Kayak essentials

[jr231]

I couldn't find what I was looking for in the list.. two things. 

1) what are the things you always bring and rely on when using your kayak. 

2) your favorite presentations for kayak fishing. My kayak you are not able to stand. So some techniques are a little more difficult. if your kayak is similar then I would love to hear your (seasonal) go-to baits. 

[Darren.]

22 minutes ago, Yeajray231 said:

I couldn't find what I was looking for in the list.. two things. 

1) what are the things you always bring and rely on when using your kayak. 

#1 is a PFD; knife; emergency paddle (I'm electrified); Food/water if I plan on being out extended period of time.

2) your favorite presentations for kayak fishing. My kayak you are not able to stand. So some techniques are a little more difficult. if your kayak is similar then I would love to hear your (seasonal) go-to baits. 

Favorite presentations are the wacky rig, and drop shot

 

[jr231]

No luck with hardbaits or jigs ? Spinners of any kind ? Do you use one of those drift socks ? Anchor system ? Do you have recommendations on a depth finder ?  Do you only fish out of your yak ? Usually in Lakers or rivers? Primary target species ? 

@Darren.

[Choporoz]

1 hour ago, Yeajray231 said:

I couldn't find what I was looking for in the list.. two things. 

1) what are the things you always bring and rely on when using your kayak. 

Beyond the obvious, I always take at least one bottle of water, flag (gives me a lot of peace of mind on busy water), fish grips, sonar, cigars, readers, empty water bottle (I can't stand in mine, either...if I need to take a leak and can't get to a decent landing, the empty bottle becomes invaluable.)

2) your favorite presentations for kayak fishing. My kayak you are not able to stand. So some techniques are a little more difficult. if your kayak is similar then I would love to hear your (seasonal) go-to baits. 

My presentations don't vary too much from when I'm in a boat.  I just learned to be proficient roll-casting when I might otherwise be flipping. I will say that I've never tried to throw an a-rig from my yak;  Unlike @Darren. , I rarely drop-shot or wacky rig. 

 

I bought a drift sock, but haven't ever tried to use it.  Sonar and anchor trolley were early, important mods. 

[Darren.]

52 minutes ago, Yeajray231 said:

No luck with hardbaits or jigs ? Spinners of any kind ? Do you use one of those drift socks ? Anchor system ? Do you have recommendations on a depth finder ?  Do you only fish out of your yak ? Usually in Lakers or rivers? Primary target species ? 

@Darren.

Was just answering your original question. As for these:

I rarely throw hardbaits these days. Just not as productive.

Jigs are in my tackle box, throw occasionally. Spinners not
often.

No drift sock; yes Stick-It Anchor Pin 7', and rarely use an
anchor anymore other than the pin. Trolling motor keeps me
on spot usually. 

Have a cheap depth finder - if I had money, I'd get something
with down scan to give me better image of contour.

I bank fish sometimes, otherwise I yak it. Lakes/reservoirs.

Primary is bass, but I'll take anything that bites.

[jr231]

3 hours ago, Darren. said:

Was just answering your original question. As for these:

I rarely throw hardbaits these days. Just not as productive.

Jigs are in my tackle box, throw occasionally. Spinners not
often.

No drift sock; yes Stick-It Anchor Pin 7', and rarely use an
anchor anymore other than the pin. Trolling motor keeps me
on spot usually. 

Have a cheap depth finder - if I had money, I'd get something
with down scan to give me better image of contour.

I bank fish sometimes, otherwise I yak it. Lakes/reservoirs.

Primary is bass, but I'll take anything that bites.

Thank you. What depth finder do you have now ? And what can it do ? I think I just need depth and temperature but it would be pretty sweet to show objects and fish.. 

No luck with the hardbaits huh.. that's crazy.. I have extreme success with hardbaits..and the last few years have got lunker of the year for me (like biggest bass I caught that year not some contest lol)

You said wacky and drop shot.. you don't like the senko (or whatever stick bait you use) weightless texas ?

[Darren.]

7 minutes ago, Yeajray231 said:

Thank you. What depth finder do you have now ? And what can it do ? I think I just need depth and temperature but it would be pretty sweet to show objects and fish.. 

An older Garmin unit, simple, black & white. Don't actually use it much, but plan to make more use of it in 2017, hopefully. I've seen fish on it, but found it more helpful with contour, FWIW.

No luck with the hardbaits huh.. that's crazy.. I have extreme success with hardbaits..and the last few years have got lunker of the year for me.

I've had luck, but just not enough to keep me casting them all the time. Hence the occasional/rare usage.

You said wacky and drop shot.. you don't like the senko (or whatever stick bait you use) weightless texas ?

I employ a TX rig, mojo, split shot as well. Prefer using Zoom Trick and Finesse worms for those, but I've used senkos weightless TX with success. Just prefer wacky and drop, catch more using those techniques.

 

[MassYak85]

Like others said I always have a PFD with or on me (I will admit I don't always wear it during the hot summer months, I need to start though). Besides that a water bottle and stuff to deal with a fish once I catch it (scale, pliers etc.) are the only other essentials besides at least some gear. Oh and a paddle obviously (duh). As far as techniques, I really don't eliminate any techniques just because I am in my kayak, but I do tend to fish shallower. So frogs and wacky rigs are my go to's. 

[Caliyak]

6 hours ago, Yeajray231 said:

I couldn't find what I was looking for in the list.. two things. 

1) what are the things you always bring and rely on when using your kayak. 

2) your favorite presentations for kayak fishing. My kayak you are not able to stand. So some techniques are a little more difficult. if your kayak is similar then I would love to hear your (seasonal) go-to baits. 

1. PFD, paddle, Leatherman, phone and water

2. Texas rig worm and creature bait, swimbaits, we can go in close so flipping is easy on a kayak, pitching is a little tougher. I can't stand on my kayak so flipping into cover is what I do. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and almost anything can be thrown but it takes practice. 

5 hours ago, Yeajray231 said:

No luck with hardbaits or jigs ? Spinners of any kind ? Do you use one of those drift socks ? Anchor system ? Do you have recommendations on a depth finder ?  Do you only fish out of your yak ? Usually in Lakers or rivers? Primary target species ? 

@Darren.

I don't use an anchor unless I know it's going to be a windy day. I move a lot/ hunting to fish. I have the Garmin 100. It's the bottom of the models because I only need it for temp and depth. My yak is all I use and love it. Ponds and reseviors in Cali and for me, bass is #1 but I will not discriminate. LOL 

[jr231]

Yea for example when I use jerkbaits I can't do my normal "snap-snap-snap" straight down like I do when I'm standing up. its a blast though. I have a 14ft extra wide Jon boat, and an inflatable boat.. but I usually fish alone .  So the kayak is just seeming to be a great choice. A good workout too . And I like the stealth aspect of it. 

[Yakalong]

usually 3 rods in my kayak have top water, crank bait, and a swim bait to start, if it is early spring or late fall a white rooster tail for white bass.

something always that goes with me is a pair of needle nose pliers 

[MassYak85]

1 hour ago, Yeajray231 said:

Yea for example when I use jerkbaits I can't do my normal "snap-snap-snap" straight down like I do when I'm standing up. its a blast though. I have a 14ft extra wide Jon boat, and an inflatable boat.. but I usually fish alone .  So the kayak is just seeming to be a great choice. A good workout too . And I like the stealth aspect of it. 

My favorite part is how shallow you can get. Nothing is off limits. 

[bchase44]

I have a Wilderness Systems Ride 135.. Even though almost everyone else says you can stand up in it.. I find it very unsettling. I plan to try some more when the water is warm next year.

So I sit for now, learn to roll cast (spinning rod or baitcaster).. It's pretty easy to learn and you will get just as good as pitching in my opinion doing that. If you google it make sure it's not fly fishing roll cast, that's not same thing

I use a  Hummingbird 581i HD Down Imager .. Still getting used to using it but I can see baitfish and cover/structure with it.

Don't know if you have a rudder but I love mine, helps in a lot of situations to position on the move without hands.

Techniques:  I drop-shot shallow, and do a lot of finesse type fishing.  I do a lot of small crank fishing too..

[Dannytoo]

"No drift sock; yes Stick-It Anchor Pin 7', and rarely use an
anchor anymore other than the pin. Trolling motor keeps me
on spot usually."

Darren, not to steal the post but how have you attached a trolling motor to your yak?

 

[jr231]

I feel like his kayak is heavy ! Ha-ha. Mine can't be more than 75lbs. I can pick it up and put it in the back of a full size pick up . 

[dwh4784]

Besides what I've read already, a paddle leash is something I use a lot. That way when you get a good fish on you can toss the paddle in the water and not worry about it. I fish mostly in the shallow, love top water action. When largemouth fishing one rod will have a soft body frog on it, another a t-rig senko. The third varies depending on the day. Also, sunscreen! Nothing like sunburned legs to remind you of a good day on the water. One more thing would be a net to land the nicer fish, and I use it to carry my water,anchor,etc between the water and the van as well.

[jr231]

1 hour ago, dwh4784 said:

Besides what I've read already, a paddle leash is something I use a lot. That way when you get a good fish on you can toss the paddle in the water and not worry about it. I fish mostly in the shallow, love top water action. When largemouth fishing one rod will have a soft body frog on it, another a t-rig senko. The third varies depending on the day. Also, sunscreen! Nothing like sunburned legs to remind you of a good day on the water. One more thing would be a net to land the nicer fish, and I use it to carry my water,anchor,etc between the water and the van as well.

My yak has a bungee and a clip on both sides where I can easily hang the paddle up on the side with one hand. Its pretty B.A! But a rod leash is a really good idea.. thanks. I'm always worried about tipping and losing my tackle so I try and bring less.. how much does everyone usually bring ? 

[dwh4784]

The clip sounds really handy. My kayak has indentations to rest it in, but it sits sideways and gets in the way when fighting a fish. So at the first opportunity I grab it and toss it off the side the fish isn't coming in on. I tried leashes on the rods also but it was just too much of a PITA.

I use one small tackle bag, the little blue one Cabelas sells. I also keep it zipped up and tie it off, just in case. It fits six 3500 size boxes, and has room on the ends for pliers, scale, etc. I usually just pack the boxes I'll actually use that day. And I don't carry any duplicate lures (other than extra plastics).

 

[the reel ess]

Kayak, paddle (you will eventually forget this), paddle leash, PFD, Homemade crate with rod holders. tackle box I leave in the truck. One small clear Plano box in the crate.

As many combos as I think I might need already rigged with what I think they'll bite. I have holders for 7, including in the crate. Usually I take 5-6.

A few bags of the soft plastics I plan on using. Pliers. A weight scale. Sometimes scissors if I plan on cutting braid. My phone in a waterproof, floating case my family gave me.

I have a T-rig combo, a crankbait/topwater combo, a spinning jerkbait combo, a frog/hvy jig combo, a spinner/buzzbait combo and a spinning combo that I usually have a weightless Trick Worm tied on. These will cover any presentation and I can go back to the truck if I need something from the tackle box.

 

[MassYak85]

18 hours ago, Yeajray231 said:

My yak has a bungee and a clip on both sides where I can easily hang the paddle up on the side with one hand. Its pretty B.A! But a rod leash is a really good idea.. thanks. I'm always worried about tipping and losing my tackle so I try and bring less.. how much does everyone usually bring ? 

Too much! 

I have a milk crate behind my seat in my FS10. I have PVC tubes tie-wrapped to it so I can have 3 rods behind me, and a net. Then I have the two stock rod holders that are recessed into the kayak. So I can bring 5 rods if I want to. The milk crate also is big enough for about 6 3700 boxes. As far as tipping and losing gear, I haven't ever tipped but I mounted those plastic eyelets to either side of the kayak where the rod holders are, and I have a short piece of bungee that I can wrap around the rod that's in the holder and then hook into a plastic hook I also mounted. For the tackle boxes in my milk crate. I also have a bungee that can hook over the top of the crate to keep them from falling out, and then I have a bungee on either side of the milk crate to keep the crate itself in. 

14 hours ago, dwh4784 said:

The clip sounds really handy. My kayak has indentations to rest it in, but it sits sideways and gets in the way when fighting a fish. So at the first opportunity I grab it and toss it off the side the fish isn't coming in on. I tried leashes on the rods also but it was just too much of a PITA.

I use one small tackle bag, the little blue one Cabelas sells. I also keep it zipped up and tie it off, just in case. It fits six 3500 size boxes, and has room on the ends for pliers, scale, etc. I usually just pack the boxes I'll actually use that day. And I don't carry any duplicate lures (other than extra plastics).

 

I have those same indentations on mine, two sets of them actually. They are nice but I have a rather light paddle and when the wind kicks up it can get thrown into my chest even if it's resting in the indents. I mounted some bungee and plastic hooks so I can strap it in there if I need. 

 

 

Can you tell I like bungee chord yet haha

[Hawghead]

I have my PFD on at all times

I have my "hard" tackle in a water proof 370 sized tray, my soft tackle in a binder.  They are both tethered to my Yak with paracord and a carabiner.   I also keep another dry box for my wallet, phone, lighter, cigars, etc.  I have a back up 2 piece paddle in the hull of my S-O-T kayak.  

 

I have a cooler with food and drinks.  

 

Typically have a knife and a S &W M&P 9mm on my hip as well.  

 

Think your common sense and wits are useful things to have as well.

[flyfisher]

Other than your standard fishing gear/safety equipment etc...I would leave other things behind before i left my stakeout pole behind.  My Helix 5 SI is something i have grown to love as well.

 

As far as presentations go, i have yet to find anything i can do from a seated position.  I do have the ability to stand in my kayak and do it regularly but when it is windy i try not to as it will blow you around more easily.  

[Hawkeye21]

I'm pretty early in my kayaking career but so far I bring 3 poles with, one for top water one for a crank bait and one with a wacky rig.  I put my tackle bag in front of me by my feet but plan to downsize my tackle just for my kayak.  Must have a knife, cutters, scale, pfd and sun screen.  One thing I haven't seen listed is a towel.  I always like to have a towel with me to wipe my hands off after catching fish to keep the slime down some.  I also make sure I have something to drink and snack on.  I like to throw an extra shirt and shorts in my dry pack just in case.  I use a dry pack for my phone that I keep around my neck so I can check the time and take pics of my nice catches.  I do have an anchor and use it occasionally.  All my extra stuff I keep in a crate behind my seat.

 

I have a Lowrance Elite 7 but haven't mounted in on my kayak yet.  I plan to add that this Spring along with a cup holder and rod holders.

[wally311]

Regarding presentations, one thing that I have noticed when fishing deeper diving crankbaits while not anchored is that they will tend to pull you in the direction of your cast, so positioning can be a pain. I often find myself making "compensation casts" to pull me back on track. Not a huge deal, but makes an anchor and an anchor trolley that much more worth while.

[afrayed knot]

Portable urinal . Come on I can't be the only one that needs to answer natures call way to frequently