FISHING SKILLS: PHOTO: BRENDAN BAYARD
images of the same spots taken over time to find new places to fish. A satellite image captured at low tide might reveal reefs. Another image might display clearly defined current lines. A picture taken when the water is clear could show undis- covered grass beds. Even check images of other areas where the fishing is good and look for simi- lar scenarios in your home waters. Brendan Bayard
Leg Up on Big Fish
Since a kayak is only a few inches above the water, landing a big fish is easy. When the fish gets close, grab the leader with one hand (wear a glove) and guide the fish’s body so it is parallel to the kayak with the head facing you. Drop the leg closest the fish into the water and use it to cradle the fish. Then, with one motion, lift the fish’s head with the leader and the rest of the body with your leg and flop the fish into the cockpit. The head will end up in your lap with the body stretching past your feet. Warning: this method is not recommended for toothy fish. You know why. Rob Choi
READ THE WATER You don’t need a fancy fishfinder to see what’s going on underwater. By observing the water’s surface, it’s possible to understand what is be- low. Pay attention to tidelines, current rips, boils and other surface activity, this can be a sign of a depth change or even submerged structure. A blotch of nervous, rippling water might be a school of baitfish. A line of standing waves often indicates a depth change. Oily slicks on the surface will expose predators feeding below. Use your nose; many times you can smell bait or fish. Look at the water, instead of the depth finder, and you’ll notice more about what is going on below. Rob Choi
60 …KAYAK ANGLER SUMMER/FALL 2013
CYBER SCOUTING With more and more kayak anglers choking every launch and crowded in the usual fishing spots, it’s time to find new places to fish. You can learn a lot about fishing an area from the comfort of your computer. Most states have a fisheries depart- ment that posts online resources about everything from reef locations to launch sites, even how to target specific species and local regulations. Combine this information with detailed online nav- igation charts, like those available from Navionics, and you can discover fishy places within kayak range. Over time, shorelines and bottom struc- tures change. Use historical mapping databases to discover treasures from the past. Check different
RING YOUR POPPER Many anglers buy a topwater popper, take it out of the package, tie it on the line and go fishing. I have learned that using a small split ring between lure and the line will add action that attracts fish. A larger split ring will make the lure wobble wide, while a smaller split ring will keep the pattern tight. This simple tweak will put more action in your popper and more fish in the boat. Drew Haerer
FISHING IN THE DARK It is no secret that predators like to hunt under the cover of darkness. To find where fish will hang during the night, scout the area during the day. Many times the target species will hold on the same structures at night; they may be deeper or shallower, to one side or the other. And always test out lighted water—whether the surface is il- luminated by a dock light or bridge light, bait and big fish are attracted to light. Often the fish will wait for a bait to pass overhead, silhouetted in the moonlight. This is a good time to use a topwater lure. Other lures that work during the day will also be effective after dark. I start the night with black or white, but will change colors often to find what is producing. The key is to thoroughly cover an area. Without the aid of sunlight, you have to fish by feel. Drew Haerer
NO MORE BOOGERS Here are some ways to avoid line boogers—wind knots caused by slack line—when fishing with braided line. Start by adding a monofilament back- ing before spooling with braid. Tie the mono to the spool with an arbor knot and fill the reel a quar- ter of the way. Attach the braid to the mono with a double uni knot and continue to spool up. Put the filler spool in a bucket of water to cool the line and allow you to maintain tension and tightly pack the braided line on the reel. Don’t over fill the spool—
PHOTO: ROB CHOI
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