Fishing out of a kayak?

Got out this past Sunday around Tybee Island, GA. Didn't catch anything but had a good time with the wife. This was my first time kayak inshore fishing.. got lots to learn. My wife almost hit a dolphin with hers (literally came up for air inches from her) and we couldn't keep the shrimp out of the kayaks. We're going again this Sunday with our son.

 

Looks like you guys had a nice day. Don't worry about the Dolphins. They know exactly where the kayaks are.
I've been fishing from a kayak for 20 years. Been going offshore average trip for me is 8 miles. Out and back.
Keep your head on a swivel at all times... When in doubt...Don't go out.

 

Nice! We spent a week fishing for bonnet head and black tips off jekyll island last year. Tried inshore for reds but couldn't catch anything but a couple flounder. Came home with our share of blue crab though!

 

No fishing yet, but getting closer.

 

What brand and model kayak are you using in the photos?

 

I think that was an Ocean Kayak Prowler 13.

 

Seeking some knowledge on this... I’ve never fished out of a kayak but want to try it on my trip next summer. Are the inflatable ones good enough for someone who won’t be using it to often? Leaning towards this to save space and save money.

 

I would say they’re good enough depending the water you’re fishing. However the only upside to an inflatable would be space because (now I may be wrong) but I’m pretty sure you can pick up a decent kayak for about the same price if not cheaper than an inflatable.

Ascend, vibe, feel free are just a couple budget friendly brands out there that are still contenders and get the job done

 

I would steer clear of the inflatable types. Hooks, knives, and pliers can make short your fine day of fishing.

Just my humble opinion.

 

I would have no problems fishing from inflatable as long as it was in a pond or small water. I've spent time in a West marine inflatable, I would not use one or similar inflatable in big water for fishing. River/lake daytripping no problem.

 

I mostly fly fish rivers and tailwaters out of mine so I mostly use the kayak to ferry from one area to the next, don't really fish that much while in the boat. l've used inflatables for that type before and they worked fine, but they are a lot slower than a plastic hull and didn't track well. If you want to cover a lot of miles it will be more work.

Here's from Little Red in Arkansas, if you look close my 2 buddies are on the bank in the distance with their catarafts.

 

Easy hauling.


Mom and baby dolphin in a frenzy over ladyfish I was catching







Yaks are old 15' Scupper Pro tankwell SOTs. Pretty narrow at 26", fairly fast. No longer own the 'purple haze'. I'll only use high vis yellow from now on, on open waters. Too much risk of not being seen by inattentive power boat/jet ski users with other colors. Even orange is sketchy. And certainly nothing camo.

 

Hey Ya'll lets show off those kayaks we use to catch all those fish. Here's mine to start.

 

Does anybody here use the Thule roof rack system on their DCSB? I’m leaning towards a hobie mirage outback (12ft) and would like to use a roof rack to leave my bed available for other things. Only issues I can think of is loading it on top (it’s 99lbs) and keeping it stable in the roof rack since it’s 12 feet long.

 

How about a Thule rack like this one? I had it for as long as I had my truck 13 years and carried two kayaks some times with no problems at all.

 

that'd be the way to go, especially with the rod holders on the other side of the kayak. but i already have the thule roof rack system and want to make it work with thatinstead of purchasing a new bed rack.

 

hey guys, looking for recommendations on a fishing kayak. I have a tandem perception kayak its just a little to big to paddle around all day. Looking for something for the lake and also ocean fishing as I do both.

 

I have a Cobra Navigator Kayak and I love it. I have it for the same purpose. I do freshwater fishing and surf fishing where I use the kayak to deploy the bait beyond the breakers in the surf for shark fishing. I chose it because it is just about 50 pounds and I like the bow on it as it comes handy in the surf. This kayak is about 13 feet
Other choices are:
- Ocean Kayak Scrambler. It is about 11 feet. Great on the surf, but the downside to it is that it doesn't have much of the space in the back to carry a milk crate. It's a bit narrow.
- Ocean kayak Malibu II. Great kayak on the surf, but a bit heavy and slow on the water comparing to the top two. Plenty of room though.
- Last one is Ocean Kayak Prowler 13. This one has plenty of room to carry stuff in the back, and decent in the surf.

Hope this helps.

Here is a picture of the Cobra Navigator

 

Your rigs nice man. I was looking at the prowler 13. But what really caught my eye was a vibe sea ghost 130. I've just never meet anyone that used them. They do seem pretty popular at home on the central coast

 

My opinion: Get something as long as your hauling setup can handle. Longer boats track straighter and can often be paddled faster. If your boat feels too big, it’s probably the weight or width, not the length, unless you’re fishing tight streams. Look at sit on tops if you’re hitting the ocean. I have a 13’ Ocean Kayak Trident and I’d buy it again. 29” is about max width for what I’d consider a “fast” boat for open water. Makes covering a lake or exploring shoreline a lot easier. Have to watch the cross waves more in a slim boat though.