Kayak Fishing

DCGallim said:
Took awhile but here's what I ended up with.
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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.

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I've got braid on that same exact reel. You need to go with a thicker braid on bait casters. Nothing under 30lb. 30lb braid = 8 lb mono thickness. 40lb = 10 lb 50lb =12 65lb=15 mono thickness. You wouldn't run a 2lb mono thickness line on your bait caster, that that's what your doing when you run 10-12 lb braid.

I run 30-50 on my low profile casting reals. My round and larger cat fishing or surf casting reels that I sling the crap out of with heavier lead I run 65. I don't have any trouble whatsoever.

That Johhny Morris carbonlite 2.0 has 30lb super slick power pro. The Lews tournament mb has 50lb regular power pro. That Abu 6500 c3 I use for heavier fish like cats and various salt water species , has 65 lb. You need to back all baitcasting reels with mono for a few yards, that way the braid doesn't slip, or tape the spool. Around rocks use a short piece of fluorocarbon leader. I simply tie it on with a double uni.

The good thing about braid is the sensitivity, no stretch, and the fish dang near set the hooks on themselves. I've got various saltwater spinning reels that's had braid on them for 10 years, line is still strong.

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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.
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The rivers are high this way also. :( I'd be out right now if the water was right.
 
The one in the picture is my cranking setup so it runs 8lb floro. Don't want anything that floats so I can keep them beating on the bottom.
 
DCGallim said:
The one in the picture is my cranking setup so it runs 8lb floro. Don't want anything that floats so I can keep them beating on the bottom.
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Common misconception with braid. Not all braid is the same.
No problem keeping it on the bottom or wherever you want the line. Just buy the kind you want. Various brands are neutrally buoyant, meaning you can sink them and they will suspend in place. Your crankbait pulls it down and the line will not float it back up. The neutralal buoyant lines are good if your using an all purpose rod like one you keep in the truck, and you may switch from crankin to top water, to plastics etc. Some brands will even sink from the top and the have heavier gortex in the line.

I run 30lb with gortex which is 8lb mono thickness on my crankin rod.
 
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Hammer21b said:
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.
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Certainly easier on a lake. Although I pulled it off on Jacob's Fork too. But that small enough I just stuck my foot out of the boat to stop. That was a lot of fun. The New is a whole different ball game. My boat is big enough, wonder if it's stable enough?
 
I have started using shorter fishing rod setups out of a kayak and canoe. I find it easier to maneuver them, and I also feel I can be more accurate with them. I don't need casting distance as I can paddle on over to where I'm going as well. I actually used a 3' rod the last time I went out in the canoe. It made the fight pretty dang fun as well.
 
I buy green Power Pro braid in 1,500 yard spools. I've tried several other braids and this one holds up the best of those that I've tried. It's limp, casts great, and is super strong. When I first started using it, I broke a rod, trying to break the line once.
 
ChickenHawk said:
I have started using shorter fishing rod setups out of a kayak and canoe. I find it easier to maneuver them, and I also feel I can be more accurate with them. I don't need casting distance as I can paddle on over to where I'm going as well. I actually used a 3' rod the last time I went out in the canoe. It made the fight pretty dang fun as well.
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I like my little Zebco Micro(3') with 8# spyderwire for kayak fishing. Same as you, don't need particularly long casting. It makes it more fun and it's easier to deal with.
 
bigfelipe said:
I like my little Zebco Micro(3') with 8# spyderwire for kayak fishing. Same as you, don't need particularly long casting. It makes it more fun and it's easier to deal with.
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Did you get the Hello Kitty :oops: or the Spider Man :mad:????

For all my stream fishing I have a 6', 2pc, graphite, light spinning setup (4lb line). Can't remember when but I picked it up from Bass Pro. It was the only one I could find that has a full length cork handle. I'll be sad when it wears out.

-R
 
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rdinatal said:
Did you get the Hello Kitty :oops: or the Spider Man :mad:????

For all my stream fishing I have a 6', 2pc, graphite, light spinning setup (4lb line). Can't remember when but I picked it up from Bass Pro. It was the only one I could find that has a full length cork handle. I'll be sad when it wears out.

-R
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I took this out just for fun last time I went fishing in the canoe. It was actually really fun. Caught a couple of bass and a handful of bream on it. Makes the fight really enjoyable.

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I use a 7'6" rod and a 8:1 reel. I can skip a 5lb bass across the water like skipping rocks. I'm gonna get a cranking specific setup next. From my little bit of time in the kayak trying to tie knots and change stuff around ain't fun. It'll be a lot easier just to switch rods and go.
 
ChickenHawk said:
I took this out just for fun last time I went fishing in the canoe. It was actually really fun. Caught a couple of bass and a handful of bream on it. Makes the fight really enjoyable.

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One of my best friends had about a 30 year old Zebco like that. He used it for everything. Used to cast fly's and cstch bullfrogs even. We called it the mighty Zebco. I put him on a nice spot full of 4-6 lb bass once. He landed everything on that little rod. I like nice rods and reels, but skill will land fish on very light weight equipment.
 
Good catch Daniel! I say you made the right choice, I love mine. Grainger carries 10' solid fiberglass rod. You will have to order it. If you don't have an account let me know and I can get it for you.
I know lots of guys make stake out poles from all kinds of things, get the fiberglass rod, it has no equal.
My next pole will be 5/8" rod. I think they purchase in the bottom better.
 
DCGallim said:
I use a 7'6" rod and a 8:1 reel. I can skip a 5lb bass across the water like skipping rocks. I'm gonna get a cranking specific setup next. From my little bit of time in the kayak trying to tie knots and change stuff around ain't fun. It'll be a lot easier just to switch rods and go.
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Yep I even do that in the boat. Usually have four rods ready when bass fishing, Worm, Crank, Spinner, Top Water. A milk crate with pvc on each corner and you should be able to carry 4 rods easy in the yak behind the seat. I prefer 6'6" and 7'0" rods myself out the one man boat that similar to a kayak in size. I just feel a little more accurate that low to the ground and I'm not loosing much on distance with a 7'. Worm is medium heavy, the rest medium:
 
Love2shoot said:
I know this is off topic but I too love kayak fishing. Any good spots you guys recommend near cary?
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Shearon Harris lake. I've never been there but wanna go. That lake is full of huge huge bass
 
Burt Gummer said:
Shearon Harris lake. I've never been there but wanna go. That lake is full of huge huge bass
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WhenI still had a nice bass boat I fished Harris exclusively. Lots of good fish there. Pre-spawn jerk bait bite for big bass is excellent and in the Fall you can get a great topwater bite in the creek arms. Other than that it is fun to fish the pads and weed edges. Post spawn a floating worm near the bluegill beds can get you a hog or two. I know a guy that likes to fish points in the Winter with deep divong jerkbaits too. He says when you find them you'll catch a ton of nice fish.
 
Yeah Harris is great. Last time I went we brought back about 30 pounds of bass filets. More bang for your buck when you are fileting 5 and six pounders!
 
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