Choctawhatchee Bay Fishing

I've had the pleasure to fish with a few Anglers who are relatively new to Destin inshore fishing, the past few weeks. Aside from catching a fish yourself, there is nothing better than watching someone else catch fish.

This past weekend I fished with a fellow Air Force Veteran, Nick Biersner. The conditions were absolutely perfect. No wind at all, the tide was just starting to creep in and the water was crystal clear. It didn't take long and we were in the fish. Reds were cruising all around us, but they didn't seem to want our bait at first. After some paddling around, Nick hooked up on a nice Jack. Then I hooked up on a small Speck. The bite slowed down, but the marine life was still all around us. We seen several Sting Rays, one being at least 5 foot across, a school of Sheepshead and a large school of Jacks. It wasn't until the wind changed and the water got rough, that Nick was able to hook a nice Speck and a slot Red. We didn't catch a ton of fish, but what an awesome day on the water.

Last week, Matt Rhodes decided to do a little Red fishing without his kayak. Who says you can't catch fish from shore. He was able to hook up on his first ever Red and it was a beauty. Not to be outdone, Ryan McDonald hooked up on a nice 30"+ Red too.

The Red fish bite is definitely picking up here in the Panhandle. I'm headed back out this week to try and get my Bull Red before the season is over. I can't let these guys have all the fun. 

D.S

Product Review: PTL Performance Wicking Shirt

Are you in search of a great long sleeved fishing shirt? Then look no further! Power Team Lures has what you are looking for.

These awesome shirts will keep you cool, even on those hot days on the water. Made from 100% Polyester, with moisture wicking technology that pulls the sweat off your body. They also have stain release, in case you get covered in fish guts and they're odor resistant too. The interlocking material, also resists snagging which is just plain cool. Plus they just look awesome!

The sizes range from Small to 3XL and they run true to size. They even have some for the Lady Anglers out there. All three colors are great, Crush, Silver Bullet and The Royal. I have many fishing shirts, but these are by far the most comfortable ones I have ever owned. At $32.99 they are a great buy, and if you use this CODE you get $5.00 off your first purchase of $20.00 or more.

              

So, if you are looking for some great shirts, that not only look cool, but keep you cool check out the Performance Wicking Shirts from Power Team Lures.

D.S

Which Kayak Should I Buy?

I remember asking that question, just like many others who are wanting to get into the sport. The problem with that question is, that's totally up to you. It's like asking what house or car should I buy. It all depends on what you intend to use it for. What type of fishing you plan to do, what kind of water you will fish etc. Not to mention your budget, which only you know what that is. Only you know your own unique situation.

The best answer I can give on what kayak to get, is to do lots of research and if possible demo as many as you can. What works for me may not work for you. Try different lengths, widths and styles to see what works for you. Set yourself a budget and only look at kayaks in that price range, unless you don't have a price limit. Here is the basic criteria for a fishing kayak, that works for the type of fishing I do.

1. 10'-12' long 30"-33" wide Sit-On-Top (SOT)

2. Adequate storage areas for rods and tackle.

3. Attachment points for electronics and other accessories.

4. Ability to stand easily, so it should be very stable.

There are about a dozen kayaks that fit this criteria. Which is why trying some out to see which one fits you best is extremely important. Try different seat configurations, if possible, see how each one handles in various water conditions. Also, think about how you will transport the kayak and see how easy or difficult it will be. That should help you narrow down your search. 

Let's take this one step further. Person (A) wants to fish primarily open water big lakes or oceans, and person (B) wants to fish smaller lakes and ponds. Well, person (A) should be looking at Sit-On-Top kayaks in the 12'-14' range. These kayaks will be much faster, which allows person (A) to cover more distance. Plus, it just feels more comfortable to be on a bigger kayak in bigger water. Person (B) on the other hand should be looking at Sit-On-Top kayaks in the 10'-12' range. The smaller kayaks allow for more maneuverability, which allows person (B) to get into tighter places to fish.

As you can see, there is no perfect kayak for every situation. A good kayak for fishing rivers and small bodies of water, will not be as effective on big lakes or oceans. There will always be trade offs with any kayak. The hard part is figuring out what you are willing to sacrifice and what you are not.

D.S

Sorry Can't Fish Here

One of the greatest things about fishing from a kayak is, we can fish almost any body of water we see. Almost. Sometimes that fact can lead us into to trouble though.

There is nothing better than dragging your kayak to a secluded pond, that few people know about, and landing a monster Bass. That's exactly what lured some of us into this sport in the first place. Just make sure you can fish there first.

Most bodies of water with a boat launch are public use areas, but as kayak anglers, we can fish areas without boat access.  That fact makes it more difficult to know where you can and can't fish. Which means you must do your research first.

The first thing I like to do when researching a new lake is to simply Google it. You can find out if it's public or private most of the time, and even find the location of boat launches if applicable. There might even be reviews from other anglers telling you where the fish are. On a large lake that can be very helpful.

The next thing I do is get on Google Earth. It enables you to scout possible launch points, parking locations and areas of vegetation on the water. You can even use the ruler tool to estimate how far certain areas are from different launch points. This is extremely helpful to get you as close as possible to where you want to fish. Less paddle time means more fishing time, and that means more fish in the boat.

As responsible kayak anglers, it's our job to make sure we follow all the rules. If you are unsure whether or not you can fish a particular body of water, don't fish it, ask someone first! Also, please help keep public waters open, by practicing "Pack It In Pack It Out."

D.S

Get Outside

I was told to go outside just about every day when I was a kid. If the weather was nice I was expected to do something, anything outside. Not that it was a bad thing, I mean that was before Cable television and the original Nintendo had just been released. Of course I didn't have one.

Luckily at that time, I was living in a small farm town in Southern Indiana. There was plenty to do outside. I rode my bike all over that town, even made trails in the woods. I loved to play "Army Man" in the woods. My friends and I spent most of our time building forts or tree houses in the woods. We also always found ways to get into mischief too. It's a boy thing I think.

A few years later my family and I moved to Dallas Texas, then Lafayette Louisiana and finally Ft. Lauderdale Florida. Eventually as a teenager we moved back to Southern Indiana where I stayed until the Military moved me around some more. In every place though, I spent my time outside. Be it the woods surrounded by timber or the swamps of the Everglades. I found peace and comfort outside.

When I think about all the jobs I've had, most of them have been outside too. Pig farmer, lumberjack, Lawn Care Technician, all outside. What is it about the Outdoors that draws us in? What's the allure of it?

I was blessed to spend three years of my life in Alaska from 2008-2011. Hands down the most beautiful place I have ever been. If that place doesn't make you appreciate the outdoors, nothing will. Towering snow capped mountains, covered with Alaskan Birch and Spruce trees. Rivers and streams that seem untouched by man. Bear, Moose and Bald Eagles everywhere you look. The fishing, wow the fishing was incredible there.

Six Mile Lake Elmendorf AFB, Alaska

Little Susitna River Hatchers Pass, Alaska

Six Mile Lake Elmendorf AFB, Alaska

Six Mile Lake Elmendorf AFB, Alaska

I'm not a real religious guy, but standing near the base of a mountain, in winter, with snow covering everything, you believe. I thanked God for letting me experience such unimaginable beauty. Being there gave me an even stronger appreciation for the Great Outdoors. And I miss it terribly.

Whether you like to hunt, fish, hike or camp, we all do these activities for the same reason. We enjoy being outside. More than likely someone shared their love for the outdoors with you. Maybe a friend or family member. Now we all get the same opportunity to do that for someone else. I shared my Alaskan experience with my wife, and continue to share the outdoors with her. I will take my children outside and share this wonderful world with them too. Life is too short to waste it being cooped up inside all the time. Do something, anything outside, I promise you won't regret it.

D.S

Fall Red Fish Action

Is there anything better than fishing in the Fall? Of course there isn't! I absolutely love fishing in the Fall. Not only is it a much needed break from the hot Florida summer, but it's incredible fishing too. I catch more fish in the Fall, than any other time of the year, and this year has been no exception.

As you'll notice these were caught from a boat rather than a kayak. The reason for this is, all of these trips were spur of the moment right after work. Since my boss has a boat that just needs to be lowered into the water it's just quicker to use the boat. It also allows us to get to those areas that are just too far away to kayak too, which happens to be some of the best Red fish areas.

This 32" Red and the 22" Red on the right were caught off the Eglin grass flats. I was using my Shimano Sienna 2500 on a 7' St. Croix Triumph Medium rod. Spooled with 15 pound braid and 20 pound Fluorocarbon leader. Bait was Berkley's Gulp Jerk Shad, color "New Penny" with 1/4 ounce Jighead.


These little guys were caught near the Coast Guard Station using the same bait and equipment as above. We also caught a few Ladyfish and Bluefish as well.

This healthy 24" Red was caught near the Destin grass flats. As always, the bait and tackle was the same. These Red fish love those Berkley Jerk Shad. Color seems to be very important, because they didn't seem to like the "Camo" or "New Penny Fleck" I tried. Jighead weight, shape or color doesn't seem to matter though. 

I've caught about a dozen more in the 12"-16" range. All in the three locations that I have listed. Just need to find that grass. Trout and flounder seem to really like the Gulps as well. I've caught about half a dozen Trout so far with many more to come I hope. Below is a nice Trout caught near Destin.

I think I'm really starting to enjoy Red fishing more than Bass fishing. Maybe it's because I catch bigger Reds.

D.S

Kayak Review: Wilderness Systems Ride X 115 MAX

I had the pleasure of trying out the new RideX 115 MAX, with the all new Phase 3 AirPro MAX high/low seating system and the removable console. Here are the specs.

Length: 11'6"/ 351 cm

Width: 33"/ 84 cm

Max Capacity: 500 lbs/ 227 kg
Weight: 82 lbs/ 37 kg

                             

Wilderness Systems kayaks are very well built, and the RideX is no exception. It feels very sturdy, the handles are rigid and makes carrying this heavy kayak easier. Of course there are the usual refinements like SlideTrax, Orbix hatches and adjustable foot braces that come standard.

The first thing I noticed about this kayak, it's built for one thing, fishing! This was not the Angler edition, however it was outfitted with flush-mount rod holders and an anchor trolley. Paddling this kayak was what I expected for it's width, a bit slow. It also felt a bit uncomfortable paddling from the elevated position, but I'll get into the new seat shortly. Speed was average as was the maneuverability. It also handled light chop and windy conditions with no problems.

Okay, on to the new stuff.

The removable console is just plain cool. It would really make installing a depth/fish finder very simple. It's extremely easy to take on and off, and can easily house a battery. The integrated transducer mount is also a very nice touch. It keeps the transducer up tight to the kayak and out of the way.

        

Now on to  the new Phase 3 AirPro MAX seat. I don't think their could ever be a more comfortable seat for a kayak. It literally feels like you're sitting in your recliner. The kayak is easy to paddle in the down position, however in the up position, it takes some getting used to. I would recommend a slighter longer paddle if you plan to paddle while in the up position. The adjustments are easy to make on the water, and it makes standing up very easy. I have absolutely no complaints about the AirPro MAX, very well done Wilderness Systems.

The only negatives that I found are more personal preference, rather than manufacturing issues. First thing I don't like is the weight. I car-top my kayak which would be very difficult with the 82 lb RideX. The other issue was just the way it felt paddling from an elevated position. Again, this is just a personal issue, since I have always sat in a tradition kayak seat. I'm sure in time it would feel more natural.

All in all, the RideX 115 MAX is a great kayak for fishing. With the new AirPro MAX seat, you'll be able to fish as long as you like with no numbness in your backside.  So, if you have been thinking of buying a new kayak, take a look at the Ride Series from Wilderness Systems, you won't be disappointed.

Where can you get one of these great kayaks you ask. Well HOOK1 Kayak Fishing Gear of course!

D.S
#HOOK1KFG