Kayak fishing

[PeteyHD]

Just got back from the kayak fishing store in Fairfield. Talked to Jon after my hobie revo 13 purchase and grabbed one of his books. Signed up on his contact list for future fishing events. Wanted to see who kayak fishes saltwater because I'm new to the kayak scene. Maybe we can get something going.

[NJ Dave]

This site is more a boat place not kayak.
Check out Kayak fishing stuff (KFS.com) forums. It's kayak specific and you will find tons of info
Guys going out daily. Best place to find info.
#1 rule is wear your pfd. In winter a dry suit is a must or waders/dry top combo at the least.
In the early spring we start in the bay and rivers for bass so launching/landing is pretty easy.
Come migration we follow bass into the ocean and launching / landing is a bit challenging.
Like anything, watch, learn, ask questions, and have at it!

[Gerry Zagorski]

Although we certainly don't specialize in Kayak fishing, we certainly do have members who are into Yacks. Howie and Jon to name a few and they are into big into a Yack based organization supporting injured Vets called Heroes on the Water. Here is a link to the NJ Chapter they are involved in.
https://www.facebook.com/HeroesOnTheWaterNewJerseyChapter

A great cause and Jon and Howie are great people and regular contributors on the site here. If you get on Howie's good side he might even divulge some of his double secret and very successful clamming techniques ;)

[JonDevin]

Here is a link to the NJ Chapter they are involved in.
https://www.facebook.com/HeroesOnTheWaterNewJerseyChapter

Thanks for the plug Gerry!

There are indeed a bunch of us who fish in kayaks as well as boats and the surf. Like Torchee, Brianmccutch, Clamstrings, Ray from Grumpy's, Howard380 and many more.

NJ Dave is a million percent correct... PFD is #1!!!!

I got my first kayak in 2009. Prior to getting it, I read everything I could about safety. Safety is very important, especially when out in a kayak. Here are some basics to get you thinking.
PFD - A lifevest is never an option. Always WEAR it! If you flip over and are knocked out by your yak, then it won't matter much if you have it strapped to the yak and not to you.

Dress for the water and air temperature. Here in NJ that means if it's 70 outside, but the water is 50 then you need a drysuit, waiters and drytop or wetsuit. You'll find a lot of opinions on which one is best. My 2 cents (and some of this from experience) is you need to consider something happens and you are unable to get back into your kayak. Will you be able to stay dry and warm while floating around in the ocean for some time? I use a drysuit.

Have a signaling device. A loud whistle or air horn. Also a mirror, or some other reflective device, like an old CD. You may need these for getting someone's attention for help or letting a boat know they are headed for you.
Get a good waterproof, floating marine radio and know how to use it. Know the proper way to call for assistance if you need it and check to ensure people can hear you every time you are out on the water.
File a float plan - This can be as simple as letting others know where you are launching, where you are heading and when you will be back. If you change your mind, then just let them know your new plans.
Use a flag so boats can see you. Kayaks are low profile and are easily lost between swells when boats are nearing. A flag can raise your visibility above the swells.
Always be conscious of your environment, especially: other boats, currents, swells, wind direction and is it picking up, rips and the weather. Always consider your exit plan from wherever you are.
Stay hydrated. Bring plenty of water and a couple of energy bars.
The rule of thirds applies to kayaks as much as it does for boats. For boats it says something like you should have enough fuel so a third gets you to your destination, a third gets you home, and a third for reserve. For kayaking, your energy is your fuel. Be sure only to go as far from your launch as a third of your energy can take you.
Those are what I think are the essentials. Once you have all that down, then you can go nuts with GPS, Fish Finders, all kinds of cool rigging, etc.

So go ahead and observe, ask questions, try new things and have fun!

[PeteyHD]

Thanks a ton Dave, Gerry, and Jon! I have been fishing since I was 4 so it's been 20 years now and this will be my first fishing season kayak fishing both local lakes and bays so I can definately appreciate the advice on safety. My revo is papaya yellow and I will always be wearing my pfd and vhf. I would definitely be interested in fishing with you guys if you will be doing any group events just let me know. Any advice and experience is much appreciated.

[JonDevin]

I forgot maybe the 2nd most important thing next to the PFD. When the whether permits, get out there without any of your fishing gear and practice a self rescue. Paddle out a bit and then purposely flip it and make sure you know how to get back in it so you are prepared if and when the real thing happens. For example, I know that my PFD is too bulky for me to be able to get into my kayak without unzipping it first.

By the way, I also have a yellow Revo 13. Great fishing machine!

[howarda780]

Jon, Rayman, Sean - Clam Strings, Brian McCutcheon and I regularly fish through the surf. I feel the thing that sometimes we even forget about is taking safety for granted.

Wear your PFD BUT, try to go with a buddy. You never know what may happen. If someone is with you and you get into a pickle, its great to have someone with you.

Wear PFD
Buddy system
Radio

[PeteyHD]

Great advice. I am currently setting up my kayak and safety/first aid equipment since I am not doing much fishing and already caught a ton of biscuits this winter on the voyager. Trying to make the time go by because I'm itching to get out on the water. I think I'm going to start out in the fresh to get used to the yak bassing and self rescue then work my way to the bays for fluke and hopefully surf to get on some blitz blues and bass later on as I progress.

[torchee]

All good advice above - especially respect the cold water. It takes 20 minutes to get in and out of drysuit/ dry gear but it is only way to survive the cold water.


The water in the bays will be dangerous right through april - even though you may want to really get out.


Also - avoid high traffic areas - manasquan inlet, shark river inlet and barnegat light.

I'd say forget about about them all together - it's not worth being run over.
You'll find that there a few guys who have boats but don't respect the no wake zones.

[torchee]

We should have an njfishing yak mini-tourney one day.

Maybe Raritan Bay fluke in June. I love to take belford channel all the way out to the end of Earl and back on a calm day.

[PeteyHD]

We should have an njfishing yak mini-tourney one day.

Maybe Raritan Bay fluke in June. I love to take belford channel all the way out to the end of Earl and back on a calm day.

I am in! Bucktailing all day!

[njfisherman1975]

I am in for this too. Lets set this up!!!

[NJ Dave]

Not much of a fluker but ill join.

[njfish4life]

Count me in too!! Let's do this!

[JonDevin]

Bring it! ;-)

[Gerry Zagorski]

We sponsored and I ran the Leonardo LPPBA Fluke Tournament last year and I was toying with the idea of having a separate Yack division. Not sure what the status is going to be of the Marina, thus the Tournament this year. If we go ahead with it again, if there is enought interest, we can easily add this to the Tournament. Perhaps we can also use it to do some Fund Raising and raise awarness for Heros on the Water.

[howarda780]

I'm in.

We may even get Leif, the COD KING to join us.:D

[Chrisk]

Petey use a big bigger biggest flag between memorial and labor day weekend when there's more fools then boats out.

[PeteyHD]

Petey use a big bigger biggest flag between memorial and labor day weekend when there's more fools then boats out.

I should just hang up a pair of bright red panties on as a flag, that should catch the boaters attention and keep me safe on the water lol.

[JonDevin]

We sponsored and I ran the Leonardo LPPBA Fluke Tournament last year and I was toying with the idea of having a separate Yack division. Not sure what the status is going to be of the Marina, thus the Tournament this year. If we go ahead with it again, if there is enought interest, we can easily add this to the Tournament. Perhaps we can also use it to do some Fund Raising and raise awarness for Heros on the Water.
This sounds like a great idea! I would definitely be up for assisting you in organizing/managing. I'm sure we can rope in a few of the HOW-NJ folks to help as well.

By the way, for those who don't know, Heroes on the Water takes vets out kayak fishing. You all know how zen like fishing can be. That, combined with the physical aspects of kayaking, has proven to be instrumental in helping our heroes to rehabilitate. Several folks from this board are volunteers for HOW-NJ. You can check us out on Facebook (the address is in my signature) if you would like to volunteer. Also, if you know a vet who might benefit by an outing with us, then tell them to reach out to us as well. We'll make sure they have a nice day on the water where they can relax and rehabilitate.