Contents 4 The Light Bulb Moment 6 Kayak Fishing Radio Profile 13 Review: The Frontier 12 16 Make Some Noise (Quietly) 19 The Jax Classic 24 The Minimalist Approach
On The Cover Daniel Seaman with a nice Carolina bass. Check out Daniel’s website
www.yakcity.net
27 In Pursuit Of Happiness 32 Kayak Fishing On The Fly
The Light Bulb Moment I was sick of it. Yet another day of fishing from the banks, or should I say watching the fish feed off in the distance. Time and time again I would wade the shallows, hoping to make it into casting range, only to find my lure offering just short of the dinner plate. And to make matters worse I had to watch these damn kayakers paddle by and catch the fish I could never reach. Light Bulb Moment I am now one of those damn kayakers, paddling my butt off in pursuit of happiness, and it’s good to know I am not alone. When you meet another kayak angler you have met a fishing buddy, who will soon become a friend, who before you know it, is family. Kayak fishing has a way of bringing like minded people together. It is a lifestyle. No one comes into the sport of kayak fishing alone. I sure didn’t. There was a startup online radio show every Thursday night that I could not miss. One at eight o'clock and another at eleven. The show, KayakFishingRadio, is now on four nights a week and I never miss a podcast. I have spoken with countless kayakers who haven’t the clue who I am, all willing to share their insight on the sport. I always knew fishing was awesome, but kayak fishing is special. And it’s not just the fishing. Although the first hole is always nerve wrecking, rigging a kayak to meet your needs could not be more enjoyable. Testing out the newest kayaks,
paddles, and gear gives me the giggles. Gliding along a glass flat estuary in company of redfish, unaware of your presence, just heals your soul. In this issue of The Fisherman’s Journal we meet the hosts of KayakFishingRadio (pg. 6), revisit the Kayak Fishing Classic (pg. 19), and take you on a painful journey to find Snook Shangri-La (pg. 27), along with Journal Entries by Mark Lozier (pg. 16), Chuck Wrenn (pg. 24), and more great photos with Daniel Diez. Thank you for taking the time and reading The Journal. We hope you get as much pleasure in reading as we do in writing.
KayakFishingRadio is an internet-based live broadcast, hosted Monday through Thursday at 8:00 PM Eastern on BlogTalkRadio.com. Owner and Thursday night Host, Chip Gibson started KFR as an idea to bring together kayak anglers from all over, one night a week to talk about the growing sport of kayak fishing. KFR has now grown to include a team of four other hosts and four scheduled broadcasts a week. Over 12,000 listeners tune in each month to listen live or download the podcast from BlogTalkRadio or iTunes by computer or with a smartphone app for both iPhone and Android devices. For more information visit
www.KayakFishingRadio.com
Charles Levi Jr AKA “Redfish Chuck.” host the Monday Night Kick Off Kayak Fishing Radio Show started fishing when he was two years old in Long Island, NY but has called the Space Coast of Florida home for 20+ years. During that time Chuck has fished everything from freshwater in small ponds and lakes to large bodies of water. Saltwater is in his blood and his home away from home is the Inshore and Offshore waters where he targets the many game fish that the Atlantic Ocean, Indian and Banana Rivers and the Mosquito Lagoon has to offer. Chuck Pro Staffs and writes for Yakangler.com and BDoutdoors.com. He is also a Pro staff member of Tackle Webs, Bending Branches Paddles, Slayer INC Lures, Ego Nets, ENO, and a Hobie Regional Fishing Team Member! The Tuesday night hosts of Kayak Fishing Radio’s, The Double L Show, Mark and Kris Lozier bring to the sport a husband and wife media offering. With a combined 14 years of kayak angling experience, The Double L’s are well-versed in the broadcasting topics and have a true love of the sport. Kris and Mark are sponsored by HOOK1 and Columbia Clothing, and Mark is a member of the Native Watercraft and Daiwa Endorsed guide program. When not sharing time on the water or in the broadcasting booth, Mark and Kris can be found tending to their newest venture, 1st Landing Kayak Fishing Services. The husband and wife team are also very active in the Tidewater Chapter of Heroes On The Water and TKAA.
Mark "Landingcrew" Wheeler is an avid fisherman, whether from pier, shore, kayak or boat, if there is fish to be caught he will most likely be fishing for them. Mark is currently fishing the Weekend series on the BASS tour, as well as many kayak fishing tourneys up and down the east coast. Mark is the host of the LOW SODIUM SHOW on kayakfishingradio.com, is an elite team member with ORCA COOLERS, and is on the pro fishing teams with Jackson Kayak, yakangler.com, Bull Bay Rods, Unfair Lures, and Tommyhead Jigs. Mark lives in Virginia and is joined in his life long passion with his wonderful wife and two children. As mark says, GET YOUR FISH ON...MAN!.
Owner and Thursday night Host, Chip Gibson started KFR as an idea to bring together kayak anglers from all over, one night a week to talk about the growing sport of kayak fishing. Chip Gibson is a retired U.S. Marine who has embraced the simplicity and organic nature of kayak fishing. Chip is a graduate of Auburn University with Graduate studies in Environmental Science and Wildlife Ecology. He lives in metro-Atlanta with his wife of 32 years and 14 year old son Bradley, a.k.a. "the clone" to KFR friends and Boondogglers.
Everyday Push The Mike Conneen Story
Fall 2013 A Film By Yaktastic Adventures
The Fishing Chef Roasted Salmon with Cilantro Pesto Ingredients 1 Garlic Clove 1 Cup Cilantro, Loosely Packed 3 Tbsp Olive Oil Juice of 1 Lime Salt/Pepper to Taste 1 Large Ripe Tomato, Seeded and Chopped 4 Salmon Fillets Preparation Preheat Oven to 400째. Place garlic, cilantro, 2 tbsp of oil, lime juice, and salt and pepper in a blender and process until creamy. Brush baking pan with remaining oil and place salmon on it. Spread pesto mixture over salmon and scatter tomatoes on top. Bake uncovered until done or internal temperature reaches 145째
Third Annual Hobie® Fishing World Championship to Take Place in Australia Australia is not just about kangaroos, shrimp on the barbie or beer – it is also very much about world-class fishing. Anglers from across the globe will discover this fact as they converge on the Bemm and Snowy Rivers in Victoria, Australia, October 30-November 3, for the third annual Hobie Fishing World Championship presented by Daiwa and hosted by Hobie Cat® Australasia. All countries will compete for the chance to crown one of their own as World Champion. “The goal of the event is to continue building a platform for Hobie fishing competition in an environment embracing a common passion for fishing. It’s also about building international camaraderie that overrides language and cultural barriers,” commented Doug Skidmore, president of Hobie Cat Company. Anglers will be in search of the feisty black bream; pound for pound one of Australia’s most challenging game fish. Anglers will compete in identically rigged Hobie Mirage® Pro Angler 14’s propelled by Hobie’s patented MirageDrive® system and fitted with Lowrance® electronics and Ram® Mounting Systems. Live weigh-ins will take place on each of the three days of competition with anglers weighing three fish per day. This is tough and challenging water for fishing. Defending champions Scotty Baker (2011) and Marty Mood (2012) will have to be at their best game if they want to take another crown. Can they do it or is there another champion on the sidelines? November 3 will tell the story. For the most up-to-date information between now and the Championship, click on http:// Hobiefishingworlds.com Since 1950, Hobie has been in the business of shaping a unique lifestyle based around fun, water, and quality products. From their headquarters in Oceanside, California, Hobie Cat Company manufactures, distributes, and markets an impressive collection of watercraft worldwide. These include an ever-expanding line of recreation and racing sailboats, pedal-driven and paddle sit-on-top recreation and fishing kayaks, inflatable kayaks and fishing boats plus a complementary array of parts and accessories.
Frontier 12 Review by Bill Laminack For the past three weeks, I have been using a NuCanoe Frontier 12. While I cannot say that it was love at first sight, I can now say that I am in love with this boat. The manufacturer calls it a Kayak hybrid, but I am not sure what the mixture is. Maybe kayak mixed with awesome. Yeah, I know it doesn’t have sexy curves and eye catching lines. No. Not at all. It looks cumbersome, slow and clunky. All of this is deceiving. It is only on the first paddle will you find out what is going on with this boat. I passed by the NuCanoe in Sunjammer’s showroom many times until I got serious about fly fishing. Even then I didn’t pay it much attention. Only after a friend who also got serious about fly fishing started mulling over paddling options that were best suited for this did the NuCanoe come to my attention. I saw a video online of Joe Mahler and Drew Chicone fly fishing out of a Frontier 12. Yes, both of them in the boat. One standing and the other paddling. Now they had my attention. My friend was in the market for a new kayak and was looking at Diablo’s and was very close to buying one. I suggested that we demo a NuCanoe. We took it out on the first trip. Will, got in the Frontier and pushed off from shore and stood up, and just started giggling. Up to this point he had never stood in any kayak. He had just popped up and started paddling. There was a little swell, and he just kept paddling, standing up for about half a mile. Every once in a while he was would bend over and grab his rod and make a couple of casts and each time there was a new set of giggles. He had discovered a new world of fishing. Standing up in a kayak and sight fishing. All he could talk about was how easy it was to stand up and fish. Mind you we didn’t have the grab bar accessory (Frontier Casting Bar). He didn’t need it. As he paddled sitting down he was telling me how easy it was to paddle. I was fishing in a Native Slayer 12 that day and he had no trouble keeping up with me. Needless to say, my curiosity was peaked! Will was impressed enough that he went and bought one the next week.
The following week end it was my turn to try it out. Having his new NuCanoe tricked out with all of the accessories Will decided to really give it a serious try. We paddled about 6 miles in open bay with stout 15 to 20 mph wind. We fished most of the day getting beat down by the wind, and still enjoyed the day. The demo that I had didn’t have anything but the basic bench type seats and they had no backs, similar to a canoe type of seat. Paddling this way was not quite comfortable, but still doable. With the seats in this manner, I found that getting on my knees and paddling in a more leaning forward type of posture, I was able to deal with the nasty conditions quite well. I wouldn’t recommend this though. You’ll want a nice comfy NuCanoe seat. This day we encountered 1.5′ chop and enough wind to get some spray. I didn’t see much difference here from any of the other kayaks that I had fished from. Heavy winds in any kayak is not a lot of fun and is work. My next trip was after I picked up a 7″ pedestal seat from Sunjammers. I figured that raising
the seat this high would create uncomfortable instability. Heck just raising a seat 3 inches in other kayaks does dramatic things to the stability. Not in this boat! The stability is just awesome. It feels like a 12′ Jonboat in it’s stability. There is very firm initial stability and the secondary stability was rock solid. I am totally impressed with this aspect. It allowed me to stand and fly fish all day in comfort. We started off fly fishing on the salt water flats looking for trout and redfish and found that the Frontier 12 poles very well. It is reasonably quiet and very easy to maneuver with just a 8′ stake out pole. Later in the day we took it to the flooded river swamps and fished among the flooded cyprus forests for bass and bluegill. Man it really shines in a bass fishing environment. It is easy to keep in position and move around in tight quarters. Again very stable for standing to fish in comfort. This to me is essential for bass fishing. I have in my reviews in the past tried to compare each kayak to others that I have had experience with. In this case, this is much tougher to do.
Frontier 12, but there was a few things that I would change if possible. First, the deck seems a bit softer than I would have expected. Now, I weigh 245lb. This could be due to how much I am putting on it, but I think that I would have preferred it to be more stiff and solid feeling. This isn’t really a problem per se, but rather a preference. The next issue is also with the deck. It has sort of channels cut in that are designed to make water flow to the two scuppers behind the seat. These are right where you will be standing, and I found them uncomfortable to stand on bare foot. I will at times fish bare foot and I had to shift around every once in a while to keep my tender little size 13s from getting sore. When I wore wading shoes, this was not an issue. The third issue was that I would have liked a little better Why? There is not much else out there that I am drainage in the cockpit of the boat. It never preaware of, much less been in long enough to prop- sented a problem in the scenarios that I presented it erly compare it to. I have spent a day on a Diablo. with, but I could see a Surf Launch and taking a And I have spent a while in a Hobie Pro Angler. wave into the cockpit taking a good bit of time to The stability of the NuCanoe is much greater than drain. This is could be better in my opinion. I don’t the Diablo, which is also a very stable kayak, but see this stopping me from taking it offshore howreally the better comparison is to the Pro Angler. I ever. As it is now even rain water will collect in would say that the stability and comfort level is parts of the kayak instead of draining nicely. None much closer. Now sure there are a lot of amenities of these “issues” are deal breakers for me. on Pro Angler than the NuCanoe, having Skiff style In conclusion, I believe that with it’s amazrod tubes etc, but The Nu Canoe has a VAST array ing stability and ease of paddling and poling, it of options on add ons that make each one a Custom looks like I have found my next paddling purchase. set up. The Frontier 12 is about 40-50lbs lighter than a PA, and there is a substantial difference in This entry was posted on the price as well. Of course a NuCanoe doesn’t have Hobie’s awesome Mirage Drive, but to be honest, I Sunjammers Watersports blog in wouldn’t want it on this kayak type as the set of General, Kayaks & Gear features that I am looking for make it perfect for fly on May 12, 2013 fishing. The stability, ease of maneuvering and flexibility of options, are the ones that make this set by Brad Stephens. up ideal for me. Needless to say, I really like the NuCanoe
Make Some Noise (Quietly) By Mark Lozier 1st Landing Kayak Fishing Services We all know making noise can ruin a spot market that use rattles to help your targeted game your fishing. Everything from hull slap, motors
fish find your offering. Most of these are hard
running to just generally be noisy. Some noise
plastic hallow plugs with different size beads in-
can be very beneficial though. Fish have three
side to cause the desired noise. An area of the
major ways they feed, sight, smell and sound.
fishing market that was missing this was the soft
Sounds are picked up by the fish’s lateral line, a
plastic lure part. Not any longer….. The husband
long sensory nerve running down the length of
and wife team at Rockport Rattler offer the rat-
the fish. More noticeable in some species then
tling jig head and weedless hook to give you an
others but they have them. The vibrations
added edge. Charles and Vicky Sablatura had such great
they pick up from
success using the Rockport Rattler they went as
this lateral line tell
far as to buy the company, secure the patent and
whether to flee or
worked hard to “Ring the Diner Bell” for the
time to feed. There
fish. What makes these jig heads and screw lock
are many lures on the hooks unique and work so effective? The rattle chamber is flush with the hook, unlike the insert able style glass tubes with small pellets inside which you insert in the plastic body. The plastic in that method muffles the sound. With the Rockport the hook works like an amplifier helping the sound be more pronounced. Put that together with Mustad Ultra- Point hooks, large diamond cut eyes and colors for all water clarities you have a fish attracting jig head that fish can’t refuse. Besides for the “Original” jig head they also
offer the Quick Lock, same as the original jig head but with a bait keeper to help hold your plastic lure in place. The Lunker max is a screw lock style hook for rigging weed less lures with keel style weights with the sound chamber again on the hook. Also you will find a pan fish model for the smaller freshwater species.
Find all of these and more at www.rockportrattler.com/
www.1stlandingyakfish.com
Wants You! Have you ever wanted to relive that big catch, tell your story, and enlighten others to how you accomplished it? Do you have a tip or technique everyone should by using? Well come aboard and contribute to The Fisherman’s Journal! All articles must be well written and contain quality photos. Unique, knowledgeable articles will be chosen for an upcoming issue. Send all inquiries and questions to editor@thefishermansjournal.com
Yak Anglers Weather the Elements to Set Records at 2013 Columbia Sportswear Jacksonville Kayak Fishing Classic JACKSONVILLE, FL - MAY 4, 2013 - Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville won big at the 2013 Columbia Sportswear Kayak Fishing Classic as 403 kayak anglers raised over $35,000 for the charity’s programs. Intrepid kayak anglers had to deal with winds gusting over 35 knots and heavy rain after the Jacksonville area experienced a three day tropical depression disguised as a nor’easter to check in 10 slams, 20 Redfish, 35 Trout, and 25 Flounder. "We are thrilled to be associated with such a world-class event, and want to thank the kayak anglers, sponsors, and everyone that made the Classic happen for their generous support ", said Debbie Revels, Executive Director of DSAJ. Tournament director Mike Kogan stated, “Every year we are awed by the incredible turnout – even in the face of the worst weather imaginable kayak anglers from all over the country come out to enjoy the recreational, charitable, conservation, and familyoriented format of the Classic.” The catchphoto-release charity event run by JaxKayakFishing.com, is the world’s largest kayak fishing event for the eight consecutive year. The 2013 Classic was led again by the title sponsorship of Columbia Sportswear, whose focus on products that allow people to enjoy the outdoors longer and more comfortably is a perfect match for kayak fishing. All the entrants received a custom shirt featuring the latest outdoor comfort, protection, and stain release technology from Columbia’s performance fishing gear product line. Continued on Next Page
Columbia was joined by other industry leaders such as Native Watercraft, Hobie Kayaks, KC Kayaks, Freedo Watercraft, Costa Del Mar, Lowrance, Tsunami, Maui also pulled together all of Northeast Florida’s kayak an Creek Outfitters, All Wet Sports, and Dick's Sporting G Kogan related “the outstanding efforts of our voluntee the generosity of our terrific sponsors continue to mak
Eddie Cabler - Slam Winner
Eddie Cabler of Jacksonville, FL claimed the top prize consecutive year with a tournament record 75.2” slam 4.7 fishing kayak. His winning slam blew away the pr 22.5” trout, and a 23.4” flounder all caught on spinner Northeast Florida anglers including Arun Ramalingam 60.7”, and Scott Harmon at 59.4”.
Seventeen-year-old Micha Mixon of Vero Beach, FL w red. Top flounder honors went to D.J. Cabler, brother o scored a Freedomhawk Kayaks Pathfinder. Leading th Robert Altman Jr. with a 24.8” flattie.
Another highlight at the Classic this year was the Fish nizes the best fishing performance by a family. The Fa ville, FL and they will enjoy a one week vacation in C
Micha Mixon won the Junior Angler division and Cap Gregg took Senior Angler honors and Chris James of S
For more results and information about next year's Cl www.JacksonvilleKaya Biggest Flounder Winner - D.J. Cabler
Biggerst Redfish Winner - Micha Mixon
Special thanks go out to the volunteers and over 80 sp bia Sportswear, Strike Zone Fishing, BlackCreek Outf Kayaks, Accent Paddles, Costa Del Mar, Maui Jim Su Hawk Kayaks, Hobie Kayaks, Emotion Kayaks, Adva & Kayaks, Native Watercraft, FishingNosara.Com, N Gear.Com, Outdoors Show, Riptide, DOA Lures, Cal of Dawn, MTI, Malone Auto Racks, KayakFishingSup Sportsman, B&M Bait&Tackle, RAM Mounts, Polar B Hooks, GearKeeper, Slayer Lures, Stohlquist, Sure trasport, Carlisle, 321Fish.Com, Fisherman’s Seafo Group, Wang Anchors, Skwoosh, Florida Sportfishi Qualia Fishing, T. Allen Rods, IFA Kayak Fishing To Cannon Rod Holders, Lowrance, Emmrod, YakAttac Rods, Tailin Toads, Boomerang, BooneDoxUSA,
s Ocean Kayaks, Malibu Kayaks, Emotion Kayaks, om Hawk Kayaks, Jackson Kayaks, NuCanoe, Native i Jim, and KayakFishingSupplies.Com. The Classic nd fishing retailers led by Strike-Zone Fishing, Black Goods to name just a few of the over 80 sponsors. ers and the kayak fishing community combined with ke the Classic an unqualified unmatched success.”
e in the Ocean Kayaks slam division for the second m, winning a fully-rigged Ocean Kayaks Trident Ultra revious record by 6” and consisted of a 29.3” red, a r lures. Cabler was closely followed by a group of m at 73.2”, Jim Miller with 62.5”, Blake Beltz at Biggest Trout Winner - Robert Altman, Jr.
won the KC Kayaks redfish division with a 33.25” of slam champ Eddie, with a 24.9” flattie and he he way in the Jackson Kayak trout category was
hingNosara.Com Family Cup, an award that recogamily Cup was won by the Cabler family of JacksonCosta Rica.
pt Patty Greene won the Lady Angler award. Frank St. Augustine won the Fly Angler award.
lassic visit Jacksonville's kayak fishing community at akFishingClassic.com.
ponsors who supported the Classic including: Columfitters, All Wet Sports, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Ocean unglasses, Malibu Kayaks, Jackson Kayaks, Freedomanced Elements, KC Kayaks, Bote, Old Town Canoes NuCanoe, Great Atlantic Outfitters, Slayer Lures, Yaklcutta, Saltlife Sport Optics, Rat-L-Trap Lures, Crack pplies.Com, SeaLect Designs, Kayak Amelia, Florida Bear Coolers, Otter Box, Scotty Rod Holders, Daiichi eSet Jigs, Wheeleez, White Shell Bait&Tackle, Exood & Bait, YakLife.Com, TTI-Blakemore Fishing ing Magazine, St. Croix Rods, FlyFishingJax.Com, Tour, Minuteman Press, Watermans Applied Science, ck, Rat-L-Trap Lures, Ego Nets, Tsunami, Overboard , Yakaholics.Com, Illumarine, Species Studios.
Biggest Flounder Winner - D.J. Cabler
Eddie Cabler Ocean Kayak Slam Winner
2013 Columbia Sportswear Jacksonville Kayak Fishing Classic Agate Results JACKSONVILLE, FL - MAY 4, 2013 Ocean Kayaks Slam (10 Slams Checked In) 1 – Eddie Cabler – 75.2" (29.3” Red, 22.5” Trout, 23.4” Flounder) * All-time Record 2 – Arun Ramalingam – 73.2" 3 – Jim Miller – 62.5" 4 – Blake Beltz – 60.7" 5 – Scott Harmon – 59.4" KC Kayaks Biggest Redfish (20 Redfish Checked In) 1 – Micha Mixon – 33.25" 2 – Craig Van Brocklin – 32.8" 3 – Jonathan Edwards – 26.9" 4 – Benjamin Moye – 26.8" 5 – Justin Rienerth – 26.7" Jackson Kayaks Biggest Trout (35 Trout Checked In) 1 – Robert Altman, Jr. – 24.8" 2 – Matthew Raybould – 24.4" 3 – Brandon Morrison – 24.0" 4 – Ron Lendvay – 23.5" 5 – Allen Bylls – 23.2" Freedomhawk Kayaks Biggest Flounder (25 Flounder Checked In) 1 – D.J. Cabler – 24.9" 2 – Trevor David – 20.5" 3 – Buffy Harmon – 20.3" 4 – Drew Gregory – 20.0" 5 – Patty Greene – 18.2" Junior Angler 1 – Micha Mixon 2 – Brandon Loewen 3 – Madeline Mathis FishingNosara.Com Family Cup – Cabler Family (Eddie and D.J. Cabler) Lady Angler Award – Patty Greene Senior Angler Award – Frank Gregg Fly Angler Award – Chris James Hoosier Paddler’s Best Dang Tackle Box – Kane Sieg
www.JacksonvilleKayakFishingClassic.com
Show Off Your Catch Share Your Story Make The Front Cover Be A Part Of Something Great Just send us your fishing photos and share your story with us for a chance to be featured in a future issue of The Fisherman’s Journal. Who knows, you may be the next famous face to grace the front cover and spotlight our Angler Profile. Send all photos and articles to editor@thefishermansjournal.com
The Minimalist Approach - Eliminating Noise and Clutter In Your Kayak Part One Ask yourself this question - what are my favorite lures and combos to use when I fish? I'm willing to bet that most of us could narrow down our tackle and rod selection pretty quickly if we took the time to make an honest assessment of our fishing styles and preferred techniques. I would expect a good portion of anglers out there have several examples of tackle and gear that they have yet to use or rarely use. Admittedly, I still have at least twenty different lures sitting in my house in their original packaging collecting dust. So why do we feel compelled as anglers to carry so much gear while on the water? The dreaded answer is almost always - what if?
Rods & Reels:
How often have you had your lines tangle or had a lure get caught up on another rod during a cast or while trying to land a fish? It happens both in traditional boats and on kayaks as well. In order to minimize clutter, it is critical that you reduce the number of opportunities to get hung up, such as during a back cast, while re-tying a leader or lure, while landing a fish and yes even when entering and exiting the kayak. If you have to make some Well, I am a minimalist by nature in my eve- form of an athletic or contortionist maneuver to enter or exit your kayak, it might be time to take a ryday life and prefer to keep things as simple as possible, and it is now the approach I use when pre- step back and rethink your setup. For me, I contend that on a given day that I can fish effectively paring for an outing on the water. When I first with only three combos but understand that pattern started kayak angling, the whole premise of this development sometimes necessitates an extra fishing style is based upon keeping it simple, yet combo or two. Now, the brand of rod and reel you we all know people, including ourselves sometimes, that carry more gear and combos than could choose is your own personal preference, but for argument's sake let's focus on characteristics and perever realistically be utilized for a day of fishformance of the combos. ing. So how do we go about whittling down our choices and only carrying the items needed? In orWhen it comes to reels, I tend to look for der to truly minimize your clutter or "noise footreels that have a good feel in my hands when print" while on the water, you need to understand mounted to a given rod; are easy to adjust while on the following three things: rod and reel selection, lure selection and the target area for the day. The the water; and have reliable and smooth following information is geared more towards tar- drags. These attributes do not necessarily eliminate geting largemouth bass, but it can be adapted to any many brands from consideration, rather they serve species of fish and water type. So let's get started. only to inform you that brand names don't govern my decisions of what reels I carry on the water
with me. If it has a decent drag, balances well on rything else in my arsenal: shakey heads, wacky the rods I own and are easy to use, then it works for rigs, drop shot, simple jig head and grubs or me. scrounger heads, soft plastic jerk shads, weightless soft plastics, and small profile suspending jerk For me, the primary key to success with the baits. I can also use it with in line spinners, small first step of the minimalist approach is matching spinner baits and buzz baits or top waters. It is the your rod ratings with the lures you would have at most versatile combo in my collection and one that your disposal while on the water. This one step is always with me in both fresh or salt water. alone will automatically eliminate certain combos right away, and inherently the associated lures and Next month, part two will cover terminal tackle you would use. I prefer to have lure selection and target areas. rods that fall into the medium to medium heavy power ratings and have fast or extra fast acAbout Chuck Wrenn tions. The thought process behind this is that I can I started kayak angling in April 2010 in a still handle larger fish in cover by using the SOT (Sit On Top) purchased from Appomatkayak for additional drag without having to carry a tox River Company. I have always been a dedicated heavy combo like a flipping stick or freshwater angler primarily targeting Largeswim bait rod. So, for me, my typical setups even mouth Bass. Since that time, I have ventured on tournament days are: one medium heavy/fast out into the saltwater more and more and casting setup, one medium/extra fast casting setup have enjoyed my days chasing Speckled and a medium/extra fast spinning setup. If I am goTrout, Summer Flounder, Striped Bass and ing to be fishing a new body of water, I may opt for hope to eventually catch a bull red, some a fourth setup as a dedicated rod for heavy Spades, Tautog and Sheepshead. Currently, I cover or another spinning rod for weightless soft am a member of the Hobie Fishing Team as plastics. The key is having a plan for what each a Local Pro and have fished out of three of combo will be utilized for and sticking to the plan their kayaks - the Hobie Revolution 13, Pro by leaving the other "what if" lures and tackle at Angler 12 and Pro Angler 14 and find them home. to be more useful for the type of fishing I As far as the combos themselves, here is how am doing than a traditional paddle-based I would use each combo for targeting bass on a kayak. Especially since I can venture out freshwater lake. The medium heavy/fast combo is further without fear of arm fatigue in heavy spooled with 30lb. dark green braid and would current and wind. Not to mention the relabe used for jig-n-craws, weighted large profile soft tive ease of maintaining one's position using plastics and frogs. The medium/extra fast combo is the Mirage Drive. You just point your bow spooled with 12lb. fluorocarbon and would be in the direction of the current or the wind used for moving and top water presentations like and pedal slowly. I am also a member of the lip less and traditional shallow to medium diving PowerTeam Lures Pro Staff and actively crank baits, spinner baits, buzz baits, jerk baits, fish their soft plastics anytime I am in the spoons and walk the dog top water baits. In a freshwater. pinch, it can also be used for finesse plastics like shakey heads and small profile jerk shads. The medium/extra fast spinning combo is the workhorse of Check out more of Chuck Wrenn at my setups. It is spooled with 20lb. braid and a 10www.froggin4bass.blogspot.com 15lb. fluorocarbon leader. It is used for almost eve-
IN Pursuit OF HAPPINESS By Trapper Rudd
The tale of a man, his freedom hawk Kayak, and Snook Shangri-La
I sat wedged in the middle seat of a Cessna Caravan, feeling like a small, corny romance novel between two encyclopedias on a library shelf. The other anglers aboard the aircraft on my flanks were massive, their heads like giant dashboard compasses, slowly rotating to the panorama of all the delicate and worm-like features of the tropical mangrove keys and flats far below. My mind was adrift in pre-trip planning. I laid out the arrangement of fishing gear, distress beacons, machete, video cameras, cooler and GPS unit in my kayak. I was streamlining the arrangement to capitalize on any eventuality. I thought of all the potential hazards and mishaps that may arise during my backcountry exploration. At least I thought I had. Scorpions weren’t on the list. The Cessna descended on an alltoo-short and crab-holed runway on the narrow island of Punta Pajaros in the southern Yucatan. I extricated myself between my two fleshy behemoth bookend passengers and exited the plane. A brief transfer in a panga across the crystalline water and yet another transfer by truck deposited me at my base camp Casa Redonda just above Espiritu Santo Bay. Casa Redonda is a tranquil and Spartan guest bungalow perched on ancient Mayan sand dunes. The narrow barrier island is covered with archaeological signs of the long-ago evaporated Mayan civilization. The many ruins nearby were saltweathered, their columns tumbled like chess pieces on a coffee table kicked accidentally. I had arrived. The intricate and overwhelming lagoon system of Santa Rosa was just a short cast through the dense Yucatan jungle to the northwest.
I could smell the tannic, tea-colored water. I hurriedly grabbed all the necessary gear in mounting anticipation. Several fly rods including a stout 8, 9 and 10-weight would be well suited for bonefish, snook, tarpon and barracuda. Their leaders were meticulously tied. Slender for bonefish and the others obscenely thick, with shock tippets of 60 and 80 pounds for heavy-shouldered snook and tarpon. Once hooked, these predatory fish in full throttle intuitively seem to find the mangrove roots and oyster shells without hesitation. I would have a spinning rod onboard the
kayak for searching the lagoons, channels and mangrove walls with greater efficiency. All the electronic gear was stowed aboard, the cooler packed with water and the ubiquitous ham and cheese sandwiches. I was ready. I launched the Freedom Hawk from a small dock in a tiny shadowy lagoon. Baby saltwater crocodiles looked on in indifference, possibly wondering if this was something that could be eaten. As I paddled deeper into the intestines of the lagoons, twisting and button-hooking the mangroves, the kayak seemed to hover over the clear and shallow water. My paddle strokes kicked up miniature tor-
nadoes of mud and sand as I patrolled the flats. The scorpion must have been in my Freedom Hawk kayak for this entire time, entirely inconspicuous among the fishing accoutrements, an evolutionary genius of camouflage and stealth. I never noticed it. Soon, I spotted a dark, bladelike figure cruising languidly toward a deeply undercut mangrove wall. I opened the outriggers of the Freedom Hawk in preparation for standing and poling. I retrieved the in-board push pole and stalked the unaware watery shape. Continued On Next Page
The hazy blur of fish disappeared into the myriad roots and arthritic looking limbs of the outstretched mangroves. It reminded me of a spy thriller movie where the hero pushes against an art object on the fireplace, it pirouettes 180 degrees and the hero has vanished into some secretive antechamber. The fish had vanished. Puzzled and seeing moving water from the tangled roots of the mangroves I checked my handheld GPS suspiciously. This area was far too remote and susceptible to the vagaries of
Mother Nature to prove accurate. A densely overgrown creek channel angled away from me and looked to be a potential source of some snooky Shangri-La. I poled toward it. The machete dispatched branches, palm fronds, and other obstacles into the water as I inched my way into the tunnel of decomposing and green vegetation. My upper body, with one arm leveraging the push pole and the other firmly attached to the machete, was enveloped in silken spider webs, giving me the appearance of some giant,
anemic cone of cotton candy. I decreased the angle of the outriggers by closing them slightly. The twisting channel was deep but tapered, not much wider than the beam of the kayak. The machete preformed better than a kitchen "miracle chopper" from the infomercials. I could see some shimmering still water of a diminutive lagoon ahead through the maze of woven mangroves. A mere hundred feet remained. I didn't see it. I felt it. The scorpion, apparently agitated with all the commotion of falling debris, found its way skillfully and ninja -like to the top of my wading boot. The sting was a shockwave of intense pain that instantly vectored to the base of my brain. It seemed as if I was strapped to the launch pad of the space shuttle as it blasted off into orbit. Thankfully, I dropped the push pole to swat the venomous creature from my calf and didn't try to remove it with my machete hand. The pain buckled my leg as my left hand was bearing down on it. The sudden movements, coupled with such a violent adrenaline release, increased gravity and momentum. I floundered out of the kayak like a rum soaked pirate, headfirst into the waist-deep, fetid mud and acrid water. As if it knew, the kayak without the stability of the completely open outrig-
gers capsized. I thought I could almost hear the screams of digital processors and complex miniature electronic components as the specter of salt water death loomed immediately for all the video cameras. The machete barrel-rolled through the heavy air into the canopy. After the burning, nauseating pain subsided to a dull thump in my leg, I righted the kayak and gathered the floating contents of my gear bag and salvaged the remaining rods. Cameras, GPS, marine radio and survival knife had all been absorbed into the bowels of the ancient layers of decaying matter underwater. I was bruised but not beaten. My personal tactical mission was salvageable. The lagoon beckoned like a temptress. Miraculously, while cart wheeling out of the kayak, my machete on it's arcing solo flight had managed to strike a mangrove branch, clinging there like some metallic gecko. I found the lagoon and the fish. The scorpion perished.
Photos Courtesy Of Sporting Life Adventure Travel Company and Freedom Hawk Kayaks
Kayak Fishing On The Fly with Daniel Diez