issue #12
www.sokayakfishing.com
July 2017
Southern Kayak Fishing
Editor’s Message
W
ell, the summer wall has finally hit us. Fishermen are waking up earlier and earlier but coming home with magenta skin every time. I doubt that I am the only one who has had to sit through that terrible car drive back home. Your skin painfully sticking to the back of a soaked t-shirt; the air conditioning feeling like a welcomed slap to the face. It’s always hard to pinpoint where it all went so wrong. I make the same dumb mistakes as a lot of people, and seem to only learn from them in theory. On any given day, I think through my checklist while sitting burned in the car. “No, I made sure to wear waterproof sunscreen, there was no
reason to make that mistake again. I even had protective-ish clothing on the entire time.. Granted, the buff stayed down on my neck the entire time and I might’ve taken off my shirt for a few minutes.. Come to think of it, maybe I never sprayed my chest or shoulders after taking the shirt off. Damnit.” Same old story over and over again. We buy protective gear and proper sunscreen. On a slow day, we may remember to store it correctly and apply exactly when needed. Then, on a successful fishing day, nothing matters other than the fish. How many times do you remember stopping during the middle of a great top-water bite to reapply to your face or put something over your legs? It just doesn’t happen. So be more mindful, try to cover yourself as much as possible. Buy comfortable and protective clothing, just one of those features alone is useless. Do everything you can before the trip to ensure you will be as prepared as possible for the hot sun. Be realistic, though. You will probably reprioritize things once you are out on the water. If you get burned anyway, don’t let it get you down. Go to the nearest watering hole and wear your lobster July 2017
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Editor’s Message
Southern
Kayak Fishing Publisher
Assoc. Managing Editor Loryn Latham Loryn@Southerntrout.com
Technical Advisor Tim Perkins Field Editor Steve Moore Editorial Conslutant Olive K. Nynne
Contributors Rob Baker Tony Chavers Steve Gibson Danny Holmes Phillip Landry Tim Perkins Steve Sammons John Williams 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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colored skin tone as a badge of honor. Proudly take off those sunglasses to show the ridiculous contrast that lies underneath. Order a beer and tell stories of your day to a friend. Just try to stay standing as much as possible, and avoid “pats on the back” at all costs.
JOURNEYS OF SGI St. George Island, Florida
Don Kirk Don@Southerntrout.com Assoc. Pubisher Jerry Davis JD@Southerntrout.com Editor Ragan Whitlock Ragan@Southerntrout.com Managing Editor Leah Kirk Leah@Southerntrout.com
(cont.)
E 3rd Street,St. St. George George Island 40240 E 3rd Street, Island (850)927-3259 www.sgislandjourneys.com info@sgislandjourneys.com
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This Issue Editor’s Letter
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Fishing the Shallow Waters 10 Product Review 22 Fitzgerald Fly Rods Kayak Hacks 28 The Basic Crate Build Bloodlines 38 Heddon Heritage: Part 1 CLOSE LOOK 47 VA/WEST VA The Trough and Beyond
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Virginia’s Best Bass Lake The Occoquan Reservoir
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Shenendoah River Smallies
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Tentsville Skybox A Luxury Sky Box in the Backwoods
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The Transporter 94 Spicy Italian Lures BonaFide Kayaks
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Fishing
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g the “Shallow Waters� Paul Presson
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liding through the mangroves, seeing the light of a large opening to a cove, the only sounds heard are your blades dipping into the water and a whistling caused by a gentle breeze rolling over your rod and fishing line. In this solitude, it is easy to let your imagination run wild. As you turn and see the mist rising over the water, there's a noise, faint and in an unrecognizable language. What is off in the distance? It looks like a giant canoe or kayak of some sort. July 2017
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Hundreds of years ago a mighty tribe named the Calusa's fished, hunted, and fought on these waterways. Just one canoe made of a cypress tree held as many as fifty of these great warriors. They were mighty sailors and engineers; their homes were built on stilts and roofs made of Palmetto leaves. These dwellings could hold hundreds of tribe men and women. There are no Calusa's left today, but the canals they built and large mounds of shells, they used for tools remind us of this warrior tribe. Matlacha (pronounced Matla-shay), means “shallow water” in the Calusas language. One hundred years ago Matlacha did not exist. A bridge was erected and dredging was done to connect the mainland of Southwest FL to Pine Island FL. At the time of the “Great Depression,” some Americans migrated to warmer areas and found this village. Shanty towns went up at the resistance of state officials. The matter was resolved in court with the new residents winning the land due to squatter’s rights.
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This story was so popular that a book “Pioneers Go Home” by Richard P. Powell was written. The book then spawned a movie “Follow That Dream” starring Elvis Presley, released in 1962. The word was out, Matlacha was a mecca for trophy fish and plenty of them. The community thrived, cottages were built to house all of the commercial fishermen that called this home. In 1992 gill netting was prohibited. This was devastating to Matlacha and its residents. In protest, the commercial fishermen riddled their boats full of bullets and set them ablaze. The fire could be seen as far as Fort Myers. Today, Matlacha is an eclectic mixture of colorful art galleries (the old fishing cottages), eateries, hotels (many, built on stilts over the water), bait stores, and a small fleet of shrimp boats that are still in service. The village is only about 16 miles long and two miles wide. There are no beaches, no public pools, and no real reason to visit, except one! Fishing, beautiful mangroves as far as the eye can see.
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Almost every ideal fishing environment can be found here. The Bascule Bridge, in Matlacha is nicknamed “The Fishiest Bridge in the World�. There is actually a small park adjacent to the bridge for fishing and fishing from the bridge is also legal. This is an outstanding area to catch snook and tarpon. The Matlacha Park has an excellent kayak launch if your lodgings don't provide dock-age. The mangroves, provide hundreds of coves, bayous, and bays to explore. The waters are full of oyster beds for the redfish angler. Deeper hole and potholes in the grassy areas provide great cover for hungry trout. Just a short paddle away are the residential docks and canals, these are loaded with sheepshead, mangrove snapper, snook and a variety of other species.
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The Calusa Parkways is a 190 mile, marked kayak and canoe trail that runs through Matlacha. The Parkway runs from Estero Bay to Matlacha Pass and on to Caloosahatchee river. With this much territory, getting away and finding your own secluded kayak fishing spot is easy. The fish are plentiful and one of the best things is, you can park your car and let it sit for days. The local tavern, the bait store, and lodgings are all within easy walking distance. What else does a kayak angler need? Kayak fishing guides and rentals are available. What are you waiting for, make your way to Matlacha!
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Catch, Measure and Release 888-582-7763
www.measurefish.com
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www.kakukayak.com July 2017
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More Than
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Just Another FISHING Rod W
hat makes a rod valuable to Kayak fishermen? Is it the backbone, the length, the price? Kayakers buy products through the lens of “what works best for me” more so than any other type of fishermen. Our needs are just different. We have less room to operate, more exposure of our gear to the water, and a very weird fish-fighting style. If the best way to handle a hooked fish is from a fighting chair, Kayaking would be the equivalent of that chair falling over. When rod companies make products, they certainly aren’t specializing in our watercraft. They try to make the best product with the original image, and we are left deciphering what seems to fit our world. We can buy great rods with expensive price tags, but they still might not seem perfect for one reason or another. After much trial and error, there is one set of needs that sticks out to me the most. A set of needs that the Fitzgerald Vursa Series Spinning Rods check off at every turn. July 2017
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First and foremost, casting accuracy and distance are huge. Kayaks can sneak up into the most fishy of areas, but a good cast is the only way to actually catch the fish. Fitzgerald’s Microwave system produces precision casts at astonishing distances. Similar to the fine rifling in the barrel of a .308, the micro-guides limit line movement as the rod releases built-up casting power. Less line movement during the cast means less power lost and a tighter spiral leaving the rod tip. The other crucial factors of a kayak fishing rod must strike a comfortable balance. Backbone and rod size are always seen as holding a direct positive correlation. If you want a rod with the backbone to catch a tarpon, it is most likely going to be a very large rod. If you are just fishing for crappie or bream, your rod may look like a car antenna. The important thing to remember is that a large rod in a kayak can be much more of a hassle than it is worth. The lack of room within a kayak to operate is substantial, and casting is all upper body from the sitting position. The Vursa series rod creates a perfect balance of easy-to-cast with the ability to land large fish. The very first fish I caught with mine was a 24” Red. The rod is sensitive enough to feel every inch of the fish, but has the backbone to feel in control at all times. I won’t go as far as to say it could land a 100 pound tarpon, but I sure do want to try. At the end of a long day of fishing, the rod still looks great and my arm is only tired from paddling. With every dazzling feature, it would be easy to price these rods at $200 or $300 per pop. Fitzgerald, however, is offering all Vursa models for $130. At that price point, it only makes sense to try one out. I promise if you buy one, you will eventually buy several.
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Kayak Hacks
The Basic Crate Build
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have great admiration for the minimalist kayak angler. My fishing buddy is one, and he learned to go light after spending years in the 82nd Airborne Division where he could only take what he could carry out the door of an airplane. He uses a small, five dollar toolbox to hold his gear and does just fine. On the other hand, I spent active duty time in the Mechanized Infantry with room on my tracked vehicle for optional, yet critical, equipment like a coffee pot and stove; learning the opposite lesson. The truth is most of us like stuff - a lot of it. We insist on recreating the Cabelas fishing department on our kayaks with multiple rods, tools, terminal tackle, and comfort items while demanding everything be close at hand - not in a bow compartment tantalizingly out of reach. Hence the need for accessible storage, a lot of it, with the simple milk crate providing the preferred structure easily adapted to individual requirements.
Steve Moore
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A word of caution! All milk crates are not created equal. The right crate should have smooth sides (no overhanging edges) and be mostly plastic rather than air. Look for plenty of ribs crisscrossing the sides to provide strength instead of smooth plastic that will warp under a load. Edges at the top interfere with mounting gear to the sides. While perfection is in the eye of the holder, building a crate starts with determining the actual storage requirement. How much room do you need? Given the horizontal space on a kayak is not going to change, the only choice is to build vertically. To make use of the space underneath the milk crate, build a simple PVC frame. The frame can match the dimensions of the inside space or be a simple collaboration of two PVC pipes and a few cable ties. In either case, be sure to bungee the crate to the kayak to hold it in place.
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Courtesy: TahoYakFisher
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Courtesy: John Sims
Most anglers divide gear into two categories. The things they use all the time and the things they have “just in case.� To avoid digging through numerous tackle boxes or containers to find routine items, add a top shelf. Purchase a second crate, cut off the top, and mount it to the bottom crate using a few cable ties. While not required, you will eventually regret not putting a retaining cover on the top. Either sacrifice another milk crate by cutting off the bottom to make a lid or use a $2 bike bungee net.
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Courtesy: TahoeYakFisher
Rod and net holders come next. Certainly, the cheapest way is to use a one-foot section of 1Ÿ� PVC pipe (minimum width) since a ten-foot section only costs $6. For a more finished product, a commercial holder for a single rod costs less than $6 with a three-rod holder running around $16 from Walmart. Depending on the construction of the milk crate, either bolt the holder to the crate or use cable ties (run at least one tie through a hole in the pipe to keep the pipe from slipping). A more expensive upgrade is to attach a Scotty mount after reinforcing the crate with a small nail plate ($0.88 at Lowes to gain the ability to rotate a rod perpendicular to the kayak for trolling or to attach a camera. Attach PVC on an angle to achieve the same result; doubling it up with a 45 or 90-degree connector for a rod out each side.
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Courtesy: TahoeYakFisher
The empty sides are prime real estate for accessories. Use bungee cords with balls to securely attach pliers, radios, and scissors. Untie one end and loop the cord through a hole in the crate to attach to the tool. To extend the length of the bungee, untie one end to create a single, long cord while leaving the other end tied into the ball. TahoeYakFisher uses a bungee attached to his lip gripper as a temporary surrogate for the stringer since it is long enough to reach the water. Small carabiners/snap links like the 2� Nite Ize ($1 at Home Depot) are handy to make connections at either end. A slick alternative is to fasten a magnetic tool holder using two cable ties for quick grabs of steel fishing accessories (video). Some of the best ideas are simple, and John Sims certainly came up with a great one when he cut a pool noodle lengthwise and slid it over one side of a milk crate to hold frequently used lures and extra terminal rigs. Using a pool noodle eliminates fumbling in a tackle box and allows lures to dry before storing. Storage? Hit the Dollar Store for a few kid’s pencil boxes or a small laundry net bag (3 for a buck!) to hold generic gear. 34 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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In short, a milk crate is a blank canvas ready to accept anything that can be bolted on or contained inside. Put yourself in “shade tree mechanic” mode and get creative! Expect to fiddle a bit to get it right. The good news is milk crates are readily available for almost no cost so starting over based on lessons learned is not financially painful. For these as well as previous hacks, visit the “KayakHacksFishing” YouTube Channel to see videos with specifics on how to implement each suggestion – look for the Kayak Milk Crate Setup Playlist for the ideas covered in this issue. Also, I appreciate TahoeYakFisher and John Sims, two innovative DIY kayakers, for providing pictures of their crate creations and encourage you to visit their YouTube channels for more on the innovations they added to their crates. Title picture also courtesy of TahoeYakFisher. Courtesy: John Sims
Disclaimer: Do not apply any suggestion if it will ruin the appearance, function or structural integrity of your kayak. You are solely responsible for determining if the above ideas are appropriate for your boat and the author and publisher disclaim any responsibility for your actions and decisions. July 2017
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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!
Blood Lines:
I
n the South, the blood lines of bird dogs are more important to most people than is the lineages of European “blue bloods.� While overlooked by many, just about every lure in your tackle box has some sort of blood line that was copied or just coincidentally resulted because a previous bait design. Most of the time, an original bait was the brainchild of innovative angler almost a century ago.
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Heddon Heritage, Part One
Heddon is arguably the best known of all bait companies. Founded over a century ago in Dowagiac, Michigan, this family-run company has left a giant footprint in the world of sport fishing. Odds are that your tackle box holds Heddon baits that were first introduced when Moby Dick was a minnow. These baits have evolved considerably, but the basic design concept that made them “go to� baits a century ago still hold true today. July 2017
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One of my fondest fishing memories was back in 2002 when I hosted a television show called Bassin’ Mexico with a colorful chap named “Wild Bill” Skinner. For five years we spent our winters fishing Mexico’s high Sierra Mountains’ reservoirs. One morning on Lake Huites, Bill and I boated to Huites’ narrow headwaters where we were flanked on both sides by a canyon wall. That morning between 9 and 11 we cast Heddon Zara Spooks catching forty largemouth bass between 10 and 14 pounds. It was surreal. Much the same thing happened a couple of years earlier on Cree Lake in Saskatchewan where we were tossing spoons to northern pike in the 40 to 48 inch class. Action was so brisk that I decided to try something different. So, I tied on a big Heddon Zara Spook to see how it would work. Two hours later the toothy water wolves completely destroyed what is actually a very well made lure. Big pike rich Cree Lake is a bad neighborhood for “walking the dog.” The cigar-shaped Zara Spook is still the preferred surface bait throw by many bass fishermen. It’s “walk the dog” retrieve simply undoes a big bass’s ability to deliver a violent strike. Millions of Zara Spooks in a variety of sizes and patterns have been sold since Heddon July 2017
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first introduced its parent lure, the Zaragosa. While not actually an in-house, Heddon design, the bait originated in Pensacola, FL. Pensacola was an active seaport in the early 1900s that brought sailors to town. They supported a thriving red light district, where houses of prostitution were located on Zaragosa Street and remained in business until World War II. A local man named Angelo Capaduca carved a wooden fishing plug that worked well on the speckled trout. In those days, all the artificial lures were called minnows. One day, after a good catch, he said, “That minnow, it do the hoochie coochie, just like the girls on Zaragosa Street.” The handcarved plug thus became the Zaragosa Minnow. During the Great Depression, James Heddon & Son Lures heard about the Zaragosa Minnow. Shortly thereafter, Heddon was making its own wooden Zaragosa Minnow. When Heddon began experimenting with plastic lures in the 1950s, the lures were called “spooks” because they were transparent. Thus the Zaragosa Minnow became the Zaragosa Spook. 42 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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“Walking the dog” is a term associated with a seductive presentation for which the Zara Spook is ideally suited. The dog walking action is triggered by making short twitches of the rod while reeling in the lure at a fairly slow pace. This causes the lure to rhythmically dart back and forth in a way that fish find hard to resist. I recommend using a rod with a fairly soft tip as that imparts more action to the lure. You need to impart a series of small twitches while reeling in to get the lure to dart back and forth. You can vary the speed from a slow “subtle” motion that mimics injured forage fish, to a much faster “skittering” motion that imitates a fleeing baitfish.
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The name was eventually shortened to Zara Spook, a tag that remains a household word in the world of angling even today. Three decades ago PRADCO acquired the Heddon Brand. The “P” in PRADCO is for plastic, which is the best way to describe the baits made by the company. In 1995 though, PRADCO offered the Heddon Centennial Edition Wood Zaragossa lure as well as the River Runt and Lucky 13 in cardboard Heddon “upleaping bass” boxes. They were enormously popular, and are highly prized by all who acquired them. Zara Spooks are must have ammo in all southern kayak angler’s arsenal. Heddon offers Zara’s in variety of sizes and color patterns. My current favorite is the Chug’n Spook, which technically is not a Zara, but I am willing to pay for its DNA test, because I have a pretty good idea what the blood will tell regarding its parents. Next issue: Heddon Crazy Crawler, Lucky 13 and Torpedo. 44 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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FISH TALES TOLD HERE
Experience the Hardy Effect!
VISITHARDYWV.COM #HARDYCOUNTY
FOLLOWl USSouthern ON Kayak Fishing l 45
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The Trough..
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..and Beyond Ed Rivers
M
y spinner had barely broke the surface when the edge of the pool exploded in a spray of water and bronze scales. The three pound smallmouth bored into the bowels of the South Branch of the Potomac River as though there was some sort of escape hatch hidden along the rocky bottom. After three runs and a three minute tug-ofwar” I lifted the battling bronzeback into my yak. “Not bad for the first cast,” I thought to myself. Thus was my baptism last summer at the South Branch of the Potomac, a smallmouth bass fishery I’d heard about for years, but until then had not yakked. Best of all, I had just begun my float along the six-mile long stretch of the South Branch of the Potomac River known as “The Trough”. It is located near Hardy County’s Moorefield community. Rather than meandering across a wide valley, at the Trough this West Virginia ribbon of water slices its way through a remote forested canyon wedged between Sawmill Ridge and Mill Creek Mountain.
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Virginia/West Virginia
The six-mile stretch is some of the Mountaineer State’s top rated smallmouth bass kayak fishing. Bald eagles are often spotted soaring above the river or perched on rocky outcrops. The majestic birds re-established themselves in The Trough in the early 1980s. Access to the remote Trough is limited to those willing get there on foot or by paddling. If you want to visually scout it out before launching a kayak, the Potomac Eagle excursion train, operated by the South Branch Valley Railroad, affords stupendous views on its river passing through the canyon. An historic area, the South Branch Potomac River was known as the Wappatomaka by the Indians living here when European settlers arrived. The native tongue name stuck. George Washington referred to this canyon as “The Trough” during his 1748 survey expedition here. During the French and Indian Wars eight years later the canyon was the scene of a bloody battle where the Shawnee were victorious in the Battle of the Trough. Comparatively speaking, these days it’s a pretty serene place where you won’t lose your scalp. The Trough can be reached by following WV50 to Romney, West Virginia, then turning south onto South Branch River Road, or by following US-250 north from Moorefield, West Virginia, and turning east onto Cunningham Road then north onto Trough Road. More detailed directions are provided in our guide to the South Branch Wildlife Management Area, which includes four public hunting and fishing preserves located throughout the canyon. Nearby private outfitters offer canoe and kayak rentals and provide shuttle service back to the mouth of The Trough, about nine miles southwest of Romney.
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The Trough section of the South Branch Potomac River is Class I and II float that can be done in a single day or extended to an overnight trip, which how we planned our trip. We were told that yak fishing here is best when Springfield gauge is 1.8 feet or higher. For current river conditions at Franklin visit https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/ nwis/uv?site_no=01605500, and at Petersburg visit https://waterdata.usgs. gov/usa/nwis/uv?site_no=01606500. The South Branch Potomac River rises along Virginia’s eastern Allegheny Front in northwestern Highland County to meander 139 miles to its junction with North Branch Potomac River to form the Potomac River. From Petersburg into Hardy County, the South Branch becomes easily navigated by kayaks and canoes. Here the river splits and forms a series of large islands while it heads northeast to Moorefield where it is joined by the South Fork South Branch of the Potomac. Our float through the Trough begins at Old Fields Bridge and ends at Harminson's. Most of the time on our two day trip we had the river to ourselves, at least in terms of fishing. Perhaps due to its ease of paddling, we found that the South Branch had a fair number of paddlers but only a couple of other yakkers who like us were casting a line. Additionally we tarried frequently to thoroughly fish prime stretched of the river.
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We made our trip during the last week of June when flow levels are as perfect as one could hope for. The most productive stretches were where we found canyon drop offs that much of the time were quite deep. Black twistertail grubs bounced off of the face of the rocks in slow current spot and allowed to tight-line sink proved lethal. The faster stretches of water were effectively fished using brass Mepps Comets with squirrel tail dressed hooks. An added bonus to fishing the canyon walls as well as heavily shaded areas was the incredible top water action. Casting Heddon Tiny Torpedo’s, we had great success on some pretty hefty bronzebacks that are a blast to catch on top water. The best baits we used though were natural; crayfish, hellgrammites and creek chubs we seined where we made camp. Classic smallmouth bass foods, we used these to land the fish we grilled for lunch and supper. Campfire grilled bass from these near pristine waters is a gastronomic treat that adds a lot to float fishing trip experience on the South Branch. For more info on the South Branch of the Potomac, contact Visit Hardy CVB; 104 S Main St #2A, Moorefield, WV 26836; phone: (304) 897-8700; www.visithardywv.com July 2017
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VISITHARDYWV.COM #HARDYCOUNTY FOLLOW US ON
FISH TALES TOLD HERE
Experience the Hardy Effect!
CLOSE LOOK
Virginia/West Virginia
Virginia’s Bass Lake STEVE MOORE
– The Occo Reservoir 58 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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oquan
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dmit it. You’ve done it. Every angler assumes the farther away the fishing spot is, the better it must be. Chances are, as you drive to that allegedly better location, you will pass somebody heading from that location to fish your local water. If you live within an hour of Northern Virginia and choose to ignore the Occoquan Reservoir to drive 90 minutes south to Lake Anna or a similar distance west to Lake Frederick, you are missing the best bass fishing in the state. The Virginia Department of Inland Game and Fisheries (VDGIF) rates the 2,100 acre Occoquan Reservoir as the state’s best large impoundment with a catch per unit effort rating of 60. This statistic measures the number of 15 inch or larger bass collected in one hour of electro-fishing. The only other lake in Virginia with a higher rating (88) is the tiny, 76 acre Burton Lake tucked into the distant south-central part of the state; a long four hours south.
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The Occoquan Reservoir (aka “the Rez) forms the boundary between Fairfax and Prince William counties with the parkland and access points on the northern bank controlled by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. The VDGIF manages the lake to promote the populations of bass (plenty in the four to six-pound range), crappie, catfish with some northern pike and white perch thrown into the mix. The state record flathead catfish (66 pounds, 4 ounces) was captured (and released) from the Rez back in 1994.
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There are three access points, and all have a small fee to launch a “carried craft.� The access points at Fountainhead Regional Park and Lake Ridge Park may be used by paying a daily fee. The Bull Run Marina, at the northern extreme of the reservoir, requires anglers purchase an annual pass. There is a $20 fee for the gate key on top of the $40 fee for the pass if you hail from Arlington, Fairfax or Loudoun counties; $70 per year from other locations. The reservoir is kayak and canoe friendly. Since the impoundment limits gasoline motors to 10 hp, paddlers do not have to deal with over-powered bass boats racing frantically from spot to spot. Given the horsepower limitation, the extreme northern end 62 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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of the Rez experiences less pressure since the only quick way to reach it is to pay the steep access fee for the Bull Run launch. The Fountainhead launch, positioned in the center of the reservoir, is the largest and most popular for powered boats with the Lake Ridge Marina in the distant south being the consistent second choice for power and first for paddle. Be aware there is a bass tournament every other Sunday out of Fountainhead that increases the pressure within range of the launch. Head over to the Lake Ridge Marina if you fish on those days (or even hit the river below the dam, launching from the Occoquan Regional Park and try for snakeheads).
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All good? Yes, but. These fish are wary and hard to catch! To be successful, anglers must study the lake and become good with their electronics. The VDGIF is upfront about the challenge: “A combination of heavy fishing pressure, excellent habitat, and an abundance of forage may make it more difficult to consistently catch the larger fish. Patience is the key and anglers willing to try different techniques and lures to match the prevailing conditions should find success.� Easier said. Success requires adopting seasonal tactics. In the early spring and summer, working the banks up against rocks or downed
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trees can be productive. However, once summer is in full bloom, the fish retreat to the deeper areas near lake points and associated channels; requiring bottom rigs or drop shots. This is where electronics become necessary. Use them to find the channels, humps, submerged structure and target the transitions. Otherwise, you fish blind. If fishing without the benefit of a fish finder, be sure to get the hotspot map sometimes provided at the Fountainhead launch. Even though those places are well known to anglers, the fish seem to like them as well.
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The Rez is deep! It can be 30 feet right next to the bank, edging to 70 feet in some of the channels. Given that, leave the fly rod at home during the summer. This is the domain of deep running crankbaits, Carolina rigs and drop shots. Since the forage menu offers mostly shad and crawfish, orient your lures to those imitations. The Fountainhead section of the Rez is more the scenic section with more cliff faces as well as plenty of trees overhanging the banks and pitched into water. The southern end, out of Lake Ridge Marina, features forested, non-descript banks with tiny coves tucked here and there. However, the fish do not migrate to the scenic spots; you can catch them anywhere in the Rez! July 2017
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If you live within driving range of the Rez, fish it! Invest the time to uncover your own secret spots and perhaps you will be able to claim the next state record! Access Points: • Bull Run Marina: 12619 Yates Ford Road, Clifton (38.743250, -77.386758) • Fountainhead Regional Park: 10875 Hampton Road, Fairfax Station (38.720812, -77.334205) • Lake Ridge Marina: 12380 Cotton Mill Drive, Lake Ridge (38.697056, -77.318399) • Occoquan Regional Park: 9751 Ox Road, Lorton (38.680658, -77.252703) For great ideas on kayak modifications, spin and fly fishing tips, visit Steve’s YouTube Channel - KayakHacksFishing 68 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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hose who have traveled to the Shenandoah area understand that the outcome of a fishing or hunting trip is almost secondary to the beautiful scenery that surrounds you. Regardless of how well you do, it is hard not to be happy when gorgeous mountains and valleys are sprinkled throughout your day. On a single-day kayak float down the Shenandoah River, fishermen see idyllic apple orchards, dense forests, hay fields and other signatures of a beautifully fertile farmland. Within the river boundaries, there is an interesting mix of frustrating shallows, nearchallenging rapids, and interspersed deep ledges.
River Smallies Ragan Whitlock
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Each bit of scenery helps the Shenandoah area hit the check-list for a place that would be worth visiting even if the river didn’t hold a single fish. Luckily for fishermen, the South Fork of the Shenandoah river does hold fish, and a lot of them. In fact, I would be hard pressed to pick a better system in the Southeast to consistently find medium-sized “smallies.” Catching a dozen 12”16” fish in a day is well within the norm. The South Fork is bordered by US 340 almost the entire way, which contains many split offs and access points to the river. Many outfitters are also based near the road, offering canoe, kayak or raft rentals. Most of these rentals are in great fishing areas and are fairly inexpensive. The access is a doubleedged sword in many ways for fishermen with their own vessel. There are certainly more visitors to the area because of the ease of access, but there are plenty of places to put-in with crowdavoidance in mind. A river stretch that contains just one ramp is much more likely to get pressure that specific area. The South Fork boasts dozens of these areas, all worth exploring. 72 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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While most of the fish in the South Fork are somewhat small (less than 14”), some beasts are found every year. For the always amusing 1 to 1 ½ pound fish, almost any light tackle or flies will work. Small crawfish imitations like the Rebel-Craw or a dark colored Clouser are my personal favorites. Spin-fishermen should always have a few “Tiny Torpedos” by Heddon and small weighted/weedless flukes. For added excitement, the Stealth Bomber fly (created by Kent Edmunds), entices incredible top water strikes. The more inventive fly fishermen in the area swear by a rig known as the “popper-dropper.” This clever but frustrating setup replaces the traditional “hopper-dropper” with a large surface popper and a hellgrammite or other small streamer. Your arm and rotator cuff may hate you at the end of the day, but hooking into a behemoth makes it all better. July 2017
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Regardless of which tackle you plan on using, the area is a must-visit. In addition to the fishing there is also a Civil War battlefield in Port Republic, the area where the South Fork technically begins. The battle at Port Republic was the last of Stonewall Jacskon’s famed Valley Campaign. Visit “Civilwar.org” for a full description of this Confederate victory, as well as interactive battle maps. There is also a lengthy and interesting description of what the Civil War Trust has accomplished towards preservation of these sites. After visiting the battle site, one of the first entrances to the river is just a short ride away. Though many access points are available, great starting points for newcomers are at Castleman’s Ferry and Morgan’s Ford. After just one trip down the river, it is easy to become enamored with the area. Large fish may or may not be on the agenda for the day, but you will be immersed in beauty from beginning to end.
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S T I N G R AY
A Luxury Sky Box in th F ishermen have enjoyed camping near a river, bay or creek for quite a long time. My best trips have come from kayaking miles down a river to a bivouacready camp site or hiking days into the backcountry of the GMSNP and others along the Appalachian Mountain range. The fishing is better, the areas are more serene, and camping is undeniably cathartic. Since camping has been around for so long, and improved in so many ways, why has it taken so long to master the tent? Many campers have been switching from the traditional ground tent to an Eno or other brand hammock. Sleeping off the ground in a hammock has many pro’s. There is virtually no way to have your sleeping arrangement flooded (the bane of a tent user’s existence), and you can carry far less gear during the hike in. Unfortunately, you are much more exposed
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he Backwoods in a hammock. Though they are unlikely, the last few bear attacks in the GSMNP have involved hammock sleepers. A much more practical issue, though, is the fact that no gear can be stored with you in the hammock. Gear must either be left on the ground, near a tarp or hung up without easy access. Enter Tentsile. July 2017
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Tentsile is a fascinating company, created to bridge the gap between the tent and the hammock. Not only does Tentsile nail the pros of both styles while removing the cons, but they do so in style. In the 150 or so nights I have spent camping near my favorite fishing areas, I have never had such a rejuvenating sleep as I did in the Tentsile Stingray 3p. The difference between spending the entire night checking the four corners of your tent for water and calmly allowing the rainfall to serve as a lullaby in your Tentsile is astonishing. I hope to never again construct a tent retention wall of smelly clothes or frantically try to convince myself that the noise closing in on my campsite is a raccoon instead of a hungry bear. Instead, I hope to spend every night appreciating the sound of the rain or the animals around me knowing I am enclosed in my sky box. The Stingray 3p is Tentsile’s flagship product. Unlike many 2 or 3 person tents, the Stingray can actually hold 3 people comfortably. Moreover, it can hold two people and a weekends worth of gear comfortably. Set-up is easy, and the durability is outstanding. Entrance to and from the tent is as easy as walking under and unzipping the access hole. Zippered gear holders are located inside the tent with enough room to store all valuables throughout your time in the woods. Not only is the product practical, but the feeling of actually laying inside and staring up at the stars is unparalleled. The closest comparison would be placing a bed on top of a trampoline. Although that may be a strange visual, at least the Stingray looks much cooler than the backyard trampoline. The looks may not be the most important 82 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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part of a camping product, but we would be lying to ourselves if we said it wasn’t a nice addition. Waking up the next morning after a hike or paddle in is the most important part of your trip. You can sleep in, trying to soothe your aching bones
or weary mind. You can begin the trip by cursing your decision to come at all. You can start your first full day of fishing on a bad note, or you can sleep in a Tentsile. Waking up at the
crack of dawn and brewing that will affect every single coffee you may not even second of your trip. need because of your level of excitement is what https://www.tentsile.com/ camping should be about. Make the one change in your camping experience July 2017
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Unintended Con
Big Water Lures’“ Don Kirk
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nsquences: C
“Big Timber” July 2017
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reek Chub Bait C. Pikies and Plunkers were covered in SKF’s last issue. During the process of researching the article I came upon Gary Soldati, a New England plugmaker. A master craftsman/artist, Soldati specializes in faithfully reproducing Creek Chub “big wood” Pikies and Surfsters. By big, I am talking about 8 to 10 wooden baits like were made and fished in the 1940s during the heyday of CCBC in Garrett, Indiana. We spoke and emailed back and forth about the article, which at the time was on a pretty tight deadline. I commented that I would love to photograph and kayak surf fish a couple of his works of art. I was bold enough to ask if they could be in the CCBC’s legendary ‘gold fish’ pattern that is nothing short of eye candy for angler and fish alike.
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When the deadline arrived the article was published. Two weeks later, a brand spanking new giant Pike (8”, 4oz) and Slim Troller (10”, 7oz) arrived at the SKF Compound. I was not expecting to receive these lure, but there I was in possession of two of the most beautiful fishing lures I’d ever held. Since it was too late to include Soldatis Big Water Lures in the Pikie/Plunker piece, the only the solution to my dilemma was to devote a separate article to subject. (Being the publisher has a few perks…) “For over 35 years, I've loved the thrill of the chase,” explains Soldati. “Pounding surf. A moonlit night. The sudden strike of a strong fish.” “Even better, I love catching quality keepers,” he continues. “From Maine to Cape Cod, on Block Island and at Montauk...I've caught my share. And I'm always on the lookout for a plug that can consistently catch big fish.” “In 2004 after fishing live eels for the better part of 20 years, I went back to fishing plugs. I wanted to fish a bigger plug to target bigger fish. The bunker schools had been netted up and the primary bait was sand eels, thus the plugs were smaller. Unable to find a supply of bigger plugs, I decided to make my own. The pikie seemed to be the most versatile, and I found that I could make it as big as I wanted and it would still swim well. After Creek Chub closed its doors, the pikie seem underutilized in today’s market.” I only make pikies though I call mine “pikes.” 86 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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Soldati hand paints his plug that are offered in 15 colors (plus custom colors). His plugs receive traditional glass eyes that he imports from Germany. He custom makes the lips from stainless steel to get the desired action. The entire plug is through-wired for strength just like CCBC built their big timber plugs. There are no split rings which create a cleaner profile. Hooks are attached directly to SPRO swivels. Some of the old CCBC patterns are remarkably complex to reproduce. “With the “White Scale”, the scale pattern is white over black so covering a dark color with a lighter color is difficult. It takes many coats and the plug itself has 5 different colors in it. It was also challenging to find the right scale pattern to come as close to the original plug as possible. The same is true to a lesser degree with the “Goldfish”. Of course I use a tied tail on my pikes instead of a treble on the tail. I try to match the colors of my tail to the plug to give it an even bigger profile and a flowing swimming motion.” “I have great respect for the many workers who passed through the Creek Chub factory throughout the years. Their attention to detail and the consistent quality of their work was unmatched. The only other maker to come close was Gibbs, but he did not have the complex color schemes of Creek Chub. Today, you cannot find a wooden plug in the commercial market that compares to the old Creek Chubs; only the custom market fills the void. It has been a thrill to pick a couple of Creek Chub colors each year and replicate them in my Pikes. Not only are they eye-catching, but they catch fish!” July 2017
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When asked if he actually fishes the wooden lures he makes, Soldati said, “I have fished nothing but my own pikes since I first started making them in 2005! I wanted to know in which conditions they would catch and, equally important, when they wouldn’t catch. This encouraged me to improve my pikie line by making Medium and Deep Divers as well as my lipless Sand Pikes.” “Some guys, like myself, just like bigger plugs and believe in the “Big Bait, Big Fish” philosophy. Through my newsletters, seminars and the photos on my website’s “Action Page,” I have made believers of many others. Generally speaking, those who fish my plugs are not casual fishermen. They are experienced anglers who continually seek a competitive edge – from shore, wet-suiting to off-shore rocks and boat fishermen – all along the Atlantic Coast. Fishing bigger plugs has landed me a lot of big fish and led to my 51 pounder taken on a Giant pike during a raging storm.
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Plug Flipping
“People can contact me through my website at www.BigWaterLures.com, says Soldti. “I try to answer many emails though sometimes that is just not possible. And in the interest of full disclosure, I should also add that it is a challenge for me to keep up with the demand for my plugs. I participate in 3 major plug shows (in MA, NY and NJ) and hold about a half dozen or so Internet sales per year. Given the complexity of making these plugs and my standards of quality, this makes it difficult to keep stock on hand. Between plugmaking and my work in the summer/fall as a painting contractor, I am eternally busy.” July 2017
I want to address an ongoing issue that leaves a real sour taste in my mouth. When I sell a plug, I get excited about the fact that guys will have the opportunity to fish it, to have fun with it and to catch some big keepers. That said, I am really unhappy when my plugs are flipped/resold for up to 4 times the price I sold it for. Would I like some of that money? Sure, but that is not the point. To put it bluntly, I think flipping plugs is sleazy. The guys who do it pay some young guys to stand in line at shows, then take the plugs and resell them on eBay. It is unfair to all of the other fishermen trying to get a couple of my plugs to fish and disrespectful to me and my efforts to keep plug prices reasonable to encourage widespread fishing of them. Last word said on this.
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The Transporter W PAUL PRESSON
hen one thinks of kayak fishing, words like tranquil and soothing come to mind. This is not the case in all kayak fishing endeavors. Shark fishing is a whole different world and kayaks have a utilitarian function that play an important role in this type of angling. If you are faint of heart, shark fishing is not for you! When shark fishing from the beach, the word portage does not just mean transporting a vessel to another area over land. Kayaks are an integral part of transporting much of the needed equipment to and from areas that these anglers will fish. As much equipment is placed in and on the kayak as possible. Many times, multiple caddies are used to make it easier to travel long distances on the beach.
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Once the ideal location is found, equipment is unloaded and the tedious setup process begins. Shelters are built and the behemoth rods and reels are placed in PVC rod holders buried deep in the sand. These rod holders are strategically placed equal distances from each other. Lines, leaders, and hooks are checked and rechecked, there is no room for error. Not only is this hard work, but a majority of shark fishing is done in the darkness of night. This creates new challenges unlike any other. July 2017
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Using nothing but headlamps for light makes a difficult task seem near impossible. The combination of sweat, sand, and bugs are just a part of the shark angler's world. With everything set up, it is time to bait the enormous hooks. Whole stingrays caught from previous trips are used to lure these monsters of the deep. Once again, the kayak comes into play. With two way communications, one angler will take an attached bait and kayak out into the darkness. As the angler disappears into the night, nothing but a strobe light can be seen. Through the strong currents and swells the kayaking angler is directed by the beach support team. When the proper distance and water depth are reached for the ideal shark fishing, the order to drop bait is exclaimed. This “transporting� is done repeatedly for every rod and reel that are setup on the beach.
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In the darkness of night, glow sticks are attached to the line so that if a shark takes the bait, there is a visual indicator. In most cases, the screaming of the enormous reels will send the team running. When a shark is on the line, patience is imperative. An experienced shark angler knows how long to let these beasts chew on the bait. The angler is now ready and with a mighty tug, the hook is set. If the pull from the shark is too strong, team members will assist by placing a fighting belt on the fishing angler. As if the transporting of equipment and setup were not enough, now it is time for the fight of their lives. Depending on the species and size of the shark, this battle can take hours. After all this work, there is always the possibility of the shark breaking free or being cut off by boaters unaware of the ensuing engagement. When and if the angler has the fortitude to pull these giant man eaters to the beach, the team jumps into action.
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The process of species identification, measuring, photographing, and tagging begin. When this has been completed, the safe release of the shark is of the utmost importance. The team's passion for shark fishing, makes this undergoing worth doing again and again. This is the life of the members of team LowTide, a four-angler crew that travels throughout the Southeastern United States competing against other shark anglers from every corner of the world. They fish areas that have been fruitful in the past and will deploy the team in a moment’s notice when they receive large shark sightings. The cost of the equipment is staggering, this means that winning competitions and being recognized by sponsors is mandatory for the team’s survival. These are not your typical weekend warrior anglers, this is a way of life for these individuals. It is a dirty, rugged, lifestyle and these team members are a breed of their own. On several occasions, the team has caught sharks that could have been record breaking. They collectively decided to take measurements and release, instead of killing these creatures for their own notoriety. They have a great appreciation for sharks and want them to grow and flourish. 98 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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Team LowTide is not just about winning competitions. They are all aware of the importance of conservation and preservation. They work hand in hand with wildlife enforcement and marine biologists, sharing locations, trends, and behaviors of the sharks caught throughout the Southeastern United States. It is amazing, the different types of fishing that can be done by the use of a kayak. The next time you are out, just think what it would be like, having a giant, hooked, stingray sitting inches from you. This being accomplished while you are paddling into the darkness of night, fighting currents and swells. These individuals are fishing for creatures that most of us want to stay as far away from as possible. These anglers are truly, warriors on and off of the water!
Team LowTide
Lane Carter Chance Martin Christopher Leigh Xtremebraid
July 2017
Clayton Watts
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ne of the fun parts about being an Old Fart Fisherman is discovering unique fishing tackle. This is especially true of terminal tackle. While Strike Pro has been around since the early 1970’s, I was not savvy enough in such matters to know much about this tackle makers. That changed early this year though when I was made aware of the terrific line up of baits offered by this Italy based company. FYI, while we here in the USA and Canada have been casting away thinking we were the world’s only recreational fishermen of merit, with little fanfare, an interest in angling has exploded like an A-bomb from Ireland to Mongolia. European and Asian angling interest has incubated a legion of tackle makers that in no way take backseat to what has been and is developed in the good ole US of A. If you continue on here, put five wraps of duct tape around your head to prepare to have your mind blown. Strike Pro’s offering of terminal tackle is as inclusive and big as any bait maker in the world. For the purpose of introducing them to the readers of Southern Kayak Fishing, we are limiting it to a handful of their hard baits for fresh and saltwater that---how shall we say it---blew us away. By the way, you are being spared exposure to their line of soft baits, lines and angling tools.
Needle Jointed If you yak fish the South Atlantic around Florida to Louisiana, the desire to get your hands on a supply of Strike Pro Needlefish is likely to cost you a lot of sleep. Needlefish lures have been around for generations, but these linguini thin baits with their unique tail paddles are, hands down, our favorites. With their uniquely articulating body, these sinking lures are ultra-deadly on snook and speckled trout. Its paddle tail gives this Needlefish impostor a lifelike wiggle that is irresistible to big fish. Available in 5.5”, 8” and 9.5”, these dainty but tough baits feature stainless hardware and corrosion resistant VMC hooks. The larger, 9.5” models have 3 hooks, and features double loops at each joint for added strength. The color pattern on these willow wisps far exceeds stateof-the-art categorization. Yeah, we know---you’re blown away, eh?
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Salmonid Minnow Mamma mia, the Salmonid Minnow is one spicy meatbait. Without a doubt, this 5.5-inches lipless bait is one of the most life-like lures ever produced. This swimbait looks extremely lifelike, and its animated action is impossible for big bass to resist. Features include festuting rubber fins and tail, live eyes, internal sonic rattle and double jointed for perfect action. If you are hooked on swimbaits, this lure sets a new benchmark in lure design and technology. The Salmonid Minnow is perfectly balanced, looks so real that it is damned near dazzling. Flex Phantom If you like lasagna with lots of layers, you’re going to love Strike Pro Flex Phantom. With articulation taken to stratospheric levels, it is Strike Pro's new generation joint lure that combines art, technology and an environment friendly material. Offered in 3.5”, 5.1” and 6.7” models, Flex Phanton has an exceptionally realistic swim action and overall ‘bait fish’ appearance. This hefty hard bait’s 10 connected joints are really strong and reliable— truly up to the rough treatment it will attract from black bass and stripers.
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Flex X That the latter will not jump out of your hand is the biggest difference in a life shiner and a Strike Pro Flex X. The Mr. Slinky toy of fishing lures, the the Flex X’s limber secret it is Strike Pro’s patented “bike chain” joint system that gives it an unbelievably realistic swimming motion. Because of its minnow shape and wide selection of colors, the Flex X is the most versatile hard plastic lure on the market. It comes equipped with corrosion resistant VMC hooks ,so it can be fished for just about any inshore saltwater of freshwater species. Seeing is believing when it comes to using this remarkable bait . Bonehead At first we weren’t sure if the Strike Pro Bonehead was catching fish or catching fishermen who wear caps and T-shirts sporting fish skeleton designs. One morning of casting to migrating cobia off of Orange Beach, Alabama, answered that question. Despite a cartoonist look, the Bonehead is a bona fide big fish killer. Its long articulated “vertebrate” eel-like shape was conceived to mimic sand eels, grass eels, and other eel shaped creatures. Available 6”, 7”, and 9” versions, the Bonehead utilizes Strike Pro’s “bike chain” joint system. Corrosion resistant VMC hooks make it a great choice for striped bass on the East Coast, and for cobia and Dorado on the Gulf. July 2017
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Shrimp The Strike Pro Shrimp is a realistic shrimp/prawn imitation which has been designed to suspend at 2’ depths. We field tested these along the inlet water of the coast of Georgia, finding them to be highly effective on speckle trout. This lure has proved deadly when fishing over shallow flats or over the top of weed beds on a number of estuary as well as freshwater species. Its dead-on look and realistic profile make it a sure bet for speckled trout. Pop'n Prop & Twitchin Prop Pop’n Prop and Twitchin Prop are Strike Pro’s deadly combination of 2” surface poppers with water churning rear propellers. Constructed from wood for durability, when retrieved the Pop’s Prop and Twitchin Prop splash and spray as it creates noise and vibration in the water attracting attention of predators from a surprising distance. They are available in fifteen color patterns. If top water action is your passion, the propeller tailed midgets are for you. 104 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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With over 30 years of experience combined with technique exchanged from Japan, Strike Pro has become the benchmark for lure quality. With over 500 models and 4,000 different color patterns, Strike Pro has the right combination for you. Reasonable price and prompt delivery can satisfy your needs as well. Strike Pro produces a huge range of quality baits. They are the secret weapons in your tackle box. To explore the complete Strike Pro offering of baits and tackle, visit http://www.strikepro. com
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Kayaks Launches SS Series Fishing Yaks
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veteran team of industry professionals unveiled the first model in the Bonafide Kayak’s new SS series of fishing kayaks at the 2017 ICAST trade show in Orlando, Florida. The Greenville, South Carolina based company is a well-known leader in the kayak fishing world. “Our focus from day one has been to build kayaks that are optimized for fishability,” says Bonafide Kayaks CEO Luther Cifers. “To get there, we knew we needed to execute well on performance, features and form. That meant taking risks, trying new things, measuring the results and following the data. The final results are in, and we’re ready to show the kayak fishing community why we think we’ve built the ultimate fishing platform.” July 2017
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A well-known leader in the kayak fishing space, CEO Luther Cifers has more than 20 years of experience in manufacturing, engineering and business development. His manufacturing companies have appeared on the INC5000 list of the fastest growing privately held companies in the Unites States twice, and he intends for Bonafide Kayaks to follow that pattern. “We’ve assembled one of the most talented and experienced teams I’ve ever worked with, and together we have built what I can only describe as a great company and an incredible fishing kayak.” The Bonafide management team includes Jake Fuller as Product Manager, Hans Nutz as Design Manager, and Matt Montaruli as Engineering Manager. Veteran kayak anglers Bobby Clark and Chad Hoover will captain the roster of the Bonafide Kayaks promotional team, bringing a high level of respect and exposure to the brand, and infusing extensive on-the-water and competitive angling experience into the product development process. “The definition of Bonafide is authentic, genuine and real,” says Product Manager Jake Fuller. “Those words describe perfectly who we are and how we operate. We are working hard to ensure our products and customer service are true to our commitments-true to this sport, and true to the kayak angler.” The first two Bonafide Kayaks products to roll out to anglers are the
SS127 and the SS107. The first in the Sit | Stand series, the SS127 and SS107 are designed for versatility. The team says they perform well in a wide range of fishing conditions, and are the result of months of R&D and performance testing. “These days, kayak anglers are looking for maximum stability,” says Cifers. “The problem is that achieving great stability usually means losing in another area, like reduced paddling performance or added weight. We wanted uncompromised stability. So we tried some things. We developed ways to rapidly create prototypes for testing. We measured critical performance characteristics such as stability and speed. We set out to “crack the code” on hull performance and we think we have achieved that with our new hybrid cat hull design.”Perspective 1.jpg Although stability and paddling performance were major areas of focus, fishing performance was of equal importance. Having developed the right hull, the team then set out to execute on fishing-friendly features. Some of the key developments they say create the ultimate in fishability are the sliding under-the-seat JunkDrawer, DryPod removable console, Doubleheader hinges that allow easy access to the bow hatch, multi-rod and paddle management points, HiRise seating with an ultra-high bass boat-like position, and PerchPads which provide an additional standing position on top of the gunwhales for stand-up paddling and sight fishing. July 2017
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“If you want to build the right product, you have to understand the application and you have to know how to listen,” says Fuller. “We are listening.”
SS127 SPECS Length: 12.7 FT. Width: 33.5 IN. Weight: 75 LBS. Capacity: 475 LBS. Deck Height: 11.5 IN. MSRP: $1599 110 l Southern Kayak Fishing
SS107 SPECS Length: 10’7” Width: 34.5” Deck Height: 15.5” Weight: 67 lbs. Capacity: 425 lbs. MSRP: $1299
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Bonafide Kayaks is in the final stages of setting up its rotomolding plant. “We knew that no matter what we did, we would manufacture our kayaks in the USA,” says Cifers. “This is an exciting moment for us, and we’re looking forward to serving our customers, growing our team, and seeing what we can accomplish together.” More information on Bonafide Kayaks can be found on their website www. bonafidekayaks.com. July 2017
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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