Everybody has to start somewhere. Whether you are a seasoned fisherman or have never picked up a rod, kayak fishing attracts anglers of all skill levels. The level of excitement sitting so close to the water and doing battle up close and personal is what attracts many to the sport. While the basic fishing principles and techniques are the same, it is still a little different in a kayak. A recent trip with a couple of first-time kayak anglers proved how easy it is to get hooked on kayak fishing.
Sterling Scott and Grant Roberts have fishing experience, but neither had ever fished from a kayak. Under the guidance of Capt. Eric Muhoberac, both had a successful trip to the Myrtle Grove area to chase some redfish. With some basic onshore instructions regarding the use of the Hobie Outback, a pedal drive kayak, the two excitedly headed down the bayou with big hopes. Unlike paddling, which takes some skills to become proficient, if you can walk and chew gum at the same time, handling a pedal drive kayak is pretty simple. Feet on the pedals and a hand on the rudder and you are all set. There is not much of a learning curve when it comes to operating a pedal drive kayak.
Seek out an experienced kayaker
Muhoberac keeps it down to basics for new kayak anglers. They are given one rod and the kayak is free from any clutter or distractions. A simple fish grip or landing net is included in case he can’t get to the angler in time to assist with landing the fish.
However, the best advice for someone thinking they want to start kayak fishing is not to jump in head-first. If you have kayak fishing friends that may have an extra for you to use, set up a trip with them to see what it’s all about. If not, schedule a charter with a kayak fishing guide. Besides the kayak skills, you’ll learn fishing techniques and get an expert’s take on the particular area you’re fishing. Either way, you’ll get a good taste of what to expect and get a feel of whether it is something you wish to pursue. Although fishing is the main objective of these trips, the knowledge obtained is the more important aspect.
Learning from more experienced kayak anglers can save time, money and provide a measure of safety.
Reds for beginners
Redfish are one of the best fish for new kayak anglers to pursue. They can be caught on a wide variety of baits and no difficult casting skills or techniques are needed. From dead bait under a popping cork, to topwater lures, reds are fairly easy to find and readily bite a variety of offerings. Lures such as a gold spoon are easy to cast and retrieve and make it easy for new anglers to hook into a red.
Once the group reached an area of broken marsh and ponds, Muhoberac passed on the game plan to the anglers.
“We’re going to stay 20-30 yards off the bank and slowly move along,” he instructed. “Cast at all points, cuts or spots where you see bait or some disturbance in the water.”
Both anglers were stable and comfortable in the kayaks. Casting from the low seated position of a kayak takes a little getting use to, but it is not difficult. After just a few yards, excitement built as action was spotted along the shoreline. Throwing a simple Gulp tail/jighead combo, Roberts was the first to hook up. The fight was on for a few minutes before the brute unfortunately popped the line. A bit disappointed, but still excited, Roberts got a new bait and continued the pursuit.
Always a fun trip
As the anglers slowly travelled down the shore, Muhoberac landed a nice red, just to show them how it is done. Scott methodically beat the shoreline and got better at hitting precise spots with each cast. Suddenly, bam, he was hooked up to a nice slot-sized red. With a bit of excited yelling, Scott fought the fish until he was able to land it on his lip grip. A couple quick photos and it was back to the action. While not on fire, the next couple hours saw some misses, a couple undersized fish and a few more keeper reds successfully landed.
Kayak fishing is not for everyone, but I’ve yet to find anyone that does not have a fun trip. Getting comfortable in the kayak is likely the biggest hurdle. “How stable is it? I would probably fall out,” are the most common issues for many thinking of trying out kayak fishing. However, while these may be valid concerns if trying to fish from a tiny, big-box store kayak, nothing more than pool toys in my opinion, modern fishing kayaks are extremely stable and safe. Give it a try, odds are you will be glad you did.
