From Start to Fish, Get Off the Couch and on the Water

50 STEPS TO KAYAK FISHING MASTERY FROM START TO FISH, GET OFF THE COUCH AND ON THE WATER

MY PARENTS HAVE a faded Polaroid of me, at two years old, holding my first catch. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t lust after a watery adversary. Still, every outing is a learning experience. Millions of people have not taken the plunge. There are men, women and children who dream of plying the waves to wet a line. The biggest obstacle is knowledge. How to catch fish. How to paddle a kayak. The learning curve can seem intimidating. Knots, rigs, tackle, gear, pedals, paddles and more; it can feel like you need a PhD to catch a fish. To the rescue, this year’s Kayak Angler Skills Guide. Step-by-step instructions for going from human to fisherman.

PHOTO: RIC BURNLEYPHOTO: RIC BURNLEY

www.kayakanglermag.com 1 FISHING IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT. PHOTO: JEFFREY FORTUNA

TO FISH OR NOT TO FISH Whether you’re reading this on the couch, barstool or porcelain throne, you’re asking the question, “Is fishing the right hobby for me?” The short answer is yes. Fishing is for everyone. From Type A to Type B, introvert or extrovert, casual to madly obsessed, there is a fishing for you. Fish live everywhere. There is a kayak for every type of fishing. Okay, it’s not cheap. But fishing is unique because the amount of stoke does not correspond to the amount of money A KAYAK FOR you spend. There are people who spend millions of dollars to go fishing and guys who push VERY KAYAKER. the limits on a couple bucks. When a fish is on the line, the feeling is the same. No excuses PHOTO: ROBERTO WESTBROOK (see Schooled page 42)—fishing is right for you.

ONE HOOK AT A TIME. TACKLE PHOTO: JOSE CHAVEZ KAYAK Visit an old salt’s man cave the right stuff will save on This is the best time in history to buy a kayak. and you’ll see rows of rods the initial investment. Your After years of research and development, there is and reels, stacks of tackle local tackle shop is the best a kayak for every type of fishing. Inshore, offshore, boxes, miles of fishing line, resource. More than once, flat water, backwater, fresh, salt, river, lake, ocean— nets, stringers and other flot- I have seen a new angler if it’s wet there’s a kayak designed to meet the sam littering the floor, work drop a pile of tackle on the conditions. The abundance of brands and models bench, shelves and hanging counter only to have the guy makes it more difficult to find the right ride. Your from the rafters. The aver- at the register push half the local paddle shop is the best resource. The staff age old-timer has enough stuff aside and sell the new has sold boats to paddlers of all abilities and tackle to fund a small army. customer what he actually ambitions. Many shops keep a fishing pro on staff. But I guarantee he relies needs. Seems counterintui- Most paddle shops sponsor a demo day where on a handful of rods and tive, but the shop owner un- you can kick the tires and talk fishing. They’ll even rigs. Kayak anglers use the derstands it’s more beneficial lend demo boats or take a prospective paddler for same rods, reels and rigs as to have his customers rigged a test drive. You don’t have a local paddle shop? any angler. I would recom- right and catching fish than Find regional pro staff fishing for the your favorite mend purchasing the high- slinging the wrong stuff and kayak manufacturer. These guys and gals are all est quality tackle you can getting skunked. The guy at over social media. Or visit your favorite brand’s afford, it will take a beating. the register knows you’ll be website. Most companies host social media and But strategically purchasing back for more. message boards to find like-minded anglers.

www.kayakanglermag.com 2 SHORT ANSWER PEDAL OR PADDLE? PUT IT ON, Pedals are easier to operate and offer KEEP IT ON. hands-free fishing but lines can tangle PHOTO: ZACH LANNON around lower unit and pedal drive. Paddles are more maneuverable and reliable. Paddling takes more effort.

LONG OR SHORT? Longer kayaks go farther faster. Shorter kayaks are more maneuverable.

WIDE OR NARROW? Wider beam equals greater stability. Narrow profile will go faster, straighter.

SIT-ON-TOP OR SIT-INSIDE? Sit-on-top offers more options for rigging and easier to enter and exit. Sit-inside provides protection from the elements. Sit-insides carry more gear inside. They are lighter and generally have faster hull designs.

FRAME SEAT OR LOW-PROFILE Frame seat is more comfortable, easier to stand up with adjustable seating positions. Low-profile, wind resistant and encourages a more aggressive paddling position.

MOTOR POWER? Modern motor options are light, reliable, easy to install and powerful. A trolling motor running off a 12-volt marine battery will add significant weight. Smaller, lighter lithium-ion batteries will add significant cost. Remember, a motorized kayak may have to be registered with state agencies. LIFE VEST FOR LIFE A life vest only works if you’re wearing it. You’re only going to wear a life vest if it’s comfortable. Look for soft, form fitting foam. The flotation on the back should be high on the shoulders to HOW IT’S MADE accommodate a sit-on-top high seat back. Adjust the life vest so it fits snugly and won’t ride up ROTOMOLDED in the water. Pockets on the front hold safety gear like whistle, signal strobe, personal locator A metal mold is filled with plastic beacon, safety knife, VHF and smartphone. Tackle storage isn’t as important unless you plan pellets then heated and spun. on leaving the kayak to wade and fish. Tough to damage and easy to repair.

THERMOFORMED Sheets of plastic are heated then pressed into shape. The material is LEASHES AND FLOATS lighter and more hydrodynamic. To keep the rod in the kayak, use a rod leash. The downside is the leash will make it harder to work the rod and could become tangled in the event the kayak flips over. Detach the rod leash when the rod is in your hands. If the rod goes overboard, a pool noodle zip-tied above the reel will keep it floating. A float adds weight to the rod and could affect its action. When paddling in rough water, secure the rods to the vertical rod holders in your crate with a bungee PADDLE LEASH cord or, if possible, place the rods inside the kayak. Attaching your paddle to the kayak with a tether could cause problems. First, it adds weight to the paddle and impedes the paddle stroke. There’s no reason to use a leash when you are holding the paddle. PICK YOUR PADDLE If the kayak flips, the leash could tangle Choose the lightest, stiffest paddle you can afford. Every ounce and any flex will sap power. making it harder to reenter the boat. Instead An adjustable length shaft makes it easier to dial in the paddle shaft length for a perfect stroke. of leashing the paddle to the kayak, it’s Wide, high-angle blades provide more power for a kayak with a high seat. Longer, narrower better to carry a backup set of blades. blades are less tiring for long trips.

www.kayakanglermag.com 3 WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO PUT IT? PHOTO: JEFFREY FORTUNA

HOW ARE YOU GOING TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE TO MOVE IT? How are you going to move it? Where are you going to keep it? Fishing PHOTO: JOSE CHAVEZ kayaks are big and heavy and they require some special care. Inflatable kayaks are easier to store and transport, but they are harder to paddle or pedal. Plastic kayaks should be stored on their side to prevent the plastic warping. It’s best to loosely cover the kayak with a tarp to prevent the color from fading and staining. Save your back and your keel by using a cart to move the kayak. Be sure to match the cart’s weight limit to the kayak. The best automobile to transport a kayak is in a pickup truck with a bed extender. The next best set of wheels is a kayak trailer. Car-topping is the last resort. Roof racks can be rigged with lift assist bars and saddles with rollers help slide the boat. At the boat launch, load the kayak onto the cart. Then, use totes to To load the kayak on a roof rack, first place the kayak next to the car move gear from the car to the kayak. Once the boat is rigged, roll it to parallel to the roof. Lift the bow onto the racks. Then lift the stern. Be the launch. Unload the kayak to the side of the launch and return the sure to strap the kayak to the rack, not the saddles. It’s best to transport cart to the car. the kayak upright so you can leave the seat and crate secured in the boat.

www.kayakanglermag.com 4 MOUNT ROD HOLDERS WHERE THEY WON’T INTERFERE WITH FISHING. PHOTO: JORDAN PARKER

ROD HOLDERS EXPLAINED FLUSH MOUNT Toughest and most stable rod holder. Best for drifting or trolling. Angle 45 degrees from the cen- terline to spread out the lines. Rod Tubes: Keep the reel out of the water. Good for storing the rod. Will secure the rod for light drifting or trolling with light drag.

ADJUSTABLE Point the rod in any direction and keep the reel high off the water. Makes it more difficult to remove the rod from the holder and could snag lines.

VERTICAL Rod holders on crates or livewells for transporting the rod between fishing spots.

ONE STEP AT A TIME. ALL ABOARD PHOTO: ANDREW MILLER The most precarious moment comes when it’s time to get into and out of the kayak. Don’t worry, gravity is your friend. If you have a high-low seat, be sure the seat is in the low position. If you are entering from shore, drag the kayak into the water bow first. Turn the kayak so it is parallel to the shoreline. Standing on the shallow side, reach behind you and steady the boat. Carefully sit down on the seat, keeping your center of gravity over the center of the boat, then swing your legs into the cockpit. To get out of the kayak, reverse the process. Turn the kayak so it is parallel to the shore. Swing your feet out of the boat and plant them on the bottom. Hold the kayak and lean forward to stand up. To enter the kayak from a dock put on a clown costume and prepare for a circus act, this maneuver takes balance and timing. Pull the kayak parallel to the dock. The key is keeping your center of gravity over the center of the kayak. If the dock has a ladder, you’re lucky. If not, roll over on your belly and hang your legs over the side of the dock. Put one foot in the center of the boat. Hold onto the dock to keep the boat steady. Lower your second foot to the deck of the kayak, still holding onto to the dock. Steady the kayak to keep it from sliding out. Put one foot in each footwell. When balance is achieved, let go of the dock and drop into the seat. Wave to the crowd.

www.kayakanglermag.com 5 GO FARTHER WITH A PEDAL KAYAK. PHOTO: JEFFREY FORTUNA

FEWER MOVING PARTS. PHOTO: JOSE CHAVEZ

PEDAL LESSON Pedaling a kayak seems simpler than paddling, but it presents some challenges. First, a propeller or flippers draw more water than a paddle. Remain aware of the water depth and raise the lower unit and rudder before striking bottom. The lower unit improves stability and tracking by hanging below the boat like a sailboat keel. It also cuts down on hydrodynamics, so pull the propeller or fins up before paddling for any distance. A rudder will turn the boat in a wide arc. Pedaling while turning the rudder widens the arc. For sharper turns, stop pedaling while the boat turns or drop a paddle blade into the water.

PADDLE LESSON Paddling a kayak is a simple as riding a guards so they do not go into the water. bike; after a few unsteady strokes you’ll To turn the kayak, make extra strokes be off to the races. Hold the paddle on the opposite side of the kayak from with your hands shoulder-width apart. the direction you want to turn. For a For the most efficient stroke, keep the sharper turn, make a wider stroke. For paddle shaft as low as possible and the a slight turn, to correct direction, angle blades close to the kayak. Start with the paddle blade 45 degrees to the the logo on the blade and the spoon side of the boat and pull towards the of the blade facing you. Adjust the kayak on the stroke. Dragging the blade PADDLING OFFERS THE OPTION TO FISH OUT paddle shaft so the blades enter the will turn the kayak, but also sap speed. OF A SIT-INSIDE KAYAK. water close to the boat without having To spin or reverse, turn the kayak PHOTO: SCOTT BEUTJER to lean or twist to reach the water. blade so the logo is facing away from Dip the blade without submerging you. For more tips on reverse moves, too much of the shaft. Adjust the drip turn to Skills column on page 29.

www.kayakanglermag.com 6 ANCHORING THE KAYAK IMPROVES FISHING AND SAVES ENERGY. PHOTO: WILL RICHARDSON

ANCHOR AWEIGH Anchoring the kayak is one of the most precarious maneuvers. To anchor the kayak in moving water, the line must be secured to the bow or stern of the boat. Anchor from the side and the boat will flip over and possibly become pinned below the water. To anchor or stakeout in current, rig the kayak with an anchor trolley (Rapidmedia.com/0819). In sand or soft bottom, use a grapple anchor with a short piece of chain. To anchor in a river with rocky bottom, deploy an arm’s length of heavy chain that will snag in the rocks. In case of an emergency, attach a float to the rope so you can break away from the anchor and return to retrieve it. Anchor rope should be at least three times as long as the water depth.

STEP 1 STEP 4 TAKE ONLY WHAT YOU NEED. Clear the anchor line so it lies loosely and Shimmy the trolley line to move the anchor NEED ONLY WHAT YOU TAKE. PHOTO: JEFFREY FORTUNA untangled on the deck. Pull the anchor trolley rope to the bow or stern. Secure the rope to a clip within reach. cleat. Be sure the rope can be quickly released if the boat should get caught in the current STEP 2 or become unstable. RIGGING RIGHT Paddle up current from the location. Turn Adding rod holders, cup holders, gear tracks, camera the boat so it is pointing the direction you STEP 5 mounts and electronics is at the discretion of each want to fish. Retrieve the anchor by first pulling in line angler. Before going overboard with accessories, with the anchor still running from the bow. consider that each ounce you add to the kayak is STEP 3 When you reach the float, pull in the anchor extra weight you will have to move on the water. Drop the anchor to the bottom, let out enough trolley and unclip the float, continue to pull in Also, a kayak bristling with gear and gadgets will rope to equal twice the water depth, clip the the anchor. If the anchor is stuck, attach the be harder to enter and exit. Will gear get in the float to the line, then clip the line in the an- float to the line and paddle above the anchor way of fishing? Be sure accessories do not impede chor trolley. If the anchor does not hold, let and attempt to pull the anchor again. Avoid righting the kayak and reentering if you fall out. out more rope. turning the kayak sideways to the current.

www.kayakanglermag.com 7 THE MOMENT OF TRUTH. DON’T MESS IT UP! PHOTO: DUSTIN DOSKOCIL

THE CATCH HOOKING A FISH Hours and hours of preparation and anticipation come down to a split second when a fish finally bites the hook. The kayak is moving so set the hook hard. Increase the drag to improve the hook set. FISHING SKILLS In many ways, kayak fishing is the same as fishing from a boat or the shore. The same tackle and techniques work, but a few tips will improve success. THE FIGHT THE SLEIGH RIDE CASTING DRIFTING BAIT A small fish will pull a kayak at surprising speed. Fishing works better when Each kayak drifts differ- Cut bait can be stored in Watch out, the fish will most likely run for cover you’re standing. If you can’t ently. Some boats will drift a small cooler with an ice dragging you into trees, docks, rocks and rapids. To stand in the kayak, try to kneel with the stern into the cur- pack. Live bait will survive fight a fish and paddle the kayak at the same time, in the cockpit or sit on a crate rent while other boats drift in a live well (Rapidmedia. get a one-armed paddle lesson at Rapidmedia. in the tankwell. Set a high-low side-to. Change the angle com/0820) but the tank will com/0821. Pedal anglers with reverse can back seat to the high position. Keep and speed of your drift by add weight and take up space out of a problem. Pedal anglers without reverse the rod tip high when work- dropping a leg into the water. in the kayak. A bait bucket should fish with the bow facing away from trouble. ing a lure or rig. Always check A drift sock, run through the or tube is a good alternative, Use the rod to add drag pressure to the fish and behind you for a clear back cast. anchor trolley, will further but it will severely affect the control the kayak. If the fish runs left, hold the Place rods in the crate on the slow or change the drift. boat’s performance. It’s best rod on the right side of the boat to bring the bow opposite side of your casting to pull the bait bucket into around and follow the fish. When the fish dives arm. Retrieving a lure, espe- TROLLING the boat before paddling deep, lift the rod high. To control the fight, keep the cially large lures, will cause the A kayak’s average speed is long distance. line short to position the kayak overtop the fish. kayak to move towards the lure. around three miles per- When fishing with big plugs, hour, perfect for slow troll- Alabama rigs and other heavy ing. Pedal anglers have the PEDAL KAYAKS tackle, anchor or stake out the advantage of pedaling with MAKE TROLLING EASIER. kayak so the force of the re- their feet while working the PHOTO: JORDAN PARKER trieve doesn’t move the kayak. lines with their hands. Pad- dlers should bring the kayak JIGGING up to speed, cast the lure or To properly work a vertical bait away from the kayak, jig, the rod tip must rise and then continue to paddle. fall quickly. To improve the angle, kneel in the kayak or stand up.

www.kayakanglermag.com 8 BE SURE TO HAVE THE LANDING NET READY. PHOTO: DUSTIN DOSKOCIL

SAY CHEESE! CATCH, PHOTO AND RELEASE. PHOTO: DUSTIN DOSKOCIL LANDING Take a wrap on the line and swing a smaller fish into the kayak. For larger animals, drop your leg into the water and lift the fish when it is alongside the boat. Once the fish is in the kayak, keep it from jumping out by covering it with your legs. If the fish has spines and teeth or the lure has extra hooks, clear the deck of your body parts and use a rag to cover the fish’s head. Offshore anglers prefer a spear-like kage gaff to control large toothy critters. Lip grippers work great to control the fish when it’s in the boat, but grabbing the lip can be cumbersome when the fish is thrashing at the side of the boat. A landing net will scoop up the fish and control it in the boat, but the hoop takes up space in the kayak and the net seems to tangle on everything.

MEASURE AND RELEASE Control the fish with a lip gripper. Use a measuring board for an accurate measurement. Avoid holding the fish out of the water more than a few seconds. Keep it wet with a damp cloth. Never touch the gills.

GRIP AND GRIN To take a photo of your catch, start with the sun at KEEPERS your back. Attach a sports camera to front of the Storing your catch can be more trouble than it’s worth. Ideally, the fish should be chilled to cockpit and use a remote or phone app to snap just above freezing, but carrying a cooler will sacrifice space and weight. A soft-sided cooler photos. If a buddy is taking the picture, have him pull or cooler bag is lighter and easier to fit in the boat. Leaving the fish inside the kayak is like along side your kayak with his bow facing the opposite cooking it in a plastic oven. Fish hanging on a stringer attached to the anchor trolley will stay direction. Fill the lens frame with the fish. To add a few alive for a while, but the drag will affect the boat’s performance. Some anglers keep smaller pounds to your catch, hold the fish away from your fish alive in a live well, but that adds weight and takes up space. Cleaning the fish on the water body and closer to the camera. Tag @kayakanglermag would make it easy to store fillets in a small cooler, but this could violate fisheries regulations. to be featured on our social media channels.

www.kayakanglermag.com 9 TEST THE LIMITS OF YOUR SKILLS. PHOTO: DUSTIN DOSKOCIL

DON’T TRY THIS EVERYONE LOVES IN A MOTORBOAT. KAYAK FISHING. LIVING THE LIFESTYLE PHOTO: DUSTIN DOSKOCIL PHOTO: JEFFREY FORTUNA Once you’ve got your kayak and tackle, it’s time to connect with other kayak anglers. Fishing offers something for everyone. If you’re a lone wolf, kayak fishing offers the best opportunity to get away from it all and strike out solo on the water. If you like to run with the pack, groups and events make it possible to join like-minded outdoorsmen on and off the water. Fishing with a group is safer and more productive than fishing alone. Network with other anglers to discover new opportunities and productive techniques. Watch out for each other on the water, monitor weather and keep a headcount. Groups and clubs are great for sharing information and organizing outings, but the biggest benefit comes when advocat- ing for issues we care about. Power is in numbers; social media, tournaments and fishing clubs are the soil that seeds grass roots movements. A kayak may only have one seat, but kayak anglers are not alone on the water. KA