1st Annual Estero Kayak Challenge Results

Sunday, June 7, 2015 was awesome! We held the 1st Annual Estero Kayak Challenge and had 49 anglers compete for almost $2000 in 4 divisions. We called this tournament the Estero Kayak Challenge for 2 reasons. First, it was held within Estero Bay on California's Central Coast and the Northern boundary was Estero Point. The second reason, the fishing can be tough in this area, hence the "challenge". As you can see from the results, there were many who didn't weigh in any fish at all, while others were able to find some nice ones.

A very big congratulations to Jim Gosciminski, our tournament champion! Jim, took the win in 2 divisions. He took the Lingcod division with a solid 10 pound 9 ounce hawg and in the 2 fish division added a nice 6 pounder to his other ling for a total of 16 pounds 9 ounces! Way to go Jim!

His buddy, Mike Sapp who traveled down with him from the Santa Cruz area, took 2nd place in the Lingcod division with a heavy 9 pound 10 ounce ling, followed by Ren Reidel in 3rd with a very nice 7 pound 5 ounce fish of his own. Solid fish boys!

In the Rockfish division there was some very tight competition with quite a few guys tieing, luckily all of the ties were lower on the leaderboard. Just like at last years 3rd Cambria Slam Down tournament, Carlos Cantu took the win in the rockies! Congrats Carlos, nice work in some tough conditions. Carlos was followed by Billy Hurst and Jason Potts, in third and fourth respectively. Awesome job guys!

The Cabezon division was very tough. It is a good thing we were only paying out 3 places because only 3 cabs were brought in all day. The cool thing, is that all 3 of those cabbies would have been contenders even if more had been caught. Kenny Nakamura, from Roseville, took the win with a fat 6 pound 5 ounce cabby, followed by Dusty McAdon with a fatty of his own at 5 pounds 3 ounces. For a while we thought that might be it for the cabs. Then Justin Vermillion, one of the last to come in, brought the final one to the scale. It came in at 4 pounds 10 ounces and secured him third place. Very cool boys!

We saw some nice fish brought in, including a swell shark caught by Carny Stuart-Williams. He rushed the shark to the scale where we took a quick weight then he ran it back down to the water and released it safely. It was awesome to see that beautiful shark and to have it released back into the water. Next year, we will take a look at the 2 fish division and add some restrictions to the allowable species for the sake of conservation.

The raffle for HOW was a great success, we ended up raising more than $2700! All of which will go to our new local chapter. William Platte of Los Osos, a veteran himself, was the winner of the Wilderness Systems Kayaks Thresher 140. Very happy for you Willy!

Thank you to all of our wonderful sponsors who donated to the event and made it a success. You all rock! A list of our sponsors can be found here.

Thank you to all who came out and made the event a success and to all the awesome sponsors who donated items to the Heroes on the Water raffle. I am already looking forward to next years event when we can do it again!

Here are the final results:

Division 4 - 2 Fish Tournament Champion

1st Place - Jim Gosciminski 2 lings - 16 lbs 9 oz - $490

2nd - William Platte 12 lbs 7 oz
3rd - Brian Valenzuela 12 lbs 12 oz
4th - Ren Reidel 11 lbs 13 oz
5th - Nick Lana 10 lbs 7 oz
6th - Alan Kupstas 10 lbs 10 oz
7th - Chad Johnson 10 lbs
8th T - Carny Stuart-Williams 9 lbs 7 oz
8th T - Justin Vermillion 9 lbs 7 oz
10th - Bob Joslin 8 lbs 13 oz
11th - Phil Lopez 8 lbs 12 oz
12th - Jason Potts 8 lbs 8 oz
13th - Kenny Nakamura 8 lbs 4 oz
14th - Ricardo Holden 7 lbs 15 oz
15th - Andy O'Brien 7 lbs 3 oz
16th T - John Gonzalez 7 lbs 1 oz
16th T - Mason Radke 7 lbs 1 oz
18th - Roy Arnold 7 lbs
19th - Eli Campos 6 lbs

Division 1 - Rockfish

1st Place - Carlos Cantu 3 lbs 14 oz - $245
2nd Place - Billy Hurst 3 lbs 2 oz - $145
3rd Place - Jason Potts 2 lbs 15 oz - $100

4th - Andy O'Brien 2 lbs 14 oz
5th T - Brian Valenzuela 2 lbs 10 oz
5th T - Nick Lana 2 lbs 10 oz
7th T - Corey Hamblin 2 lbs 9 oz
7th T - Ricardo Holden 2 lbs 9 oz
9th T - Chad Johnson 2 lbs 5 oz
9th T - Ren Reidel 2 lbs 5 oz
11th T - Alan Kupstas 2 lbs 4 oz
11th T - Justin Vermillion 2 lbs 4 oz
13th - Eli Campos 2 lbs 2 oz
14th T - Erik Nordholm 2 lbs 1 oz
14th T - Mason Radke 2 lbs 1 oz
16th - Robert Marlow 2 lbs
17th T - Roy Arnold 1 lb 15 oz
17th T - Kenny Nakamura 1 lb 15 oz
19th - John Gonzalez 1 lb 8 oz
20th - Carny Stuart-Williams 1 lb 5 oz

Division 2 - Cabezon

1st Place - Ken Nakamura 6 lbs 5 oz - $245
2nd Place - Dusty McAdon 5 lbs 3 oz - $145
3rd Place - Justin Vermillion 4 lbs 10 oz - $100

Division 3 - Lingcod

1st Place - Jim Gosciminski 10 lbs 9 oz - $245
2nd Place - Mike Sapp 9 lbs 10 oz - $145
3rd Place - Ren Reidel 7 lbs 5 oz - $100

4th - William Platte 7 lbs 2 oz
5th - Brian Valenzuela 6 lbs 11 oz
6th - Alan Kupstas 6 lbs 2 oz
7th - Nick Lana 5 lbs 14 oz
8th T - Jason Potts 5 lbs 9 oz
8th T - John Gonzalez 5 lbs 9 oz
10th - Phil Lopez 5 lbs 8 oz
11th T - Dan Fleming 5 lbs 6 oz
11th T - Chad Johnson 5 lbs 6 oz
13th - Carny Stuart-Williams 5 lbs 4 oz
14th - Roy Arnold 5 lbs 1 oz
15th - Mason Radke 5 lbs
16th - Justin Vermillion 4 lbs 11 oz
17th T - Bob Joslin 4 lbs 12 oz
17th T - David Chaves 4 lbs 12 oz
19th - Andy O'Brien 4 lbs 5 oz
20th - Ricardo Holden 4 lbs 4 oz
21st - Eli Campos 3 lbs 14 oz
22nd - Doug Browand 3 lbs 11 oz

Wilderness Systems Prostaff 2015

I am very happy to announce that I have been asked to renew my prostaff contract with Wilderness Systems Kayaks and Adventure Technology Paddles for another year. Wilderness Systems and AT have been very supportive and I am honored to be in the company of one of the best pro staffs in the business. Two of my buddies also made the teams this year and I would like to welcome Chad Britton and Andy O'Brien to 2015 WIldy and AT pro staffs as well! Well done fellas!

We've got Wheeleez Carts!

I'm very excited that we are now offering Wheeleez carts and accessories in our EBKF store! These carts are solid, well built and will get your kayak just about anywhere you need to take it. They are great in soft sand, rough terrain, mud, and they fold up to be easily stowed on the kayak. If you need a new cart these are worth taking a look at. We have a couple of different styles in the store but we can get whatever you need. SUP carts, jet ski carts, accessories, just let us know what you are looking for. Thanks, have a great day!

 Beach wheels are great not only in the sand but also on rough or muddy ground.

 Flat-free, maintenance free, "Tuff-Tire", foam wheels.

The beach cart in the folded position. Made with a strong but light aluminum frame and stainless steel hardware.

Wilderness Systems Thresher 140

Super stoked! Received the new Wilderness Systems Thresher 140 yesterday. Been waiting for a while as they worked out some production issues to get things right. Well my initial impression is WOW! I have to admit it's a lot of boat at 14 feet. I've never had a kayak this long but, the layout, the features, and the overall design are very nice. You can tell that they put a lot of effort into the design and features they integrated. Here are some pics:

 Thresher 140 in dusk color.

 Front hatch, hinged in the front with good quality closures in the rear.

 Enclosed front hatch, offers some great front storage. There are scupper holes in place but the Thresher comes with plugs to keep the area dry.

 The Thresher's cockpit is roomy and well laid out. The new foot braces are large and comfortable.

The large center hatch is equipped with a rubber gasket and locking mechanisms to hold it tightly in place. It is also hinged in the front for easy opening and closing. The center hatch is able to accommodate fishing rods for launching and landing in the surf.

I love the removable pod on the Ride 115X but the pod on the Thresher is a big improvement in design. It is large and roomy but not overly bulky. Like the center hatch it is held in place by some solid clamps.

A shot of the pod removed. You can see the large opening for multiple sizes of transducers.

I got mine with the optional rudder kit. I think the rudder will be a nice addition on this 14 foot kayak.

This is the rudder deployment system for lifting and lowering the rudder from the seat. The rudder itself is operated by the foot braces.

The rear tankwell is really large and comes with a bungee system along with 2 tie down straps. You can see there is also a spot to install a round hatch should you choose.

The seat of the Thresher is the original Air Pro seat. A comfortable seat with some adjustability to it. 

There's a quick overview of the Thresher. Soon, I'll do a more in depth review, after I get it out on the water. Thanks for checking it out!

Do I really need all this "stuff"?

One thing is for sure, I'll never be accused of being a minimalist. I'm a planner and I like to have those items that I just may need in any given situation. I always knew that I carried a lot but it wasn't until I met up with a buddy to hit the water and he showed up with his kayak, a pfd, a single rod, and a couple pieces of tackle! Laughing, I said "WTH! How is that all you have?" Now, I'll never be that minimal but it did get me thinking about how much I take on the water and do I really need it all. I primarily fish in saltwater and carry some gear based on that. Beside the kayak, seat, paddle, and PFD here is a list of what I take with me out on the water:

- Fishfinder with battery

- Net, gaff, & fish bat

- Lip grippers

- 3 waterproof Plano boxes 

     1 small - terminal tackle, 1 large - plastics and heads, 

     1 large - irons and lures

- 2 cameras and 2 mounts

- VHF radio

- 2 dry bags 

     1 with personal gear

     1 with fishing items

- 1 game clip (stringer)

- knife/small cutting board

- bump board

- water/snacks

- hat / extra clothing

- 3 rods

- crate with rod holders

- bait

- whistle/flare gun

- 1st aid kit

- 2 rail mounted rod holders

I'm probably forgetting some things but you get the idea. After looking at my list I can see a few changes I could make. I could start by consolidating my Plano boxes down to two and maybe go down to one dry bag. Do I really need a gaff, a bat, lip grippers, and a net? Well, yes, of course I do! But, in the end I can't see anything that I would want to get rid of. There are some items that I've never used like the flare gun. Never used it and don't even know if it works but I like having it. Might be time for a test, hmmm. 

I guess for me, the bottom line is this. I like carrying "stuff". It makes me feel better and I like to know that I've got what I need. I applaud those of you that are able to hit the water with less. For those of you who take more...you might have a problem! Ha!

So what do you take out on the water with you? What is your "standard" gear list? Post it up and let me know. Maybe I'm missing something that I didn't know I couldn't live without!

Get out there and fish! Cheers, Tebbs!

Shark attack near Vandenberg Air Force Base

Today my buddy, Ryan from Central Coast Kayak Fishing, was fishing with the Jurrasic Sportfishing boys when he was attacked by a Great White Shark. Luckily he was uninjured but definitely a bit shaken up, understandably. 

 He said the shark hit him from below and knocked him about 10 feet in the air and into the water. The shark then circled around and hit the kayak a second time. The guys he was fishing with estimate the shark to be around 20 feet long. Earlier in the day another kayaker was "nudged" by what is presumably the same shark, all coming on the heels of yesterdays attack on a surfer in the same area. Needless to say probably a good idea to avoid that area for awhile. 

This particular area has a history of shark attacks and primarily in the month of October. The discovery channel did a story on this area during Shark Week and it has again proved to be "sharky" for sure. We are glad that Ryan is ok and hope that no one else has this type of encounter.

Central Coast Kayak Fishing - Cambria Slam Down III Fishing Tournament

Last years tournament had over 100 competitors, up from around 40 at the inaugural event. This years tournament, only days away at this point, is already near 130 entrants. With a Jackson Cuda as the grand prize and 2 raffles benefiting Heroes on the Water (one for a Hobie Outback and the other for a Malibu Mini-X), plus a host of other great prizes making this tournament one of California's great fishing events. There is still time left to register. Come on out and support a great organization!

Sign up here!

New or used, that is the question?

Diamonds in the Rough

Why a used kayak? Sure the color may be a little faded and the hull might be a bit scuffed up from being dragged over rocks and across beaches. It will not be the latest model with all the bells and whistles and you'll probably have to get creative with rigging it up for fishing. But one thing it has going for it over a new kayak is that it's cheap! And when you're starting out, cheap is good. You may even find one that someone else has already rigged up, some complete with fish finders.

A quick Craigslist search turned up this OK Drifter that is rigged up and ready to go.

You may recall from the first article that I said, "use what you have available to you and/or that you can get into with minimal cost." I believe that getting on the water and fishing is more important than finding the "perfect", pre-rigged fishing kayak, at least in the beginning. I think you are better off learning how to paddle efficiently and how to fish from a kayak first. Then upgrade your equipment as needed. This may not apply to people with previous kayak experience but if you are new to kayaking, buying your first kayak is usually based more on other peoples recommendations than your own experience. Even if you are able to hit some dealers near you and demo different styles and brands (which I highly recommend you do) you are still looking at a limited amount of time getting to know that particular kayak. But, maybe you have a friend, a family member, or a neighbor that has a kayak they aren't using, that you can borrow (please ask first). Look for local deals, there are some great deals to be had on Craigslist and other similar sites. Where I live, there are many kayak rental companies that sell off their inventory every few years, at huge discounts. Check with dealers and tour companies in your area. A solid, used kayak on the cheap is hard to beat for the beginning yak angler.

Another local Craigslist search turned up this OK Scupper Pro. An older model but in nice shape and with some rigging would make a nice first kayak.

A used kayak saves you money and gets you where you need to be, on the water fishing. You need to experience what its like to cast from a kayak, fight a fish from a kayak, and grab gear in front and behind you. Try standing up, sitting side saddle, twisting, turning, and leaning out, and paddle, paddle, paddle. As you learn to paddle more efficiently and fine tune your kayak fishing style, a clearer picture of your perfect kayak will emerge. You will figure out whether you need a wide, stable platform for standing and sighting fish or a sleeker, faster model for covering distances. Finally, a used kayak lets you experiment with rigging options more freely. With a new kayak, that you just dropped your paycheck on, you may be reluctant to start drilling holes in it to mount that new camera pole you just picked up. Then, only to find out that you mounted it in a spot that hits your elbow on every paddle stroke (ask me how I know this, arrrghh!). But with a used kayak, one that you snagged for a few hundred dollars, go for it. Get creative and find out what works for you and what doesn't. Can't find or can't afford what you're looking for? No problem, become an inventor and tap into your creative side. One of the best things about this sport is the DIY aspect of rigging your yak.

Cream of the Crop

I can hear you now. You're saying, if a used kayak is so great why buy a new one, right? Well, like with any product, new kayaks offer new innovations and new features. While it's true that a used kayak will save you money, let you experiment with different setups, and will let you figure out what features will enhance your fishing. The kayak designers take all of the feedback from customers and pro staff team members into consideration and create new models based on that information. The early "fishing" kayaks were really just standard, recreational models, maybe with some flush mount rod holders installed. The new crop of fishing kayaks are designed "for" fishing, not as an after thought. Often these kayaks are also designed with a certain style of fishing and water type in mind.

The Thresher by Wilderness Systems Kayaks is designed as a "big water" offshore kayak.

The kayaks being manufactured today have refined hulls built with the fisherman's needs in mind. Stability and tracking with some models offering good speed as well, all in one package. These new kayaks are also feature packed. Better storage options, larger deck platforms for standing, built-in track systems, removable electronics pods, advancements in seating choices, and a multitude of mounting points offer today's yak anglers many extremely useful and versatile models and brands to choose from.

The AP Max seat from Wilderness Systems Kayaks is an example of the improvements made in kayak seats. Other kayak brands also offer their own versions of this new style of seat.

Reading between the lines

In the end I'll say this...Buy new if you are an experienced paddler and have spent a good amount of time in and on kayaks and know what you want. Either you are coming from a used kayak that you have outgrown or that you have determined does not fit your fishing needs and you are looking to upgrade. Or, you have the money to spend and just want to go new from the beginning, certainly nothing wrong with that. Just be sure that you do some research and demo some kayaks before plopping down a couple grand on someone elses recommendations. 

Otherwise, start out with a proven and trusted used kayak. Learn how to paddle, learn how to fish from this platform, learn how to be smooth on the water, and refine your own personal kayak fishing "system". Here is my list of top beginner kayak models. These brands and models are stable, solid, and time tested.

Wilderness Systems - Tarpon

Ocean Kayak - Scrambler

Ocean Kayak - Scupper Pro

Malibu - Stealth

Cobra - Fish and Dive

There are many other brands and models that will also work. These are just some of the more stable and common, used models, at least in my neck of the woods. In other parts of the country this list may include other brands that have regional popularity.

Whether you decide to buy yourself a diamond in the rough or the newest cream of the crop make sure you have the proper safety gear and know how to get back on your kayak should you end up in the water. Practice self rescue techniques in calm water and always wear a PFD.

Until next time, get out there and fish!

Cheers, Tebbs!

Leffingwell, Cambria CA 9/7/14

Got out today to do a little pre-fishing for the Cambria Slam Down Tournament that's coming up on Sept. 27th. Met up with Chad at 6 am for the drive north and arrived at the launch at 7 to meet up with Jason. This was Jason's for time kayak fishing. There was a bit of swell running but luckily no wind.

First timer, Jason, sizing up the swell for his maiden voyage.

After watching another guy get rolled in the surf on his launch attempt we all made it out without any issues and headed for the grounds. There were a bunch of people out there today and it seemed like it was slow for everyone. Even with the slow bite we all were able to bring up a few nice ones and Jason went home with a couple nice fish taco size rockfish.

 Chad with the first one of the day, a vermillion rockfish (a red)

 Me with a 27" lingcod. This guy took line and doubled my rod over. It's a good one!

 Big mouth!

Jason with a nice ling! This one was about the size of mine, but came unbuttoned from his stringer and swam away...Oh well, still one out there for the tournament!

We had a good time even with the slower than usual bite and it was fun getting Jason out there. I think we may have a new fishing partner! Did anyone else get out this weekend? Post some pics in the comments!

Until next time, get out there and fish!

Cheers, Tebbs!

Which kayak is the right kayak?

Kayak Fishing Basics #2 - Choosing the right kayak

Part 1

Does this boat make me look big?

Photo credit - g2outdoorblog.blogspot.com

I decided to break this topic into two separate articles. Part one will address terminology and kayak types while part two will discuss purchasing considerations and buying used vs. new. 

Let's get started by defining some terminology that will be helpful to know:

BEAM -- the width of a kayak or other watercraft when measured at its widest point.

BOW -- The front or forward end of the kayak or other watercraft.

CAPACITY -- The total capacity in weight that a kayak is rated to hold. This is a maximum                              combined weight of the paddler and any load.

COCKPIT -- the opening in the kayak deck in which the paddler sits.

DECK -- The cover or top of a kayak.

HULL -- The main body or shell of a kayak. Hulls can be made of plastic, fiberglass, Kevlar,                  or wood.

SCUPPER HOLE -- May be found in the seating area, footwells and tank well of SOT kayaks.                                  These holes are self-bailing which means any water coming over the deck                                    of the kayak will automatically drain out.

SIK -- "Sit Inside Kayak" a kayak that has a cockpit where the paddler sits inside the kayak.

SPRAY SKIRT -- a piece of waterproof material that fits around the paddler and opening of a                               SIK to keep water out of the craft.

SOT -- "Sit On Top" a kayak that has the cockpit molded into the top of the kayak deck. The              paddler sits on top of the kayak rather than sitting inside of it.

STABILITY -- A measure of how difficult it is to capsize. Stability is broken down into two                                 components; Primary & Secondary.

                  Primary Stability -- Primary stability is the relative stability of a boat that is sitting                                                       flat on the water right-side-up. A lower center of gravity and/or a                                                       wider base gives increased primary stability.  

                  Secondary Stability -- Secondary stability comes into play when the boat is leaning                                                         toward its side. The more surface area touching the water                                                                 equals better stability. Good secondary stability helps keep                                                               the kayak upright when the paddler's balance goes beyond the                                                         primary stability. 

STERN -- The rear of the kayak or other watercraft.

TANK WELL -- An on deck storage area.

TRACKING

-- Tracking is a description of a kayaks ability to go in a straight line without      compensation from the paddler.

So, now that we are speaking the same language it is time to decide whether you are a SIK or a SOT paddler. That is mostly going to depend on the type of water you fish on and of course personal preference. Generally speaking, given a sit-inside-kayak (SIK) and a sit-on-top kayak (SOT) of the same length and width, the SIK will be faster and more stable. This is because the paddler in a SIK sits lower, down inside the kayak. This lowers the center of gravity making the kayak more stable and allows the hulls to be designed narrower, optimizing speed. Another benefit of SIK's is that you tend to stay drier since you sit inside the kayak. This wide open hull also provides ample room for stowing gear, although the paddler takes up much of the forward space. One undesirable characteristic of a sit-in kayak is its ability to fill with water and "swamp" or sink. Paddlers can combat this by wearing spray skirts to keep water out, but this is something that should be considered if you fish in moving water or water that is subject to big wind chop and waves.

  Sit Inside Kayak (SIK) - Wilderness Systems Pungo 120
Photo credit - Wilderness Systems Kayaks

On the other side of the coin are the SOT's. They can be less stable than a SIK, since the paddler is sitting on top of the kayak. To offset this higher center of gravity many SOT's are designed with wider hulls and an unfortunate side effect of the wider hull is a decrease in speed. While this may not be a big concern if most of your fishing is near shore, it can be an issue if you need to cover a longer distance. There are times especially on the ocean where we may need to paddle 2 or 3 miles just to get out to the fishing grounds. Trust me, when faced with a long paddle sacrificing speed for a little added stability is not worth it. 

Sit On Top kayak (SOT) - Wilderness Systems Ride 115X

Photo credit - Juan Veruete, Wilderness Systems Kayaks

At this point I need to clarify some points. Not all sit-on-top kayaks are wide and sluggish or narrow and tippy. The modern SOT's are designed with speed, maneuverability, tracking, and stability in mind. Some are designed to be more stable and maneuverable and offer the angler the ability to stand and fish. Others are designed with sleeker lines offering greater speed and tracking.

Photo credit - Bobby Clark, Wilderness Systems Kayaks

At this point you may be asking yourself, if SIK's are faster and more stable, why paddle a SOT? Both types of kayaks can be used as fishing platforms with varying degrees of success but for me it comes down to the versatility of sit-on-top kayaks. First and foremost, most yak anglers are fishermen first and paddlers second, and the needs of kayak anglers are different from that of recreational kayakers. Kayak fisherman need room to stow gear and yet still access rods, tackle, gear, and their catch. Since the hull of a SOT is enclosed you have an open deck which includes the seating area and also provides the angler with a lot of open area to mount items like fishing crates, rod holders, camera mounts, etc. Plus most SOT's have hatches that offer access to the enclosed hull giving you access to the interior for storing gear out of the elements. Another plus of a SOT is the ability to swing your legs over the side while fighting a fish or reaching for something in the rear tank well, this just can not be done with a SIK. 

Check out that secondary stability too!

Photo credit - Dean Thomas, Wilderness Systems Kayaks

SOT's have another nice feature, scupper holes. I've talked about the possibility of SIK's filling with water if a spray skirt is not used but SOT's do not have this issue, as long as the hull is intact. The reason for this is that they are equipped with a self-bailing system that allows water to drain away from the deck via scupper holes. My personal opinion is that SOT's make the best kayaks to fish from due to their versatility, open deck space, and the ability of the paddler to move around on the kayak. While SIK's are the more traditional style and are preferred by whitewater and touring enthusiasts. For kayak anglers, SOT's are by far the more popular style. 

Finally, before deciding on any style, brand, or model try to get out and paddle as many kayaks as you can. The more you paddle, the more you will learn, and soon you will discover what YOUR perfect kayak is. In part two of this series I will talk about this, "test driving" kayaks and I will also discuss the pros and cons of going with a used kayak or dropping some coin on a brand new model. 

Until then, get out there and fish! 

Cheers, Tebbs

Wind, wind, go away...

I'm hoping to head out this weekend but the wind and swell is not cooperating. Not too terrible but not ideal.

As long as it doesn't get any worse I think were good. #wildyfishing #atpaddles #magicseaweed

So you want to be a kayak fisherman?

Kayak Fishing Basics #1 - Intro to kayak angling

Welcome to the madness! "Welcome to the madness", that's a term you will see on forums and in blogs in regards to kayak fishing. It means, get ready! You just opened up a Pandora's box that for many of us has become a passion or a sickness if you ask my wife. Kayak fishing is seeing huge increases in the number of people getting into the sport and this growth is leading to a boom in product development, innovation, tournaments, and at times a blurring of the lines between kayaking and boating. 

Photo credit - Bassyaks

For me, this is an exciting time to be involved in the sport and I am always glad to see and help new anglers get out on the water. 

At its core, kayak fishing is simple. All you really need to get going is a kayak, any kayak, and some fishing gear. That's it! With this simple setup you can go down to your local body of water, paddle out, and begin fishing. In fact, this is how many people start. They pull out that old, faded, crusty kayak that has been sitting on the side of the garage for years and hit the water. Guess what, it works! Even with some upgrades to the kayak and fishing equipment a lot of people stick with this basic setup. This is what I call the minimalist approach. While others go in an opposite direction, adding all the bells and whistles such as fish finders, lights, anchor trolleys, live bait tanks, etc. The list goes on and on...

Photo credit - Scotty Fishing Products

But, lets back up. What makes kayak fishing so great? If you're like me you have spent most of your fishing life working the shore or bank. Growing up, my family didn't have a boat so we fished along the shore or hiked up the banks of a river looking for holes. Sure, sometimes we would rent one or be invited to join friends on theirs but for the most part if we couldn't catch them from the shore we got skunked. In my 20's I did finally get a boat from my grandfather and it spent more time in my driveway than on the water. The costs of fuel and maintenance and just getting it to the lake which isn't all that close to where I live, all contributed to its lack of use. Years later, when I was introduced to kayak fishing it was like a light went on. From the start I thought it was the greatest thing ever and I still do. 

Kayaks are a great platform for fishing. A kayak allows you to get offshore and out on the water relatively cheap, the maintenance is minimal with proper care and storage, there are no ongoing costs such as fuel and registration fees, they are quiet, relaxing, and can get you into spots that traditional boaters can't always get to. I suppose there are some downsides when compared to boats too, you are not as quickly able to cover area, you have less storage space, you have less working room, and you are lower in the water which may or may not affect your ability to sight fish (we will talk more about this later). For me, these "cons" aren't really cons at all and many can be used to your advantage.

If you are just getting started fishing from a "yak" here is my initial advice, use what you have available to you and/or that you can get into with minimal cost. I say this because there are many factors that as you gain experience will determine what type of kayak and gear is going to fit both your style of fishing and the locale in which you fish. The most important thing right now is, get out there and fish! Hitting the water will help you determine a few key elements, your needs, wants, and fluff lists. First, what gear do you "need"? These are the things that make your outing safe, efficient, and effective. Second, what gear do you "want"? This is the gear that will make your trips easier, more comfortable, and allow you to focus more on catching rather than just fishing. Finally, what I call your fluff list. The things that can be nice to have but don't really add to your ability to catch fish or not. They are just fluff. 

These lists can vary somewhat from person to person but there are some universal items that should at least be on every one's "need" list. Here are the safety items that I consider must-haves when I'm on the water:

- PFD (personal flotation device) What we traditionally call a life jacket. Please do not go out on the water without wearing one. Many deaths could have been prevented if people had taken the time to put their PFD on.

- Signaling device A device that can be used to signal for help if you get in trouble. A loud marine whistle is the minimum you should carry.

- whistle and/or,

- air horn and/or,

- flare gun

- Leashes/tethers It is a good idea to have a paddle leash in place. Even if you carry a spare paddle, tethering your paddle to your kayak is important so that when you knock your paddle overboard while you are trying to land that prize fish it stays with you.

- Proper clothing Dress for the predicted weather but pack for the unexpected. You do not have to bring along a spare suitcase but wear or pack some different layers so that you can adjust your attire to fit changes in the weather. Think wind protection and sun protection along with warm and dry.

- Sunscreen, food and water Long hours on the water can fry your skin. Wear sunscreen and reapply throughout the day. Bring water and a snack with you. If you are putting in some good distances staying hydrated and having food to keep up your energy is important.

- Buddy system Fishing with a partner is probably the single biggest thing you can do to increase your safety on the water. Also, let someone know where you will be fishing and how long you expect to be gone especially if you are fishing alone.

- Other safety items to consider Cell phone, VHF radio, visibility flag, tow rope, 1st aid kit, and some form of bailing system.

In following articles I will elaborate on some of these items but for now those are some thing to take with you to stay safe on the water. The next article in this series will deal with choosing the right kayak for your fishing situation.

Photo credit - Jose Chavez

Until then, get out there and fish! 

Cheers, Tebbs!