Kayaking baits in the surf?

Saltwater Kayak Fishing
1

I’m heading to Hatteras in a week and hoping to get on the good cobia bite. If the unlikely happens and we get smooth surf, we’ll just launch off the beach and sight fish in the yaks. More likely, we’ll deploy the yaks to get a big chunk of bait a few hundred yards out. I’m cool with beach launches, but has anyone paddled baits out? Any advice? I’ve been thinking a couple short sections of paracord on port and starboard tied to release clips might be a good way to do it in case things get hairy. Thoughts?

2

I have done it quite a few times and I have found that kayaking out bait works much better with two people. I prefer to have someone man the rod at the beach by thumbing the spool while on free spool to keep it as tight as possible without creating too much resistance against the kayak as run the bait out. It can be very frustrating to make runs over and over because of small sharks. I prefer to get my baits before my trip and sew in the hooks to hide the excess metal on the shank and wire. Good luck.

3

Thanks! Yeah, I plan on having someone on the beach manning the rod. Where do you put the bait when you are padding out? Cleat it off?

4

cleating the line off can work, but i usually stick my sinker in an empty rod holder and strap the bait under a bungee cord over my storage compartment. when paddling baits getting started is the hardest part. once past the breakers the waves just roll and its not too bad to go over them. ive never fished for cobia but usually ill drop a line just past the breakers and another a couple hundred yards out. paddling back can be tricky, but keep an eye out for waves behind you and lean your weight back when one is coming. keep the yak as straight as you can against the waves and you shouldnt tip over, but dont panic if you take in a little water. if you can catch one just right and “surf” your way back in…have fun!

5

plan on the same thing for fathers day weekend up there…one main thing to lookout for there is shorebreak. tricky tricky

6

Thanks Nuke! Surfwrangler, we’ll be there. You going to be down by Hatteras Inlet? Wish we could drive to the hook south of the point, but the bird people have that shut down (for freaking plentiful oystercatchers).