Kayak Trip With My Grandson

[Dranrab]

I took occasion to do a little kayak bass fishing with my grandson over his spring break.  He has started tournament fishing in a youth division and is really into it.  He probably knows more about bass fishing than I do, but I thought I might be able to teach him the value of small baits, light line and backwaters when limits are hard to find.  

 

I took him to Old Fort Bayou and Davis Bayou in Ocean Springs MS on an overnighter.  Davis Bayou is perhaps my favorite brackish water destination.  The part I fish is the upper reaches where most motor boats can't make it under a low bridge.  I have caught upwards of 30 bass in a trip there.  They normally range in size from under a half pound up to pound and a half.  My bud lost a 4+ pounder there one time, and that's the biggest we have seen so far.  I was using light to ultralight tackle and he was using medium stuff.  He caught the biggest fish while I racked up an impressive total on 3" Senkos.  

 

Fishing with kids is the best!

 

He hooked up with a 6 and a half pound redfish right off the bat and took a little ride.  

 

 

His best bass of the trip was a 2.5 pounder.

 

 

 

[Darren.]

Nice outing and solid catches. Awesome that he's so

passionate about fishing.

 

I notice he doesn't wear a PFD. I know it isn't required

to wear, just have in the boat, but it'd sure help in a

sudden accident.

[Dranrab]

Good eye Darren.  We both normally wear inflatables.  I wear a belt style for kayaking and he has his own, but this time Papaw kinda screwed up.  I told him I would bring everything for him but his tackle. As I was getting ready to launch, I realized that in my rush I had forgotten PFDs.  We got our hands on some bulky type 2s to meet the legal requirement.  Since there is no motorboat traffic, we were never more than 30 feet from shore and we are both very strong swimmers we opted to have them within reach rather than wear the type 2s.  They are a PITA to fish in.

 

When he was 8 I had him in the middle of a lake teaching him how to right a capsized yak and re-board.  

[senile1]

Nice solid Redfish!  I haven't experienced anything inshore that fights like a Redfish.  How long did it take to bring that one in?  

[Dranrab]

It probably took 5 minutes to get it in.  The person in the van on the bridge stopped to enjoy the show.