Coming out of Hibernation

Each year around the holidays, I quietly put my kayak up for the winter. We take a break in our relationship from one another because of family obligations and slow fishing. Which makes the reunion in the spring all the sweeter. And even though Punxsutawney Phil says there will be 6 more weeks of winter, I can’t help but think about getting back on the water. Here are a couple of things I do to shake my kayak out of its slumber and prepare for the upcoming season.

Cleaning

I would like to say that I always clean my kayak before putting it in storage each winter, but that would be a lie. The first thing I do when breaking out my kayak is to give it a good rinse to knock off all the loose dirt before I get down to scrubbing out the muck, mud, and possibly fish bits out of the nooks and crannies. A warm bucket of water with Dawn dish soap and a medium to soft bristle brush help me to work out all the leftovers from last season.

Hull Protection

UV light from the sun is one of the most damaging of the element that your kayak is exposed to during use. In Texas, it can feel like you’re sitting on the sun, and like you, your kayak can benefit from a little extra protection. For the main part of the hull, I like to use 303 Aerospace Protectant. You can find a bottle of it in most automotive stores or in the boating section of your nearest outdoor store. It helps keep the colors brighter longer and has the added benefit of making your kayak easier to clean. Just spray it on and use a towel to buff it in, and you’re done. 

On the black trim and rubber on my kayak, I use Back to Black. This restores any sun damage, or fading, of black pieces to their original out-of-factory color. It also protects them from future damage. The application is very simple. Just add a little to a towel and wipe down the trim. I have never noticed an issue if you get some on the hull where you don’t want it. It is made to restore plastic trim on cars and can be picked up in any automotive section of a store. You can also just use the 303 Aerospace Protectant on everything. 

Tune Up

Now is the time to check that screws, nuts, and attachments to your kayak are all tight and ready for their first day on the water. In addition to checking that everything is tight I specifically tune in my rudder and seat. To tune your rudder, do the following: Make sure your rudder handle is facing forward in a neutral position. Meaning that your rudder is inline with the centerline of the kayak. Then adjust each wing nut to put tension on the rudder cables. This will also increase the responsiveness of your rudder. Use the nylon lock nuts to lock the wing nuts in place. I travel with the seat attached to the kayak. So the next thing I do is make sure the seat is set at the proper distance from the pedals. It means one less step when I hit the water to getting the kayak out and for me to start fishing. Loosen up the foot of the seat on all four legs. With the kayak on the ground, sit in the seat and move it forward or back as you need to for your comfort. Tighten down the foot of each leg to the rails.

Conclusion 

In the coming months, kayak bass fishing trails will kick off their 2026 season, the sheepshead will start running the jetties, and Speckle Trout will make their way out of their winter haunts to the surf and bays. Make sure you’re ready so you don’t have to spend a fishing day getting your kayak ready for a day on the water.