kayak fishing?

[dsewanee]

Howdy folks,
I'm about to move up to Chattanooga from Houston, TX. Down here kayak fishing is pretty big down on the coast. I'm planning on bringing my ocean kayak along when I move. Does anyone up here fish from a kayak? If so, where do you recommend launching? And where do ya'll get your lures/gear/etc?
Thanks,
David

 

[BackOnTheWater]

!</p>

I don't kayak, but I see quite a few in Wolftever Creek and the Harrison Bay area. Generally calmer waters and fish-a-plenty. There is a fine ramp at Hwy. 58 and the creek.</p>

As far as tackle, and not knowing what/ how you plan to fish, Sportsman's Warehouse at Lee Hwy. & Hwy. 153 is quite large and has a variety of equipment for everything from fly fishing to catfishing to bass fishing to crappie/ panfish fishing. There is also Hamilton's Sport Shop on Hwy. 58 that you should check out.</p>

Hope you enjoy the area...but be forewarned...there are fish in this lake that will pull you around in your kayak for days!

</p>

 

[Fly Rod Rob]

dsewanee:

Used to do alot of kayak fishing out of Port Aransas in Redfish Bay and would often paddle the rivers of the Hill Country (Nueces, Llano and Guad).

I am working on getting my own kayak here, but there are tons of places to launch both on the lakes and rivers. You will have a big time when you bring your yak down!emoCool

Good luck on the H20!!

-Rob

 

[bjmartin1]

David,

I have a lake house on Savannah Bay and kayak fish quite a bit. Feel free to contact me when you get here and I will give you some good launch spots. I've got a Ocean Prowler 13. I also take it down to Steinhachee, FL for trout and red fish. If you white water kayak at all this area is great for it. Some of the best in the country. There is a real nice yak shop downtown for rigging (Rock Creek Outfitters) they have always been very helpful for me. Good luck.

 

[Fat Albert]

dsewanee - 5/2/2008 1:23 PM Howdy folks, I'm about to move up to Chattanooga from Houston, TX. Down here kayak fishing is pretty big down on the coast. I'm planning on bringing my ocean kayak along when I move. Does anyone up here fish from a kayak? If so, where do you recommend launching? And where do ya'll get your lures/gear/etc? Thanks, David</p>

<font color="#ff0066">  David,,,,you need to talk to RangerRob.....he will be of help....Fat Albert</font></p>

 

[dsewanee]

Thanks guys, that's great - I'm looking forward to it now. I've been almost exclusively a saltwater yakker in the past, so it will be an interesting adjustment, but I will certainly keep ya'll in mind, and would love to join any of you for some fishing once I'm up in June.
God bless,
David

 

[dsewanee]

Thanks! I haven't done any whitewater and my Ocean Kayak Speck probably isn't the best for it, but I'm definitely up for fishing once I get up there. I'll be in around mid June, so I'll definitely try contacting you.
Thanks,
David

 

[dsewanee]

No joke? I've had some good duck hunting on Redfish Bay out at the blinds, but never made it there to fish. Were you on TKF website back then? I'll have to get in touch once I move up in June.

 

[dsewanee]

oh, and about the big fish comment...
I don't doubt there are some nice fish in the waters around Chattanooga. However, down on the Gulf Coast we've got a little something called a Texas Sleigh Ride. You tie into a big red or shark, lock in, and hang on for the ride. Often over a quarter of a mile, or in some cases more. I haven't been on the receiving end of too many of those, but they are a sight to behold.

 

[polo-dog]

There are lots of good places to 'yak around here. Wolftever is a good place to find fish and use a kayak. The problem that I have always had fishing out of a kayak is that I'm not much of a troller and I like to stand up to fish. I don't have a pair of outriggers but have thought about making some. I have stood up and fished from my kayaks but it's a bit shakey. I've never gone swimming while fishing whilst standing so far. The most fun that I have ever had fishing using my kayak was in the Florida Keys. You can find flats on the topo maps that are not accessible from land but are within easy kayaking and have incredible fishing. Tarpon, permit, jacks, bonefish all use the flats that are an easy paddle away from public access areas. If I were to fish from a kayak here I would think about having outriggers as that would facilitate standing and casting from the standing position. When you get up here we can maybe set up an excursion. A year or two back there was a post about fishing for smallies from kayaks and it was really productive. That sounds like a blast to me.

 

[dsewanee]

Yeah, standings a bit tough, but on a calm lake I could definitely pull it off. I've seen outriggers, but they tend to run pretty high, unless I rig something myself (which I'm not ruling out if I have time.) As for putting together a trip, I'm definitely down.

 

[Fly Rod Rob]

Lurked around TKF to read posts, but that was about it. I get to go back on occasion to TX to visit family, but don't get to fish as much as I want to. Need to visit with relatives and all.

Save trip to the Scenic City of Chattanooga!!

-Rob

 

[FishinDawg]

I am looking in to getting a kayak to start fishing. If I get one maybe I'll make the drive up for this kayak fishing excursion.

 

[dsewanee]

let me know if you have any questions. My expertise is in sit on top yaks since they're much more popular in Texas

 

[FishinDawg]

Thanks. Right now I'm looking at a Heritage redfish or a Native Manta Ray. Do you have any experience with those?

 

[Guest]

I got a Manta Ray 11, nice for rivers.

If you are going for just reservoirs go with the bigger 12 or 14 foot version. You will have lots more speed. From what I here the redfish is good boat too. You might want to look at Native Ultimates too, especially if you want to stand up and fish.

 

[Fly Rod Rob]

I have been looking at the Natives too. Stable and posibility of "push poling" into shallow areas. Still hunting for the right kayak at the right price. I have two in mind, a Native and a Wilderness Systems.

Hopefully the "economic stimulus" package will be big enough to help me buy one.

-Rob

 

[dsewanee]

I have no direct experience with either model you mentioned in your first message, but I've seen a few heritage boats around. As for Wilderness Systems, those are probably the most popular make around here, and most seem pretty good. I'd echo the above sentiment about length. Mine is 12 ft, and I wouldn't go much shorter b/c it is much easier to get around in a longer boat. It cuts down on fishtailing, and thus increases efficiency and speed. The only downside is you drop maneuverability with length, but that is probably less of an issue in open water. Along those lines, also consider whether you'd like/can afford a rudder. It's one more thing to mess with, and can cost a lot, but it makes a big difference in the wind. Kayaks blow around very easily, and the rudder will make your work a lot easier if you're in an open area. I would also add that the issue of standing is a sticky one. The wider you go, the better the stability, but also the more the weight and drag. Mine is fairly wide already, and while not impossible it still isn't easy to stand for long. (you can always add an outrigger or even build one if you want).

The paddle is also a very big issue. A bad one can sacrifice huge amounts of power and comfort. You don't need to spend several hundred dollars necessarily, but I'd be nervous about the cheapest ones (under 70 or so around here).

 

[KWoods]

There is a good section on 'yak fishing and equipment in the April Field & Stream. It'll be on the net I'm sure.

 

[Liveliner]

I just so happen to have a Feelfree Nomad and a Feelfree Gemini. They feature a built-in keel and a added on skeg for better tracking, Padded seats and thigh straps.  Great Yaks that will carry more weight and very stable.  I do not have the web link handy but you can google "Feelfree" to get all the details.  I will sell cheap!!!