The Basics of Kayak Fishing

[TastyBurp]

[QUOTE=Curmudgeon;115562]Get a paddle "Keeper". They're cheap and will prevent the dreaded floating paddle.[/QUOTE

My kayaks have keepers but of course that will only prevent a floating paddle if your not using it. I suppose a rod/paddle leash would be the best bet.

[Oleander Kayaker]

[QUOTE=TastyBurp;115564]

Get a paddle "Keeper". They're cheap and will prevent the dreaded floating paddle.[/QUOTE

My kayaks have keepers but of course that will only prevent a floating paddle if your not using it. I suppose a rod/paddle leash would be the best bet.

The larger issue is to consider what would happen if the kayak gets turtled (either by you or by a wave/wake). Stow, strap and tie accordingly, not only as you are putting in, but when slipping off for a wade.

[fishingRED]

Thanks everyone! All this info has been most helpful. I have two used Tarpon 160's. I never plan on going alone and the other one is for my father or whoever is avaliable that day. I may take up your offer to go out with someone who knows the ropes.

With a Tarpon 16, from experience, I dont think it is too critical to get a rudder. They are pretty fast too. I think u will be fine with it. If u planning to drift alot get a drift sock (i have but done use), I use an anchor to get off and wade. 50% time fish off the kayak plus is good to get out and stretch. MORE IMPORTANT IS A PFD. A light for the dark time, and a FISHING POLE with some artificial. Also a STRINGER... The less u pack the less you have to deal with when u are in the kayak trying to sight cast to some reds!!!!! A paddle keeper is a good idea. Some people put floaters on their equipment, I have not had an issue yet!

[BayPounder]

I have a small ice chest for WATER (beer is in the truck) to drink, a place to keep some nabbs. A dip net, tackle box, wading belt with pliers, tackle box and stringer. I have my paddle tied off to the kayak, and a closet rod to hang my clothes on when they get wet. j/k I use the closet rod to pole with when I get too shallow. I also have an anchor.

The PDF is put on before I take the kayak in the water and it is taken off when I am on dry land. I normally go alone, so I try not to leave tooo much to chance.

[Milkjug]

Haha, read up Alex, apparently you need a hook-snagging line covering half your yak to tie your anchor to, those pad-eyes are a death sentance! Let's not get into yours or my poor PFD etiquitte.

My paddle sits in my lap when I'm not paddling and that's where it stays. Easy enough. If I pull an amateur-hour and lose it, I will come back and give you due credit, but it hasn't even come close to happening, even in some 2' surf or ripping channel current.

The reason I like yak fishing so much is that it is simple. Don't forget about that or you may end up using too much fishing time with needless rigging or loading/unloading your extra 30lbs of safety equipment.

[reelshallow]

agree with milkjug...... other than after wading a shoreline in rough conditions towing yak..i lost my paddle, after i figured it out about mile after it dropped off yak! not saying buy extra paddle just secure it with a leash. I hate the darn things but i hate loosing my paddle worse. Depends how you fish, i wade alot so towing yak is pretty common. but 1 time outta 15 plus years isnt so bad.

[Jhua]

I brought my kayak to a small retention pond and paddled around without any gear for about an hour. The Tarpon 160 is pretty darn quick and I even did the whole umbrella with the wind trick. I can't wait to finally choose and get a rack and bring it to fish the bay. I'm pretty psyched about it. Thanks everyone for your info! Next time I will probably do a run with gear then finally head out to the bay!

[24Buds]

Sounds like you got a good start. Less is best if you ask me. I use a carbon fiber paddle, a life jacket, one rod, one bag of lures, one stringer, one soft cooler (holds a few 2 many) and hat, sunglasses, off, sunscreen. Plastic bag for my cell. I also have a flare gun. Its expired, I don't see me ever needing it.....but if I do, I will be ready!

Have fun! Be safe

[Big Game 57]

The less you carry the better. Think safety before anything material. Use your own judgment! Not someone elses. Good Luck!!

[chicken]

If you can snag it or get tangled in it, you will . Less is more and I constantly try and "lighten' my load with each trip. One of the first items I discarded was my net and so far I have not lost anything as I use a fish grip. In a kayak, the fish ends up in your lap and those treble hooks can be adventurous. I have switched out all my back trebles to a single hook and keep the front treble. Probably the single biggest tool I have discovered is using satellite maps (Google or Bing) to locate fishing spots and launches worked with a fishing map (Hook-n-Line). You'll be amazed at all the "out of the way" water there is to fish with a kayak. The most important item is your PFD and wear it ALL of the time. Get a kayak specific PFD as you'll never know you're wearing it.

Lots of great suggestions on this post, now go slime that yak. . . . .