Is going offshore (500-600 yards) a good way to catch fish. I am asking this because sometimes people kayak baits out, so why not just sit in the kayak and catch one?
“In every species of fish I’ve angled for, it is the ones that have got away that thrill me the most, the ones that keep fresh in my memory. So I say it is good to lose fish. If we didn’t, much of the thrill of angling would be gone.” Ray Bergman
It’s a great way to catch fish. There should be trout, reds, and blues all willing to play
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
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Originally posted by RiverMonster…I am asking this because sometimes people kayak baits out, so why not just sit in the kayak and catch one?
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>People on a boat cast towards shore. People onshore cast as far out as they can.
Fish are looking for bait. A lot of bait likes to stay close to shore. Going further out won’t guarantee MORE fish but, you can catch DIFFERENT fish.
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Originally posted by BiggerthanYoursquote:Thats a good way of thinking about it. Thanks!
Originally posted by RiverMonster…I am asking this because sometimes people kayak baits out, so why not just sit in the kayak and catch one?
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>People on a boat cast towards shore. People onshore cast as far out as they can.Fish are looking for bait. A lot of bait likes to stay close to shore. Going further out won’t guarantee MORE fish but, you can catch DIFFERENT fish.
“In every species of fish I’ve angled for, it is the ones that have got away that thrill me the most, the ones that keep fresh in my memory. So I say it is good to lose fish. If we didn’t, much of the thrill of angling would be gone.” Ray Bergman
quote:Thanks Too Busy!
Originally posted by Too BusyIt’s a great way to catch fish. There should be trout, reds, and blues all willing to play
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
“In every species of fish I’ve angled for, it is the ones that have got away that thrill me the most, the ones that keep fresh in my memory. So I say it is good to lose fish. If we didn’t, much of the thrill of angling would be gone.” Ray Bergman
TooBusy is right BUT… there is a little more to it than that… there is a reason why “beyond the breakers” isn’t an everyday trip… Be very consciencious of your surroudings, current, wind and when that biggun starts taking you for a sleigh ride on an Easterly course, sometimes its better to cut your line and wonder… Make sure you have at least one person wiht you and having a waterproof Marine VHF radio onboard would be a smart choice too.
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
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Originally posted by nikonjedi…Be very consciencious of your surroudings, current, wind and when that biggun starts taking you for a sleigh ride on an Easterly course, sometimes its better to cut your line and wonder… Make sure you have at least one person wiht you and having a waterproof Marine VHF radio onboard would be a smart choice too.
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>I always like “safety tips” Please, be safe.Plenty of fish are close in.
18’ CC w/ 115 Yami
Getting out throught the waves is the easy part. Getting back in without having a yard sale is the challenge.
If you plan on going BTB it’s a really good idea to practice launching and landing in the surf without gear on board. Losing equipment, snapping rods, and getting your butt handed to you by the ocean just take some of the joy out of the fishing.
First piece of advice is pick your days. Get a day with long period mild swells and little to no shore break. Then go one step further and pick a piece of teh beach with not much of a break. I picked up most of my blues and trout trolling just outside of the breakers. You need to pay extra attention if you’re flirting with the surf zone as just 1 bigger than normal wave can catch you by surprise and side surfing with lines out is an experience I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
NikonJedi good points made, and I always try to stay away from pulling anchor to chase a fish anyways, as that did not work to my advantage one time… And toobusy I think also it is a good thing to practice going BTB. Also is it better to use lures trolling or cut bait for some pig reds?
“In every species of fish I’ve angled for, it is the ones that have got away that thrill me the most, the ones that keep fresh in my memory. So I say it is good to lose fish. If we didn’t, much of the thrill of angling would be gone.” Ray Bergman
Surfing back in can be a challenge and with a boat loaded for fishing…
In SINKS I’d learned to come in backwards if it was critical that I didn’t get rolled. (like cold weather or too much camping stuff). I haven’t had my SOTs long enough to try that though but I imagine it would work as well.
Technique was to face the incoming waves and paddle backwards when you’re between breakers/swells. When a breaker/swell is approaching, paddle forward to punch thru it, then immediately paddle backwards towards shore after it passes. Rudder up of course if you have one. It’s much easier and more sure than surfing the waves in if you’re concerned about it. Might be a little nerdy looking but not as much as chasing after all your gear in the surf…
I got into off shore kayak fishing in New Jersey in 2001. Off shore in the northeast is the same as offshore here in SC… don’t stop paddling! Get through the surf just as you would trying to paddle up to an eddy in whitewater…momentum is the key… coming back through the surf is a patience game… count your sets, paddle hard during the pause and brace against the waves if you get caught…
there are so many spots on Sullivan’s isle and the isle of palms that are almost “lake like” with the wave action…,scout your area and you will be fine.
always got fish on the spoon trolling. clark’s spoons seem to have good movement with the slow speed of a kayak. mix it up as much as possible, grubs, lures, broke back minnows are very effective. I also like to chase the birds. They will show you where the bait is.
Go light as possible and stay close the breakers… You will be on the news if the coast guard has to get you back to shore.
A compass should always be on your boat. I have been caught off shore in the am fog. GPS is great, but a compass is comforting and reliable.
p.s. tie down everything you want to keep. Kayak fishing offshore/near-shore has a learning curve. good luck
So many thanks to say! Thanks for all the help and safety tips!
“In every species of fish I’ve angled for, it is the ones that have got away that thrill me the most, the ones that keep fresh in my memory. So I say it is good to lose fish. If we didn’t, much of the thrill of angling would be gone.” Ray Bergman
Yes, thanks for the tip on coming in backwards. Will try that next time. I could care less about looking stupid, will never see those people again anyways and the probably want to be out there too. Even the little waves can take your for a quick spill without practice.
If everyone where a genious, there would be none.
It’s YMMV depending on the configuration of your boat but I think it would work for most. I’d practice it when it’s unimportant first.