KAYAK FALL 2017 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 3
BASS FISHING MAGAZINE
TRANSITIONS FISHING THE SHIFT FROM SUMMER TO FALL BITES
GRIP AND GRIN PROPER PADDLE GRIP CAN MAKE FOR BETTER DAYS
STRANGE BREW ODDITIES ON THE FLY THAT ARE WEIRD AND AWESOME
2016 Viking Kayak Profish Reload Length: 14.8’ Width: 29” Weight: 67 lbs Available In: Lava (Shown) Wasp (Yellow & Black) Sandstorm (Sand & Black) Custom colors available
WHEN THE FISH ARE
FARTHER FASTER AND YOU NEED TO GET THERE
CASEY REED
Contents IT'S THE PEOPLE 10 12 SWIMBAIT SECRETS 18 24 PADDLE GRIPS 30 34 ODD FLY CATCHES 42 50 ADDICTED TO SIGHT 56 62 EARLY FAREWELLS 67
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TRICKY TRANSITIONS SUPER STRETCHES YAK SNACKS OH CARP!
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BEATING THE ODDS
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KAYAK BASS
FISHING
MAGAZINE
STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: CHRIS PAYNE ASSIGNMENTS EDITOR: PADILLAC GEARDO FLY BOSS: TODD WEST ART DIRECTOR: CHRIS PAYNE COVER PHOTO: BLACE HUTCHENS COVER ANGLER: BLACE HUTCHENS STAFF PAGE PHOTO: EUGENE MORA CONTRIBUTORS: JOHN HENRY BOATRIGHT ERIC BOYD SPENCER JONES EVAN HOWARD CHRIS FOWLER
EUGENE MORA
www.nucanoe.com
H
ow do you learn about new water when you move to a new area? Do you conduct imagery research on google, check forums for bait color and lure options, or test the water based on past experiences? You may do all of the above, but the number one resource in kayak bass fishing is PEOPLE! I am not talking about poaching others’ spots, but instead having a face to face conversation and learning from one another. Disclaimer: This requires effort on your part. You will have to reach out. Most people are willing to talk fishing, you just need to ask. My family and I have moved seven times in the last five years. After getting the family settled and work established, I focus on fishing. Organizations such as Heroes on the Water or Project Healing Waters are not just great places to
volunteer, but they are great places to meet that new fishing buddy who will help occupy what little free time you have. In my case, this person usually shows me a new venue in the sport to spend money on. I have been in multiple chapters from the above organizations and have yet to find one that is not equipped with helpful people. I have become good friends with other chapter members and maintain contact with them even after leaving the state. These people not only provided insight into local fisheries, but also provided rides to events after I wrecked my truck. After plugging into a volunteer organization I head to a local outdoor retailer, or tackle shop depending on what is organic to the area. I am not talking the big box chain stores, but the mom and pop local businesses. This tactic has not failed me yet.
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IT'S THE
PEOPLE Padillac Geardo by
who has already deciphered them. Learning the rapids in a river from someone else vs. your own trial and error is invaluable and saves time and money. It is never fun scraping fishing gear off the bottom after you flip, plus that other person is there in the instance you need help righting yourself.
It is twofold: One, there is usually a long time local that can provide insight into what waters are best for what type of fish, and what the licensing process is. Two, the local shops usually overstock the current bait selections that are doing the best. This is not an open invitation for you to walk into the local shop and ask for a discount or sponsorship, this is a learning experience and relationship building.
Though I provided ways for you to gain information, learning a new area is not all about you. In fact, I encourage you to see how you can support the local community and not vice versa.
Lastly, I get on the water with someone new. Usually it is someone I have met in one of the previous mentioned locations or groups. Sure you can chat about it online, but there is so much more to be gleaned by getting on the water and experiencing someone else’ tricks of the trade.
Once you have the information it is incumbent upon you to share the wealth. As kayak bass fishing continues to morph from the fun loving crew helping each other load at the boat ramp to a competitive sport driven by monetary gain, do not forget what makes our sport great; it is not the gear, it is the people. 2
This is also the best way to learn the local written and unwritten rules from someone 11
TRICKY Summer to Fall
TRANSITIONS
The inside track on the Summer to Fall transition on rivers
by Chris FILOTEO T
BAITFISH
he summer/fall transition can become demanding for any angler. However, it can be more challenging while paddling rivers in search of bass.
With the transition of seasons playing a role while fishing rivers, there is one particular factor that always surfaces first. “First thing I look for during the summer/fall transition is to find bait moving,” Barela said. “Bait this time of year school up in the creeks near warmer water. If you can find the bait then you find the bass. I also like to find any type of cover such as brush piles, hydrilla and lily pads because baitfish are more protected in those areas, which forces the bass to feed shallow. Eddy’s are another area I like to target for Guadalupe bass and its hybrids. You can find a lot of bait in those areas.”
As water temperatures fluctuate with warm days and cool nights, baitfish are constantly on the go in moving water. San Antonio, Texas angler, Immanuel Barela, has targeted bass for several years from his Jackson Cuda 14 throughout many rivers around Texas. Barela shares his tips and experience on rivers during this time of the year. 13
LURE SELECTION When targeting bass in rivers, sometimes less gear is better. Instead of carrying every piece of tackle and plastic bait, there are a few that stand out over the rest. “There are a few lures I like to start with, which are great for early morning and late in the day,” Barela said. “I’ll throw a spook near shallow cover and shoreline vegetation. Then, as a follow up bait, I’ll either have a weightless fluke, or senko ready to go if I miss a fish. Follow up baits this time of year are great. Then, I’ll have a spinnerbait paired with a paddle-tail trailer that gives a little more action and gives it a different profile in hoping to trick the bigger bass. I also have a Texas rig setup, or jig tied on when the air temperature is cooling down at night. My personal best (10.01 pounds) was caught during the fall months of last year (2016). Lure presentation is
important to get that bigger fish. Once you find a pattern that is working for you stick with in, but don’t be afraid to adapt and change it up along the river.”
CHOOSING THE RIGHT LINE Many anglers solely throw braided line in every condition while others stick to monofilament, or fluorocarbon. Each type of line is beneficial in multiple situations, but breaking down the variables for rivers helps tremendously. “The biggest problem I have when fishing clearer rivers is either throwing braided line, or fluorocarbon,” Barela said. I have seen big fish caught with both on clear rivers, however I feel that in areas with current braid isn’t as noticeable to fish. But when there isn’t much flow braid can be seen much easier. And that is where fluorocarbon comes into play. There are certain lures I will throw on
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particular lines. For example, I will throw a wacky rig on braid with a fluoro leader, a spinnerbait on fluoro, a chatterbait on braid, jigs on braid and a Texas rig on fluoro. If the sun is high with blue bird skies, the shadow from fluorocarbon line can spook a fish, so even ‘invisible’ line can be seen from the shadow it casts in clear water. Longer casts will help you a lot while being observant to your own shadow. Also, soft bait entries help. Now when fishing murky water the type of line you use doesn’t matter. I like braid because you can feel the bite better than anything else. Most of the time it’s all about personal preference. Various lures need certain type of fishing line for maximum usage, but I throw braid with the lures I use in rivers around Central Texas. Rivers down here have plenty of brush piles and heavy cover, so pulling a sevenpound bass out of thick stuff is easier with braided line. When I flip heavy cover like brush piles I get as close as possible where
you’re basically vertically jigging the lure. Your chances increase when directly over the cover. I use 50-pound and sometimes 65-pound braided line for that situation.”
BREAKING DOWN WATER Every angler has his/her preference when finding the best area to cast when approaching an area. “When it comes to breaking down an area, I will sit back and observe the scene and look for any movement on the surface,” Barela said. “I will see if any bait is moving on the surface, or anything else that stands out. Now don’t overthink it because that will hurt you. I will start with the most obvious spots with search baits then find a pattern. Some days the fish hold to obvious cover like brush piles, logs, rocks, etc. I like to look from the outside in and look for anything that is different than the rest.”
CHANGES IN DEPTH MATTERS Some rivers are deeper than others, yet if you find the right depth where the fish are holding you can have a great day on the water. For Barela, there is a productive range in depth for rivers. “The depths of water I like to target range from three to six feet, so finding transition changes from shallow water to deep are areas I love,” he said. “Bass tend to hold right on the transition points, or on the current break. I like to throw a swimbait, or even a jig in those areas and for me, 90 percent of the time that bite is a reaction strike.”
CURRENTS HOLD FISH When meandering through rivers in search of bass don’t overlook the end rapids, or other moving water. Current can help you
find a pattern. “The areas I like are with current, but not a lot where you can hardly fish,” Barela said. “That slight current will tell you which way the fish will be facing/ moving and which cover they will hold to, or in certain ambush points. If you can find the slack areas you will catch a fish. However, that larger bass will not hold in swift current because it is efficient with its energy, so find that right flow of water and bait first. I have found bass from 2021 inches in those types of areas. That is a solid river fish in current. Bluff walls are also good places to target when fishing for Guadalupe/spotted bass hybrids. Those particular fish love to hold in areas with strong current, or just any moving water in general. If you notice any current breaks, or small pockets along the wall those are the spots to focus on.”
lakes, yet others choose rivers. “For me, river fishing is fast paced and is always changing,” Barela said. “The fish move, usually are stronger, more entertaining to film, the water temperatures are typically cooler and finding a big bass is so rewarding in a river than a lake for me. I enjoy finding areas where boaters can’t reach, paddling untouched water where the fish have never seen a lure. You can cover miles of rivers without a single bite, or a big bass; however, just being outdoors is second to none. There is just something about catching a big bass out of a body of water that is always changing.” The next time you paddle a river, try these techniques in order to find a pattern during the fall transition. You can follow Immanuel Barela on Instagram at ibarela77 and subscribe to his YouTube channel at SkinnyWaterBoyzTV Barela. 2
IMPORTANCE OF CREEK ARMS Creek arms are crucial for bass as they search for that next meal. Sometimes you can find a lunker bass that simply lives in a creek arm. “Fishing creek arms are important because there can be some really good fish there,” Barela said. “The fish can follow bait throughout the arm. Big bass find an area with a good food source and will not travel too far in order to conserve energy. For that reason, I fish every creek I come across. The mouth of creeks and the end of creeks are key areas to focus on. Also, the in between area is used as a highway, so you can catch fish there too.”
ENJOYMENT OF RIVER FISHING Every angler enjoys fishing any type of water whether it’s a river, or a lake. Some prefer KBFMAG FALL 2017
IMMANUEL BARELA
OVERLOOKED
ASPECTS of
SWIMBAIT
FISHING
by
Evan Howard
B
aits, rods, and reels are the main focus of the swimbait game, but they arguably are not the most important items. “Where the rubber meets the road” is a great idiom that explains the importance of hook and line selection in swimbait fishing. We don’t bat an eye at dropping $70 on a lure or $250 on a rod, but spending $10 on a pack of hooks or $30 on new line makes most fishermen balk. It shouldn’t because those two items are the only two objects keeping that fish of a lifetime hooked up. When settling in on a line choice for my swimbait rods I always consider what type of baits I will be using along with the type of environment I will be fishing in. Tried and true monofilament has always been my go-to for swimbait fishing, but braid has been taking up more and more spools of the reels in my fishing rotation. Fluorocarbon is a popular choice for many bass anglers, but I feel it is way too brittle to trust casting expensive lures. Below, I will explain why I choose either monofilament or braid and what determines when I use them. I started out fishing with swimbaits using 25lb monofilament several years ago and I still find myself using it to this day. Mono is not a sexy pick, but the advantages it has makes it a real winner in certain scenarios. Toughness is the defining characteristic of monofilament. One of the main reasons I choose 25lb mono is it simply never lets me down. Most of my fishing takes place in rocky rivers filled with log jams and overhanging trees. I’m constantly pull the retrieve over exposed rock shelves or across downed trees, not to mention errant casts through overhanging canopy. You are not really going to have to worry about casting
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off an expensive bait if you are paying attention to signs of abrasion and retying your knot periodically. Stretch and memory are the only negative aspects of mono and memory coils are merely an annoyance. Line stretch can cost you a few fish when they hit at the end of a long cast and you can’t bury the hook well enough into them. This is exacerbated by the movement of the kayak in the water. That line stretch, however can be an asset when you have a lively fish at boat-side who wants to make a few more surges. I try to overcome the ill effects of line stretch by using premium, razor-sharp hooks and slowing down my hookset. I have begun reeling into the fish and allowing it
to load the rod before driving a powerful hookset home. This slight modifications in tackle and technique will help you maximize the effectiveness of monofilament. Braided line is extremely popular and I am included in that fan base. I use braided line for all my non-swimbait applications and I have it on a few of my swimbait reels as well. Braided line is likely the best choice overall for kayak fishing. The zero stretch material makes for rock solid hooksets, even at a long distance. Large diameter braid, such as 65lb, is also very abrasion resistant and will withstand a lot of punishment. Another added benefit is better hooksets with swimbaits that feature
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a single hook. Monofilament is a not a great line choice for single hook baits, because the stretch inhibits penetration.
pound class smallmouth due to poorly cared for hook points. Let me break down some basics of hook choice and hook care.
Another often neglected aspect of swimbait fishing is hook selection. If you think about it, the hook is where the fish meets the bait, so it is arguably the most important component of your swimbait tackle. I have had my heart broken many times by big fish on swimbaits many times.
First and foremost, you get what you pay for. Premium treble hooks are expensive for a reason and the reverse can be said about cheap hooks. Cheap hooks fail because of two weaknesses. The wire does not have the tempered strength to withstand the surges of a big fish and will bend out. Also, the hook points don’t have the tempered point to stay sharp after encountering elements of hard cover. That means you will not be able to penetrate flesh and stick the fish when the moment of truth comes.
The majority of those heartbreaks can be directly blamed poor hook choice or poor hook care. Just this summer I lost an 8 plus pound largemouth testing out some bargain hooks during the bluegill spawn and a five
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So, which hook should you order? First, we need to discuss hook style. EWG, round bend, short shank, quad, needle point, or cutting point. Which do you choose? I typically use round bend hooks on larger baits and EWG style hooks on smaller baits. My reasoning is that round bend hooks have a wider gap and are more likely to connect with smaller fish or fish that slap at a large bait rather than inhale it. I prefer EWG style on smaller baits that a fish will likely inhale. I have been using the Owner ST-41 on my smaller 5” Bull Shad, which is similar to an EWG. With baits over 6” I typically use either a Quattro Quad hook or a round bend like the Owner ST-56. I feel that these give me a better hookup ratio when fish either aren’t as aggressive or targeting species with smaller mouths like spots or smallmouth. A real key is to make sure you are using 2x hooks. Lightwire hooks
like the Owner ST-36 are needle thin and get great penetration, but they are easily bent out and, in my mind, a liability. Hook care is often overlooked, but it can be a real deal breaker. Almost every large fish I have lost has been due to either bent wire or rolled over hook points. Check your hooks often, especially after a major hang up. Don’t bother bending a misshapen hook back into form as it has already lost it’s temper. Switch it out with another hook immediately. I rob hooks from other baits if I don’t have any spares in my box. Test the hook point on your fingernail. If it isn’t sticky sharp, then take a small file, honing stone or hook sharpener and put an edge back on it. A hook is worthless if it isn’t razor sharp. Pay attention to the little details and see if you put a few monsters in the net that you may have lost in the past. 2
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EVAN HOWARD
KAYAK
FISH
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
by ERIC BOYD
FIT TO
SHOULDER SWEEP
Kayakers and kayak fishermen experience shoulder and upper back stiffness from time to time - or all the time. In previous issues of Kayak Bass Fishing Magazine you learned about the Bretzel and Bretzel 2.0 stretch which improves flexibility and mobility through the anterior and posterior chain of the body. Building on the Bretzel stretches I am introducing the "Shoulder Sweep" which will increase stability and mobility within the thoracic spine - alleviating shoulder pain and increasing paddle efficiency. KBFMAG FALL 2017
1. Lying on your back place your right foot on the outside of your left knee - rotating your right hip off of the floor but keeping both shoulders flat on the floor. Place your left hand palm down on the floor by your side. Place your right hand palm down under the small of your back - keeping your elbow on the floor. If you cannot keep your elbow on the floor move your hand away from your body until your elbow is on the floor.
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2. "Pack" your shoulders by pulling both shoulders back and down - away from your ears. Feel as though you are pulling your right shoulder to your left hip and your left shoulder to your right hip.
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3. Keeping your elbow on the floor, sweep your right hand away from your body in an arc. Your elbow remains on the floor. When your arm is 90 degrees to your body, turn your palm up and continue moving your hand in the arc until you reach your maximum range of motion while keeping your shoulders packed.
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4. Perform 3-5 reps slowly - repeat on the opposite side. Perform this exercise 3 times per week. Your range of motion will increase while stiffness decreases improving your overall kayak fishing experience. 2
W
hat’s one thing we all have in common? We all LOVE being on the water. Whether it’s in search of new destinations, a personal best catch, or just creating new memories with family and friends we are on the water for hours each season. And for many of us, that means paddling of hours on end. If you’re paddling any length of time your hands will get sore. If this ever happens to you, give these 4 tips a try so your hands and wrists feel great!
GETTIN’ GRIPPY
(using proper paddling technique). When you are out as far forward as you can go, wrap your fingers around the paddle and start pulling backwards.
Change your grip. Yep, that’s it, just change it! Place your hands about one and a half shoulder lengths apart when you start paddling. After a short time, before you get sore, bring your hands closer together, and continue to switch it up as you’re paddling! Crazy simple I know, but if you change it every 10-15 minutes your wrists won’t get nearly as sore.
As you do this, open your other hand that is now going forward. Repeat for a minute or so.
GETTIN’ COMFY Who here loves accessories? I know I do! This one accessory will really help keep your hands comfortable as you’re out loving life on the water. The accessory I’m talking about are Paddle Grips! Paddle Grips are basically a small cushion that is sewn into a tube that fits around the shaft of your paddle.
STRETCH ‘N ROLL It’s an oldie but a goodie for sure! Set your paddle in your lap and open your hands. Try to stretch one finger at a time trying to make it as long as possible. Intensify it by lowering each finger as you are stretching it. Bring it back up and go to the next finger. Repeat two times and then bring your hands into a fist. Now roll your wrists in a clockwise direction two times. Then roll them counterclockwise two times. Open your hands and repeat the stretch and roll sequence as needed. Don’t forget to repeat the sequence with the other hand!
They usually have a little rubber on the inside to help them stay in place on your paddle as well. Why are they so awesome? Because they provide a cushion between your hand and the paddle. It helps relieve any white knuckle paddling, keeps the heat of the sun from baking your paddle where you grip, and in general they feel awesome! I’m sure there are many brands out there but I’ve had two pairs of Yakgrips.
HANDS UP PALMS OUT
I’ve used both of them for many years and love them. I get mine from Rutabaga Paddlesports in Madison, WI. Check them out, you won’t regret it! http://www. rutabaga.com/cascade-creek-yakgrips 2
As you are paddling, open your hand of the arm going forward in your stroke. Keep the shaft of the paddle in your palm. Gently push forward with the open hand and pull back with the opposite hand 31
GET LIT GET BIT 25 17
Let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than
a hangry kayak fisherman.
Ok, ok, let’s be honest, you don’t notice being hungry when you’re catching fish cast after cast. However, it’s fishing and not catching. Sometimes when I’m out there on the prowl for my next catch my stomach starts to growl. Especially after I started working out, so I can chase my passions to the max, it seems I eat multiple
APPLES Did you know there are over 7,500 varieties of apples grown in the world and over a 100 that are commercially available in the United States? Honey Crisp, Gala, Red Delicious, it doesn’t matter, just pick your favorite. Apples are a fantastic, quick and easy snack you can have in-between casts plus they help keep you hydrated. And we all know staying hydrated is a must when on the water!
times a day. While it’s easy to grab the nearest junk food at the convenience store when you get your morning coffee it doesn’t give you the proper fuel to feel great and stay on the water for hours. Instead of getting junk food or skipping snacks altogether give these five easy and delicious snacks a try!
Seeds Seeds are an awesome way to enjoy a simple snack plus getting some fiber and healthy fats. Try to find ones that are not covered with fake seasonings. If you’re a fan of seasonings try to pick ones out that don’t have a bunch of sodium and unnatural seasonings. My personal favorite are roasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds. Grab a mouth full and keep on fishing!
Nuts Nuts are quick and easy snack that are a great source of protein and healthy fats. Whether you grab a mixed bag or have a single favorite they are perfect. The biggest thing is to try to stay away from the salted variety. Try to grab lightly salted or just plain roasted, even honey roasted tastes great. Some of my favorites are peanuts and almonds.
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Carrots Quick, grab these orange beauties! No not redfish but some baby carrots! Not only do you get a serving of vegetables in but you’ll have finger food snack that’s perfect for the kayak. Portion some out in a small bag and stash it next to your kayak seat and snack away. They’re easy to grab one quickly in between paddle strokes or casts. Plus you can keep on munching while fishing.
Granola Bars These are some of the easiest snacks to grab at a store and take on the water. They are a great source of fiber, protein, and much more! Don’t be fooled though, there many on the market but they’re not all created equally. The tricky part is finding one that fits your tastes and needs plus is healthy. First find the ones that fit your tastes and then narrow it down by looking at the ingredients. Look for ones that have natural ingredients like honey, oats, etc. If you rather not shop, you can always make some at home and bring them with you. Just search the internet and you’ll find lots of recipes. Find some today or make your ideal ones and snack away! 2 37
CHINOOK FISHING PFD EVERYTHING A FISHERMAN NEEDS
nrs.com
ERIC PORTER
CHRIS FOWLER
oDditiEs
AnD jUs+ pLaiN wEiRd
words by Todd West Photos courtesy of
chris fowler and alberto knie
T
he idea of a trophy or a catch to be revered by your peers is pretty much the same across the board. From tarpon to giant bass there are many species that ensue instant drooling as we scroll through the seemingly never ending information highway known as the internet and social media these days. From living vicariously through adventure anglers lives to watching the elite fish the major tournament trails, there are many ways to find yourself day dreaming of catching big fish.
switch to whatever tackle necessary to get the job done. We do not discriminate on what’s being thrown if it solves the puzzle of what do they eat or will they eat.
This article isn’t going to play out into a rockstar moment of sportfish glory, It is however about catching some of the coolest, most sub-rated odd species of fish across the nation and the occasional “did that damn thing really just eat my fly” moment in the mix. There are so many species of fish out there that most of the general public are unaware exist it’s mind boggling. Typically the first question my friends and I are met with is (Are you guys bass fishing?) or (What are you fishing for?) and like most of you we answer with some basic vague reply as to not clue anyone in on what is really going on in said location. People tend to not understand why a person might be chasing gar or catfish with a fly rod. Sometimes the flies just can’t cut it so we break out the conventional gear. Yes we
With that being said, there are tons of species that do not make the trophy list for most anglers, but for species junkies like myself and some of the guys I run with or talk with often, these fish become part of the most wanted list. Some of these beauties are caught as bycatch or sheer accident. Some are caught intentional, Some are well…. Just hooked because of a complex thing called (A nature driven urge to eat what moves) a.k.a. True predators. The key to chasing these oddities is to think outside the box. Some of these fish are no bigger than your handy dandy bird finger while others appear as if they could harm a kid while taking a swim on a hot day.
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ALBERTO KNIE
ALBERTO KNIE 45
Finding these odd species can be half the fun of the hunt. Figuring out how to get them to eat is another chore all unto itself. I have spent hours casting live insects, worms, minnows, and every fly in my fly box at fish that seem to be eating everything that floats by. After watching closely for some time some of these fish are very obvious in the fact they are lying in wait to strike the right target when the opportunity comes along. The looming question is, What is their targe? It’s like watching paint dry sometimes trying to pick up on little ques. Can you say frustrating? I’ve come to appreciate the plotting and planning. The research and the cussing fits I have been known to throw from time to time. Some of which have caused me to lose footing and end up wet and laughing at myself. (Wet hillbilly isn’t a very becoming look F.Y.I.) Fish like drum, suckers, chubs, dace, and carp come in many sizes and seem to have many sub strains of each species like many types of sunfish do, man is that a wormhole of info when searching sunfish species and hybrids. Chinch your reading glasses for that info train folks. Other species are native to certain parts of the country and only have a few to no subspecies under the same genetic code markers. Some species like snakeheads, and peacock bass were brought in by states and have thrived in their environment, and some of these like oscars and cichlids were released by the public from home aquariums for whatever reason and have become thriving invasive species. To some anglers these fish should be eradicated, while other thrill seeking anglers are very protective and proud to know where they reside. Regardless of which side of the fence you stand there is no denying that there are many species aside from the mega million dollar bass and trophy saltwater industry out there to chase and target. Will they all earn you cool points? Probably not with most. Will they get you rich and famous? Probably not. But you will one day if you take KBFMAG FALL 2017
CHRIS FOWLER 47
the time to log the hours and info, have a species list that could mirror those of some of the greatest adventure anglers in the world. From Koi to disgruntled snapping turtles and creek chubs alike, they are all species that we have caught on fly. The oddities keep it interesting for me. Everyone wants to catch big fish of course, but for whatever reason the micro ecosystems that feed the local rivers and lakes have drawn myself and others alike across the globe to search out everything from the most remote
to the most obvious of places that most never stop to give a second look in search of anything that will eat for us so we can check yet another species off the list. So don’t sit around seeking praise and approval of your fishing buddies. Get out and find the oddities and strange fish that make up your local eco system. Who knows you might find the honey hole of the town, then again you might even fool around and learn something from your new found adventures. 2
CHRIS FOWLER
KBFMAG FALL 2017
ALBERTO KNIE
I
place and it's not very nice. The term "trash fish" quite honestly just pisses me off.
think every angler that lives in the US can think of a handful of "secret" spots that have "tons of huge" carp in them. When I hear this it definitely sparks my interest but it's at that moment I know this conversation is about to go one of two different ways.
Over the last few years as a fly angler I've really grown to love these misunderstood beasts. Aside from the fact that they look cool and are built like bulldozers, they also fight like it. It's pretty hard to go back to chasing bass when in reality NO black bass will ever rip me into my backing 10 seconds into a battle.
It's either about to be a great conversation filled with stories about battling them on conventional or fly and followed by some epic pictures of the huge golden creatures.
A 5 pound Common Carp however will give me an 8-10 minute battle and if it has the room to swim will definitely show me that neon orange braided core at the heart of my reel.
Or it goes the other direction as they begin to tell me about how Common Carp are "Trash Fish" and the evil villain of the freshwater angling world. They then proceed to show me pictures of dead carp with arrows through them.
Now I know what you're thinking, "So they fight hard but they can't be that hard to catch...right? I used to catch them on corn as a kid." Actually carp are one of
When I'm at work and this happens I just bury my feelings and try to remain calm but inside a whole other conversation is taking
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the hardest North American freshwater fish to catch on fly hands down. Aside from being omnivores and their food of choice changing day to day. They are also hyper aware of their surroundings when up in the shallows and feeding. This is where they are most vulnerable. Carp species have a huge lateral line that help them sense even the slightest vibration or electrical currents. That matched with decent vision, sensitive barbels and a huge tail fin make for a fish that with one hard push of the tail can be gone in an instant. Leaving you scratching your head and staring at a cloud of sediment or mud where it just was. This makes them so much fun to stalk from the bank or kayak. ommon carp have been the favorite target species of fish for friends in the U.K. for hundreds and hundreds of years. Most Americans can't begin to understand the
amount of money spent on carp specific gear and the ones who do know it all to well, as they are probably Euro -style carp anglers, but that is a different topic all together. In the 1800s two fish were brought to America both for table-fare and sport. The Common Carp and the Brown Trout. According to Kirk Deeter, author of the Orvis Guide to Fly fishing for Carp, in 1872 Julius A Poppe brought 5 Common Carp to California and within 4 years the fish had proliferated into a successful fish farming operation. Then in 1877 the U.S. Fish Commission launched a major effort to cultivate these fish throughout the country. The first shipment of fish from Europe was deemed so valuable that it was guarded around the clock after they had been acclimated to the Druid Hill pond near Baltimore Maryland. The Brown trout was brought
over and planted into the Balwin River in Michigan in 1884. Highly revered for its "sporting� characteristics and widespread commercial value. The problem was that this fish couldn't just be dumped anywhere. It had to have specific requirements to thrive and reproduce. It required cool, clean water and tons of bugs and freshwater invertebrates to survive. Its other European buddy, the carp, could survive in the opposite. Dirty warm water with low oxygen levels were no problem at all. Now fast forward to present day. Seeing where these two species ended up in the "social status" of the angling community is insane to me. Carp thrived and took hold in literally every body of water they were introduced to. Clearing muddied silty flats, helping keep back certain plant and invertebrate species but by the turn of the 20th century we're already being labeled a nuisance species. Brown trout however, which are considered to be one of the favorite trout species to fly anglers , were
hard to keep alive and destroyed native trout populations in certain water bodies but remain at the top of prized fish species. The reputation that both species gained is a little crazy in terms of their effect on local waters and native species. I'm not arguing the fact that carp eat fish eggs and muddy up certain areas of rivers but in reality what kind of creature doesn't eat fish eggs!? The answer is everything eats fish eggs! There is a little history of where carp came from and how they got spread throughout the country. Let's get into what this article is about. Stalking and catching carp from the kayak! I've already talked a little bit about how much fun and rewarding it is to stalk these fish from the bank but silently paddling up to your target fish, getting everything ready for the cast are the moments I live for. As I said earlier these fish are hyper aware of their surroundings and are ready to bolt at a moment’s notice. This makes them tough to target from the yak. The slightest bump on your deck can send even the heaviest feeder into the safety of the deeper water. For me sight fishing is the way to do it. I've heard of anglers just blind casting into muddied flats and catching monsters but have yet to witness or experience it myself. I prefer to find them early in the mornings while their crawling around on their bellies in the shallows. 1-3' deep water, sandy or muddy flats with little to no flow are the spots I tend to find them feeding in numbers. The clearer the water the more stealthy you have to be.
BEN HARSHMAN
As far as gear goes it really just depends on the angler's preference. I know guys that fight carp on 3 wts and love it but I also know guys who won't cast anything less than an 8wt. Myself I prefer my trusty 6wt Orvis Helios ZG with Mirage lll reel loaded with a weight forward floating 6wt line. A 7 1/2 foot 10 fluorocarbon leader
with a small buggy neutral colored fly. Some of my favorites include the FlyGeek RioGetter , Carp-it Bomb , Rainey's Size 6 CarpTease , Egan's Headstand , Loco Moco and the Hipster Dufus but like I said anything small , buggy and neutral colored will work. The only thing I've found that they absolutely can't stand is anything with lots of flash in it. For whatever reason they simply can't stand it. When it comes to casting on carp I always find that it's better to cast far in front of them and far back. For example : If I paddle up on a large fish feeding in 3' of water I will land my fly in front of it about 5 or 6' and then past it by the same amount . Try to figure out what direction the feeding fish is headed and intersect with slow steady strips of the line. Once the fly is within 1-2' of the fish, if it hasn't been spotted already, kill the action. Then give it tiny little strips just
to make it twitch. Usually a feeding at this point will have already inhaled your fly. Setting the hook at the perfect moment is key to a successful carp session. Most carp will suck in their prey and immediately blow it back out then repeat so setting the hook on the intake is when it needs to happen. Don't be afraid to put some ooomf into it. It takes a bit of force and an extremely sharp hook to bury into those rubbery lips. Usually a good strip set and simultaneous rod tip forced into the air is good enough to drive it home. This is when the battle begins so hold on tight. If given the room to run it's guaranteed that you're going to see the backing line in your reel. The large tail fins combined with the sheer weight and muscle of these fish make for an intense fight and ability to pick up speed at any given moment.
RYAN SCHAPER KBFMAG FALL 2017
Chances are you'll have a great sleigh ride but every time you gain some line they will take it right back. I'm my experience it's always better to get your feet planted in firm ground in order to end the battle of not it just becomes an intricate back and forth of taking and losing line while spinning in circles. Firmly plant your rod combo between and paddle (forwards or backwards) to the nearest accessible bank to finish the fight. Once your feet are planted it's time to go to work. You want to steadily gain line but not bully the fish because they will break you off. You know when you can reel and when you can't and if you don't the fish will tell you by taking more line. Just be patient and tire the fish out. After 2-3 times of trying to land the fish with your rubberized net they usually lay on their side come right to the net out of pure exhaustion. I hope this short article has sparked your interest in pursuing carp on the fly and you won't fully understand the fun that comes along with it until you've hooked your first one. Just remember that this journey will begin with tons and tons of frustration but it will end with a battle against a beast and a fight that will definitely change how you view them. 2
CHRIS PAYNE
T
he sun hadn’t crested the horizon yet and I slipped my Ride into the water. The summers here are hotter than most other places and the recent rain had provided a welcomed drop in water temperature, though it would be only temporary. With a momentary rise in water level I was sure I could find some bass shallow. As my paddle slides into the water and I shove off from the bank, I’ve got one thing on my mind- sight fishing.
I’ve recently taken a liking to the flyrod and flyfishing techniques for Largemouth bass are about as varied as conventional methods and maybe even more varied. Flyfishing for species such as carp, various sunfish and bass have led me to really enjoy the addiction of sight fishing. They’ve also allowed me to hone my skills a little, and with a steep learning curve, I’ll help you get ahead quicker by sharing a few tips. First, if you can see them, they can likely see you. Fish have acute vision, and while they may have a distorted perception, they’re very keen on movement outside the water as well as inside. For that reason, slow and fluid movements are better than fast and abrupt movements. When approaching a flat or an area you’d expect fish, like an eddy on the back side of an island with a submerged shallow plain, don’t come barging in- drift in slowly or allow the current to push you in. Float past the area and approach from downstream even. Pole in quietly with your paddle or push-pole. Stand as soon as you can but keep the lowest profile possible. 57
Second, if you can’t see them at all, and you’re just drifting up on their recently disturbed mud clouds, you need some better glasses or clearer water. Seeing fish in water takes some decent vision but it also takes time to adapt your eyes. Their camouflage works well and typically you’re looking for shape, color and movement- and if you don’t have 3 out of 3 you’re likely staring at a stump! Good polarized lenses are a must-have for sight fishing. Even with great vision your eyes can’t reduce glare enough to hardly see subtle signs of fish, especially green fish like bass. Next, wear neutral colors or camouflage yourself. Now, I’ve never actually worn camouflage when fishing, but I have learned that wearing colors that resemble the surroundings of your waterway, only help your chances of being seen less. I typically wear brown fishing pants and a green or grey long-sleeve to blend in with fairly lush and rocky rivers nearby. By moving slowly and blending in as best I can with my surroundings I better my chances of not being seen, and in the game of sight fishing, a few seconds worth of extra stealth allows you to get a few feet closer and possibly see your fish before they spook. As the river pushed me further downstream I crawled along the banks as I’d approach mud flats. I had noticed some sunfish spawning, had brought a few chunky ones to hand on the flyrod and was noticing that bass were cruising shallow as I had hoped. As I came around an oxbow I creeped along the fallen timber from a recent flood that had caught in the eddy and positioned myself so I was parallel to the wooded bank and using the trees as a dark backdrop. I noticed a few sunfish nests near a laydown and stood up in my Ride 115 and started
casting to a large female Redbreast when a great bass jutted out to inspect my fly. Position yourself so that a glare or reflection from the sun is behind a hill or dark backdrop such as a tree line. Staring in to the reflection of the sky is difficult because it is so bright of a backdrop that darker images beneath the water’s surface are easily obscured. By having a dark back drop, the reflection of the trees and steep banks is typically darker than the river or lake bottom, allowing your eyes to see into the water through the reflection off the surface. Sight casting is typically a game of pursuing fewer fish for an experience unparalleled. Taking the time to stalk and choose your casts wisely limits the number of fish you cast to by increasing the average time you spend chasing one fish. That being said, the
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converse argument would be that you can focus on one fish longer to learn their habits.
action or throw a similar bait of different size or slightly different action.
By watching them chase a lure but not commit, you know you’ve got their attention, but haven’t fooled them into biting. With this knowledge you can adjust your technique in meaningful ways, rather than blindly changing variables which is what you’d do with fruitless attempts while blind casting. Variables such as line diameter or color, lure color or action, mass of your weight or size of your hook should all be considered when bass deny your lure. A few shortcuts:
Bass just not interested at all? Trains of thought differ, but change it up drastically. Either go to a more finesse presentation or a more reactionary one. When I have trouble getting a fish to commit I like to work towards a more finesse technique than a more reactionary technique. I’d rather spend the time tempting it and observing it then possibly spooking it by burning a topwater across her nose. As my black conehead sculpin ripped across the opening of the laydown the large bass lurched out from her lair where she had positioned herself to snipe a wandering sunfish near its nest. I slowly lifted my flyrod and recast just past her position and with one quick and long strip the fly leapt forward, stopping to fall right in front of her face.
A large splash spooking your fish? Reduce your weight, slow your cast or cast further beyond the fish (if possible). Fish following but not committing to your bait? This is tough but reduce line diameter, drastically change your 59
Silence your kayak as much as possible. Lately companies have introduced foam pad kits tailored to your specific kayak, while other companies have come up with standard adhesive + foam sheets. While they have the added benefit of making your kayak stand out, I like the idea of having soft surfaces to set hard gear on silently. While standing in my Ride I set my paddle down near my gear tracks and noticed the sound of carbon striking plastic (however softly) was enough to spook fish. I cut some custom foam out and stuck them on my kayak where I set my paddle and now my paddle is silent- eliminating one more source of noise. I also covered my bow, bow hatch lid and entire cockpit floor with foam in order to reduce noise if I need to switch out rods or set my paddle down.
With a strip and rod lift I watched as her demeanor changed from satisfaction to reticence, from reticence to confusion, and from confusion to regret as she quickly thrashed subsurface. With a fight near laydowns, my own legs and my friends, a game of strategy ensued where my reluctance to apply much pressure to 8# test was often outweighed by my reluctance to let her enter a wood pile. Within minutes I had the bass to hand and had convinced my friend that sight casting was worth the patience it required to focus on fewer fish. 2
Lastly, the ability to stand and fish is a must for sight casting. Giving yourself a few feet of height greatly improves how much water you can see through and how much light is reflected off the surface of the water. There are more than a few kayaks that you can stand and fish from these days, so find one that suits your needs. I still like a compromise of stability, functionality and speed with my Wilderness Systems Ride 115 Max. She quickly darted forward, covering the few inches instantly and with a quick flare of the gills my fly was sucked up quicker than I could realize.
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The bend of your fly rod under the strain of a large bass is incomparable to anything else in bass fishing. Fly fishing is, to me, the most fun way to target bass despite being an enormous challenge. There are also some major benefits to picking up the long rod. Nothing is more subtle or realistic than a natural fly that slowly pulses through the water column like a living, breathing organism. A fly rod can hang with or even best conventional tackle given the correct water clarity and weather patterns. I have experienced more than one occasion where the fly rod outfished conventional tackle. When the weather sours, however, fly fishing can become extremely difficult. Stained water, cold snaps, and high winds make fly
fishing downright unpleasant, but there are a few things you can do to put the odds in your favor and rescue your trip. I even landed one of my personal best bass on a tough day using one of the techniques below. Stained, moving water? Dead drift a bug. I have a ton of success simply deaddrifting poppers in the current in clear water conditions. I have discovered that, contrary to my natural assumptions, a motionless bug typically outperforms a noisy bug. You wouldn’t think that would be the case when the water colors up, but it seems to be even more effective. I had my best day ever with big bass using this technique following up a couple of friends throwing casting gear. I lazily drifted my popping bug along tight to banks and close to isolated cover. Four, huge bass smash my popper and head for cover on that day. The key seems to be casting close to cover and carefully mending your line so you keep a long, drag free drift past cover.
It
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surprised the hell out of me, but big bass can really sense that bug drifting along like helpless prey even in stained water.
my fly arsenal just like craw imitations make up a huge part of my casting gear arsenal. Yours should have them too.
Muddy water? Add some flash. It isn’t fun to cast and is highly looked down upon in many fly fishing circles, but adding a spinner blade to your fly is a no-brainer in muddy water conditions. I use a snap on inline spinner like you find on a Joe’s Flies short striker.
I find a slow moving craw fly to be extremely effective when a cold front crashes through and puts a halt to all your topwater and streamer fishing dreams. I employ the craw, typically a pattern called the clawdad which looks like a tiny finesse jig, in a couple of different ways. If I am spending time working specific areas, I use a sink tip line and get it down on the bottom. Lift it, drop it, and drag it just like you would a finesse jig.
You definitely want at least a 6 weight for this as it does not cast well, but the payoff is rewarding. I usually attach a weightless streamer like deceiver and retrieve it with long, pausing strips.
I tend to lift the rod tip and let it fall, working the rod just like I do my flipping stick with a bass jig. You will donate a few flies to the bottom, but it will reward you in a big way. This has saved numerous trips for me and hooked, not landed unfortunately, the largest bass I have ever hooked on the fly rod.
This is as close to a spinnerbait as you can get with a fly rod. I used this setup during a tournament this spring to win the fly division and finished 22nd amongst a field of 44 casting anglers. Cold snap? Drift or drag a craw. Crawdad flies make up a huge part of
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If you are moving along with current, throw a jumbo strike indicator on your leader and drift it just like you were nymphing for trout. When there is a significant current, I simply let the craw drift and focus on line management, but if the current isn’t too strong I will impart some action. Give the line an occasional tug and let it sit. Watch for any slight bob or hesitation of the strike indicator as they rarely jerk it under with authority. Set the hook if you detect any movement from your indicator. High wind? Strip a streamer. High wind is the bane of a fly fisherman’s existence. It collapses your loops, makes distance casting near impossible and causes weighted flies to bounce off your kayak hull and your skull.
patience necessary to get bites in less than ideal situations have transferred over to my everyday approach and seem to get me better bites all around. If you don’t know how to mend line in current, look up a YouTube video because it is essential for drifting either the popping bug or the craw under a float. Finally, an old adage in fishing is to “Slow down. When you think you are going slow, slow down some more.” I find that the slower I can work my fly, the larger fish I seem to catch. Try it yourself and see if your catches improve like mine have. 2
Even if you get your fly delivered to the target area, most presentations are hindered because of waves, wind, or drift of your boat. Ripping a streamer seems to be the only presentation I have found to jive with a stiff wind. If floating line is spooled up on your reel, then choose a weighted streamer like the tried and true clouser deep minnow. Sink tip line opens up the ability to use almost any weightless streamer. I use a very brisk stripping method with slight pauses intermixed. Essentially, I fish it like I do a soft jerkbait using a jerk-jerk-paused cadence. Focus on windblown banks where baitfish schools get pushed up against hard cover. This is the classic “the wind is your friend” mentality that spinner bait and crankbait casters love. Forcing my away through tough fly fishing conditions has helped me become a better overall fly angler. The skills and KBFMAG FALL 2017
EARLY FAREWELLS FROM THE EDITOR Dear Readers of KBFMAG, Some of you probably saw the announcement earlier this year but for those who haven’t, this is the next to last issue of Kayak Bass Fishing Magazine. We will have one final issue in the Spring of 2018 but it will be a “Best Of ” issue featuring my favorite articles, photos, tips, and tricks from the last eight content issues. I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you to our readers for reading, our contributors for contributing and my three leads for the hustle. This all started in early 2015 as a dream to show the outdoor world how I thought outdoor enthusiasts would enjoy magazines with a different focus. This small team of dreamers wanted to offer a free magazine that focused more on the content and less on the ads. We wanted real info that people could learn from. We wanted to take a stand for safety and we wanted to show families out enjoying fishing from kayaks. We wanted it digital so we could take it anywhere. I also took a stand on the ads we ran. I wouldn’t run an ad for a product I didn’t feel I could personally recommend. I was tired of seeing ads for gimmicky junk. The companies who wanted placement had to be something I personally had tested and would recommend, even to the extent of spending my own money on it. To Bill Bragman and Luther Cifers, thank you for your commitment through the duration. To Todd, Ryan, Mark, and Chad, thank you for your time with KBFMAG. I know our time together was well spent building the kayak community and introducing the world to so many great anglers with a virtual vault of information. To John Henry, Evan, Stewart, Eric, and Spencer, you guys were our most frequent and consistent contributors. If there is ever anyway I can return the favor, whether through web space, writing, or just helping haul some kayaks, I’m at your service. Your wisdom is always welcome at Payne Outdoors. Speaking of Payne Outdoors, that’s the next move. Actually, it’ already moving. In June we launched a new website that broadens the scope of what so many of us love to do. I’m looping in my family and some additional friends and we are talking all things from fly fishing to overnight camping. Whether it’s hiking, hunting, halibut, or hammocks, we probably have you covered. I’d love for you to check it out at payneoutdoors.com Thank you for the last 10 issues (including two Gear Guides) of readership. We’re moving on but just down the block to a little bit bigger house. Come by and say hi! Sincerely,
Chris Payne, Editor-in-Chief