Striper pulled out of the
lights put up a fight. PHOTO: KAYAK KEVIN WHITLEY
NIGHT RIDER
Fish don’t stop feeding at sundown and fisher- men shouldn’t stop fishing. While the Coast Guard requires kayakers to carry a small sig- nal light at night, serious anglers will want to pack a few more items. A high-quality, light- weight, waterproof headlamp is indispens- able. Attach a high-visibility signal light to a four-foot piece of one-inch PVC for added vis- ibility, or go with a ready-made product from Yak-Attack or Scotty. In an emergency, a wa- terproof strobe can signal for help. Of course, never leave home without a Personal Locator Beacon and a handheld VHF radio. With a little preparation, a kayak angler can own the dark side. —RIC BURNLEY
FLOUNDER POUNDER
They may be flat, round and funny looking, but summer flounder are also fun to catch, fil- let and fry. From the Carolinas to New Eng- land, summer flounder, also called fluke, can be caught using the same basic tackle. These fish are ambush feeders, lying behind a drop, ridge, wreck or piling, waiting for prey to pass by. To fool a flounder, play the helpless victim; simply drift a bait past the fish and whammo! In heavy cover like rocks, pilings or reefs, bounce a scented soft plastic jig on the bot- tom. When covering ledges, drops and hills, it is best to drift a strip bait or live bait on a
2012 SKILLS GUIDE 44 …KAYAK ANGLER SUMMER/FALL 2012
three-way rig. Kayak anglers will most often encounter flounder in the skinny backwaters. Find a creek channel or point and throw out the anchor. Then, slowly retrieve a scented soft plastic with the current. Flounder are nib- blers, so let the fish chew before setting the hook. Use a slow and steady retrieve to coax a flounder off the bottom. When the flounder hits the deck, the fight begins. Cover the flattie with your arms and legs to keep it from kick- ing its way to freedom. –RIC BURNLEY
LOW RIDER ROD HOLDER
When fishing for big fish with big rods, noth- ing holds that meat stick more securely than
Flush mount rod holders keep
heavy tackle in place. PHOTO: RIC BURNLEY
a flush mounted rod holder. Before install- ing, make sure there’s enough clearance be- low deck to accommodate the tube. Seal the bottom of the rod holder with a plastic Bear- ing Buddy cover and Lexel sealant. To drill the opening, use a 2.5-inch hole saw with a pilot bit. Before drilling the bolt holes, use your favorite rod to test the rod holder in several positions. After the holder is posi- tioned, use stainless steel bolts and locknuts or plastic pop-rivets to mount the base to the deck. —RIC BURNLEY
Flounder start to fight when they hit the deck. Use every appendage
to prevent escape. PHOTO: KEVIN WHITLEY
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