Landing Fish

[jbennett]

Hi,
I'm a new member to the site and new to kayak fishing. Only been out 3 times in the yak. What's the best way to land fish in it? Boga Grips, nets? Fishing out of a Ocean Kayak Trident 13. If you want to wade fish, what's the best way to get out without turning over and loosing your gear? Told you I'm a rookie. Hope this isn't a stupid question! Thanks for the help.
JB

[BrokenPaddle]

I'd highly recommend purchasing Kayak Fishing: The Ultimate Guide version 2. It covers all of these questions but with step by step photos to go with it. Of course other guys are gonna give you tips, but the book is cool to have on hand.

[U S S YakAttack]

How's that for advertising. No, actually gonna pick up a copy myself here before too long. Seems to get some real good reviews around here. Of course, if they were to be giving away some copies around here again, that would be pretty awesome. How's that prize stock pile comin along these days? I'd seen some prizes being offered here the past couple of hours.

[Knot Right]

When I am in the kayak, I use a landing net. Jeff Little had a great idea, so I use that when in the boat. You get one of those polio crutches and hook your net to it so that it makes one hand landing easier. You can see pictures on his site at www.blueridgefishing.com. When I am wading, I use a wading net with an elastic cord. To get out of the kayak, just swing your feet sideways and stand up!

[vakayakangler]

Chad has been doing this so freaking long it comes natural and he forgets that for eveyone the kayak isn't an extension of their body... CHAD can stand in the kayak, kneel in the kayak and do just about (okay) everything in the kayak...

To get out of the kayak you can just turn, put your feet down and stand, but the kayak will want to move away and you'll fall on your ass backwards, get all wet and the folks on the ramp will fall all over themselves laughing. UNLESS, you are 6'4" tall and 300 pounds. Then... they blow snot out of their noses trying not to laugh. ( Not that "I" have ever done that.)


To control the sideways slide of the yak you can:

turn way from the ramp side and step off on the slightly deeper water with the kayak across the ramp, this way if the kayak tries to slide it is against the shallows and can't move..

Reach acoss and poke your paddle edge in the bottom and hold the yak in place and then stand, which holds the yak in place and it can't move.

Hold the kayak with both hands, plant your feet solidly on the bottom, lean forward slightly as you stand so your ass clears the plastic and then stand ... (Doesn't work for gimps like me with fake knees...)

Once you are more comfortable with your yak you'll be able to slide up to the bank and hop out like a 12 year old hopping off his bike at the door when he has to pee.

Good luck.

[Knot Right]

Sorry, I guess I just assume some things are intuitive. I will be very indepth in the future. I forgot we have Marines here!!!

[jbennett]

Hey Guys,
This kind of reminds me of when I was working in Johnson City, Tn. and decided I wanted to try some fly fishing. This was in January. I went to a local fly shop and they recommended some flies, waders etc. I had only fished for Bluegill with a fly rod. We don't have trout in my area. I asked the guide what do you do if you fall down on the slippery rocks? He said you get up as quickly as you can and look around to see if anybody saw you! Sure enough my fly got caught on a rock and I was wading out to get it. I was feeling ahead with my wading staff and took one step to many, and I'm over my head in freezing water. Luckily nobody saw the dumb ... from North Carolina who set a speed record back to the hotel for an hour long hot shower. Anyway, maybe that's where the fear comes from. Thanks for all the tips and I will definitely pick up the Fly fishing Guide asap!
Jim

[vakayakangler]

Sorry, I guess I just assume some things are intuitive. I will be very indepth in the future. I forgot we have Marines here!!!

I think what chad MEANT to say is that we have newbies here.

oh yeah... bite me chadster.

[jbennett]

Howdy,
I picked up Kayak Fishing: The Ultimate Guide today. Thanks to BrokenPaddle for suggesting it. It's great! Thanks to everyone for there help and suggestions.
JB
(Newbie in NC)...hey maye that would be a cool name

[bk1]

jbennet, i do quite a bit of flyfishing from the yak for bass, bream, and specs. there are alot of things for the line and fly to hang up on in the yak. other rods, gear, straps, paddles, bungies, etc. i find that pulling the retrieved line in and just leaving it in the water next to the yak works the best for me. i also try to minimize the amount of gear that i bring with me. - less to hang up on. I've also had to become better at keeping the line up higher since you sit lower to the water in a yak than you do in a boat or wading.

Aside from that, it's a blast.