Re: [Paddlewise] Kayak Fishing

> Re fishing from kayaks.... Has anyone (fishermen and women) got any good
> tips on how to fish  successfully from a seakayak, (ie without doing stupid
> things like losing the fishing rod, getting constantly tangled up in
> seaweed, catching inedible fish like baracudas... etc etc). We're planning
> an extended kayak trip in remote areas of Fiordland, New Zealand, and would
> be really keen to get better at catching those fish!

Trolling is of course the easy way.  Its almost like kayaks were 
designed specifically for trolling.  Your typical 3kt paddling speed is 
just about perfect for many species.   My current setup is a stiff, 
half rod (50cm) that is from a rod I snapped off earlier this spring.  I 
got a cheap trolling reel at ebay [$8US].   I loaded it with 150 yds 
of 50# dacron trolling line, ending with a ball bearing swivel, and a 
chunk of 300# Jinkai monofiliment.  Sound wierd?   Not really.  My 
biggest problem is that most of the good spots to fish are in 2-3 ft 
of water, with oyster shell on the bottom.   I get snags all the time.  
On my old setup with a simple 20# mono casting rig, I spent all my 
time dragging a line with no lure, since the lure had snagged, and 
cut off by the oyster shell.   This new setup has a light drag, and 
no possibility of being cut off.  Now with a snag, the lure just stops, 
the reel goes clickity-clickity, and I turn around and retrieve it.  
Given the water, I fish various floating lures, typically mullet 
imitations, and preferably ones that I can take off bent hooks and 
replace with new sharp ones without buy a new lure.

For sporty fun, fly fishing is hard to beat.

For those here in the states, "Sport Fishing" magazine has an 
article on fishing from a kayak. 

And finally, the most productive way of fishing from a kayak, is in 
the water with a speargun; which is what I'm learning how to do at 
the moment.



Richard Walker
Houston, TX
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