Jim Davis, a passionate kayak angler from Kennewick, Washington, is not just a competitor in the sport; he is a dedicated advocate for sustainable fishing practices. With an illustrious career that began at the tender age of three, Davis has transformed his love for fishing into a platform where he actively promotes environmentally responsible practices and engages in international competitions to raise awareness about the importance of preserving aquatic ecosystems.
Hooking a big fish from a kayak is a whole different animal. There’s no deck space, nothing to lean against, and no room for mistakes. According to Mack’s Lure Pro Staff angler Jim Davis, that’s exactly what makes it so addictive. “It’s all about the experience,” Davis says. “It’s really hard to explain to somebody, but once you experience it, people just want to go back to it.”
From salmon and walleye to the occasional surprise sturgeon, Davis has learned that handling big fish from a kayak is about preparation, respect for the fish, and understanding how to manage chaos in a very small space.
For Davis, the biggest difference between kayak fishing and boat fishing isn’t the species it’s the environment. Space is tight, and hooks are always a concern. “Mostly I worry about the care of the fish,” he explains. “And because it’s so tight in a kayak, I don’t want hooks at me.”
His solution is simple and deliberate. When a fish comes boatside, it stays outside the kayak at first. “I try to keep it kind of away from me in a net over the side,” Davis says. “I’ll land the fish and then just hang the net over the side of the boat. I usually put a leg over it to hold the fish there, until I can get my fishing rod put away, get pliers out, get them unhooked, and then once I have everything ready, then I’ll bring the fish into the kayak.”
That extra patience keeps both angler and fish safe and avoids the chaos of a thrashing fish inside a kayak.
Big fish can turn dangerous fast, especially when you’re sitting inches above the water “If you get a big enough fish and it gets a hook in you, like a sturgeon or something like that, it can jerk you right out of the kayak.”
He also stresses the importance of always having a way out. “You always have a knife available in case something happens, and you can get the line cut,” he says. While some anglers rely on fish grippers, Davis keeps things simple. “I pretty much just have a good net and keep my fish in the net until I get the hook out of it.”
Anyone who’s fought a powerful fish from a kayak knows the feeling, you’re no longer just fighting the fish, you’re going wherever it wants to go. “We’re doing what we call a sleigh ride,” Davis laughs. “They pull you around, you’re spinning circles, and you’re trying to adapt to things.” That’s part of the thrill. “Fishing, a kayak’s kind of like playing the drums,” he says. “You’ve got a hand fighting the fish, you’re reeling, you’re pedaling, you’re trying to steer. It’s exciting. It’s a thrill. It’s fun.”
If there’s one technical mistake Davis sees over and over, it’s rod position, especially with really big fish. “Probably the biggest mistake on a really big fish is not keeping the rod tip pointed forward,” he explains. “You give all the leverage to the fish.”
With powerful species like sturgeon, fighting a fish off the side can end badly. “I’ve seen multiple people get jerked over,” he says. Keeping the rod forward keeps the fish in front of you, maintains control, and prevents the line from drifting behind the kayak, where it can become snagged or wrapped. Even with salmon or walleye, Davis prefers fighting them straight ahead when possible.
Releasing a fish properly is just as important as landing it. “If it’s a fish I’m going to release and take a photo of, I’ll leave it in the net over the side of the kayak, in the water,” he says.
Everything is prepared in advance: pliers, rod stowed, camera ready. “I’ll set a timer, push the button, reach in, grab the fish under the neck, not in the gills, and by the tail,” Davis explains. “I’ll get the picture for just a second or two and put it right back in the net.” After the photos, he watches the fish closely. “Then I take it out of the net and make sure it kicks away on its own. You don’t want to take them out of the water.”
When asked what skills anglers should master before targeting larger species, Davis doesn’t hesitate. “Fish handling in general,” he says. “Have some respect. Treat the fish with care. Treat it with some dignity.” That applies whether the fish is headed for release or the table. “Don’t just bonk it in the head or throw it around on the boat,” Davis says. “Take care of our resources. Treat the fish with respect, no matter what fish it is.”
Kayak fishing isn’t just growing, it’s exploding. “It’s already evolved hugely,” Davis says. “It’s like on fire.” From freshwater to offshore, kayak anglers are targeting the same species as traditional boat anglers, and the appeal keeps spreading. “It’s more of a personal level,” he explains.
“You don’t have to rely on anybody. You’re not waiting for somebody to do something. You’re sitting close to the water, and that alone is a whole new experience.” That closeness can also be intense. “When a ten-foot sturgeon comes up from underneath your kayak, you’re like, ‘Oh crap,’” Davis laughs. “This is a different level of excitement.”
Even when he’s not targeting giants, they sometimes find him. “The biggest fish I caught on a Mack’s Lure product was probably a sturgeon,” Davis says. “I was walleye fishing, and it ate a Sonic BaitFish.” At around six feet long, it wasn’t a battle he wanted to prolong. “All I’m worried about is getting my lure back,” he admits. “I don’t want to deal with that thing.”
Big fish and kayaks might seem like an unlikely pairing, but anglers like Jim Davis prove that with the right mindset, preparation, and respect for the fish, it’s not just possible, it’s unforgettable. And once you feel that sleigh ride for the first time, there’s a good chance you’ll never look at fishing the same way again.
Description Details / Sizes Tips The Sonic BaitFish can be cast, swam, jigged or trolled and features three attachment points, enabling flu...
View full details
When winter settles in, and fish move deeper, success often comes down to presentation, patience, and the right lure. One bait that consistently shines in cold, open-water and ice-fishing situations is the Mack’s Lure Sonic BaitFish. Designed to vibrate, flash,...
At the Puyallup Sportsmen’s Show in Washington, few attractions draw a crowd quite like the Mack’s Lure Walleye Tank. From the moment visitors step up to the glass, they’re greeted not just by the sleek, powerful presence of walleye, but...
Captain Pete Rosko is a legendary lure innovator and fishing educator whose groundbreaking designs have revolutionized the sport fishing industry for over four decades. Born in 1937 near Lake Erie in Ohio’s walleye country, Pete developed his passion for angling...
