Hit the Wando to fish 3 hrs of falling tide. Put in a Paradise and the lot was 2/3 full when I got there around 9.
Water stained, dirty from boat traffic at the edges, good visibility out in the middle.
trolled a new penny paddle tail and a Chartreuse and silver ■■■■■ curly tail. Picked up 3 trout on the troll.
fished the deep drops and holes, had a couple of runs that the hook didn’t grab.
paddling back to the landing I saw a red killing bait against the bank, flipped a redbone ShrimpZ to hit and he ate it on the second twitch. 28" fat and healthy.
called it a day and headed for the air conditioning.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
Hey Tommy, when you troll from your yak, how are you rigged? Seems like a great way to increase catch potential while getting to where you are actually going to fish.
I’ve got the two rocket launcher style rod holders rotated out a few degrees to get a decent spread. The hook kind of depends on the bait, lately I’ve been pulling 4/0 1/4oz trigger hooks. Sometimes I’ll use 1/4. 3/8 or 1/2 oz jig heads.
The rest of my setup is what I always use, braid, 15 or 20 lb fluoro leader. I set my drag a little lighter than normal because I hang the oysters quite a bit.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
quote:
Originally posted by Too Busy
I’ve got the two rocket launcher style rod holders rotated out a few degrees to get a decent spread. The hook kind of depends on the bait, lately I’ve been pulling 4/0 1/4oz trigger hooks. Sometimes I’ll use 1/4. 3/8 or 1/2 oz jig heads.
The rest of my setup is what I always use, braid, 15 or 20 lb fluoro leader. I set my drag a little lighter than normal because I hang the oysters quite a bit.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
Always been interested on how to troll with my yak. Great info, really appreciate you sharing. Should be good like dfreedom said while i am paddling to my next spot, why not troll there haha.
Thanks Tommy. It would seem that the trigger hooks might get hung up a little less. I’ll have to try that.
I have two flush mount rod holders behind the seat on my yaks. I’ve always been leery of trolling with the rod in one of those holders because I can imagine a big fish pulling it out. I don’t want to bungee it down because of the extra step in getting it loose. Is having the rod pop out of the rod holder something I should worry about?
The last time I was out (Thursday) I threw out a jig/grub to troll on the way back. I’d just gotten the yak up to speed when bam! I’ve got something big on there. Turns out I’d hooked a good sized ray by the wing…
I have seen rods yanked out of rocket launchers… as a matter of fact I saw one of TooBusy’s rods go for a walk once 
I have a scotty triple bar and use the out most holders turned about 60 degrees out to troll… I can keep an eye on my rod tip and once I am hooked up/snagged they don’t go anywhere. If you are going to use the rocket launchers, IMHO they should only be used for transport not fishing, then do yourself a favor and put a small pad-eye on or near them and rig your self up a bungee retainer for your rods. Trolling is an awesome way to find the fish along a grass edge and when you are on the way to a spot but losing gear kinda makes it a moot point…
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
Yep, the rods can fly out of rocket launchers and it’s not a lot of fun to see them go.
Keeping the drag set light helps, putting a leash on them is better.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
I had one go over the side on my boat (my best rig). Fortunately I was fishing a dock and the owner saw it happen and after 2 casts caught it, reeled it in and gave it back to me. Lucky, lucky!
I do use the gimbal mount along with the Bait Caster Rod Holder but I have had hits pull the gimbal out of the flush rod holder…I would suggest that using a leash as well.
I think I’ll just stick with laying the rod pointed back over my hip. Simplest.
I have a fourteen foot two person sit on top and it came without any rod holders, just a large tackle compartment behind the rear seat. I purchased two black plastic flush mount rod holders with foam gaskets and plugs to keep the water out of them. I used a hole saw and very carefully cut out two holes in my kayak behind the back seat and installed the rod holders. It makes for one sweet setup. Theyre both angled out a bit so trolling is very easy and makes alot of extra space in a already small boat. Paddling with grubs out has produced an awful lot of trout for me. Ive never had any fish remove one of my rods from the holders. I seriously doubt it is even possible, regardless of the fishes size. Trolling from a kayak is very safe for your equipment.
quote:
Originally posted by killinR
I seriously doubt it is even possible, regardless of the fishes size. Trolling from a kayak is very safe for your equipment.
Trust me it’s possible. I ad a red take off wit one of my rods. I’m not the only one to have a rod pulled out of a rocket launcher either.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
“Ive never had any fish remove one of my rods from the holders. I seriously doubt it is even possible, regardless of the fishes size. Trolling from a kayak is very safe for your equipment.” famous last words… When, and if you are fishing around here for Redfish, I mean WHEN you get freight-trained by a big redfish, if your gear isn’t tied down they will take it with them. I had a 30" redfish snatch a rod out of a scotty that I didn’t have the strap down on… Trust me… secure your gear or one day Mr. Redfish will add it to his collection. I have found a few rod and reel set ups in the pluff mud at the ville…
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
The thing about trolling with rods behind me, I can’t see the rod/reel. That’s a problem if I don’t set much drag (when trolling in the creek, I’m using basically none) as it can get hung up and line will just be spooling off and I won’t see it. Same if somehow I were to get tip wrapped, wouldn’t see that either until it’s a problem. And it’s hard to get to quickly, for me, if it’s behind me. Rods in front is the way to go.
I use the triple mount and extender bar, and love it. Well worth the investment.