kayak fisherman

[Bluebasser86]

Yes, some of my best swimbait fishing all year is during the winter months. I'm mainly fishing them in power plant lakes that have warmer water though, but those fish key heavily are large gizzard shad.

[glayne0930]

Can you just use any kind of swimbait u want all year around or are some for specific seasons ?

[Bluebasser86]

Just like other baits, I prefer the more subtle baits that can be fished slower in the winter months. The rest of the year, as much as I hate this phrase, you have to let the fish tell you what they want. Sometimes the aggressive, obnoxious baits will get the strikes, sometimes it's the subtle and very lifelike that trigger them. 

[glayne0930]

Ya that trying to figure out what they want is annoying some days but it's whatever

[glayne0930]

Well for stained water do u think I should use noisier baits ?

[Bluebasser86]

Most of what I fish is stained water. I use the same baits that I do in clear water. Baitfish don't become brighter or noisier in stained water than they are in clear water.

[glayne0930]

That's true never thought about it that way I'll message u if I have any more questions thanks for the help

[buzzed bait]

all personal preference, but i don't have a rod over 7' long.  i've tried, but did not like anything longer than 7'.

[boostr]

Same here, Heavy rods at 7, MH 6'6"

[Darren.]

On January 10, 2016 at 0:26 AM, glayne0930 said:

Whats largest  size rod  you will use for fishing out of your kayak ?

Use whatever size rod is comfortable to you.

As a kayak fisherman, I don't like rods longer than
6'6". I prefer rods in the 5'9" to 6'3" range as they
work better for me and my style. I do a lot of close-
up casting in areas with overhangs, etc., that I feel
a longer rod would be unruly for.

It is a personal thing as I know plenty here swear 
by rods 6'10" and longer. As well, I usually lay my
rods down in front of me, but will sometimes stick
them in a crate (with DIY PVC rod holders) behind
me.

[kjfishman]

On 1/10/2016 at 11:26 PM, glayne0930 said:

Whats largest  size rod  you will use for fishing out of your kayak ?

If you use adjustable rod holders that let you stow the rods horizontal to the water long rods aren't a problem around low hanging branches. 

[flyfisher]

i have used everything from 6'6" bait casters to 9' fly rods and they all work fine.  it is really a matter of preference. the advent of the ability to stand and having a raised seat has really eliminated many of the "problems" people had in the past with longer rods while fishing out of a kayak.  

[sully99]

It's simple- long rod, short handle

But they are very hard to find.

[E. Guido Soda]

On Sunday, January 10, 2016 at 11:26 PM, glayne0930 said:

Whats largest  size rod  you will use for fishing out of your kayak ?

Good question.  I generally like to use 6'7" - 7' and carry four or five rods at all times.  The longest rod I will bring is 7' 6", and only on certain outings.  This is due to skinny water tree cover, hugging banks, downed trees, brush, etc.  If I felt the need I could use longer but only on open water - which is probably about 30% of the time for me.  In my everyday yak outings, I am navigating tree covered skinny water, so when I head into tight spots I take my rods out of the holders and lash them to either side of the yak with the tips in the rod tip protector on my bow; they bend and fit the side of boat perfectly.  Anything longer than 7'6" doesn't fit well onto the side.  My yak is the Jackson Cuda 12, which is 12'6"' long, BTW.     

[Sandhillcrab]

I only use 6' 6" rods out of my yack. It's a all around perfect size for me.