by Mark Lozier, April 2016
Fishing from a kayak has offered me some incredible opportunities; places I would have never went if I still fished from a boat. It’s much easier to just throw the kayaks on top of the truck, put all our gear in the bed and away we go. Our journeys have taken us from our Virginia coast home waters down the southern sea board and through the Gulf States. All places I probably wouldn’t have went to if I had to trailer a boat with all the fuel, extra maintenance on the vehicle, trailer and other added expense. With a little research and planning before you go these trips can be a great way to fish new waters, target new species and see some new places.
Making these trips a success is really done before you even leave the house. Spending some time online doing your home work can make things go a lot smoother once you arrive at your destination. If you are traveling out of your home state be sure to know all the fishing regulations and required licensing for the area.
Paying attention to local fishing forums on the internet will also be a huge benefit. Let’s face it anglers like to brag and when they can get online and share their catches with everyone it can be to your advantage. Looking online for local Coastal Angler Magazine editions in the area you are traveling to and finding the fishing forecast articles there will be a big help. Local angling clubs are another good resource, as are social media pages. Local marinas, tackle shops and outfitters will share fishing reports on their sites. Stop and ask the staff what’s being caught and maybe help point you in the right direction. Supporting the local economy always good; buying a few recommended lures shows that you’re thankful for their help.
I like to use Google Earth for really getting a good idea of the area and bodies of water we will be fishing. For saltwater fishing, satellite images can be helpful in showing areas that shoal up as well as cuts and slews that may take you to other bodies of water without having to paddle the long way around using the boating channels. These images can also be printed, laminated and carried with you to help in navigation while on the water. For the really adventurous ones who plan to paddle off the grid a real chart, compass and or a hand held GPS is much more reliable. Online tide charts are also really helpful along with other data you can get from NOAA weather buoys.
With a little bit of planning and research on your part a kayak fishing trip can be a fun way to enjoy some new fishing areas. I tell all my clients that knowledge and time on the water is what makes average anglers better. When your trip’s a success, how much more rewarding is it that you did it on your own?
’Til Next Tide