Kayak fishing

[Glenn]

Got Kayak fishing on the brain?  Let's hear about it!

 

https://www.hobie.com/fishing-kayaks/

 

[Bluebasser86]

I need to get out and get some fish added for my multispecies kayak challenge! I was in the lead at the end of last month but haven't had it out once this month so I'm sure that has changed. 

[Hawkeye21]

I'm struggling to focus at work today.  As soon as I get off of work I'm heading to my first kayak bass fishing tourney.  Pre-fish tomorrow and tourney on Saturday.  I'm excited but nervous as well since I have only been out twice so far this year and have only managed to catch two small ones.  The crappy Spring made it hard to get out.  Weather has been pretty good lately and I think they should be spawning now.

[Hook2Jaw]

I fish from a Hobie Pro Angler 14 as well as an Outback.  My poor jon boat sits under the carport not drinking gas, not having the lights worked on, never having motor troubles, and never worrying about how much charge on the battery it has.

 

I should sell that thing.

 

I love kayak fishing.  I've caught everything from redfish and seatrout to king mackerel 6 miles offshore and tons and tons and tons of bass. 

 

I'm not the best bass angler, yet, so I haven't dipped into the tournament scene. 

[NYWayfarer]

37 minutes ago, Hawkeye21 said:

The crappy Spring made it hard to get out.  Weather has been pretty good lately and I think they should be spawning now.

This is true. I have only been able to get out on my kayak once this Spring and it was a bust. Wind and cold water were the norm so far this Spring.

 

Can't wait for the action to heat up. I absolutely love kayak fishing. This will be my second season doing it. It has opened up a whole new world of fishing to me.

 

 

[J Francho]

Been doing it since the early 2000s.  Only been out once in mine - crummy weather!  Should have a chance this weekend, though!

[Kletust]

Just bought a Predator PDL this past weekend.  Absolutely love it so far!

[flyfisher]

Been kayak fishing for I guess close to 20 years now and still enjoy it.  I have had some decent success this winter and into the spring.  Went out a few weekends ago and had a really good day where i didn't catch anything huge but I did catch at least a dozen in the 16-20" range and all nice and chunky.  It made the 3+ mile paddle back to the ramp into the wind with whitecaps a little more bearable

 

And am I the only one who always seems to be paddling into the wind?  I swear I always say i want to paddle into the wind on my way out and then hope it to push me back in but it always decided to change its direction on me.

 

All this being said, I hope to get out this weekend but i doubt it will happen as we are slated for rain the next 3-4 days

[DogBone_384]

On 5/17/2018 at 9:42 PM, Kletust said:

Just bought a Predator PDL this past weekend.  Absolutely love it so far!

Congratulations!

 

My Lure 11.5/overdrive is OTW as I type this. I recived the overdrive today abd BOY is it substantail: all metal less the prop.  The lift mechanism is nicely damped. Can’t wait to get the big pastic part and get fishing.

 

I started with an Ascend 128T in ‘14, moved to a Lure 11.5 and now to a second one.

 

Enjoy your PDL!

 

Here’s the new Lure as I rigged it.  Took it out for its maiden pedal tonight (5/24).  Woke up a group of leg muscles I’ve neglected for a LONG time....

 

 

[The Kangler]

I’m totally hooked on kayak fishing.  Adding a Elite 9ti and a motorguide Xi5 trolling motor with pinpoint gps to my Predator 13 soon.  I really want that spot lock feature! ?

[kjfishman]

I have been out 4 times so far this year in my Loon 126 and once in my bass boat. 

[boostr]

Haven't used my Lure 11.5 all of last year since I bought my boat, and trying to put that barge on top of my Explorer was a hassle. I just recently purchased a 15' F150 which will make for easier bed loading than roof top hassle.. So she'll definitely see the water again this year.

[kenmitch]

Here's mine. 

 

 

Native Watercraft Slayer Propel 10.

 

Kayak fishing is the bomb and I'm really glad I opted for it rather than a boat. I was literally a day away from buying a boat but decided on the Kayak instead. Picked up the trailer for $200 for more of a convenience thing as I live about 3 miles from Lake Perris as it saves my wear and tear on my back on the loading and unloading part. Nice weather here in SoCal so I've been out about 25-30 times this year so far!

 

[fishwizzard]

 Your Slayer 10 is newer than mine and I covet your rear flush mounted rod holders and the beer can/rod holder combo on the side.  

 

My my only complaint with the Slayer 10 is the LH rudder control.   I hold the rod in my left hand and I would love to switch it over, but I don't think I can reach inside the hull well enough.  

[J Francho]

You can add flush mount rod holders aftermarket, and install them yourself. 

[fishwizzard]

34 minutes ago, J Francho said:

You can add flush mount rod holders aftermarket, and install them yourself. 

I know, but I don't think they sell the flushmount beer can holder separately.  

[J Francho]

https://www.amazon.com/SeaSense-Recessed-Holder-4-Inch-Black/dp/B004XAIZTQ?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-ffnt-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B004XAIZTQ

[kenmitch]

9 hours ago, fishwizzard said:

I know, but I don't think they sell the flushmount beer can holder separately.  

Can't you just put your beer in the drive cover? Mine has a cup holder built into it also.

 

Have you contacted Native Watercraft and asked if you can buy the combo rod/beer holder?

 

I cast with the right and reel with the right also. The left hand rudder control does somewhat suck at times. I like to go into a spot stealth mode and try to move as little as possible most of the time. What I do is just carry 1 part of a 2 part paddle with me and use it to pivot when I'm sitting still and do really sharp turns when I'm under way. Works pretty good for me at least.

[fishwizzard]

Placing anything in the drive cover is an absolute guarantee that I will foul the prop on something within the next few minutes. ?

I should call Native and try to buy the part, that's a good idea.  

 

I have a little hand paddle that I use as well, but I would dearly love to be able to smack the rudder control while keeping pressure on the fish with my rod hand. 

[kenmitch]

On 5/30/2018 at 4:22 PM, fishwizzard said:

Placing anything in the drive cover is an absolute guarantee that I will foul the prop on something within the next few minutes. ?

I should call Native and try to buy the part, that's a good idea.  

 

I have a little hand paddle that I use as well, but I would dearly love to be able to smack the rudder control while keeping pressure on the fish with my rod hand. 

When fighting a fish I use the fish, my rod and the peddles to do some maneuvering. It's kind of hard to explain so you'd have to experiment with it. You kind of have to counter the fishes movement with rod angle and peddling forward/backwards when needed. Doesn't take much of a fish to move the Slayer. Depending on strength of the fish and rod angle you can almost pivot the Slayer. Once you get the fish head on it's not too hard to keep it on the side you want. Feisty fish that zigzag to left and right are the funnest to fight on a kayak.

[thinkingredneck]

Yeah,  I had one go under the kayak and leverage against the side to get off.  It happened right at the boat in seconds.  Ned rig 

[fishwizzard]

On 6/1/2018 at 11:58 PM, kenmitch said:

When fighting a fish I use the fish, my rod and the peddles to do some maneuvering. It's kind of hard to explain so you'd have to experiment with it. You kind of have to counter the fishes movement with rod angle and peddling forward/backwards when needed. Doesn't take much of a fish to move the Slayer. Depending on strength of the fish and rod angle you can almost pivot the Slayer. Once you get the fish head on it's not too hard to keep it on the side you want. Feisty fish that zigzag to left and right are the funnest to fight on a kayak.

My issue is more keeping the yak away from "hazards", like overhead branches, docks, or patches of weeds that will foul the prop.  It's more an issue when perch fishing where I am on wider tidal rivers and am fishing very close to shoreline cover.  

[kenmitch]

2 minutes ago, fishwizzard said:

My issue is more keeping the yak away from "hazards", like overhead branches, docks, or patches of weeds that will foul the prop.  It's more an issue when perch fishing where I am on wider tidal rivers and am fishing very close to shoreline cover.  

Oh....In those scenarios one must bite the bullet and use the left hand to steer when needed. The way it's designed you wouldn't be able to just mount it on the right side as it fits into a molded in pocket with cable guides mounted into it.

 

[fishwizzard]

2 minutes ago, kenmitch said:

 The way it's designed you wouldn't be able to just mount it on the right side as it fits into a molded in pocket with cable guides mounted into it.

 

Ah, I have never really gotten into the hull to see, just stuck my arm in the hatches to feel around.  

 

Do you know off hand if there are any peddle yaks on the market with the option for RH rudder control?  

[kenmitch]

2 minutes ago, fishwizzard said:

Ah, I have never really gotten into the hull to see, just stuck my arm in the hatches to feel around.  

 

Do you know off hand if there are any peddle yaks on the market with the option for RH rudder control?  

 

Not off hand....But I'll be sending you a PM in a couple of minutes or so.