CenCal fisher Posted June 3, 2016 Posted June 3, 2016 The wind is a nightmare when I'm in my kayak. Lately I've only been fishing until 10 because after that the wind just pushes me around. I fish in water between 20 and 50 feet deep so a stake out pole isn't really and option. Besides only fishing coves that are shielded from the wind, what do you guys do when fishing in the wind? I was thinking about trying out a drift sock, but wasn't sure how well it would work. 2 Quote
Dye99 Posted June 3, 2016 Posted June 3, 2016 Drift socks do help...I like them because I fish for BASS, so using an anchor just doesnt make sense to me, Im out there to HUNT fish, so that means moving constantly. They will let you drag in the wind, but for me, I fish a lot of wood, so they are problematic.. The drift sock slows you down, but in the end, us Cen Cal guys are having a tough year. My main lake has been so windy its been hard to get any finesse or jig action without using really heavy baits. All these storms are calming down finally though, so hopefully we see more calm days.. Quote
Super User Master Bait'r Posted June 3, 2016 Super User Posted June 3, 2016 Hand paddle. Get one. Makes small corrections a breeze (see what I did there?!) 2 Quote
Preytorien Posted June 3, 2016 Posted June 3, 2016 I don't know if it's an option on your body of water, but I would just try to find shallower water and stake it out. Even heavier anchors in a good stiff breeze will only marginally slow your drift but not stop you completely. A stake out pole will stop you completely, but like you said, you'd have to have shallower water. Quote
MikeJames Posted June 3, 2016 Posted June 3, 2016 A friend of mine made a drag anchor out of chain. Cut it to 1 foot lengths and covered each piece with bike inner tube so it doesn't get caught up in anything. He attaches them to his rope with a carabiner and adds/removes sections depending on how much weight he needs. 2 Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted June 3, 2016 Super User Posted June 3, 2016 wind is a problem and a fact of life in the kayak. BUT if you just look for protected coves out of the wind, you'll miss a lot of active fish during that time frame! a rudder can be a fine addition to help "navigate" the wind, but it still won't solve the wind problem altogether. Quote
CenCal fisher Posted June 4, 2016 Author Posted June 4, 2016 6 hours ago, buzzed bait said: wind is a problem and a fact of life in the kayak. BUT if you just look for protected coves out of the wind, you'll miss a lot of active fish during that time frame! a rudder can be a fine addition to help "navigate" the wind, but it still won't solve the wind problem altogether. I'm more frustrated with constantly getting blown off spots while drop shotting than trying to keep my kayak pointed in one direction. 12 hours ago, Master Bait'r said: Hand paddle. Get one. Makes small corrections a breeze (see what I did there?!) Will a hand paddle help hold me in one spot longer or allow me to slow my drift enough so I cannfish an area? Quote
Super User Master Bait'r Posted June 4, 2016 Super User Posted June 4, 2016 17 minutes ago, CenCal fisher said: Will a hand paddle help hold me in one spot longer or allow me to slow my drift enough so I cannfish an area? Think more of a minor correction without grabbing the big paddle. As you said before you're worried more about staying stationary for drop shotting so an anchor may be the better call for you. Quote
Super User MassYak85 Posted June 4, 2016 Super User Posted June 4, 2016 I've been kayak fishing for probably 8-10 years now and have still yet to solve the issue of strong winds. Shallow water I can use a stake out pole. If there is standing timber I can tie my kayak to the dead trees. Deep water I have tried all sorts of homemade anchors and a few I have just bought, none have bee able to completely stop my kayak in a strong wind unfortunately. Quote
Super User Darren. Posted June 4, 2016 Super User Posted June 4, 2016 Strong winds can be the bane ... no, ARE the bane of kayakers whether paddlers, peddlers, or e-motorers. I use a motor on my kayak and don't carry an anchor except for my 7' anchor pin which I use in the shallows. I also don't fish deeper than 20'. And winds can be a beast in our local reservoirs, one of which is by an airport. Either way, I think a drift sock is probably your best bet seconded (added) by an electric motor option like the BassYaks, or one you do yourself. Quote
Tracker22 Posted June 4, 2016 Posted June 4, 2016 I know the purest will guff but a trolling motor is the way to go. The way I see it, I'm not a kayaker, I'm just a fisherman that uses a kayak. I went with the Bassyak and love it, but the price can be an obstacle. A basic diy can be accomplished for not more than the cost of the motor. 1 Quote
Super User Darren. Posted June 4, 2016 Super User Posted June 4, 2016 1 minute ago, Tracker22 said: I know the purest will guff but a trolling motor is the way to go. The way I see it, I'm not a kayaker, I'm just a fisherman that uses a kayak. I went with the Bassyak and love it, but the price can be an obstacle. A basic diy can be accomplished for not more than the cost of the motor. As I suggested above And I'm in total agreement with you. Best way to manage wind in a kayak, IMO. Not that there won't be frustrations... Quote
Super User MassYak85 Posted June 4, 2016 Super User Posted June 4, 2016 I've seriously considered the possibility of adding a trolling motor to mine as well, the back of mine has a perfect space for it. Only issue is Massachusetts Taxachusetts requires you to register your kayak if you add any sort of motor to it. So that has steered me away from doing so. Odds of anyone actually fining me for it are slim to none but still, law is the law. Quote
CenCal fisher Posted June 4, 2016 Author Posted June 4, 2016 18 minutes ago, MassYak85 said: I've seriously considered the possibility of adding a trolling motor to mine as well, the back of mine has a perfect space for it. Only issue is Massachusetts Taxachusetts requires you to register your kayak if you add any sort of motor to it. So that has steered me away from doing so. Odds of anyone actually fining me for it are slim to none but still, law is the law. Commiefornia has the same rules Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted June 4, 2016 Super User Posted June 4, 2016 you'll be surprised to find that most states actually require you to register anything once you add the electronic propulsion to it.... i had to register mine for the TM i have on it here in GA 1 Quote
Super User MassYak85 Posted June 4, 2016 Super User Posted June 4, 2016 22 minutes ago, buzzed bait said: you'll be surprised to find that most states actually require you to register anything once you add the electronic propulsion to it.... i had to register mine for the TM i have on it here in GA Hmm, might be more widespread than I thought then. It does seem kind of silly though, I know people who have thrown trolling motors on small paddleboats for S&G's and probably have no idea that law even exists. 1 Quote
Tracker22 Posted June 6, 2016 Posted June 6, 2016 Not meaning to get off topic but; why is it that you can put a motor on a bicycle and it doesn't need to be registered, but put a motor on a kayak and it does... Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted June 7, 2016 Global Moderator Posted June 7, 2016 8 hours ago, Tracker22 said: Not meaning to get off topic but; why is it that you can put a motor on a bicycle and it doesn't need to be registered, but put a motor on a kayak and it does... 5 Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted June 7, 2016 Super User Posted June 7, 2016 19 hours ago, Tracker22 said: Not meaning to get off topic but; why is it that you can put a motor on a bicycle and it doesn't need to be registered, but put a motor on a kayak and it does... Here in VA you do need to register anything motorized that is driven on public roads. You don't need a license though if it is one of hte slow moving vehicle deals. And you also need to register a kayak or any boat in VA that has any propulsion other than your body. Quote
Super User Darren. Posted June 7, 2016 Super User Posted June 7, 2016 On June 4, 2016 at 1:03 AM, MassYak85 said: Hmm, might be more widespread than I thought then. It does seem kind of silly though, I know people who have thrown trolling motors on small paddleboats for S&G's and probably have no idea that law even exists. Virginia registration required. My Native Ultimate has a lovely boat registration number on it. Hey, for the joy of having my trolling motor, I happily oblige to pay the tax. Quote
Crutch Posted June 9, 2016 Posted June 9, 2016 Honestly your best bet in my opinion (which may cost a bit of cash) would be to attach two anchor trolleys (one on either side) and buying anchors with extended lines on them. This way you can set yourself up perfectly and stay in one spot. A drift sock seems like it would be great in very slow winds where it's slow enough to handle but fast enough that's it's kind of aggravating to deal with. The smaller paddle to adjust yourself would be a great fix for when I'm not getting blown across the lake faster than I can paddle. I would rather have hands on my fishing rod than have to deal with readjusting myself in the winds, but for lighter winds seems great. Quote
faygo1979 Posted June 10, 2016 Posted June 10, 2016 Depending on the wind you really dont have a lot of options. Drift Socks work great to slow you. IN up to about 25 ft I use an anchor wizard with a good claw anchor. Anyhting deeper than that and you are really on your own. As a Hobie guy A lot of the time I just keep my self pointed into the wind and peddal this keeps me in position well enougn that I dont really need an anchor much. Quote
Quesenek Posted June 12, 2016 Posted June 12, 2016 On 6/3/2016 at 0:19 AM, CenCal fisher said: The wind is a nightmare when I'm in my kayak. Lately I've only been fishing until 10 because after that the wind just pushes me around. I fish in water between 20 and 50 feet deep so a stake out pole isn't really and option. Besides only fishing coves that are shielded from the wind, what do you guys do when fishing in the wind? I was thinking about trying out a drift sock, but wasn't sure how well it would work. I would definitely try out the drift sock, either its going to work how you want it to or not. You could also look at an anchor trolley with an extra long anchor rope, but at 20-50ft the length of anchor rope may or may not actually keep you from drifting very well. I would check out what offshore kayak fishermen use to keep from drifting off course considering they also are fishing in depths of 20ft+. Quote
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