Fishing from a kayak

[Jbob]

Does anyone here fly fish from a kayak? I find that it's difficult to keep enough of a tight line in the kayak that I'm missing a lot of fish. Is there any particular way to hold the rod where you can keep a tight(er) line while drifting?iBeing so low to the water makes casting any long distances a challenge too but I have a feeling that will come with practice.I find the hardest thing is keeping enough contact with the line when the kayak is drifting/spinning in the wind. Also, being right at water level it's hard to get a decent strip strike. I end up smacking my knuckles on the top of kayak. Anybody have any tricks that work for them?

[redsoxnrock]

I've only fly fished in a kayak over the winter for atlantic salmon and broodstock browns in a local lake. I've found a small anchor helps tremendously. I just tied an 8 lb weight from Kmart to some rope I found in my garage and tied it to the inside of my kayak. Once you get a system going it's easier to move from spot to spot more efficiently. Once you're anchored it's a LOT easier to do just about everything.
Just my two cents
RSR

[dlaffin1]

don't worry about distance, thats why you are in the yak. try overloading your rod for less false casts and a two handed retrieve for stripping line. hope it helps.

[e moneybags]

Tried this for the first time this Mon evening in Middlebury. First off, why the need to cast far? Just paddle a little closer! :nerd:

I was using a 5/6 w 6 wt line with some poppers underneath some overhanging branches and bushes with my regular bass bugs and bent-down-barb hooks. I did notice it was harder to hook up with the bites I was getting, but I tried a little harder to shoot the line just right so it was taut when the bug landed.. Being so low to the water is a disadvantage when trying to pick up on a strike so keeping that line taut and in hand is key.

I was getting blown around a bit too.. Honestly there's kind of a lot going on when you're out there. I found I could dip my left paddle in the water when I was done with my strip in order to get me righted enough to make the next cast.

And while I didn't get sore knuckles from hitting the boat, I did have tender shoulders from keeping them shrugged and trying to keep my arms and elbows up as high as possible.

Anyway, from one kayak newb to another I hope that helps a bit. Let me know what you find in return!

And good luck out there!
E

[Jon]

I only have a few seasons in my boat, but I agree with dlaffin about not needing to cast too far. If you're drifting you'll cover the fish with short casts and thus be able to keep in closer touch with your line/flies.

Eventually I'd like to try one of those Hobie yaks with the vertical foot paddles - they look a great invention for maneuvering or holding in current. Of course, I'll need to re-mortgage the house first, which may not please SWMBO.

Jonny

[Todd K]

My brother just purchased one off a friend Jon. He got it half of what a new one costs. Really kicking myself for not buying it myself but the wife would have killed me. It came with fish finder, wheels, rod holders and a sail.

Yes, no need for really long casts. Longer rod may help as well. Do you have a sit in or on top?

[BaldEagle]

An anchor with an anchor trolley so that you can control the position of the kayak easily is very helpful, as is a drift sock off the trolley if you want to drift.