By John Barrell of Rootbeer Barrell Surf & Kayak, New Jersey:
I
have been in the watersports business since 1974 and have found it very
frustrating when a customer comes through the door and wants to be an
instant expert. Take your time and enjoy being a novice. Learning new
skills is exciting and a hobby all on its own. Being out over a mile
offshore in December and watching the sun go down is an exciting experience.
It is even better when you just caught nine stripers and can be very
safe if you use common sense. Using common sense means you don't do
anything that you don't know how to do. Read everything you can about
the new sport, talk to more experienced paddlers and go on-line. I can't
possibly mention all the situations that can go sour and all the ways
to deal with them in this paragraph, just slow down and think first.
Think if you are ready for what you are about to do and always be prepared
for disaster. (see "Signal
Devices" article on this website for safety tips)
RODS AND REELS
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RODS: A six-foot rod is perfect
for trolling from the stern and for bait fishing. However, a seven-foot
rod would provide more line clearance, if you plan on mounting the rod
holders in front of you. Keep the drag light so you don't have the rod
tip pulled into your face by a big fish. I like a rod with a thin tip
but guts in the lower two thirds. You will need the strength in the
base of the rod when trying to force the fish to your strong hand side
for landing. Don't use one of those bait-casting rods that have a short
stubby grip below the reel. They will not fit most rod holders securely.
REELS:
Spinning vs. conventional? Use what you have the most confidence in.
If you plan on doing much casting use what you cast the best. Always
buy the best quality you can afford. The only spinning reels I use are
the PENN PRIONS. Once you try one, you will retire all your other reels.
For a bait-casting reel the SHIMANO CORSAIR series can't be beat for
the money. I used the PENN 930'S for years but retired them for the
corsairs. The Shimano Calcuttas are a little nicer than both but what
they cost would pay for half your kayak. If the Prion spinning reels
are out of your price range Penn SS Series treated me well for a lot
of years. The 440 SS on a six-foot rod is probably the perfect kayak-fishing
combo in the $120 price range.
LINE: Mono around 15 - 17 lb. Test
should handle most fish. This may be heavier than some guys like but
you can't let the fish run back and forth from one side to the other.
In a kayak you have to force the fish where you want him to be, when
it comes time to land him.
BRACKET
ROD HOLDERS: The rod holder is a must have item. They can
be flush mounted or mount into some kind of bracket that you bolt on
the boat. There are ball mount styles that are pretty neat, but pricey.
Just make sure you get the style with the wing nut on the side so you
can tilt the rod, allowing more room for the butt of the rod where it
contacts the kayak. (Scotty Rod holders are now available at Tom's
TopKayaker Shop-Fishing)
A locking ring that prevents rod loss is available on most brands and
is a must. Don't buy one that doesn't tilt or lacks the locking ring.
Sometimes when trolling, the blues and stripers just swim along with
the lure in their mouth, but other times they start taking out line
pretty steady and the locking ring prevents you from losing your prized
rod and reel.
You will need a minimum of two-rod holders. One bracket mount should be just behind your strong side elbow and is used for trolling. Some guys argue that they need to see the action of the rod and put their rod holders up on the bow, which sounds reasonable, but I have no problem catching fish while trolling from the back and I know the line will stay out of my way. If you decide to put them on the bow you will need rods long enough so the paddle does not interfere with the line and you will have to get out of the seat on some boats to reach the rod.
FLUSH MOUNT ROD HOLDERS: The other
type of rod holder is a flush mount and should be installed directly
under where you would rest your weak hand on the gunwale. This location
is best for bait fishing and placing the rod in when landing a fish.
I also place my rod there, with the bail open when letting out line
while trolling. I have been unable to find a commercially available
flush mount rod holder that is sealed shut on the bottom, so here are
some tips on how to seal it and install it:
First, measure the depth of the kayak where the flush mount is
to be located and trim the rod holder tube so the top of bracket is flush
with the deck of the boat prior to installing it.
Second, to seal the bottom of the rod holder (to keep water out
of your kayak) plug the bottom of the tube either with a sanded down PVC
end cap (1.5 inch diameter) or cut out a plug from polyfoam and seal it
with "Aquaseal" or "3M's 4200". "Aquaseal"
is one of the only glue/sealant products I've found that sticks to plastic
kayaks, although many guys swear by the 3M products.
|
backrests, parts anchors and more.
I just mounted a second bracket type holder upon the bow which is a very well thought out unit from "Scotty". I used the optional flush mount bracket, which has a rubber stopper cap allowing you to plug the hole with when not being used. I installed it in front of my right foot so I would still have room to store my paddle blade, under bungie cords when I have to get rid of it quick. I like to use an X pattern of bungie cord to secure the paddle with when I am fishing or have a knockdown. I don't know if I'll use the rod holder up front, because I don't like the idea of crawling around on the boat while trying to reach a rod that far forward when you have a fish on. With the first two methods I gave you, you should never have to lift your butt out of the seat.
NET: A net is not needed for small
toothless fish if that's the only kind you expect to catch. I keep a
small net bungied to a cleat near the rod holder behind my strong side
elbow. You can tuck it behind the seat with the handle sticking out
so it's easy to grab. Landing a fish while sitting down can be tricky
and anything that can help is good to have along.
GAFF: A small gaff mounted behind
you in rubber boat hook clips can come in handy on big or toothy critters
like bluefish. Bungie it from the back of the handle to the same place
as the net.
PADDLE LEASH: A leash keeps you from losing your paddle if you set it down on the water. TIP: When fighting a fish, lay your paddle on the water on the downwind side, tight to the side of the boat. In this position it should stay out of your way no matter what side of the boat the fish chooses to fight on. The leash attaches in the center of the paddle shaft and the other end can be attached on either side of the boat near where the front strap of the seat is connected to the boat. However, I like to connect mine up on the bow. Unfortunately with this set up if you forget and drop your paddle on the up wind side of the kayak you will probably have to crawl up to the bow to get it back. If you are surfing by the way, ALWAYS connect the paddle leash to the bow. This way the boat will come back a lot easier after a wipeout.
* CONTINUE HERE WITH Part II "CHOOSING A FISHING KAYAK*
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