for sale by owner locally – mostly because I was impressed with its stability and customizability. In both regards, it continues to impress me on each trip.
The other aspect to take into consideration when buying a kayak is the method of transport. A recreational kayak can be easily hoisted atop a vehicle and strapped down on racks, or just putting it in the bed of a pickup truck. I find, however, that my Frontier 12 – which weighs 80 lbs. stripped bare – is only manageable for me with the use of a trailer.
Other factors to be taken into consideration include method of propulsion, how much weight can be lifted (if this is an issue), and preference regarding seat position— sitting in or on top of the kayak.
All this to say, kayak fishing is certainly not a one-size-fits-all activity, although it is certainly accessible to most folks especially at places like Reelfoot Lake State Park – Kirby Pocket where a brand new, ADA-accessible kayak launch ramp makes a day on the water within reach for just about anyone ready and willing.
Besides providing the reader each month with practical insights into kayak crappie fishing, the other goal of the column is for readers to understand that in all my kayak fishing adventures, it’s never really been just about fishing.
Something about being out on a body of water in a kayak makes me feel like I am an extension of the environment – and environment of which I find myself continuously in awe, and not simply an outsider looking in. Each opportunity out on the water surely serves as an invitation to the gift of peace and quiet Mother Nature offers to all of us, if only we are willing to seek out the adventure.
Madalyn Roberts is originally from Kansas City, Missouri although she considers herself a southern transplant having lived in Kentucky for 16 years. She serves her Louisville community by working for a non-profit organization facilitating free home repairs for elderly and disabled homeowners. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors in all capacities, especially fishing, hiking, & camping.
