LAHONTAN CUT- THROAT TROUT
Brad Hole: Hobie pro blogs at www.kayakfishingwashington. com.
COBIA
Linda Cavitt: Pro guide and BOTE team angler.
www.cavitt-
scustoms.com.
LARGEMOUTH AND SMALLMOUTH BASS
Brad Wiegmann: Pro bass guide and tournament angler. Host of
www.bradwiegmann.com.
PEACOCK BASS
Bob Bramblet: Producer and host of Bass on the Road film
series.www.bonitabobfishing. com.
EARLY ACTION: Omak Lake, Washington. The fish prefer alkaline water, so only a few wa- terways will sustain them. Omak Lake is owned by the Colville Indian tribe. Purchase a pass before fishing the lake. Learn more at
www.colvilletribes.com.
SIGNS OF SPRING: When the plum and cherry trees blos- som, it’s time to fish. Trout feed heavily before the spawn. It’s not uncommon to catch 20 to 40 trout on an outing.
FISH FINDER: Early in the sea- son, the fish move shallow. We find them close to shore looking for a creek to spawn in. Fish the lure 200 to 300 feet behind the kayak making an S-pattern from deep to shallow water.
TACKLE BOX: Seven-foot, six- inch Lamiglas Kokanee rod and Ambassadeur level-wind reel spooled with 18-pound, lead- core line followed by 50 feet of 12-pound mono leader. Termi- nal tackle includes needlefish spoons, Brad’s Cut Plug Herring and Apex Salmon Killer in Tui Chub pattern. Use barbless hooks. Scent and natural bait is prohibited in Lake Omak.
42…KAYAK ANGLER
EARLY ACTION: Navarre Beach, Florida. Launch from the beach and paddle along the surf line looking for cobia sunning on the surface. Paddlers have the advantage of launching far from the pass, where there is less boat pressure.
SIGNS OF SPRING: Start fish- ing for cobia after St. Patrick’s Day. Early in the season, the fish migrate along the coast from east to west. Later, the fish stage on reefs.
FISH FINDER: A southeast wind will push the fish closer to the beach. Paddling a standup paddleboard provides bet- ter visibility to spot cruising fish. Wear the best polarized sunglasses you can find and a dark-brimmed hat.
TACKLE BOX: Heavy action spinning rod spooled with 20- to 30-pound monofilament and a three-foot leader of 50-pound fluorocarbon. Use a three-ounce bucktail with a curly tail. The biggest, hairiest and brightest jig is best. A live eel on a 7/0 octopus-style circle hook is also deadly.
EARLY ACTION: Ozark highland reservoirs and streams with gin- clear water.
SIGNS OF SPRING: When the dogwood trees bloom, I know the bass are on their beds. I like to introduce anglers to shaky head fishing in the spring. For example, my dad refuses to fish artificial lures. He likes live bait. So I convinced him to throw out a shaky head and let it drift behind his boat. Then he com- plains that the lure is snagged, but really it is hooked into a big fish. Ended up hooked into a five-pound bass—the biggest of
his life.
FISH FINDER: On a clear and warm spring day with no wind, an angler can spot nesting beds of largemouth bass. Look for patches of pea-sized gravel on the dark bottom. Pitch the lure into the bed and bounce it in place.
TACKLE BOX: Six-foot, six-inch spinning combo with a high- speed reel and a 1/16-ounce round ball-head with six-inch finesse worm in green pumpkin with purple flake. Add a little F2 scent to spark the bite.
EARLY ACTION: Naples, Flori- da. Golden Gate Canal access from Golden Gate Community Park on Santa Barbara Parkway.
SIGNS OF SPRING: March through May, before the rain starts, the water is low and the fish are concentrated. Just before a cold front passes through, the weather gets calm. That’s the best time to fish the canals.
FISH FINDER: Fish the canal edges. Cast parallel to the shore and work the lure along the drop. Take your time get- ting started in the morning. Peacock bass are mostly sight feeders and they need plenty of sunshine to see their prey. Also, these tropical fish heat up as the water warms during the day.
TACKLE BOX: Medium-light action spinning rod, 10-pound braid and 10-pound mono- filament leader. Unfair Lures Dawgslinger 68 or white Zara Spook Jr. Live-line a shiner for guaranteed action.
PHOTO: BRAD HOLE
PHOTO: LINDA CAVITT
PHOTO: BRAD WIEGMANN
PHOTO: BOB BRAMBLET
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