So me and a friend want to head down to charleston to do some fishing for reds and specks…
Game Plan is to use a kayak or canoe.
Problem: I have never kayak fishing this time of year and have no idea what I will need so that I don’t freeze to death. Any tips/pointers? Cautions? Do’s and Donts? (am I crazy to go out this time of year?) I was going to use a two person Native Kayak (its more like a canoe) and try to stay close to shore.
you’re nuts but that’s just my opinion
There are reds and trout in the creeks. pretty finicky right now because of cold water.
If you go for a swim this time of the year hypothermia sets in fast.
playing in the water in winter is dangerous if you aren’t prepared. As a minimum I’d do the following
wear waders with a wading belt and a dry top
wear a pfd
change of clothes in a dry bag
cell phone / vhf in a dry bag
fire starter in a dry bag
SeanC,
I plan on getting out this weekend in an area that’s pretty close to shore, good for yak fishing for reds. I went out about a week ago but was totally shut out:dizzy_face: Hopefully with the slightly warmer weather things will be better this weekend. I can give you a report in a few days.
When were planning on coming down to CHAS?
TB2
TimBuck2
Native Watercraft Ultimate 14.5
Jimmy Buffett can have Margaritaville, I’m going to Redfishville!
Game plan is to get up saturday morning and get out there all day. Or at least when the tides are good? (can I fish all day in charleston with those tides?)
You think you might want to join? trade some spots and tips?
Let me know what you think,
Sean
Go tigers!
“You are young once, but you can be immature forever…”
I’m cautious because I very nearly drowned on Good Friday 13 years ago. I was out sailing on a large lake, water temp was 48 or50°, winds 10+ sustained with 15+ gusts. I was NOT waering a pfd or dry gear. It was a nice day so I was in jeans and a T shirt with a windbreaker.
My boat got knocked down by a gust when I rounded a point from a small island.
It took less than 5 minutes to right the boat, climb in and get back underway. However, it took 45 minutes to get back to the landing.
I stripped bare butt naked for the sail back. If I’d kept my cotton clothes on I would have suffered from serious hypothermia. As a result I WILL NEVER AGAIN be unprepared for a dunking because a cold weather spill can kill.
i wear a shortie/jet ski suit. i dont mind cold much so im still wading up to my waist with my shortie on and i dont worry about holes. i just dont like the idea of waders.
just make sure you study the wind/tides/maps. dont take a chance with getting stuck in the dark. waterproof cell phone. lotsa layers(silk / wool /frogg togg is my preference). the legendary shakedown cruise is very good. sure you coulda done more but its easy to add on next time --hard to subtract this time. i like to have a short extra paddle in case my main one drifts off. anchor and plenty of tie off rope. two heavy lawn and leaf bags for emergency sleeping bag if you go far. dont go by yourself unless its all very easy.
one last thing. dont hoist a big trout with a mouth full of trebles over your lap. it aint fun when the line breaks. unhook em over the side. there is a lot of trial and error involved in getting comfortable. some of the gizmos can be useful but i would start simple and add feature sets slowly. one rod and a few lures the first time. maybe single hook stuff. everything seems to get more complicated very quickly the first few times you fish from a yak, but it is one of the most exciting ways i know of to fish. you ARE the bobber.
we dont need no reservations we dont need no cruise control
