A Beginner’s Kayak Fishing Trip Planning Guide

By Capt. Danny Wray

Living on the coast and paddling on the water each day provides me with continuous information enabling me to find fish with a lot less effort than it would take if I were not so blessed.  But there is a lot of information that every kayak angler can access to plan a great kayak fishing trip to the coast.

          First, get a good map with a satellite image of the area you plan to fish.  This bird’s eye view of the area will be the reference on which you will coordinate all your other information. You can find these at most fishing or outdoor stores.  They are typically laminated and will stand up to water and wear well.  You can also find good information on internet – try Google Earth.

Second, go to your favorite weather website and take a look at the marine forecast to get the wind direction and conditions. I use the national weather service forecast office, on the web at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lix/html/marine.htm.  Weather Underground is also a good site (http://www.weatherunderground.com ).   Strong winds can make paddling difficult and will usually limit the areas you can fish to protected coves and canals.  Light to moderate winds can actually serve as a tool to allow the kayaker to fish on a productive drift.  For example, if the wind is out of the southeast, you will want to find a launch point that will allow you to float northwest with the wind to your favorite holes and sloughs.  The wind will move the kayak for you allowing you to move and fish at the same time.  It is hard to fish with a paddle in your hands – unless, of course you have mastered my trolling techniques – more about that later.

Third, look at the tide tables.  You can find tide tables on the internet: http://www.freetidetables.com/tides.   On a day with a big tidal variation, kayakers need to know when the tide is lowest.  The last thing you want to do paddle into the marsh at high tide and get stuck out there at very low tide because the skinny water you love to fish has become so “ultra skinny” that you have to portage back through the mud and muck to get home.  I find most of my success in a tidal range of about a foot but less than 1.5 feet.  The tide has a huge influence over the movement of bait and consequently the location of game fish.  However, too much tidal range can cause problems by increasing turbidity and decreasing the clarity of the water, a problem if you are trying to site cast to fish.  It also has the potential to create strong currents that adversely affect paddling.  Tidal range has a greater influence near coastal inlets, but its effect diminishes as you go deeper in the marsh.

Fourth, air temperature and its effects on water temperature are another important factor. Fish, being cold blooded, become lethargic as the water temperature drops.  They tend to stay in deeper pockets and in the mud, avoiding the shallow flats unless lured there by bait. During the spring, coastal marsh water warms quickly.  After a cold front passes, it may take 6-8 hours of solar warming until the fish begin to feed again.  In these conditions, try fishing in the marsh ponds with the clearest water as the sun light will rapidly warm these bodies coxing the fish from the mud.

Once you have selected the prime location for your fishing trip based on the information above, your next step is to check your tackle and kayak to be sure you have everything you need for a comfortable and productive trip.

I always recommend putting fresh line on your reels.  It does not matter what the weather is doing or what bait you are using, if that ever important link (your line) is weak, you can lose the big one in a heart beat.

For kayak fishing, I recommend a small assortment of “confidence” baits, such as jig heads, an assortment of plastic, a few top water plugs & a couple spoons.  A big tackle box will just get in your way in a kayak.  “Keep it Simple” is the name of the game in a kayak.

An anchor system is essential.  In the marsh, I use a fabricated stab anchor.  They are easy to make and hold well in the mud.  Cut one end of a four foot piece of ¾ inch PVC on an angle (the stab end) and drill a hole in the other end.  Attach a 5 ft. length of light nylon cord through the hole.  It is that easy. With this simple devise, you can safety anchor in water up to four feet deep.  If you like to wade fish, tie a 6 foot bow rope on your kayak so your ride home does not float away. When I am fishing bull reds in the pass, I use an 8 pound mushroom anchor with at least 20 ft. of line.  Rig the anchor to be lowered from the stern.  This will typically leave the kayak pointing down wind, making casting much easier.

Don’t forget your paddle.  There are a lot of great paddles on the market.  A high end can cost as much as your kayak!  I only recommend the ultra light, “made of space age material” paddles to those who paddle extremely long distances or who just want to give their AMX card a work out.  In the marsh, your paddle can end up being a push pole, so consider the abuse it may take before you invest too much.

Most kayak fishermen will tell you that a crate in the back of your kayak is the perfect way to store all those other necessities such as sunscreen, bug spray, pliers, clippers, tackle box, measuring devise, and your fishing license, so that they are in easy reach.  Everyone has different theories on how to keep your fish. Some take small soft side coolers with ice that fit in their kayak.  Others, like me, use stringers.  I take a stringer with a float and shorten the length to 3.5 feet.  This allows me to keep my fish snuggled up to the kayak and out of the way when I am fighting the next one.  The only time I would not recommend this system is when fishing in the gulf.  You never know what other predators may mistake your stringer for lunch.  Be sure that you leave a cooler with ice in your vehicle.  Your fish need to be on ice as soon as they come out of the water.

Safety first is always a good motto for anyone on the water.   Kayakers should always have a signaling device in case of emergency.  A whistle made for water is the best low tech option.  A cell phone in a water proof bag is a good idea. If you fish with a buddy, which I highly recommend, walkie talkies are the ticket.  Your PDF is an absolute necessity too.  Be sure to take water or some other hydrating beverage with you, no matter how long you plan to be out.

Even with all this planning, you will inevitably find yourself improvising to changing weather and fishing patterns. Always be sure you can find your way back.  Hansel and Gretel’s bread crumbs don’t work well in the marsh. Keep a land mark in view such as a building, water tower, or radio tower.  If you have no sense of direction, or your wife tells you that on a regular basis, you may need to get a GPS.

Finally, if you aren’t lucky enough to have a spouse that will go kayak fishing with you, take her/him out to eat on the money you saved not buying fuel.  You will feel like eating a big steak anyway after a day of paddling and fishing in the sportsman’s paradise.