Let's face it, kayak fishing can be a dirty sport, whether you are tramping through mud or just getting your deck dirty with fish slime and blood. A few good tools and cleaning product, such as a pressure washer, some Corrosion X®, Simply Green® and 303 Aerospace Protectant®, will help in the process of keeping your fishing kayak looking clean as new. Many of us let this "mojo" build up, but now is a good time to consider a good spring cleaning.

One basic way to clean your kayak is with some good old elbow grease, a scrub brush and some soap . However, a good pressure washer can alleviate the back breaking work. In most cases, there is no need to add any soap product, as the pressure stream will cut right through the grime buildup. However, for especially tough stains, using a mild soap product, such as Simply Green®, in conjunction with a pressure washer will have your kayak looking as good as new.

In the picture to the right you can see the line a good pressure washer will cut right through the dirt. The difference is like night and day! Once your kayak is pressure washed, allow it to dry, then apply 303 Aerospace Protectant®. This protectant should be applied in temperature conditions above freezing, but not hot enough that your kayak feels hot to the touch. According to 303® Products Inc., proper application is:  "Spray on, then wipe COMPLETELY dry. Wiping completely dry, which requires finishing with a DRY cloth, not a damp cloth, removes all excess un-bonded 303® and makes the bonded 303® bond better and become more repellent, which also means better longer lasting performance."  Using 303® will not only preserve the color of your kayak, but will also afford some amount of UV protection.

Now that your kayak is clean and protected, don't forget one last step, protecting the metal parts of your kayak. Many kayaks use metal parts for attachment points. A shot of Corrosion X® on the metal parts will protect them from corrosion and keep them in good working order. Also spray a little lubricant on the the metal parts of your rudder assembly, including the guide wires. At this point, don't forget to hit the metal buckles on your kayak seat, you know, the ones that you always take a mental note to lube when they are jammed up, but somehow always forget to do so.  Wipe all the lubricated parts dry so you don't have slippery residue all over the place.  It's also a good time to tighten any bolts or other fasteners on your kayak, lest they come free at the most inopportune time.

These simple tips will keep your fishing kayak in clean and working order throughout the year.