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

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

Trip planning

T'was the night before the fishing trip, and all through the house, not a creature bait was stirring, not even the Power Team Lures Craw D,oeuvre.

Okay so maybe it's not quite like that. In this article I want to talk about trip planning. In my opinion it's the most important part of any trip, then again I have been accused of thinking and/or planning too much in the past. What can I say, I like to be thorough. 

The first thing I do, is decide where I want to fish. I'm blessed to live in an area that has endless angling opportunities. I can choose to fish a lake, river, bay or even the Gulf of Mexico. Once I've decided where I want to fish, then I need to decide where I will launch from.

A good map or Google Maps/Earth are great ways to find launch points. I try to stay away from boat ramps if possible, so  I look for "Day Use" areas or parking areas with easy access to the water. Luckily the areas I fish allow me to do this.

The next thing I think about is season and weather conditions. Obviously season is extremely important. I need to know what the pattern is so I know what tactics I want to use. Knowing this will help me decide what gear and tackle to bring along. The weather is equally important, as is solunar data. For researching this I use Scout Look. Their App allows me to pick any location and find all the weather data and solunar data I need. I highly recommend downloading the Scout Look App to your smartphone. Knowing the weather also helps with dressing for the conditions and taking any necessary precautions.

Obviously, if you fish the same water regularly, some of this isn't always necessary for each trip. However, when you fish new water I suggest you take the time to research and plan ahead. Planning not only gives you the best shot at catching fish, it also allows you to be safer on the water. 

Be as thorough as you can, to avoid any surprises. On one occasion, I was going to fish a lake I had never been before. I did my research, felt confident I knew what I needed to know, loaded up and headed there. I got to the lake, which was over an hour from my house only to find it wasn't there. I don't mean I got lost or I was mistaken, I mean it was GONE! Apparently this particular lake is known to dry up every five to six years. I didn't do much fishing that day.  As I said do your research and be thorough. It can only help you and make for a more pleasant fishing experience.

D.S

HOOK1 Kayak Fishing Gear

Have you just gotten into kayak fishing and not sure what to do next? Or maybe you've been kayak fishing for awhile now, and realized it's time for an upgrade or some modifications. Well, look no further, HOOK1 Kayak Fishing Gear has anything and everything you need.

HOOK1 has been at the forefront of kayak fishing for over twelve years. The Vice President is none other than Chad Hoover, arguably the man who single-handedly caused this kayak fishing explosion. Chad is a "Rock Star" in the kayak fishing community. Not only is he a published author of Kayak Bass Fishing, but you may know him from Kayak Bassin TV on WFN or Knot Right Kayak Fishing on NBC Sports. If that isn't enough, every employee at HOOK1 is obsessed with kayak angling. They are always there to assist newcomers and veterans with any and all kayak fishing questions.

HOOK1 has three locations, two in Central Tennessee and one in Oklahoma. Their online store carries just about anything you could imagine, relating to kayak fishing. They carry several brands of kayaks, paddlesports gear, fishing gear and equipment, tackle and even hunting gear. Their knowledgeable staff can answer any questions you have about this wonderful sport. They also have an extensive "Field Staff," HOOK1 Team and HOOK1 Crew that can assist you.

Something new that was just created, is the HOOK1 Gear Talk page. This page is a direct link to the HOOK1 "Field Staff" for tips, tricks and advice. HOOK1 is more than just a retail shop, it's made up of over a hundred ambassadors of this great sport.  A "Band of Brothers and Sisters" in the kayak fishing community, that is always willing to help out fellow anglers.  So whether you are new to the sport, a veteran angler or just curious about this whole kayak fishing epidemic, check out HOOK1KFG for all your kayak fishing needs.

D.S
HOOK1 Team Member

Gear Review: CRB Custom Rods

   

With all the options out there, finding the right fishing rod can be a daunting task. Of course, there is no perfect rod for every situation. However, a custom built rod can be pretty darn close.

Building a fishing rod isn't as difficult as you may think. Oh sure, there is some special equipment that is needed, but actually building the rod is very straight forward. Mud Hole makes this even easier by selling complete rod kits with instructions, to guide you through the process. Alas, this post isn't an instructional "How-To," instead it's a review about the CRB Value Spinning/Casting rod kits sold by Mud Hole.

These kits come complete with rod blank, cork grips, deluxe Graphite reel seats and Halide guides with tip top. They also come in an array of colors such as, Blue, Green Orange, Pink, Lime, Yellow, Purple and of course Black. The kit does not include thread, epoxy, thread finish or any of the tools or equipment to build the rod. Mud Hole does sell starter kits that are reasonably priced though, that will get you going quickly and easily.

So lets start with the most important part of any rod, the blank. The CRB Value kits, feature a high quality blank constructed of IM6 Graphite (44 million modules) that guarantee a high-strength low-weight rod. These blanks are all 1-piece construction. The reel seat is also made from high quality Graphite, to ensure many years of abuse. The cork handles are of good quality, and come pre-shaped and ready to install. Finally, the guides are made of Halide, which is the highest grade of aluminum oxide you can get.

These kits come in Lite action 5'6", 6' and 7' lengths, Medium action 6', 6'6", and 7' or Heavy action in 7'. The overall feel of these rods is fantastic. They are well balanced and very lite. If assembled properly they fish extremely well.  The 6'6" versions that I built, cast well and the action is incredible. Obviously, you can design these rods to whatever your taste, which is another great feature.  These rods easily stack up to rods that cost twice as much. I currently have several spinning and casting versions, and they all perform flawlessly. The guides hold up well to braided line too. I currently own a few St. Croix rods as well, but prefer these CRB rods. They actually feel better to use. Maybe that's just because I built them, but they have become my new favorite.

So, if you are looking to buy some high quality rods, and are willing to try your hand at custom building them, try the Value Rod kits from Mud Hole. You won't be disappointed.  The price won't break the bank either.

D.S

   www.mudhole.com

Too Much Paddling, Not Enough Fishing

Do you ever find yourself spending more time paddling from spot to spot then actually fishing? I know I do.

The problem is we are impatient. We're impatient waiting in lines, expecially at the DMV, we're impatient in traffic and we're impatient while fishing. There are a million and one things that cause us to lose our patience, but fishing shouldn't be one of them. Isn't it funny how we say we're going fishing to relax, yet we often get frustrated and impatient?

The best way to avoid this fishing faux pas, is to plan in advance how and where you will be fishing. Do some research before you go, that way you can spend more time fishing instead of searching. The old saying, 90% of the fish are only in 10% of the water. So it stands to reason if you know where the fish are, you shouldn't have to move constantly, right?

Start by asking yourself, what time of year is it? What's the temperature? What moon phase are we in? The answers to these questions should narrow down your search. If it's July with temperatures in the 90's, then you can almost bank on the fish being deep. So there is no real reason to fish the shallow areas. I'm not saying fish won't be shallow, but the percentage of success is higher in the deeper areas in this example.

As kayak anglers, our range is already more limited than those fishing in a boat. We can't just crank up a 250 horsepower Mercury and cut over to the other side of the lake. That could take us hours.  Personally I would rather have my line in the water instead of my paddle. I've never caught a fish with my paddle.  Wouldn't that be something though?

My point is, if you spend all your time overthinking it and relocating, you won't catch any fish. Don't allow yourself to get impatient.  If you did your research and feel confident, that the fish should be where you are, then spend the time there. Instead of moving, try different techniques and presentations. I'm 100% certain you'll catch more fish trying this.  Why so confident you ask? Well if your paddle is in the water and not your line, you have a 0% chance of catching anything. I know that for sure .

D.S

Ardent Reels

Ardent has been the leading designer and manufacturer of freshwater fishing reels and reel care products and accessories since 2003. Made by fishermen for fishermen, the design of every Ardent reel and accessory is the result of input from professional anglers that are members of Team Ardent. Located in St. Louis, Missouri, Ardent is proud to be an American owned and operated company. Every Ardent reel is hand assembled and performance tested prior to shipment, and each reel is backed by the industry's best 3-year warranty to ensure years of great performance.

Ardent's Apex series comes in three versions. The Tournament weighs only 6.3 ounces, has 9 ball bearings and a gear ratio of 6.5:1. The Pro weighs 6.3 ounces, has 11 ball bearings and a 7.3:1 gear ratio. Finally the Elite weighs under 6 ounces, has 13 ball bearings and a 6.5:1 gear ratio. Prices range from $100 for the Tournament up to $150 for the Elite. These are by far the best baitcasting reels I have ever used.

Ardent's Horizon series is great for budget minded anglers. With 6.2:1 and 7.0:1 gear ratios to choose from, it should handle any situation. At only $70, it's in a class all by itself. I own several of these fantastic reels and couldn't be happier with them.

Ardent also manufactures two series of spinning reels, with 1000, 2000 and 3000 sizes to choose from. The Forge with a forged aluminum frame & aluminum spool or the Edgewater, with Graphite frame & aluminum spool. You can choose either a Carbon Fiber finish or the ever popular Fishouflage.

Ardent Forge

Ardent Edgewater

Ardent also sells unique NCAA, Military & Fishouflage spinning combos, for those who like a little flair while on the lake.  Along with a full line of Denny Brauer Pro Series rods.

Finally Ardent sells a complete array of reel care products like cleaning kits, line conditioners and Reel Butter grease and oil. Check out all of Ardent's great products at www.ardentreels.com

D.S

Simplify it

The other day, I ran across some old photographs of my childhood.  Several of them were pictures of me fishing.  I looked so proud holding up those little Panfish in one hand and my old fishing pole in the other.  It got me thinking, I only fished with one rod and one reel back then. That's all I had so that's all I used, yet I still caught fish.

Fast forward a bit, to when I was a teenager. Again I had one rod and one reel.  I still remember the reel was an Ultra Lite Shakespeare open-faced reel.  I had a small tackle box with a few plastics, some hooks, bobbers and one crankbait.  I really thought I was something with all that gear.  I caught the biggest Bass of my life with that setup too.

Since then I have accumulated a plethora of gear and tackle.  All in the pursuit of fish.  I have rod and reel setups for Bass fishing, surf fishing, deep sea fishing and inshore fishing.  I even have duplicates of certain setups.  I have a tackle box for freshwater fishing, one for saltwater and a separate kit just for soft plastics. I even have stuff for fly fishing, which I've never done.  My entire garage is dedicated to fishing gear, with rod building supplies and equipment and storage for everything.  

Then I look at my son's fishing equipment. They each have one rod and reel, that's it.  They all have a small tackle box with a few weights, hooks and some small plastics.  Yet they are so proud of the little they have.  It makes me wonder if I could be happy with one rod and reel again.  I doubt it.

Kayak fishing, however, almost forces me to trim down what I fish with. There is no way I could carry everything I think I need for an outing. Instead, I have to decide how I want to fish that day and bring only what I need for that particular trip. I rarely take more than three rods with me.  I bring two baitcasting and one spinning setup. As for tackle I bring whichever tackle box I will need depending on if I'm fishing fresh or salt. There are days where I get so frustrated, because I keep changing lures and having to retie often. Other days though, I enjoy deciding ahead of time what I'm going to use and sticking with it. Those days seem to be more relaxing and remind me of my childhood fishing trips.  

Sometimes I think we all just need to simplify it. Limit our options and make ourselves fish with just a few techniques.  Tie on that spinnerbait and throw it, then throw it again and then again. Let it sink, burn it near the surface or stop and go.  Throw it all over the place spend hours with it instead of minutes. You may not catch anything, but I guarantee you'll get to know that spinnerbait by the end of the day. Which might come in handy on those days fish want that spinnerbait.

D.S

Kayak Fishing vs Family Man

I want to tell you a story, my story. Once upon a time... just kidding.  Seriously though, I can't be the only one who finds it difficult to squeeze time in for fishing.

I am blessed with 4 boys.  Three of which are under 5 and the other is about to start driving. I also have a wonderful wife, who for the past year has been able to stay home with the kids while completing her Bachelors Degree.  

Thankfully my job is not only rewarding, it's fairly flexible too. Most of my weekday consists of work 6-4 sometimes 6-5.  Two nights a week my wife has school, so I'm on "Daddy Duty" until 7pm.  Plus everything else that comes with having children, expecially small ones. Needless to say fishing after work is a rarity for me.  

Saturdays are filled with family fun, "Honey Do" chores, or College Football this time of year. Anything that keeps us all together one day a week.  So that leaves Sunday.  On Sunday mornings my wife and children go to church, which frees me up until noon.  I wonder if I'll regret writing that later?  Oh well, moving on.  

That is my "ME" time, my freedom from responsibility, if only for a few hours.  My wife uses her church time for that, I prefer fishing. For several years I would feel guilty anytime I did something, anything for myself.  I felt bad not using that time to spend with them. Slowly that guilt has faded, not because I don't care, but because my wonderful wife always encourages me to go.  

Being a parent is hard work.  It takes love, dedication, patience, resilience and sacrifice.  In many ways you have to give up who you were, to be a better parent.  However, you still need to take care of you.  Everyone needs a way to relieve stress and just relax.  Fishing does that for me like church does that for my wife.  

It's a delicate balancing act between family and fishing, but I am able to have both.  I also know what's more important, luckily I haven't had to choose.

D.S

Fish finder, useful or distracting?

Until this year, I had never used a Fishfinder. Not that I never wanted one, just never got one. I decided to get an inexpensive one just to see if it would be something I would or could use. Can never have too many tools I suppose.

I bought the Hummingbird 143, installed it and took it out. It took me awhile to figure out the settings and all that, but soon I was seeing fish after fish on the screen. This is awesome I thought! I could see structure, cover, water temp and I knew right where the fish were. However, I found myself spending too much time starring at the screen waiting for an unexpecting fish to swim by. It didn't matter if I was paddling to a spot I knew held fish, if I seen one on the screen, I stopped and casted out.

To date I have not caught one single fish, that I'm aware of, that I have seen on my Fishfinder. Every time I seen a fish or a school of fish swimming near, I have came up empty handed. As the season went on I finally realized that this tool will not, by itself, put more fish in the boat. While I still use it every trip, I now focus on finding the structure or cover where the fish should be. I watch the water temp and depth, but try to ignore every little blip that swims by.

An old fisherman I knew told me once, "You can't catch fish with dry line." Oh how true that is. While gadgets and gizmos are cool, they can also be very distracting. After 20 some years of fishing I finally know the secret to catch more fish.  Keep your line wet. That's it, it's that simple. You can't catch fish on the couch, or at the store buying every fishing lure you can find. You also can't catch fish if you spend your time on the water messing with gadgets the whole time. Well there it is, the biggest secret in fishing revealed. Now get out there and see if I'm wrong.

D.S

Power Team Lures

If you are looking for some great baits for Bass fishing, look no further.  These baits are designed and tested by real fishermen, just like you and me.  100% Made in the USA!  Which these days is very hard to find.  

Power Team Lures offer creatures, craws, grubs, worms, lizards, and jigs.  I have used their 3.5" Texas-Rig Jig in both heavy cover and weighted at the bottom.  Both methods produced bites when nothing else seemed to do the trick.  They also have a product called Hog Tonic that contains 100% Amino Acids, that helps keep Bass on longer.  It really works!   

So if you want some really good baits, made in the US, with great customer service, check out Power Team Lures.  Quickly coming to a bait shop near you.  Use this code http://r.sloyalty.com/r/tMYP9sTpMrZG and save $5.00 on any order of $20.00 or more.
#PowerTeamLures

D.S
#HOOK1KFG

Gear Review: Shimano Sienna FD Reel

If you are like me, spending $100 or more on a reel is a bit out of reach.  With 3 children under the age of 5, I'm not left with a lot of money for fishing gear.  I do however, want quality gear and tackle that is affordable.  Sometimes that is difficult to find though.  Until I stumbled upon this reel.  I needed a reel for inshore fishing, that would stand up to the saltwater and wanted smooth operation.  The price was ideal at $30.00, so I bought the 2500 FD.  My first one worked flawlessly, but sank into the Bay on my kayak disaster.  I immediately bought a replacement and a 4000 FD.  It has a graphite frame and aluminum spool that is approved for saltwater use. As you would expect from any Shimano product, it works flawlessly.  The Sienna comes in 500, 1000, 2500 and 4000 sizes for any application.  Works equally well with Mono or Braid too. So if you are looking for an inexpensive, but quality reel, take a look at the Shimano Sienna series. So far it has been the best reel at this price point I have ever used.  It definitely isn't a Stradic or Sustain, but the price is way more affordable than those options, for those of us that are on a budget.  

D.S
#HOOK1KFG

Safety on the water.

Safety on the water should always be the number one priority. The old saying, "A bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work," I disagree. I've had a bad day of fishing and I would have rather been at work that day.  Here are the safety requirements for Florida. Each State may be different, and this list is just the MINIMUM required. When it comes to safety, more is better. 

Florida Safety Equipment for Kayaks (less than 16 feet in length)

• PFD - All vessels are required to have onboard a wearable USCG-approved personal flotation device (PFD) for each person. The PFDs must be of the appropriate size for the intended wearer, be in serviceable condition, and within easy access. 

I highly recommend that you always wear your PFD when out on the water.

• Sound producing device - All vessels are required to carry an efficient sound-producing device, such as a referee's whistle.

• Navigation Lights - Watercraft under oars (such as a canoe or kayak) may display the lights prescribed for sailboats (less than 7 meters), but if not, must have ready at hand an electric torch or lighting lantern (flashlight) showing a white light to be displayed in sufficient time to prevent collision.

• Visual Distress - Vessels less than 16 feet in length are required to carry at least 3 visual distress signals approved for nighttime use when on coastal waters from sunset to sunrise.  Vessels 16 feet or longer must carry at least 3 daytime and three nighttime visual distress signals (or 3 combination daytime/nighttime signals) at all times when on coastal waters.

• NOTE: Coastal waters means the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and all bays, sounds, harbors, rivers, inlets, etc. where any entrance is over two (2) miles wide to the first point where the distance between shorelines narrows to 2 miles. 

I also recommend filling out a float plan before each trip. Even if it's just telling someone where you will be, how long you'll be gone and when you expect to return. Here is an example of a float plan.  

Float Plan

Here is a great safety video posted by the Gulf Coast Kayak Fishing Association. I highly recommend watching it.

Gulf Coast Kayak Association Safety Video

D.S

#HOOK1KFG

Things learned the hard way.

I suppose if you're on the water long enough, something is bound to go wrong. Of course, I didn't think it would happen to me. Well boy was I wrong.

I have always tried to err on the side of caution, but sometimes inexperience and poor decisions come back to bite you. One kayak fishing trip in particular, ended up in disaster not too long ago. Here's what happened.

The first mistake I made was not researching the location. The area I went to fish that day was the mouth of a Harbor connecting the Bay to the Gulf. It was a strong outgoing tide and conditions were not favorable. Not to mention it was November, so the water was a bit chilly. I had a weird feeling before I launched, but I pushed on and paddled out. I found a good spot that I wanted to fish, but I realized the tide was going to push me out into the Gulf. So I dropped anchor and grabbed my fishing rod. Immediately I knew that was a bad idea. Before I could make my first cast, my anchor caught and over I went. Let me stop right there.

Anchoring in swift current or strong tides is a BAD idea. What made this situation even worse is I had no anchor trolley. I was tied off in the middle of my kayak with the anchor line on the wrong side going under my kayak. Even now that I have an anchor trolley I never anchor in current or tidal situations.

So there I was wet and clinging to my upside down kayak. I was not wearing my PFD, which I ALWAYS wear now. None of my gear was tethered, so I lost pretty much everything. Luckily my wallet and keys were in a pelican case that I was able to save. Both rods, all my tackle, my phone and camera were lost along with my wedding ring. I also lost my slip on water shoes, which later you'll find out was very bad. As if that wasn't enough, I was also hooked in the leg and tangled in my fishing line.

Luckily I had a knife that was attached to my milk crate which was still on my kayak, so I was able to cut my anchor line and untangle myself from the fishing line. I wasn't sure if I could get back on my kayak, so I swam over to rocks, oyster bar, and used them to climb back in. That was a huge mistake barefoot and no gloves. Yeah I ended up in the ER with some nasty cuts on my hands and feet. I think the worst part was the 300 yard paddle back against the tide. Mother Nature kicked my butt that day.

So what did I learn. Well I never kayak in situations that make me feel uncomfortable. I always wear my PFD now. All my gear is stowed away or tethered to my kayak. I wear shoes that strap on instead of slip on. I stay far away from oyster bars and never anchor in current or swift tides.

The water has an alluring quality, but it can be unforgiving. Take the time to research the area you want to fish, use the proper safety equipment and always rig up as if you were going to capsize. Be safe and happy paddling.

D.S
#HOOK1KFG

Kayak Rigging, Anchor Trolley System

Kayak fishing, just like any other hobby that we all seem to get into, has an endless amount of upgrades and accessories that can be installed. Since there are so many options out there, I've decided to start a series of blogs covering one upgrade/accessory at a time. If there is something specific that any of you want to know about send me a message and I'll write about it. In this post I'm going to cover a very important accessory, an anchor trolley system.

An anchor trolley system, while not absolutely necessary, is a very important system for your kayak. It allows you to get in the best position to catch more fish. If you are in a body of water that flows or in windy conditions, this system is a must. I've been out in windy conditions without an anchor and it was a huge pain. I spent more time paddling into position than I did fishing. After that I purchased an anchor to use. That was better, but I could only tie it off in the middle of my kayak. No matter how I did it, I could never get my kayak to face the direction I needed it to. So I purchased and installed an anchor trolley. What a huge difference it has made. I can position myself exactly how I need, so I can catch those big ones. 

I would say an anchor trolley system is one of the best upgrades that you could make on any kayak to improve fishability. You can purchase this entire system from HOOK1 Kayak Fishing Gear

D.S

#HOOK1KFG

#PowerTeamLures

    

Getting into kayak fishing

"What made you want to fish from a kayak?"  I have been asked that question many times, and the answer is really simple.  I wanted to fish on the water, but didn't want the expense of owning a boat.  Not only that, with a kayak, I am able to fish almost anywhere I want.  Lets compare the differences between owning a boat versus owning a kayak. 
     
First a boat will cost much more to purchase.  Bass boat, new, will cost at least $9k.  Then you need to pay taxes on it, buy plates, get the boat registered etc.  Then there is the operating cost of fuel, motor repairs etc.  All this can add up to thousands of dollars per year.  You also need a place to store this boat when not in use. 
     
A kayak, on the other hand, can cost as little as $500 brand new.  Then you need to buy a paddle and maybe a seat.  My first paddle cost me $40 new, and a COD seat was $90 new.  That's it, now you go fish.  Of course as you get more into the sport you will find accessories that you just have to have.  It can become fairly expensive, but can also be a very cheap way to get out on the water.  Storage is simple, transport is easy and cost is relatively low.  My first setup cost me under $500 for everything I needed to get out there. 
     
So my decision was based primarily on cost.  That was the easy part.  The hard part was selecting the kayak I wanted.

D.S
#HOOK1KFG

Choosing a kayak

So you have decided to get into kayak fishing, welcome to the sport. Now you need to select a kayak to fish from. The choices seem endless and can be a bit overwhelming. The type of fishing you plan to do and any transportation limitations you may have will dictate what kayak you should buy.  

So we'll start with the first decision that must be made, sit-in or sit-on-top (SOT). Most kayak anglers choose the SOT. This type offers a better fishing platform than the sit-in. Not saying you can't fish from a sit-in kayak, but a SOT is better in my opinion.  

So lets assume that you decide on a SOT. The next important choice is length and width. These two are very important for function and performance. Generally the shorter and wider the kayak the slower, but more stable it will be. The longer and narrower the faster, but less stable it will be. My kayak is a Malibu Mini X. At 9'3" and 33" wide, it's a very stable kayak, but you wont win any races in it. I am able to use this kayak everywhere from lakes, rivers, bays, bayous and even the Gulf of Mexico. A very common size that works for most situations is 12', that will give you decent speed and agility and still be easily transported.  Most kayaks that are designed for standing will be at least 30" wide and some are 33". 

I fish in all sorts of water so I needed a very versatile boat, but I needed a kayak that could be easily transported on my Jeep Cherokee. The Malibu Mini X was great for that, at only 40lbs it was very easy to load and unload on my Jeep. Basically you just need to figure out what you plan to use it for and select the best option that works for you. I highly recommend testing several different kayaks out before you purchase. Most dealers have demo days for that reason. Any kayak can get you out on the water, and that's the important part.

D.S   
#HOOK1KFG

Alaska "Combat Fishing"

May in Alaska is a wonderful time. Not only does it signify the end of Winter, finally, but that's when the Salmon start moving up through the rivers and streams to spawn.

Summer in Alaska only lasts for a short time, so all the locals wake up from their hibernation and head outdoors. Couple that with the 1.9 million tourists who visit each year, and it can get a little crowded. Alaska is the largest state in America, consisting of 586,412 square miles. it's twice the size of Texas, and has 12,000 rivers and more than 3 million lakes. The best Salmon fishing, however is primarily on the Kenai Peninsula.

Salmon fishing is serious business in Alaska. Most of the locals fish for sustenance, while visitors fish for sport. Techniques range from spoons or flies, to nothing more than a hook to "Snag" the fish. I had never encountered "Snag" fishing before, but it was some easy fishing. Basically, you cast your hook up stream and let it drift down stream, lifting your rod tip up every so often. There are so many Salmon in the water, it doesn't take long to snag one.

The "Combat" part of all this is, you are fishing within a few feet of other anglers. Dozens of fishermen along the same stretch of shoreline, all casting sharp hooks within inches of each other. If you're not paying attention, someone could get a hook in the face, and no one wants that. Not to mention the possibility of a bear stopping by to do a little fishing right next to you. This is Alaska after all. I have to admit, I really didn't enjoy that type of fishing very much. Personally, I would rather be on a lake, with no other anglers in sight, fishing from my kayak. So why do so many anglers flock to "The Last Frontier" to fish like this? Huge Salmon and the beauty, I suppose. It wasn't uncommon to see 80 pound King Salmon or 12 pound Sockeyes being hauled out of the river. That could be reason enough for some to fight through the crowds. Mine however, were not that big.

I have been all over the world, to many awesome places, but Alaska is my favorite. The best hunting, fishing, hiking and camping I have ever done was in Alaska and I hope to make it back there one day. Maybe I'll give "Combat Fishing" another try, who knows. If you get a chance, I highly recommend visiting Alaska, if not for the fishing, just for the sheer beauty.

D.S