KAYAK
SALT FISHING MAGAZINE
SPECIAL PREVIEW
MUDDING IN THE MARSH
I
enjoy fishing in new places, and in different types of water. Connecting with the kayak salt fishing community is a great way to share experiences. I also do research before any trips by corresponding on the internet with anglers from the region I plan on visiting. I have received a lot of hospitality and offers from fellow anglers to fish with them on their home water. Upon arriving to a new area, I identify what and when the fish are eating. I attempt to mimic the bait by using artificial lures. I recommend doing a few things when you get to an unfamiliar body of water: go to the water and look at the live bait, check out a local bait shop and ask, or see what has been selling at a big box store. Once my arsenal of top waters, live action shrimp, popping corks, and paddle tails is complete I begin to target the water. I usually start with any spots graciously provided to me by locals, or spots identified through research. After dragging the ‘yak off the truck and starting the float, I attempt to identify structure or schools of bait fish. Birds diving into the schools help identify them, and changes in water flow can give away submerged structure. I throw top water first if the area is void of visible fish activity to get a feel for how aggressive the fish are. Popping corks or paddle tails are my follow-up for getting after the less aggressive or deeper fish. I like to spend about ten minutes in a spot before I move on, and continuously keep an eye out for fish activity. Identifying fish feeding is the best case, and then it is up to the angler to provide an irresistible pre- Jared Esley of Tails and Scales Guiding Service out of the Texas Coastal Bend for this trip. He sentation. saved me time researching areas and provided me a pinpoint launch location to link up. Jared I am no stranger to saltwater, oyster bars, flats, offered the use of a kayak and gear, but I wantdeep water, and the occasional manatee scare. However, my most recent trip wasn’t in my home ed to get the Advanced Tactical Angling Kayak water; this was a new spot on the Texas Coast and (A.T.A.K) salty in the marsh so I declined. I did not have a lot of preparation time. When I Anglers who travel without their gear will likely appreciate the accommodation and ability to do not have the time, or am too lazy to do fish without the hassle of taking a kayak across research, I turn to a guide. Hiring a guide is a country. He provided constant communication great way to learn new water or to see your local water from a new perspective. I met up with and lure suggestions prior to arrival to save even
WORDS BY RYAN JONES PHOTOS BY CHRIS PAYNE
more time. The morning we met at the launch site he provided me with varying lures that had been successful during recent trips ensuring I had what I needed. After rigging and a quick brief from Jared, the marsh marathon began. We paddled a mile or so through shallow canals and hit some semi-technical water, but true to his word Jared put us on the fish. His knowledge of where to cast and how to retrieve earned some strikes, but it is still up to the angler to get the fish in
Above: Guide Jared Esley releases a slot red fish near Freeport, Texas This red fell victim to Gulp Shrimp under popping cork fished vigorously over shell on an 18 inch leader. Next Page: Ryan Jones gets ready to launch his popping cork setup toward a nearby grass line. Full Page: A netted rat red and the first photographed fish of the trip. Luckily the fish continued to get bigger as the day went on.
the boat. I learned the hard, yet obvious, lesson that a net can increase fish landed. Luckily he had an extra one, and lent it to me. The bite slowed in the first spot, so we slowly began to work the reeds and the shore. The wind picked up so we decided to make the long trek across the first of three ponds to utilize the wind for working the other shore. However, there was no fruit for our labor and Jared quickly turned from fisher to hunter, and we paddled from pond to pond chasing tailing Reds. In some areas we were in less than a foot of water so tails were easy to spot, but paddles were muddy. Jared paddled from activity to activity treating the trip much like a tournament moving from school to school to get all members of the excursion chances at fish. He used some structure, but his knowledge of fish patterns and honey holes led to success. We were often able to sight
cast to Redfish. The only time we stopped was a short halt on shore to wait out some weather. After a day of paddling and paddling, the cooler was full of Trout, Redfish, and Drum. The wind, waves, and fish chase taught me just how valuable a local’s knowledge can be. The next time I plan to fish in a new place, I am going to look for a guide.
RECOMMENDED GUIDE:
JARED ESLEY
TAILS AND SCALES GUIDING SERVICE
210.508.6470
esley_jared@yahoo.com