Kayak Bass Fishing In The Wind

[Buddha]

I fish in Otay Lakes in Chula Vista, California where the Olympic Training Center is located. The mornings are usually calm wind but like clockwork at 11 or 12 the wind gets turned on.

 

I have a drift chute and an anchor but both can be cumbersome.

 

I am actually thinking of rigging a small trolling motor on my Ocean Kayak Trident 11.

 

How do you guys deal with the wind when bass fishing?

[Matthew2000]

They have a small power pole type system for about 30 bucks made for kayaks and Jon boats.

[Darren.]

IMHO, trolling motor is the way to go. I used 

to carry an anchor, then a drag chain, etc., but 

find my trolling motor is the key to managing 

windy conditions in my yak.

 

I do have a 7' Stik-It Anchor Pin always with me,

as well, for the shallow situations.

 

I modeled my trolling motor setup after the BassYaks

kit. Though if I had the money and were starting over

I'd buy the BassYak kit outright. As it stands I had 

most of what I needed to make it work, thus it was 

a cheaper endeavor.

 

I'm outfitted with a 30lb thrust Minn Kota and a 35 AH

wheel chair AGM battery that is deep charge. Everything

is awesome

[Tony L.]

They have a small power pole type system for about 30 bucks made for kayaks and Jon boats.

I'm intrigued. What do they call that, and where do I find one?

[DRH2O]

I try to take a Zen approach to my yak angling; meaning I make an attempt to work with whatever the weather is throwing me if at all possible. There are a lot of variables to consider in your question but as a couple of examples...

 

Let's say I have a weedline on a point that I want to fish. With a slight breeze I'll probably just make repeated drifts past it without the use of anything at all to slow me down. If the wind picks up a bit, I may paddle up to the downwind side, cast to the upwind side and let the wind push me away from the area allowing my lure to move across the point until my lure is off the point where my yak was positioned to begin with. Rinse and repeat. Essentially letting the wind push my yak and troll my lure across the area I'm working. If the wind really picks up then I might just clip my clamp to the end of my anchor line and tie up tight to shore in key spots that let me work my lures parallel to the weedline running towards the point.

 

I'll usually only deploy my anchor if I'm confident that I've identified a contact point on the structure I'm working over. If I really want to commit to a spot and work it and the wind picks up I'll dual anchor so I hold my position without spinning around.

 

My anchor system is pretty simple and easily deployed. Paracord on a little winder with a float and a swiveled snap hook on the end. My default anchor is a solid 3lb dumbell with a steel ring zip-tied to it to clip on to. I also have the aforementioned clamp with a ring on it as well.

 

I have a drift sock as well but honestly I rarely use it.

 

~Denny

[Buddha]

I'm intrigued. What do they call that, and where do I find one?

Here is a list of the kayaks that they have kits for and it includes the motor which has been customized for the mount. Also it is pedal operated leaving your hands free. I am going to think about getting this possibly.  http://bassyaks.com/products/kits-available/

[MidTNKayakAngler]

I use a combination of items depending on the depth, structure, wind, and which kayak I'm in.

Anchor on anchor trolley

Drift Chute

Stick-It-Pin

Set up to where the wind pushes me where I want

Point the nose of the kayak into the wind and try to get a cast of two in before the wind blows me off the spot

[Fishes in trees]

Never fished out of a kayak, but back in the day I had to fish out of canoes from time  to time and I owned a a couple of different pond boats for a decade or so.  Anyway, the best advice I can give is learn how to drift.  Get good at positioning your boat so that you drift over the best spots.

[Matthew2000]

I'm intrigued. What do they call that, and where do I find one?

. Not sure I saw it in a magazine I will do a little research.

[Buddha]

I'm intrigued. What do they call that, and where do I find one?

Here is something but it it is twice the price.

 

https://www.austinkayak.com/products/5627/YakAttack-ParkNPole-Stakeout-Pole-6-Foot.html?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PriceGrabber&scpid=36&scid=scsho288728&scr=11/

[Buddha]

http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/showArticle.html?174

 

 

I still think the best solution is the trolling motor but obviously it is the most expensive.

[Matthew2000]

No this thing was a clamp device that was like a manual power pole that telescoped up.