LIP GRIPPER
IT ALL PAYS OFF WHEN PEOPLE LOOK AT YOUR PICTURES AND SAY, “YOU
CAUGHT THAT IN A KAYAK?” PHOTO: JAY BROOKS
GO BIG! [SCHOOLE D]
TARGET TROPHY FISH FROM THE KAYAK BY JAY BROOKS
A
fter I honed my fishing skills catching smaller species, it wasn’t long before I set my sights on bigger targets. But finding, fooling and land- ing fish over 50 pounds isn’t easy in a kayak. These lessons took me years to learn.
TROPHY HUNTING
I started my search for big fish online. By reading local fishing-related mes- sage boards and blogs, I determined what species were available to me and where they swim. I also learned the seasonal cycles and patterns that the fish follow. Many species frequent the same haunts each year during the same moon phase or temperature cycle. Once I understood how these nomadic trophies behave, I searched out the most productive locations within paddling distance.
Information from local guides and baitshops gave me a general loca- tion, then research on Google Earth revealed access routes close to the hotspots. Targeting large fish in the kayak is an investment in time and ef- fort. Don’t be distracted by smaller fish that are easy to catch. You may go days without a bite, but patience pays off when you amaze friends, family and total strangers with your amazing kayak catch.
BEEF STICKS
When it comes to rigging for trophy fish, I am a minimalist. I like my deck clear of anything that could get in the way, snag the line or isn’t worth the space it takes up. My camera isn’t raised on the front deck until after I land the fish and I only take the tackle and rods I absolutely need.
42 …KAYAK ANGLER SUMMER/FALL 2013 I also scale down my tackle. I can stop almost any inshore fish with a
large low-profile baitcasting reel and stout musky-style rod. Lighter tackle limits fatigue, which could cut down fishing time. I can even cast and con- trol large lures and baits using this rod and reel combo without the weight and beef of a round-style level-wind reel. I spool the reel with 50-pound braided line and attach a 10-foot length of 50-pound shock leader with an Albright knot. The heavy leader saves cutting my hands when wrestling a big fish into the kayak.
THE END GAME
Make a mistake fighting a trophy and you could join your adversary in the water. Don’t let the fish turn the kayak sideways or pull it backwards. Keep the rod tip low and pointed towards the bow to keep the fish pulling the boat forward. Let the fish run against the drag, then gain line when it rests. Try to keep the line as short as possible and keep the kayak over top of the fish. I don’t bother with a gripper when landing one of these trophies; I just reach down and grab it by the face. A pair of rubber coated fishing gloves make landing safer for the fish and fisherman. If the fish has no teeth, grab it by the lips. If there is danger in the mouth, grip the gill plates under the fish’s chin, without interfering with the gills. Wrap the leader around your free hand and use your leg to lift the beast into your boat. Then yelp for joy! When Jay Brooks isn’t fighting trophy fish and blogging at
www.virgin-
iakayakfisherman.com, he’s fighting terrorists and rebuilding nations as a U.S. Marine.
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