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One More Cast...
Time spent FISHIN'
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Jamaica Bay New York By: Mark Zimmerman The anticipation of a great spring run in the salt after a long, cold, snowy winter is almost overwhelming. I decided to wait until the annual Jamaica Bay Kayak Fishing Tournament held on the weekend of May 6th and 7th for my first saltwater trip. This tournament is held by Kayak Fishing Stuff (www.kayakfishingstuff.com ), and all proceeds for the tournament go to Friends of Gateway and Casting for Recovery. Friends of Gateway focuses on the protection of Jamaica Bay, while Casting for Recovery is a non-profit support and educational program for women who have or who have had breast cancer. The tourney’s focus is on conservation, so all fish are caught and released. In addition, the tournament is a great way to promote the environmentally friendly activity of kayaking. This year there were over 200 kayakers from 22 states participating.
I have been reading about this great spring fishery for the past few years, so I could not wait for the tourney. I would not be alone, however. The Delaware Valley Kayak and Canoe Fishing Club (http://www.delawarevalleykayakandcanoefishingclub.com/) decided to make the Trek to New York for this tournament. Jamaica Bay is located in New York City. You would not think of this area as a great place to fish, especially when you see and hear the planes taking off and landing at JFK Airport, you look across the bay at the spectacular view of the New York City skyline, and the reputation of New York City waters as being dirty and polluted. The best part was it’s under a 2 hour ride from the northern suburbs of Philadelphia. I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn NY, and the Jamaica Bay boat launch. The view was beautiful, and the water was just a short walk from the parking lot. Floyd Bennett Field was New York’s first municipal airport before it was changed to a Naval Air base in 1941. After it closed in 1971, the base transferred to the National Park Service, and is now part of the Gateway National Recreation Area. Saturday was the pre-fishing day, and there were still at least 50 kayaks in the water when we arrived mid morning. We quickly rigged our kayaks and got them to the water. As we paddled through the boat channel, I remember pondering “will the fishing really be as good as I anticipate?” That question would be answered very shortly. All of us were trolling different baits. We had Tube n worms, metal jigs, swimmers, and an assortment of plastic baits trolled behind the kayaks. Poles were bending over in a very short time, and the first of many, many bluefish were reeled in. We have never been to Jamaica Bay, so we did a lot of paddling and exploring on Sat. Most of the bay is very shallow with average depths between 3-6 feet. A few of the channels that run through Jamaica Bay run around 10-15 feet deep. The morning was a little slow, but as we headed into the afternoon, the action picked up. We caught bluefish after bluefish until our arms were sore. Many people don’t give the bluefish the credit they deserve. The strike is vicious, and they fight harder than any fish I know. What a blast! A few of us stayed with the tube n worm, and soon we were catching stripers. I am now a believer in the tube n worm. This rig consists of a length of red surgical tubing with stainless steel wire running through the middle, and a plastic rudder above it to prevent line twist. The rig will actually spin as you are trolling. The secret, however, is the small piece of sandworm you put on the hook. The surprise of the day was the 30 inch weakfish that was caught on a tube n worm. Unfortunately, it would be the only weakfish our group would see all weekend. We camped out that night. The wind kicked up, and we were worried it would make for a tough day of fishing on Sunday. When we got up at 5:00 AM, the winds had diminished significantly, but we were still paddling out in a head wind. Fishing was almost a copy of Saturday. We all caught our fair share of bluefish, with a few nice stripers mixed in. What a great way to spend a weekend. I would highly recommend Jamaica Bay to anyone looking for a great place to paddle, beautiful scenery, and lots and lots of outstanding fishing opportunities. Kayak Fishing Stuff did a great job with this event. Great prizes were won, and the money raised went to a great cause. Please check out the link below of pictures that were taken of the trip by DVKCFC’s own Dan Creighton. http://www.dcphotog.com/jamaicabay/index.htm
Surf Launches By Mark Zimmerman
Personally,
I can’t wait until the fall every year. I
consider kayak fishing in the ocean during that time of year the most exciting
fishing I’ll encounter all year. Typically,
I will start at Seaside Park, New Jersey and work my way north to Sandy Hook,
New Jersey looking for flocks of birds diving in the water, bait breaking the
top of the water, or boats huddled up together.
All are signs that stripers and bluefish are around.
Once I locate them, I unload my yak and launch.
Unfortunately, many people are intimidated by the thought of paddling
through the surf, and fishing in the ocean in such a small craft.
Granted, if you are unprepared for what you will encounter while surf
launching, many things can go wrong.
I’m
writing this article during the summer because I feel it’s very important that
you practice your surf launches prior to heading out through the surf to
blitzing stripers and bluefish. It’s
amazing how calm an ocean can look when you are leisurely strolling down the
beach vs. sitting in your kayak paddling out to the first set of breakers.
Even small waves can look intimidating to someone with little experience
in the surf. Then, the perspective
looking back at the beach when thinking about landing can be daunting as well.
Don’t let this deter you though. It’s
not as hard as it may look, and with preparation and practice you will learn to
safely negotiate your way through the surf. You may even find it fun riding a wave in. Sit-on-top
vs. Sit-in Kayaks For
the purpose of this article, I am basing the information from the standpoint of
a sit-on-top kayak. I don’t
advocate launching a sit-in kayak in the surf for fishing. Too many things can go wrong.
If you get dumped by a wave when on a sit-on-top, the worst that will
happen is you get separated from it. Before
You Launch There
are definitely some things you want to consider prior to hopping on your kayak
and paddling out to those schools of fish.
First, never launch alone. Always
have at least one other person fishing with you. You never know when an emergency may come up.
Second, wear appropriate clothing for this time of year.
In the fall the water temps are dropping as well as the air temps.
You should be wearing some waterproof type clothing such as a dry-top and
waders combination, or even a breathable drysuit. If you should accidentally end up in the water, you will be
protected. Lastly, practice getting
back on your kayak while in the water prior to going in the ocean.
This is a skill you should practice and become proficient at in any place
you fish, but especially in the ocean. What
I do to get back on my kayak is to get myself perpendicular to the kayak.
Reach across the kayak with both arms and grab the far side.
Now pull your chest onto the kayak using your arms.
Your chest and stomach should now be lying across the kayak, and your
legs are still in the water. Next,
swing your legs one at a time towards the front of the kayak and then onto it.
Last, use your arms to reposition yourself on your seat.
Again, practice this technique in calm water before going out to the
ocean. Weather
and Sea Conditions Now
that you’re properly dressed, and your PFD is secured, you’re ready to hit
the water. Before you decide to
launch you should take a good look at the surf to see if the conditions are
favorable for kayak fishing. I
strongly suggest that if there is any question as to you’re safety in the
current conditions, don’t launch. Sometimes
it pains you to make that decision, especially when there are fish feeding just
beyond the breakers and out of casting distance.
I
would check the marine forecast prior to heading to the beach, and if the seas
are predicted to be 4ft or more, and winds are higher than 20 knots, I won’t
go. As you may know, what the
weather is predicted, and what it actually is are sometimes very different.
I have gone down when 1-2 ft seas and 5-10 knot winds were predicted.
What I actually saw was 5-6 ft seas and 25-30 knot winds.
In addition, you should also see if the weather forecasts a change in
weather while you’re out on the water. Just
because you went out in 1-2 ft seas, does not mean that is what it will be when
you decide to land. If the winds
pick up and it gets rough, it’s time to come back in.
Again, safety is always the priority.
Summer
practice When
practicing in the summer, I suggest you leave all your fishing gear at home.
This is the time to practice, not fish.
Now, let’s talk about launching. You
will not necessarily launch at the exact spot you see fish breaking.
You want to examine the way the surf looks and decide if it is safe to
launch and come back in. Study the
waves for a period of time until you feel you saw the largest and smallest sets
of waves. Also, focus on the time
between waves. Then, you will have
to make an educated guess to launch in between waves, and when the waves are the
smallest. The
Launch Start
out standing in about knee deep water. Anything
deeper will make getting on the kayak more difficult.
Some people find it easier to have the kayak just at the waters edge and
they let a small wave get them going. You
will have to experiment to find what is easiest for you.
Once you are on the kayak you will want to start paddling and continue to
paddle right through the breaking waves. Don’t
forget to close your eyes and mouth when a wave breaks over your kayak.
As long, as you keep yourself straight and don’t’ stop paddling, you
will be able to get through the breaking waves fairly easily.
The scupper holes in your kayak will allow all the water to drain out.
That is all there is to a surf launch.
Landing Coming
back in can be a little trickier than going out. Again, you will want to take a period of time to watch for
sets of waves. Try to time the
smallest set. Ideally, you will not
want to ride a wave in. Time it so
you will paddle to the beach in between waves.
This does not always happen. The
surf is unpredictable, and a wave can come at any time unexpectedly.
Before you know it, you find yourself riding a wave.
Inevitably, the wave will turn you to one side or the other.
If you do not compensate for this, the wave will dump you and your kayak.
It happens quickly too. Your
reaction time has to be fast. Once
the wave turns your kayak you will need to take the flat part of the paddle
blade and plant it into the base of the wave and lean on it. It
seems weird, but it works. There is
a lot of pressure on the blade, and it will keep you from flipping.
Now, you’re almost to the beach. Don’t
relax though. A small 1 foot wave
near the beach can flip you just as easily as a larger wave further out.
I usually hop out as soon as it looks like I’m in knee deep water.
Other
Precautions There
are a couple more things to consider when launching in the surf.
First, always wear your PFD. Second,
never have your paddle tethered with a paddle leash launching or landing.
It’s one more thing you can get tangled in if you fall off your kayak.
Third, never get off your kayak on the same side as the beach.
A wave can push the kayak into you and take your legs out from under you.
Last, if you should happen to get dumped by a wave (and you will), never
put the kayak between you and a wave. You
can get hurt badly if a wave pushes the kayak into you.
Even a small wave can do a lot of damage. Fishing
Gear Once
you have mastered launching and landing, rigging your kayak for the ocean
becomes very important. I tend to
take less gear into the surf than at other times.
The reason is that if you dump your kayak, you have more gear that can be
lost or broken. In this case, less
means more. Storing gear in your
hatches is one way to go. Once you
get through the surf, you can have your partner help you get the gear out of
your hatches. I have found this to
be a little bit of a pain. The
easiest way for me is to go light. Usually,
I bring one or two rods which are tethered down flat to the kayak.
This reduces the risk that they will break if I flip.
Also, I bring one small backpack with one small tackle box, and a small
dry bag for other items like food, wallet, camera, etc.
Below
I have links for New Jersey launch sites and a beach in Sea Girt that I
recommend you use for summertime practice.
Please e-mail me your questions. Good luck and safe paddling. New
Jersey Launch Sites: http://hometown.aol.com/wwrivrrat/padzone.htm Sea
Girt New Jersey: http://www.aboutnewjersey.com/JerseyShore/SeaGirt/
Gear Keepers for all your tackle needs.
Gear Keepers By: Mark Zimmerman Have you ever dropped something accidentally? I think it’s safe to say that every one has dropped something accidentally during their lifetime. Unfortunately for kayak fisherman, dropping something accidentally may mean an expensive piece of equipment ends up at the bottom of the lake or ocean. We sit very close to the water and because our kayaks are only 30 inches wide, dropping a piece of equipment often means losing it. I’ve known people who have lost lip grippers, pliers, and tackle boxes. There is an extremely high need for a product that will reduce or even eliminate the potential for losing a piece of equipment if we get clumsy. So, what can be done to resolve this problem? One option is to tie one end of nylon cord to everything you don’t want to lose and the other end to the kayak . Obviously, this is not a practical solution. Envision the amount of rope that would be laying in your lap waiting for entanglement. There is a better solution. Gear
Keepers are retractable gear attachment systems made by Hammerhead Industries
located in Ventura, California (http://www.gearkeeper.com/index.html).
They make retractors that can be used for a variety of situations and
they say that the retractors can be used in saltwater environments.
The two models they sell are retractors and security tethers.
The retractors are made to retract/suspend gear or devices, which means
it is strong enough to retract the items weight.
Security tethers are primarily used to prevent loss or damage to gear or
devices, but it is not intended to retract the item’s weight.
They have the advantage of longer extension and less spring force.
When not in use the gear must be secured with a belt clip, holster, or a
pocket.
The company suggests ways to choose a retractor to meet your needs. Special application packages have been created to match your application needs. For example, cell phones, pliers, and flashlights. If your application does not come in a specific package then Hammerhead Industries suggests the following:
So, how does kayak fisherman take advantage of the retractors? I tested seven Gear Keeper applications for the sole purpose of kayak fishing. First, I tested the RT3-4613 which I attached to my lip gripper (Boga Grip). This 24 oz retractor retracted and suspended the weight of the lip gripper. The RT3-0032 has a 12 oz retraction force and can be used as safety tether for the lip gripper. I really liked this application. I use the lip gripper frequently, especially when fishing in saltwater. I’ll never have to worry about losing my lip gripper ever again. I highly recommend this application. Also, I used the 24 oz retractor for the backpack I use for my fishing equipment. The weight in my pack was heavy due to the hydration bladder which I carry in my backpack. Therefore the 24 oz retractor had trouble retracting the weight of the pack, but I don’t have to ever worry about losing it. In addition, I used this application as a safety tether with the two dry bags that I carry in my crate located behind my seat. Again, I highly recommend this application if you carry a back pack or dry bags.
Pliers are a must while fishing. The RT2-0041/RT2-0031 Medium Force (6 oz) is excellent choice for pliers. Here is a tip for where to store the pliers when not using them. I attached a fanny pack to the back of my seat. The pack has a pouch on each side for a water bottle. I found this an excellent place to keep the pliers when I’m not using it. The other end of the retractor is attached to the milk crate. You may find better ways to attach them to your kayak such as deck loops. In addition, a lanyard (AC0-0902) can be added for flexibility.
Another application I found very helpful was the Pin Mount safety tether (RT2-0021) which I attached to my PFD. I attach fishing line clippers or a safety whistle using this application. I really liked this application for ease of access. Anytime I needed to cut my fishing line, the clippers were right there. Again, I did not have to worry about losing the clippers I dropped it.
A VHF radio is a must have item if you fish in saltwater. Therefore, you definitely don’t want to risk losing this highly expensive and highly priced piece of equipment. The RT3-4653 18 oz. Retractor is perfect for the size VHF radio’s we use, and it will suspend the weight of the radio. Attach one end of the retractor to your PFD, and the other end to the radio. Then, clip the radio to your vest, or put it in a pouch or pocket located on your PFD. Once again, I highly recommend this application.
The last application I tested is for a knife. This is a must have safety item. I recommend a knife with a quick release sheath. The RT2-0020 Low force (3 oz) safety tether (or RT2-0040) was perfect for this application. I attached one end of the retractor to the knife handle, and the other end to my PFD.
I am very impressed with the Gear Keepers for kayak fishing. It’s amazing how many headaches I avoid every time I use these products. I’ll never have to worry about getting tangled in rope tethers, or losing any of the gear I attach to the Gear Keepers. They are extremely easy to use, and appear to be built very well. I’ll never be caught out on my kayak without Gear Keepers. You can find the link to their website on the column to the right or earlier in this review. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions. I give this product 5 out of 5 paddles. Yak
Rating: Paddle Saddle
Seat By: Mark Zimmerman Have
you ever sat on plastic for hours at a time?
If you fish from a kayak, the answer is yes.
Whether you have or not, you can imagine the discomfort one could
experience after paddling and fishing for long stretches of time.
Wouldn’t it be great if there was a product that could make our kayak
fishing experience more comfortable? There
are many models of add on kayak seats on the market.
Some are more comfortable than others, and they come in many styles.
Attaching the seat to my kayak was very easy. It went over the top of my built in high back seat (wilderness systems tarpon 120). The seat is secured with a couple of clips. I found the non-skid backing very helpful. The seat did not move very much while I was fishing or paddling. The first thing I noticed about this seat was how comfortable it was. The gel molds to your body, and provides a lot of support. How long will this comfort last though? I was on the water for about 9 hours during testing, and I felt the seat met the challenge. I’d say I was almost as comfortable at the end of the day as at the beginning of it. There was one problem that I observed with the seat. Once the seat becomes wet, it remains wet. During the summer months, this is not a big deal, but on a cooler day, you may feel some discomfort. This may not be an issue for many people however. Overall,
I was very happy with this seat. I
would definitely recommend this product for someone looking for a simple way to
add padding to their kayak seat. It’s
comfortable, and provides a tremendous amount of support for those long days on
the water. Check out their website
at www.yakpads.com. I give the Paddle Saddle 4 out of 5 paddles.
Yak
Rating: Aloksak
Dry Bags By: Mark Zimmerman Kayak Fishing is not a dry
activity. Even under the best
conditions, the probability of getting wet is extremely high.
Many items we bring with us such as wallets, cell phones, digital
cameras, film, batteries, remote keyless entry devices, food, GPS, and maps need
to be kept dry. Therefore, we have
a direct need for a reliable product that has the capability of keeping those
items we dry while we are in our kayaks. I
think I have found such a product.
There are several benefits to
these bags. First, they are durable
and safe. It is made of the same
material that is used for children’s teething rings.
Second, they are fully recyclable, and with fewer bags used, it is less
likely to pose a hazard to wildlife. The
bags are intended for long-term use and then recycling.
Third, they are soft-sided. This
means they adapt to your space or gear. ALOKSAK bags come in many
different sizes. They come as small
as 5” x 4”, and can be as large as 12” x 44”.
In addition, this company sells what are called splash caddy’s which is
a combination of nylon waste packs and shoulder bags. Inside, the splash caddy’s come with ALOKSAK bags to
protect the contents. Splash
Caddy’s come in different sizes such as a 12” x 12” map case or 7” x
6” dipper-mm. I had the pleasure of testing
these products while kayak fishing this past weekend. I used the Dipper-MM for my digital camera which I kept
secured to my rod holder, so I could have easy access to it. It was quite windy, and plenty of water made its way into the
kayak and onto the splash caddy. The
bag did its job perfectly. Not one
ounce of moisture was detected in the bag or the camera by the end of the day.
I want to add that I had the camera out of the bag many times during the
day. I also tested the Navigator
splash caddy. I used it for a map
of the sedge islands behind Island Beach State Park where we were fishing.
Once again it performed perfectly. One
of the features I want to highlight is the ability to roll the splash caddy to
make it smaller and store it in a backpack when not using it. At the end of the day, all I needed to do is rinse the splash
caddy to get any saltwater off it. Last,
I used the 12” x 44” bags to store dry clothing in the front hatch of my
kayak. Some water routinely gets in
the hull of the kayak, and once again the bags performed perfectly.
My clothing remained dry the entire day. Most electronics such as digital
cameras GPS’s can be used while protected in the ALOKSAK.
Digital cameras can be used underwater as well.
I have not tested this feature however. In addition to being watertight,
the bags offer airtight protection for metals, food storage, and electronic
equipment above sea level. Other
uses for these bags are as ice packs, and they can be blown and used as a seat
cushion or pillow. Another item
this company makes is O.P. SAK odor proof bags used for food storage.
It is rated a biohazard bag by the U.S. Government. Here is a link to their website. It is a very user friendly website, and offers a lot of great information. We also have link on the kayak fishing page in the right hand column to their website: http://www.watchfuleyedesigns.com/index.cfm Here is a link to their online store: http://www.watchfuleyedesigns.com/index.cfm?do=search I am very impressed with the performance of these products, and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a product to keep their electronics and valuables safe while kayak fishing. Please look for these products on an upcoming kayak fishing show here on Delaware Valley Outdoors. Yak
Rating: Rigging a Kayak for Fishing By: Mark
Zimmerman After I began fishing from a
kayak, I was amazed at the amount of equipment some people would outfit their
kayak with. I would see kayak’s
with the tankwell (behind the seat) filled with tackle boxes, backpacks,
coolers, homemade live-wells for bait, 5 or more fishing rods jetting straight
up and out the sides of the kayak, two or more rod holders in the front of the
kayak, fishfinder, and a GPS. It
all looked very complicated, and a little unnecessary. Not to mention the amount of extra weight added to the kayak.
It makes transporting to the water a real chore, especially if you are
alone. I swore I would never
get like that. Let’s keep it
simple I would say. I figured all I
needed was one rod, a rod holder, and a small tackle box.
Well, on a recent trip, I turned to my buddies as we stood on the
shoreline and said, “Look what I have done.”
As I stared at my kayak, I saw 4 rods, rod holders, a backpack, a cooler,
a stripping basket for fly fishing, a fish finder, and a GPS unit. What is the moral of this story?
Read on. The truth is, you can rig your
kayak as simple or as complicated as you would like it.
Some days it is nice to get out on the lake with one rod and your kayak.
It takes little time to get in the water.
Unload the kayak off your car, zip up your PFD, and shove off.
I try to keep things as simple as possible, but……………there are
other days where you want to plan a long trip, or targeting a specific type of
fish. These are the days that your
kayak can get loaded with a lot of gear. It
will take you much longer to load and unload your kayak for fishing.
The more you have, the longer it takes. The type of kayak I will talk
about rigging is a sit-on-top kayak. Rigging
will be a little different in a sit-in kayak due to the layout, hatches, and
deck space, but much of what I suggest can be adapted or applied to a sit-in
kayak. I am going to discuss four
specific areas of rigging. They
include rod holders, tankwell crates, fishfinders, and driftsocks.
I’ve added pictures so you can visualize what I am talking about. Rod Holders The first piece of equipment you will want to add to your kayak is a rod holder. I suggest starting with two rod holders. One should be mounted somewhere on the console in front of you, and one should be mounted behind you (behind the seat). The two makes of rod holders I suggest you look for are Scotty and Ram (www.scotty.com and http://www.ram-mount.com/ramrod.htm). Both companies make excellent rod holders for kayak fishing purposes. One quick tip: Scotty makes rod holder extensions for their rod holders. You can find them at: http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.SearchResults?searchOption=products&hvarSearchString=scotty . This raises the rod holder 6-8 inches which makes it easier to access, especially if you have a fishfinder mounted below it like the setup on my kayak. Where to Mount the
Rod Holders The next decision you have to make
is where to mount your rod holders. Don’t
mount anything until you feel comfortable with where you want them.
I suggest you paddle your kayak a few times to get a good feel for where
you want items like your rod holders to be mounted.
Everyone is different, and what may be comfortable to one person, may be
unsuitable for another. Now, you
will need to drill holes in your kayak to mount the rod holder.
The first hole is the hardest, because you’re drilling a hole in a
perfectly good kayak. That’s why
I say make sure you are 100% comfortable where you will be mounting things
first. You will need a nut, bolt, and a fender washer that matches
the hole of the rod holder. Also,
make sure your mounting hardware is made of stainless steel, especially if you
plan on fishing in saltwater.
Milk Crate Another piece of equipment you
will want is a crate for the tankwell located behind the seat.
On larger kayaks, the tank well is large enough to accommodate a file
crate that you can pick up from Staples. On
smaller kayaks like the tarpon 120 I own, a regular milk crate will work
perfectly. Some people will put
their tackle boxes and coolers directly in the tankwell.
Don’t forget to anchor them though.
Anchor the crate in the kayak with bungee cords or nylon straps.
This is a great place to put backpacks, small coolers, and tackle boxes.
In addition, you can make your own rod holders for the crate using PVC
piping found at Home Depot or Lowe’s. Cut
them to the length you desire, and use plastic cable ties to secure them to the
crate. Angle them or mount them
vertically (one in each corner of the crate).
When I am freshwater fishing, I will usually bring 4 rods already rigged
and switch between them during the day. The
advantage is I don’t waste time rigging my rods.
The crate will accommodate the four rods easily using the PVC idea.
Many times I end up laying the rods in my lap as I fish anyway.
Fishfinders They are not necessary for kayak
fishing, but are nice to have nonetheless.
Primarily, I use mine to locate structure and the depths of water.
Seeing this will help you catch more fish.
I was very surprised to see what I was fishing over during my first trip
on a lake I had fished for years. You
will see that there are many models of fishfinders on the market.
I suggest choosing one that is small.
You don’t want to take up too much space in the cockpit of your kayak.
Lowrance or Eagle Cuda’s are a good way to go.
They are made by the same company. You
can find a unit priced around $100.00 that will work very well for fishing from
a kayak. Finally, make sure it is
waterproof. It will get wet. Mounting the
fishfinder There are a few things to consider
when mounting your fishfinder. One
is where to mount it on the console of your kayak.
Make sure you can reach the area easily while sitting in your kayak.
Some people make a bracket to accommodate the fishfinder and the
rodholder and attach it to the console using a ram mount or Scotty mount.
Ram makes mounts specifically for the Lowrance fishfinder I have (www.lowrance.com).
My fishfinder is mounted below the rod holder because of the way my
console is made. Sometimes you will
need to be creative depending on the kayak you have.
Be aware that you will need to drill a ½” hole to accommodate the
transducer wire. You can fill the hole around the wire with marine goop.
Make sure you put a piece of duct tape underneath the hole.
Otherwise the goop will run through before it has a chance to harden Fishfinder battery Your fishfinder needs a power
source. Follow your fishfinder
manufacturer instructions. One
option is to use a 12 volt battery such as one that Cabela’s sells. You can
build a battery box out of a plastic tupperware container and secure it in your
front hatch so it does not bounce around. Another
option is using rechargeable AA batteries.
Again, you will want to put them in a waterproof box and secure it in
your front hatch. I’ve had
trouble at times with turning on my fishfinder because the points on the fuse or
wires will corrode if you do not protect them.
Check them periodically, and clean them as needed.
Transducers The transducer is what shoots the
signal through the hull. You will
mount the transducer to the bottom of the hull inside your kayak.
Make sure the transducer contacts the hull and lies flat.
Also, the make sure it is pointed in the correct direction as suggested
by the manufacturer. Try to get as
close to the middle of the kayak as possible.
The transducers for fishfinders do an excellent job shooting through the
hulls of kayaks. They are very
accurate, except for the temperature reading.
It will always read a few degrees warmer than the actual temperature
because the transducer is not in the water.
Mounting the
transducer People have come up with many ways
to mount the transducer. I like to
keep things simple and easy. I
suggest cutting a hole in a piece of hard foam to fit the transducer.
Layer the bottom of the transducer with Vaseline, and duct tape it to the
bottom of the kayak. The vaseline
acts as a medium for the signals to shoot through.
As long as there are no air bubbles, you will get an accurate signal.
Use this method to see where you want to mount the fishfinder like I
suggested with the rodholders. Then,
you can make it more permanent with the next method. First, make sure you have access
in the kayak where you can use a caulking gun.
I use a plastic cup cut in half. The
cup has to be large enough to accommodate the transducer.
I use silicone to secure the cup to the bottom of the kayak.
Scuff the bottom of the kayak and the rim of the cup with course
sandpaper before applying the silicone. This
will help the silicone adhere better. Once
secure, let it dry for a day. Next,
I fill the cup with 100% silicone using a caulking gun.
Cut the tip of the tube so you have a large hole for the silicone to
shoot through. This will enable the
silicone to come out of the tube much easier than if the hole were smaller. Place the end of the silicone tube as close to the bottom of
the cup as possible. Start pumping
out the silicone. Keep the tip of
the tube in the silicone while pumping. It
will form a ball of silicone in the cup. Then,
press the transducer through the silicone to the bottom of the hull.
Fold over the silicone with your fingers to cover the transducer.
Again, make sure you have no air bubbles.
Let it cure for 3-4 days. That’s
it. If you ever want to remove it,
the silicone will peel off with a little bit of effort.
Drift Socks
A drift sock is needed to slow down the drift on windy days. The wind can really cause havoc.
It’s surprising how fast the wind can blow you and your kayak around a
lake which makes it very difficult to fish.
One simple method of attaching the drift sock is by tying a rope to the
kayak and the drift sock. Then,
throw it in the water. The sock
will deploy like a parachute. Anther
way to do it is to create a pulley system.
I tie a piece of rope from the handle (next to the cockpit) to a deck
loop in the rear of the kayak. The
drift sock is attached to the rope. I
can use the rope like a clothes line to bring the sock back to me, or position
the drift sock. Some people run a
pulley line from the front of their kayak to the back.
The position of the drift sock will change the angle of your drift.
I highly recommend a drift sock, and they are fairly cheap.
In conclusion, I’ve covered the
very basics of rigging your kayak in this article. There are a million different ways to add accessories to your
kayak. You are only limited by your
creativity. With so many kayak
models available, your rigging can be very specialized. I suggest looking at kayak fishing websites like the ones
listed in our links column to the right for rigging ideas. You may find a way that is better for you, or other ideas for
your kayak. In addition to the
ideas I have given, you will find other ways to mount additional deck loops,
paddle and rod leashes, fishfinders, transducers, GPS units, battery boxes, rod
holders, and crates. I hope you found my rigging suggestions helpful.
Please
Kayak Fishing Safety By Mark Zimmerman Safety
is the number one concern while fishing from a kayak.
During the month of April, it’s not unusual to have days that reach 70,
75, or even 80 degrees. This
creates a few problems for us while on the water. First,
a warm day may cause people to dress in lighter clothing such as shorts and a
T-shirt. Second, many people
don’t realize that although the air temperature is warmer, the water
temperature is still dangerously low. All
it takes is a short time submerged in cold water to put your life in jeopardy. These
risks can be significantly reduced if you take the necessary precautions before
getting out on the water. I want to
note that the suggestions I make are only that: suggestions.
You as an individual have to decide what is best for you when it comes to
your safety. These are the
precautions that I take before going out on the water. There are three areas of kayak fishing safety I am going to
talk about. They include safety
equipment, items to bring with you while kayak fishing, and the weather.
Safety
Equipment The number one piece of safety equipment is the PFD or Personal Floatation Device. It should be coast guard approved, and be an appropriate size for the person wearing it. Make sure that you purchase one that is highly visible. For example, one that has reflective tape incorporated in the design. Also, make sure the PFD is comfortable. You will not wear one if it is not comfortable, especially on very hot, humid days in the summer. I have a vest that is made of a mesh material around the chest and neck. It provides good ventilation even in the hot summer months. Another suggestion is to purchase one with front pockets. It’s not necessary, but is a nice place to put small items such as lures, and candy bars. Check out these websites for more information on PFD’s. Now
that you have a PFD, you will need to keep several safety items attached to it
at all times: 1) Whistle: Used as an attention getter in time of distress, and it’s recommended by the Coast Guard 2) Knife: Make sure it is easily accessible in case of emergency. You will have fishing line, rod leashes, and a paddle leash which all have the potential for entanglement. A short knife that has a quick release sheath which is attached to your PFD may come in handy. 3) PFD light: the purpose is for visibility when fishing at night. Also, an LED headlamp comes in handy for seeing what you are doing at night. 4) VHF radio: This is necessary when fishing in saltwater. You will have direct contact with the coast guard in case of an emergency. Make sure its waterproof, and attach it to you PFD. Other
items to bring These are items you will need to store in your kayak. Number one is a first aid kit sealed in a waterproof container or dry bag. You will definitely want extra clothing in a dry bag which can be stored in one of the kayak hatches. Additionally you will want plenty of food and water, and a cell phone in a waterproof bag. All these items can be stored within the hatches in your kayak. They can also be placed in waterproof dry bags which are secured in the tank well behind your seat. Weather Cold
water will reduce your body temperature quickly and can prove to be life
threatening. I suggest layering
clothes made of fleece type material. It
will wick moisture away quickly, and will dry faster.
Over top, you should wear a waders/drytop combination which is cinched
around the waist, or a breathable drysuit.
This will keep you dry, and the clothing underneath will keep you warm.
The drysuit is expensive, but I feel its well worth it for the ease of
putting it on, and the security of knowing you are safe.
The sun is a factor as well. Reflected
water can really give you a nice burn if you don’t wear sun block.
Always wear sunscreen that is waterproof and has a high SPF.
So, to review kayak fishing safety: 1) Always wear a coast guard approved PFD
2) Wear the proper clothing for cold water situations
3) Keep a whistle, knife, light, and radio on your PFD at all times
4) Bring plenty of food and water, cell phone, first aid kit, and extra clothing
5) And don’t forget your sunscreen Good Luck and safe fishing Choosing a fishing kayak Listen
to this article Many
people who are interested in kayak fishing ask questions like “What type of
kayak should I buy, what brand should I buy, where should I buy it, and which
kayak makes the best fishing kayak?” The
purpose of this article is to answer these types of questions.
My goal is to help you make an informed choice based on your needs. The
Perfect Fishing Kayak Let
me begin by saying there is no such thing as the perfect kayak for fishing. There
are strengths and weaknesses to every potential fishing kayak.
Only recently have kayak manufacturers begun to design kayaks with the
fisherman in mind. Prior to this,
companies would attach a rod holder to it and call it a fishing kayak or angler
model. Currently, there are many
brands and models that make excellent kayaks to fish from. Prior
to purchasing my first kayak, I had never paddled one let alone fished from one.
If you are in a similar situation, please don’t let that deter you from
getting one. All it takes is a
little practice to get comfortable. Afterwards,
you will be glad you did. If you
love fishing as much as I do, it’s amazing how much a kayak enhances that
enjoyment. Factors
Independent of the Kayak There
are a few factors that you need to consider before purchasing the kayak that are
independent of the kayak. One
factor is you. Your body type will dictate what type of kayak you will purchase.
All kayaks are rated to hold a certain amount of weight.
This includes you and your gear. If
you are a large person, you will want to look at kayaks that can support your
weight. Conversely, if you are a
small person, a large kayak that can hold a lot of weight would not be your best
choice. Your height is also a
consideration. Some kayaks lack
sufficient leg room for a taller person. Another
factor is the transportation and
weight of the kayak. If you are
using a car to transport your kayak, the weight of the kayak won’t factor in
as much as if you were transporting on a large SUV.
Loading and unloading a heavy kayak on a large vehicle can be difficult,
especially if you are not a strong person. The
last factor is where you plan on using
your kayak. Ask yourself will I
use it in freshwater only, both fresh and saltwater, large bodies of water,
rivers, ocean, small creeks and lakes? All
are important considerations. Characteristics
of the Kayak The
two types of kayaks I’m going to discuss are the sit-in style and sit-on-top
style kayaks. Sit-in kayaks are one’s that you sit in. They offer more protection from the elements in relatively
calm weather. In addition, they may
be a good choice if you are only fishing in smaller bodies of water.
Sit-in kayaks do lack some versatility compared to the next type of
kayak. Sit-on-top
kayaks are ones that you sit on rather than inside.
They have what are called scupper holes throughout the bottom of the
kayak that allow water to drain out of the kayak. You
can fish out of both types of kayaks, but I feel the sit-on-top kayak is a
better choice for kayak fishing. There
are a many reasons why I feel this way. One
reason is the ease of getting in and out
of the kayak. This includes
places like flats in back bays where it’s shallow.
You may wish to get out and wade. Other
places are small rivers, streams, and creeks where there are many shallow areas.
You may you have to get out frequently to drag the kayak through theses areas.
The last place is the ocean. You
will need the ability to hop off quickly when going out through the surf or
coming back in. This was a very
important consideration for me. The
primary reason I bought the kayak was to fish in the ocean.
I found out early on in my research that a sit-on-top is better for surf
launches than sit-ins considering all the gear you will be taking with you.
If a wave dumps you over, you can separate yourself from the kayak very
easily. Also, you can store all
your gear in the hatches to protect them. This
brings me to storage. Sit
on top kayaks come with hatches that you can use for storage.
Certain brands of kayaks have options to add hatches as extra.
Some are better and offer more storage than others depending on the
kayak. Sit-on-tops also have tank
wells behind the seats where you can put a crate for additional storage.
You will be taking a lot of gear with you such as fishing gear, food,
water, and extra clothing. You will
want ample storage. There
are other considerations to pay attention to when choosing either a sit-in kayak
or sit-on-top kayak. One is rigging
the kayak. Some kayaks deck space is better for adding accessories such as rod
holders and fish finders. Take a
look at this carefully when looking at a kayak, and anticipate what you may want
to add in the future. Two
is stability. Two types of stability are initial and secondary.
Initial stability is the side-to-side wobbles of a kayak when you’re
sitting in it. If you have good
initial stability there is little movement when sitting in the kayak.
The advantage is that you will feel very comfortable in the kayak, and
not feel like you will fall out. The
disadvantage is that if you happen to lean too far you may have little warning
that you will flip. Secondary
stability will make it more difficult to actually flip the kayak.
You will feel a little more wobble, but flipping the kayak will be
unlikely. I believe that secondary
stability is the more important of the two.
You may feel uneasy at first, but as you become more experienced your
balance will adapt to the kayak that may wobble a little more. Three
is Maneuverability.
I suggest purchasing a kayak with a rudder.
This allows you to steer the kayak with foot peddles.
You will pay a little more for a kayak with a rudder, but you will not
regret it. I have found it an
invaluable tool while fishing. It
helps steering on windy days, and while fighting a fish.
Otherwise, the shorter the kayak the more maneuverable it will be.
Four is Speed. Generally, the longer and narrower the kayak, the faster it will be. If you are fishing places where you need to paddle great distances, this will be a factor. Otherwise, giving up a little speed to gain maneuverability is the way to go. You will also want to pay attention to top speed vs. cruising speed. |
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I
had the pleasure of testing a kayak seat made by Yakpads (
Watchful
Eye Designs located in Park City, Utah makes ALOKSAK storage and transport bags.
