I’ve been reading kayak fishing bulletin boards for over a year, but it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I took the plunge and bought a kayak. I went out in a few ponds to get a little experience, then headed up to Copahee last Saturday for my first attempt. Fished the last two hours of the incoming tide with gold spoons and assassins, without even a strike. Heard a lot of action back in the grass, but that was it. I didn’t mind because I was getting used to paddling and trying to figure out the best setup for fishing. On the 4th, it was pretty interesting.
Went to Copahee again about two hours before low tide, and showing my lack of experience, I took along a dip net thinking I could scare up a few minnows or shrimp. After a half hour with no luck, I tied on a Clark’s spoon and headed into the sound. Tide was almost slack when I paddled over a bunch of stingrays, then saw few more right along the edge of the water. I spent a couple of hours casting blind around the bars and decided to head in. On my way, a pretty good sized shrimp jumped into the boat. So, I tossed it on the hook on a Carolina Rig. The tide had just started to come in. As I paddled along in about 6-12 inches of water, fish started moving in front of me. I thought I saw the tip of a wing and figured fighting a stingray would be better than nothing, so I tossed the shrimp in front of the wake and immediately hooked up. But it wasn’t a ray. I’d hooked a redfish and the fight was on. Landed the fish and it was 23" - put up a great fight. Couldn’t get another fish to take for the next hour and a half, even though I was surrounded by them. What a blast! I know my next purchase is a cast net.
I’m fishing out of an OK Drifter. Not a fast yak, but it sure is stable. No trouble to get back in after a swim - intended or unintended. I’m still figuring out the best fishing setup. I have a Scotty rod holder mounted on the center column in front of me that works for both spinning gear and fly rod. It’s in perfect position for me and the mount will also