By Stewart Venable
Freshwater kayak fishing is a sport that is growing by leaps and bounds. Many anglers have discovered that fishing for their favorite species from the helm of a kayak is quite a thrill. It can be assumed that the majority of these anglers tend to pursue one or two different species on a regular basis due to the simple fact of convenience. What if there, however, was one location where an angler could chase after several species in the same afternoon. Your local river is just such a place.
Geographically speaking, most of us live within an easy drive of what is a gold mine for paddle (or pedal) powered anglers. With far less pressure than most large impoundments, and even smaller public lakes, the river is a prime spot for fishermen and women to target multiple species in an afternoon. Whether perusing your quarry with heavy casting rods, light spinning tackle or even traditional fly gear, you can usually be assured a fun filled, drag screaming morning or afternoon. The general unsavory disposition of river fish is dictated by the fact they almost always spend their days swimming against varying degrees of current. Mere bream fight like miniaturized leviathans, while anything larger means you are in for a fight worthy of a Hemingway tale.
With species that include largemouth bass, blue gill, flathead catfish, longnose gar, smallmouth bass, bowfin, warmouth bream, striped bass, blue catfish, spotted bass, white perch, white bass, yellow perch, black crappie and hybrid bass, a river is unrivaled in its wide array of options. I’ve found that the quiet water that twists through all types of landscapes across the country is a great conduit to one’s soul. Whether you’re after a trophy fish, or just “recharging” your batteries, there’s a river for you nearby. One thing you may find interesting is that the species I have named are just some of the ones found in our local river systems.
With fall upon us, many of these fish species will “reawaken” from their hot weather patterns and lethargic summer mindset. When ninety-degree temperatures start to be a thing of the past and downright chilly mornings are the norm, many anglers believe this to be the best time of year to pursue big fish. As winter approaches lots of fish will begin to actively feed throughout the day. This means now is a great time to pursue a wide array of fish, some of which may be new to you. While some of your fishing buddies might be heading to a deer stand you should consider grabbing your kayak and trying your luck at a new species. With such a diverse list of fish to chase after, the river will be a great place to spend a fall morning or afternoon.
Stewart Venable is a member of the Jackson Kayak Fishing Team and on the Pro Staff of these companies: Dobyns, YakAttack, Bending Branches, Georgia Kayak Adventures. Contact him at 704-307-9427 or through the website www.riverstalkers.com.
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