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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | I was wondering if anyone has ever thought about Muskie fishing with a kayak. There are now kayaks that are designed specially for fishing and there a decent number of accessories. Stand-up frames, outriggers, rod holders, fish finder mounting kits and tackle boxes are all available. And they cost a whole lot less than a boat.
While it would certainly be nicer to fish in a boat, especially on a larger lake, it might be a lot of fun to fish out of a kayak on smaller lakes or rivers. It might even allow easier access to some lakes - especially if there is no public ramp.
Here are some links to give you all an idea what I'm talking about:
Big tiger shark: (I would need clean underwear after this.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWR0HG5I2oM
A stand-up kayak used for tarpon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaqRFnvTHck
A big Snook from a Kayak:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jadl5n0IcV4
Next time I'm in Puerto Rico:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBwJNw8ygY4
Here is a link to fishing kayaks on Bass Pro. The nicest ones are the stand-up ones near the bottom of the page.:
https://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Navigation?storeId...
Looks like fun to me. 
Edited by Herb_b 3/1/2013 12:45 PM
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Posts: 295
| I have seen guys do it from kayaks on youtube before... Seems like a lot of thrashing teeth to me though. Good luck |
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | I borrowed my Dads fishing kayak last september for a weekend and went up North.It was a ton of fun. I only caught a 32incher while in it, but it was a blast. As you said I used it for going on a smaller walk in lake that had no access. I fished the rest of the time out of my 680, but it was sure fun. |
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | Could you imagine a Kayak Muskie tourney? Now that would be manly. |
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Posts: 132
Location: Missouri | A guy that I know down in Tennessee does quite a bit of musky fishing from kayaks. He even does night fishing trips from the kayak. Here is a link to his site where he has some more information, pictures and a couple videos of kayak musky fishing. http://www.stonesthrowadventures.com/excursions/angling/collins-riv... |
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Posts: 1095
Location: Hayward, WI | We will be stocking a few of the Ascend fishing kayaks from Bass Pro at our store in Rice Lake. Planning on taking one out on a demo and trying it for musky fishing. We should have them by mid March if anyone wants to see one in person. |
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Posts: 661
Location: Sussex, NJ | I watched a guy catch one in one of those float tubes once. He had the fishes head resting between his legs....that's a scary thought having all those teeth there lol |
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Posts: 52
| Go for it! Lots of smaller water and rivers for it. They catch large saltwater species in kayaks. Why not a muskie? Plan ahead how you will land it and you'll be fine. My biggest pike was landed from a canoe in Canada. The current sit on top fishing kayak offerings are incredible. Lots to choose from. Most are stable enough to stand up and fish too. |
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Posts: 682
Location: Sycamore, IL | I took a look at the Hobie Angler 14 at the Chicago Muskie Show and was pretty impressed. I think it would be an awesome way to fish waters that you can not get into with a bigger rig. Definitely something that I am contemplating...saw some come up used on CL for around 2K. Could be a great way to save $ on gas as well...just throw it in the back of my wife's Toyota hatchback and head north for $60 instead of $180. Hmmm |
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | Check out this stand-up Kayak system. Everything right at your finger tips.
http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/gear-guide/91-new-kayak-gear/61...
This system would make doing figure-8s a whole lot easier.
Edited by Herb_b 3/1/2013 4:57 PM
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Posts: 366
| I went out with Cory in Tennessee once and it certainly is an interesting experience and approach to chasing muskie. There was little current, but what I hadn't expected was how much a muskie lure affects the kayak positioning. A double 10 will really pull you and the kayak towards the lure. You have to steer the kayak with your casting. It is not easy to stay positioned as you are pulled towards and onto whatever structure you're casting. It takes quite a bit of getting used to using your body to work against the rotation of the kayak in the direction of the lure. You have to cast and retrieve at specific angles to the direction you want the kayak to go or not to go. Holding your arms and torso at odd angles to the direction your feet are pointing while retrieving a hard pulling muskie bait gets old. This is also from the experience of being down in a small canyon river, so being exposed to wind might increase the difficulty. Obviously it can be done very effectively if you want to, just don't expect the same casting experience as you're used to in a boat just because you can stand up and cast. It is also difficult to re-position while standing and casting, especially if you're spoiled by the convenience of foot controlled trolling motors. Figure-8-ing is more like paddling with your rod tip and lure and turns the kayak as such. I didn't catch a muskie doing it, but I can imagine the chaos with how I set the hook. As much of a boat control freak as I am, once was enough for me to know what I might take for granted and enjoy more on a boat.
I would suggest trying it with someone else's gear before buying a kayak if you've never done it before. Far different than dragging a fly across the water with little resistance. For some it is a great experience, just not everyone.
Ryan
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Posts: 371
Location: Dixon, IL | I did on my kayak and large bucktail or big spinnerbait is not easy!~ It pull my kayak! Lot of fun for bass and panfish! |
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Posts: 246
Location: Grand Marais, MN | I do it frequently in minnesota. It is definitely no time (probably) to be using bulldawgs or anything like that, but on small rivers and on lakes without boat ramps it is killer. we have hit some completely untapped water on kayaks with good success. Often a good time to use scaled down baits and lighter gear (7.5 foot rods are good size for kayak).
of course, this is a time where being alone is never a good idea. We always go out at least as pairs and one guy has a frabil cradle to handle the fish. When you land one it is good to make a team effort to handle the fish safely for its sake and your own. Definitely a lot easier to get a musky hook stuck in you when you are that close to the water and an angry musky.
I generally dont stand on the kayak, but i do kneel on the seat backwards to get a better chance to spot follows.
Good luck definitely try it if you get the chance.
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Posts: 132
Location: Missouri | bigfoot - 3/4/2013 1:21 PM
.... but on small rivers and on lakes without boat ramps it is killer. we have hit some completely untapped water on kayaks with good success....
Thats exactly what I see the main use of kayaks being for. Its a tool that allows you to fish areas that you can't with normal gear (boat). Not that you can't use them out on big lakes, but a kayak is best suited for situations such as small rivers and lakes, areas with "untapped water" because they of inaccessibility. |
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Posts: 246
Location: Grand Marais, MN | MD75 - 3/1/2013 3:56 PM
I took a look at the Hobie Angler 14 at the Chicago Muskie Show and was pretty impressed. I think it would be an awesome way to fish waters that you can not get into with a bigger rig. Definitely something that I am contemplating...saw some come up used on CL for around 2K. Could be a great way to save $ on gas as well...just throw it in the back of my wife's Toyota hatchback and head north for $60 instead of $180. Hmmm
I was looking at that big boy of a kayak there too. It looks comfortable, but it wouldn't suit the needs I have in a fishing kayak. That thing weighs I think I remember about 110 pounds, so not very light at all, which is a major factor in getting the boat in and out of a truck and over culverts, past log jams... plus those fins seem like they would be broken off or impede movement in very shallow water in rivers and stuff.
I prefer something light and fast. the Ocean Kayak company makes some awesome boats.
Awesome and cheep way to fish, and strengthen your upper body and core really well too. |
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Posts: 1000
| It's a blast and adds a certain hand-to-hand combat aspect. It's great for those days where you just want to do a couple hours and not deal with the launches.
When it comes to buying one, I'm not a big fan of those Dicks/Gander/Cabelas-brand kayaks. If you look at those saltwater vids they're using Ocean Kayaks, Wilderness Systems, and Hobies in most cases. I have two kayaks:
1. Emotion Stealth Angler -great little 10'3" yak. Very portable. Not big enough tho so I bought #2
2. Ocean Kayak Trident 13 Angler - 13'6"; very fast for those longer days, very stable (I almost always stand), tons of storage, humminbird scupper transducer compatible, and very comfortable.
If you buy, order it from AustinKayak.com. Great service, great selection, and great prices.
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