Kayak Fishing Spooking Fish

[Joe Schmuckatelli]

I'm selling my 14' old town canoe for a smaller, more manageable, sit on top kayak. Has anyone had trouble fishing from it, like maybe spooking fish? Sometimes I feel like my casts aren't as far as from where I'm standing on the bank and I feel I'm just spooking the crap out of the fish in the area.

 

Also, has anyone developed any good techniques or strategies for fishing slower finesse baits? When I tried in the canoe, I would get aggravated and just pull off to a clearing on the bank and fish for a little while, then paddle to a new spot. I've also tried pulling up on the bank and try to secure the canoe and cast around from there.

[OperationEagle]

DevilDog: Seems you are selling your canoe for a SOT yak.  I have never fished from a canoe but I would think a SOT platform (designed for fishing) would be a bit more manageable to fish out of.

 

As for spooking the fish.  I have seen many kayakers strategically line their boats with STS to dampen the sound of their feet or rods, etc. against the kayak.  Casting distance can also help.  I am sure many members can chime in on the factors affecting distance...rod, reel, practice, etc..

 

The point of the kayak (which is similar to the canoe) is to get you off of the bank and into productive fising areas...in fact areas that can be difficult for motorized boats to travel.  This in itself increases your chance of landing more and better quality fish. 

 

I am about to start my third season with my Jackson Cuda 12 and am really enjoying it.  There are many quality boats out there.  Find one that suits the water you are fishing and maximizes your comfort (standing stability and sitting comfort).

 

Take your time (buy it once and buy it right as they can be spendy...but worth it) and good luck.

[Iluvsmallies]

Can't wait to here other thoughts ob this as I'm about to buy a 12 ft kayak.

[YungAngler]

I bought a Nucanoe Frontier 12' last fall.  A little expensive, but I couldn't be happier.

[J Francho]

I caught this fish flipping a jig into a laydown, almoist vertically, in about 4' of gin clear water.  All she cared about was my jig, not the big floating bananna over her head.

 

[HeavyDluxe]

I'm with JFrancho... I've only kayak fished for one year, but I was able to get REALLY close to fish without spooking them (and in very clear water).

 

I think the two biggest things that spooked fish were when I'd make 'noisy' paddle strokes too close to them and when I'd bang something around on the boat.  If I was more careful with managing equipment in the boat and making sure I didn't glub-gurgle the water stopping or making headway, I could always get surprisingly close.

[flyfisher]

I am not to concerned about my kayak spooking fish any more than in a regular boat. 

[Hanover_Yakker]

Just like JFrancho said - they could care less.......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Felix77]

I just sold my canoe because I found it difficult and uncomfortable for a full day of fishing.   I am replacing it with a SOT Yak as well.  I have been checking them all out and settled on the Ride 115x.  I am placing my order closer to spring so that when it comes in I can quickly go out and test it on the waters.  

 

As it pertains to spooking fish I don't think I had a problem there.  It was more of a boat control thing with me.  Moving to quickly when trying to finesse stuff.

[Darren.]

Not too big a deal, IMO. Like the others, caught plenty in the shallows despite the squeaky sounds created by my crocs on the yak floor.

[OkeechobeeAngler]

Im thinking about get a Native Resfish 12ft.

[bartdude186]

I catch more fish from my kayak than my jon boat hands down, and it is all because of the movement you can make in a boat vs a kayak. in my yak i can drift right over the fish and they seem to think nothing of it.

[flyfisher]

Im thinking about get a Native Resfish 12ft.

Redfish is one of the best boats for the money out there....seat kind of sucks but it isn't to bad all things considered.  It was my first boat and i sold it to a buddy and he loves it.

[camovan]

I have had an amazing amount of fish swim up and hang out under my yak including some double digits on two separate occasions this past year.   While the yak didn't spook them, me scrambling for my jig rod did both times   I have taken some steps to pad the boat this off season so hopefully I can take better advantage of those situations next year.

[OkeechobeeAngler]

Flyfisher, a friend told me youccan use the seat off a Mantaray ?

[flyfisher]

yeah i think you can....or you can swap out for pretty much any other seat out there.  It is a pretty stable boat.  I was able to stand in mine and cast but it wasn't something i did regularly because it wouldn't take much to get you into the drink but it is nice to be able to stretch your legs....

[MikeinFresno]

sounds like you just need to get some confidence in fishing in a water vessel and away from on the shore. Yaks dont spook fish anymore than any other method of fishing out on the water and probly less than most. They are very stealthy and quiet as they move thru the water.. Ive caught my 2nd largest bass from my yak.

[tntitans21399]

My kayak gets closer then my boat. In a boat you get the splash sound from waves while a kayak just goes over or through waves without sounds. I have a sit in kayak and I like having the deck above me but I have read the sit on top are more stable but both you have to try and flip them. A canoe is like a bus and a kayak a sports car.

Some modifications that you might want to do to any kayak is to install a anchor trolley and rod holders. Make sure to get a rod holder that locks the reel in or make a rod leash so if you are trolling you dont lose a rod when a fish hits.

[Joe Schmuckatelli]

Thanks for the reply guys ill definitely be in a kayak more this season 

[GaterB]

I was in the same boat as you (no pun intended) in terms of being frustrated trying to fish slower finesse techniques. A stake out pole will solve a lot of this. Plant that sucker in the bottom, and you can sit still and fish as slow as you want. If the water gets deeper you can always employ an anchor system. However, in a flowing water situation I would advise against both of these, and especially the anchor.

There is also something called a brush hook, which does basically what it says--hooks to brush, and holds your yak in place while you fish. As far as spooking the fish, I've literally pulled up on top of fish in clear water, stopped, backed away, and then proceeded to catch two fish out of the spot I was just paddling over. I don't think they care too much

[aceman387]

If you want to sneak up on fish quietly a kayak is a perfect tool to do it. I fish a lot of gin clear strip mine pits and i would see bass flee from a good distance the second i would turn my trolling motor on. I am 53 and i have been fishing these strip pits since i was a young kid.I had always heard stories of guys catching 5,6,7 lb bass out of these pits but they always seemed to elude me.I bought a kayak (ride 115) just for the sole purpose of being silent and stealthy. On my very first outing out in it i caught the biggest bass of my life over 7# on a dead calm bright sunny afternoon. Where as before i would have fish flee from me i now have bass and turtles routinely swim up to me to try and figure out what the heck i am...lol.  Buy a kayak,you will never regret it.

[basshead1]

Kayaks are great for sneaking up on big fish. I have coasted over some big ones and they just thought i was a log. They will hide in your shadow too waiting for an easy meal.

[basshole8190]

Thanks for the reply guys ill definitely be in a kayak more this season

hey man thinking of getting a yak myself. you checked out the yak dealer on broadway in columbus? Their site says they sell jackson yaks. I'm looking at a coosa or cuda but still on the fence.

[Joe Schmuckatelli]

hey man thinking of getting a yak myself. you checked out the yak dealer on broadway in columbus? Their site says they sell jackson yaks. I'm looking at a coosa or cuda but still on the fence.

 

Ive been trying to get down there to take a look at there shop to check them out but I've been forgetting about it

[Insanity]

I smallmouth fish a creek here. You can't wade very close to them with out spooking them. But when I take my canoe they will bite from under it sometimes.

By the way I anchor mine with ropes run down the gun rails from front and back. With the ropes run threw eye hooks you can work front and rear with out moving. Two five pound steel weights holds it even in the fastest moving creek. Or one for that matter if there's a current to keep you straight I just drop the front.