Kayak Fishing

DCGallim

DCGallim

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It's been about 12 years since I sold off all my kayaks and canoe now I'm regretting it and looking to get back into it. I know The Green Heron does some kayak fishing and I believe bigfelipe and NKD paddle but not sure if they fish. So what boat are you guys using? Any must have gear?

Currently I'm leaning toward a Perception Pescador Pro 12. Seems to be the best bang for the buck that I can find.
 
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I am a total kayak newb. I have a cheap boat. Been out a few times with bigfelipe.

I do enjoy it, but I would really like to try some fly fishing out of one. Used to fish a bit and haven't done it in years.
 
I have a WS Commander 120 for smaller water bodies and a WS ATAK 140 for big lakes, backwater and ocean. Only necessary accessories are a decent paddle, basic fishing gear and floats on everything that isn't tied to the boat.

I like the Plano sealed boxes because they float and keep water out. Keep about 5 or 6 in a Rigid brand crate from Home Despot. Rod holders for every rod you take is good so you don't drop any. It's easier to have a few different rods than one where you have to keep changing line, leaders, lures..... Everything is more difficult on a kayak so organization and simplicity is always my goal.

A few people I've taken for the first time struggle with it because they're not acting in an organized manner. For instance, you cast out and get hung. The wind is slowly pushing you towards the underwater snag. While you were trying to un-snag your slack line got wrapped around your paddle and around another underwater twig. the wind is still blowing and the original snag is under the boat so you pick up your paddle, oh wait it's snagged, to correct your boat position not realizing that the back of your boat and your other rod is heading for the tree line. Now your other rod is bending over from a tree branch about 5' high, the first rod is heading for the water cause it's still snagged while to boat was moving away and turning 180 degrees.... You get the idea. It takes practice to enjoy.

To solve the above problem. Open the bail, anchor down, then work on the snag. So add an anchor to the accessory list.
 
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muskrat;n80949 said:
I have a WS Commander 120 for smaller water bodies and a WS ATAK 140 for big lakes, backwater and ocean. Only necessary accessories are a decent paddle, basic fishing gear and floats on everything that isn't tied to the boat.
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I'd like an ATAK but can't pony up that much. I had one of the original Tarpon 140 Anglers (perks of working at Wilderness Systems at the time).
 
I am by no means an authority on kayaks, but I do know one thing. I have met you, and you make me look frying size, you one big youngern.

You sir are gonna need a bigger boat. Your choices are gonna be rather limited.
Don't even think about a "normal people kayak". I have the Jackson BigRig and it is comfortable, rated for every bit of the #450 listed.
It's a lot easier to paddle than it looks and about as stable as a kayak can be....I reckon. My experience so far is limited. I plan to put a lectric motor on it this spring.
 
Native Slayer
I fish the marsh creeks at Pawleys Island and it does well for me.
It is a great boat for small water.
For me a measuring board for the fish I want to keep.
A net for the toothy critters I catch...no lipping most saltwater fish. http://fishermansheadquarters.com/fish_grip.htm
Mushroom anchor(10#) holds good in the current and doesn't get hung up. Trolley system for the anchor.
Tackle box storage.Not a fan of the "crate" storage systems. Hard to get to for me.
I customized rod holders right behind my seat. Easier to get to.
 
DCGallim;n80900 said:
It's been about 12 years since I sold off all my kayaks and canoe now I'm regretting it and looking to get back into it. I know The Green Heron does some kayak fishing and I believe bigfelipe and NKD paddle but not sure if they fish. So what boat are you guys using? Any must have gear?

Currently I'm leaning toward a Perception Pescador Pro 12. Seems to be the best bang for the buck that I can find.
Click to expand...

I'm a "little feller" in at 325# and I have a Wilderness tarpon 130T that I fish out of. I converted it to a solo and love all of the room that it affords me for gear/coolers/etc. I use it for creeks, rivers, the sound, etc. and it's super stable and comfortable. The weight limit is 550#. I don't believe that you're located too far from me at all. I'm near Whitsett and would be glad to meet up with you at Mckintosh to let ya try my boat out. Just PM me and we'll set it up.
 
The Green Heron;n80958 said:
I am by no means an authority on kayaks, but I do know one thing. I have met you, and you make me look frying size, you one big youngern.

You sir are gonna need a bigger boat. Your choices are gonna be rather limited.
Don't even think about a "normal people kayak". I have the Jackson BigRig and it is comfortable, rated for every bit of the #450 listed.
It's a lot easier to paddle than it looks and about as stable as a kayak can be....I reckon. My experience so far is limited. I plan to put a lectric motor on it this spring.
Click to expand...

The Pescador Pro 12' gives has enough weight capacity to carry 75lbs of crap which is plenty. I'm mostly worried about length when I'm sitting. They don't make much of anything for 6'6" folk.
 
DCGallim;n80954 said:
I'd like an ATAK but can't pony up that much. I had one of the original Tarpon 140 Anglers (perks of working at Wilderness Systems at the time).
Click to expand...

Daniel, Great Outdoor provision had an ATAK recently for several hundred off original price. I use a WS Ride 135. Its a great boat and will carry a ton of weight. I want an ATAk myself though. A good paddle, maybe an anchor trolley, and some rod holders will get you in business
 
DCGallim;n80900 said:
It's been about 12 years since I sold off all my kayaks and canoe now I'm regretting it and looking to get back into it. I know The Green Heron does some kayak fishing and I believe bigfelipe and NKD paddle but not sure if they fish. So what boat are you guys using? Any must have gear?

Currently I'm leaning toward a Perception Pescador Pro 12. Seems to be the best bang for the buck that I can find.
Click to expand...

DC if you want to paddle a Perception pro 12 I have one I'll be glad to let you try. Just let me know .
 
I'm a Wildy whore... I have a Wilderness Aspire 105, and a Pungo 120 right now. I mostly just like to paddle, but I've done some fishing in all my boats. Just sold off my "big" boats. Had a Wildy Tsunami 14.5 and Commander 140 until recently.

If you're a big guy and want room for you and your gear, stability, and comfort, the Commanders are great. Perfect or fishing platforms outside of the ocean. Throw a cooler and a milk crate in it and go.

As to equipment... You don't need much gear. Decent paddle is important. Not a $500 job or anything. My favorite is the Aqua-bound Manta Ray fiberglass 2-piece. Plenty light and can be found for about $100. Don't waste your money on the $30-40 paddles. I've broken 2 now just digging hard in water. They're fine for a spare though if you prefer that over an emergency paddle. Most of the other stuff is just for show. I keep 2 paddles, and some safety gear, plus some dry bags and whatever gear the trip/fishing condition requires. You don't need everything for every boat if you go out in groups though. Like in a group we only keep one spare paddle, pump, float, and a couple throw lines split among the yaks.

Decent paddle with lanyard,
vest,
poles,
waterproof boxes, bags
anchor,
paddle float,
bilge pump or at least a sponge&bailing bucket,
throw rope,
lights,
IFAK

fishing gear, food stuff, camping stuff etc...
 
I have 5 different yaks. If you are near south Raleigh, Holly Springs, I can le you sit in some and maybe get an idea what "fits"you. If near Greensboro, Get-Outdoors has a on the water day. Then they sell the trail boats at a discount
 
For "Biggins" I suggest a Nucanoe. Love mine although I'm no longer in that "Biggin" Category.

Mine is a Frontier 12'. Love that thing. I swear and can stand and dance in it.

Pescador was my 2nd choice. Let me know if you have any questions. I'm not sure where your at but you welcome to paddle mine anytime if your out toward Fuquay or Holly Springs area.
 
Sp00ks;n81524 said:
For "Biggins" I suggest a Nucanoe. Love mine although I'm no longer in that "Biggin" Category.

Mine is a Frontier 12'. Love that thing. I swear and can stand and dance in it.

Pescador was my 2nd choice. Let me know if you have any questions. I'm not sure where your at but you welcome to paddle mine anytime if your out toward Fuquay or Holly Springs area.
Click to expand...

Ok, we got to get a F-V/ HS group meet going, lol
 
Sp00ks;n81524 said:
For "Biggins" I suggest a Nucanoe. Love mine although I'm no longer in that "Biggin" Category.

Mine is a Frontier 12'. Love that thing. I swear and can stand and dance in it.

Pescador was my 2nd choice. Let me know if you have any questions. I'm not sure where your at but you welcome to paddle mine anytime if your out toward Fuquay or Holly Springs area.
Click to expand...

Today's kayaks are far more stable than most people know. I haven't been this crazy with my ATAK but it's as stable as the dock when standing up. When I went swimming to find my leatherman, getting back in took no special effort. Just picked myself up and pushed off the side. The boat leaned but not even far enough to dump gear.

[video=youtube;HQkLy0vGE0s]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQkLy0vGE0s[/video]
 
Burt Gummer;n81043 said:
Daniel, Great Outdoor provision had an ATAK recently for several hundred off original price. I use a WS Ride 135. Its a great boat and will carry a ton of weight. I want an ATAk myself though. A good paddle, maybe an anchor trolley, and some rod holders will get you in business
Click to expand...

Now I keep looking at the ATAKs and might just spend the couple extra dollars on one.
 
Anything sit on top wilderness systems.....I have several, have owned other brands but always revert back to wilderness systems...if fishing salt water van staal pliers/line cutters they are awesome, I have also become fond of fiberglass rod stick anchors, other than that be prepared to be extra hard on rods and reels, I like to tell people if you can leave in a kayak and return with fish (that you caught and landed from the yak) you know how to fish....wind, current, knots, all types of things that a minor challenges from a boat can be major challenges in a yak, have fun!
 
NKD;n80912 said:
I am a total kayak newb. I have a cheap boat. Been out a few times with bigfelipe.

I do enjoy it, but I would really like to try some fly fishing out of one. Used to fish a bit and haven't done it in years.
Click to expand...

It's a little hard to flyfish out of most kayaks. They sit so low in the water, it makes casting very hard without slapping the water. I fish for a Jackson with a high seat and it doable but still hard. I usually give up and revert back to a spinning rod about halfway through.
 
Make sure whatever you get has about 50 pounds more of weight limit for you than you want to load it with. I was about 30 pounds under my trusty old Wilderness Systems kayak's limit and was almost swamping the back end. majdurham can attest to how weird looking it was. In fact, I think he did say it was getting swamped when I was paddling hard to get across the inter-coastal quickly. The second time I went out I had to lose any non-essential gear.
 
He ain't lying there! Every stroke put his stern under. Of course, where we were crossing the ICW there was no room for tarrying!
 
It's not hard at all. The thing that I have found to be most helpful is to mount a Scotty type rod holder right in front of you (read between yer legs) so that it's convenient to just set your rod in while landing a fish, rigging different baits, or simply paddling to a new spot. I fish out of a sit on top yak but I would think that the biggest difference in it and a sit in would mostly be just gear capacity and accessory mounting real estate. I built a rod holder/basket frame to help keep things organized and off the deck of my boat. Life's much easier now trying to fish with out having to figure out where to lash my extra rods and gear. Now, only the cooler goes up front and everything else is close at hand behind me.
 
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Errant_Venture;n85757 said:
Since you guys have a bit more experience with this... how hard would it be to fish in a sit inside kayak?
Click to expand...

I have always fished out of a sit on top kayak, but have actually been playing around with the idea of buying a sit-in kayak. The biggest difference like majdurham said is the gear storage. I can get to a lot more gear easily on my sit-on-top than I would in a sit-in, but I found on my last trip that I didn't need 90% of the stuff anyways. Get one with a couple of rod holders, or make rod holders and you should be good. The biggest difference will be sitting a smidge lower.
 
DCGallim;n80900 said:
It's been about 12 years since I sold off all my kayaks and canoe now I'm regretting it and looking to get back into it. I know The Green Heron does some kayak fishing and I believe bigfelipe and NKD paddle but not sure if they fish. So what boat are you guys using? Any must have gear?

Currently I'm leaning toward a Perception Pescador Pro 12. Seems to be the best bang for the buck that I can find.
Click to expand...
I had the pescador, bought it at Gander. I tried the kayak thing that was all the rage, and didn't care for it. I like fishing more than paddling and having room for a cooler, as I like to keep fish to eat.

I was was about to buy a Creek Boat last week and then came across a gravy boat, the dealer actually showed me the ad, as he knew I was looking for one, and this is a hunting store so I'm a regular customer. The gravy boat is nothing like those one man crow Boat that will flip if you fart. The guy that made these is dead, but they can be found used every now and then. It's more roomy than the kayak. Is more stable than the Pescador. Paddles well enough if the battery goes dead, has skeg for tracking and to help with wind. It's comfortable with a nice seat. Look how wide that seat is for a big boy like you.

I know where another is listed. The only place I know that still makes the boats like this is caiman outdoors, and they are even more stable, but wider for a man your size, which makes it a little slower to paddle that the Gravy. I love the foot controled trolling motor. Tried this Boat in the river Saturday. Trying to paddle and reposition a kayak on the river in creeks is a pita while trying to hold a pole and fish. If I was going to fish from a kayak it would be a pedal kayak. The Caiman boats and gravy boats have live wells and more room for gear. The seats adjust back and forth for a 6'6" guy and the guy at caiman outdoors will even do custom fitting. These are great for fresh water slow rivers, creeks, and lakes. I wouldn't put them in the Ocean, a sit on top with scupper holes is better for large waves ;)
 
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"Bend over Abigail May! Cause here comes the gravy boat!"

Sorry, Doc says it's like touretts but like nothing he's ever seen. First thing that hits my brain just fly's out.
 
All of my kayaks are rigged for fishing. Most are Wilderness Systems brand. I haven't upgraded boats or gear in a few years because I don't see the need.
We have 2 140 Tarpons, a 145 Tsunami, a 175 Tsunami, 2 tandems, and an Old Town Castine. Oh...and an Old Town canoe too!
I prefer 14' or better no matter what water I paddle.
 
Took awhile but here's what I ended up with.
IMG_3069.jpg

Jackson Big Rig.
Took it out today just to get a feel for it and to learn what rigging options are gonna work for me. Got an anchor trolley system ready to install and the way the wind was blowing today I see how necessary it is. Also need to figure a way to get the slack anchor line out of my way. I like that anchor wizard but not the price tag. Probably gonna make a stake out pole as well.
I'm a baitcaster guy and they don't play well with braid which is multiplied by some of the weird angles you have to cast from, so it looks like I'm switching to florocarbon.

IMG_3070.jpg
 
Nice boat Daniel. We need to get together and do some fishing soon
 
NKD said:
I am a total kayak newb. I have a cheap boat. Been out a few times with bigfelipe.

I do enjoy it, but I would really like to try some fly fishing out of one. Used to fish a bit and haven't done it in years.
Click to expand...
Fly fishing out of a kayak is very hard as you're sitting almost level with the water and it's hard to get a good cast. I fished for about and hour and switched over to spin rods.
 
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NKD said:
I am a total kayak newb. I have a cheap boat. Been out a few times with bigfelipe.

I do enjoy it, but I would really like to try some fly fishing out of one. Used to fish a bit and haven't done it in years.
Click to expand...


I'm gonna disagree with Chuck a bit. I exclusively fly fish out of my kayak. I would recommend an 8'+ rod to overcome the low seating. And if you don't know, learn how to single haul. With a shorter rod, it would be tough. I use an 8' 4wt or a 9' 5 wt most of the time. I'm kicking around the idea of trying my 6'6" 2 wt for bream but have not gotten around to it. Been wanting to get out but either have stuff to do, the weather is crap, or the water is crap because of the weather. Hickory is still stained from the rain.
 
chiefjason said:
I'm gonna disagree with Chuck a bit. I exclusively fly fish out of my kayak. I would recommend an 8'+ rod to overcome the low seating. And if you don't know, learn how to single haul. With a shorter rod, it would be tough. I use an 8' 4wt or a 9' 5 wt most of the time. I'm kicking around the idea of trying my 6'6" 2 wt for bream but have not gotten around to it. Been wanting to get out but either have stuff to do, the weather is crap, or the water is crap because of the weather. Hickory is still stained from the rain.
Click to expand...
I need to take you up to the North Toe for some Smallmouth fishin! I guess that's what makes it hard to use a fly rod and watch and paddle the river and being down close to the water makes it even harder. If you're on a big body of water it is a little easier.
 
I'm kind of looking for a Jackson if anyone sees anything used laying around.
 
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