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Posts: 14
| Going to be fishing the upper potomac river soon from a 13.5 ft kayak. I'd appreciate any an all advice I can get about starting out. This includes some good rod/reel combos (not specific brands, just sizes, actions and reel gear ratios) and basic lures to start out with. I was also wondering how exactly to land one from a kayak...I'd assume the basic 'lip, leg, lift' technique would probably not work out in my favor. Any advice to point me towards good reading on basic techniques and equipment would be very appreciated. |
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Location: Northern Wisconsin | Use single hook spinner baits or single treble lures, will make unhooking much easier and safer. An 8' rod will allow for okay figure 8s while sitting down. |
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Posts: 371
Location: Dixon, IL | I did Kayak for musky one time and I learn something! Large bucktail or big spinnerbait is not easy! It pull you and more control on Kayak! Bulldawg, large jig, crankbait, etc might be better but someone might be better suggest on bucktail and spinnerbait. Anchor and cast bucktail. |
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| How deep is the water your going to be fishing? You will lose a lot of lures if it is shallow with a rocky bottom. Where are you going to put your landing net? This is almost a must have for muskie or tiger muskie fishing. A 6" minnow lure that runs shallow will probably out produce anything else you can throw as a lure. A single hook spinnerbait will hang up less than one with a standard treble hook. If you are after tigers, the downsized cankbait is the way to go. |
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Posts: 164
| You don't need a net just use a boga type gripper and hang on to the fish in the water for unhooking. 7'6" rods work best for me. The only majpr issue to taking a photo if you need one. In a kayak or conoe any musky seems very large. Enjoy. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | The Swan - 5/30/2013 10:11 AM
Where are you going to put your landing net? This is almost a must have for muskie or tiger muskie fishing.
i'm going to guess this guy didn't read your post ...
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Posts: 3
| Give thought to using rods with shorter rear grips. Long rear grips work great standing but tend to catch on your arm or side when sitting in a kayak. Long rear grips also require you to hold the rod farther from your body when casting from a seated position. |
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Posts: 190
| Kayak fishing is by far my most favorite things to do, but for musky it would not be that enjoyable. Big lures, heavy pull of lures, fast retrieves, and lack of seeing follows will be tough. However, trolling via kayak I would be up for. I have caught tons of fish from my kayak the biggest was a 4 foot wide 6 foot long string ray massive! I have also caught a 4.5 foot cobia. tons of reds and trout. It is all about the setup.
1. You need to have a anchor line on a pully system, so you can run the clip to the front or pull it down the the back or side. This is important so you can set yourself where you want to cast. I would either pull a drift sock or and anchor off of it.
2. Multiple rod holders. I had a 3 bank scotty mount and 2 trolling rods in the back. I would generally bring 3 rods with me. for different baits.
3. Get a smart cast system humminbird fish finder. The wrist watch fish finder. I would drag it behind my rudder to give me depth and structure
4. boca grip is key to landing fish
5. Spend the 100 bucks and buy the rudder for the kayak. This is so key I should make it number one. Wind, current, fatigue all play a role in your success. for example you can paddle one handed to chase after a fish with a rudder. if you are paddling into the wind with s short kayak you are constantly fighting wind push the rudder eliminates this.
beside that the rest is finding fish.
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| Guessing there is a lot of advice here from guys that haven't fished muskies from a kayak. My advice would be to get a real boat, but that's just me. Otherwise, a small anchor seems like a good idea. You sure as hell don't need a net. Get a nice reel of your choice (a 400d if money is no object) and a versatile rod because you won't be able to carry extras. Something in the 8-9' range and probably a heavy action would throw most anything. If you want a lighter rod, you'll need lighter lures. |
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| gave up canoe fishing for Musky, now use a proper boat. Had a 20+lber follow and strike unseen at boatside. Canoes and kayaks are low to the water making follows almost impossible to see. When the unexpected strike occurred, I was rod handcuffed by the poor angle, and any hookset would have risked ripping some big trebles into my face. Instead, I just muttered 'oh my god' twice while my friend snickered at me, then called it a day.
Potomac has fast currents in places. My nightmare scenario was falling out of the canoe, getting wrapped in 100lb PowerPro and 8/0 hooks and drowning stuck to an underwater tree. Maybe a face full of trebles, or just some missed fish to round out the fun.
Catching multiple Musky from canoe did make me feel like I was carrying a big stick for awhile, at least compared to bass fishermen. I'm over that now.
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| fishing musky from a kayak is actually much different than most musky fisherman think if they havent tried it.
It is actually easier on the fish. While you are reeling them in, you are actually meeting them half way as you get pulled towards them as you reel. Hand landing is easy and safe if you take proper precautions- i.e. use proper weight lines, landing glove is helpful, know how to properly/securely grab under the gill plate, etc.
fishing kayaks have plenty of room for storing all of your tools within reach of the seat- long pliers, jaw spreaders, bolt cutters, etc. All are tethered to the yak so you dont lose them.
While a longer rod would probably make a true fig 8 easier, you can adapt to your platform. With decent polarized glasses, I have never felt as though I cannot see follows sufficiently well. While I do not do a full 8, a long L into an oval yak side is easily doable.
I definitely recommend giving it a try for those who havent- most people that give kayak fishing a good try make it their new way to go fishing.
nothing better imo than landing a big ski from a yak. beware though, it is another addiction to add to what may be an already consuming musky habit  |
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| It is super fun, cost effective and you have access to fish a regular boat could never go. Enjoy! |
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Posts: 164
| i disagree with the use of an anchor. Way to easy for the fish to wrap in the rope. Anchors are for pan fishermen.
Edited by DRPEPIN 5/31/2013 9:32 PM
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Posts: 1916
Location: Greenfield, WI | My recommendation would to add a decal to the kayak and religiously follow its message.
The message would be, "This Side Up!"
I have a great friend who lives in Marco Island, FL. He can get access to the inter coastal waters where nobody in a conventional boat can get to and benefit from fishing nearly untouched waters.
Edited by Steve Van Lieshout 6/1/2013 7:37 AM
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| For a real adventure, get in a float tube a toss out a sucker.
BTW, not serious about this. |
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Posts: 95
| I fish small streams (creeks) here in Ky for muskie. I fish out of a 14ft canoe. Like others have said, the fig 8 and seeing follows is hard when you're sitting down, if you're sitting; by the time you see the muskie he is so close to the kayak/canoe it's hard to do anything. It's hard to stand in the canoe but I do it quite a bit. Thinking of adding stabilizers.
As for the release. No net required. Keep him in the water for unhooking.
Cool thing is that you never need to touch a paddle coming downstream. We throw medusas, bucktails, AC's, and a few others and the lure pulls you where you need to go.
A 7' heavy rod is what I use. Fast action. 1-4 oz lure weight. Works well for the canoe.
Basic lures. I'd pick up a 00 AC Shiner, a few bucktails (white, black, chartreuse), a topwater or two ( hawg wobbler, Freak, whopper plopper). And a the large floating rapala. That should get you started.
GOOD LUCK
Edited by Ky221 6/1/2013 4:49 PM
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Posts: 332
Location: Michigan | Guest - 5/31/2013 11:42 AM
fishing musky from a kayak is actually much different than most musky fisherman think if they havent tried it.
It is actually easier on the fish. While you are reeling them in, you are actually meeting them half way as you get pulled towards them as you reel. Hand landing is easy and safe if you take proper precautions- i.e. use proper weight lines, landing glove is helpful, know how to properly/securely grab under the gill plate, etc.
fishing kayaks have plenty of room for storing all of your tools within reach of the seat- long pliers, jaw spreaders, bolt cutters, etc. All are tethered to the yak so you dont lose them.
While a longer rod would probably make a true fig 8 easier, you can adapt to your platform. With decent polarized glasses, I have never felt as though I cannot see follows sufficiently well. While I do not do a full 8, a long L into an oval yak side is easily doable.
I definitely recommend giving it a try for those who havent- most people that give kayak fishing a good try make it their new way to go fishing.
nothing better imo than landing a big ski from a yak. beware though, it is another addiction to add to what may be an already consuming musky habit ;)
The problem with hand landing muskie is you usually have to play them to total exhaustion which can lead to lactic acidosis and delayed mortality.
How is it easier on the fish? |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | I have not fished from a YAK but have caught lots of large fish from a canoe. You need a real strong heart when one strikes unseen at boatside as dusk aproaches. I actually prefer my old shorter rods when fishing from a seated position. I love to hide out on smaller waters on weekends and fish from my boat on the lakes on weekdays. Allways have in the back of your mind where you are going to handle the fish sometimes for large fish your better beaching and steping into shallow water to release the fish. Suicks. topwaters and spinnerbaits work well. A friend who fishes from a Kayak used a 10 inch jointed Believer and will let the lure pull him around. |
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Posts: 252
| I have fished for musky from a kayak and it can be a real pain in the hind end...., until you hook into one and land it, and then it is a huge adrenaline rush. Might not be as much of a bother to a younger guy, but I'm almost 50 years old and fishing from a kayak wears me out.
We just got back from the gulf and we went 2 miles out in hobies and caught some sharks, kings, snapper, and what not and I was worn out for the rest of the day. One thing that you might think about is trolling. When you are moving from spot to spot, try dragging an x-rap 12 along behind you. You'll be going slow, but this will catch musky from time to time.
Good luck!!
Edited by KentuckyMuskie 6/1/2013 6:05 PM
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| Slimeball - 6/1/2013 4:48 PM
Guest - 5/31/2013 11:42 AM
fishing musky from a kayak is actually much different than most musky fisherman think if they havent tried it.
It is actually easier on the fish. While you are reeling them in, you are actually meeting them half way as you get pulled towards them as you reel. Hand landing is easy and safe if you take proper precautions- i.e. use proper weight lines, landing glove is helpful, know how to properly/securely grab under the gill plate, etc.
fishing kayaks have plenty of room for storing all of your tools within reach of the seat- long pliers, jaw spreaders, bolt cutters, etc. All are tethered to the yak so you dont lose them.
While a longer rod would probably make a true fig 8 easier, you can adapt to your platform. With decent polarized glasses, I have never felt as though I cannot see follows sufficiently well. While I do not do a full 8, a long L into an oval yak side is easily doable.
I definitely recommend giving it a try for those who havent- most people that give kayak fishing a good try make it their new way to go fishing.
nothing better imo than landing a big ski from a yak. beware though, it is another addiction to add to what may be an already consuming musky habit ;)
The problem with hand landing muskie is you usually have to play them to total exhaustion which can lead to lactic acidosis and delayed mortality.
How is it easier on the fish?
Thanks for your insight, perhaps it is best to keep the Muskie I catch in a kayak and wading, no sense in releasing them if they are going to die. |
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Posts: 332
Location: Michigan | BenR - 6/1/2013 7:18 PM
Slimeball - 6/1/2013 4:48 PM
Guest - 5/31/2013 11:42 AM
fishing musky from a kayak is actually much different than most musky fisherman think if they havent tried it.
It is actually easier on the fish. While you are reeling them in, you are actually meeting them half way as you get pulled towards them as you reel. Hand landing is easy and safe if you take proper precautions- i.e. use proper weight lines, landing glove is helpful, know how to properly/securely grab under the gill plate, etc.
fishing kayaks have plenty of room for storing all of your tools within reach of the seat- long pliers, jaw spreaders, bolt cutters, etc. All are tethered to the yak so you dont lose them.
While a longer rod would probably make a true fig 8 easier, you can adapt to your platform. With decent polarized glasses, I have never felt as though I cannot see follows sufficiently well. While I do not do a full 8, a long L into an oval yak side is easily doable.
I definitely recommend giving it a try for those who havent- most people that give kayak fishing a good try make it their new way to go fishing.
nothing better imo than landing a big ski from a yak. beware though, it is another addiction to add to what may be an already consuming musky habit ;)
The problem with hand landing muskie is you usually have to play them to total exhaustion which can lead to lactic acidosis and delayed mortality.
How is it easier on the fish?
Thanks for your insight, perhaps it is best to keep the Muskie I catch in a kayak and wading, no sense in releasing them if they are going to die.
Sorry to have personally touched a nerve of yours. I never stated the fish was "going to die", only that playing a muskie too long "can" lead to delayed mortality.
The guest stated it was easier on the fish. I disagree...OK? |
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| It is easier on the fish, your assumption that you play it out to exhaustion is simply incorrect. I land the fish quicker in the kayak, because as I stated, you are being pulled on top of the fish as you reel. Shorter fight. I have no problem quickly landing and unhooking the fish. |
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Posts: 246
Location: Grand Marais, MN | My friend introduced me to kayak fishing for muskies, and he and i have had great success. i would recommend always going out with another person, and having everything to safely handle a fish right between your legs. The way we land fish is that one of us has a frabil cradle, which works well cause we are always in earshot of eachother. great time just to cut the hooks and not even try to unhook, because you are way closer to the fish than you normally would be and could easily catch a hook in you.
one thing i like to do too is if you dont feel comfortable standing in your kayak, at least kneel on the seat facing the stern of the boat so you can see follows from twice as far as well as cast, figure eight better.
shorter rods are easier to figure 8 with in a kayak in my opinion, so i like a 7 foot 6 heavy rod that you can basically throw anything with
position yourself in the wind so that you can maximize your casting without having to paddle back to where you want to be. That way you can cast many times and use the wind to move your kayak so you dont have to. |
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Posts: 1000
| Musky fishing in a kayak is a bit more work, but it's not unbearable. I actually enjoy the hand to hand combat and it makes you learn how to work a spot more thoroughly as you can't cover as much water. Bucktails do pull you around which is bothersome, but then again you can use that for direction. I found longer rods to be better for follows as I worked the lure around the front of the yak.
On fighting to exhaustion, you fight them until they're manageable, not to near death. |
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