Kayaking-1St Trip This Year

[yaknar]

Took the kayak out around 6am Saturday morning to check out a couple of changes I made, add a paddle holder. I caught a few small ones and a few larger ones, and took a couple pictures. Only one white. Of course all the fish were released to fight another day. I was using yellow and bass colored bombers and Joe's Flies. Over all it was a great first trip out this year.

[Ham]

I'm looking forward to kayak trips more than ever this year. Nice photos. thanks for sharing.

I plan on throwing more hard baits this year. I also want a 200 fish on a flyrod in one day and I know where to do it.

[Jack Jones]

Nice looking fish. Where did you put in and take out? Other than Springfield Lake, I've never taken my yak out on the James. I'd like to. I love to give fishing it a try. I just never really knew where the best places to do so are since no matter where I put it, I'll have to paddle back there to get out.

Also, what size cranks were you using?

[Wayne SW/MO]

I'm jealous!

[yaknar]

I use 1/4 oz.0'-3'and a 1/5oz.4'-6',depending on how deep the section or holes I'm fishing.The wife put me in early in the morning at an access and I float to the next. So Jack Jones what brand of kayak do you own, how long is it? Have you done any rigging,changes to it for fishing? And Ham what type kayak are you using?

[Jack Jones]

I've got a Perception Prodigy 10 ft. I've done no mods on it yet, but I am contemplating it this summer. A little nervous about modding it. The first year I had it I went out several times on Lake Springfield. The second year it was garaged because I was sidelined with some med issues. This year, I definitely want to explore it more. At some point I want to consider a motor mount and a trolling motor. But that's in the future a bit.

I did take an exploratory driving trip about a week ago to the Kerr Access, Shelvin Rock, Hooten Town, and the Delaware town access. I see that the river flows at different speeds in different areas. Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to have someone pick me up at the next access so I will have to paddle back up river to where I began. Is there one area that's better than another for this?

[yaknar]

Whenever I go fishing, I record the river level and the cfs at the closest water gauge. After my float I record how the fishing was and the float and date. I think I know when the level is too low to float and too high to fish. It works for me.I spend most of my time out of my kayak fishing with a dog lease attached to the kayak. At one time I thought I should offer to port kayaks up the river but didnt know if it was legal or not. Ocean Caper 11 ft.45 lb.

[Ham]

I have a Tarpon 120. My wife has a Tarpon 100. My son has a Ocean Kayak Drifter and my daughter was a OK Venus.

[yaknar]

I have made a few changes to my kayak. I take 2 rods with me .I knew I could not use the flush rod holders that come on the kayak, and have my rods point up in the air,floating down the river catching on all the trees and branches . So with a little pvc pipe I have one laying down beside me and in the center. One of the rod holders holds my pliers so I dont have to wear it on my belt. A paddle holder so I can store the paddle quickly with one hand when i need to bail out and start fishing. A ruler on the paddle. I attached a knife behind the seat, that I can easily reach, just in case. A pelican box for my camera, soft cooler, two small tackle boxes, and a dog leash.