| Author | Message | ||
     Chris Polak (Crush) BOC INITIATE Username: Crush Post Number: 60 Registered: 5-2003  Rating: N/A |
Hey everyone, I thought I'd see if anyone has experience with flathead fishing from a kayak. Here's my thought: We have several rivers here that are smaller, with low flows at times. Yet there is good flathead fishing on them. I would like to float them in a kayak, to access these fish. Since I often fish alone, recovery is a problem. I think I can overcome this by purchasing an inflatable kayak, and an enduro motorbike. I could then dump my dirtbike at the pickup point, and drive my truck up (or vice versa). The inflatable kayak could easily store in a pack on my back or tied on the back of the bike. I would carry minimal fishing gear, 1 rod. Most trips would be day trips, or 1 nighters. If I hit shallow water, and need to portage, the inflatable would be easier to carry. But I would entertain a hard shell. Does anyone know if a hard shell kayak drafts shallower than an inflatable? Has anyone done this before? Comments or suggestions are appreciated. MMMMmmmmm..... Shihalud. Muadib has raised a big one!!! Again... it is the legend. -- Dune | ||
| Shanon Crowther (Midohiocat)  BOC KNIGHTUsername: Midohiocat Post Number: 240 Registered: 5-2004  Rating: N/A |
If using an inflatable, I would be careful to make sure that cat's barbs stay far away from the boat. Hate to see you get a large cat up to the boat just to have him puncture it. Seriously I would probably stop upstream of a good looking area and fish the area from the bank where possible.  -------------------------------- Shanon | ||
| Aaron McLeland (Bigflathunter)  BOC SQUIREUsername: Bigflathunter Post Number: 171 Registered: 6-2004  Rating: N/A |
Another option, depending on how shallow it gets, is to buy a set of chest waders and walk the shallows to where you want to fish. The Arkansas river here in SE Kansas has a decent population of channels, and some flats and blues, but the only spots easily accessible are way overfished, and these aren't even that good of spots. I got a pair of waders for Christmas and I fully intend to wade the shallows this year to get to the good spots. On average flow there are small sandbars on either edge of the river, and in places you have to walk through 2-3 ft of water, but can always avoid the channel. If what you're dealing with is similar, I'd consider just wading. No need to worry about not having room in the kayak. Soft gear bag on your back, two poles in one hand and a bucket of 'gills in the other. Sounds like a great trip to me. I might have to try that this weekend.  If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles. | ||
| daniel cox (Drc3) BOC SQUIREUsername: Drc3 Post Number: 185 Registered: 5-2004  Rating: N/A |
I've seen surf fisherman use them to take their baits out farther than they could cast. They were shark fishing I think, it would be hard to cast a 4lb piece of cut/live bait. I would also use the kayak to float down the river until you find a good looking bankspot, and then maybe use it to place your bait very close to the cover. Sounds good anyway. | ||
| Chris Polak (Crush) BOC INITIATE Username: Crush Post Number: 61 Registered: 5-2003 Rating: N/A |
Yes, my intent was to not fish from the kayak, but to use it as transportation to the spot, and then get out to fish. As far as wading goes, I agree it's a great option, and I have waders... I used to trout fish rivers like mad when I lived in Utah, but only one problem with wading that I can see. Here in AZ the temps are regularly over 100 during the summer, so I was looking for a less strenuous option. Also, there are some stretches that would keep me from going farther due to depth (too deep) or shallow mud flats that can sink you up to your knees. I know, I got stuck in them once  And usually in those places the shoreline is tough to walk because of tules, or steep cliffs in places. But it's a good point, and I could see where some river portions I want to access would be just as easy to wade up. Get back to my roots so to speak. MMMMmmmmm..... Shihalud. Muadib has raised a big one!!! Again... it is the legend. -- Dune | ||
| Fred Dubson (Catcatchn_man) BOC INITIATE Username: Catcatchn_man Post Number: 60 Registered: 3-2005  Rating: N/A |
Ive fished for cats in a kayak before and I'll tell you if you want to have fun, that's the way to do it. I've paddled kayak's for 15 years now and I've never had more fun in my life that trying to pull in a nice cat sitting so close to the waters edge. The last cat I caught in my poke boat was a 15# cat, and it pulled me down the small river near my home for two hours before I got him into the boat. I was using an ultra light rod fishing for gills, when e came up and swallowed the gill I was bringing in. Somehow he tore the gill from the hook and the hook connected to his upper lip. Here is the address for the Poke boat. http://www.pokeboat.com/ I use the open bow type, not the flat back one. But both are nice! Its almost bullet proof and easy to use. It can run the shallows using about two-four inches of water. It's open bow so it makes it easy to pull the big ones in, plus you can order a skirting to keep you high and dry while paddling. I've only tipped it over once while fishing, but it was because I leaned over way to far, following a cat that went under the boat. Look or ask for used ones too. They may have what you're looking for. Once you try it you'll be hooked! *g* It's great for lakes as well as streams. I've ran class 3 before in it. Got wet but stayed afloat. "The fish always bite better when you have a hot cup of coffee in your hands." | ||
| Chris Polak (Crush) BOC INITIATE Username: Crush Post Number: 62 Registered: 5-2003 Rating: N/A |
Thanks for the info. I'll check them out! MMMMmmmmm..... Shihalud. Muadib has raised a big one!!! Again... it is the legend. -- Dune |
