A Beginner’s Guide to Jet Ski Fishing

Recreational fishing involves a combination of the right accessories, a quality spot, a patient soul and a big chunk of time. So how does a high-powered 1200cc jet ski play a part in all this? Jet ski fishing is a relatively new phenomenon which have originated in South Africa and after garnering a lot of attention in Australia and New Zealand has quietly made its way to the American shores. 

Technical adjustments have to be made when converting a regular personal watercraft into a fishing platform so that it is able to transport not only 1 or 2 fisherman but their fishing rods and accessories as well. While there are several complicated variations available on transforming a personal vehicle into a fishing-friendly one, let’s shed light on the four common types of fishing rigs available to begin jet ski fishing.

Fishing Pontoons:

A company by the name of Jetwing was able to design and manufacture a fishing pontoon, which offers a stellar combination of stability and balance, allowing you to enjoy a safe and productive session. It’s got over 20L of built-in flotation, which is double the market requirement, making the vehicle nearly unsinkable. Practical attachments including two removable storage trays/ buckets are available to properly place your bait, tackle and even a couple of beverages for when you get thirsty. In addition, there are not two, not four, but eight-rod holders. Go ahead. Bring your lucky one with you as well.

PWC Bracket System:

The most economical of them all, this option involves one bracket coming out of the ski hook at the back of the jet ski while another is installed on the steering column. Because it’s removable, no harm comes to your machine and it makes adding and removing that much easier. While it doesn’t give a whole lot of space for added storage, there is plenty of room for bringing up to six rods.

Rear Basket System:

Some may be satisfied with just the basic amenities to escort them on their fishing expedition, but many require a little extra space to carry some additional accompaniments. For this, the rider can attach a tray-like mechanism to their PWC, securing it with bungee clamps, straps and clips. No drilling or modification to your jet ski is required. Follow it up by adding a basket and cooler and voila, bring on the goodies and drinks. A side note, if you do happen to fall off the jet ski, reboarding might become a bit of a nuisance, but never give up!

Chrome Tube:

This method is for those serious aficionados who want to go all out on rigging their jet ski to make it fishing friendly. It can cost up to several thousand dollars and has to be thought out beforehand because it involves actual physical changes to your machine. You will need to drill holes so you can attach large chrome tubing over the midsection and around the back allowing proper configuration for rod holders, a cooler and if necessary even a live bait kit. While it has little similarity with the Rear Bracket System, this kind of transformation also makes it difficult for the passenger to gain re-entry on the machine after they take a fall.

So you’ve decided on the larger changes necessary to begin your fishing adventure including the space for additional fishing rods and coolers to stock your drinks and bait. Now you can focus on the smaller accessories which will be required to turn your otherwise satisfying voyage into a safe and memorable experience as well.

Universal Jet Ski Fuel Rack

Granted having a sense of adventure and a well-equipped watercraft are both of the utmost importance when embarking out to sea in search of fish and fun but don’t disregard the fact that all motorized vehicles run on fuel and, therefore, eventually run OUT of fuel. This is where fuel racks which come with all the necessary straps for easy installation and at least two fuel cans to give that extra mileage, are a must-have.

Reliable GPS

Even if you’re one of the few people whose sense of direction is unbeatable, waterways can be quite tricky, so make your life easier and your trip smoother by investing in a quality GPS system. If you want to take it up a notch and mark good fishing spots by setting custom waypoints to and from locations, maybe look into one that acts as a dual Chartplotter. They usually come with large LED screens and carry with them a hoard of valuable information about reefs and wrecks and where to find the best catch. While you’re at it, might as well make it waterproof. Why take any chances.

Dry Bag

A good quality dry bag is key for keeping all your valuables secure during any wet excursion. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and are the ultimate waterproof protection for your cell phones, wallets, selfie sticks, jewelry. End result? Now you don’t have to worry about any of this small stuff and you can keep busy concentrating on catching the big one.

Paddle

Just because you’re not in a boat doesn’t mean you don’t need to keep a paddle. And since your main mission riding on the jet ski is to catch fish, you don’t want to scare them all away with the loud noise your machines make. This is where the paddle comes into play. You park yourself in a nice quiet spot and when you need to make your move a few inches east or west, your small but useful paddle will help you maneuver around very efficiently and very quietly.

Rescue Board

We are not talking about a contingency plan for you, but for your future catch which will hopefully be too big to fit into your already installed cooler. If you invest in one of these boards, which are usually inflatable and lightweight to carry, then you can pull the bigger fish easily on the platform and transport them back to shore in good shape.

While fishing is usually known as a quiet sport requiring just a few accessories and long hours of inactivity, jet skis are more commonly associated with high-speed water sports. But lately, the two of them are being combined in what is turning out to be quite a popular movement, jet ski fishing. In this case, one or two fishermen can load up their equipment on a rigged personal watercraft and head out in search of a nice big catch and enjoy several peaceful hours on the water, all without banking on a large fishing boat.

Dubai may already be known as a popular destination for desert activities but it has recently become a haven for extreme water sports also. Qualified and enthusiastic instructors at Ride in Dubai are available to assist those interested in getting their adrenaline fix, especially if you want to rent a keyboard or jet ski, within a safe and fun environment.