Work and Kayak Fishing

Do you find it difficult finding time to get out on the water, because of WORK (Weary Overload Recreation Killer?) I know I sure do. I bet you have said to yourself, "If only I could fish for a living. How awesome that would be, getting paid to do what I love." Would it really be as great as we think though? That's what I wanted to find out, so I called the one man who would know, Chad Hoover.

Now in case you don't know who Chad is, he's kind of a big deal in the kayak fishing world. Not only does he own and operate one of the largest kayak fishing gear stores in the country, HOOK1, he also stars in Kayak Bassin TV on WFN and Knot Right Kayak Fishing on NBC Sports. He is literally living the dream that so many of us have, getting paid to fish. Here are his thoughts.

ME: What made you get into kayak fishing, and then want to do it for a living?

CHAD: I got into it because I saw a niche or unique way to fish that really appealed to me. Doing it for a living just kind of happened. I always felt it would happen, but it wasn't something I was trying to achieve in the beginning. 

ME: Are you happy with how it turned out? 

CHAD: ABSOLUTELY! I'm having fun doing what I love. The best part of it all, I get to promote this sport and meet lots of great people along the way. My goal is to unite kayak anglers everywhere. 

ME: Do you have any regrets?

CHAD: Not at all!

ME: What's it like to be so well known, to so many people? Has it changed you in any way?

CHAD: I don't think it has changed me at all. The guy you see on TV cutting up and joking around is who I really am. Sometimes my producer has to reel me in, just so we can film. I've always enjoyed entertaining people, to be honest I like the attention. Now there are times when I would like to just go out and not be recognized, but I knew what I signed up for. I would never pass up the opportunity to talk kayak fishing with anyone and everyone.

ME: Do you ever get burnt out?

CHAD: There are times, sure. It's still work after all. I eat, sleep and breathe kayak fishing. It's the first thing I think about in the morning and it's the last thing I think about at night, I even dream about it. Sometimes, I want a break from it, but that's not really possible. It's also a lot of pressure to film a show, where you have to catch fish and make sure your guests catch fish. No matter the weather or conditions, you need to put fish in the boat. Plus you have to make sure it was all on camera. I love it though, I kind of feed on the pressure.

ME: What advice would you give to those of us who don't fish for a living in regards to juggling work, and fishing? I know it's difficult for me to find time to do both sometimes.

CHAD: First I would ask how much time do you spend watching TV? Then what time do you get up and go to bed? I rarely watch any TV, and I'm up at 5 in the morning and won't see bed until midnight almost every day. You have to find time for what you love to do. It's all about time management. I find the time that most people waste in a given day.

ME: What about family time? How are you able to still find time for them?

CHAD: I bring them with me. I started taking my son out at 18 months old. It's a great way to spend family time together. Again it's all about time management.

ME: Any last thoughts or tips you could share with us?

CHAD: Well, last year I was beginning to not enjoy fishing or the show that much. Kayak fishing for a living or for a television show, is not the same as kayak fishing for fun. Even I find it hard to juggle work and fishing. This year, I decided to enjoy it all more. Now my son and I stay an extra day on location, just to fish together. No cameras, no stress just fishing. You just have to make the time.

Well there you go, straight from the horse's mouth. I hope Chad doesn't mind me calling him a horse. Even if you kayak fish for a living, it can be a challenge to balance work with fishing, but it's doable. Don't forget to check out HOOK1 Kayak Fishing Gear for all your kayak fishing needs.

D.S 

Ambush Xtreme Outdoors

Have you ever wanted to take a hunting or fishing trip of a lifetime, but just didn't know where to go? I know I have. Moving around as much as I have, has always made it difficult to find things to do in the outdoors. Ambush Xtreme Outdoors is solving that problem. 

Their site will include anything and everything there is to do in the outdoors. Be it hunting and fishing or offroading and camping. Ambush Xtreme is dedicated to providing the outdoorsman with an all encompassing guide to all of his or her favorite pastimes. Whether it be hunting lodges, fishing charters, camping, boating, skiing, mudding, canoeing, or even where to find the best frog gigging, they are your one stop shop for all of the most up to date information on all of your favorite outdoor activities. They will be continuously updating their website to bring you the hottest new trends, the best deals and the most all encompassing information for everything outdoors! Also check out their Members section to see how you can get special discounts and offers!

If you are a guide or outfitter contact Raymond at 1-888-406-8682 or raymond@ambushxtremeoutdoors.com to get your business on this site.

D.S

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