Why?

I  like all of the above answers....

I have a nice 18.5ft power boat for fishing and find that  it's a lot of work to get it out, clean it up, maintain, etc.  It's expensive to own and it takes up most of my garage.  While it can be fun to take the family out, it's in the way more often than not and doesn't get used enough to justify the $$ I pay for it.

I was drawn to kayak fishing because it's just more simple.  I slide my yak in my truck bed, I can launch just about anywhere and it's much less effort to set-up and take down.   It's nice to skip the stress of having to jockey for position at busy boat ramps.  Plus it's nice that you get a lot of exercise without even thinking about it.

Powerboat is for sale by the way…….

I started kayak fishing because it was cheap and low maintenance. I have powerboat friends that have spend more in a year on boat maintenance than I have in 20 years including buying new kayaks. I can be ready to fish in minutes if I have an hour when the conditions are right or when I get a craving to wet a line. After I caught my first fish with muscle to drag me around in my kayak, I preferred my kayak to being in a boat with motor. Also you can get into very shallow water without tearing up the environment. It's not as much of an issue here, but when fishing flats on the Gulf Coast, it's a big deal to be way up on the flat or back in the mangroves where boats can't go.

I chose kayak fishing because I have the inability to grow facial hair. My thinking was that if I can't grow a beard, I can prove my manliness by fishing in the ocean with a plastic boat.

Tons of good responses here. My top reasons:

I catch more fish. True story. I've found that since I started kayak fishing in earnest I actually have a higher fish/hr ratio than I used to. Maybe it's just luck, but I feel like it enables me to be a better fisherman.

I also go fishing more now. Fishing from a kayak seemed limiting when I first thought about it. No I realize that I go out way more often than I used to take my boat out, because it's so much less hassle.

I like feeling connected to the place where I'm fishing.

It's much easier to store than a boat.

It contributes to my health (exercise, fresh air, etc.).

I've met great people in the kayak fishing community. At my age and place in life it's fun to have a hobby that has nothing to do with what I do the rest of the time.

I sold my 21 foot sled and I've never looked back. I'll probably get another PB eventually when I have a bigger garage, for taking the extended family out and things like that, but I'm happy for now.

I chose kayak fishing because I have the inability to grow facial hair. My thinking was that if I can't grow a beard, I can prove my manliness by fishing in the ocean with a plastic boat.

HAHAHAHA 

How's that working out for you?

I see kayak fishing as the archery of fishing.  takes a bit more guts, your closer to the water, you become in tune with your surroundings.  Focus more on the things around you, like when your out in bad conditions, it ups the pucker factor, you feel more alive, looking at the wave in front of you, then the two following and just keep pedaling.  You are not the top of the food chain, especially when you have roving packs of sea lions chasing you or huge whales rolling past.  I have recently found that hawks will try to kick your ass, you gotta watch over your shoulder cause they dive with the sun at their back.  It makes it more even and when I do keep fish I feel like I earned it more.  I can sleep after a day out on the water.  the exhausted calm after a day of pushing the limits. 

HAHAHAHA 

How's that working out for you?

I feel like even though I don't have a beard, people still take me seriously when I tell them I've had a 13ft GWS behind me


I agree with Yakbum. I definitely feel like I've earned the fish that I keep. I have been on a couple of power boats since I have had my kayak and the fishing wasn't nearly as fun and exciting. I follow my instincts to find the fish. You can't do that when you're not the captain of the boat you're fishing on.

I have always loved paddling, and fishing.  Putting them together was the logical next step.  Also, I am too cheap to buy a powerboat. 

Pretty much all of the answers above... Plus.  A). The look on
Pber's faces when you're heading out ('you're going out in that') and b)  the look on their faces after you limit.  Plus, I love the simplicity of the whole experience