Kayak fishing, how to?

[hokiebge]

I have been kayaking for a few years now and this year I decided to take up Bass fishing.  I own a small (9.5ft long) but wide sit in kayak.  I plan on going out on the lake on monday, but I am nervious that the first time I land a fish it is either going to flip me or take me on a sleigh ride (drag me around the lake).  Am I being unrealistic, what purcautions should I take? Can anyone with kayak fishing experience please advise.  Nervious about flipping because I fish in NY and water is pretty cold.  Thanks

[yzcajunman]

i havent kayaked yet but if your kayak is that unstable and your waters are that cold then ya really need to consider the possibility that something could happen and be prepared...... google "kayak fishing" and read read read......learn all you can before you put your life at risk. learn that you never anchor in a current ,always in an eddy. there is lots to read and learn and it could save your life! also always the possibility of getting a more stable yak!!!!!

PLEASE BE CAREFUL AND SAFE!

YZ

[Marty]

  Quote

take me on a sleigh ride (drag me around the lake).

That might happen if you hook into the Loch Ness Monster, but if a NY bass drags you around it'll probably be the new state record.

I've never been in a kayak, but I fish from a canoe and haven't been dragged around yet. As to the flipping thing, I can't answer, but I've seen plenty of guys fishing from kayaks who don't seem very concerned.

You could try something like this: while in your boat, attach your line to a stump or lily pad or shoreline object and simulate a hookset, starting out with a mild sweeping set, then gradually stronger ones. This should tell you how the yak will behave while the rod is under a load and give you more confidence for when you do tie into some bass.

Good luck.

[SnowBass23]

I've kayak fished for a long time now.  Yes, they do occasionally give you some pull.  The biggest concern usually comes in the form of other obstacles.  For example, if you are anywhere with any kind of current, wind, and/or natural obstacles (say for example, a dock) and you hook a fish then you may need to maintain kayak control while also keeping enough tension on the fish.

There are several great kayak fishing websites that have a wealth of information.  The other thing I'd recomend you pay attention to, is what are your limits?  How far can you lean back on a hookset without losing your balance?  How far can you lean over reaching for something?  In my experience, the vast majority of people that dump their yaks get it in the beggining by forgetting counterbalance and lurching forward to grab a droped object or fight a fish.  Just put in some practice and you'll do fine.

[Ballpark Frank]

Yak fishing has been my favorite method to get on the water for several years. I have a 9.5' SIK and a 13' SOT. I have only been pulled by one fish, and that was a 42# Flathead Catfish. I have never been pulled by a bass. I have flipped many times but never while fishing, only in whitewater. Modern kayaks that are meant for beginners or fishermen (not whitewater players) are extremely stable. One problem alot of beginning kayak fishermen make is trying to set the hook "as seen on TV".  Never try the KVD/Ike hookset in a kayak, they are not made for it. One way to prevent putting yourself in a tipping situation, is maintain your casts at a 45 degree angle to the bow both port and starboard. This will prevent you from over-extending your kayak's center if you set the hook hard or fight a decent sized fish. Another way to avoid turning over, is earth anchoring when fishing mild(don't fish in heavy current, your control of the boat is too limited already). By anchoring I mean getting the boat in an area close to the current but not in it, such as a small calm pocket on the inside edge of a point and wedging your stern in the dirt or mud of the bank. This allows you to sit in relatively still water, but fish the current. You can also use trees, logs, rocks, etc. as anchoring places, but be careful because even in mild current these can cause you to flip. DO NOT USE A BOAT ANCHOR WITH A KAYAK, most kayak anchors are made specifically for kayaks and have a complete anchoring/retrieval/trolley system. Get a good paddle leash and rod leash, because you will be glad you did. I am no expert, just an enthusiast. If I can be of any help, just drop me a PM.

[Bassyak]

I love my kayak for fishing. It was specifically made for it and that's about all I do from it. I have a Hobie Mirage Sport w/ the pedal drive and it's the ideal kayak fishing platform as I never have to put my rod down to reposition the boat (even if I need to back up, I keep a small wooden canoe paddle on a clip that I can use one-handed).

I've got all kinds of rod holders so I can take variety of tackle with me and it has plenty of storage for my bassin' needs.

It's almost three feet wide and very stable so I don't typically worry about flipping over (I've been fishing out of this boat for over a year, and before that I had a Hobie Mirage Outback for about 5 years and never flipped either one). I tend to use longer sweeping hooksets to the side vice over head. Also, you'll notice my rod holders tend to be more horizontal vice vertical. This keeps my spare rods out of the way while I'm casting (I've had several bad backlashes by accidentally snagging my lure on another rod during a cast, so I made some modifications). I also added a Eagle Fisheasy 320c depth finder and a gel cell battery for power. I use this mainly for identifying bottom depth and structure vice actually locating fish and it's a great little color unit for the price (about $200 on eBay).

I just ordered an anchor trolley kit from kayakfishingstuff.com so I'll be installing that next week. I'm constantly on the lookout for modifications I can make to my kayak fishing trips more enjoyable. It's almost as much fun working on my kayak as it is fishing out of it.

[hokiebge]

Thanks all, for the good info.  I went out today and caught my first fish on my kayak.  A small bass.  Catching a small fish really help to boost my confidence and I have a better idea of what I can and can't do in my kayak.  I am liking it  alot, much better than being stuck on the shore, really opens up fishing possibilities.

[PelicanRaider]

My yak is similar to yours (sit inside, 9.5 ft).  Catching fish has never been a problem...and I don't have rod holders and all the other stuff that lots of folks have.  Just the kayak, float bag, paddle leash, rod and a small assortment of lures.

LOVE IT!!!

[macmaster761]

I have been kayak fishing now for over a year.  I had a recreational perception swifty 9.5 footer that I outfitted for fishing originally but have recently upgraded to a 12 foot heritage featherlite angler edition.  Kayak fishing is great because it allows you to get into extremely shallow waters and backstreams that contain big bass that normal boats cannot get into.  There are a few things you need to know:

a fish will most likely not tow you around/offset your balance unless it tops over 4 pounds.

make sure not to get too carried away with a hookset or you may find yourself unstable

make sure to mount a fishing rod holder to your kayak for both convenience and ease of paddling, theres nothing like a fishing line getting tangled around your paddle when your getting into a current, these are only about 20 bucks and are easily mountable with 5 bucks of hardware and a drill.

don't kayak fish with a racing kayak or whitewater kayak, these do not have enough stability for fishing, and you will capsize if you cast to either side of you.  Recreational kayaks have a large hull width for beginners and serve as a great platform for kayak fishing

BE ORGANIZED AND PREPARED... have everything you need on board... kayak storage is limited

when I fish from my kayak i have a dry bag with my keys wallet and phone (in the rare case i tip) two rods, lifevest stored in back of my seat, and I wear a fishing vest with everything in it, water, snacks if its a long trip.. ....  I do not bring a tackel box because that cramps the boat and makes it uncomfortable and I always paddle barefoot

I just got back from naraganseet bay in RI fishing for stripers on my kayak and if i did catch anything I probably could have landed up to a 25 pound bass fairly easily on 2-3 foot waves

In conclusion, it is possible, it is fun and it is easier than dealing with batteries, and gas.