A Guide to Canoe and Kayak Camping Camping is as popular as it ever has been, but there’s nothing like combining your passion for the great outdoors with a kayaking trip on the open waters. Kayaking is just an outstanding sport, whether you’re enjoying a quiet lake, a swift-moving river, or any other waterway. There’s nothing like paddling, floating, relaxing and fishing your favorite spot, cooking a meal over an open fire, and enjoying an evening out under the stars. Of course, if you’re a beginner there are things you’ll need to remember before taking your first trip. Check out this guide to canoe and kayak camping for the beginner, and learn about the best products for your first trip into the wilds and waterways of America. Kayak Camping Kayak camping is more than hauling your gear to the water and going on a trip. In a true excursion of this kind, you use your water vehicle (kayak or canoe) to actually get to your campsite. You’ll travel the waterways, choosing a new campsite every day while you carry all you need with you. It’s a true adventure if you take the right preparatory steps. Canoes vs. Kayaks While canoes and kayaks use similar techniques to move on the waters, the two vehicles are quite different. Canoes are open vehicles that see you sitting up high, on a bench, and paddling with a single blade paddle. In a kayak, you’re sitting much lower to the water in a closed design, with a double-bladed paddle. In addition, canoes offer you more storage space for your camping trip, and they tend to be more stable—you can, with care, stand up inside a canoe without capsizing it. On the other hand, the extra storage space isn’t covered, so your gear will be much more susceptible to getting ruined by moisture. Kayaks are lighter, faster, and maneuver easier, but you can’t stand up inside them, and they offer less storage. Still, that storage they do offer tends to be more enclosed. You’ll need to consider your needs before making a choice. Tips for Kayak and Canoe Camping The first step in your outdoor adventure is to properly plan your trip. Carefully plan your route and if it’s your first trip, pick one that’s likely to be an easy ride, offering calm waters and relative safety. You can take more exciting adventures as you get more experienced. Keep it light and stressful, for safety’s sake and to maximize your enjoyment. Make a checklist of all the gear you need and all the steps you need to take and follow that checklist closely. Don’t be afraid to add to the list as you think of new things. It can’t be detailed enough. When you’ve gathered your gear, organize it and pack it, and go over it several times to be certain you haven’t missed anything. Be careful how you load the boat. The more you load it up, the more differently it will handle, and you want to be careful that everything is properly balanced. In addition, make sure that someone knows where you’ll be and when, and always go with a friend. Never go into the wilds alone. Choosing the Right Kayak or Canoe When you’re setting up your trip, it’s vital that you pick the right canoe. For more experienced paddlers, you might consider the ultra-sleek and quick Razorlite kayak. This kayak can get up to 6mph! However, we also recommend something from the Explorer series if you’re looking for something that can be paddled in both whitewater and flat water adventures. If you plan on camping, overnight trips or just plain need the extra storage space, the 420x is the kayak for you! If it’s a canoe you’re looking for, check out the Sea Eagle Travel Canoe for your next trip, and check out our website for our full range of vehicles, accessories and other supplies to take your kayak camping trip to the next level.

Top Fishing Spots in the U.S Summertime and fishing go hand-in-hand in many places, and sport fishermen are always looking for their next big catch. The best fishermen looking for outstanding outdoor adventures are willing to travel and find the prime spots across the nation to find a quiet afternoon on the waters trying to catch everything from trout to bass, from salmon to catfish and more. Catch the right fish and you could have a great wall mount, or end up cooking a meal that your friends and family will put up against some of the best chefs in the nation! Here are some of the best fishing spots in the United States, and discover the boat you’ll need to make the most out of your next water-based outdoor excursion. Best Fishing Spots in the United States Ask any two fishermen about the best fishing spots in the United States, and you’ll likely get two very different answers. Everyone has their favorite spot, and they can vary wildly based on what you’re looking to catch, what time of year it is, and a range of other factors. Still, here are some of the best-ranked spots for your sport or meal fishing this year. Florida Keys Just off the southern coast of Florida is a veritable paradise for sport fishing. Here you can find such species as bonefish, redfish, tarpon, snook and others. The deep seas in the Gulf Stream can even pull in fish like marlin, swordfish and saltfish. If you come up dry, you can always head to some of the best restaurants for seafood in the nation just on shore. North Carolina Outer Banks The Outer Banks of North Carolina offers a complete range of different fishing experience. You can surf fish, charter a boat on the open ocean, or try your hand at any of the dozens of quiet inlets and lagoons, which are filled with fish like flounder, sea bass, trout, skates, rays, and others. Kona, Hawaii Kona is hands-down the sport-fishing capital of Hawaii. Just off the shores of the big island you’ll find serene calm waters opening up deep sea fishing options just a few miles off the harbor. Catch tuna, mahi mahi, ono, and even sharks and big-game bottom fish. Martha’s Vineyard Not every fishing hotspot is tropical. In fact, Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts is among the most popular seaside destinations in New England. It also offers a great opportunity to catch bonito, false albacore, striped bass and many others. Seward & Homer, Alaska About 2.5 hours southeast of the main city of Anchorage, Seward and Homer are home to the prized Alaskan halibut and Alaskan King Salmon. Few fish can rival the taste of both – and it’s why commercial fishing is one of the top industries in Alaska. There are several hidden gems throughout Alaska that offer up every type of fisherman’s dream – from calm, beautiful bays to choppy rivers. Finding the Right Boat Of course, if you’re going to fish on the waters instead of the surf, you’ll need the right boat for the job. For that, choose our Sea Eagle FishSkiff 16. Designed for 1 or 2 passengers, this motor boat offers super-tough double-layer hull, swivel fishing seats, rod holders, and is capable of taking up to a 6 horsepower motor. It’s the ideal choice for exploring the best fishing spots in the United States and reeling in the catch of your dreams. Check out our complete product list, and get in touch with us for more information on outfitting your next fishing expedition today!