Inside: What to catch in the Gulf
Southern Kayak Fishing issue #10
www.sokayakfishing.com
March/April 2017
The Skimmer Kayak Motor Kit Get to where the fish are, and catch more fish! Motorize your kayak or canoe! The Skimmer is easy to install. It is a lightweight (6 lbs) and fits most kayaks or canoes. Battery Operated – No gas or pollution! • 17 lb or 24 lb thrust trolling motor, made for fresh and salt water
• The Skimmer propels a craft 2-5 knots. Lasts for 2-5 hours! Great for people who do not want to worry about paddling hard into a current or strong wind.
Also great for those with physical shoulder, back or elbow issues. Fish with Safety and Confidence! With “The Skimmer”—just sit back and relax, and Return Home Safely. Starts at $1200? $397.00 NOW $357.00 full parts Why Pay 24 lb thrust $397 One 17year, lb thrust $347
replacement warranty.
See the Skimmer in Action:
Call 631.440.6114 • www.kayaktrollingmotor.com 2 l Southern Kayak Fishing l March 2017
Editor’s Message
Writing has been, and always will be a passion of mine. All writers understand the catharsis involved with telling a tale. We remember a trip, a person, an experience fondly, and we want to share that with others. At Southern Kayak, our team has a wealth of experience and knowledge. We have years of fishing and traveling under our belts and want nothing more than to share those tidbits with another generation of fishermen. My first experience with the written word, in the outdoor realm, was picking up old Field and Stream or American Angler magazines strewn about a coffee table at our fishing cabin. As a stubborn kid, those magazines taught me things I was not patient enough to learn from
relatives or friends. I would read articles of Lee Wulff, Dave Whitlock, Lefty Kreh and many more. I spent hours dreaming of what those men had accomplished and the trips they had taken. I learned how to tie flies, to mend a cast, and to read water. I learned these things at my own pace, knowing that tattered resource would be there when I needed it or wanted it. I looked at these magazines as a friend. A friend who desperately wanted to tell me a story. Fishing is not easy. There are thousands of details working in harmony to either provide a wonderful fishing experience, or an utterly frustrating one. Our team at Southern Kayak has not mastered every single detail. No outdoorsman ever has, save for maybe Hemingway’s Nick Adams. We are still working, every day, to learn something new. I hope our readers are as well. Each thing we learn unlocks a new possibility. It strengthens the passion we already had. It creates new passions in an instant. Over the course of my tenure here at Southern Kayak Fishing Magazine, I hope to impart some of the knowledge I have gained throughout my travels. We are not a magazine of selfish promoters. We are not a magazine comprised largely of advertisements. Each of April 2017
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Editor’s Message
Southern
(cont.)
Kayak Fishing
us entered this industry for one reason. Someone, whether it be a relative or a writer, gave us a Publisher Don Kirk window into the outdoor world. Don@Southerntrout.com Over time, as that window gets Assoc. Pubisher Jerry Davis larger and larger, you start to JD@Southerntrout.com realize that fishing is only a small Editor Ragan Whitlock part of what you find. We are all searching. Sure, we are searching Ragan@Southerntrout.com for the 10lb bass or the 12� brook Managing Editor Leah Kirk trout, but we are also searching for Leah@Southerntrout.com something much greater. We are Assoc. Managing Editor Loryn Latham searching for a better understand Loryn@Southerntrout.com of ourselves and the world around us. Most importantly, we try to learn Technical Advisor Tim Perkins the relationship between the two. Field Editor Steve Moore My promise to our readers Editorial Conslutant Olive K. Nynne is transparency. I will not selfishly keep these experiences to myself. Contributors I will not take what I have learned Rob Baker to the grave without passing it on. A larger understanding of our Tony Chavers sport leads to a greater love of it. Steve Gibson When there is love for something, Danny Holmes preservation naturally follows. Phillip Landry Follow us in this journey. Read our Tim Perkins articles, contact us for information, and keep opening your window to Steve Sammons our world. You will be shocked by John Williams what you find. Captain Kristen Wray Southern Kayak Fishing is a publication of Southern Unlimited, LLC. It is produced in conjunction with Southern Trout Magazine and Southerntrout.com. Copyright 2017 Southern Unlimited, LLC All rights reserved.
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Ragan Whitlock Editor
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This Issue Editor’s Letter
3
Cool Kayak Gear Stay Cool What Can I Catch In the Gulf?
8 16
Kayak Hacks 36 Repair Hacks Kaku Kayak 42 Lure deJour 50 SPRO BBZ-1 RATSwimbait Fish Camp 54 Precious Cargo 66 Transporting Your Kayak Where Do You Wanna Go? Google Earth a Fishing Tool
80
Jimbo Meador Evolution of a Fishing SUP
92
New Paddler Camp Sites on Iconic Devil’s River
104
Fly Rod Review Do You Have an Absolute Favorite?
116
Orion Coolers Never Lose Your Cool
122
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very cool kayak gear
By Steve Moore
Stay C I
t may still be winter, but as sure as Arizonians say, “Welcome to Arizona, where summer spends the winter—and Hell spends the summer,” the heat will soon be on. Note: Visit the “KayakHacksFishing” YouTube Channel to see videos with specifics on how to implement each suggestion.
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very cool kayak gear
Cool April 2017
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The Solution: Whoa! Why are
we talking about a “LavaSeat” in an article on cooling and why would a company named “Arctic Zone” make one? The fine print assures us the microcore chemical pack protected inside the very comfortable padded cover can either be heated in a microwave to provide warmth or cooled in the fridge for frosty comfort; providing year-round utility. At a cost of around $20 on Amazon (amzn.to/21tAhOf), the LavaSeat provides a complete manufactured solution to keep cool for around three hours in 90+° weather. In my test on a day when the ambient temperature was 98°, the LavaSeat was still a brisk 72° after two hours of use. The disadvantage is the cooling pad cannot be recharged “on the go.” Once warmed, it reverts to being a nice seat pad. However, there is a workaround - put a Dollar Store blue ice pack in the top center of the pad so the pack falls between your legs (same place as the horn on a saddle). While not as effective as the big pad, the ice pack will cool both legs and provide additional comfort.
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The Solution: Dollar Store Ice Pack Seat
Since the LavaSeat requires augmentation with ice packs for extended cooling, why not make a cooling seat using replaceable ice packs? Pick up a foam “sport cushion” for about $7 from Dick’s Sporting Goods or Academy and a few ice packs from the Dollar Store. Place two packs in the center of the foam pad at least 2 inches from the bottom. Draw a line around the packs. Since the packs are flexible and need to fit snugly, make another line ½ inch inside of the outer line. Cut out the foam using the inner line as the guide. To get the maximum benefit, follow a few simple rules. First, if the kayak seat is ventilated on the bottom, prevent premature melting by placing a piece of cardboard underneath the pad so the cold to goes up, not down. Second, you may need some additional insulation between the ice packs and your backside depending on your trouser thickness. Put a dish or shop towel on top of the packs to provide additional separation. In my testing, the ice packs will last approximately 2.5 hours at 91°. For extended use, put as many ice packs as needed into a Dollar Store Mylar hot/cold bag and keep it out of direct sunlight and replace the packs as they warm up. Critical! Be sure to freeze the packs lying flat in the freezer so they are smooth to sit on - no jagged edges! April 2017
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very cool kayak gear
The Solution: Cargo Pocket Cooler
If you’ve ever been out in the cold weather, you have undoubtedly used “Hot Hands” chemical warmers. If you cock your brain to the side a bit, there is an equivalent, although bulkier, option for cooling that lasts around two hours. The concept is simple. Wrap a blue ice pack in a small hand towel and stick it in the cargo pocket of your trousers. Unfortunately, unless your pockets are huge, the Dollar Store ice packs are too large, so spend a few more dollars and buy the Coleman brand chiller packs. They are slim and fit easily into a pocket.
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very cool kayak gear
The Solution: Ice Bottle
Building upon the cargo pocket concept, do it for free with a frozen water bottle. The advantage of a water bottle is you can drink the melted contents to hydrate. Instead of putting the bulky bottle in a pocket, snug it against the inside of your thigh to cool the blood pumping through the femoral artery. If direct contact is uncomfortable, wrap the bottle in a thin towel to slow the transfer of the frozen coolness. In any case, cover the bottle with a towel to protect the bottle from direct sunlight, preventing it from melting quickly. April 2017
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very cool kayak gear
Kayak Gear Fail – Wet Dish Towel
With the all the blood running through the neck, it is a prime target for cooling. Modern cooling solutions include wraps like the Mission Enduracool Multi-Cool (amzn.to/28ODUUD) made of a special material to evaporate water quickly to provide cooling by transferring the resulting temperature difference onto skin and into blood circulation. However, at $17 or more, they are pricey. The traditional approach to achieve evaporative cooling is to wet a small towel, wrap it around the neck and tuck in the ends. I tested a towel against the Enduracool and discovered a dramatic difference in performance. On a day where the late morning surface temperature of my kayak was 118°, I wore each for an hour and measured the resulting temperature. The average temperature of the wrap was 77° while the dishtowel was 87°. Since my skin temperature was approximately 89°, the towel provided minimal benefit and felt like a heavy, wet lump compared to the light wrap. Go with the custom solution! Disclaimer: Do not apply any suggestion if it will ruin the appearance, function or structural integrity of your kayak. You are solely responsible to determine if the above ideas are appropriate for your boat and the author and publisher disclaim any responsibility for your actions and decisions. 14 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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n a C t
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a C I
h ta c
in the Gulf?
Paul Presson
Editor’s Note: Coastal Gulf of Mexico is an invariable smorgasbord of resident and migrating fish that are available to kayak anglers. This is the first of a series of articles designed to acquaint yakkers to what is available to catch year round along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
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The Linesider The common snook (Centropomus Undecimalis) are the most prevalent snook in Florida. There are actually 12 different species of snook throughout the world and 5 found in Florida. Some other names for these fish are linesiders, sergeant fish, robalo, and soap fish. Despite the moniker, the common snook is far from common. As cannibalistic and protandric hermaphrodites, these fish have some strange traits. With a distinct lateral line, sloping forehead, and high divided dorsal fin, these fish are built for speed. Snook have yellowish fins, silver sides, and a grey dorsal color. The colors of these fish vary with the level of salinity in the water. Common snook are all born males, when they reach 18-22 inches some of these fish transform into females. Their sizes range from 3-15 pounds and can be as large as 60 pounds.
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Snook can be found in both salt and freshwater. They spawn during the summer off beach areas and passes in large schools. Mangrove shorelines, seawalls, and bridges are other areas they frequently inhabit. Common snook can not tolerate water under 60 degrees, they can be found from Florida to Brazil and throughout the Caribbean. Some have been spotted further North, based on the water temperatures.
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Snook are voracious predators, when caught, they are known to put on incredible aerial displays. Their runs are powerful and can make a reel scream. Jigs, bucktails, suspending hard baits, and topwater lures are all great artificial baits for catching these fish. Mullet, pinfish, shrimp, and ladyfish are just a few of the live baits that are effective. One of the nicknames for the common snook is the soapfish. If cooked with the skin on, or not filleted properly the fish will taste like soap. Filleted correctly, this is one of the best tasting inshore fish. Snook are a highly sought after gamefish, their pound for pound fight is second to none. Catching one of these sleek, fast moving, creatures is a must for any inshore angler.
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The Linesider The common snook (Centropomus Undecimalis) are the most prevalent snook in Florida. There are actually 12 different species of snook throughout the world and 5 found in Florida. Some other names for these fish are linesiders, sergeant fish, robalo, and soap fish. Despite the moniker, the common snook is far from common. As cannibalistic and protandric hermaphrodites, these fish have some strange traits. With a distinct lateral line, sloping forehead, and high divided dorsal fin, these fish are built for speed. Snook have yellowish fins, silver sides, and a grey dorsal color. The colors of these fish vary with the level of salinity in the water. Common snook are all born males, when they reach 18-22 inches some of these fish transform into females. Their sizes range from 3-15 pounds and can be as large as 60 pounds. Snook can be found in both salt and freshwater. They spawn during the summer off beach areas and passes in large schools. Mangrove shorelines, seawalls, and bridges are other areas they frequently inhabit. Common snook can not tolerate water under 60 degrees, they can be found from Florida to Brazil and throughout the Caribbean. Some have been spotted further North, based on the water temperatures. Snook are voracious predators, when caught, they are known to put on incredible aerial displays. Their runs are powerful and can make a reel scream. Jigs, bucktails, suspending hard baits, and topwater lures April 2017
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Mack Attack Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus Maculatu) are a pelagic species. Hearing the words “the macks are in� can turn a moderately trafficked pier into what looks like a flash mob! These fast movers have a sleek body with beautiful coloration. When macks are migrating off our beaches, you can experience some great fishing. Unlike other species, mackerel are very accessible from shore, piers, and jetties.
Mackerel migrate as far North as Cape Cod and as far South as the Yucatan Peninsula. They travel in schools, seeking to ambush bait and find waters warmer than 70 degrees. These fish average from 2-3 pounds, but can weigh as much as 11 lbs. With their sleek silvery bodies, rows of elliptical yellow spots, and dark green backs, they are a beautiful fish. Unlike its relative that resides in deeper water, the Kingfish, Spanish mackerel come very close to shore. 22 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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When the Spanish mackerel are running, all it takes is the right equipment and timing. They feed on small fish and are voracious eaters. Fly fishing or using a spinning outfit will both work great. When these fish are hungry, they will take your bait. Small fish, shrimp, and squid will all lure these fish in. Spoons and Gotchas are very efficient artificial baits. Depending on your area, large quantities of these fish can be harvested daily. Mackerel have very sharp teeth; heavier fluorocarbon line is necessary to prevent line breakage. Jigging and trolling are very useful methods in catching these fish. Diving birds are a great clue that macks are in the area.
Spanish Mackerel has red meat with an oily consistency. They are “fishy” tasting fish and are great cooked or smoked. This is a species that anglers look forward to fishing twice a year, but can be caught year round. Everyone watches for that first post, “The macks are in!" April 2017
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“Flatties”
Flounder are one of the most peculiar looking of all the inshore fish. Florida has three types of flounder, Gulf, southern, and summer. They all bear different markings. The summer flounder inhabits northeastern Florida. The Gulf and southern flounder can be found throughout the state. When young, these masters of camouflage have eyes on either side of their head. As they mature, one eye migrates so that they have two eyes on the same side. They also have the ability to match the color of their environment. These are flat fish with very long dorsal and anal fins. Summer flounder have 5-14 “eye like” spots, southern flounder have three spots forming a triangle, and Gulf flounder have random spots. They all have sharp teeth and are opportunistic eaters.
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Photo by Jared Esley
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Flounder inhabit bays, estuaries, canals, and structural areas with sandy bottoms. They can be found by inshore drop offs. Fishing, spearing, and gigging are all accepted methods of harvesting these fish. Covering themselves with sand with only their eyes exposed, they can surprise any prey. Their favorite bait of choice are small fish and shrimp. Flounder yields a white, tasty meat. They can be caught using artificial, live, and dead bait. No matter what bait you are using, a slow retrieve is a must. These fish have a small mouth full of sharp teeth. They are known to take a while before a hard bite, positioning the bait for easy eating. Patience, practice and the right equipment are all necessary to target flounder. If jigging, a scented, bright colored grub can be very effective. Mullet, menhaden, croakers, and mud minnows are great live bait. One of the best methods of catching flounder is by slowly bumping the bottom. Since Flounder can be found throughout Florida, it has been included in the FWC Slam category. Flounder can put up a nice fight on light gear and are considered great table fare. Catching Flounder as a by-product catch while going after a different species can be a very easy task, but targeting them is a completely different story.
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ATH YOUR ‘YAK?
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Sized to fit the palm of your hand, an Aqua-Vu MICRO Underwater Viewing Systems is the perfect fish-finding device for your kayak. Complete with a 3.5- or 5-inch high resolution LCD, thumb-sized camera and 50 to 100 feet of cable, AquaVu cams are the easiest, best way to see what’s biting below. Used with an Aqua-Vu Pro-Snake Mount, the MICRO clamps quickly to your ‘yak for hours of underwater viewing.
kayak hacks
By Steve Moore
Repair Hacks
W
ith the onset of cold weather, gear maintenance no longer competes with fishing time. In addition to giving reels a thorough cleaning, throwing out rusted hooks and pre-tying rigs in anticipation of warmer weather, a high priority has to be repairing cracks, holes and significant gouges. Normal abrasion or isolated non-structural cuts? Don’t bother with them or take the advice from Epic Kayaks and do some light sanding. The most common repair will probably be rebuilding the bow and stern to replace the plastic ground away by concrete boat launches.
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fkayak hacks
Note: For these as well as previous hacks, visit the “KayakHacksFishing” YouTube Channel to see videos with specifics on how to implement each suggestion. April 2017
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kayak hacks
The Problem:
Where to get High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) for repairs. Even though most modern fishing kayaks are made out of HDPE, fiberglass, carbon fiber or even Kevlar are possibilities. Before attempting any repair, confirm what material was used to build the kayak. Some older polyethylene kayaks, usually whitewater models, were made out of crosslink polyethylene and are not repairable.
The Solution:
Identify sources using the recycle symbol. The best, most reliable source of repair material (and advice on whether to even do the repair) is a kayak dealer. Chances are they have scrap plastic left over from installing rod holders or other accessories. Most are happy to give these bits and pieces to a customer instead of throwing them out. Likewise, if you make major modifications to your kayak resulting in scrap plastic, no matter how small, save it! The good news is HDPE is everywhere! Sources include plastic milk cartons, five gallon buckets, household cleaner containers, juice bottles and even yogurt tubs. The key to identifying HDPE is to look at the recycling symbol on the bottom of the container. A “2� indicates the material is HDPE. 34 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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kayak hacks
Welding Rods: If you decided to invest in the Hobie KC Welder Pro and used up the included rod stock, do not overlook inexpensive replacement rods available from industrial supply houses. A general Internet search for “kayak welding rod” results in kayak specific 10 packs of rods for around $14. Those rods are 10.5 inches long, 105 inches total, with color choices to match your yak. Shifting the search to Amazon and its broad reach into industrial sources produces the option for a pound of 3/16” HDPE rods compatible with the KC Welder Pro for $22 as long as you are ok with a limited color choice (1,152 inches of material). The 5/32” rods also work in the welder – avoid anything smaller.
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kayak hacks
The Problem:
Developing skill prior to attempting repairs. If you have never done a plastic welding repair, you are justifiably concerned about the process and worry about damaging your boat. As always, never take a risk and avoid any repair (or modification) you are not comfortable undertaking. The old adage, “if you have a doubt, there is no doubt� is certainly true. The best way to gain confidence is to practice on something else. Many YouTube videos show the process (ex: tinyurl. com/KayakWelding), but nothing beats hands-on practice to gain confidence (wear gloves and eye protection).
The Solution: Get an old five-gallon bucket or another container, confirm it is HDPE via the recycle symbol and use it as a surrogate. Put some scratches in it, cut a crack, drill a hole and even make abrasions to mimic what happens to the bow and stern on a concrete boat launch. This YouTube video - tinyurl.com/ PlasticRepairPractice - shows practicing with a bucket.
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kayak hacks
The Problem:
Filling small holes created from moving cleats or pad eyes without using a plastic welder.
The Solution:
The lighter, aluminum foil and screwdriver trick
At the core of any plastic repair is the requirement to melt new plastic and blend it into the old. I saw a YouTube video using a lighter for small repairs and was skeptical so I tested the technique on my own kayak and was pleased with the outcome (tinyurl. com/LighterWelding). The procedure is simple: •Materials: safety gear, a small amount of scrap plastic, a lighter (gas grill lighter is best), foil and a flat tip screwdriver; optional camp stove •Tape the aluminum foil underneath the hole to serve as the backstop •Preheat the end of the screwdriver (not red hot… just hot; you can use the camp stove) •Gently heat the plastic around the hole by holding the flame close, but not on, the surface (it will appear shiny when warm) •Slowly add the repair plastic by keeping the flame close to, but not on, the plastic until it melts •While continuing to heat (do not overheat), press the repair plastic into the hole and smooth it with the tip of the screwdriver. •Sand to remove imperfections. Remove the aluminum foil. Done! 38 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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Kayak Hacks Fail… Sorta..: Repair gouges with a tarp.
On Youtube, a video shows how to melt a plastic tarp into gouges on the bottom of a kayak. However, I could not find a tarp made out of HDPE
kayak hacks
– the packaging and manufacturer websites were both silent on the type of plastic. Since I did not want to use anything other than HDPE, I discarded this potentially good idea. Here’s the bottom line. If you have a gouge deep enough to require repair, use the real HDPE readily available in many containers otherwise destined for the recycle
bin. Cut the HDPE in thin strips and follow the same procedure as the tarp. It will take longer since the HDPE strips are thicker, but will work. Disclaimer: Do not apply any suggestion if it will ruin the appearance, function or structural integrity of your kayak. You are solely responsible to determine if the above ideas are appropriate for your boat and the author and publisher disclaim any responsibility for your actions and decisions.
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Insider Look:
Kaku Kayak’s Kevin Hawkins
I
n an age where everything from furniture to ready-made fruit baskets are available online, often it is interesting to see how some things are still made the old fashioned way by red blooded American entrepreneurs. Below is a interview with Kevin Hawkins, the founder and owner of Kaku Kayak that we know you will enjoy reading.
Kevin, when did you first decide to start building kayaks? In 2005 I owned a bicycle shop near my home town of Tarpon Springs. My two favorite past times were mountain biking and kayaking. I wanted to turn my shop into an outdoor store with bikes and kayaks as my main offerings. Unfortunately, at the time, there were only two companies that had kayaks I liked. I was not able to secure a dealership for either brand. This is when I first got the idea that I can make a kayak myself. I knew what made the kayaks on the market good, and I knew what makes them not so good. I believed that I could bring something different and exciting to the market 42 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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Were you first a recreational paddler, or were kayaks a natural extension of your passion forfishing? I bought my first kayak in l1998: an Ocean Scupper Classic. It was great for getting into great spots to snorkel, spearfish, scallop, and explore Florida’s beautiful spring-fed rivers. Once I caught my first big fish, a 31 inch snook from my kayak, I was hooked. I discovered the uniquely different buzz of excitement catching big fish off a paddle craft. When did you build your first kayak? I built my first kayak in 2012. My first kayak was a huge learning experience. At the time I was working in Baltimore
for a bridge painting company as a quality control inspector/foreman, a profession I began in 2009 so I could fund a kayak company. By the time I brought my kayaks into reality, I saw that my first designs were a bit outdated. I went back to the drawing board on the new designs. Against my better judgment, I bought some Chinese-made kayaks that turned out to be patched together copies of American-made kayaks. The knockoff yaks did not last long. Therefore, I
dropped them to finish my completely unique Kahuna fishing kayak/paddle board. Do you build kayaks from stern to bow? The goal is to created a unique performance centered fishing paddle craft that breaks current stereotypes and theories of the paddle craft industry. Kaku designs began as a pencil and paper drawing that turned into a 3D drawing and then into a mold. April 2017
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We do not follow trends. Kaku designs are the creations of my mind and are not based on what another company is doing. What are your favorite materials for the hull, and why are these preferred? I may not want to give too much detail here, I’ll just say roto molded polyethylene. What is your most popular design today? We have two models, the Kahuna has been out for a year longer than the Wahoo, so it had a slight edge to start,
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but they have both been out there and they are really running the same. Quite a few of our customers have realized the Kaku difference and have both of these models. What do you feel like the most practical design for a beginner would be? Whether for a beginner or a pro, it depends on what type of paddling and fishing you plan to do with it, and what style fisherman you are. They are both based off the same Kaku hull design, one is made to be more of a really aggressive fishing kayak and one is tweaked more towards a paddle board.
What should a person consider when ordering a custom kayak, or upgrading? I recommend to anyone looking to get into the kayak fishing sport or looking to upgrade that they get out and try the kayaks. Don’t take anyone’s suggestions, including my own. Just get out and do some demos. Try all the kayaks or paddle boards you can. This is the best way to figure out what is best for you and what you want to do with it. Make sure you try to replicate as best you can how you will be fishing
out of it, how it would work best for your gear and accessories that you may like. Today too often I see people wanting to get into the sport taking the advice from members of groups on social media, most of these people have never tried the yaks on the market. There is no shortage of pro staff wannabes who got a heavy discount on a kayak for their social media trolls. Get out on the water to try some kayaks---again “Try the kayaks!” Find out for yourself what kayak is the best fit for you. April 2017
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What direction do you see kayak fishing going in terms of boat design? It seems to me that today many are opting pedal yaks. While I think pedal yaks are cool, and I understand why some prefer them, they just are not my thing. To me they eliminate some
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of the key things that make kayaking cool and different. I don’t want to have to get a trailer for my paddle craft, and I don’t want to be limited to launching at boat ramps. I’m pretty independent and do not want to need a friend to help me load or unload my yak. I love paddle craft because they demolish
limits and boundaries. The main argument is the pedal yaks are faster than paddle craft. That may be so for most yaks, but not the Wahoo. I’ll keep up with you all day in the Wahoo, no problem. As a passionate kayak fisherman, I will continue to focus on designing
the best performing fishing kayaks on the market. I’m on the water on my yaks many hours every week fishing and testing my models to explore what comes next from Kaku Kayak.
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VisitWakulla The Natural Place to Be in Florida
With 73 miles of coastline and 4 fresh water rivers Wakulla County is the destination to fish! For launch areas, marinas and guides/outfitters visit our website at
VisitWakulla.com or call (850) 984-3966 Wakulla County Tourist Development Council
lure de jour
SPRO BBZ-1 R
K
ayakers understand that swimbaits are well known for being big bass lures. Usually bites are few and far between. However, when you’re swimbait fishing for bass you need to stay committed to it all day. Swimbait fishing has become so popular that many kayak bass fisherman are addicted to the lunker bass they produce. Nine out of ten swimbaits are 6-to-20 inches long.
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lure de jour
RATSwimbait Swimbaits come in a variety of categories including: hard body multi jointed single jointed soft glide baits full body line through top hook top hook paddle tail hollow body solid body In general, swimbait designs can be broken down in to three categories: hard bodied, soft bodied, and paddle tails. There are subcategories of each type and some come in a combination, like having a hard body with a soft rubber tail. Overall, they are typically made of wood, hard plastic, or soft plastic. Here is a list of the different categories and subcategories before we take a closer look at each one. SKF’s “lure de jure” is the sometimes difficult to find SPRO BBZ-1 Rat. SPRO’s Pro Staff member Bill Siemantel worked on the Rat project for two 2 years. At ICAST 2014, Siemantle’s that hard work paid off. SPRO’s BBZ-1 Rat won Best of ICAST in the hard lure category. The SPRO Rat is designed for those larger predator fish that every kayak angler is looking for. The SPRO Rat entices awesome surface strikes by triggering the instinctive reaction that those larger fish are looking for. When the fish are hungry the SPRO RAT is the real meal deal. The SPRO Rat can be worked in several ways - you can bulge it, v-wake it, walk the dog, or pop it. Siemantel’s Rat comes equipped with sticky sharp Gamakatsu hooks with the placement of that deliver a very high ratio. April 2017
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lure de jour
The detail on some of the hard bodied SPRO Rat models today are extremely lifelike. These baits have a large profile that attracts large bass and other predators. Due to the amount of work that goes in to the fine tuning of hard swimbaits, SPRO Rat is expensive: between $17 and $27. On the other hand, it is not uncommon for serious kayak fishermen to pay hundreds of dollars for quality hand-made models such as the Roman Made lures. While so many swimbaits in general lean more on the expensive side, in comparison the SPRO Rat is a generally affordable.
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lure de jour
Our pick for bass is the perfectly sized, SPRO BBZ-1 Rat. It features a single-jointed rodent profile and a durable square bill that offer an effortless “walk the dog” action and a gentle wake that humps along the surface. Made from multiple composites, the SPRO BBZ-1 Rat delivers a great “custom wood” feel and a sturdy construction that stands up to the most crushing topwater explosions. The rear of the Rat comes equipped with a long articulated rat-tail that adds to its realistic rat appearance. Armed with super-sharp trebles, the SPRO BBZ-1 Rat offers an easy-to-walk, lifelike presentation that is sure increase your fish count and your heart rate.
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Lee County, Southwest Virginia’s Kayak Fishing Paradise
Professional Fishing Guide & Instructor Whether you fish with family, friends, colleagues - or if you are new to the sport come and be my honored guest on the water.
Tell me your goals for the outing, ask all the questions you want and learn all you can. I specialize in coaching conventional and fly fishing techniques on Texas lakes and rivers. Exchange stress for relaxation, fun and memories. Lakes: Canyon, Dunlap & LBJ Rivers: Guadalupe, Blanco & San Marcos Boat, Kayak or Wading
(210) 771-0123 www.TeachEmToFish.net
Fish Camp
Spending a few days at a true fish camp has to be on the bucket list of any true angler!
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By Steve Moore
I
was slow in school. I never fully appreciated the definition of “lowest common denominator” until I walked into the fish camp for the first time. Don’t take that as an insult. Rather, the fish camp is the bottom line of what you need for accommodations. A fish camp is a kind of Bed and Breakfast, only more exclusive. A B&B is an operation where rooms cost a small fortune, the proprietor feeds you breakfast and happily tells you worthless facts about the local town, its history and provides insight into things to do. The fish camp, on the other hand, is highly exclusive. You need to know somebody to get an invite, you might get breakfast, you will certainly get a beer or two, and the host doesn’t bother with what’s going on at the craft fair downtown. Instead, the ONLY focus is fish. April 2017
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And not just any fish. “Fish,” in the context of a true fish camp means only one type, one species, the focus of the trip, the goal of the search. It could be trout, bass. Pike or walleye and everyone at the camp knows exactly what a “fish” is. If asked, “How many fish did you catch,” the answer had better not include any extraneous species. To answer any other way would quickly doom the speaker to the back of the beer line as a novice - make way for true anglers who UNDERSTAND. Sit at their feet and learn! You don’t pay to go to a true fish camp; eliminating all the fancy-dancy sports camps. Yeah, you can pay for a room, guide, meals and even get clean sheets, but that’s a bed and breakfast. A fish camp has a heart, a soul and a smile as wide as the lake or streams it sits next to. The host is your guide who readily shares a deep knowledge of where to go to all who will listen and happily gives you a seat in his boat. The rooms at a bed and breakfast have prissy names like the “Queen Anne Suite.” At the fish camp, it’s the back bedroom, a cot, or just a sleeping bag on the floor. You know you are in a true fish camp when the host not only gives you the best bed but also puts clean sheets on it while he sleeps on a fold up cot. 58 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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To help you decide whether you have ever been to a true fish camp, here are some guidelines: You know you are in a fish camp if: 1. You open the fridge, and the only thing in it is worms and beer; maybe some Gatorade. 2. You can leave the toilet seat up and not get in trouble. 3. You fart, and it improves the smell. 4. The only things that work in the kitchen are the electric skillet and the coffee-pot. 5. Lures or the makin’s for lures take all the space on the kitchen table. 6. The big fish hanging on the wall is not a “Billy Bass,” and you are allowed to make jokes about that as long as you wink at the end 7. The only decorations on the wall, if any, are fish, fishing lures, maps of where to fish, or pictures of fish. 8. The hot water tank has less than 5 gallons forcing you to take a Navy bath. Rinse. Turn off water, soap, rinse. 9. There is no air conditioning. 10. There are no women around; if there are any, they will bait their hook. 11. There are no pictures of women unless there is also a fish in the shot. 12. “High tea” in the afternoon involves beer and cheese instead of tea and cookies. 60 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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featured kayak shop
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13. You hang out on the front porch. Folks drop by and chat; mostly about what happened with the fishing that day, yesterday or will happen tomorrow. 14. A major remodel of the boat is changing the piss can from a cut up milk jug to a cut up Gatorade bottle. 15. You always look before you sit to make sure there you do not hook yourself with a lure. 16. Nobody knows how many fishing rods there are around the camp. 17. Breakfast is bacon, eggs, toast, butter, honey - stuff you can pronounce and can make in that electric skillet 18. You can cook anything as long as you can do it in an electric skillet. 19. You won’t find a croissant on the table. 20. You are an instant friend of anyone who bellies up to the table on the porch and cracks open a beer. 21. The temperature always reads 70 degrees on the old thermometer with the jumping bass - perfect weather all the time. 22. There are more filet knives around than butter knives. 23. The coffee mugs are old, heavy and chipped a bit; dropping them just adds more character. 24. Nobody cares where you leave your stuff. The floor is just as good as the sofa. 25. Everyone is smiling. 26. You don’t get bummed out if you don’t catch any fish because you know that the real reason you are there is all of the above. 62 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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Precious Cargo
Y
ou just found the new love of your life. This is one graceful, beauty. In your search, you knew your partner's size and weight were going to be important factors in your relationship. This had to be an ideal match, so both of you could work in perfect harmony. Now that you are together, it is important to accessorize your “better half”. Ensuring all of the proper accoutrements are in place is only half the battle. It is time for you to figure out how to transport this “precious cargo” to and from your favorite locations.
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By Paul Presson
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Knowing how to transport your kayak is a very important factor to be considered in the buying process. Length, width, height, and weight must be considered. If you own a small car, is it practical and/or safe to put a 14' kayak on top of it? The weight of a kayak can be very deceiving, a 70 pound kayak may be the most awkward 70 pounds you have ever encountered, primarily due to size and length. Knowing your physical strengths and limitations are of the utmost importance.
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Photo by Eric Colon
Photo by Jaymes Phosy
There are many different accessories on the market to assist in transporting kayaks. The most basic are foam pads used on the top of a vehicle while running the tie down straps through the windows. The “naked� tie down is not ideal. Most car roofs are not made to withstand large amounts of weight and this can cause major damage to your vehicle. April 2017
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Roof rack systems are the most prevalent and come in many different forms. If your car/SUV does not come with a factory roof rails, there are racks that attach between the rain gutter and door jams. The shortfall of this rack system is that they are not the most stable and can come loose. If your vehicle comes with roof rails and no cross bars, aftermarket towers (connectors between cross bars and roof rails) and cross bars can be attached to the roof rails. Simple pads wrapped around the cross bars and tied down will sufficiently protect a kayak. Always remember to tie down the bow and stern of your vessel and use a long load marker.
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Cradling systems are very secure, and rollers can be purchased to slide the kayak on the cradles with ease. J-Bars are another option, they secure kayaks on their sides. If you plan to carry three or four kayaks on a roof rack, stackers can be used to attach to the cross bars to secure the load. Lifting kayaks on top of your vehicle can cause damage, always carry a small rug (rubber on one side) to place on the top rear of your car or SUV to prevent scratches. If you can not lift a kayak to put it on top of your vehicle, there are lift assist racks that are available. They are costly, but can mean the difference of being able to kayak or not.
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Trucks are probably the easiest and most cost efficient way to transport kayaks. If you have a hitch, a T-bar or T-bone is ideal. It hooks into the female receptacle of the hitch and extends from the bed into a T shape. You just slide the kayak onto the bar and push it into the bed of the truck and secure it.
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Photo by Eric Colon
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Lumber/ladder racks are also used to transport vessels. This is just an elevated rack system on the bed and on the cab. This system can be difficult to use due to its height. Trailers are ideal if you have multiple kayaks to transport. Keep in mind, a trailer will cost as much or more than a kayak. If you have minimal storage for a trailer, you can get them with swinging tongues or completely collapsible. Many trailers come with extra storage space.
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When purchasing your new “pride and joy” keep in mind how you will transport your “baby”. Make room in your budget and buy wisely. Know your physical limitations and what system will work best for you. Stay safe transporting your kayak and let the adventure begin.
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BOOK ONE O
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ACCOMMODATIONS! 54 Breaux Bay Craft, All Aluminum, 6 fisherman & crew of 2
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Where Do You
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u Wanna Go? Ragan Whitlock
T
hat wonderful time of the year has rolled back around. It’s time to plan another fishing trip, and this time, you want to try something new. Whether last year’s spot is declining as a fishery, the tourists are starting to hit the area hard, or you just want to explore a new area, it’s time to start doing some looking. Shortly after getting over the initial excitement of picturing a fishing trip in a new area, the stress of figuring out the “how” comes crashing down. We seem to always pick new places that are completely unfamiliar, perhaps in attempt to avoid monotony. Still, this puts the uninformed in a tough position. Nobody wants to waste an entire trip, leaving with only the thought, “at least now I know where not to go.” Well, here two important tips to save you money, time and embarrassment.
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1. Google Earth is the best resource imaginable. Google Earth Pro, though many fishermen overlook it, is a completely free application for your computer, phone or tablet. Why an incredibly advanced, wide ranging, ever changing topographic map of every fishing spot available is not regularly discussed in fishing circles, baffles me. Perhaps the fact nobody (besides big brother - Google) benefits monetarily from it’s use, is the main factor. Once you have an idea of a town or region you would like to visit, immediately pull that area up on Google Earth. You will be able to find marinas and boat access points, then scope out the surrounding water. Kayak fishermen, due to the relatively small area they can travel from the access, need to pay very close attention to the surrounding water. If you plan on traveling to a bay or saltwater area near the Gulf of Florida, searching near access points for grass flats and sand holes is an incredibly helpful tactic. If you plan to fish a town near a river for smallmouth or other bass species, searching for long shoal portions (indicated by intermittent white water) can be a lifesaver.
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Bear in mind, the pictures on Google Earth are only a representation of what that area looks like at some point in time. A grassflat that looks dry, could hold tailing redfish when the high tide is in. A river with relatively navigable shoals, could be too shallow or too deep than expected. Do not take these pictures as facts, merely ways to get a bird’s eye view (maybe a year old) of a place. These pictures also serve as great posttrip resources. We all remember where that big one got off or, hopefully, where we finally landed that monster. Whatever the result was for the fishing trip, a highlighter or sharpie on the printed picture can be a great way to plan for the next visit. I rank fishing areas based on a highlighter color key. After a few visits to the same area, those Google Earth images turn into the fisherman’s equivalent of a “little black book.”
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2. Blogs, trip reports and charter service pages. There is a multitude of information on the internet about most every fishing town. There are people who go about sharing information correctly, and many who don’t. For example, asking strangers on the internet for a fishing spot in a new town is disrespectful. Many online “trolls” will attack those who are so lazy about acquiring information. Those who actually respond with information to that kind of blind soliciting, are spouting intentional lies about 70% of the time. Reading previous fishing reports or making posts about an area you have begun to scout, is the correct way to use the online community. If someone posts an google earth picture of an area, say one with potholes or near a specific island/key, many people in these chatrooms feel more comfortable with sharing their experiences in the specific area. Tackle shops and charter services work the same way. Most of these places have preloaded answers to the “where should I fish today” questions. Those preloaded answers usually detail locations where fish could be, and other fishermen definitely are. Again, bringing a Google Earth picture or simply knowledge of a place you would like to try, opens the dialogue a bit. From personal experience as a fishing guide in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, I was much more willing to tell fishermen the truth about a place if they asked specifically about it. I was much less willing to give information to those who just tell me what they want to find. 86 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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Regardless of where you are going, personal research is always the best way to get prepared. Books and expensive maps, all found on Amazon, are certainly good resources. Nothing can be taken away from guides, researched and made available for purchase by other people. If you wish to drop the money, be my guest. Those who recognize the unbeatable feeling of catching a fish in a place they “scoped out� personally, or those who just wish to save some money, why not check out the ridiculous amount of free resources first?
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We take you fishing.... Southern Drawl
Kayak Fishing offers saltwater and freshwater trips. We fish the saltwater backcountry from Tampa Bay to Pine Island Sound, targeting snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, tarpon and other species. In addition, we fish freshwater lakes and streams in southwest Florida for bass, bluegill, shellcracker, tilapia and exotics such as oscars and Mayan cichlids.
2519 Wood Oak Drive Sarasota, FL 34232 (941) 284-3406 www.kayakfishingsarasota.com
not for a boat ride!
Jimbo Meador and the Evolution of a Fishing SUP By Tom Fucigna Jr. 92 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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“I grew up living by the tides, the moon, the wind and the weather. My goal has always been to spend as much time as possible exploring new ideas and discovering new ways to have fun on the water and make a living doing it.” “Bayou philosopher,” Jimbo Meador, is a fascinating, multifaceted character whose experience in the realms of watercraft and outdoor life runs deep. An incessant innovator who has spent all of his 74 years on or near the water, he has been involved in designing, building and field testing numerous vessels and accessories, evolving most recently into the standup paddle board scene. This interview provided an opportunity to gain some insights into the background and motivations that contributed to designing his ultimate fishing board.
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Q: Where are you from, and how did your young life shape the rest of your story? A: I have lived on Mobile Bay, in Alabama, all of my life. I grew up living by the tides, the moon, the wind and the weather. I had an old cypress cross-planked rowing skiff when I was young, and I rowed, poled or paddled everywhere I went. My days were filled with fishing, throwing a cast net, shrimping and crabbing, and the nights were spent gigging flounder, catching shrimp or looking for a Jubilee. The first thing I designed myself, as a child, was a wooden paddle pole that had a long narrow paddle blade on one end. I could stand up and pole in the shallows and then paddle across deep spots on the flats while still standing. The blade could also be used for steering when you were poling. I eventually became the proud owner of a four horsepower Champion outboard motor, which increased my geographical radius and opened up new explorations. My goal has always been to spend as much time as possible exploring new ideas and discovering new ways to have fun on the water and make a living doing it. I became a fishing guide and commercial fisherman when I was 12 years old. Since then, I have run tugboats on the Mississippi River and shrimp boats in the Gulf of Mexico, and I was a ship's superintendent for a stevedore company. I worked for many years for the Orvis Company covering the whole Gulf Coast as a Regional Business Manager, which allowed me to fish the entire Gulf Coast plus many other waters around the world. I was also a dealer for rowing shells, and I have worked for three shallow-water fishing boat companies - Maverick/Hewes, Hells Bay and Dragonfly Boatworks. 94 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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Q: What led you to design and build standup paddle boards? A: I started out thinking of them mainly as a fishing tool, but I just love all the aspects of standup paddle boarding. I have always preferred to stand up while fishing, even when running a power boat. I feel that if you are sitting down in any kind of craft you are missing a whole other world that you would be able to see if you were standing. You need to be able to read the water. I was one of the founders of Native Watercraft Kayaks, one of the first companies to design a kayak specifically for standup sight fishing. The Ultimate 12, which we introduced at the Outdoor Retailer Show in 2006, was born to stand up in and was perfect for sight fishing on the shallow flats. It had a clean deck with nothing to catch your fly line and it was quiet, with no wave slap to spook fish. I designed a composite paddle pole, similar to the wooden one I had used as a child, in three pieces so you could stow it when not in use. It had a threaded stake out point that I could replace with a screw-in flounder gig or frog gig. Poling is a lot more efficient than paddling when fishing shallow water. I had a ring in my anchor trolley system so, when I spotted a fish or a fishy looking area, I could stick the point of my poling paddle through the ring and stake out in position to cast. I had also wanted to design a standup fishing paddle board when I was with Native Watercraft. I started out standup paddling and fishing from one of my old windsurfers and I found it to be not only a good fishing platform, but also a lot of fun and great exercise. One of the problems with the windsurfer board was that it made too much noise on the shallow flats, which spooked the fish. There were some standup paddle boards on the market then, but most were designed for surfing, with a few for touring and racing, but none specifically for fishing. They were all shaped like big surfboards with flat surface bows and a lot of rocker, so they made a lot of noise if there was even just a ripple on the water.
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I had tried, to no avail, to get various custom surfboard shapers to build me a standup fishing board, so I got with my longtime friend Mark Castlow to work on building a plug. Mark was a pioneer in the flats fishing skiff world and an old surfboard shaper. He also came from the fishing industry and understood what I was trying to do. We designed a displacement type hull with a sharp, very quiet entry, and a recessed deck similar to a very shallow dugout canoe, to lower your center of gravity and make it more stable. I have always enjoyed studying the water crafts and methods the Native Americans used for fishing, and I’d fished out of canoes by standing up and poling in shallow water. Florida’s Seminoles stood up in their dugout canoes to pole and paddle. My grandfather Osceola was named after the famous Seminole tribal leader, so it seemed appropriate to name the new fishing SUP after him, and we called it the Osceola. We at Native Watercraft introduced the 12-foot Osceola board at the Outdoor Retailer Show in 2008. It was well received but it was the only thing we were building with composite materials, so it was a lot more expensive to produce and we discontinued it. I still saw the standup paddle board market as a new frontier and wanted to be part of it. I especially wanted to design and build a standup paddle board for fishing, so I left Legacy Paddle Sports and Native Watercraft to pursue another dream in the standup paddling world. I worked with Mark Castlow at Dragonfly Boatworks in Vero Beach, Florida building high end, custom-built fishing skiffs and standup paddle boards. We designed the Dragonfly 13’6” as a fishing board, with a displacement type hull, a sharp, very quiet entry, and enough waterline and volume to support a lot of weight and gear. The most important component of any system is the board itself, but there are certain issues you have to address to make a board even more fishable. We built a rail around the cockpit to contain your fly line and keep it from blowing or washing overboard. It also keeps the deck dry and gives you a secure place to stand. A big issue is what to do with your paddle when you need to cast. I had designed a paddle clip for kayaks when I was with Native Watercraft, which we modified to fit on a belt, so you can pop your paddle handle in the clip, leaving your hands free to fish. 98 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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We also mounted the original paddle clip on a cooler, or on the board itself. The next issue was anchoring. We designed an internal anchor system which runs through conduit inside the board to both the bow and stern, so you can have an anchor at each end. After years of testing, I feel like the Dragonfly 13.6 rigged out with all of the accessories is the perfect standup fishing paddle board and, without the fishing add-ons, it is a great excursion paddling board which can easily carry plenty of camping gear and supplies. Some Dragonfly paddlers even use their boards to hunt ducks. Q: How do the various Dragonfly models differ? A: We designed the 13.6 first as a fishing board with a large amount of volume and more water line to support larger people with coolers and a lot of other gear. We had a lot of requests from women and smaller people for a lighter and more manageable to handle board, so we started producing a 10 foot Dragonfly Board, and it was very successful. We also build an 11.6 Dragonfly board that has more of a traditional surf board design. It is also lighter and very stable as an exercise, touring and general purpose board. This is a great board for people who want to practice yoga on a board. Q: What do you like about paddling and fishing from an SUP? A: I have rowed, sculled, paddled, pedaled, poled and sailed a wide variety of non-motorized watercraft in my life and I think standup paddling is the best full core exercise of them all. They are also an extremely effective method of fishing and exploring new territory. My favorite type of fishing is sight fishing with a fly rod - you see the fish, or at times a school of fish, and try to present your fly or lure in such a way to entice them to eat it. The real pleasure comes when you see the fish take your fly. I have caught a variety of big fish from paddle boards fishing offshore and it does add a new dimension, but nothing beats stalking redfish or bonefish in skinny water from a paddle board with a fly rod. Q: Are you always thinking about the next design tweak? A: Yes. Most recently, we designed board racks on our fishing skiffs, and for other boats, to carry paddle boards to remote fishing areas. The mini-mothership concept increases your ability to transport paddle boards to areas far beyond typical 100 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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paddling range. This allows you to spend more time fishing and paddling in cool new areas that are more remote and interesting. To me, the most exciting feature of a standup paddle board is its ability to go where most other watercraft cannot, so it opens up a whole new frontier. You can get away from the crowds and explore un-fished waters, which are getting harder and harder to find. The more time you spend on the water fishing and paddling the more you learn, and I am always dreaming of a better or different way to catch a fish and to have more fun on the water. One of my main objectives is designing accessories that will help you achieve those goals. The truth is, I am a dreamer, and the greatest satisfaction in life is seeing your dreams come true.
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JOURNEYS OF SGI St. George Island, Florida 240EE3rd 3rdStreet, Street,St. St. George George Island 40 (850)927-3259 www.sgislandjourneys.com info@sgislandjourneys.com
New Paddler Camp Sites By Larry D. Hodge
AUSTIN – The Devils River is one of the premier paddling and fishing destinations in Texas, drawing outdoor enthusiasts each year to enjoy the preserved natural beauty, excellent sport fishery, and native wildlife along its clear waters. But the river is not for the faint of heart. “Due to the remote location of the Devils River, safe, reliable, and legal camp sites on the river are in short supply,” said Joe Joplin, Devils River State Natural Area superintendent. “The average paddler doesn’t make 15 miles in a day, and if they do, it’s not enjoyable.” The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), along with local partners, aims to change that. To help create safe conditions for the recreational use of the Devils River and help minimize trespassing issues, the TPWD River Access and Conservation Area Program (RACA) will open two paddle-up-only camp sites March 1.
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s on Iconic Devils River
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According to Timothy Birdsong, Habitat Conservation Chief for TPWD’s Inland Fisheries Division, the new pack-in, pack-out camp sites aren’t designed to add more paddlers to the river, but rather to provide safe and legal stopping points for the daily limit of TPWD permitted paddlers. “The reaches of river between Baker’s Crossing, and the Del Norte and Dan A. Hughes Units of our Devils River State Natural Area are relatively long distances, so we strategically added these camp sites roughly mid-distance to create a more safe and enjoyable experience for paddlers,” Birdsong said. TPWD Executive Director Carter Smith said by adding the two new paddle-up only campsites, the organization is setting the conditions to ensure permitted paddlers can explore the river safely and maintain the high standards of river stewardship that will preserve its unique beauty for generations to come.
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“I’m proud of what the TPWD River Access Conservation Area Program and our Devils River State Natural Area have been able to do to address the desires and concerns of both local landowners and devoted Devils River paddlers,” Smith said. “This is a win-win deal for everyone who appreciates and respects this iconic Texas river.” To help promote river use etiquette and river stewardship by paddlers, TPWD is partnering with the Devils River Conservancy (DRC), a nonprofit organization made up of landowners and conservationists whose mission is to preserve and protect the Devils River and the lands within its watershed. Through this partnership, both organizations will be collaborating on an educational video and Devils River Paddler Manual that will be distributed among local guides and vendors to prepare paddlers for overnight trips on the Devils River and help address issues encountered on the water.
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“The Devils River is a precious and delicate resource; it cannot sustain unmanaged human pressure without degradation,” the DRC said in a statement provided to TPWD. “The Devils River Conservancy is happy to partner with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in engaging landowners in the active management of recreation on the Devils River.” “We hope that the implementation of the designated campsites will decrease the overall impact of human pressure on the river while honoring the private property rights of its land stewards,” the statement continued. “Moving forward, this partnership aims to cultivate the ‘leave no trace’ ethos for the protection for this wild and beloved Texas River for generations to come.”
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These new paddle-up-only camp sites are the newest additions to TPWD’s statewide network of 19 River Access and Conservation Areas, which offer improved angler and paddler access to more than 100 miles of Texas rivers. The program is funded through federal grants provided by the United States Department of Agriculture and through philanthropy efforts of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. A Devils River Access Permit (DRAP) is required for all trips on the Devils River that access the two units of the Devils River State Natural Area or these two new paddle-up-only camp sites. Visit the Devils River State Natural Area website for reservations, maps, permits and other information.
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MAKE THE NEXT CATCH
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Do you have an
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ne of the sweetest little spinning rods we’ve cast this year is a Favorite USA Absolute spinning rod. Our test rod was a 5’8” medium action rod designed for very universal applications common to kayak fishing. In fact, Favorite USA’s Absolute line of four spinning rods are multipurpose rods that are suitable for every kind of kayak fishing. Their blanks are constructed of IM24T super high modulus graphite filaments. The modulus of graphite used in these rods is one of the highest in the industry, and the higher the graphite, the more sensitive, lighter and more efficient is the rod.
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? Our 5’8” rod is a medium action model designed for use with 4-to12 pound test line and to cast lures in the 1/8-to-3/8 ounce class. Casting accuracy and distance is enhanced by Favorite USA’s use of ultra-high tech Fuji SiC K-Series guides. Almost worthy of a separate review, SiC K-series high-frame, single-foot tangle free guides bring a whole new dimension to spin fishing. Fuji’s proprietary Deep Pressed Ring and patented K-Series tangle free, double sloped U-Channel titanium cross section frames hold diamond polished ceramic rings. Mono, fluorocarbon and braided lines flow like air through these guides. April 2017
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Favorite USA’s Absolute features a very nice modern design that includes a warm EVA split handle that kayak anglers will certainly appreciate. The Absolute also includes the 6’ 0”model (medium to fast action) that is designed for use with 6-to-12 pound test line and to cast lures in the 1/4-to-3/8 ounce class. The 6’ 6” model (medium to heavy action) is designed to cast lures in the 1/4-to-3/4 ounce category. The 7’ 3” model (light-fast) is designed for a 4-to-8 pound test line and to cast lures in the 1/8-to-3/8 ounce range.
We used this on a kayak trip to Georgia’s Flint River where the target was the unique Flint River bass. Our choice for action was ¼-ounce, chartreus twister tail grubs. It’s easy to lose a lot of terminal tackle when yakking the Flint, and twister tail grubs are about as cheap as dirt. Fortunately, the bass in the Flint are not at all insulted by “cheap” baits. It turned out to be a mediocre “catching” day, but a great yak adventure with pleasant casting. Personally, I consider it a successful day when I pick up the casting characteristics of a new medium action spinning rod with exhausting my profanity vocabulary the first half hour on the water. 118 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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In terms of casting we rated the Absolute 6’ 8� as an 8 out of 10. The sensitivity of the Absolute was extraordinarily good for a rod in its price range, netting a 9 out of 10 rating. Lightness, too, was impressive, scoring a high 8 out of nine. The Absolute is a well-balanced, angler-friendly spinning rod. It was a tie vote on favorite features, with an even split between the performance of the IM24T graphite blank and the Fiji SiC guides. In terms of bang for the buck, we give it a 9.3 out of 10.
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Never Lose Your Cool Ragan Whitlock
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T
he Orion Cooler is, without a doubt, a kayaker’s dream. From the look to the function, the features to the fit, this cooler has it all. With all the companies flooding the cooler market, trying to emulate the Yeti model, Orion has found a way to eclipse it. If you are a recreational sportsman, or kayak even the slightest bit, there is no other product that can meet your demands like an Orion Cooler. What separates these coolers from a herd of imitators? The answer to this question comes back to two words, “thoughtfully designed.” Who exactly were they thinking about when creating the cooler? Kayakers, fishermen, hunters and sportsman, in that order.
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The Look: The first thing you notice about an Orion Cooler is how different the look is from the Yeti or other brands. Branching away from the monochromatic, drab look, these coolers just look like the outdoors. The “Jungle” colored cooler looks especially mean. It looks like a duck boat, a camouflaged kayak, and a hunting blind. In a different sporting world, the “Bluefin” looks like the perfect way to complete a saltwater skiff. Each of the six colors fits an outdoor toy perfectly. The Function: There is only one serious question when it comes to whether a cooler is worth it or not. “Does the thing hold ice.” Well, to alleviate any concern, yes, of course. Not only does it hold ice and keep things cold, it keeps that ice for a very long time. Though Orion scores similarly to Yeti in ice-retention tests, I have been much more impressed with the Orion function. After several days in moderately hot weather, these coolers are creating a mere cup or so of water to pour off.
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The Fit: I would be remiss if I do not mention the toy-match made in heaven. The Orion Cooler is engineered to fit perfectly into the back of a Jackson Kayak. It fits well into any vessel, but a Jackson Kayak is perfect for the Orion 25. The ability to color match the kayak and the cooler is a nice bonus, not to mention the amazing quality of a Jackson kayak to begin with.
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The Features: The added features are what really sets the Orion apart from the other, less imaginative coolers. The most noticeable of these features is the standing pad located directly on top. These pads, other than looking cool, are great for traction. Unlike other coolers on the market, things will not slide off the Orion. The mat is also perfect for storing lures, simply push the hook into the mat as you would into cork or a fly box. Located on all sides and corners of the cooler, six in total, are sturdy tie down points. Four of these points serve as durable bottle openers. These points makes the cooler ridiculously easy to attach to a kayak, car, trailer, or anything else you would want. The final and best feature, in my opinion, is the addition of a YakAttack gear trac to each cooler. This track allows you to attach holders for phones, rods, fish finders and many other RAM mounting solutions. Other coolers tend to get in the way, blocking the user from reaching rods or using space efficiently. The Orion Cooler actually makes space. It allows you to stack multiple rod holders, to store things on top of the cooler, and to keep your phone away from harm. These coolers are perfect fishing partners. Absolutely no other product can compare.
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