Inside: Featured Kayak Fishing Destination - Texas
Southern Kayak Fishing issue #8
www.sokayakfishing.com
In this Issue: *Kayak Fishing Off the Beach *Kayak Fishing in Mexico *10-foot Kayaks
Mau/June 2016
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 May 2016
Editor’s Message
From the Editor
I
t’s late spring going into summer in the South, and there’s no better time for anglers to hop in the ‘yaks and head to the water. The staff here at Southern Kayak Fishing has been fortunate enough this spring to visit a number of great places for kayak anglers- from coastal Texas to the marshes and bayous of Louisiana and Alabama to the cypress lined rivers of Florida- and that’s not even mentioning the small fresh water creeks and lakes we’ve visited.
It’s obvious that here in the South, we are blessed with more wonderful waters to experience as we strive to find and catch the great game fish which call the South home. We’d like to invite all kayak anglers- and especially those who are just thinking about getting into the kayak fishing game- to make plans to visit some waters a bit farther away from home. It’s entirely possible for kayak anglers to load up the boat and gear and hit the road and be in totally different kayak fishing conditions with just a few hours’ travel. (continued) June 2016
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Editor’s Message
Southern
Kayak Fishing Editor
(cont.)
This wide range of kayak fishing possibilities we have here in the South is what Southern Kayak Fishing is all about. We want to find out about different places and different ways of kayak fishing so we can share this information with our readers.
Ed Mashburn Edmashburn@aol.com Publisher Don Kirk Don@Southerntrout.com Managing Editor Leah Kirk Leah@Southerntrout.com So with this idea in mind, we’d 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 2016 Southern Unlimited, LLC All rights reserved.
www.SoKayakFishing.com
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like to invite all of our readers to give us a call or send us an email telling us about the special kayak fishing places you’d like to share. We’ll do the grunt work of researching the suggestions and putting the articles together, but we need your help to find these special places. Oh, and as always, we’d like to remind all kayak anglers- have that PFD on board, and wear it. So, we’re looking forward to seeing you out on the water this summer.
This Issue Editor’s Letter
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Bream Fishing from a Kayak 8 The River of the Arms of God 20 Kayak Hacks 30 Night Fishing - Lights, Action! Springtime River Bass Fishing 42 A Kayak Makes It Better! Bass on the Fly Fishing Tournament Kayak Fishing off the Beach Making It Through the Surf
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Featured Kayak Shop Austin Canoe and Kayak
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Featured Kayak Artist Ty Southerland
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Gear Review Ben’s UltraNet Non-Chemical Biting Bug Protection
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Featured Kayak Perception Pescador Pro 12
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Headin’ South Kayak Fishing in Mexico
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Featured Kayak Gear 110 iBall Trailer Hitch Camera
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I Should Have Bought A Lottery Ticket
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Rockport, Texas 128 Coastal Kayak Fishing at Its Best Sometimes, Less is More Ten-Foot Kayaks
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MBKFA 136 Mobile Bay Kayak Fishing Association RIVER ACCESS 142 A Point of Great Importance to Kayak Anglers
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Bream Fishing from a Kayak- It’s a Perfect Match By Alex Grandpere
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could see the swirls of big spawning bream, but they were fifty yards along the shoreline from where I stood. There was a dense swamp between me and the fish, and I couldn’t approach them. I wished for some way to access these fish, because I knew I could catch them if I could just get close enough. I needed a kayak...
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How to Find Bream from the ‘Yak
Finding bream is easy in May and June- this is the spawning time for bream, and they are particularly easy for kayak anglers to catch now. Bream live everywhere in freshwater in the South, and no matter what particular variety of bream is present- bluegills, redbellies, warmouth, or big old mean red ears- a kayak makes finding catchable bream much easier. First, in the spring, look for round, cleared spots on the bottom of the lake, stream, pond or roadside ditch that is being fished. These are spawning beds that the bream make, and a kayak angler can load a bucket with spawners. And don’t worry that you’re hurting the population of bream if you catch and keep a mess of bream for a fish fry. Kayak anglers next need to look for wood in the water. Downed trees, old sunken logs, even wooden docks all will attract and hold bream. Fish as close to the wooden structure as possible for best results. Many times kayak anglers can use their ears to locate bream. On still afternoons in the spring and summer, there is often a chorus of quiet “pops” which can be heard from a surprisingly far distance. These “pops” are the sound bream make when they eat bugs off the surface, and a kayak angler can quietly paddle close enough to the feeding area to make a cast. 12 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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How to Fish for Bream from a Kayak
For best results when fishing for bream from a kayak, go with light tackle. Six pound test line is fine in most cases.
Ultra-light spinning gear is a world of fun when it comes to catching bream from the ‘yak. A nine-foot long 5 weight fly rod is more fun for bream fishing than the law should allow. By the way, when casting a fly rod, try to cast down the long run of the kayakfrom stern to bow. Casting a fly rod across the side can be pretty tricky, and it can put an angler off balance. So at least at first when starting to fly fish for bream from a kayak, just be sure and fish from back to front. For fly rodders, it’s hard to beat a small yellow popping bug. Throw the bug out and let it sit. Let it sit a while longer, usually a fat bream will ease up and inhale the bug as it sits still on the surface. For spinning gear, tiny spinners can be deadly on bream. Also, little 1/32 oz jigs with soft plastic grub bodies will catch a whole lot of bream. Tiny little crankbaits- especially the orange and brown colored crawfish imitations- are irristable to bream of all kinds. June 2016
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Kayaks- the Ultimate Bream Catching Craft
Kayaks give angler access to bream that otherwise couldn’t be reached. There’s always that place on a creek or pond that a land-based angler can’t reach. A kayak allows an angler to approach the best spots for bream, and then to quietly make a cast and put the bait or lure before fish that are usually safe from anglers. The optimum advantage of a kayak is that it’s quiet. Bream are not the brightest of fish, but the big ones don’t get big by being stupid. A kayak permits anglers to approach a spot, sit quietly with no disturbance until everything calms down, and then put the lure in front of the fish. And that’s when things get fun. 16 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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FLY DESIGNER
BOB MALLARD AUTHOR OF GEARHEAD COLUMN
NO MISS MOUSE
June 2016
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Southern Kayak Fishing
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ATH YOUR ‘YAK?
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featured destination
The River of the Arms of God By Clint Taylor
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featured destination
I e
have paddled and fished many rivers in Texas, and each river has its own unique aspect to it. The Guadalupe River has beautiful cypress trees with a nice ‘creek-like’ atmosphere in many areas. The Llano River has large granite formations with clean flowing water carving the way. The Devils River is in a category all by itself, encompassing the clearest water you can find in Texas with a combination of large cliffs, a remote desert, and the southernmost point in Texas to catch a smallmouth Bass. Each river has something different to offer¬¬¬. Sometimes there is compromise, such as having great scenery but not the best fishing, or perhaps spectacular fishing but not the best atmosphere of scenery and location. There are a few rivers that seem to have all the right qualities though; just the perfect amount of scenery in conjunction with great fishing that forms an ideal location to spend the day on your kayak. Such a river is the Brazos River that flows through the Palo Pinto Mountains in Texas.
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featured destination
The Brazos River was named by Spanish explorers as “Rio de los Brazos de Dios”, which translates to “The River of the Arms of God”. With its headwaters being sourced in New Mexico and the mouth of the river exiting into the Gulf of Mexico, the Brazos River is the eleventh longest river in the United States at 840 miles and has quite a large river basin. Along its path you will find streams, creeks, and other Texas rivers that make the Brazos River large and wide when you get closer to the coast. Most people probably would not recognize the Brazos River as a place that I would venture out to fish, as I specialize in clear rivers with rock bottoms. However, there are a few spots on the Brazos River that will definitely fit into my forte of rivers. The primary location that I try to fish is below Possum Kingdom Lake in Palo Pinto County in the Palo Pinto Mountain Range. Although named a ‘mountain range’, the Palo Pinto Mountains are more like a section of very large cliffs and hills. No doubt they are pretty big though, as the highest point of elevation is just over 1,400 feet. No matter if they truly are mountains or more so cliffs and hills, they are beautiful and make a great landscape. The cedar trees and large boulders that run along this section of the Brazos make for a western scenery, and this is more fact than fiction, as this area is where a large amount of Comanche Indians used to live. For the most part, the Brazos River is somewhat muddy, especially further south in Texas, but in the Palo Pinto Mountains the water runs quite clear and cool. The water is indescribable at times, as the water color is very unique and different from just being clear or stained. Where the Devils River is really best described as just clear with a blue-green tint, the Brazos River has almost a copper color to the water. You will find a lot of gravel islands and very large boulders in the water that make the topography of the river pretty rugged. All of these reasons combine to form one aspect of why I enjoy going to the Brazos River so much, but this is only part of what the Brazos River encompasses.
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featured destination
The primary fish to target on the Brazos River for me are the largemouth, spotted, and striped Bass. There is actually a holdover population of trout that run these water as well from a state stocking program, and every once and a while I try to hook one. As for how the fishing is, I would have to say it could be the best in all of the rivers that I have fished. This is a bold statement to make, but it seems like every time I go I am hooking four pound bass or bigger. The other factor that contributes to the great fishing is how hard the fish fight. Fish fight a little different depending on location, and the Brazos River must be in a good location for strong bass as they fight very hard – especially the spotted bass which naturally put up a slightly better fight than largemouth bass. In fact, the Brazos River has been so successful for me, that out of all the trips I have made to the Brazos River I have caught at least one decent bass. Some occasions prove to be a little more successful than others though. Not too long ago I was fishing the Brazos River and landed the biggest bass I ever have. I was using a Strike King square bill crank bait matched up with thirty pound braided line on my Abu Garcia reel and a Lightning Rod. The water temperature this day was quite frigid and not much was happening, but on one cast by a drop-off with several large boulders I hooked a monster. At first I thought I had got snagged on one of the boulders, but a good square bill crank bait hardly lets that happen; this was no exception. I ended up having a twelve pound largemouth bass on the end of my line with my fifteen pound drag set to full max being overpowered massively. Thankfully I had a beefy setup with my medium heavy rod and thirty pound braid.
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featured destination
It took a long while before I actually caught a glimpse of the giant, but when I did I knew that I hooked into the fish of a lifetime. I was thinking about the possibility of the line breaking for some reason even though I was running heavy duty braid, or some other sort of equipment failure. Eventually, I was able to reel him in to my Jackson Kayak Big Tuna and had my dad land him for me. I couldn’t believe just how big the bass was, especially when I looked on a database that night to find that I had broken the record of the largest largemouth bass caught on the Brazos River by over two pounds. Unfortunately, I only hold the unofficial record for this fish, but I am just glad I had the opportunity to catch it. This isn’t the only extraordinary fish that I got to witness first hand though. After a long week of college with multiple tests and a lot of homework I decided to go fishing with my dad. He was fishing a small outfit that was a 5’ 6” light action spinning rod with a small reel and four pound test for trout and spotted bass in the flowing parts of the river. Matched with a small 1/16 oz. Rooster Tail, my dad hooked a big four pound largemouth bass. Of course, this is not quite as big as a twelve pound fish, but when you consider hooking it on the setup that he did, it was quite an accomplishment that he even landed it. It took all of the little rod’s power, as it was bent like a rainbow for most of the multi-minute fight. I can’t believe that he landed it on such a small rod and I can only imagine what a fight it was to reel in a fish like that.
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The big fish certainly make the journey worth telling a story, but the beauty of some of the smaller fish really help to keep me coming back time after time. One of my favorite aspects about the style of fishing that I do is that it involves both kayak fishing and wade fishing. I really use my kayak as a means to fish water that is too deep to walk, but when I am shallow water you will definitely find me wade fishing. Using smaller outfits such as the 5’ 6” rod that my dad caught that big four pound largemouth bass makes for the ideal setup for fishing the shallow flowing water on the Brazos River. There is a lot of sections like this on this area of the Brazos River, and I enjoy trying to throw some small Rooster Tails for spotted bass and occasionally trout. The colors on the fish are extremely vibrant as well, as the fish seem to be some of the healthiest in Texas. I think this is primarily due to the Brazos River always having good flow in this area. Spotted bass make for exceptionally good patterns as they have dark spots on their sides that give them their name. The fish in the flowing parts are never too big, but the amount of enjoyment I get from catching them is unquestionably big. In all reality, some of the greatest moments I have fished on the Brazos River are when I land some of these smaller spotted bass in shallow water. It really expresses the art of fishing and finding enjoyment in all that fishing incorporates – the scenery, the water, the fish, the beauty, and the time spent with friends and family. 26 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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When you combine all that the Brazos River has to offer, it is something special. Picturesque scenery in conjunction with some of the strongest, healthiest, and biggest fish in Texas make it one of my top fishing locations; right alongside the Devils River. God certainly has given the State of Texas a lot to be proud of, and for me the Brazos River in the Palo Pinto Mountain Range makes me appreciate all that I can do in the Lone Star State and be thankful for the opportunity that I have to fish such a body of water. In the end, it really isn’t the amount of fish, the size of fish that you catch, or the scenery that makes a great fishing spot; it is the memories that are made on the water from the great fishing and scenery, and the time you get to spend in nature with friends and family. In its simplest form, the Brazos River through the Palo Pinto Mountains is the definition of all of this – the Rio de los Brazos de Dios.
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B
efore you silently slip your boat into the water at sunset and proudly flip the switch to show off every ounce of creative talent expressed by an array of lights rivalling the Las Vegas strip … don’t. Most things that float are vessels and all vessels are subject to a complex and technically detailed set of regulations – even paddled kayaks. Hence, not a single DIY navigation light configuration you see on YouTube is compliant – nada, nix, zero. All violations. No hacks. Why? None use certified lights, many of the colors and flash patterns are non-standard and their use could result in a civil penalty of up to $5,000 and potential seizure of the kayak.
Kayak Hacks – Night Fishing Lights, Action! By Steve Moore
While there are exceptions triggering compliance with the “International” rules (Florida Keys, most of Puget Sound, anything in Alaska), kayaks used at night must comply with the US Coast Guard’s “Inland” navigation regulations. The type, color, flash pattern and placement of lights must meet very specific requirements. After all, if you mistakenly display a particular flashing pattern using a yellow beacon, your kayak might be mistaken for a submarine! Blue light? Reserved for law enforcement. Detailed rules ensure repeatability for all mariners, establishing a critical common understanding of how to react to other vessels at night. “I’m just fishing in the river or the Intracoastal, why is that important?” Plenty of commerce moves up rivers. For example, on the Cape Fear River in North Carolina, container ships from all over the world slip by flounder and red drum hot spots as they trundle goods up to the port in Wilmington. Likewise, large boats cruise up and down the Intracoastal Waterway from all over the east coast, Canada and even the Caribbean. All are invisible at night except for the required lights and those lights drive navigational behavior. June 2016
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The USCG does not test or certify lights – it establishes the requirements manufacturers must prove using a USCG approved independent test laboratory. If successful, the manufacturer may claim USCG certification. For example, the Navisafe series of DIY friendly LED lights successfully passed the certification tests and proudly shares the test results on its website (http://tinyurl.com/ ExampleCertification). Pervasive ignorance regarding standards caused the Coast Guard to issue a safety alert last year to remind recreational boaters to check the light to verify the manufacturer put it through the appropriate tests. On larger lights, all of the following data should be visible on the light without removing it from its mount. For the smaller lights appropriate for a kayak installation, this same information should appear on or inside the package with the light itself marked as “USCG” along with the certified range of visibility in nautical miles (ex. “USCG 2NM”): 34 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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• • • • • • • •
USCG Approval 33 CFR 183.810 Number of Model MEETS ABYC A-16 or equivalent Visibility of the light in nautical miles TESTED BY (an approved laboratory) Date on which the light was type-tested Name of the light manufacturer Identification and specification of the bulb used in the compliance test.
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The alert specifically calls out the problems associated with the LEDs at the core of DIY kayak solutions. In fact, YouTube is full of videos showing all sorts of haphazardly organized white, red and green lights - all fail since they lack manufacturer certification. Certified lights may be installed as long as the placement conforms to the requirements in Annex 1. Creatively sticking a flashlight or lantern on a pole does not cut it. Sadly, you may have to dig to determine if the light is certified. In general, do not trust reseller websites since their information may be out of date or their own optimistic interpretation. Go directly to the manufacturer to see if the product has an affirmative statement of USCG compliance or a National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) listing. If listed by NMMA, it complies with ABCY A-16 and is good to go. Motorized kayaks must show an “all-round white light and sidelights” with clearly defined minimum characteristics. Rule 22 prescribes the white light be visible for two miles and the sidelight has to been seen one mile away. Annex I to the Navigation Rules specifies how each must be installed to obtain the required visibility. For example, the white light must be at least one meter (39.37 inches) above the sidelights.
The only requirement for a paddler (vessel under oars) is the paddler must have “an all-round white light or have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.” Interestingly, there are no specifications for the flashlight or lantern. The USCG leaves that to the judgement of the kayaker whose selfish interest in staying alive should motivate carrying a high quality light. Extrapolating from the implied flexibility for paddlers, an incorrect assumption is that any white light may be installed anywhere. Not so. As soon as the white light is mounted to the kayak with the intent of meeting the regulation, it becomes an “all-round white light” and must meet the visibility and positioning requirements (remember the need for repeatability for all mariners?). The electric torch/lantern is handheld and turned on when needed; not attached. An important point is paddled kayaks should not display sidelights with an all-round light since that combination indicates a powered vessel. Without using a motor, the only time sidelights are correct is when a white stern light (white light beaming rearward on a 135° arc) is used; telling other mariners the vessel is either a sailboat or under oars.
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Regardless of whether the kayak is motorized or not, when operating at night, there are two additional important rules. First, if you anchor to fish in a navigable waterway, you must display a certified all-round white light regardless of whether you have a motor or not. This is additive for a paddler who many only have the torch/lantern. Specifically, if you anchor “in or near a narrow channel, fairway, anchorage, where other vessels normally navigate�, you must display a certified, two nautical mile all-round white light. Not in one of those locations? No light required. Second, you must have a visual distress signal. 33 CFR 175.110 contains the requirements with a list of acceptable solutions in 33 CFR 175.130. To summarize, kayaks must be able to show a visual distress signal between sunset and sunrise. Note that there is still plenty of light at sunset; the rule kicks in before dark. While 33 CFR 175.130 includes various flares (need 3) meeting the standards of 46 CFR 160, the easiest way to satisfy the requirement is to carry a distress light. It must meet a number of criteria including intensity, independent power, floatation and waterproof switch (46 CFR 161.013). Clearly, the little LED light you got for free at Harbor Freight not is not good enough. Follow the recommendations of the safety alert, look at the package and make sure the distress light meets all the requirements. After all, it is a distress signal and if you need to 36 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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use it, you are already in big trouble. The DIY friendly Navisafe Portable Navi Light 360 Degree Rescue Glow in the Dark LED light ($62.95) meets the standard for both the distress light as well as the all-round light.
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Final quickies: • It is NEVER a good idea to put lights on your paddle since the erratic, moving display will confuse other boaters. • This article only discussed the shared, common requirements established by the USCG. Your state may have more rules additive to the USCG baseline. • If you have any specific questions or concerns, contact your local USCG Sector Office. Note: For these as well as previous hacks, visit the “Kayak Hacks” YouTube Channel to see videos with specifics organized into playlists for each issue of the magazine.
Department of Homeland Security: United States Coast Guard, Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook (August 2014 edition), 33 USC 2072, paragraph a, Rule 23, paragraph d, 143. United States Coast Guard, Marine Safety Alert 10-15 (November 2015), 1-2. Ibid, 1. Navigation Rules, Rule 23, paragraph d, 43. (The Inland criteria is stricter than International and is not a mistake.) Ibid, Rule 22, section 83.22, paragraph c, 37. Ibid, Annex I, section 84.02, paragraph d, 113. Navigation Rules, Rule 25, section 83.25, paragraph d(ii), 65. Ibid, Rule 25, section 83.25, paragraph (b), 61. Navigation Rules, Rule 30, section 83.30, paragraph b, 91. Ibid, Rule 30, section 83.30, paragraph e, 93. Ibid, 93. Government Publishing Office, Code of Federal Regulations, 33 CFR 175.110. Ibid, Rule 20, section 83.20, paragraph b, 33.
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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
7th ANNUAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
BASS ON THE FLY FISHING TOURNAMENT LAKE FORK, TEXAS, USA at Lake Fork Marina SATURDAY
MAY 7, 2016
6:00AM- 2:00PM
*****RODS, REELS AND FLIES MUST BE EXCLUSIVELY FOR FLY FISHING. ***** *****THIS IS A CATCH-PHOTO-RELEASE TOURNAMENT.***** CATEGORIES: BOATERS: 1-2 PERSON TEAM, 5-FISH PHOTOS, TOTAL LENGTH; BIG BASS. NON-BOATERS*: INDIVIDUAL, 5-FISH PHOTOS, TOTAL LENGTH; BIG BASS. (*kayak, float tube, pontoon, or bank fishermen. No power.) CLUB TROPHY: 3 BIG FISH, total length for Club/Organization. COST: $60/PERSON, includes $5 big bass pot. Optional $5 big sunfish pot. PAYOUT: 1-$1200, 2nd-$800, 3-$500, 4-$300, 5-$200, 6-10 $100. Big Bass - $300, $200. (Based on 100 entries.) PLANNED ACTIVITIES: FRIDAY - 10am-4pm FREE CASTING CLINICS HOURLY, PRODUCT BOOTHS, KAYAK DEMOS, CASTING CONTESTS FOR PRIZES; SATURDAY - 9am-NOON FREE CASTING CLINICS HOURLY, KAYAK DEMOS, DRAWING FOR PRIZES AFTER WEIGH-IN. FRIDAY - 3-6pm optional BIG SUNFISH TOURNEY $10. REGISTRATION: MAIL to Bass on the Fly, P.O.Box 173, Yantis, TX 75497. If received by April 16 get FREE BASS FLY AND ELIGIBLE FOR DRAWING FOR A NEW FLY ROD. ON SITE registration Noon-9:00PM Friday or 5-6:00AM Saturday, cash only. CHECK-IN:ALL CONTESTANTS MUST CHECK-IN AT THE TOURNAMENT SITE FRIDAY or before 6:00am SATURDAY. Your camera must be able to connect to a hdmi or usb port to display your photos on a laptop. Check the website, www.bassonthefly.org, for more info. or contact twarren60@gmail.com. ENDORSED BY THE FEDERATION OF FLY FISHERS - TEXAS COUNCIL. SPONSORS: Temple Fork Fly Rods, Skeeter Boats, Umpqua Flies, Tailwaters, Brothers Flies, Ranger Boats, Cabela's, Simms, Redington, Rio Lines, Mariner-Sails, Lake Fork Marina, Lone Star Fly Fishers, Cliffs, Sage Rods and Gypsy Jack Lures. Produced by Bass on The Fly, LLC
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WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BASS ON THE FLY FISHING TOURNAMENT 2016 OFFICIAL RULES 1. RULE ENFORCEMENT: Interpretation and enforcement of these rules shall be left exclusively to the Tournament Director and his decision will be FINAL IN ALL MATTERS. All federal, state and local laws must be obeyed. All bass caught by contestants fishing together in one boat will be disqualified if any of the said contestants are found to be in violation of any tournament rules or laws. 2. PARTICIPANTS: This tournament may be fished as a boater individual or 2-man team or as a non-boater individual. Payout will be determined by the number of entries in each category. A club/organization must have three two-man teams or three individuals to be eligible to receive the club trophy based on the total length of the three biggest bass (one/team, one /individual). No one who has been a guide for pay on Lake Fork within 1 year may participate. 3. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND DRUGS: At no time during tournament hours are any alcoholic beverages or drugs, other than prescription, allowed in the boat or to be consumed while on the water. Violation of this rule will result in immediate disqualification and forfeiture of entry fees. 4. SPORTSMANSHIP: All contestants are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and conservation. Any contestant who displays poor sportsmanship, violates these rules or any state or local laws will be disqualified. 5. BOATS & MOTORS: No engine may exceed the BIA horsepower rating for the boat on which it is used. All boats must meet U.S. Coast Guard and state regulations, and have an emergency kill switch. 6. SAFETY: BOATING SAFETY MUST BE OBSERVED AT ALL TIMES. A USCG approved life preserver must be on and fastened any time the combustible engine is operative, and the kill switch must be attached to the driver. Contestants fishing out of a kayak, float tube or pontoon must wear a life preserver at all times. 7. TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT: All fish must be caught in a legal sporting manner. Trolling with combustion engine is prohibited. ONLY RODS AND REELS, LINE AND FLIES DESIGNED EXCLUSIVELY FOR FLY FISHING MAY BE USED. No soft plastic baits, or any other type of bait, customarily used for fishing with other types of rod and reels may be used. No live or prepared bait is permitted. Liquid fish attractants are allowed. Only one (1) rod may be used at any one time. 8. PROTESTS: All protests must be submitted in writing to the tournament director within 15 minutes of the final weigh-in. 9. POLYGRAPH: All contestants are subject to a polygraph test. Failure to submit to one will result in disqualification. 10. SCORING: If entered as a boater one or two-man team, your score is the total length of your biggest 5 fish for the team. If entered as a non-boater individual your score is the total length of your biggest 5 fish. Only largemouth bass should be photographed. Fish should be quickly released and not brought to the weigh-in. A team’s/individual’s longest bass will be determined for the big bass pot. Contestants may bring their fish photos in at any time, but no later than 2:00 pm. All ties will result in the awards being combined and divided equally between the respective teams 11. MEASURING OF FISH: Bass should be photo'd on a metal or plastic measuring board, mouth closed and touching the left end of the scale, tail compressed to achieve greatest length and your ID tag must be showing. Contestant must make every effort to release their fish alive after measuring. See additional catch-photo-release rules on the web site and registration site. Homemade, retractable, wooden, folding and sliding devices are not acceptable. 12. PERMITTED FISHING WATERS: No fishing is allowed inside the host marina area. Fishing is restricted to the navigable waters of Lake Fork only. Boats may be trailered to and from the weigh-in. No fishing is allowed within 25 yards of another contestant. Switching or sharing fish with other contestants or individuals will result in immediate disqualification. 13. REGISTRATION: Registration may be by check by mail to “Bass on the Fly” P.O.Box 173, Yantis, TX 75497 if received no later than April 16, 2016. Registration may be made at the tournament site Noon-9:00PM Friday or 5:00-6:00AM Saturday, cash only. All contestants MUST check-in with their camera at the tournament headquarters during official registration hours. 14. FISHING HOURS: 6:00AM-2:00PM Saturday. Contestants may launch at the site of their choice no earlier than 5:00AM . Contestants must be in the weigh-in line no later than 2:00PM. 15. OFF LIMITS: 7:00PM Friday-5:00AM Saturday. 16. ENTRY FEE: The entry fee is $60 per individual whether fishing as a two-man team or an individual. The tournament will be held regardless of weather conditions and there will be no refunds of entry fees. The organizer and tournament director reserve the right to accept or reject any entry. 17. ASSISTANCE: During hours of competition, contestants may not receive fishing information from other competitors or non-competitors or participate in the practice of “hole sitting.” 2/4/16. ___________________________________________________________Official Entry Form________________________________________________ __________ I have read and understand the Official Rules of this tournament. I also understand that tournament officials may reject my application for any reason, and in that event will refund my entry fee. I understand and acknowledge that competitive fishing is a dangerous sport, the risks of which include, though not exclusively, drowning, collisions in the water, and injuries from hooks and other fishing equipment. I voluntarily assume responsibility for these risks, identified and not identified, and all risk of injury or death or damage to myself, or my property, or to others, including spectators and their property, arising from my participation in the tournament. I have sufficient health, accident and liability insurance to cover any bodily injury or property damage incurred by myself or others as a result of my participation in this event. If I have no such insurance, I represent that I am capable of paying for any and all such expenses or liability. I hereby release, discharge, and agree to hold harmless, defend and indemnify the tournament organizer, Bass on The Fly, LLC, employees, and all other persons or entities associated with the tournament from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions or rights of action which are related to, arise out of, or are in any way connected with my participation in this tournament, including specifically but not limited to the negligent acts or omissions of organizer, Bass on The Fly, LLC, agents and employees, the host, sponsors and tournament officials, and all other persons or entities associated with the tournament, for any and all injury, death, illness or disease, and other damage or loss to property suffered by myself or others. In signing this document, I acknowledge and agree that if anyone is hurt or property is damaged while I am engaged in this event, I will have no right to make a claim or file a lawsuit against the organizer, Bass on The Fly LLC, or employees, the host, sponsors, officials and all other persons or entities associated with the tournament, even if they or any of them negligently caused the bodily injury or property damage. Any suit brought against any of the parties listed above as a result of this Agreement or my participation in this tournament will be brought in state or county court in Wood County, Texas. Should it become necessary for any of the parties listed above, or someone on their behalf, to incur attorney's fees and costs to enforce this Agreement, or any portion thereof, I agree to pay the reasonable costs and attorney's fees thereby expended, or for which liability is incurred. I give the organizer permission to use my name and likeness for promotional purposes. I agree to submit to and accept the results of the polygraph tests given at this event. Name____________________________________________________________________________ Boater/Non-boater? circle one Address_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone ___________________________Email______________________________________________________________________ Signature _____________ _____________________________Date __________Partner’s name _______________________________ Produced by Bass on The Fly, LLC
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You can’t. plan a feeling. It just arises from spending time at the right place. With thrills on, in and high above the water, our adventure outfitters are stop #8 on Florida’s Playground Trail—explore it all at floridasplayground.com
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Kayak Fishing Off the BeachMaking it Through the Surf-
Watch that Firstand Last- Step By Ed Mashburn 46 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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O
ne of the joys of kayak fishing on the coast is taking the paddle boat off the beach and out into the deep blue water in search of big game. Some truly large fish can be caught by kayak anglers who have launched off area beaches and paddled a short distance into the open waters.
However, like many great things, these off the beach kayak trips have the potential of turning bad very quickly. A kayak rolled over in the surf is no laughing matter- I’ve had it happen to me, and I will verify- it hurts, and it is expensive to replace lost or broken gear. The two biggest problem situations any off the beach kayak angler faces are the first and last fifty yards of each trip. Kayak boat handling in the surf is a very demanding set of skills, and kayak anglers need to know what they are doing before they set off into the big water.
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Before You Launch The first step in any successful off the beach kayak fishing trip is to listen to the weather forecasts. If thunderstorms are predicted or if a strong onshore wind is blowing, don’t go. Surf conditions can change very quickly, and what started as a nice, relatively calm morning can turn into a rough, high surf afternoon. Next, when arriving at the beach, look at the surf. Many times, there will be stretches of beach where the surf does not break as strong. These areas, which usually have some sort of sandbar built up to slow down the surf, can be very helpful when launching a kayak. Next, observe the surf for ten minutes or so to see if there’s a pattern to the breakers. Very often, waves will come in sets with relatively slack water between the sets. However, if there’s any doubt- if the surf is breaking much over knee-high- then it might be best to postpone the trip, especially if the paddlers involved are not well experienced. In fact, going with a paddler who has done the beach-launch thing several times before is a very good idea. Hiring a guide is well worth the expense. Finally, choosing the right fishing kayak before the beach trip is a big deal. I like sit-in kayaks for many fishing situations, but it’s hard to get into and out of a sitin kayak in surf conditions. Sit-on-top fishing kayaks are much easier to mount and dismount quickly, so they are better suited for beach fishing. It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway. A good, well-fitted PFD is absolutely crucial for off the beach kayak fishing. Have it, and have it on.
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When You Launch If the kayak being launched is a peddle boat- either flippers or propeller- don’t put the drive gear down into position until the kayak is out past any breaking water. Stuff hanging below the kayak’s hull can really make launching difficult and dangerous. The same goes for flip-down rudders. Get in the boat, paddle like hell out past the breakers, and then drop the drive and rudder. Having a person on the beach to help keep the kayak bow-on to the incoming waves is extremely helpful. It comes down to this: if the kayak stays pointy end- bow or stern- to the incoming waves, things are in pretty good shape. When the kayak gets sideways in breaking surf, things turn bad very quickly. Make sure that all gear is secured to the kayak before launching, and make sure any electronic gear is in dry bags and secure storage. Try to cut gear and equipment to a minimum. The less weight and stuff to get in the way, the easier it is to launch through any kind of surf. Usually less than 100 yards off the beach, the waves calm down, and the world is a better place- and the fishing can begin. 50 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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When You Return
Coming back in through the surf presents its own set of problems. First, when returning from a trip, we’ll probably be tired from our morning’s paddling or peddling. Before coming in to the beach, take a break, get a drink of water, and stretch and try to catch your breath. Tired kayakers make mistakes. If your kayak is a peddle drive- either flippers or propeller- remove the drive unit and secure it to the kayak- tie it in, and make sure it’s secure enough to stay with the kayak in case of a roll-over in the surf. Make sure everything you care about is tied in and secured. You’ll need to paddle in to the beach, and you’ll have to paddle pretty hard to get through the surf and on the beach between breakers. Next, try to pick a spot along the beach where the surf is lower- this can be hard to see when coming back in, but it’s worth the trouble. Try to put the kayak on the sand as close to the launch point as possible- this makes the transport of the kayak back across the beach a shorter trip- and that’s important.
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When coming in to the beach, keep the kayak’s stern to the waves- this is crucial! If the waves kick the kayak sideways, bad stuff is going to start happening very fast. I have found that often the best move when landing on a beach is to bail off the kayak in waist deep or shallower water, grab the stern handle, and just let the now-much lighter kayak ride over the breaking waves. Keep a firm grip on the boat! Walk the kayak as quickly as possible through the surf zone, keeping it stern-on to the waves, and then push it or pull it as far up the beach as you feel necessary. Then, pull it up another ten feet. It’s very discouraging to get a kayak back on the beach through a surf and then see it wash off the beach and float back out to sea.
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Something to keep in mind when coming back in: watch for swimmers. Folks on the beach may not pay attention to you, or they may be curious. If strangers want to come help, ask them- politely if possible- to please stay away. Kayaks in a surf are not things to play with. Once the ‘yak is up on the beach, it’s time to sit down and rest a bit before starting the transport back to the vehicle.
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Kayak fishing for big game fish off our Southern beaches is a great thing- it’s just about my personal favorite kind of fishing. But we’ve got to keep in mind that this kind of boating is potentially dangerous. The best thing to guarantee a good beach kayak trip- if you think the surf just might be too high- it is too high. It’s that simple. Don’t go if there’s any doubt. There will be other better days to go off the beach fishing- don’t put yourself in danger.
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featured kayak shop
Austin Canoe and Kayak H
ere at ACK, we want to make your shopping experience the best it can be whether online or in one of our five store locations. To make your trip as easy and fluid as possible, we asked our Austin Store Manager, Ryan Schaper (read more about him here), to put together a list of questions and answers every ACK shopper should come prepared with. Read more below then stop by one of our stores and give it a shot!
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featured kayak shop
When new customers come into the shop for the first time, more often than not they are overwhelmed because most people do not realize the selection that is available for kayaks. They come in all shapes and sizes, and some can be much better for a certain task than others. Part of the selection process is personal preference and we highly suggest paddling a few boats if you can because everyone is different. If you plan to fish, it is very rare for any two kayak anglers to have their boats rigged identical to one another because everyone fishes a little differently! That's where our wonderful Demo Days come into play! We only do these awesome events twice a year, but each one of our retail locations also rents out our most popular selling models! June 2016
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featured kayak shop
There are a few questions that you can ask yourself before coming into the shop to be a little more prepared: 1. Am I looking to use the kayak mostly for recreation or for fishing? Many kayaks are now specialized for specific fishing endeavors so it's important for us to know what you want to use it mainly for. Many customers also express that they will mostly be paddling for recreation but may occasionally bring a fishing rod or two. 2. Where am I going to be using this kayak primarily? (lake, river, or at the coast) Again, many kayaks are now quite specialized. The main reason we ask this question is to try to gauge what length of kayak you may be looking at! For example, in some of our smaller streams and rivers it is difficult to maneuver a 16 foot long kayak! 3. Do I want the option to stand up in the kayak? For many people, they are all about comfort and having a great seat on the kayak. Most of the "stand up" models have very comfortable chairs and are typically much more stable. For many anglers these stable boats give the ability to stand up. Whether sight casting to bedded bass, or trying to spot a pod of tailing red fish, for many kayak anglers having the ability to stand up is a HUGE advantage. 4. How am I going to be transporting/storing my kayak and what items do I need to do this with? Many vehicles do not come standard with roof racks. To properly transport these kayaks you need a roof rack of some kind and we will gladly outfit your vehicle. After having a base roof rack you can carry kayaks, bikes, snow gear, luggage carriers and much more! Knowing your limitations on transportation and storage will help us recommend kayaks better suited for you!
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5. What items do I need/want to get on the water today with this kayak? All you need to get on the water with any kayak is your boat, paddle, a whistle, and of course a PFD (personal flotation device). If you plan on night paddling (30 mins after sunset or 30 minutes before sunrise and any time in between there) you will need a raised 360 light that is visible up to a mile. Meaning the light needs to visible from a 360 degree radius around your kayak. In addition, based on the prior questions, we will offer some addition recommendations on accessories you may need based on your interests. These are just a few questions that will definitely help get you started! Also don't forget that anytime you buy a kayak/SUP/canoe from us, you will get additional discounts* on several items we carry in the store (ask me more about this when you come in)! -Happy Shopping, Ryan Schaper @ ACK *Excludes Hobie Products. Other exclusions may apply. Click here for details. June 2016 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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featured kayak artist
Ty South Editor’s Note- We’ve enjoyed watching Ty and his wife Theresa online as they travel all over the South making videos for us to see when we can’t be on the water. We contacted Ty, and he was kind enough to tell us about his approach to videoing kayak fishing trips
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featured artist
1. When did you get the idea to do videos about kayak fishing? I have always wanted to host a fishing show. I started filming myself fishing with a vhs camcorder in the late 90s. I never knew what I would do with it. I shopped around to networks about filming a show for a big TV channel, and the cost was crazy. Then, YouTube came along! I said, “This is crazy!: I can film what I want and show it to the WORLD on the spot!!!! That’s better than TV! AND IT’S FREE! I never looked back and the rest is history.
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2. What makes shooting the videos the most fun? What's the most difficult part of it? What I love about filming is, whether I'm by myself or not, I feel like I always have tons of people with me! I feel like I'm taking thousands of folks with me on the water every time I fish. I love that. I will nearly flip my yak to get a killer shot for the What! nation. I just love the creative aspects of filming, editing and creating the music for every episode it settles my creative soul. The most difficult part of filming is capturing the right moments... We are consistently trying new gear and new ways to not miss a epic moment. Sometimes, fighting a big fish in a little yak and controlling two cameras and remembering to take Facebook pics can be a tad overwhelming, but I love it.
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featured artist
3. What kind of video equipment do you use? Video equipment we use.... we have gone through a ton of action cam gear. I started seven years ago with a cheap Kodak Playsport. They actually filmed really well- just not tough enough, so we moved to the Go Pro Hero pretty quick. I found the on/off buttons tough, and being a minimalist, I didn't want to go to a controller and more batteries so we moved to the Contours. The Contours had a big on/off slider on top. It was a quick slap and we were rolling. I used those for several seasons of 30 MilesOut but they proved not to be tough.. We are hard on gear and I think I killed like four Contours. so now I'm back to GO PRO'S 100% . I love the super clean image, and they have come along way making filming easier with them. I'm a GoPro dude for now anyway.
4.What's a couple of really cool places you guys have been able to video from your kayaks? A cool place........ one of the coolest places was actually a trip. THE FLORIDA SERIES. We had a blast filming Florida from Pensacola to Key West. camping the whole way. It was an amazing experience. Theresa and I had a blast camping water front and launching everyday in a new exotic location. Pensacola, Tampa, Naples, Miami, the Keys-. just a great experience.
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featured artist
5. What are your plans for the future with kayak videos? My plans for the future with kayak vids... Theresa and I are always trying to up our game. I was in Port O'Conner, Texas last fall and a black tip shark jumped and spun right in front of me. I missed that shot! We are working on ways NOT TO MISS THAT SHOT this year! We do weekly uploads now instead of monthly episodes. We are working with more and more great folks every year! New relationships with gear and tackle companies that are helping us grow the show and bringing it to as many folks as possible. That’s our mission.
6. How can our readers access your videos? (most
already know, but there may one or two who haven't seen 30 Miles Out). You can find all our 30milesOut episodes on YouTube. You can also keep up with our daily yak fish'n activities at Facebook.com/30milesout. For folks interested in our 30milesOut gear or guide service info, they can check out our website 30 Miles Out
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7. What places do you guys want to visit to do video work? This year we really want to film in Venice, Louisiana. We are looking forward to more BTB episodes in the Florida Panhandle as well as South Florida.. We want to do some random largemouth / hybrid bass episodes here and there... It should be a super fun season!
8. Your best advice to anyone who wants to get into the video-fishing game? I usually tell folks to be creative! Focus on what you do well. If you live in Nebraska on a corn farm and your favorite thing to do when you get off the tractor is hit the river that’s full of catfish, start a channel called "THE CORN HUSKER CATFISH KING!" Do what you do! It’s more than enough. There will be a lot of folks who can relate. People will love to see what the corn guy is up to this week with his catfish. Don't overlook what you already have! Keep it simple and fun. Upload vids at the same time every week. Try to add value. Make them laugh or teach them something. Again, don't overlook what you think is common knowledge. Talk about every aspect of life on a Nebraska corn farm catching catfish! If you’re having fun and trying to take folks along, they will go for the ride.. Ty Southerland 210-241-5883 Host / Producer www.30milesOut.com www.facebook.com/30milesout June 2016
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featured kayak gear
Ben’s ULTRANET
Non-Chemical Biting Bug Protection Let me be honest- I hate bugs that bother me when I’m fishing. Mosquitoes, deer flies- especially those horrible little tiny no-see-ums- I hate them all. I’ve tried just about everything to keep the little biters at bay. This new product, Ben’s UltraNet seems to be a product that might just answer a lot of questions for kayak anglers who have to deal with biting bugsand that’s all of us. For even the tiniest of no-see-ums, Ben’s fine-weave UltraNet provides the ultimate comfort and protection. Made with 15 Denier fiber knit, .7 oz with no-seeum pore shape size of 0.5mm is impenetrable. Ben’s ingenious UltraNet design seals out the bugs around the chest even if wearing a shirt zipped down and open for maximum ventilation. MSRP $12. Ben’s UltraNet head net can be found at www.tendercorp.com or select drugstores, outdoor stores, or supermarkets. This neat little product appears to be a real problem solver.
There are no hinges or locking mechanisms. The IceMule closes like a standard dry bag - for the IceMule Pro Catch maker has added a second set of compression straps to keep the cooler tight and dry since it is designed to be laid horizontally on a kayak, paddle board or small craft boat. 78 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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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!
featured kayak
Perception PESC
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CADOR Pro 12
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Statistics: Length- 12 feet Width- 32.5 inches Weight-64 lbs. Capacity- 375 lbs. Let’s start this review out by stating that the Perception Pescador Pro 12 is a very pretty kayak. It provides mounting and access for just about any level of electronic gear an angler might desire. It rides low, and its length gives it very good carry from paddling. It’s an easy boat to paddle, and the stability is quite good. June 2016
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On the first day’s testing, we were in very windy conditions-and the Pro 12 showed very little tendency to weathercock, and it handled the gusts well. It was very possible to continue fishing while the wind was really roaring- and this is a very strong point in this boat’s favor. The Pro Seat is quite comfortable, and the foot pegs are easily adjustable. All of the 86 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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stored rods and other equipment is easily at hand from the seat- no clumsy or off-balanced reaching for needed stuff. The ultimate proof of this boat’s good design and build- we caught a bunch of fish on the boat’s first time on the water, and the fishing was easy and we could pay attention to the fishing- not maintaining the kayak. June 2016
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Features: Pro Seatbreathable fabric, multi-positional, removable, Lightweight- and it’s comfortable for extended periods of fishing and paddling. Center consolewith mounting point and storage for electronics and other The rod holders are keep-dry gear. Access wider than most, and the rods we used were to transducer scupper in bow tankwell. pretty loose as we Accessory gear transported the boat tracs- located at good from truck to water. Probably a simple PVC points on both sides extension inserted in the for trac-mount rod rod holder wells would holders. Molded in rod holders make everything just fine. Points of Concern: The adjustable foot pegs on our kayak don’t always lock securely into the trac- this can result in the pegs slipping out and sliding down the trac- not a major problem, but it can be a hassle to get them back in position.
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Skid plate- a very neat feature- helps prevent abrasion of kayak bottom Tackle box storage- right under the seat in easy reach when needed. The Pescador Pro 12 also provides good carry handles on bow, stern and sides, mesh cover for bow tankwell, footbrace system, cup holder, paddle park, and a stern hatch for internal gear storage. Evaluation: The Pescador Pro 12 is a fine fishing kayak. The finish is very good, and it is a well-built and designed boat. It can be handled by a single kayaker with no problems both on the water and on the rooftop rack or bed of a pickup. Any kayak angler who is looking for a very solid and good performer needs to consider the Perception Pescador Pro 12- it’s a good boat for sure. www.perceptionkayaks.com 90 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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REEL-FIN- ADDICT KAYAK FISHING
Located along the coastline of The Gulf Mexico in the Big Bend of Florida focusing in Redfish, Trout, Flounder and Tarpon
Guiding local rivers and coastline for over a decade contact Robert Baker, Fishing Guide 850-210-4375
Florida's Big Bend Paddlesport Outfitter 850-877-7200 Authorized Dealer for Hobie and Jackson Kayaks Where our salespersons are experienced kayakers And paddle the Pro Anglers – Revolutions – Cuda’s Visit our store at 3152 Shadeville Rd, Crawfordville, FL 32327 www.thewildernessway.net
Come fish the great Arkansas Tailwaters
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and experience level. We are a group of veteran guides with a passion for teaching and sharing. Visit our website for details!
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We offer Jet Boat trips, Drift Boat trips and
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help plan your Ozark fly fishing getaway in any style you want.
Headin’ South And We Mean REALLY South
Kayak Fishing in
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Mexico
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1. Where do you fish? What kind of kayak do you use? How long have you been kayak fishing? We live in Monterrey, Mexico. It’s located in the north part of Mexico, and due to its geographical similarities to Texas, it offers a whole diversity of lakes. We primarily look for largemouth bass. Sometimes we also fish for catfish or carp. Our main platform is Hobie Kayaks. We have both 2015 Outback and Pro Angler boats. We´ve been fishing for nearly 25 years, but this is only our first year on kayaks.
Editor’s Note- We’ve been corresponding a lot lately with Gerardo Almaguer Cardenas who, along with his brother, is a hardcore kayak angler from our good neighbor to the south- Mexico. We asked him to tell us about the kayak fishing in his country, and he was very helpful.
2. How do you fish for bass in Mexico? What lures do you use? What's your favorite technique for catching big bass? We use primarily finesse techniques with soft plastics, but we often change to any other technique depending on the type of cover and structure we are fishing on. Our gear consists of G-Loomis spinning rods, Shimano spinning reels, Yamamoto baits, Gamakatsu hooks and mainly 8 lb test fluorocarbon line. The best line we’ve had good results with is P-LINE.
We can assure our readers that this information has flung a big cravin’ on certain of us at SKF- Mexico is not that far away, and the fishing sounds great. This makes me think that I need to brush up on my high school Spanish class- it might come in handy. 96 l Southern Kayak Fishing
3. What's the best time of year to kayak fish in your area? What's the weather like then? We get clear sunny days almost 80 percent of the year, and bass seasonal patterns are the same as in Texas, so there’s a lot of good weather suitable to go out on the kayak . We also do bass fishing on cold days because the water temperature doesn’t go much lower than 55 degrees.
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4. If someone from the US wants to visit Mexico and kayak fish, how can that be done? Actually, part of our income comes from guided tours on local lakes, So anyone interested should get in touch with us via email to: kayakerosmx@gmail.com and we would gladly make a price estimation. But in brief, visiting kayak anglers should make a trip to Monterrey airport, and we will be in charge of airport to lake transportation, accomodations, food, drinks and amenities, etc. You can bring your own kayak or we can provide one for you to fish. 5. Your best advice for someone who wants to learn more about kayak fishing in Mexico? Actually kayak fishing is not as popular in Mexico as on the US. It is also not so easy for a common person to have the means to get a kayak since we don’t have any dealerships nearby. There is great deal of information in hand nowadays. You can simply go to the internet and find tons of information that can make you go in deep on this great world of kayak fishing. Below is a link to the video on you tube. Feel free to subscribe to our channel. It’s our first video, but we will be uploading our following videos from the next fishing trips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVr3k2kErMw Here is a link to our fan page in facebook https://www.facebook.com/hobieyakmx And, here is a link for the pictures on the fishing trip we did December 9, 2016 (same trip as the youtube video) https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gk28kvex8nhqd72/ AAC2eAwGokPEAMci28ut0WyEa?dl=0 June 2016
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Transforms Towing Woes to Trailering Pros The signs appear on tow vehicles everywhere — bent rear bumpers, broken brake lights and mangled license plates bespeckled with those same familiar dings. Tarnished by misguided trailer tongues, each battle scar tells the same story, and asks a singular question: Imagine if connecting the coupler was as automatic and easy as shifting into reverse? 102 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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Trailer Hit Where You
Actually—with assistance from a cool little techno tool— it is. Engineered by the optics experts at Outdoors Insight, the 5.8-GHz iBall Wireless Trailer Hitch Camera offers a sweet solution to one of the most common dilemmas in the entire auto world— hitching the trailer to your truck, all by yourself.
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tch Camera Puts Eyes u Need Them
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I Should Have Bough By Sawyer Martin
Editor’s Note- Sawyer Martin is a student at the University of West Florida, and he’s a very good kayak angler. He’s also a pretty lucky guy sometimes, it seems. Had we been there when this event happened, we would have taken young Sawyer to the nearest outlet to have him buy some lottery tickets for us- you can’t beat luck when it happens. 106 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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ht a Lottery Ticket
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Seven-. that’s how many pilings down I was from “the hump” on the north end of 3 Mile Bridge, the bridge that connects Pensacola to Gulf Breeze. Why would I memorize such seemingly useless information you might ask? Well, that seventh piling was the one that I was jigging next to when something I had never believed could happen somehow occurred.
grip on my rod for a fraction of a section. That was plenty of time for the redfish to speed up and take off with my beloved combo.
It took a second for me to realize what had just happened, but then it hit me. After a few choice curse words yelled at approximately 100,000 decibels, Nathan and Tim (my buddies who were one light down from me) heard me and started heading my It was about 10PM and I direction. I explained was on the west side of “I can honestly the bridge facing against say that this was what happened and Tim and I quickly came to an the current, hopelessly absolutely the agreement that there was trying to keep my yak a good chance that the craziest thing in position for more line (or the rod and reel) than ten seconds at a that I have ever had gotten hung up on time. Jigging with my experienced while something nearby. Tim rod in one hand and and Nathan immediately a paddle in the other fishing...” started working the isn’t exactly convenient by any means, and on the night of bottom with jigs, hoping to make contact January 24th I found that it is also with my lost rod and reel. This continued an excellent way to lose a rod. I was for a little over a half hour, which only a yard or so away from the center dampened my already low morale. piling, directly under the light. I was trying to maneuver my yak south My hope had all but diminished when I when my jig that was dragging on realized that I was never going to see the bottom 25 feet below me got that combo again. I wasn’t really as absolutely hammered. The angry bull upset about the cost factor, but more immediately took off south, parallel so the sentimental value that the rod with the shadow line, dragging me and reel possessed. I got the reel, an backwards towards the piling in the Abu Garcia 6500CS Pro Rocket Black process. I tried to turn myself towards Edition from Pompano Joe, a great the direction the fish was running friend of mine and a well-known Gulf with the paddle in my right hand and Coast reel guru, a little over a year ago. inadvertently ended up loosening my The rod, which was a 6’ 6’’ Shimano 108 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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Teramar, had also been customized by Pompano Joe. Needless to say, I was pretty upset. Forty minutes after the incident Tim offered me an old Penn 712 Greenie on a TFO rod to use. I put a 1 1/2oz. jig & a big twistertail on and started dragging the bottom, hoping that maybe I’d end up hitting a spot that Nathan and Tim had somehow missed. After ten or so minutes, I bowed up on something, but then it pulled free. It didn’t feel like hard structure of any kind, so I decided to drag my jig through that area again. Three more times working that area and each time the same thing happened. I was getting frustrated and told myself I’d try it one more time before throwing in the towel. The fifth time proved to be the charm. I drifted through that same area with my jig dragging on the bottom and when my rod once again started to bow up on the “structure,” I gave it some slack for a few seconds. When I picked up the slack, I felt the notorious head shake of a bull redfish. But it was a disconnected feel, not the normal pull of a big redfish on the end of my line. I knew right away that I had snagged my line from my lost rod. After yelling out to Tim that I was hooked up, I cautiously fought the fish for a couple minutes before finally seeing what I was hoping for: my rod tip breaking the surface of the water. I noticed right away that my jig had snagged the tip of the rod and knew that one poor move would mean the loss of both the fish and my rod and reel. After another minute or so of tug-of-war, I finally grabbed my rod and pulled it into the yak. Miraculously, I was STILL hooked up with the very same fish that had ripped the rod from my hands almost an hour earlier. Fast forward another five minutes of being dragged around and battling the large bull on the opposite end of my line, and I finally had her in the yak. Words cannot describe how happy I was to have my rod back AND, against all odds, land the fish that took it from me, which happened to be a 39’’ bruiser. I can honestly say that this was absolutely the craziest thing that I have ever experienced while fishing and that I am beyond grateful that I ended up getting my rod back from the depths of the bay. And let’s be real here - I’m stoked to have landed the fish that took it from me too! Next time she’ll think twice before trying to burn up my drag washers.
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Rockport, Texas
Coastal Kayak Fi By Captain Ryan Ford
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ockport, in the heart of the Texas coastal bend, is a premier destination for kayak fishing. Located on the Live Oak Peninsula, it is protected from the harsh Gulf of Mexico by the San Jose and Matagorda barrier islands and offers diverse opportunities to target multiple species of fish. You can follow red drum, speckled trout, black drum, or flounder through the mangrove canals and lakes in Redfish Bay, chasing them around some of the oyster reefs
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ishing at Its Best
of Copano and St. Charles Bay, or along the grass lines of Port Bay and marsh lakes of the barrier islands. Whatever your choice, Rockport has it and kayaks are the way to get you there. All you need is a little information as to the what, when, and where to get that experience of a lifetime, and that is where Rockport Kayak Guide Services comes in. June 2016
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Rig Up Right
First let us talk about the gear you would need. Rockport Kayak Guide Services outfits all of its clients with the same gear that we personally use. We recommend a med/heavy rod, like the K-Labs 24T carbon composite, seated with a Penn Fierce 2000 series reel. Braid works great, but in our shallows we are pitching light lures so stay with 12 to 15 pound test such as the Unfair Lures Crocodile braid, tipping with a leader of 20 pound fluorocarbon. Lure selection should follow the KISS philosophy, Keep It Simple,Stupid. We have found great success using only a few lures. The Unfair Rip N Slash 70 for a twitch/search bait, Unfair Shrimp 85FS for near grass and jigging, and Unfair Dawgwalker/slider for topwater action. Just throw your choice of jighead/soft plastic combo or spinner for an entire arsenal in just a few lures that can work year round.
Where They Are
Cruising through the mangrove canals and lakes in the Redfish bay area is a great way to hook up on some of the iconic tailing redfish. This is topwater country and we use them almost exclusively here.The Lighthouse Lakes Paddling Trails area is a popular place for kayaks, however you will not see many pedal kayaks as it gets pretty shallow and the bottom has scattered oysters. Here you need shallower draft kayaks like the Viking Profish Reloads that we use at Rockport Kayak. Sliding through the canals, keep an eye out in our gin clear water for redfish heading to the next open lake and get ready to cast. Around the outside of this area are some nice expansive flats that bring in trout, sheepshead, and the occasional black drum. 114 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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Heading into St. Charles Bay you definitely find the oysters in abundance. The cuts around these reefs form natural fish highways that can bring your prey right to you. The other advantage of the ample scattered reefs is a reduction in powerboat traffic. It will not take long to figure out their paths and avoid the traffic. So enjoy watching them see you catching fish where they cannot go. Look to target some nice black drum and trout in the more open areas while the reds go a little closer to shore and the mud lakes. Do not forget to harvest some of the tasty oysters for the grill if the season is open to complete a great seafood dinner. Going further back into the bay systems will bring you to Copano Bay and Port Bay. Copano Bay offers up a nice mix of habitat; from the marshes of Italian and Newcomb Bends, to the crazy “out in the middle� flats/ reefs, and even a few hidden estuaries that produce some great fisheries. The beginning of Port Bay produces some excellent trout and sheepshead around the old powerline pilings as well as plenty of redfish habitat. Nearby Swan Lake can help you achieve that Texas Slam (red,trout,flounder) to really make a trip to Rockport special.
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What Time of Year?
Rockport offers year round opportunity to find your quarry. Springtime fishing is a matter of finding the right structure and watching the winds. The summer as a whole means early morning/late evening launches to beat the heat, but you can be rewarded with some glorious catches. Fall sees some of the best temperatures for full day excursions. Winter time is all about quality over quantity, fewer fish but bigger fish. We have biannual black drum runs in February/March and again in July. Also in June to July is some great speckled trout action. October/November usually brings our redfish runs, and the first major cold front gets the flounder massing ready to head out to the gulf. Something to be aware of during these winter times is that duck hunting is a very popular sport here as well, and as such avoiding those decoy fields takes some navigating. The good news is that they are generally done by early afternoon.
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You Can’t Beat Local Knowledge
Rockport Kayak Guide Services is here to answer any questions you have about the local fishing and community amenities. Aransas Pathways(www. aransaspathways.com) has maps listing launch points around Aransas county complete with directions, as well as birding and historical sites. Rockport has just as much to do off the water. The Rockport Beach Park, Maritime Museum, Aquarium at Rockport Harbor, and the Bay Education Center are located close together on the harbor. These provide great activities for the whole family with shopping and restaurants just a short walk away. So, come to Rockport to enjoy the kayak fishing with Rockport Kayak, but do not forget to bring the whole family so everyone can enjoy this awesome destination. We hope to see you on the water.
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Sometimes, Less is More Fishing Kayaks Ten Feet in Length By Ed Mashburn
*NEW For 2016* Charcoal Grey Seat Cover - Ergonomic Handles Therm-a-Rest Lumbar Pad - Flush Mount Rod Holders behind the seat. The Jackson Kayak Cruise 10 Angler kayak fills a variety of niches. It is a great price point kayak for someone looking to get into kayak fishing without all the bells and whistles, but enough features to make your time on the water enjoyable.
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Cruise Angler 10 It is also a great platform for an avid angler who is looking for a small versatile kayak with a minimalistic approach. The Cruise 10 Angler is perfect for fishing smaller rivers and creeks, or even your neighborhood pond. It is also a great choice for college kayak anglers or anyone who has limited kayak storage space dorm room, condo or apartment - or issues transporting a larger kayak. The Cruise 10 Angler is also best suited for anglers, generally, around the 215lbs mark or under and many smaller anglers still even feel comfortable standing to fish out of theirs.
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CHUPACABRA
The Chupacabra is the second model in Diablo’s line of hybrid SUP-Yaks, a cross between a Stand-Up Paddleboard and a Sit-on-top kayak. As one of the most stable platforms, our unique design is great for extra weight and can even get the big guys in shallow water without sacrificing maneuverability.
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Features: - Tri-Hull design allows you to get in shallower water and gives you more stability. - Pull-up Strap in front to make standing up to paddle much easier. - Adjustable Foot Pegs - Wet Storage in front and back of boat 1” webbing in the stern and bungee on the bow Mold in well for fishing crate in rear - 2 drink holders, one fits 12oz beverages with a koozie, the other fits 32oz water bottles - Traction pad in cockpit for secure footing - Front Dry storage accessible from cockpit - Two 6” dry access hatches at the rear of cockpit - Two paddle holders - Over size cockpit for comfort standing or sitting o Fits most 4 point seating systems - 5 comfort carry handles - Smooth, flat surface allows for suction cup mounts for fishing rods, GPS, fish finders, etc. Larry chair and basic seat sold separately. Length: 10’ 6” Width: 37” Cockpit: 54” L x 24” W Weight: 56 lbs Material: Thermoformed ABS
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New for 2016 Model Year Padeye XL 3-way connector for Lowrance Ready, Thru-Hull Wire Plugs (Backwards Compatible) Repositioned Thru-Hull wire plugs for easier access Standard Features • Two Molded-In Rod Holders • Two-Piece Paddle with On-Hull Storage • MirageDrive with ST Fins • Twist and Stow Rudder • Sail Mount • Rear Cargo Area with Bungee® Tie Downs • Vantage CT Seating • 6” and 8” Twist and Seal Hatches • Lowrance® Ready
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Mirage Sport
Crew • 1 Length • 9' 7" \ 2.92 m Width • 29.5" \ .75 m Height • 16" \ 0.41 m Capacity • 225 lbs \ 102 kg Fitted Hull Weight* • 61 lbs \ 28 kg Fully Rigged Weight* • 78 lbs \ 35 kg Hull Construction • Rotomolded Polyethylene
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Strike 100x Angler
Discriminating, price-conscious paddlers wanted. Clean lines and sleek design define the agile and sporty Strike series of kayaks. Maneuverable and stable, these sit-on-top kayaks offer plenty of speed, capacity and storage space. These simple, easy-to-use kayaks are equipped with thoughtful features. Angler versions are loaded with fishing features. Our manufacturing process allows us to insert additional flotation for increased buoyancy and safety.
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Technical specifications • Level : Beginner, Intermediate • Product type : Sit-on-top Kayaks • Type of activities : Fishing Features • 8’’ day hatch with storage bag • Accessory eyelets • Adjustable footrests • Quick Lock hatch • Drain plug • Carrying handles • Ergoband Seating System™ • Flush mount rod holders • Lay-down bottle holder • Paddle tie-down • Storage platform with bungee • Swivel rod holder • Textured area Specifications Length 10’ - 305 cm Beam 30.5’’ - 77 cm Depth 16’’ - 40.5 cm Cockpit open Weight 53 lb - 24 kg Max. Capacity 325 lb - 147 kg Hull material RAM-X PREMIUM
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For the angler poised to fish all season in all waters, the Tarpon is the ultimate workhorse. Color combinations (Desert Camo, Dusk, Flint, Indigo, Mango, Galaxy, Sonar and Midnight) will vary from those shown and are unique for each boat we produce.
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TARPON
Its award- winning design offers both agility and speed for the kayak angler to zip from spot to spot, but also the right amount of stability for fighting fish or rough waters. The intuitive design allows for a wide range of body sizes with easy access to gear and the exclusive SlideTrax accessory system to trick out your kayak any way you want. Now featuring the Phase 3® AirPro seating system for added ergonomic comfort and easy adjustability Specifications • Length: 10’ / 305 cm • Width: 30.5” / 77 cm • Boat Weight: 61 lbs. / 28 kg • Deck Height: 15.25” / 38.86 cm • Max Capacity: 325 lbs. / 147 kg Features • Phase 3 AirPro Sit-On-Top-Seat • Keepers XL Foot Brace System • Orbix Bow and Midship Hatches • Tankwell with Adjustable Bungee • Comfort Carry Handles • Side Carry Handles with Paddle Holder • SlideTrax Accessory System • Self-Bailing Scupper Holes June 2016
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In the Beginning The Mobile Bay Kayak Fishing Association was started in 2006 by Mike Bosarge, David Bagwell (for whom the spring tournament is named) John Kitch, Danny Adkins, Lee Stock, and Matt Seese. It started off with a small group on Yahoo! and then we all met for lunch at Felix's (a world-class seafood restaurant located on the Mobile Bay Causeway) one cold rainy day to make it more official. This is our 10th year 136 l Southern Kayak Fishing
as an association. Our mission when we started was, and still is: "To have fun and get healthy exercise by supporting and promoting the sport of kayak fishing in the Mobile Bay area and surrounding waters," We decided to hold tournaments to raise money for local groups such as CCA, ACF, Sheriff's Flotilla and Daphne Search & Rescue, HOW, and others. The monthly FishOuts (a term I coined in our Yahoo group because it needed a name
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and "fishing trip" was too generic) were started to encourage fellowship and participation as well as sharing knowledge. The prize of $25 was intentionally low to avoid the pressure and temptations that come with big money tournaments and to encourage folks to join the association as their $20 annual membership fee would make them a profit of $5 if they won the largest fish at the FishOut."- Founding Member, Matt Seese
A Special Kayak Club for a Special Place- Mobile Bay Kayak Fishing Association Editor’s Note- We contacted the president of the MBKFA, Damian Bosarge, to tell us about the history and the activities of a club which focuses on the great fishing waters of the Mobile Bay system in Alabama- a vast, wonderful place for kayak anglers. A lot of kayak clubs could learn from talking with the MBKFA folks. Last year we had the most paying members the club has ever had. We had just over 180. Dues are renewed annually. Currently we are somewhere north of 100 members that have renewed. That number usually jumps significantly around our annual memberships drive at the Mobile Boat Show. We're hoping to see at least 200 members for 2016 June 2016
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Cool things to Do
MBKFA has a monthly "FishOut". It's a tournament for members only. It's included in the membership, so there is no tournament fee. We give away some small prizes and a little money. It was designed to instill camaraderie among the club members and give us a chance to meet once a month. We also host two large tournaments a year. The Bagwell Tournament is held every spring and 5Rivers Tournament is held every fall. This year we are adding a summer tournament, Slammageddon. It will have a CPR format. We have an annual Angler of the Year tournament. This year it is sponsored by First Community Bank, Maui Jim, Olukai, iAngler, among several others. It's for members only, and only has a $5 surcharge per angler for using the iAngler app on your smart phone. We have 22 categories, and are working to have each category sponsored. The prizes coming in for this are fantastic already. 138 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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The MBKFA forum at MBKFA.com is at the heart of who we are as a club. It's a place were you can just be social, or go in to gather as much knowledge and information as you can handle in regards to kayak fishing and the kayak lifestyle. May 2016
MBKFA is going back to hosting an annual kayak fishing seminar. This is an all day event, and covers just about anything you can think of kayak related. Great for the novice or for the experienced angler who is seeking to improve their time on the water. We also host small seminars and public displays for our sponsors. The whole idea behind all of this is to grow our sport around the Bay Area.
To me, the biggest part of being a club, is the social aspect. You have to provide your members with activities that they are interested in. As long as you can keep your members’ interest, your club will flourish. It's also good for a club to be active in the community. Our club has participated in several area events each year that have nothing to do with kayak fishing. Not only is this great for the club, but it's also great for the community. June 2016
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And How to Keep It Going From a leadership point, don't put your club on autopilot. You've got to grab the bull right by the tail so to speak. Keep pushing forward. Innovate, grab your 140 l Southern Kayak Fishing
members’ attention. Keep a keen eye on what all of your members want. Avoid negativity. Reach out to your sponsors to see what you can do for them. Build the best reputation that you can for your club.
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Location, location, location. We have one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. We have everything from a delta, marsh, sugary sand beaches to fish. We offer both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Inshore and offshore fishing. Beautiful landscapes to paddle through. What more could a kayak fishing community ask for.
The question should beWhy wouldn't you come visit the fishing waters of Mobile bay? And after you're done fishing, we have some of the best restaurants on the entire Gulf Coast. So the best fishing, the best food, the best scenery, what more do you need?
We have members from all surrounding states and from some not so surrounding. We are diversified in our membership. We have doctors, lawyers, welders, painters, home builders, engineers, commercial fishermen, boat captains, service industry folks, we have them all. We have people from all walks of
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life that come together in the name of something we all share a passion for, fishing out of a plastic boat! To contact MBKFA for more information: MBKFA.com admin@mbkfa.com bosguitar1@aol.com (251)656-3366
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River Access - a Point of Great Importance to Kayak Anglers By Caleb Harris
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We found this article in The Fishing Wire published online by Frank Sargeant, and since it addresses something of concern to many kayak anglers- that is, actually getting access to good fishing waters- or not- we want to present it here in SKF. It doesn’t matter how good is our technique, how modern our gear, how great our skill, if we can’t get on the water to fish, we won’t be catching anything anyway. It appears that Texas is addressing this problem in a very constructive way that other Southern states might want to examine for their own use.
Brazo’s River Scene
Ever try to plan a paddling trip on a Texas river? Ever look at a Texas map and wonder how you could get to a fishing spot on one of the long winding rivers? Have you come across the blunt fact that there is very little public access to long stretches of Texas rivers? Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) is trying a unique approach to create additional public river access for fishing on Texas rivers. TPWD has temporary contracts with private land owners to lease their river bank property for limited public access and use. Currently TPWD has two sites on the Brazos and Colorado rivers, and one site on the Neches rivers. The Guadalupe river also has winter trout sites. After the initial trial period, TPWD hopes to expand the program to additional sites on stretches of rivers where there is no public access. June 2016
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Landowners can negotiate specific terms of their lease access, and the terms may vary from site to site. Make sure you know the specific site rules and policies before you go, check: • • • • • •
the registration process access fees maximum number of people per day driving and parking info pet, camping or fires policies restroom and water availability
Program funding is provided by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program. These sites are different from paddling trails as they are not necessarily leased for paddlers, but for anglers. Fishing is the primary goal of the lease program, though people may also use them as put in and take outs. Paddling trails are all public land access to rivers and are good fishing trails too. Most landowners are happy to participate in the program, but are leery of being taken advantage of by disrespectful and unethical participants. TPWD encourages quiet and ethical use of these properties as they are still private lands. If people misuse them, the land owner may be inclined to back out of the program, and others will lose access to these rivers again. Things to keep in mind: • • • • •
keep groups small and noise levels low drive and park in designated areas only respect wildlife and property practice “leave no trace” and leave it looking better than you found it by picking up the area follow all game laws and fishing regulations
Finally, if a landowner happens to be there, make sure and thank them. We are excited to see the River Access Program expand and get some anglers onto these hard to reach sections of our rivers. Get out and visit one on your next fishing trip! 144 l Southern Kayak Fishing
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River Access and Conservation Areas Information for Landowners
The River Access and Conservation Area (RACA) program aims to increase sustainable fishing and paddling access to rivers and streams across private lands. This partnership between local landowners, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and cooperating organizations will allow Texans to more fully enjoy the natural beauty that our rivers have to offer! How Do I Know Whether My Property Is a Good Fit? The purpose of this program is to increase opportunities for bank, wade, and kayak angling and sustainable paddling activities. The program will focus on riverfront properties and segments of river that may:
Contain high quality river and shoreline habitats Present habitat restoration opportunities Offer unique paddling or sport fishing opportunities Have limited public access Are strategically positioned to expand a current Texas Padding Trail, connect to parks, or provide connections to other public river access areas
What If My Property Needs Improvement? TPWD can provide financial assistance for fencing, road base material, seed planting to ensure bank stabilization, or other improvements to increase river access and encourage sustainable use.
How Does the Lease Payment Work? TPWD and the landowner negotiate a quarterly payment amount. Lease agreements will go through June 30, 2017. The landowner will set up a Texas Taxpayer ID to ensure efficient payment. Can I Still Regulate Use of My Property? Yes! Terms will be set in the lease agreement regarding the types of recreational opportunities available and special conditions for public use of the property. In general, use is limited to angling and paddling activities. How is Sustainability Maintained at These Sites? Together with Texas Tech University, TPWD will conduct scientific surveys at each site to monitor fish populations, stream bank vegetation, and public use of the access point. Surveys will occur at the beginning, midpoint, and renegotiation phases of a contract. Survey data will be used to ensure that increased public use does not have a negative impact on our natural resources. How Do I Get Involved? Contact RACA Coordinator Jessica East to discuss the suitability of your property for river access and set up a site visit and ecological assessment. If the RACA program is a good fit, you will work together to create a lease agreement. (512) 754-6844, ext. 222 jessica.east@tpwd.texas.gov http://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/ recreational/rivers/#lease
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