Kayak Fishing News

How to build a Kayak Fishing Crate

2010-04-20T16:53:00.000-04:00

Light Tackle Kayak Fishing

2010-04-20T16:50:00.000-04:00

One Paddle Will Improve Your Next Kayak Fishing Experience!

2010-04-10T06:13:00.003-04:00

Kayak fishing is one of the fastest growing sports in the outdoor sporting and paddle sports markets. Kayak fishermen are beginning to reap the benefits of new concepts and technologies in advancing their sport. Having said that, kayak anglers and sportsmen are clamoring for new equipment, paddle gear and accessories to stay ahead of their competition.

It was a fishing comedy on water. I mused from afar. Jim was in the salt water flats flailing a seven foot kayak paddle. He was trying to hold onto an eight foot fishing pole while chasing a redfish through the mangroves. I thought to myself,He needs another hand to juggle that kayak paddle while holding his rod.?

Paddle or fish? All kayak fishermen have experienced the difficulty of paddling your kayak and holding your fishing rod. How do you hold onto your eight foot fishing rod with one hand and stealthily paddle your kayak with the other? No matter how you wrestle that seven foot kayak paddle, it requires two hands. Something has to be set down to do the other.

That is when the kayak fishing hand paddle design concept was born. They are a simple solution to a perplexing problem encountered while kayak fishing. Who would of thought?

It had been noted that intrepid kayak anglers and sportsmen could be found with the likes of ping pong paddles, Kadema paddles, and modified racquets silently navigating their kayaks while chasing fish. The principle concept of kayak fishing hand paddles were developed by the kayak angler and sportsmen to stealthily move their boat while continuing to fish.

Finally it was time to bring the kayak fishing hand paddle concept main stream. Today, these lightweight and ubiquitous paddles are transforming the kayak fishing sport.

Kayak fishing hand paddle designs evolved from experienced kayak anglers and sportsmen working closely with the paddle sports manufacturing community. Keeping the kayak fishing hand paddles fully functional was the primary interest. Providing a light weight, durable, short and floatable paddle was mandatory.

Paddle evolution has not come very far since the inception of paddle sports to the modern paddling masses. Paddle design has basically remained unchanged since the Inuit's first stretched seal skins over wooden frames. The basic paddle blade concept has worked well until now. Nominal manufacturing and material changes resulting in preference of weight and durability reflect most purchasing decisions today. Kayak anglers have declared it is time to adapt and overcome the traditional barriers my friends!

Simply place one of these six ounce or seven ounce kayak fishing hand paddle between your legs or close by. Stow away that unwieldy seven foot kayak paddle. Grab your fishing rod. Now you can stealthily paddle and fish without spooking your prey.

There are a couple of marketable fishing hand paddles models accessible to the kayak anglers and sportsmen. After the first kayak fishing hand paddle prototypes were tested, it became apparent that having more functions would add to the benefit.

The hook and teeth blade designs became readily available and dominate the kayak fishing hand paddle market. Having a fishing hand paddle is awesome; having that ability to grab onto or push off any object with the hook and teeth is a bonus.

It works great for the kayak fishermen, sportsmen, photographers and enthusiasts who need an extra hand while practicing their paddle sport.

It is truly amazing how having that one paddle, a kayak fishing hand paddle, has made all the difference in stealthily moving your kayak without spooking your prey! Who would of thought?

Fish On!!

Ed Halm is a retired U.S. Navy survival instructor. He is also an avid outdoor sportsman, kayak eco-tour guide and owner of Backwater Paddle Company, a paddle sports business located in central Florida. If you have any questions, comments or ideas, feel free to visit with Ed at http://www.backwaterpaddles.com anytime!

Buying Your First Kayak

2010-04-09T14:37:00.002-04:00

A couple of decades ago there were two to three models of Kayaks available. Don''t be surprised if today you go in the market to find 50 different ultra specialized Kayaks.

The obvious first question is what type of kayaking will you do? Basically there is river, lake, and sea kayaking. River kayaks are very short and tough boats meant for maneuverability and the abuse of whitewater rapids. Sea kayaks are sleek and light and are designed for cruising. Then there are general kayaks that can be used on sea lakes.

There are three basic types of kayaks as far as structure and materials are concerned.

Rigid kayaks are made of plastic, wood or carbon fiber. These are usually the most affordable and are they are the most popular too. Plastic boats are tough and reliable but once damaged can be very difficult to repair. Fiberglass boats are more expensive than plastic but damage is easily repaired, they are also quite light.

For kayak enthusiasts who appreciate aesthetics and beauty, you might want to look at some wooden boats; they are carefully crafted and very beautiful kayaks. There are kits available for folks who are prepared to build their own.

A folding kayak is usually made of wood or aluminum. Their prices are usually high, but they tend to last longer, and are also quite easy to store.

Inflatable boats provide good portability and storage space. They are generally the least expensive kayaks you can buy. Kayak enthusiasts for whom storage and transportation is a major issue will find a good option in these boats.

Another choice to ponder is whether to choose a single-passenger or double-passenger kayak. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. For a fun family adventure, the double kayak is perfect. It is fast and stable but lacks the maneuverability of a single Kayak.

After deciding on the style of kayak you want to purchase, price becomes a big factor in determining exactly which model to buy. A basic entry-level plastic kayak can be found for as low as $250. Fiberglass boats can cost from anywhere around $900 to $2500. Other plastic models can run as high as $1700. If you want to go for the more exotic kayaks they would cost you a little more. Inflatable boats start at about $125 and go up to about $2000. Folding boats have a huge Price variation, in them and they can cost anywhere between $1500 to $5000.

Cut Bait: IFA Kayak Tour Changes Rules

2010-04-08T15:36:00.002-04:00

The IFA Kayak Tour announces rules modification: Artificial bait only, and the end of 27-inch maximum redfish measurement go into effect next weekend at the April 18th event in Port Lavaca, Texas.

LIZELLA, Ga. (April 1, 2010) – In its inaugural season, the IFA Kayak Tour Presented by Hobie Fishing continues to meet the needs of anglers from Texas to the Carolinas, this time by announcing modifications to a pair of rules in its premier, kayak-only tournament series. Beginning with the IFA Kayak Tour event on April 18 in Port Lavaca, Texas, and effective throughout the remainder of the 2010 season, all tournament participants will compete using artificial baits only and will not be allowed to use any live, formerly live or prepared baits.

The altering of this rule keeps the IFA Kayak Tour Presented by Hobie Fishing in line with the IFA Redfish Tour and other premier tournament trails, which do not allow live bait during competition.

“Originally, we were in support of the use of live bait in the tournaments as it might bring more people to the sport of kayak fishing since it’s a mainstay in and around coastal waters – especially for people who don’t have the luxury of motoring long distances,” IFA Director of Marketing and Sponsor Relations, Bart Schad. “Already anglers have told us that as competitors in a premier tournament series they do not want to compete under rules any other top-flight redfish, bass or other tournaments just because they fish with non-motorized boats.”

In addition to introducing artificial-bait only guidelines, the IFA Redfish Tour will also cease its cap on the 27-inch maximum length measurement on redfish caught during competition. Previously, competitors could receive up to the maximum of 27 inches in length for any redfish that adheres to the guidelines set forth in this catch-photograph-release tournament format. Tournament winners are decided by a combined total length measurement of their largest redfish and largest speckled sea trout. This rule modification now gives anglers the credit for the entire size of their catch, helping to fuel interest in redfish competitions and spotlight those conservation efforts that help ensure trophy-class fishing opportunities.

“We fully support the IFA in this decision to fine tune the platform and increase the level of competition in the IFA Kayak Series. Along with the IFA, we place great value in the input we receive from our participants,” said Hobie Director of Strategic Development, Keaton Eoff. “In launching a new competitive platform we knew that we would face some challenges and luckily we’re were aligned with the right people to develop the sport and are very pleased with the direction were moving.”

The IFA Redfish and IFA Kayak Tours continues to draw redfish anglers from Texas to the Carolinas and beyond, offering anglers the opportunity to compete in six different divisions, each offering a three-event regular season. Low entry fees for the one-day, regular-season tournaments allows anglers to fish close to home and minimize expenses, while still being a part of a premier inshore, catch-and-release redfish tournament organization. Teams fishing any three of the IFA’s 18 regular-season events are automatically qualified for a no-entry-fee championship event, pitting qualifiers from each of the six divisions for money and prize packages, as well as a shot at the coveted Cabela’s Overall Divisional Team of the Year Award for the six regular-season division winners.

Each of the Cabela’s IFA Redfish Tour 18 regular-season events commence on Saturday with the newly formed IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Presented by Hobie Fishing contested the following day (Sundays). In its inaugural season, the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Presented by Hobie will feature 18 regular-season, catch-photograph-release events across six different division (mirroring the IFA Redfish Tour format, location and scheduling) as well as extremely lucrative payouts and expanded fishing opportunities for non-motorized fishing crafts.

The redfish/trout tournament will pay twenty places (based on a 100 boat field) plus Big Redfish, Big Trout and Junior Angler Awards. The winner will take home a Hobie Mirage Pro-Angler valued at $2399, 2nd place prize will be a Hobie Mirage Outback, valued at $1,749 and 3rd place a Hobie Quest, valued at $949.

Sarasota Area Kayak Fishing Report

2010-04-07T08:25:00.001-04:00

“Action exploded this week as the weather turned beautiful. I had a number of trips and we were successful each time out. On Tuesday, I had Jason Beary of Warren, Pa., out for a half-day. We fished Palma Sola Bay in Bradenton. The wind made it difficult, but we were able to tuck behind some mangroves and cast flies to spotted seatrout. I found these trout about a month ago and knew they would hit on the outgoing tide. Jason caught a half dozen slot trout on my Big Eye Baitfish Fly. Largest fish went 20 inches and all trout were in the slot,” reports Steve Gibson of Southern Drawl Kayak Fishing (941-284-3406). Southern Drawl Kayak Fishing.

“On Wednesday, I had Todd Dawson and his son, Matt, 14, of Bradenton, out on a charter. Since the wind was predicted to blow out of the northwest, I chose the west side of Sarasota Bay. We launched at Buttonwood Harbor and paddled south to a deep grass flat just north of the Harborside Moorings. Using D.O.A. CAL Jigs with gold shad tails, we caught and released a total of 57 spotted seatrout to 4 lbs. Action was steady. We also caught flounder and a number of ladyfish,” Gibson said.

“On Thursday, I had Jason Beary for another half-day outing. The wind was out of the east, so we launched at Stephens Point on Sarasota Bay. When we arrived, the bay was very calm. We paddled out and immediately started catching fish. On the day, Jason caught and released a load of pompano, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, ladyfish, and spotted seatrout. All were taken on a 6-weight fly rod and my Big Eye Baitfish Fly. One mackerel went 4 lbs. The pompano went up to 3 ½ lbs,” Gibson reports.

“On Friday, Brian Bourdages of Traverse City, Michigan was along. We had originally scheduled his all day outing on Monday, but weather forced us to reschedule on Friday. It was a good decision. Brian had a blast on his second saltwater fly-fishing outing and he caught a good number of fish. Pompano, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, and spotted seatrout put on a good show. Brian landed pompano to 3 lbs, Spanish mackerel to 2 lbs, seatrout to nearly 5 lbs, and a load of ladyfish. Only bluefish eluded his Big Eye Baitfish Fly. We fished the deep grass off Stephens Point in Sarasota Bay. This action should last for at last another couple of weeks. It’s the spot to fish on an east wind,” Gibson reports.

______________________
Steve Gibson is a full time kayak fishing guide based in Sarasota. He is also an award winning outdoor writer and photographer. Gibson has been living in Florida for 38 years and is a lifelong saltwater fisherman. He spent 34 years as the outdoors editor of the Sarasota Herald Tribune. Gibson specializes in back country, inshore kayak angling on both spin cast and fly tackle for such species as redfish, snook, and speckled trout. He also fishes freshwater for such species as largemouth bass, bluegills, peacock bass, oscars, and Mayan cichlids. Gibson also writes a fishing blog, you can follow him on the web at http://gibbysfishingblog.blogspot.com/.

Kayakers, beware! Waters are tempting, but dangerous

2010-04-06T10:53:00.000-04:00

By Amy Littlefield
ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
Posted Apr 06, 2010 @ 01:42 AM
Last update Apr 06, 2010 @ 07:23 AM
WEST BRIDGEWATER —

The warm weather may seem like a kayaker’s dream. But waterways can be dangerous after floods like the one that hit the region last week. State environmental police warn boaters to beware of swift-moving water and debris.

“Anytime there’s flooding or high waters, the water moves faster and that in itself is more dangerous,” said Catherine Williams, a spokeswoman for the state environmental police.

“It is only early April and the temperature of the water is very cold. It probably runs around 40 degrees,” she said. “At that temperature, depending on how swimmers are dressed, (they) can get hypothermia.”

At Berwick Marine Sales and Service in West Bridgewater, bright orange and yellow kayaks hang ready for sale, right next to two full racks of life jackets.

Co-owner Bruce Pratt said safety is a top priority.

“That’s the most important part of the whole business,” said Pratt. “All the people that drown never had a life jacket on.”

While the warm weather heats up business for boat salesmen, Pratt and his wife Claire say they always warns boaters to be careful. Canoers and kayakers are required by law to wear life jackets from Sept. 15 to May 15.

“You’ve got to know the rules of the road, especially with a kayak,” said Pratt. “If you tip over in a kayak, you don’t have time to put (a life jacket) on.”

The dangers of kayaking on swift rivers were highlighted Saturday when a Carver woman was pulled from the Taunton River in Bridgewater after her kayak capsized.

Lisa Shaw clung to a tree in the swift-moving current until firefighters rescued her.

Trees and other debris that washed into the river during floods pose a major threat to boaters.

“These conditions are unique and they are dangerous,” said Williams. “People really need to be prepared and thinking about safety before they put their boats in the water.”

Williams said two people in Massachusetts have already died in kayak accidents this year.

Amy Littlefield may be reached at alittlef@enterprisenews.com.