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Two oceans, magnificent inland lakes and countless miles of pristine rivers provide anglers in Costa Rica with some of the finest…Read more...
Seductive Solitude |
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| Written by Capt Greg Bowdish | |
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Kayak fishing Florida’s vast backcountry provides access to a new world of light tackle opportunities Apparently, I wasn’t alone. Over the last few years, the sport of paddle fishing, and more specifically kayak fishing, has exploded. People all around the country are rediscovering the magic of using a paddle to get to the fish. The stealth, comfort, and shallow draft of the modern day sit-on fishing kayak has created an entirely new segment in the sport fishing industry complete with clubs, tournaments, websites, and paddling trails. Add to this the high cost of gasoline and the obvious health benefits of paddling, and it is hard to resist giving kayak fishing a try. For me, the very first time I climbed onto a sit-on yak, I knew there was no turning back. I felt like some sort of Ninja fisherman, practically running right over the very same fish that I could never get close to in the boat. And whether I was using a fly rod or casting soft plastics, I found myself catching more fish, spending less money, and most importantly, having more fun. One particular reason the kayak has become my preferred fishing craft has to do with where I live; Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast.  From my home in Cape Coral, I have easy access to Pine Island Sound, Charlotte Harbor, Matlacha Pass, and Estero Bay. All these names are synonymous with shallow water, light tackle angling and the growing boat traffic attests to the fact that all are fertile waters with healthy populations of snook, redfish, trout, tarpon, and countless other species itching for a fight. But over the last decade, getting away from that same boat traffic has become increasingly difficult. I found myself pushing further and further into the shallower backcountry flats and mangrove creeks – to the point that I couldn’t go any further. That is, until that fateful day in the kayak. Imagine having the ability to paddle up a tiny creek on a low outgoing tide to fish a hidden lake for juvenile tarpon and snook as it floods with cool incoming water; or finally being able to cross nearly dry mudflats on the bottom of the tide to fish those potholes you know hold redfish and trout. A kayak allows you access to tidal events in remote places that quite possibly, you might be the first to witness since the Calusa Indians first plied these waters in dugout canoes. After two busy hurricane seasons, this “deep woods” kayak fishing sometimes even requires pulling your yak up over downed trees to access your fishing grounds, heightening the adventure and adding a sense of old world exploration to what would have been an otherwise routine day. This is what kayak fishing the Gulf Coast is all about – hardcore, secluded backcountry angling at its best. From your seat in the kayak, what makes the Gulf Coast so special is its geographical diversity. From the mudflats and oyster bars of Estero Bay, to the winding mangrove creeks and hidden lakes of Matlacha Pass, to the sprawling, shallow grass flats of Pine Island Sound, this portion of Florida has much to offer the kayak angler, not only in terms of fishing opportunities, but scenic backgrounds and close encounters with wildlife. It’s not uncommon to cast to a busting snook at the feet of roseate spoonbills in mere inches of water, while a bald eagle circles above. Manatees, dolphins, raccoons, otters, and countless species of birds are common sights during a day of paddling. It is with recognition to the beauty, wildlife, and uniqueness of the region, that Lee County Parks & Recreation created The Great Calusa Blueway Paddle Trail. This well-marked trail guides the kayak angler through some of the best light tackle fishing in the state while keeping you away from boat traffic. The low environmental impact of paddling allows remote areas to be appreciated in a non-destructive way. We can all hope that as more people become aware of the natural beauty and abundance that Florida’s wetland backcountry has to offer, the more will be done to preserve these precious areas. The health of our fisheries and our tourism-based economy depends on the protection of these valuable regions. In the past few years, declining water quality has taken a terrible toll on Southwest Florida’s sea grasses and estuary spawning grounds. No one witnesses these effects more than a kayaker paddling these backcountry areas.  Getting started in kayak fishing is relatively simple and anyone in moderate good health can enjoy a day of paddling. The key to enjoying the sport from the beginning is to purchase the proper equipment for where you will be paddling, always carry the necessary safety items, and never go paddling alone unless you have a firm understanding of the area you intend to explore, including tides and weather. In addition, someone on land should know your float plan. Preparation is critical not only to a productive day of fishing, but for a safe and enjoyable trip. Choosing the proper fishing kayak has to do with understanding your priorities. Do you need to cover a lot of water, or is maneuverability more critical. Simply put, a long kayak will cover great distances quickly, but may be a little difficult to turn while a shorter kayak will offer greater maneuverability at the expense of speed. Add to this equation that a narrower kayak will provide more speed than a wider kayak, but will lack the stability of the beamier yak. For general fishing, especially along Florida’s West Coast backcountry, you will find yourself best suited in a yak in the 13 to 14 foot range with a width of around 28 inches. These dimensions will allow you to cover moderate distances while giving you the ability to negotiate tight turns in tiny creeks. Beyond this you should consider kayak shopping like trying on a pair of shoes. Paddle the boat and see how it fits you. Some of the top names in fishing yaks are Ocean Kayak, Heritage, and Wilderness Systems. Rigging your yak for fishing is more or less a personal thing, but I would suggest the following. First, a lightweight, quality paddle will mean less fatigue and more enjoyment. This is not an area where you want to skimp if you intend to cover great distances. Paddles can be made of wood, plastic, aluminum and/or fiberglass with the very best constructed of carbon fiber. Be very cautious about picking up the latter in a kayak shop – you won’t want to put it down. If you purchase your kayak from a retailer that focuses more on paddling than fishing, the sales person may refrain from suggesting you purchase a rudder. In the world of paddling, a rudder is the equivalent of training wheels on a bicycle. But to the kayak angler, a rudder is a critical tool allowing one to maneuver while fishing, keeping hands free from having to make coarse corrections with a paddle. Every kayak should be equipped with a small anchor and adequate rope. In addition, you might want to consider a stake-off pole if you intend on fishing extremely shallow waters. This devise is simply a “stick” that is pushed down into the sand or mud and is tied off to the kayak. Many of us use stake-off poles to propel our yaks while stalking fish in ultra-shallow water. Basically, the kayak is “poled” while in a seated position. The kayak is steered with the rudder, and when a fish is with in casting range, the stake-off pole is merely pushed into the ground and a cast is made - a very deadly technique when pursuing tailing redfish. Another handy item is a drift sock, which allows you to control the speed of your kayak as you drift a flat or fight a fish. There is an infinite variety of ways to tie off any of the above mentioned items to the kayak, but one of the most common is with the use of an anchor trolley. This nifty devise is similar to a clothesline in that it allows the paddle fisher to move the anchor point from one end of the kayak to the other by simply pulling on the trolley cord.  There is a long list of kayak fishing accessories currently available, including seats, rod holders, lights, storage options, compasses, live wells, and countless other gear too numerous to go into any detail here, but I would like to mention the most important items – a PFD (personal floatation devise) and a signaling device. Although the photos that accompany this editorial were taken in situations were the water depth was a foot or less, there are many occasions when you’ll find yourself in deeper water where wearing a PFD is critical to your safety. Modern PFDs designed for kayaking are very comfortable while paddling and fishing and many offer pockets to carry fishing gear and personal items. It is also a good idea to have a whistle or sound signaling device attached to your PFD. Having both these items readily accessible when you are on your kayak is not only good common sense, but the law. Your choice of fishing tackle should not be any different than if you were fishing from a boat and is reliant more on the targeted species than any particulars of kayaking. One thing to consider is that your tackle is far more likely to get wet while aboard your kayak, so cleaning and maintaining your gear may take a bit more effort when you’re off the water. When fishing the backcountry, I usually carry both an 8 weight fly rod and a 10 lb. spinning rod with an adequate selection of flies and soft plastics. When choosing lures you should remember that you could be fishing in very shallow waters where weeds and branches could pose a problem. With this in mind, weedless soft plastics are the best choice for the kayak angler. You should also consider the dangers associated with landing angry fish with treble hooks mere inches from your lap. Take it from someone who knows; stay away from treble hooks! For top-water lures, believe it or not I usually turn to soft plastic creature baits designed for bass fishing like the Zoom Horny Toad or other similar frog lures. Not only are they weedless and work with standard saltwater worm hooks, but they’re dynamite on snook, redfish, tarpon, and trout. One last thing to consider is navigation. While a compass and GPS can be great assets, one should never disregard a quality chart. In my opinion, the best chart for the kayak angler is produced by Standard Mapping Services and has a nautical chart on one side and a satellite image on the other. Before you ever leave home, study your intended fishing grounds by referring to an online satellite imagery website such as www.Terraserver-usa.com. You can actually print out highly detailed satellite charts of where you intend to paddle, not only will this help you navigate, but will also help you understand water flow and where fish may be on different stages of the tide. Ok, maybe the Calusa Indians didn’t have roto-molded kayaks, carbon fiber paddles, soft plastic lures and satellite imagery, but while you’re out paddle fishing the very same waters as these first Floridians, you can feel their spirit and be much closer to where our sport originated from. One thing is certain, whether it’s a reconnection with the past or the wave of the future, kayak fishing is here to stay. Gulf Coast Kayak Anglers Resource Guide: Kayak Fishing Outfitters Cape Coral Angler’s Outlet (239) 549-7555 Back Water Outfitters (239) 541-2532 Matlacha Gulf Coast Kayak (239) 283-1125 Estero Estero River Outfitters (239) 992-4050 Kayak Fishing Information Online www.GreatCalusaBlueway.com - Official website of the Great Calusa Blueway with maps, trail information, put-in points, and other valuable information. www.Anglers-Outlet.com – Region specific paddling and fishing information with articles and links to tide programs, weather resources, and satellite imagery websites. www.SunAndMoon.net – A cool B&B in the heart of the Matlacha backcountry. Guests enjoy paddling access to great fishing, restaurants, bars, and shops. A great place to enjoy an affordable and fun kayak fishing weekend. www.StandardMap.com - an internet source for satellite charts. These charts are also available in most tackle shops and outfitters. |
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