Central Gulf Coast


members of kayak angling or paddling clubs (mbkfa.com).


Texas


CAPT. DANNY WRAY IS A HERITAGE ENDORSED KAYAK FISH- ING GUIDE IN GRAND ISLE, LOUISIANA, WHERE HE OWNS CALMWATER CHARTERS.


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ayak anglers on the Central Gulf Coast are chomping at


the bit waiting for spring tides to flush shrimp from the marshes, luring the big specks to the beaches to feed and spawn. Un- til then, redfish are still the pri- mary target in the coastal marsh. As north winds blow water out of the marsh, redfish congregate in the deeper channels. Anchor your kayak at the entrance to the channel when the tide starts pouring back in and you can catch your limit. Kayak fishing cult members


from Louisiana to Alabama (you know who you are) are getting ready for spring tournament season, including Louisiana’s oldest and wildest kayak fishing tournament, Paddle Palooza VI, on March 28 (bckfc.org). Looking to learn more before


committing to a tournament? April 12–13, the Mobile Bay Kayak Fishing Association will present a new, innovative Gulf Coast Kayak Fishing Seminar/ Workshop at 5 Rivers in Span- ish Fort. Te first day is your traditional listen, look and learn. But here is the cool part: on the second day, attendees put their newfound knowledge to use by joining one of three fishing trips: 1) paddle the Delta, fishing for bass, flounder, specks and red- fish; 2) fish the Gulf at Dauphin Island for shark, specks, floun- der and redfish; or 3) explore Fish River and its tributaries for specks, bass and bream. Even cooler: attendance is free for all


within reach of Texas anglers. Te mild winters have led to a resur- gence in resident fish resulting in a year-round fishery. Tere’s not a more exciting fish to pursue and many kayak anglers will have the opportunity to do battle with some big linesiders this spring.


California


CAPT. DEAN THOMAS OWNS AND OPERATES SLOWRIDE GUIDE SERVICES AND KAYAK RENTALS IN ARANSAS PASS, TEXAS.


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he Texas Gulf Coast provides world-class fishing year-


round but most kayak anglers find late winter and early spring the most challenging. Dramatic changes in water temperatures brought on by late-season cold fronts keep anglers on the move in search of quarry. One dis- advantage to kayak fishing is the inability to travel long dis- tances. Having resources (maps and tidal info) and doing your homework before heading out will limit some of the searching. Texas Parks and Wildlife has sup- ported the development of public inland and coastal paddling trails throughout the state, providing maps, signs and other informa- tion (tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/ boat/paddlingtrails/). Tese trails are located on some primo fish- ing environs and the availability of high-quality photomaps leave no excuses for not getting out and exploring some of our most eco- logically diverse areas. Texas provides much diversity


with temperatures varying great- ly in the spring from deep south Texas to Sabine Lake on the north end of the coast. Te snook fishery down south


has made an extreme surge over the past few years with kayak an- glers reporting increasing num- bers of trophy fish landed with regularity. It wasn’t that long ago that snook were rarely seen and mostly limited to the jetties and passes that led migratory schools


PAUL LEBOWITZ COVERS KAYAK FISHING FOR KAYAKFISHING- ZONE.COM AND THE WESTERN REGIONAL SPORTFISHING PRESS.


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n tournament news, South- ern California’s Plastic Navy is


passing its saltwater bass baton to OEX Kayak Centers. Aſter years of running the catch-and-release show, Plastic Navy chief Drew Clark is looking forward to more time on the water. He’ll throw his hat in the competitive ring too, to duke it out at OEX bass battle- grounds Mission Bay, San Diego Bay and La Jolla’s big water. Al- though much is unsettled at press time, OEX will likely follow Plas- tic Navy’s traditional schedule, meaning an April opener. Poten- tial new wrinkles include a big- game contest and maybe a taste of freshwater. Up north, the year-long test of


endurance known by the cryptic initials AOTY returns in 2009. Devised by the rugged characters at NorCal Kayak Anglers, this 10- species catch, photo and release throwdown earns the winning angler the coveted Angler of the Year title, bragging rights and a Texas-sized belt buckle suitable for bronco busting. Politics muddies up every


one of the Golden State’s fishing holes. No dirt clod is larger than the Marine Life Protection Act, a state law that will ultimately close some 20 percent of coastal water.


BRIAN STEVES OF PORTLAND, OREGON, HELPS OPERATE NORTHWESTKAYAKANGLERS.COM AND IS A MEMBER OF THE OCEAN KAYAK PRO STAFF.


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hile most kayak anglers in the Pacific Northwest


put their kayaks away for the season this winter, others were discovering exciting new winter kayak fisheries. Winter into May is a great


time to try kayak sturgeon fish- ing on the Willamette River near downtown Portland. Armed with a decent rod, the right bait, and an anchor system, you can catch three-foot “shaker” sturgeon all day long. Te goal is to land a keeper in the slot limit (38–54 inches fork length) but these fish grow up to 14 feet long and you never know when one of these gi- ants might decide to take you and your kayak for a ride. Even the mighty steelhead


no longer escapes the kayak an- gler here in the winter right on through April. Te lower reaches of many steelhead rivers are oſten tame enough to navigate and fish from a kayak. Winter river kayak fishing isn’t for everybody, but skilled kayakers find that they en- joy much of the same mobility as larger driſt boats.


kayakanglermag.com… 57


Several prime Central Califor- nia kayak fishing spots were lost in 2007. In February, the state Fish and Game Commission is expected to approve the next wave of no-go zones, this time in Northern California. Te no-fish- ing signs will go up once the red tape is cleared, several months to one year later. Local kayak anglers are keeping their fingers crossed, hoping for the best.


Pacific Northwest


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