Southern Kayak Issue 3 by Southern Unlimited, LLC

Inside: Featured Kayak Fishing Destination - Navarre Beach Florida

Southern Kayak Fishing issue #3

www.sokayakfishing.com

July 2015

In this Issue:

-Bridge Light Fishing -Fishing Stealthy

Little River

A Great Kayak Fishing Stream

Editor’s Message Yep, it’s just that easy with Western North Carolina’s premier fly shop and guide service. Kevin Howell and his experienced staff have been fishing the surrounding 500 miles of prime trout waters so long, they know all the fish on first name basis. And they’ll be more than happy to make a few introductions.

PISGAH FOREST, NC

ere’s something I’d like you all to do. The next time you’re driving down the freeway, just take notice of all the kayaks that you see strapped to the tops of cars or being towed on trailers behind trucks. I’m willing to bet that you see a lot of kayaks, and many of them are fishing kayaks. Where I live on the Gulf Coast, during the tourist season especially, just about every third vehicle has a kayak

attached to it as the folks driving are headed to the beach or parks on the coast. Kayaking and kayak fishing is just about the fastest growing part of the whole watercraft scene. Every day, more and more folks discover just how much fun kayak fishing is, and just how very affordable kayaking fishing can be. For those of us who are already taken up by the kayak fishing life, it’s easy to feel smug about our kayak fishing experiences of the past. We can find ourselves thinking, “What took those guys so long to find out about kayak fishing?” The point I’m trying to make is this… we all started kayak fishing at some point, and we all had to learn a lot of lessons about the specific set of skills needed for effective kayak fishing. And let’s be honest, we all have made our share of mistakes and bad judgments during our kayak fishing careers. Some of us who have been kayak fishing for a long time still make a great many errors. (continued)

GUIDE SERVICES | ONLINE & RETAIL STORE | LESSONS

July 2015

Southern Kayak Fishing

Editor’s Message

Southern

(cont.)

We can all help newcomers to kayak fishing avoid mistakes, and we can all give our advice to folks just getting started. And that’s what Editor Ed Mashburn Southern Kayak Fishing online Edmashburn@aol.com magazine is all about. We want to help folks get into the kayak Publisher Don Kirk fishing game, and we want to help Don@Southerntrout.com them avoid mistakes we’ve made Asst.Publisher Cpt. Sean Patrick O’Hara ourselves.

Kayak Fishing

Sean@Southerntrout.com

Managing Editor Leah Kirk Technical Advisor Tim Perkins Editorial Consultant Olive K. Nynne Contributors Rob Baker Tony Chavers Steve Gibson Danny Holmes Phillip Landry Tim Perkins Steve Sammons John Williams Captain Kristen Wray

So, every issue of SKF will focus on sharing information, giving advice, and providing great locations for kayak anglers to visit and fish. If you, our readers, have suggestions for article topics which you feel would benefit our readers, especially the newcomers, please give us a holler and tell us what you think. We’d enjoy talking with you very much. Oh, and always be willing to help a newcomer who is having problems getting on the water safely. Good deeds have a way of coming back around.

Southern Kayak Fishing is a publication See you on the water, of Southern Unlimited, LLC. It is Ed Mashburn produced in conjunction with Southern Trout Magazine and Southerntrout.com. edmashburn@aol.com Copyright 2015 Southern Unlimited, LLC All rights reserved. 4 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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This Issue Editor’s Letter

Navarre Inshore Fishing: 10 Don’t Just Look at the Beach

130

Little River TN: Great Trout Stream/Great Kayak Fishing

122

Meeting Mr. Tooth on a Kayak

130 140

Featured Artist: Nick Shade

Get the Drop on the Fish Use a Drop Shot on ‘Em

Ride the Bull: And this is no Bull

Adventure Technology Anler Series Paddles

Bridge Light Bulls: Redefining the Word “Fun”

142

Kayak Hacks Anchoring Systems

Quickie Kayak Fishing Gear Review NRS Chinook Type III PFD

156

Paddling Trip in FL: Good Times Happen Even When Things Aren’t Perfect

158

One Man’s Gear and Why He Chose It

168

Fishing Kayak Destination Navarre Beach

Quickie Kayak Fishing Gear Review 176 Stetson No Fly Zone Fishing Hat

Bayou La Batre Kayak Classic

KC12 Fishing Kayaks

Featured Kayak Shop 56 The Wilderness Way Getting Stealthy: 66 Quiet Is Goood!

Featured Kayak Builder Wilderness Systems

82 142

168

Water Conditions on Tailrace Rivers 178

176

156

Navarre Beach Kayak Fishing 100 Big Game Fishing Without the Big Game Travel, Expense (and Boat) The Navarre Beach Marine Park and Reef Program 6 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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Southern Kayak Fishing

Navarre Inshore Fishing-Don’t just look at the Beach

by Alex Grandpere

isitors to Florida’s Emerald Coast might be forgiven if they tend to focus most of their attention, fishing attention, that is- on the clear water, rolling surf, and sugar white sand of the magnificent beaches of this area. However, if that’s as far as kayak anglers look when coming to the Emerald Coast, then they are missing some great inshore and freshwater fishing. 10 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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Not far north of Highway 98 and the world-famous beaches of the northwest Florida coast lie some of the finest rivers and bays to be found, and these rivers and bays are full of big, strong, eager to bite fish. And these waters are prime kayak fishing destinations. SKF talked to a local kayak fishing guide, Captain Craig Shelton, about the inshore and freshwater fishing along the Emerald Coast, and he graciously volunteered to talk to me while we were fishing. I met him at Broxson’s Outdoors in Navarre Beach where he charters kayak fishing trips, and we drove just a few miles north on Highway 87 to East River and East Bay for a morning’s fishing. The weather was nice, the water was great, and redfish pulled hard- it was a fine day. Here’s what Captain Craig- more commonly known as Big Red- had to tell us about the inshore fishing at the Navarre area.

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SKF- What kind of inshore fishing is there at the Navarre area? river, bay, Sound? Fresh water and saltwater? Can you describe the water as it is usually? Big Red- The Navarre area has great inshore fishing options. The Sound(Santa Rose Sound, which separates Navarre Beach itself from the main land) has everything an inshore fisherman can hope for- grass flats, docks, and channels, deep and skinny waters. West of Navarre is the Escambia Bay, East of Navarre is Choctawhatchee Bay, the north side is East Bay. All of these areas are salt and brackish waters. Fresh water is also available in East River, Black Water River, and Escambia River. For the majority of the year, all mentioned waters are very clear. By the way, fishing in the Sound and rivers and bays of the northwest Florida Coast doesn’t end when summer ends. Fishing is good year-round, and the rivers here all have dependable runs of winter-time striped bass in addition to redfish and speckled trout which call the rivers home during winter. These Florida stripers are a whole lot of fun caught from a kayak.

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SKF- What do you catch in summer? Big Red- Summer fishing produces red fish, trout, flounder, snapper, black drum, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel. Depending on the time of summer, we also have kings, pompano and tarpon migrate through the bays and Sound. SKF-How do you rig for summer inshore fishing? Big Red- Early mornings, the fish are usually hitting top water plugs. Midmorning we usually switch to mid-range lures, or we use popping corks with live shrimp. Mid-day plastics and live shrimp are effective. Evenings and at night live shrimp under a popping cork and glow in the dark DOAs work well in the dock lights. A gold spoon is reliable any time of day. SKF-What lures and bait do you like for inshore fishing in summer? Big Red- Live Target Lures- especially the pinfish and swimming mullet, Tactile Angler popping lures and their top water lures are awesome, Unfair Lures also have a wide variety that are very effective. MirroLures and Savage Fishing 3D Lures also work very well in this area. SKF- What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught inshore in summer? How’d you catch it? Big Red- A 49” redfish holds the record. He was caught using a top water Papa Dog on 12lb test monofilament with a 7’ Shimano Rod and Shimano Sedona 2500 Reel. It took approximately an hour and a half to land this bull red from the kayak. This was quite the kayak sleigh ride- it pulled me a couple of miles altogether. SKF- What are the best times of day for summer inshore fishing? Does tide make any difference? Big Red- Early morning and night are the best times to fish. As the old saying goes: For every hour the sun is up, the trout get smaller. But ultimately as long as the current is moving, you should have success any time of day. SKF- What about weather conditions there in summer? Big Red- The days are typically in the upper 80’s to low 90’s and nights in the 70’s with light winds out of the south. This make for a refreshing afternoon sea breeze.

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SKF- What kind of kayaks are best suited for inshore fishing at Navarre? Big Red- I personally use Native Slayer Propel 13’. Its ease of peddling and the ability to go in reverse make it ideal for inshore fishing. I recommend sit on tops which are made by a number of different brands such as Native, Old town, Feel Free, Vibe and Ocean. July 2015

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SKF- Can you arrange for kayaks for visitors who don’t have their own with them? Big Red- I am the Pro Guide for Yangler Kayak Outdoor Wear and Broxson Outdoors Kayak Fishing Charters, and I can provide kayaks as well as fishing gear for our visitors. The only thing they are required to get is a fishing license. But we recommend a good hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and an ice chest to take their catch home. So, enjoy the Beach, but Don’t ignore the “other” Kayak fishing It’s understandable for visitors to the Emerald Coast to lose themselves in the beach scene- it is gorgeous. But, for some world-class inshore fishing, kayak anglers should give the rivers and bays north of the beach a long look. Many times when the wind and high surf make beach kayak fishing a nonstarter, anglers can find sheltered conditions, easier kayak launch facilities, and some very aggressive fish in the less-known and less fished waters away from the white sand. Important Contact Information: Big Red Kayak Fishing Charter 850-382-3740 Broxson’s Outdoors 8155 Navarre Pkwy 850-936-0230 16 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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featured artist

Nick Schade

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note Southern Kayak Fishing has featured artists in watercolor in the first two issues. In the Summer Issue, we want to go an entirely different direction. We look at Nick Schade who builds some of the most beautiful pieces of art to be found, and he builds with wood. And his artwork can be very effective fishing tools, too. Join us as we look at an artist in the building of wooden kayaks. We talked with Nick Schade recently, and hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our interview.

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featured artist

SKF- Nick, what kind of training did you receive for kayak design and building? Nick Schade- No formal training. I went to school for electrical engineering and worked for about ten years as an engineer. During my time working, I started designing kayaks as a hobby. I got books and studied principles of navel architecture on my own. I combine that with my experience paddling and observing kayaks moving through the water. SKF- What elements do you feel are most important in designing and building a good kayak? Nick Schade- You need to know how the kayak is going to be used. Different uses define different requirements. The most important element will vary from person to person and kayak to kayak, but all boats start with displacement. This is how much weight the design will carry. All other details from stability to drag flow from that starting point. By knowing the use the boat will be put to and who will be using it, I can dial in a design optimal for an individual. SKF-What specific kayaks that you build/sell plans for would you think are best for fishing kayaks? How would they need to be modified to use as fishing boats?

Nick Schade- My Sea Island Sport is a fast, stable sit-on-top kayak that is well suited for fishing. It has a self draining cockpit that is roomy and comfortable. The sponson style design allows for efficiency through the water while providing good stability. I think my solo Micro Bootlegger design would also serve well for fishing. It is a sit-in kayak with a long, open cockpit and good stability.

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featured artist

SKF- What do you feel are the advantages for a kayak angler who wants to build his/her own wooden kayak? Nick Schade- If you are building your own boat, you have the opportunity to outfit it exactly to your desires from the outset. You aren’t locked into the factory defaults for rod mounts or other equipment. And since you build it yourself, if you decide you want to change something later, you have the skills to make modifications. SKF- what kind of tools would a kayak builder need? Nick Schade- If you are building your kayak from a kit, tool requirements are minimal. Hand tools will get you a long way. A random orbital hand sander is a big help. Building kayaks from scratch may require access to a table saw or band saw. SKF- What are the best woods for kayak building? Nick Schade- A design like the Sea Island Sport uses Okoume marine plywood, which is very tough. I also use western red cedar for many of my designs. It is beautiful and lightweight. SKF- How can a kayak angler who wants to learn more about building wooden fishing kayaks get information? Nick Schade- My website has a bunch of information about kayak building including videos showing the building process. I also have a book The Strip-Built Sea Kayak which describes the whole procedure. SKF- Is there anything else you feel our kayak-angler readers should know about building your wooden kayak designs for use as fishing boats? Nick Schade- There are few things you can build in your basement that will take you places in the same way as a kayak. It is immensely satisfying to get out on the water in a boat you made with your own hands. And to that last statement, we at SKF can only say,” Amen!” To contact Nick Schade: Guillemot Sea Kayaks, 54 South Rd., Groton, CT 06340 860-659-8847 http://www.WoodenKayaks.com 24 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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featured artist

SKF- What do you feel are the advantages for a kayak angler who wants to build his/her own wooden kayak?

In the Beginning It was a dark, chilly winter, and I was tired of sitting around moping and whining. I went online to kill some time- the worst kind of murder. I found a website which showed how a normal person with normal skills and a normal amount of tools could build a functional wooden kayak. I read and kept reading, and a week later, I ordered plans for a small wooden kayak from a man way up in Groton, Connecticut- Nick Schade. I began collecting plywood and straight lengths of 2X4 lumber, and other materials needed. When the plans arrived, they were simple enough for me to follow, and for once in my life, I did follow the directions.

Nick Schade- If you are building your own boat, you have the opportunity to outfit it exactly to your desires from the outset. You arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t locked into the factory defaults for rod mounts or other equipment. And since you build it yourself, if you decide you want to change something later, you have the skills to make modifications. SKF- what kind of tools would a kayak builder need? Nick Schade- If you are building your kayak from a kit, tool requirements are minimal. Hand tools will get you a long way. A random orbital hand sander is a big help. Building kayaks from scratch may require access to a table saw or band saw. SKF- What are the 26 l Southern Kayak Fishin org

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Can You REALLY build a Wooden Fishing Kayak? Really? By Ed Mashburn

In the Process I made my building supports. I made my backbone and frames. I made my bow and stern pieces. I cut yards and yards of western red cedar planks into Âź inch thick strips. I started work. Along the way, I leaned a great deal about wood working and the proper application of planes, sanders and glue lay-up. At the later stages of the project, I learned a great deal about fiberglass and epoxy. Then I learned a lot about sanding until smooth and the application of marine varnish. July 2015

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featured artist

Ed Mashburn

And when it was all done- just a few months later- I had a boat. And it looked GOOD.

. When you build your own wooden kayak, be prepared when you launch your boat and other folks are aroundyou will NOT be allowed to launch quickly. Other folks will want to look at your boat, admire your boat, and even touch your boat. You will have to explain that YOU built the boat. You must be prepared to accept congratulations from men and admiration from women.

I took it to the neighborhood pond and slipped myself into the boat and then slipped the kayak into the water. It floated. It paddled well. It didn’t leak. I assure you, dear reader, that I was happy. I was even happier when a couple of days later, I took the new wooden kayak to the same pond, and this time I had a spinning rod with me. When that first two-pound bass lay on the smooth, glistening, hand-polished wood of the kayak deck, I felt that I had indeed accomplished something in my life.

.When you build your own wooden kayak, you will almost certainly build more. The wooden kayak building process is so much fun, and the results are so rewarding, it’s hard to stop building. And don’t worry if you don’t have enough storage space for more kayaks- you won’t have to look far to find someone who will be glad to take a wooden kayak off your hands.

And After the Process I learned a lot from building that first wooden kayak. I learned two things in particular that I’d like to share with you good folks who might have interest in building your own kayak. 28 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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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

Get the Drop on the Fish Use a Drop-shot on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Em By Barry Dodd

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n a nut shell...a drop-shot rig is nothing more than a weight at the bottom of the line with a hook located above the weight. If you think this is not a new technique, you are right. For years, folks have fished for crappie, catfish, reds, and snapper (just pick a fish) using this same set up. The drop-shot rig is not new nor is it unique. It just gets refined for different species at different times, but it is a valuable tool for all kayak anglers to have in their arsenal for tough fishing

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So, is the drop-shot rig the best method of fishing all the time? Absolutely not! It’s just another method of presenting a lure (temptation). Will it work every time? No! It’s no different than advertising. If there is no audience or the audience is not receptive to what is offered in that format, the advertising is ineffectual. Anglers use all types of lures in hopes of presenting a temptation which the fish cannot resist. The drop-shot rig, however, is hard to beat on heavy pressured lakes, clear water lakes, in cold water and many other tough fishing conditions. If this concept is intrigues you, keep reading. The specifics of equipment, how to rig, what knots to use, which lines work best, weight shapes and style of hooks to use will be covered. In addi-tion, how, when and where to use this rig, which soft plastics and the type structure and/or cover to target will also be covered. Let’s get started with the details so you know what to buy, how to rig it and how it is fished.

Equipment: Drop-shot is a style of finesse fishing. Open face spinning tackle is

preferred be-cause it handles lighter lines very effectively. The right spinning equipment affords excellent sen-sitivity and the reels allow the free flow of line off the reel, which is a great asset. A 6’ 10” spinning rod with an extra fast tip and medium light power is just the right fit for this style fishing. St. Croix’s Legend Tournament Drop-Shot / Finesse spinning rod (TBS610MLXF) is designed with an excellent blend of fish-fighting and hook-setting power coupled with a very delicate tip to detect the slightest bite or bottom change.

Rod:

Reel: The 25 or 2500 series reels are the perfect size.

Like the Okuma Helios Hx-25, which is a composite reel for lightness and loaded with 9 sealed bearings for longevity and a su-per smooth drag system for fighting those line stripping hawgs.

Main Line: For superior sensitivity, super-braid line is preferred to spool on the reel.

Izorline’s Premium Spectra 12# natural white is an excellent choice. It is not coated with waxes, it is easy to see under most all conditions, has no stretch, holds knots very well, is extremely tough for its very thin diameter and can be fished all season long. The other major reason for us-ing super-braid is the reduction of line twist, which is inherent with fluorocarbon, co-polymer and monofilament lines.

Leader: Fluorocarbon is preferred but co-polymer is a good second choice. The

leader’s poundage varies depending on the conditions but starting with 8# or 10# is best. Izorline’s 100% Fluoro-Carbon Lead is a true leader material. Leader material is constructed differently than the line used to spool on reels. Leader material is much tougher and is much more shock resistant than the line purchased for spooling reels. The fluorocarbon lines used to spool on reels, regard-less of what is advertised,

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stretches on hook-sets. Because of the length of line cast, the stretch gives the line a cushioning effect which helps minimize breaking. But, with just a couple feet used for a leader, there is no cushioning effect so the line has a much higher propensity to snap or break on hook-sets. True leader fluorocarbon line compensates for that high impact in the way it’s made. The other very important aspect of using super-braid with a leader is the knot, which is covered later.

Terminal Tackle: Generally speaking, these are the items which terminate at the end of the line with a knot; like swivels, hooks and weights. The use of swivels between the main line and the leader is discouraged.

Hooks: There are many variations of drop-shot hooks, but let’s focus on the two most

im-portant styles, weedless and non-weedless. Drop-shot fishing for bass began with fishing direct-ly under the boat in clear open water, getting hung on trees and such was not a big deal so non-weedless hooks were not much of a problem. As the popularity increased, casting became popu-lar so companies began making drop-shot weedless worm hooks. These hooks have off-set bends so the hook’s point can be reinserted back into the worm. This drastically minimizes hang-ups. July 2015

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The key difference in design of drop-shot hooks is the angle of the hook’s eye. It is bent about 30 degrees toward the hook’s point on the worm hooks and away from the point on the others. That bend causes the hook to stand out away from the line, enhancing the soft plastic’s action and improved hook-sets. The Owner’s Down-Shot Off-Set Worm hooks in sizes 1/0, 2/0 and 3/0 are great choices for weedless hooks. Gamakatsu’s Drop/Split Shot in sizes 1, 2 and 1/0 are great choices for non-weedless. One final note on hook selection. In tests, it seems that hooks without a beak (points that bend in towards the shank) get better hook sets.

Weights: Buy weights designed specifically for drop-shot. These weights incorporate

a special swiveled line keeper. Just slide the line into the “v” of the swivel and pull down. The line is caught in the bottom of the “v” and hangs on. If the weight gets hung, the “v” usually cuts the line where it is attached. Thus, the only loss is the weight. There are three basic shapes: round, cylinder and tear-drop. Use the tear-drop and round when the bottom structure is mostly devoid of rocks, trees and vegetation. Cylinder shaped weights pull through rocks, trees and vegetation much easier without getting hung and lost. The amount of weight needed varies with depth, wind and line size. The key is to use only enough weight to keep good contact with the bait. 3/16 oz, ¼ oz and 3/8 oz are used the most.

Knots: The next step in putting this rig together is learning a couple knots. The first knot is the one which attaches fluorocarbon leader to the main super-braid line.

Dodd Knot: This knot is amazingly tiny and because it is shaped like a bullet, it

is almost undetectable when casting. But most importantly, it has superior strength.

Watch this video to learn how to tie the Dodd Knot.

Uni-Knot, Miller Knot, or Palomar Knot: These are the knots used to tie

the hook to the leader. When tying the hook for drop-shot, plan for a long piece of line past the knot, called the tag end. This tag end is run back through the hook’s eye going away from the point. The weight is then attached at the end of the tag. The length of the tag determines the distance from the weight to the hook. A good starting point is about 12”. Some knots are easier to tie than others. The knots listed above are in order of hardest to tie to the easiest. The order also indicates the knot strength. However, more use the Palomar than the other two. Search YouTube for these knots and get proficient with the one you like best before going to the lake. Aaron Martens has some excellent drop-shot videos of rigging and fishing the drop-shot.

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Bait: As stated at the beginning, the drop-shot rig has been used for hundreds of

years. Most use live bait, cut bait or stink bait. However, in the bass fishing world, most use soft plastics. The basic drop-shot worm will be 2” to 6”, very pliable (giving life-like action), thin, and either have neutral buoyancy or floats. Sometimes color is important but generally not nearly as important as the other qualities just mentioned. Generally, 4” to 5” natural looking colors work well. But, don’t be afraid to experiment with bright hot colors and small 2” crappie sizes. You just might be surprised how small a bait big bass eat. Remember, it takes a receptive audience, desirable product and enticing presentation to tempt.

Structure and Cover: Whole books have been written on the importance of

location. Realtors stress the three most important property considerations are location, location and location. It’s that important with fishing, as well. In a nut shell, bass use break lines (bottom contours, points, ditches, humps, etc.) for traveling to and from their grocery store. They use cover (trees, vegeta-tion, rock piles, docks, etc.) as resting and hiding places to ambush their meals. Sometimes they chase baitfish in open water but seldom do they travel far from break lines. Look for locations where there are intersections of structure and cover to be the most productive. That’s where you will find the audience to tempt…no matter if it’s a river, pond or lake. If you do not have a good sonar unit on your kayak, get one!

Best Season: No kidding, twelve months of the year. The drop-shot rig is so versatile it can be used effectively all the time just by varying the presentation techniques. Experiment.

Techniques: There are many.

Fishing directly under the kayak when marking fish on the sonar is what most anglers visualize. Drifting and dragging also works well from kayaks. But, casting and methodically dragging the weight on the bottom stopping when it contacts an obstacle or drops off a ledge has revolutionized this finesse technique. Frequent stops with very gently jig-gling of the rod tip gives life-like action to the bait. Practice this jiggling in clear water to see it move. You will find that too much actions makes the bait look unnatural and kills the temptation factor. Try casting into shallow water during low light hours or anytime bass are likely in the shallows. Cast it on top of ledges, drag it off drop-offs and walk it down the ledges into deeper water. As for suspended fish, swim it off the bottom, with stopping, jiggling and starting retrieves. In cold or hot water, moving slower often works better. Vary the speed and amount of time in one spot. Most importantly, pay very close attention to “everything” so that when the temptation leads to a strike, you recognize what, when, where and how to duplicate.

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Bite Detection: Don’t expect a hard strike, although it does happen sometimes.

Rather, expect either a very subtle pull similar to stretching a rubber band, a slight perch like peck or see your line move. To become a really good drop-shot angler, you must maintain weight tension to de-tect the strikes and remain alert to every detail.

Setting the Hook: It is critical to be in proper position before setting the hook.

Just like any sport, there is a ready position and not being in a ready position leads to errors. This point cannot be emphasized too much. Stay balanced and when a strike is detected, start dropping the rod tip and reeling in line at the same rate until the rod tip is pointing towards the water. Then gently lift the rod until the fish is detected and set the hook. This is spinning tackle and light line so the drag needs to be set accordingly and a very hard hook-set is not necessary. July 2015

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Professional Fishing Guide & Instructor Whether you ﬁsh with family, friends, colleagues - or if you are new to the sport come and be my honored guest on the water.

Tell me your goals for the outing, ask all the questions you want and learn all you can. I specialize in coaching conventional and ﬂy ﬁshing techniques on Texas lakes and rivers. again, remember that light line demands taking time to fight the fish and don’t try and land the fish until it is tired enough. Enjoy the fight and do not rush. Finally, use a net or your hand to land the fish rather than lifting it with the line into the kayak.

Fighting and Landing: The number

one reason for lost fish is relaxing the line pressure. This happens when the rod tip is dropped down after a hook-set, dropping the rod tip while fighting the fish causing slack line, or the fish jumping causing slack in the line. Maintaining constant line pressure leads to better success. Once

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Whether you fish rivers, ponds or lakes from your kayak, finesse fishing the

July 2015

drop-shot is extremely effective. It’s fun, exciting and will improve all you angling skills because it hones your atten-tiveness to details and feel. One final thought, if you don’t want to get hooked, avoid destruc-tive temptations. Barry Dodd

Exchange stress for relaxation, fun and memories. Lakes: Canyon, Dunlap & LBJ Rivers: Guadalupe, Blanco & San Marcos Boat, Kayak or Wading

(210) 771-0123 www.TeachEmToFish.net

Angler Series Paddles “The Odyssey Angler” Reviewed by: Tim Perkins

he Angler Series is Adventure Technology’s awesome line of fishing paddles. They are designed with features and blade versatility geared to fit the new angler-specific kayaks, and are very functional with a height-adjustable seating system as well as remaining highly functional for the angler who prefers to stand. I tested the 260 cm Odyssey Angler using a Ride 115X Max and a Commander 120, both from Wilderness Systems. The Ride offered me a great test medium for the height-adjustable seating system, while the Commander allowed me to test while standing.

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Odyssey Angler Features:

• High visibility aesthetics (digital camouflage) • Abrasion resistant reinforced tip of blade • Measuring tape graphics • Line hook • Adjustable ferrule that adds up to 10 cm in length • Carbon blend shaft that's standard diameter for lighter weight

Specifications:

Blade material: Fiberglass DuraweaveTM with nnegiaTM (abrasion resistant) Shaft material: Carbon blend with a standard diameter Weight :

33.05 oz

Length:

220 cm -260 cm

Length adjustment: 0-10 cm

Findings:

The Odyssey Angler made it easier to maneuver the heavier angling kayaks. It offered quick acceleration as well as powerful strokes. The longer shaft allowed for more clearance, eliminated the problem of scrubbing the side of the seat, and facilitated stand-up paddling. It also offered an impressive amount of power, and allowed me to use the appropriate angles on each paddle stroke. I was overwhelmingly impressed. I spend a lot of time in a Commander 120, and I don’t think I’ve ever propelled it so fast in the standing position. I felt in complete control of the kayak even while standing.

Summary:

The Angler Series paddles are perfect for the larger, heavier angler kayaks like Ride and Commander series as well as the new A.T.A.K., and it is ideal for big water as well as flats. The uses seem limitless!

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Kayak Hacks – Anchoring Systems

By Steve Moore

Trying to fish from a light kayak, subject to the whims of wind and current, is an exercise in frustration unless you have an anchoring system to stabilize the platform. Here are some inexpensive Do-It-Yourself solutions.

The Problem: When using a traditional anchor, you must anticipate

where the boat will come to rest after the anchor grabs. Wind and current pushes the boat on an arc; sometimes just enough to move away from the desired casting angle or end up out of range.

The Solution (1): A stake out pole provides an immediate grab strong

enough to fight wind and moderate current when shoved into the mud; allowing you to control exactly where the boat stops. Commercial stake out poles come in sizes from five to ten feet with costs ranging from $50-$250. Thankfully, Brian Whayland (YouTube Channel “bw3288”) came up with a $20 alternative. Here is what you need: • 8 foot section of ¾” PVC • ¾” PVC “T” fitting with end caps • PVC cement • 2 four foot ¾” inch dowels (or 1 eight footer) • two sided screw • a few ¾” self-tapping screws • JB Weld • Pad eye (optional) • ¼” wide, 1” long screw, locking nut and regular nut (optional for camera mount) 48 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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Assemble the two dowels by drilling a hole in the end of each and connecting with the two sided screw. Putting a dab of JB Weld in the joint for additional grip would not hurt. Size the PVC pipe 2 inches shorter than the dowel and insert the dowel. Using the self-tapping screws, screw the pipe to the dowel; placing the screws along the length on all sides to account for different bending angles under tension. Sharpen the protruding dowel to a point. Cover with JB Weld to both waterproof and harden. Hold the pipe vertical to allow the JB Weld to drip down to a point as it dries. If you want to add a horizontal (normal) camera mount, drill a ¼ inch hole through the middle of the T fitting, insert the ¼” screw and attach with a locknut. Put the regular nut on top and use it to screw up against the camera body to stabilize and lock it in position. Do the same with an end cap if you want a vertical mount. Glue on the end caps and attach the T fitting to the pipe. Tie a short rope to the completed pole or screw a pad eye to the pipe under the handle for a more elegant solution. I also recommend you wrap a section of pool noodle around the rope to allow easy retrieval should the pole fall overboard. Done! 50 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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The Solution (2):

Want even simpler options? Daniel Mid (YouTube Channel “Daniel Mid”) bought a golf ball retriever for less than $15, cut off the head and attached a rope. Without the ball retriever, the pole terminates in a natural point perfect for sticking into the mud. The retriever is collapsible for easy storage. An extendable paint roller pole works the same way and is another option. If either tends to collapse when pushed, glue or bolt and leave permanently extended. Add a camera to the top by bolting or using cable ties to attach a PVC T fitting to the handle. You have to assess whether these quick options are robust enough for the currents you encounter and the weight of your boat.

The Problem: While a stake out pole works fine in

shallow water, you still need a traditional anchor. If you misjudge the current or need to react quickly to a large wave/ boat wake, you may end up cutting the anchor loose to avoid tipping. Another issue is that fish love to wrap line around the rope when close to the boat. Finally, randomly stacked anchor rope creates a tangled mess, hanging on other gear, in a small kayak.

The Solution: Organize the anchor system, provide a

quick disconnect capability and a way to retrieve the anchor when cut loose. The basic idea came from the YouTube “VentureTube” channel. With my tweaks, the total cost, minus the actual anchor, is under $16. July 2015

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Here is what you need: • Small section of ½” PVC pipe • Small section of pool noodle • 2 small spring clips rated at a minimum of 50 lbs. • Rope • Waterproof adhesive (JB MarineWeld is a good choice) Spread the adhesive on the pipe and thread it through the pool noodle. After the adhesive dries, run a small piece of rope through the pipe and tie to the spring clips at each end. Tie the anchor rope to one of the clips- it becomes the top of the system and will connect to the kayak. Wrap the rope around the noodle and tie off to the anchor using a zip tie in the top hole of the anchor instead of putting the rope through the hole (allows you to break the zip tie to free the anchor when hung). Do not run the rope through the clips until you need to deploy the anchor (picture shows how the system would look when deployed). Tie another line (red/white in the picture) to the top clip to connect the system to the kayak. If using an anchor trolley, size the line to be a foot longer than the distance from the seat to bow or stern; whichever is farther away. 52 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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When on the water, thread the red/white line through the anchor trolley ring and tie off using a slip knot to implement the needed quick disconnect. Unwrap the amount of anchor rope you want to deploy and clip it through the top clip and then the bottom clip. By running through the top clip first, you establish a straight connection between kayak and anchor. Before closing the bottom clip, wrap the rope a few times inside the clip to keep additional rope from unwrapping. If using a trolley, adjust the angle and, if desired, retie the slip knot to shorten the connection between kayak and float. Using the system is simple. If you get in trouble with current, a wave or fish, yank the tag end of the slip knot to disconnect the anchor. The kayak floats free until the hazard is past or the fish is in the boat. Paddle over to the floating pool noodle and retrieve the system. Calling all shade tree kayak mechanics! We know the innate all-American creative urge has resulted in many great Do-It-Yourself innovations to improve the basic kayak platform or provide cost effective alternatives to commercial products. If you have an idea to share in a future issue, send a description and a picture or two. If you already captured your idea on YouTube, just send the link with permission to use images extracted from the video. Everything goes to Steve at Steve@kayakhacks.com. July2015

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Featured Kayak Shop

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ess than twenty miles from a major state capital- Tallahasseethe woods are thick and dark, the trees are big and draped with Spanish moss, and the rivers are clear, springfed and year-round comfortable. The Wakulla River, to be specific, is also full of big, hard-pulling fish that attract the attention of kayak anglers from all over the country. Very close to the Wakulla River where it exits the massive Edward Ball State Park grounds and makes its way to the Gulf fifteen or so miles south, can be found a place where kayak anglers can browse and see a wide range of kayaks, kayak supplies, and kayak angling gear. Wilderness Way is a long-established kayak shop which provides kayakers and kayak anglers a very wide selection of gear. Southern Kayak Fishing spoke with Rob Baker, owner of Wilderness Way, and with occasional input from his new son, three-month-old Robert Louis Baker IV, we learned about the operation of Wilderness Way.

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Featured Kayak Shop

SKF- So, what makes the Wakulla River area a good place for a kayak shop? Rob Baker- The clear, spring-fed Wakulla river gives kayak anglers a chance to target freshwater species of fish- bream and bassand also target saltwater fish- very often redfish are caught in the Wakulla petty far upstream. In winter, kayak anglers will encounter speck trout farther downstream toward the salt. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a beautiful river just to be on and float- the good fishing makes it even better. SKF- How has kayak fishing interest grown in your area? Rob Baker- A whole lot! Kayak fishing is the fastest growing segment of paddle sports. Innovation in kayaks- peddle drive, better seating, great rod holder- have made fishing kayaks become effective as both fishing and recreational boats. SKF- How long has your shop been in business? Rob Baker- Our kayak rental business- TnT Hideaway has been operating for forty years. My Grandma Gretchen Evan and Uncle John Evans first operated TnT Hideaway, and the family has kept it going ever since. Wilderness Way developed from Tnt Hideaway. Our growth allowed us to build Wilderness Way and get involved with major kayak builders.

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Featured Kayak Shop

SKF- How important is it for Wilderness Way to be a fullservice shop in your area? Rob Baker- It’s crucial for us to provide all of the services a paddleangler needs. We get folks asking us for retail sales, trip planning and rental, repairs to kayaks. We try to service everyone we can. SKF- In an average month, how many novice or beginning kayak anglers will you see? Rob Baker- We’ll get newcomers in our shop asking for help and guidance almost daily. We’ll get two or three every weekend. These are folks looking at kayak fishing and paddling and wanting to learn more. SKF- How do you make sure you have the boats, supplies, and gear paddle anglers need? Rob Baker- We have forty years experience in the floating and paddle-fishing business. We’re affiliated members of several outdoors and paddling groups and organizations. We network with other outfitters to understand and share information about demands for outfitters to come up with new and better services and products. 60 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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Featured Kayak Shop

SKF- What do you offer would-be kayak anglers as far as advice and instruction? Rob Baker- Nearly all newcomers want advice“Where should I go? What’s the best kayak for me?” WE try to help them out. We offer a lot of classes and instruction both on land and on the water. We offer a lot of fourhour classes- one hour on the ground covering parts, rules of the road, safety. Then we get the beginners on the water for three hours where they can practice strokes and maneuvers, and self and assisted rescue. SKF- What would you most like to convey to our readers about Wilderness Way? Rob Baker- We’re a friendly, knowledgeable shop. We try to cover everything a kayak angler might ever need. We’re a one-stop shop for paddle sports needs. If it doesn’t deal with paddle sports, we don’t do it. We focus on paddle sports. To contact Wilderness Way: 850-877-7200 3152 Shadeville Road Crawfordville, Florida 32327 info@wildernessway.net Wilderness Way is closed on Mondays 62 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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REEL-FIN- ADDICT KAYAK FISHING

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Where our salespersons are experienced kayakers And paddle the Pro Anglers – Revolutions – Cuda’s Visit our store at 3152 Shadeville Rd, Crawfordville, FL 32327 64 l Southern Kayak Fishing

www.thewildernessway.net April 2015

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Gettingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; StealthyQuiet Is Gooood!

ne of the great strengths of fishing from a kayak is that you can be astronomically more stealthy than you can ever be from a powerboat. Unfortunately, many anglers nullify much of this advantage through inattention, bad techniques and kayak outfitting that does not lend itself to stealthy fishing. The skinnier the water gets, the spookier the fish tend to get. As these are the best areas to sight fish, much of your success in sight fishing will depend upon improving your skills on being stealthy. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think that being stealthy when fishing is that important, try putting your head underwater and tapping your kayak with a paddle or fishing rod. The goal of this article is to help you understand what types of things you should do to become deadly silent in your kayak.

By John Williams

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Sources of Noise and How to Tame Them Paddle Noise

The most obvious place to start with being stealthy is to think about the noise that your paddle can make. Avoid bumping the boat while paddling. This seems like something everyone would know, but I see kayak fishermen bumping their paddle on the hull regularly while fishing all the time. When picking up your rod, work on laying the paddle down as quietly as possible. Installing stealthing foam to the top rail of your kayak makes this even easier. If you like to fish standing up, use a paddle clip on your waist. The Otter Sight Fishing Belt is a great example of this type of belt. Not only does it keep your paddle noise down, but it helps to keep your eyes on the fish.https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5tFauWlktY Learn to paddle without making that "toilet flushing" sound - especially in shallow water. In shallow water, I like to move the boat along by quietly placing the blade of my paddle against the bottom and pulling or pushing against that. The ultimate in stealth is to not paddle at all. Learning to drift through the marsh as much as possible is a skill that will pay dividends. I try to place my boat in a way to be able to drift with the wind or current without taking any paddle strokes. You will be amazed to see fish swim right under your kayak without even knowing you are there when you minimize your noise. 68 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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Anchoring

Anchoring is an area that I constantly see anglers make too much noise. They will bump the boat while grabbing their stab pole or make noise while dropping their anchor. In shallow water, I prefer a "Choupique" style anchor system. This system has a separate front and rear anchor that can be operated from the seat of your kayak with quick release cleats. This makes your anchors totally silent while dropping into the water. Be sure to use stealthing foam in the spot where the anchors contact the boat so that you can be silent while raising the anchor as well. An added advantage of the Choupique anchor system is that it’s the best way to anchor while standup sight fishing. Here’s a link to give you a better idea on how this system works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoeMI7YveCc

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Fishing Gear

While you are fishing, start to think about the things that you pick up and put down on a regular basis like Plano boxes, pliers, fish grips, water bottles etc… At the same time, figure out where the best places to put these items would be. When you get home, cut some stealthing foam and adhere it to these places. This will allow you to pick up small items and lay them down without causing bite-killing noise. It also helps to keep these items from sliding around in the boat.

More Quiet-More Fish

Part of the thrill of kayak fishing is the ability to catch fish in very shallow water. Your ability to be stealthy in these conditions will go a long way towards your success. If you focus on learning to paddle quietly, drift when possible, keep anchoring noise down and put stealth rubber on all places that your gear contacts the boat and you'll be catching more fish than ever before! July 2015

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featured kayak builder

Wilderness Systems

Editor’s Note I can’t be totally objective about Wilderness Systems kayaks. Our first family kayaks were a couple of absolute bottom end, very cheap, long-discontinued model Wilderness Systems kayaks. We have taken these little sit-in kayaks across the country, and we’ve paddled them in all sorts of conditions. And we’ve caught a ton of fish from these little ‘yaks. We still use them very often. So I have to admit up front that I have a warm place in my heart for Wildey kayaks. 74 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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featured kayak builder

The Story

ilderness systems has been building fishing kayaks since the Ride Angler was launched in 1999. In 2001, Wilderness Systems launched the first iteration of the Tarpon models. Both Ride and Tarpon have been redesigned multiple times since their original release to meet the changing needs of our angling consumers. Wilderness Systems makes high performance premium kayaks that are extremely customizable. Wilderness Systems has always prioritized the design of the hull to meet the anglerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specific need. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve created fast, responsive Tarpon models for anglers paddling river or long distances. The Ride models are designed to provide a stable casting platform for sight casting. The new Thresher models were designed for anglers who want to cover large amounts of water in unpredictable conditions.

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featured kayak builder

After the hull design goals are met, we strive to create a versatile deck design that does not limit anglers. We want the angler to be able to put rod holders, camera mounts, and safety lights in locations that are accessible and make sense. This is accomplished with the use of our SlideTrax system for mounting accessories as well as flat surfaces throughout. The incorporation of FlexPod OS and new Rectangular Hatch found in the Thresher model add to this philosophy by allowing more options for storage, electronics, and camera mounts. Kayak anglers spend many hours sitting their boats, and the quality of a kayak seat can ultimately make or break an anglerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on-the-water experience. Wilderness Systems is proud to offer the innovative, comfortable and functional seats on the market with our Phase 3 AirPro seating systems. All Wilderness Systems angling kayaks are outfitted with high performance seats that are optimized to best suit the different boat designs, intended paddling conditions and the different fishing positions. Our kayaks are proudly built in Greenville, South Carolina.

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Why should any anglers consider buying a Wilderness Systems kayak? Wilderness Systems kayaks are easy and fun to paddle, so they are perfect for beginners. The kayaks are designed by and for the best anglers in the world, so a novice angler can progress into an advanced kayak angler with a single Wilderness systems boat. High performance, aesthetically beautiful, and highly customizable, Wilderness Systems kayaks are the perfect kayaks for any type of fishing conditions. Spending a little time in a Wilderness Systems kayak is the best sales pitch we can make. Our innovative designs, premium outfitted and an uncompromising attention to detail have made Wilderness Systems an industry leader since 1986. Today the brand continues to push the limits of technology, performance, comfort, responsiveness, and aesthetics. Wilderness Systems offers the ultimate on-the-water experiences to everyone from passionate anglers to recreational boaters and expedition paddlers.

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On The Fly Magazine Highlighting the Passions and Lifestyle of Fly Fishing and Bird Hunting

www.ontheflymag.com

featured kayak destination

It Really IS a Piece of Paradise for Kayak Anglers The sand looks and feels like sugar spilled on the edge of the saltwater. The Gulf waters are clear, emerald green, warm and impossible to avoid. If there are little kids around, they WILL be in the water. The surf is generally gentle, and the soft breezesin the words of Jimmy Buffett- “This salt air, it ain’t thin, it will stick right to your skin, and make you feel fine.” There are few high-rise buildings to mar the sightlines, and the area offers plenty of places for visitors to stay while they visit. There is a newly developed marine park for swimmers and kayakers. The beach road has several pull-offs and parking areas all the way to Pensacola Beach- about fifteen miles west of Navarre Beach. This place is gorgeous!

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Navarre Beach, Florida

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featured kayak destination

Oh, yes, and the fishing. Kayak anglers can put in at any place along the beach where parking is allowed and venture out into the Gulf for some serious big-game fishing. If the surf is strong and not suitable for kayak launching, anglers can simply take the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yaks to the Sound- the body of water that lies between the island where Navarre Beach is located and the mainland. There are lots of fine fish on that side of the sand, too. There are very good kayak shops close at hand on the mainland on Highway 98. Live bait is accessible at most times, and the fish bitemost times.

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featured kayak destination

There are very good kayak shops close at hand on the mainland on Highway 98. Live bait is accessible at most times, and the fish bitemost times.

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featured kayak destination

The kayak fishing season is long. The best fishing starts in April and runs until October or whenever the Gulf water temperatures fall below 70 degrees. Even in the dead of winter, kayak anglers still catch very good fish- they just have to rig for cool water fishing. So, there it is. Easy to get to, easy to access the beach. Easy to find good places to eat and stay, and easy to find some of the finest kayak fishing in the world. If thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not paradise, I never expect to find it. 88 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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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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Bayou La Batre Kayak Classic!

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Bayou La Batre, AL- The Bayou La Batre Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its presentation of the second annual Bayou La Batre Kayak Classic!

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place adult anglers will receive plaques, and junior anglers will receive trophies! There will even be a kayak giveaway!

Kayak fishing is a rapidly growing sport in the U.S., offering access to both inshore and near-shore fishing arenas. This water sport, relatively inexpensive and relying on nothing more than human energy for power, is an exciting and challenging approach to one of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite pastimes!

For registration, visit the link below http://www.bayoulabatrekayakclassic.org/ page/Register

Tickets are priced at only $30 for Adult Anglers, $20 for Junior Anglers, and a Discount Combo of $50 includes entry to the tournament as well as the Taste of The tournament will be held on August 1st , the Bayou seafood festival to be held on 2015 along the coastline of Bayou La Batre September 29th! and the Gulf of Mexico. The competition begins with a shotgun start at 6am, at the Complete details on the Bayou La Batre Bayou La Batre City Docks. Festivities will Kayak Classic including tournament rules continue throughout the day featuring fresh and regulations may be found at http://www. local seafood, cold drinks, live music, and bayoulabatrekayakclassic.org weigh-in starts at 10am! Contact: Anglers will compete for over 33 different Bayou La Batre Chamber of Commerce awards, which include both Master and Tel: (251) 828-4088 Junior Angler division titles. Junior anglers P.O. Box 486 may fish from pier, land, and kayaks. Bayou La Batre, AL 36509 July 2015 l Southern Kayak Fishing l 93

here are many kayaks available for anglers, and some are better than others. A relatively new kayak company, Kajun Custom of Baton Rouge, Louisiana is a kayak builder that should be given some attention by anglers looking for rock-solid stable kayaks that are easy to transport and paddle once on the water.

Fishing Kayaks

The KC-12- Fits Almost Anywhere The KC-12 is a kayak that is easy to transport from vehicle to water- the bow and stern handles are easy to access and give good clearance to carriers when the boat is being moved. It’s a fairly lightweight boat, and getting the boat to the water is a strong point. One of the best features of the KC-12 is its very well-designed track system which allows anglers almost unlimited seat placement, and with the addition of a second seat, the KC-12 becomes a very effective tandem fishing kayak- a rare thing, indeed. The upgrade seating of the KC-12 is excellent. Very comfortable without being soft and “squishy,” the seating is a very strong point of this boat. The track system also allows anglers to add a wide range of accessories with no drilling or other modifications to the basic hull. The KC-12 is sold as a “blank canvas”. Anglers can add almost any kind of gear, but a buyer is not encumbered with extra gear or attachments that are not needed. The KC12 can be modified to fit just about any kayak fishing situation. The KC-12 was designed to allow anglers to stand and safely and comfortably fish while standing. It does this very well. While standing and fishing, never did this reviewer feel tippy or uneasy. The boat is easy to move around in while standing. When setting the hook enthusiastically on a bass biting a plastic worm, this reviewer was very comfortable, and the boat was rock-steady.

No Boat is Perfect The KC-12, like all kayaks, is not perfect in all conditions. The high flat sides mean that the boat will respond to wind. This is not bad all the time- this kayak is a great drift boat, and using the wind to slowly move across a flat or bar while fishing is a good kayak fishing technique. But wind will affect this boat. Also, the design of the hull produces a small amount of hull slap in waves. This is not terribly bad, but it will help to keep the boat at the right angle to the waves to diminish the sound. 94 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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Final Verdict- It Works Very Well The KC-12 was originally designed for fishing in the bayous of coastal Louisiana, and in these and other skinny water conditions, the boat shines. It floats in 4 inches of water, and it is easy to paddle and tracks well. Anglers can pull up to a good spot, and feel comfortable while standing and fishing that the boat is not going to play any nasty tricks. On the first trial trip, this reviewer used the boat in a small lake with lots of weeds and other cover. A number of bass where caught, and the boat worked like a dream- itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a fun kayak to fish from. Specifications: Length-12 feet Beam- 34 â&#x20AC;&#x153; Weight- 63 lbs Single or tandem seating 450 lb capacity For more information or to locate a dealer for KC-12 kayaks: www.kckayaks.com corey@kckayaks gaines@kckayaks

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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 destination

Navarre Beach Kayak Fishing Big Game Fishing without the Big Game Travel, Expense (and Boat) By Matthew Vann

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featured kayak destination

Editor’s Note

If you’re a kayak angler, you’ve not achieved the highest point of fishing excitement until you’ve hooked a big, strong, powerful fish in the saltwater and then been taken on a kayak sleigh ride. And there’s no better area in the South to achieve this kind of excitement than the beautiful place known as Navarre Beach, Florida- it’s easy to get to, easy to fish, but very hard to leave. We have a local guide- Matthew Vann -who operates Sails and Tails Charters- to tell us about the world-class nearshore and offshore big game fishing of Navarre Beach.

here are a number of reasons why the nearshore/offshore fishing in the Gulf off Navarre Beach is so good. Navarre Beach is over twenty miles from any pass in either direction. This means we get less big boat traffic, and in turn, less fishing pressure on the fish. The water gets deeper much closer here than most other areas in the northern Gulf. The nearshore structure and live bottom scattered in the area provides good habitat for reef fish and for bait. Here lately, we have been fortunate to get big pushes of clean, blue water year after yearthis helps bring the big pelagic game fish much closer to shore. We have no rivers or passes dumping into the Gulf, so this helps us have relatively clean water for long periods. We naturally have lots of bait. Lots of bait means lots of big fish to eat the bait. Finally, the long Navarre Beach Fishing Pier attracts bait and pelagic game fish.

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featured kayak destination

In the Beginningâ&#x20AC;Ś

A day of offshore kayak fishing in July off Navarre Beach typically starts with an amazing sunrise, clear emerald colored water and a warm moist breeze coming off small southeasterly driven waves. The surf is small during the summer months unless we have a tropical disturbance in the Gulf. These usual calm morning conditions make for an easy launch and return to the beach. We launch at first light and begin our search for bait. Usually this time of year it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take long to collect our bait. We find schools of cigar minnows, blue runners (locally known as hardtails) Spanish sardines and threadfin by scanning the surface for disturbance and watching our sonar. The bait is usually in ten to thirty feet of water, and we easily catch them with Sabiki rigs. After filling the bait tubes, the real journey begins. 104 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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Rigging for a Navarre Kayak Trip

A basic set up for trolling or drifting live bait in our area consists of a seven to eight foot 30-50 lb class rod with a soft tip and good backbone. Line selection is easy. Twenty to thirty pound mono on a conventional reel or thirty to forty pound braided line on a spinning reel. Some anglers like mono better for its stretch. We then have a seven to twenty foot fluorocarbon leader connected to a 30-40 lb single strand or seven strand wire stinger rig is common. The wire leader is essential because it protects the line from being cut by the king and Spanish mackerel which are very common here in summer. When we are specifically targeting dolphin or sailfish, we run fluorocarbon leader straight to a 5/0 or 7/0 hook. We always have a rod set up to cast to free swimmers we might see. These sight-fished species include blackfin tuna, cobia, dolphin, sailfish and tarpon. When casting to blackfin tuna, we use a seven foot rod, a 4000 or 5000 series spinning reel, 30-40 lb braid line, a 20 to 40 lb fluoro leader with a topwater popper or a sling jig. When we cast to cobia, we use a heavy or extra heavy rod, 6000 series spinning reel, 50 lb braid, a 40-60 lb fluoro leader and jig swim bait. These pitch rods should have a soft tip to allow casting live baits. We use circle hooks for dolphin and tarpon. If we’re going a bit farther offshore for reef fish, I use a six foot long heavy or extra heavy jigging rod such as the Shimano Trevala 80-200lb, a Release Reel SG, and 50-75 lb PowerPro braided line. ( Editor’s note- to folks not familiar with the Gulf fishing, this gear may sound too heavy- trust us, this is appropriate gear- there are some big, bad fish not far off the Navarre Beaches.) We use a Carolina-rig with 40-60 lb fluoro leader, three ounces or so of lead, and a 5/0 to 7/0 circle hook. Our offshore targeted species are snapper- black, lane and red (editor’s note- there are some MONSTER red snapper on the Navarre Beach reefs), Another popular technique is “Chunking” up the fish and catching them on free line. This technique requires ideal conditions and the right gear and some practice on the part of the kayak angler. A little luck doesn’t hurt, either. Visiting kayak anglers need to know that not all of the big game species will be in our water all of the time. The big pelagic game fish- the tuna, dolphin, sailfish- have definite water temperature preferences. When the nearshore water gets really warm in mid-summer, the pelagics tend to pull farther out, past good kayak range. However, the big king mackerel are always close in, and there’s nothing wrong with playing with some big smoker kings from a kayak at any time of year. Although we do catch pelagics during the summer months, the best shots at blackfin tuna, dolphin and sailfish are going be in May and late August through October. In fact, September has been commonly referred to in our area as “September Sails” Whenever a visiting kayak angler comes to Navarre Beach and takes a kayak out into the emerald water of the Gulf, he or she stands to hook up with perhaps the biggest fish of a lifetime- come prepared!

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Now, When Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Ready for the Big Time

I always say offshore kayak fishing is best with a friend for many reasons. Safety is first, then having help landing a big fish, getting good photos of the big catch, and finally just the joy of sharing the experiences. I highly recommend hiring a guide to shorten the learning curve or at least going with a friend who is experienced with the offshore Gulf kayak fishing. Magazine articles and videos make kayak fishing the Gulf seem easy, but the bottom line is most of the stuff you read and see in articles and online is being done by experienced offshore kayak anglers. With that being said, we all got our start some where, and you can gather good information through articles and videos and start to figure it out. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stress safety enough! Fish with a guide or experienced friend. WEAR A PFD!, have a float plan, let people know where you will be and when you plan to return. Wear sunscreen, stay hydrated, bring a first aid kit, carry a VHF and GPS. Know your limitations. Study and pay attention to changes in the weather. Off shore kayak fishing is wonderful, but when it goes bad, it can go very bad very quickly.

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About Launching from the Beach through the Surf

Navarre Beach is not known for having huge surf. However, launching through any kind of surf can be difficult, especially for folks not familiar with the drill. Our waves normally come in sets. Before launch we study the surf and time how long the break is between the sets. We always launch during this break and travel through the cuts (the deepest water we can find over the sandbar). It is key to keep your kayak pointed straight into the waves and to not stop paddling, pedaling or both until you are beyond the breakers. Often we take waves over the bow of the kayak which is no big deal. A good rule of thumb when going offshore is to strap everything to the kayak that you don’t want to lose. There is a common saying in our kayak fishing community: There are two types of offshore kayak anglers- those who have rolled, and those who will. (Editor’s Note- I’m a member in good standing of “those who have rolled”). It happens, so be prepared.

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It is a good idea to mark your launch spot on your depth finder/chart plotter or hand-held GPS. Also, pay attention to landmarks, but be aware that things look different from a couple of miles out in the Gulf or down the beach. When returning to the beach, take a minute outside the break to study the sets. The conditions will often change during the course of a day on the Gulf. Time the sets and observe the rip current. Try to line up your reentry through the cut- deeper water near the beach. Do your very best to hit the beach away from any shore fishermen or swimmers. Don’t be afraid to hop out and swim or wade your kayak in. This is often the most refreshing and safest way to come ashore.

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Perhaps the Best Advice

How to Get to Navarre Beach

Important Contact Information matthewvann@msn.com www.sailsandtailskayakcharters.com 850-572-6563

Welcome to paradise.

Hiring a guide is by far the best way to experience a new fishery. Fishing a place like Navarre Beach and its big game fishing is a thrill, but having local, experienced help from a guide can make the whole experience a lot safer and more productive. Sails and Tails Charters offers guided offshore trips in fully-rigged Hobie Mirage Drive kayaks. We provide all the gear necessary, and we love to share our knowledge of the fishery and our passion for the sport.

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Navarre Beach can be reached on Highway 98 between Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach. The easiest way to access Navarre Beach is to turn off I-10 east of Pensacola on Highway 87 South. This road runs for nineteen miles and when it ends at the intersection with Highway 98, Navarre Beach lies right in front. Santa Rosa Sound (itself a great place for kayak fishing) separates Navarre Beach from the mainland. Cross the free bridge, and the white sand and emerald waters lie before you.

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608 Emmett Rd. Bristol, Tennessee 37620

www.southholstonriverflyshop.com

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And Just When We Thought Paradise Couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Get Any Betterâ&#x20AC;Ś The Navarre Beach Marine Park and Reef Programs

lthough the Navarre Beach area is widely recognized as one of the premier kayak fishing destinations in the entire country, the kayak fishing stands to only get better as the result of some hard work by interested and concerned citizens. Mike Sandler who is the chairman of the Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary committee brings us some very good news. Navarre Beach has a new Marine Park which offers several close- to- shore artificial reef areas which benefit both kayakers and divers. These structures are close to shore on both the Sound side and the Gulf side of the park. These artificial reef structures are within reach of all kayak anglers, and all indications are that the fish which kayak anglers love to catch are attracted to the reefs.

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And if This Is Not Enough… The bottom of the Gulf just out from the beach at Navarre is a flat, sandy emptiness. There’s nothing much to attract and hold fish such as snapper, grouper, triggerfish, and other popular reef fish. If only there were SOMETHING solid out there on the bottom, the Gulf would probably fill up with all kinds of game fish. Well, how about two square miles of hard bottom structure? In addition to the already completed near-shore reefs, a much larger offshore reef is in final stages of planning. This big field of artificial reefs will be a mile or so off the beach at Navarre- easily within kayak range. The reef structure will be a mile wide and it will run parallel to the beach for two-miles. This is a major reef structure, to be sure. This project is in its final permitting signature phase. It’s part of a multicounty Florida Fish and Wildlife reefing program. It has been approved and funded. The construction process should start some time in the spring of 2015, and if the reef builder’s schedule allows, the reef should be complete in twelve months. The permit for this massive system The reef will be in sixty feet of water- which is authorizes 704 artificial reef modules to plenty deep enough for a wide range of reef be placed in the two-square mile area. and pelagic game fish to be attracted to it. 118 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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Factors such as weather (it’s never wise to assume hurricanes won’t come to call along the Gulf Coast) and other reef-building commitments by the builder could affect the construction schedule. July 2015

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IT COSTS NO MORE T O G O F I R S T C L A S S ... America’s #1 Trout Fishing Resort is Gaston’s. Our White River float trips for lunker trout are legendary from coast to coast. We do the work. All you do is fish – in style and comfort. Then there are the extras that make “resort” our last name. First-class lodging. One of the South’s finest restaurants, featuring a spectacular view. A private club. Tennis and a pool. A nature trail. A conference lodge for your group meetings or parties. Even a private landing strip for fly-in guests.

And Some Icing for the Cake The Navarre Beach Maine Park is also getting significant expansion including a kayak launch dock on the Sound side and low equipment (kayak) friendly boardwalks on the Gulf Side. More pavilions, restrooms, and paved parking are coming, too. So even though we may access to kayak fishing paradise right now, our paradise is going to be getting even better in the near future. 1777 River Road • Lakeview, Arkansas 72642 (870) 431-5202 • E-Mail gastons@gastons.com Lat 36 20' 55" N Long 92 33' 25" W

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Little River, Tennessee

It’s a Great Trout Stream, And It’s Also a Great Kayak Fishing Stream L

ittle River in eastern Tennessee is very well known among trout anglers as a wonderful wild stream that starts high in the Smokies and which provides some great hike-in and wade fishing for trout. Rainbows, browns, and in the high elevations, native brook trout call the upper Little River home. However, there are some of us who prefer our fishing to be done from a paddle boat, and the middle parts of the Little River offer kayak anglers some fine fishing- not for trout so much- but for that bronze battler with a bad attitudesmallmouth bass. Our buddy Josh Pfeiffer guides on the Little River, and he was kind enough to tell Southern Kayak Fishing readers about the smallmouth fishing on Little River. And if this information doesn’t fling a cravin’ on you to try out some of this stream’s smallmouth bass from a float boat, well, perhaps you need to think about taking up another activity.

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The River Itself

What Kind of Access for Floaters?

Josh says,” The Little River is a freestone river with clear water for the most part, especially in summer. It has some rapids on the higher end near Townsend, but mainly there are riffles and pools on the lower side through the farmland near Maryville. There is a dangerous dam in Rockford that shouldn’t be messed with- it has claimed a lot of lives. Since Little River is a freestone river, the water temps will rise through the day, changing the fishes’ attitude, but there’s plenty of shade for them to hide from the sun.” Both fly anglers and spinning folks can do well on the Little River as they float downstream. Josh says,” Both fly and spin are effective methods and definitely have their place. I keep both in the boat, but I prefer fly due to the fact that you can fish a fly faster while fishing, and I can see what my line is doing while fishing subsurface flies.” 124 l Southern Kayak Fishing

If there’s a limitation for kayak anglers on the Little River, it would be that river access is limited. Josh tells us,” As for public access on the Little River, it’s pretty sparse. Most of the land on either side is private property, and it can be hard to get permission to launch. You can access the river at the Special People Park in Townsend, Perry’s Mill, and River John’s Outfitters in Maryville. River John’s runs shuttles and has a ayak/canoe rental service. Frontier Anglers TN (fronttieranglerstn. com) runs the river on a regular basis and can provide trips for fly and spin fishermen.

And what about the Smallmouth?

Josh says,” The average smallmouth is going to range from ten to fourteen inches with the occasional eighteen to twenty inch smallmouth on the larger side.” l July 2015

Kayak anglers going to fish the lower Little River for smallmouth should keep in mind what smallies everywhere love to eat best. Any lure or fly that looks like a crawdad will work. However, Josh tells us that smallmouth here also feed

on smaller minnows, and stoneflies and hellgrammites are common, too, so fly anglers will want to have imitations of these on hand.

Josh Pfeiffer advises us about certain hazards on the Little River. He says,” Also, be careful during the early spring or any time after a heavy rain due to trees that have fallen in, blocking the runs to get through.”

hanging trees is always a good bet, and a fly rod with smaller popping bugs can be a real blast.

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So, What’s Keeping us from Floating the Little River?

There’s not anything much more fun than a freeflowing stream with a good population of aggressive, hard-fighting smallmouth bass. Sliding the kayak in and floating down the Little River for a morning’s fishing for smallmouth seems to be a very good idea for any kayak angler. Probably the best idea for kayak anglers who are not familiar with Little River would be to contact an experienced and knowledgeable guide- like Josh Pfeiffer- who can arrange put-in and takeout locations and a good shuttle service. No doubt, Josh can also arrange a traditional small-stream trout fishing trip up in the Smokies for visiting kayak anglers, too.

Important Contact InformationJosh Pfeiffer Frontier Anglers, TN frontieranglersTN.com 805-719-0227 Little River Outfitters 865-448-9459 info@littleriveroutfitters. com

Both fishing Little River from the ‘yak and on foot high up in the Smokies is bound to be a wonderful experience.

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Editor’s Note – I’m very happy our buddy Steve Gibson wrote this article for us at SKF. I must confess that I truly enjoy hooking- and sometimes catching- sharks. It’s a thrill whether the fish is caught or not. And it’s the best way I know of to get to go on a kayak sleigh ride. Just make sure your gear is up to the task, and that you know how to cut the shark free when the fight is over.

Meeting Mr. Tooth on a Kayak

By Steve Gibson

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Shark fishing is a mega-injection of testosterone and ego. It isn't for everyone. It's an activity filled with excitement and danger. Add a kayak to the mix and you've got an adrenalin rush to the max. Be advised, we're not advocating fishing for monsters. We're talking about juvenile sharks that inhabit Tampa Bay and other Florida salt waters. Still, we're talking about sharks that push 6 feet in length and 80 to 100 pounds in weight These â&#x20AC;&#x153;diminutiveâ&#x20AC;? toothy critters are more fun than you can imagine. When I Met Mr. Tooth A good friend of mine, Vinny Caruso of Bradenton, Fla., and I discovered the Tampa Bay shark fishery almost by accident. We launched our kayaks one morning and managed to catch some impressive flounder and snook. Later, we located some grass patches in six feet of water and decided that should be great habitat for spotted seatrout. It was. But when we drifted off the grass and into deeper water we began catching ladyfish. And several of the hooked ladyfish were intercepted on the way in. We didn't know it at the time, but it turned out sharks were inhaling the hooked ladies. Only when I hooked a small ladyfish and cast it out about 20 feet from the kayak did I learn firsthand. It took maybe 60 seconds before a small blacktip shark homed in on the ladyfish. We didn't land any of the nine sharks we hooked that day. Our tackle, which was more suited for seatrout, just wasn't up to the task. Plus, fluorocarbon leaders don't hold up to sharp teeth very well. Next time out, we were ready. We were armed with Shimano TLD 15 reels on medium-heavy Star conventional rods. In addition, we tied up several leaders, consisting of 7/0 circle hooks and 60-pound wire. We've fished for sharks many occasions since the first outing. And we've encountered sharks on each outing. One thing Caruso and I both agree on is that an incoming tide is best. We've hooked sharks on the outgoing, but the action is markedly better on the incoming. 132 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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How to Meet Mr. Tooth We've used a variety of bait, ranging from bonito strips to live ladyfish to grunts to pinfish. It really doesn't seem to matter. What works best is to anchor our kayaks in eight to 10 feet of water. We'll cast our baits out, then put the rods in holders and wait. The reels should be kept in free spool with the clickers on. Most often, it only takes a few minutes for a shark to find the bait. When a shark hits, we allow it to run for a while, then put the reel into gear. There's no need to "set the hook" when using circle hooks. All you need to do is begin reeling when the line tightens. Usually, the shark is hooked in the corner of its mouth when using circle hooks. We have landed mostly blacktip shark from two and half to nearly six feet in length. We've also encountered bonnethead sharks and bull sharks. I think a rudder is very helpful when shark fishing. Even small sharks can make long, strong runs that will tow your kayak, and it helps to be able to steer your kayak via the rudder. I have an anchor trolley on my NuCanoe Frontier 12 with a float atop the anchor line. So, when I hook a shark, I unclip the anchor line and away I go. A blacktip is both speedy and strong. They can rip off 100 yards of line in just a few seconds. And they'll usually make several runs during the battle. 134 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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it’s not something inexperienced anglers should try. It can become a bit dicey when a hooked shark is near the boat and suddenly bolts off or changes directions. Many shark species are good to eat, but I will not kill one. The shark fishery as a whole isn’t in the greatest of shape. With that in mind, I don’t need to be killing them. I’m satisfied to hook these speedy, powerful critters and enjoy the battle. Required equipment includes gloves and wire cutters. It’s imperative to wear a good pair of gloves when handling the line and/or leader as you’re attempting to release the shark. When I was the outdoor editor of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune for more than 30 years, I did a number of stories on the shark fishery. I interviewed renowned shark expert Dr. Robert Hueter of Mote Marine Laboratory on a number of occasions. According to Hueter, the shark fishery still is in trouble because of overfishing and such practices as sharking “finning.” Remember, sharks do not reproduce at the rate of other fishes. They give live birth to only a few pups at a time. Therefore, the mortality rate can (and often does) outnumber the amount of new sharks entering the fishery.

And When the Fight is Over- It’s Not Over Yet The fight isn’t over when you get the shark near the kayak. You can (and should) expect the shark to make a few powerful lunges. If you’re not ready, there’s a chance the fish could flip your kayak. When the fish is tired out, it’s time to land/release it. We don’t take the sharks from the water. We usually team up, with the second angler clipping the leader as close to the hook as possible. For this endeavor, you should wear gloves. The best shark action in Tampa Bay (one of the world’s top shark fisheries) is from May through October. Seems as if the hotter it is, the better the shark fishing. The action will taper off once the first cold front of fall pushes through. Originally, I thought shark fishing would be something my clients (I run Southern Drawl Kayak Fishing in Sarasota) would really enjoy. I’m sure they would, but I’ve decided 136 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, sharks are toplevel predators and tend to have lower population numbers than other fishes. They also have slower growth rates, mature late in life and produce few offspring. These biological characteristics couples with overfishing can reduce population levels to a point where recovery can take many years. A number of shark species have been overfished and are now protected in both state and federal waters. For shark regulations and a complete list of protected species, visit http://myfwc.com/ fishing/saltwater/recreational/sharks/ With that in mind, I’ve always believed catch-and-release shark fishing is the only way to go. However, if you must keep a shark when fishing in Florida waters, the minimum size in 54 inches (fork length). Bag limit is one per day. When shark fishing, you should be alert at all times and be prepared for any situation. A powerful shark at the side of your kayak is nothing to take lightly.

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Ride the Bull... and This Is No Bull!

f you need something very fun to do this upcoming August, and you’d like to do this something fun with a few hundred other kayak anglers in a really fine place- there’s only one place to be- Grand Isle, Louisiana. The 2014 edition of Ride the Bull had 732 entrants- who knows how many will turn out in 2015? For the past six years, the good folks at Grand Isle have sponsored one of the biggest kayak fishing tournaments anywhere- in fact, this has been named the world’s largest kayak fishing tournament. Ride the Bull is a different kind of fishing tournament from most tournaments. First, there’s only one species- big redfish. There are no long distances to peddle or paddle- the fishing is done right in Chaminada Pass- less than a mile from the starting point. There’s no photo recording of caught fish- when an angler catches a fish, a tournament boat with live-well and fish survival set up takes the caught fish from the kayak to the weigh-in area where the fish is measured, weighed, tagged and then released- all in a very short period of time. Last year’s winning bull red was a twenty-six pound beast, and the winning angler was a young lady-Kalley LeRoy- who was fishing from a YOLO paddleboard. For catching the largest bull red, Kalley took home a new Wilderness Systems Ride 115X kayak and $3200. Kayaks, paddleboards and other paddle-powered craft are eligible for Ride the Bull. And since Grand Isle is smack in the middle of Cajun country, anglers and friends can assume that there will be some good parties before and after the tournament.

Ride the Bull 2015 August 15-2015 Bridge Side Marina www.calmwatercharters.net for more information and registration 140 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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Bridge Light Bulls: Redefining the Word “Fun” By Sawyer Martin

Editor’s Note- One of the most reliable summertime fishing situations regardless of location is fish at night below major bridges. The light provided by the brdiges draw bait, and the bait draws big fish. Our buddy Sawyer Martin who is a student at Pensacola, Florida has discovered a world-class nighttime fishery, and he has offered to tell us about it.

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ishing for bull reds at night under the ominous glow of bridge lights doesn’t exactly fall under the category of “reinventing the wheel.” With that being said, it’s still not for the average angler. But if you enjoy staying up all night, pushing yourself to the brink of exhaustion and getting dragged around by 30 pound fish all in the hopes of putting some monsters in your yak and getting some photographs and stories that you’ll remember for a lifetime, then you should keep reading, because this may be the type of fishing for you.

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Gear – It’s Kind of Important

Gear is simple. First ask yourself, “am I a baitcasting fanatic or more of a spinning guy?” If you, like myself, enjoy throwing baitcasters, grab your trusty Shimano

Calcutta or Abu Garcia C4 and spool it up with your favorite brand of 50 pound braided line. Personally, my favorite reel for bull reds, by a long shot, is my Abu Garcia Revo Toro NaCl50, but there are many baitcasters that will shine when it comes to throwing big baits at redfish. On the subject of braided lines, Sufix 832 & Power Pro Super Slick are my favorites, but the truth is that most any brand of braid will perform just fine on the bronze behemoths that you’re likely to encounter under the lights at your local bay bridge. Never been able to conquer the art of baitcasting? Or are you just seeking to use lighter gear for more of a challenge? Grab your favorite 3k or 4k sized spinning reel & load it with some 30 pound braided line. My spinning

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reels of choice for chasing bulls are the Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 4000FA and Shimano’s Stradic 3000FJ. No matter what reel you choose to use, make sure that the drag system is sound. If you really want to be sure that your reel’s drag system won’t skip a beat during a fight with a monster fish, do yourself a favor and replace the stock drag washers with Carbontex washers. At about $10 a set, they’re the best (and cheapest) upgrade that you can easily install on just about any reel that you have. As far as rods go, I like to use anything in the 7’ 6’’ to 8’ range. Any rod with a medium to heavy action will do the trick, although I sometimes use heavier action rods if bulls are holding to structure on the bottom. In a situation like this, I like to use an 8’ St. Croix Legend Tournament Musky Series rod rated for 20-50 pound line paired up with an Abu Garcia Revo Toro NaCl50.

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What Should I Target Them With?

Choosing tackle for chasing bulls can be as simple as you’d like it to be. No matter what lures I end up trying, I always end up going back to four of my personal favorites. Each of these four lures excels at enticing big reds under certain conditions. For calm water & little current, my absolute favorite is a ½ ounce Golden Eye jighead paired with either a Matrix Shad or Vortex Shad paddletail in various colors. In my opinion, Matrix Shad plastics are the best paddletails currently on the market, bar none. When the fish are finicky, tie one of these plastics on & watch the magic unfold before you. Regardless of conditions, the Matrix Shad really is my “go-to” bait to throw whenever I hit the bridge. I’ve found that the best way to work them, for me anyway, is to throw them into the brightest part of the light. Once it hits the water, get rid of your slack & pop the bait once. Let it fall for a few seconds, then pop it twice & give it a couple cranks. Repeat this process until you find what depth the reds are holding at in the water column. If you get slammed but don’t hook up, give that big bull a reason to eat it again. Jerk that Matrix, let it fall, and cross your fingers the red returns for round two. More often than not, this quick jerk is enough to grab the attention of the fish once more.

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Now, if the fish are aggressive, I grab a heavier rod setup & tie on either a 1 or a 1.5-ounce jighead & slide an 8” chartreuse twister tail made by Gotcha Plastics on it. Eels are a staple in the diets of many bridge-dwelling redfish, and big twister tail grubs do a perfect job of imitating an injured eel slowly sinking through the water column. Work these big plastics through every part of the water column and vary your retrieve until you find a pattern that works, and then stick to it. If you’re more of a thrill seeker and are looking for an explosive bite that may end up ripping the rod out of your hands, try a Super Pogy rattletrap made by Bomber Lures. Burn these lures right in front of the faces of cruising bulls and hold on. More often than not, big reds find it quite difficult to resist the attractive, menhaden-esque shape and loud rattle of a Super Pogy. Now, if seeing massive fish blow up on a topwater lure really gets your blood pumping, opt for a ¾ ounce or 1 ounce Bomber Lures Badonkadonk topwater jerkbait in either the black & chartreuse or gold and orange colorway. Work these quickly through lights when you see bulls terrorizing baitfish or cruising just below the surface. Don’t get discouraged if you get a lot more strikes than you do hookups. Bulls may have strength, stamina, & speed on their side, but I don’t think accuracy is their forte.

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Let’s Talk Leaders

For some reason, many people that I talk to are under the impression that redfish don’t have teeth and that a leader isn’t necessary. The next time you catch an angry bull, put your hand in her mouth and then tell me that redfish don’t have teeth. Instead of getting frustrated with break-offs, try using an Albright Knot to tie three to five feet of 30 pound monofilament or fluorocarbon to your braid. Although generally a 30 pound leader will work just fine, consider upsizing to 50 or 60 pound test leader material if you’re having trouble with bulls getting you into the pilings. The heavier monofilament or fluorocarbon will hold up much longer if a less-than-ecstatic redfish decides to make a run for those nasty concrete columns. No matter what leader material you end up deciding to use, take the time to learn how to tie a loop knot. A loop knot will greatly increase the action of whatever lure you’re throwing. Your lure will look much more natural and the presentation will be substantially more erratic with a loop knot.

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Is My Yak Going to Work for this Type of Fishing?

Hobie. Native. Most of us are familiar with these brand names. They’re the best of the best. Pedal drive kayaks are perfect for almost any kayak fishing situation. But, are they necessary? Absolutely not. As much as I’d love to be able to say that I own (or can afford) a Native Slayer Propel or a Hobie PA, I’m a poor college student with a budget. I rock an Eagle Talon 12 made by Field & Stream, and despite its relatively low price, it performs great out on the water and I’d recommend it to anyone. Truth be told, most decent kayaks will handle just fine while fishing for bulls at bridges. Just make sure that you feel comfortable venturing out at night in whatever yak you choose to use. Be sure to abide by rules and regulations as far as lighting on your kayak goes as well. Nothing puts an end to a good vibe and a great night of fishing like being ticketed for not having your yak outfitted with proper lighting! Obviously having your yak properly lit will significantly decrease the chance of a boater not seeing you, too.

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Are All Lights Created Equal?

Bright bridge lights are the best. This may seem like a given, but I’ve seen many a kayak angler spending time working dim lights with nothing to show for it more times than I can count. Concentrate on areas of the bridge that have a section of really bright lights in a row. In the case of Three Mile Bridge in Gulf Breeze, Florida, there are many of these types of sections, and they generally hold a lot more quality fish than other portions of the bridge. One bit of advice that I’ve given to a number of people is to not spend too much time at a light. If you don’t pull a fish off of a light within the first few casts, move on. More often than not, if a light is holding fish, you’ll get eaten on the first cast.

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C ay l o r

Quality flies since 1991 Custom Flies

www.CaylorCustomFlies.com 9451 Abb Pitman Road Milton, Florida 32570

850-957-4071 phone roger@caylorcustomflies.com

Quickie Kayak Fishing Gear Review

NRS Chinook Type III PFD We need to be honest here- kayak anglers will fall into one of two categories: those who have needed help from a personal floatation device, and those who WILL need help from a PFD to keep above water. Weird stuff happens on the water, and when we need a PFD, it’s too late to look and try to find one. We kayakers especially should have a PFD on whenever we go on the water. But I don’t do this- at least, up until now I haven’t. All of the PFDs I’ve tried have been bulky, uncomfortable, and in many cases, downright impossible to wear while I was in a kayak. I do believe this situation may have changed. The NRS Company of Moscow, Idaho has come up with a very comfortable, very easy to adjust to fit individual paddlers, and not bulky PFD designed for kayakers. The Chinook Type III PFD is easy to wear, and it offers kayak anglers many features which old-fashioned PFDs did not. The Chinook PlushFIT foam conforms to a paddler’s shape for comfort. There are seven front pockets for all of that small but important gear that tends to rumble around in a kayak- until it is kicked overboard. There are eight adjustment points for an individual fit, and a mesh lower back works well with kayak seatbacks. There are rod holder loops, a fly patch, a lash tab, and two coil tool retractors, pliers holder, and multiple accessory attachment points. High visibility reflective tape on the PFD aids rescue in case of loss of contact with the kayak. But the best point about the Chinook type III PFD is that it is comfortable, and kayak anglers will be more willing to wear it when fishing. I’ll have mine on from now on- I don’t want to live on borrowed time any longer. To contact NRSNRS 2009 S. Main St. Moscow, Idaho 83843 208-882-2383 800-635-5202 service@nrsweb.com

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A simple and effective system to get your bead on.

www.ontheflyproducts.com

made in the u.s.a.

An Account of an Early Spring Paddling Trip in FloridaOr, Good Times Happen Even When Things Aren’t Perfect By Brian Wilkes Editor’s Note

I noticed a very well-written and photographed post in Southern River Fishing online forum which is one of my favorite places to read about other folks’ fishing trips, so I contacted BrianWilkes and asked him to do the post up as an article. He did quite well, I think. The important point of this article is that we kayak anglers are not always blessed with weather and water as we planned and wanted. However, we can almost always salvage a good trip out of less than ideal conditions.

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So, Here’s How our Early Spring Trip Went First, the guys on the trip were Allen Fowler, Gabe Lacally, Wayne Harris and me- Brian Wilkes. We’re all Alabama boys. We stayed at a cabin at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, Florida. The rangers at the park were very helpful and knowledgeable about the rivers. Our plan was to float the Suwannee near where were staying. However, the gauge height of the river was nearly at 65 feet (above sea level), and at that height, the park closes the access. That high level is great for paddling but not for fishing. Most rivers down here on the Big Bend of the Florida Gulf Coast move deceptively fast. We floated twelve miles on the Santa Fe in just over eight hours, and we hardly put a paddle in the water. On Day One, we floated twelve miles on the Santa Fe River. We had our best fishing action on the Santa Fe. We caught the bulk of our haul on that flow. Day Two we floated the Itchetucknee River down to the confluence with the Santa Fe, and then we paddled four miles to the nearest takeout near the confluence with the Suwanneemore or less seven miles total. After that, on the same day, we hit a different section on the Santa Fe for a paddle up and three mile float on the upper section. On Day Three, we floated a six and a half mile stretch on the Aucilla River. It was beautiful and wild! Osceola wild turkey were heard and seen- briefly- as we passed. We encountered whitetail deer and wild boars everywhere. It was very pushy and the water was about six feet higher than the median level. Needless to say, the fishing was a real challenge. We finished that float with ample time to spare, so we headed over to the Wacissa River for a quick paddle down just for fun. The Wacissa is an absolute must-do bucket list float for any Southern kayak fisherman. It’s the most pristine flow I’ve ever floated. You feel like you’re in another world when you paddle through the eelgrass channels. It’s a real Southern treasurefishing it is just gravy on the biscuit. 160 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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And About the Fishing

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a wide range of fish to be caught in the tannic waters of the rivers here. Several kinds of bream, largemouth bass- there are some real monsters here, too, and our main quarry for this trip- Suwannee bass. For those unfamiliar with this particular species of bass, Suwannee bass are found only in the spring-fed rivers of Big Bend Florida. These are not big bass- a real trophy Suwannee would weigh two pounds. They are gorgeous fish, dark in color, and they often have turquoise accents on the cheeks and head. Suwannee look very much like smallmouth bass, and they fight like smallmouth, too. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about as high praise as anyone can give a freshwater fish. Be ready, Suwannee bass might be small, but they hit like a freight train. I missed many fish by not being prepared for the blow-up. We caught most all the Suwanees on topwater buzz baits and spinnerbaits. I also got a few bites on frogs, shakyheads, and creature baits. You have to be able to make accurate casts- and lots of them. My shoulder is still recovering from the thousands of casts I made.

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And for those Planning a Suwannee Bass Trip

My advice to people wanting to fish the springfed rivers in north Florida: Do your homework and stay flexible with your float plans. We were only able to fish one of the three flows we had originally planned. Don’t get frustrated when your “go-to” fishing techniques don’t produce here like they do back home. The tannic water down there will make you eat humble pie. And don’t rely on gauge readings like we do in Alabama and Georgia as much. The rivers can level out on the gauge yet still be blown out and difficult to fish effectively. Even when conditions on the tannic waters of the Suwannee, Itchetucknee, Aucilla and Wacissa Rivers are not perfect, the floating and the wildlife around the river is still something to remember, and when a Suwannee bass smashes your lure and takes you for a spin before being landed, well, that’s just about worth any trouble with re-planning the trip right there.

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The Measure Net

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Editor’s Note- I asked our Texas-based kayak fishing buddy, Clint Taylor, about his choice of kayak and other essential fishing gear. He said he’d put it all in an article format- and I’m very glad he did. Here’s how one very successful kayak anglers chose his gear.

aving the right gear with you can aid you in catching fish, but also in having a safer and better time out on the water. Of course, choosing the right lure is important as is the capability of the fisherman to present a lure appropriately, but there is more important gear that can really help you out. I decided to look into the best gear that I could find on the market when I transitioned from wade fishing to kayak fishing, and through my research I have found the gear that you don’t want and especially the gear that you do want. No doubt my gear has helped me to find new waters, fish them more effectively, and be safe while I’m in remote places as well. These are my three most important pieces of equipment when I fish the waters of Texas.

One Man’s Gear and Why He Chose It

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Jackson Kayak Big Tuna

In order to participate in kayak fishing, it is pretty valuable to actually have a kayak. There are alternative means, such as stand up paddleboards, canoes, and small boats, but most often you will find me in my Jackson Kayak Big Tuna. The Big Tuna is an extremely versatile kayak that stems around the capability of being able to go both tandem and solo through the unique seating arrangement that Jackson Kayak has developed. In this seating arrangement, either seat can also be in a high position or a low position to better suit your needs within seconds of adjusting the seat. The seats are placed into position by using integrated molds that fit the contour of the seats tubular frame along with some heavy duty bungee cords and straps to secure the seats. The Hi-Lo capability of the Big Tuna, and all of Jackson Kayak’s fishing kayaks, is extremely valuable as it allows a paddler and or fisherman to achieve a better position for fishing, paddling, comfort, and stability. When you throw in the ability to go in a solo position by simply taking one seat out and moving the remaining seat to the solo position, you have a multitude of customization for seating. Seating isn’t the only reason I use the Big Tuna although it is an awesome feature. The Big Tuna has a versatile hull that is suited to fit into a wide variety of waters, tackling nearly anything you can think of. I use it almost exclusively on the Texas Rivers and it handles them great. The Big Tuna also has a lot of storage options as there are bungee cords that are designed to store some Plano 3600 Series tackle boxes, a rear storage compartment, front day hatch, and even the Big Tuna “Tuna Tank”. The Tuna

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Tank is a nice piece of engineering that allows a user to have a live well by using the natural water you are fishing. The Tuna Tank is basically an ellipse shaped hole in the middle of the kayak that allows water to flow in and out of a removable elliptical shaped container that serves as a live well. In order to use this live well feature, a user can simply drill some holes through the container to fit the amount of flow needed for your catch or bait. If you are using small minnows, drill small holes so they can’t escape. If you are using shrimp or some other bait that is a little larger, drill a little bit bigger holes or a larger number of small holes. The great thing is that if you don’t want to use the live well you just don’t drill any holes so you can use it as storage for some drinks like I do. The Big Tuna also has some zipper pouches on the back of each seat that can be used to store sun screen, bug spray, jerky, and basically anything that will fit. With flush mount rod holders and bungee cords to strap rods on the gunnels of your kayak, you are sure to have enough places to store all of your tackle. Jackson Kayak has also designed the Big Tuna to help you capture footage of your time out on the water, as they have partnered with GoPro to place inserts throughout the Big Tuna so you can easily mount your GoPro. The Jackson Kayak Big Tuna can serve a lot of different purposes including fishing, filming, guiding, hunting, and nearly anything you want to try. The Big Tuna has certainly been a great kayak for me and my exploration of the Texas Rivers I fish.

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MTI Adventurewear Dio F-Spec

Aquabound Paddlesports Manta Ray Aluminum

Being safe out on the water is crucial. Although most states require that you have a life jacket with you in the kayak while out on the water, a stored life jacket is not very good when you actually need it. This is why I invested in the MTI Adventurewear Dio F-Spec life jacket. With an extremely high back tank top design, you can wear the Dio F-Spec all day long. The high back is extremely beneficial because a lot of kayaks have a seat with back support, and having the foam from your life jacket touching the seat back can be extremely uncomfortable. You do not have to worry about this with the Dio F-Spec as it has a very high back to accommodate whatever seat you might be using. Although the Dio F-Spec is designed to save your life, it has also been designed for fishing. On the front of the PFD is a few pockets that can be used to store some loose bags of soft plastics, some snacks, or even your flies if you fly fish, as there is a white ‘sponge’ to store some of your flies on. On the outside of the front left pocket is a spot to store your pliers so they can easily be found when you catch that big fish. MTI has really done an incredible job on the Dio F-Spec and I highly recommend checking out the Dio F-Spec and the many other great PFD’s from MTI Adventurewear.

A kayak is not very useful without a paddle, and my Jackson Kayak Big Tuna is no exception. Paddling a large boat means you need an exceptional paddle. The Aquabound Paddlesports Manta Ray Aluminum is well suited for the Big Tuna, as the blade has 104 square inches of surface area to displace a lot of water. Being aluminum, the Manta Ray is both light and durable. The blades are made out of fiberglass reinforced nylon in order to provide a stiff blade, while at the same time being extremely durable. I can testify to the durability of the Manta Ray Aluminum, as I use it as a ‘push pole’ quite often and it has held up very well. It might seem a little wasteful to invest in a paddle when you can just pick up one for $19.99 at your local store. I thought about this a little as well but after I switched to the Manta Ray Aluminum I never looked back. The blades of the Manta Ray Aluminum really make a tremendous difference and can provide a lot of efficiency when paddling through the water. The craftsmanship you will find from Aquabound is also far past exceptional, as the Manta Ray Aluminum is very well crafted. If you are looking into a new paddle or purchasing your first one be sure to take a look at the Manta Ray Aluminum as it has served me tremendously. July 2015

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________________________________________ These three pieces of equipment have helped me to travel all over Texas and take on any body of water that I run into. I like to think of your paddle, kayak, and life jacket as the ‘Big Three’ – they are absolutely necessary to have. If you are looking into getting into kayak fishing or thinking about getting some new gear, take some time to research what will suit you best. The gear I use has certainly helped me out a lot while keeping my safe too. If you are not sure where to start, go ahead and check out Jackson Kayak, MTI Adventurewear, and Aquabound Paddlesports as these companies sure do produce some great products.

What Do You Want To Catch Today?

There are several reasons that you may want to stand in your kayak while fishing. FIrst and foremost is to improve your ability to find fish. Sight fishing for Reds and other species is exponentially easier while standing. The angle of your vision into the water is greatly improved with a higher sight angle. Along with sight fishing, you may want to stand to get a better view of where you want to head in the marsh, to look for a way into that back pond that you hear the Reds crushing bait in, and even to give your bottom and your back a break during a long day on the water. Standing in a kayak has so many advantages for the angler, but you’ll need to work on your skills to be successful. Your football or basketball coach taught you in high school that spreading your feet and keeping your knees bent make you more stable and powerful. This concept is very important when standing in a kayak. Your head should be up and your eyes scanning the marsh ahead of you. Keep in mind that your paddle is your biggest external stabilizer while standing. Hold the blade of the paddle with one hand and the shaft with the other. Brace off the bottom if the water is shallow or use a sculling stroke for stability in deeper water. You’ll find that if you paddle is engaged with the water or the bottom, you’ll feel much more stable. Bring your kayak to a local pond (leave your fishing gear at home) to practice this skill. You will be amazed how much better you will feel after only an hour of practice. If you go back to the pond several more times, you’ll be feeling great liding across the water in your new standing position. Like anything else, having the right tools helps tremendously, and in this case having the right boat can make all the difference. A kayak designed for stand up fishing has several very important design characteristics. First off, the kayak should have enough width. I prefer to have 30 inches or more of width. The floor of the kayak should be flat and wide. This allows you to comfortably stand and to spread your feet as wide as possible. Lastly, the bottom hull of the boat should be flat or even better, have a tunnel hull design. For interior marsh fishing I love the Native Ultimate kayak. It’s the most stable and comfortable boat you can imagine for stand up kayak fishing. If you also like to fish waters with more chop or surf, I like the Jackson Cuda and the Wilderness Systems Ride. These provide self draining scupper holes that allow water to escape the cockpit without bailing. If you like the idea of a pedal drive boat that’s stand up capable, check out the new Hobie Pro Angler 12. It’s got a tricked out new seat that adjusts up and down vertically to make it much easier to get up and down.

Brown Trout Rainbow Trout Brook Trout Palomino Trout Steelhead Smallmouth Bass Largemouth Bass White Bass Kentucky Spotted Bass Walleye Muskie Crappie Bluegill Yellow Perch Flathead Catfish Channel Catfish Carp

There’s no bigger thrill in kayak fishing than standing and poling while sight casting for big fish in shallow water. Committing to having the right kayak and then pracThey’re all standing waiting forskills youuntil in Swain County,nature NC onewillofmake all the difference for your ticing your it’s second the most diverseinfishing habitats in situations. the world with four rivers, effectiveness shallow water

dozens of mountain streams throughout the Smoky Mountains, and the deep, cold waters ofLafayette, Fontana and Cheoah ©PackPadde La lakes. www.packpaddle.com

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Visit GreatSmokiesFishing.com for a map and profiles of 26 great fishing locations near Bryson City, NC.

Stetson No Fly Zone Fishing Hat

Quickie Kayak Fishing Gear Review

Of all gear that kayak anglers use, probably the one that gets least attention and yet can make the difference between a great sunny day fishing trip and a miserable time on the water, a good hat is the one thing that should be addressed. The Stetson No fly Zone Fishing Hat looks like the kind of headgear Indiana Jones would choose if he was a kayak angler. It is comfortable when worn, and being a full-brim hat, it doesn’t drip rain water down the back of my neck like baseball caps do. But the good elements of this hat don’t end here. The fabric in this hat has been treated with Permethrin, which repels mosquitoes, ants. ticks, chiggers, flies- and the bug repellant stays effective for up to 70 hand-washings. If this hat will keep Gulf Coast bugs out of my face, it might just get my vote as kayak fishing product of the year. The hat is UPF rated at 50+. So, even if I don’t use a whip or fly my biplane out of danger like Indiana Jones, I do like this safari-style fishing hat very much. Reviewer’s Note: I’ve tested this fishing hat hard since I received it. It even keeps deerflies away from my face and neck. I do like my new Stetson No-Fly Zone hat. It’s a nodoubt-about–it keeper. Stetson No Fly Zone Fishing Hat Dorfman Pacific 1-800-DORFMAN www.dorfman-pacific.com

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Making Decisions – To Go or Not to Go Water Conditions on Tailrace Rivers By Philip Landry

Editor’s Note-Some of the best fishing and kayaking water to be found in the South are tailrace waters. The massive dams built on formerly free-flowing streams create electricity, big lakes above the dams, and some wonderful fishing conditions below the dams.

he dams and the periodic release of water through the dams also create some of the most challenging and let’s be honest- dangerous- kayak fishing conditions in the South. Our friend Philip Landry has lots of experience floating and fishing the tailrace conditions of various rivers in the South, and he offers us his thoughts on how to be safe on the fast-flowing, high level conditions of the tailrace waters. He specifically looks at the conditions below Greers Ferry Dam in north central Arkansas, and how knowing how to read the water and access information sources can make deciding to float the river or try another day much easier- and safer. So even though the information in this article looks specifically at the Little Red River, the tools and techniques used in evaluated water flow and generation conditions apply to all tailrace situations.

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US Army Corps of Engineers Data

Kayak Anglers on the Little Red have a few tools at their disposal to help with making the decision about where to fish. As mentioned earlier, the water can rise 6 to 10 feet if both generators are turned on full blast. Big flows are very hard to fish on this river and are not recommended for kayak anglers. The first tool anglers need to use is the Corps of Engineers’ current release data. For current generation information there are two sources. Calling the recording will tell anglers when current generation began or ceased and how many units (1 or 2) were or are online. {(501) 362-5150} Calling the recording is useful to find out how soon water may arrive in your vicinity. Naturally all fisher-folk, no matter if wading or boating should look for signs of rising water. Many times there will be noticeably more debris in the water, small floating branches on the surface, and a slight color change in the water before the level seems noticeably higher. Waders will see the level change easier, but noticing rising water while drifting or paddling in a moving boat is not quite as simple. For more detailed data, but not always updated within an hour, anglers can access the Corps website. This can take a minute to figure out how to read, but here is the cliff notes version, or Greer’s Ferry Dam for Dummies! http://www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil/pages/data/tabular/htm/greersf.htm At the top of this page there is some tabular data. The lake power pool levels are displayed first. There is a little fluctuation seasonally in where the Corps likes to keep the level of the lake. The “Elevation” column refers to the lake level. “Tailwater” is the river’s water elevation height. “Turbine Release”, measured in Cubic Feet per Second, is the volume of water being released. *A value of 20 CFS means there is no generation. “Generation” refers to the Mega Watt Hours of power that the release through the turbines created. Each unit or generator in the damn can run 3500 CFS at max volume and create 50 MWH per hour. Rarely do they run at full bore. The above illustration shows that at 7:00 am 2 units (both generators) were running near full capacity for 3 hours. Water in the river rose almost 10 feet. Water spreads down river at a rate of 4-7 mph. A general rule of thumb is to take the amount of time it takes for water to reach a given spot on the river and triple it to know when the water would be all the way back down after generation ceases. After the tabular data, there are tables of graphic data that illustrate the last seven days. The only information that is not presented in the tabular section is the precipitation gauge. That, combined with the lake elevation (RED) is a good indicator of future conditions. The last two graphs almost always mirror each other. The only time they do not is when water is being released over the spillways at the top of the dam. It is very useful to learn the correlation between CFS and MWH, as you will see when it comes to predicted releases through Southwestern Power’s website. 180 l Southern Kayak Fishing l July 2015

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Southwestern Power Administration (SWPA) Data At 5:00 PM the SWPA will update their page with the predicted loading schedule for all the dams in the district the following day. On Fridays at 5:00 PM they will usually update both Saturday and Sunday. Make sure the date at the top of the page matches and you are not looking at last week’s projection! First of all, please remember that this “forecast” is not at all 100% correct. It does give anglers an idea of what they might expect, but there are times that this prediction is way off as well. Sometimes water will be released when it wasn’t predicted. Other times, the times may be off a little bit etc. USE THIS AS A GUIDELINE AND CALL THE PHONE # FOR THE DAM DURING THE DAY TO CHECK. www.swpa.gov/generationschedules.aspx

Go to the SWPA’s site and click on the next day. Make sure the site has been updated by matching the next day with the date. Remember MWH? Each dam is abbreviated with a 3 letter code. Greer’s Ferry is GFD. The numbers on the chart are the projected Mega Watt Hours generated by each dam in the system each hour. So looking at this data, an angler would assume that 2 units will come online at 7:00 am and run for 3 hours. That is a tough schedule to fish in a kayak if there was generation the evening before. If there was not 182 l Southern Kayak Fishing

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generation the previous evening you would probably want to pick Dripping Springs > Ramsey Access as your float section and know that water was coming to give you a ride out. That far down river, the rise would be slower and the water would be spread out more if the generation ceased and didn’t keep running constantly. In this scenario, if water had been run like it shows for the evening period between 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm the day before, the kayak fisherman is out of luck as far as getting a whole day’s float in Hopefully this crash course in generation data helps out in planning your kayak fishing trip on the Little Red River. There are a few other things to consider of course. Currently, there is not a business that is running regular shuttles between boat ramps. So, if you are planning on getting your vehicle shuttled, you will need to make some friends at a ramp and offer a decent bribe! This usually isn’t too hard to do, but don’t be offended if guides tell you they can’t because their meter is running so to speak. Anglers who are complete solo artists can also cable lock a bike up at the planned take out, then cable lock your ‘yak through the scupper holes and ride back to the car. July 2015 l Southern Kayak Fishing l 183