New To Kayak Bassin

[Amarley]

I went for my first kayak trip down a local creek last weekend and was immediately hooked. We had a good group of friends and stayed plenty "hydrated"! 

 

Yesterday I bought a 10' Old Town Vapor Fishing Kayak off of Craigslist and am going to start fishing from it this week. We're blessed to have some nice streams in this area of Kentucky. There are several rivers and creeks, I'm particularly excited about the Green River that flows through Mammoth Cave.

 

Any tips for newbies? I've got a few questions to you experienced Kayak bassers

 

1. What are your rod/reel setups and how many rods do you bring? Purely on logic, I would think shorter rods would be easier to handle in tight quarters.

2. What accessories should I get? The yak came with an anchor, paddle keeper and two rod holders.

3. Do you mostly powerfish with small spinnerbaits and cranks for small rivers and creeks, or do you also fish with finesse presentations? The water in my area will have some bass (LMB and SMB) and lots of bluegill.

4. What's the most efficient way to pack and access your gear on the water?

 

Looking forward to getting started. Now I just have to figure out how to split time between the kayak and the bass boat!

[Darren.]

1. What are your rod/reel setups and how many rods do you bring? Purely on logic, I would think shorter rods would be easier to handle in tight quarters.

 

I prefer shorter rods all around. Granted the casting distance is lessened, but much easier for yakking, IMO. At least how I yak fish.

 

I use casting and spinning setups. Longest rod is 6'6" but I don't take that out much. Mostly my 5'9" to 6'2" sizes. 

 

Will bring anywhere from 1-4 rods depending on what I want to do. I probably average 2 rods for an outing. 

 

2. What accessories should I get? The yak came with an anchor, paddle keeper and two rod holders.

 

Those are fine accessories. You may want to add a milk crate to your setup. But honestly, I would recommend you fish for a while and see what you'd like to do. You will likely be thinking, "hmm, I wish this were there" or "I don't really need that rod holder" etc. You can customize it as you like.

 

For me, I customize constantly. I'll get into a method/setup that I really like, but I'll eventually see something that I could do better, or do without, and change things again. I'm continuously evolving in my setup. I don't like things that get in my way like rod leashes, rod floats, etc. But some people swear by them. So YMMV.

 

I do like an anchor stick for shallower waters, and I like anchor trolleys. Want to add one to the other side of my yak - so one on each side.

 

3. Do you mostly powerfish with small spinnerbaits and cranks for small rivers and creeks, or do you also fish with finesse presentations? The water in my area will have some bass (LMB and SMB) and lots of bluegill.

 

I fish soft plastics mostly. Don't fish rivers and creeks, just reservoirs and lakes. I do take hard lures with me but don't always use them.

 

4. What's the most efficient way to pack and access your gear on the water?

 

Only you can really answer that - and you won't have an answer right away. You'll find what you like after doing it for a while.

 

For me, I pack my soft plastics in 3600 size boxes and keep them in various places in my yak. I like my gear under my seat, or in front of me when I'm on the water. Easier to access...

[Flywatersmallie]

I usually carry 4-6 rods. Really only because I can. My yak is my bass boat. I run a fish finder with down scan and so on. Being that the Vapor is a sit inside model yours will be a bit different than mine as far as rigging goes. A bit agreement on the anchor trolley. Boat control is a big deal in a kayak. The wind or current will push you all over. A stake out pole (think power pole for the yak) is a real asset out on the water whether river or lake.

I like longer rods but have downsized them somewhat for kayak use. Mine are all 6'6" to 6'10". Long enough that I dont lose much of the benefit of longer rods but short enough that I can reach the tip while sitting if need be.

Get a couple pool noodles! They're cheap and you will find tons of things to do with them. Part of the fun of kayak fishing is rigging how you want it

[Mr. BattleArmor]

I went for my first kayak trip down a local creek last weekend and was immediately hooked. We had a good group of friends and stayed plenty "hydrated"! 

 

Yesterday I bought a 10' Old Town Vapor Fishing Kayak off of Craigslist and am going to start fishing from it this week. We're blessed to have some nice streams in this area of Kentucky. There are several rivers and creeks, I'm particularly excited about the Green River that flows through Mammoth Cave.

 

Any tips for newbies? I've got a few questions to you experienced Kayak bassers

 

1. What are your rod/reel setups and how many rods do you bring? Purely on logic, I would think shorter rods would be easier to handle in tight quarters.

2. What accessories should I get? The yak came with an anchor, paddle keeper and two rod holders.

3. Do you mostly powerfish with small spinnerbaits and cranks for small rivers and creeks, or do you also fish with finesse presentations? The water in my area will have some bass (LMB and SMB) and lots of bluegill.

4. What's the most efficient way to pack and access your gear on the water?

 

Looking forward to getting started. Now I just have to figure out how to split time between the kayak and the bass boat!

I bring 3 rods with me. First is 6'9" Medium lights Fast action for plastics. Second is a 6'6" Medium heavy Fast action, which I use for frogs and jigs, anything heavier. And third is 6'6" Medium Moderate action, thats for anything with treble hooks, crank baits, topwater, etc. I tend to go a bit shorter because of the spots I fish, there are times you don't have the space to cast, or, with the rods standing up in the back it adds that hazard of them hitting branches or brush, etc. Depends on the spot you fish too. 

 

Accessories wise you seem ok, is the anchor rigged with a trolley system? that is something to consider. Also maybe another rod holder depending how you see fit.

 

i fish all kinds of presentations, and yes I do fish finesse from the kayak. Actually probably 70% of the time I'm using plastics. The other times are frogs or topwater/ crank baits, depending on where you are fishing, and the conditions. One of my favorite things to do is actually drag a worm from the bank into the water. However I've never fished drop shot on the kayak, no particular reason. But shaky heads, wacky rigs, ribbon tail worms, it all works great for me. 

 

Most people use a milk crate to keep all their gear in a kayak, which is one good option. I usually just throw my tackle bag in right behind me and i'm good to go. Depends how much gear you bring, I usually just pack for the spot I'm going to. If I know I'm going somewhere with lots of lillypads, I'll be sure to bring all my frogs, etc. 

[MikeinFresno]

first n foremost is PFD so you do not drown, 2nd is to learn how to turn it back over and get back in-self rescue. After that comes the fishing. I learned to minimize my gear or it seems to get to be too much to deal with. I take 3-4 rods, plastics in their sealed bags-cuz they float-, and one large box with a water proof seal on the lid.

[RatCog]

I also take 3 rods. I would get an anchor trolley, it makes if a lot easier to manage boat position when you find a nice spot. Since you're in a river you might want to consider using a drag chain anchor for safety. Don't want a claw anchor hook on something in heavy current. Might want to consider a 20 or 30 ft retractable dog leash as an anchor line so you don't have rope hanging all over your kayak when you want to use the anchor.

[Amarley]

I also take 3 rods. I would get an anchor trolley, it makes if a lot easier to manage boat position when you find a nice spot. Since you're in a river you might want to consider using a drag chain anchor for safety. Don't want a claw anchor hook on something in heavy current. Might want to consider a 20 or 30 ft retractable dog leash as an anchor line so you don't have rope hanging all over your kayak when you want to use the anchor.

The kayak came with an anchor trolley system. Was studying it last night to figure out how it worked. The claw anchor it came with looked like it could be hazardous to me if it were to catch a laydown or some rocks the wrong way in current. Those are great suggestions. Thanks.

[tntitans21399]

I have 3 telescopible rods that I take with me. That way they stay out of my way when I'm not using them and I have 3 rod holders on my milkcrate so you might want to stick to two if you dont have a third place to put them.

Try to setup a anchor trolley (about $20-$30) and I have mine going from the very front to the very back. And with rivers get a above water anchor. Its a big clamp so you can hook on to a branch or log. Only do it in calm to semi calm waters. Then you can face toward the spot you want to attack and dont have to paddle.

Getting a milk crate is great at keeping gear but does make it a little more top heavy but worth it.

Gear I usually have a camelback with water, hook out pilers, and just use a worm holder to keep some lures or tackle in. You dont need 50lbs of tackle but just your favorites and just enough for the day. I usually just use worms on the river.

[200racing]

for small creeks i carry just a medium light spinner and one waterproof tray. for bigger rivers i have a big water proof tray. for rods and reels i went with academy house brand for warranty as i know i am going the trash one shooting rapids at some point. i use a 6'6'' mentor baitcaster with12lb line and ethos spinner with a old plueger reel. i made floats out of a $1 pool noodle from the dollar store.

 

soft plastics are my comfort baits so thats mainly what i throw. not fond on the idea of bring a bass full of treble hooks in to my lap.

[BassAssassin726]

I just bought a kayak the other day. Tried all different kinds, sit in, sit on top etc etc. Went with a sit in. Got a paddle, paddle clips, anchor, came with 2 rod holders and i got one extra swivel holder. Also got a nice Mustang PDF. My question is can anyone give me tips on safety as well? Just general tips on keeping myself safe out there and avoiding bad situations. I was going to post a topic but this one was here and answered most of my gear questions. Also tips on moving and how to control the kayak.

[BassAssassin726]

first n foremost is PFD so you do not drown, 2nd is to learn how to turn it back over and get back in-self rescue. After that comes the fishing. I learned to minimize my gear or it seems to get to be too much to deal with. I take 3-4 rods, plastics in their sealed bags-cuz they float-, and one large box with a water proof seal on the lid.

How exactly would I get back in if I fall out? I have a sit in model.

[MikeinFresno]

well, I have never had one of those, I guess I cant say. Do a search on the net to find out. They are less prone to rolling over, but i would guess much harder to get back into.

[flyfisher]

All good advice so far but one thing i will add to the fray is to be super cautious in anchoring in current of any type.  Things can go badly very quickly, especially if you are not anchored directly off the bow or stern of the kayak.  I carry a drag chain at times in the kayak but rarely even use that and if i really want to anchor i usually beach the kayak jump out and fish the areas more thoroughly.  I will also very often use my stake out pole to hold my kayak in place while i fish or tie the kayak to a truing around my waist while i fish too, both work pretty well.

[Flywatersmallie]

My first kayak was a sit in, I never fell out or flipped it so I cant say for sure. Though the brother in law flipped my wife's and had to drag it onto shore to dump all the water out. Nowhere for it to go otherwise. Carry a pump just in case!

[Mattfrom_NJ]

Paddle your boat and fish out of it, customize it as you go.  Like everyone else said, buy a nice PFD, practice getting in and out.   Enjoy your new yak 

[200racing]

I just bought a kayak the other day. Tried all different kinds, sit in, sit on top etc etc. Went with a sit in. Got a paddle, paddle clips, anchor, came with 2 rod holders and i got one extra swivel holder. Also got a nice Mustang PDF. My question is can anyone give me tips on safety as well? Just general tips on keeping myself safe out there and avoiding bad situations. I was going to post a topic but this one was here and answered most of my gear questions. Also tips on moving and how to control the kayak.

i would vote against a inflatable pfd in a kayak.  since it cost so much when it goes off. it also looks pretty awkward to wear after they go off. 

[NJBasstard]

Lots of good advice in this thread. Like everyone else said buy yourself a nice PDF that you wont mind keeping on.

I personally carry 3 rod setups with me (6'6" m/f spinning, 6'9" mh/f baitcaster & 7'2" mh/xf baitcaster)  I prefer longer rods for casting distance and I like being able to swing the rod tip around the front of my 12' yak when fishing a fish. As far as packing gear all mine are in plano boxes in a backpack. I put some padding on the bottom and strap the backpack directly behind me to lean on for added back support. The best advice I can give you is to go fishing and add/adjust things to fit you.

[flyfisher]

i would vote against a inflatable pfd in a kayak.  since it cost so much when it goes off. it also looks pretty awkward to wear after they go off. 

I know guys that have inflatables and they just carry an extra recharge canister or whatever it is in their dry bag so if it goes off they can reset it.

[Subaqua Adinterim]

Definitely a pfd and have it on - not something to be put on after you are in the water. I dumped once and when it happens it happens so fast.

I try to keep things to a minimum, since even though I have hundreds of lures, only a handful can be counted on to produce. Take the ones you can count on and a few you might want to experiment with.

I have a sit on top 10' wilderness tarpon. If you use a seat pad make sure it's a thin one, as you don't want to raise your center of gravity too high for stability reasons on some kayaks.

I usually take 2 or 3 poles. I have 2 rod holders in front of me so I can see when I'm trolling if I get a hit.

Poles are 6'6" down to 5' depending on what I'm fishing for.

I take a few bags of soft plastics and a plastic box for a few spoons, spinners and jigs. Needle nose pliers and a net with rubber mesh, since hooks won't snag up in this as much.

Here's a tip that may save you some gear - get some foam insulation, the type that comes in 4' lengths that is used for copper water lines. Cut it to 6" lengths and put it on your rods above the handle. If your pole goes in the water it will float it enough for you to grab it. You may need a little more or less than 6" depending on the weight of your rod & reel.

Have fun and enjoy the fishing, it's definitely a great experience getting towed around by a good size fish.

[FrogFreak]

I have worn an inflatable pfd for years and I've never needed it (knock on wood). I fish small to med sized bodies of water with a Wavewalk kayak. There's no way I can flip it back over and re-enter if I flip it. I'd just swim to shore with it and dump the water out. I do see the logic in carrying an extra CO2 canister. I think I'll grab one.

 

I carry 3-4 rods. Great advice on waiting to rig. I don't drill holes unless I'm sure I need to.

 

One thing I think is important to have on the yak is a small collapsible oar just in case.