WHAT’S FOR JUAN VERUETE
Wilderness Systems pro Juan Veruete is a licensed fishing guide in Pennsylvania and an ACA certified kayak instructor. He runs kayak fishing classes and guides kayak fishing trips through his business Kayak Fish PA, LLC.
DINNER?
PADDLE JEFF HERMAN
ACA certified paddle instructor, Jeff “Birdsnest” Herman has been a pro kayak angler for over a decade.
To figure out the bait that fish are feeding on, answer three questions. First, what are the available forage types? Most state fisheries agencies conduct biological surveys—usually by electro shocking the water and identifying and counting the fish that float to the surface. A quick search of the state’s fisheries management website will often yield information on game species and prey species available in a specific body of water. Second, what is the preferred forage for my target species? Many times the most abundant prey listed in the survey will be the favorite meal for local game fish. Bring lures and rigs that will match this bait. Third, what forage is my target species focused on that day? Observe the bait in the area. Turn over rocks, look in the shallows and notice insects on the surface. Also, look down the mouth of any fish you catch, many times you will see undigested bait deep in the fish’s throat.
60…KAYAK ANGLER FUEL THE FORWARD STROKE
An efficient forward stroke employs core lateral and abdominal muscles. To improve power and endurance, hold the paddle at shoulder width and imagine you are hugging a beach ball and cannot bend your elbows. To power the stroke, turn your shoulders left and right without bending your arms. Plant the blade all the way into the water at your foot. Pull the kayak forward without bending your elbow. Release the blade at your hip and repeat on the other side.
WHAT’S YOUR ANGLE?
Are you a high-angle or low-angle paddler? If your paddle stroke turns the shaft almost vertical (which produces the most power), you are a high-angle paddler. You need a short, wide paddle blade. If your paddle stroke keeps the shaft almost horizontal your best fit is a long, narrow paddle blade. Anglers fishing wide and high flatwater boats may prefer a longer paddle shaft and a high-angle blade.
BRACE YOURSELF!
When you are surfing in and the wave turns the kayak sideways, tilt the boat into the whitewater. Then, extend your
paddle blade towards the wave with the power face facing down on the water. The extended paddle can be used as a brace like an outrigger to keep your balance.
SWEEP UP
Turn your kayak on a dime. An effective sweep stroke focuses on the upper body to spin the kayak. Start with a forward sweep. Twist at the waist and plant the paddle blade in the water at your feet. Trace an arc with the blade as you untwist at the waist, ending with the paddle blade near your stern and your shoulders parallel to the kayak. To make a reverse sweep, start at the end position of the forward sweep with the blade at your stern and shoulders parallel. Untwist at the waist and trace an arc from the stern towards your bow. If you use your core muscles you will spin like a top.
STRONGER STEERING
When steering in through the surf, use the stern rudder to produce enough force to control the kayak. Hold the paddle blade parallel to the kayak on the side you’re turning towards, and slice the rear blade into the water at the stern. Push the blade away from the hull to turn the kayak. Tilt the kayak into the turn to carve a tighter arc.
RESCUE SKILLS
Worst case scenario, your fishing buddy falls off his kayak and can’t re-enter his boat. What do you do? Clear crates, tackle boxes, livewell and gear out of your tankwell. Starting at the stern, have the swimmer shimmy onto the tankwell so he is lying on his belly with his feet trailing in the water. This keeps the swimmer’s core out of the water and maintains the paddler’s stability.
PHOTO: JUAN VERUNTE
PHOTO: JEFF HERMAN
PHOTO: JEFF HERMAN
PHOTO: JEFF HERMAN
PHOTO: JEFF HERMAN
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