FALL Fishing Tips!

[chris138]

Originally Posted by Salty

Great video! Makes me want to be there NOW! I always save any unused bait and find someone to give it to on the way back before crossing the reserve line. Question- what do you consider to be "tanked up" on bait? I know everyone uses bait differently and has different sized livewells, etc. and it would depend how long you plan to be on the water, but I never really know when enough bait is enough. Personally, I'm used to fishing from a friend's boat that easily holds 1.5-2 full scoops from the barge no problem and I've been getting out of the habit of going though it so quickly. At LJ, I've been averaging about 15-ish mixed Spanish and Greenbacks and haven't run out yet over about 8 hours on the water. Just curious at what point when catching bait do you say "Okay, that's enough."

15 is probably a good number, but it depends on the size of the baits too. Big greenback can use up a lot of oxygen and for them really big ones I'll do like 6. If its just Spanish in there you can easy do 20+ baits. They seem to chill out much more in the tank and use much less dissolved O2.

[TJones]

Gives me that urge.

[katchfish]

Some good dope here👌🏻

Love the fall fishing at LJ ❤️

[TCS]

Nice work on the video!

I’ve found that if a YT is running towards a lobster pot before you can get on top of it that you can sometimes steer them away from it. If you turn your kayak hard left the fish will usually turn right.

I’ve managed to do this a few times so I think it works. Of course it could have just been dumb luck!

[chris138]

Originally Posted by TCS

Nice work on the video!

I’ve found that if a YT is running towards a lobster pot before you can get on top of it that you can sometimes steer them away from it. If you turn your kayak hard left the fish will usually turn right.

I’ve managed to do this a few times so I think it works. Of course it could have just been dumb luck!

100%... rudder control can do a lot on those initial runs. It also depends on which side of the mouth you have them hooked as usually they will have to turn towards the hook. I think this is one of the big advantages of paddle kayaks over hobies. Having the rudder controlled with your feet adds a huge amount of control, and the rudder being on the very stern of the hull makes it so you can take a straight perpendicular vector to put more pressure on them before you get over the top of them. The hobie, well at least the PA, doesn't seem to want to track in a straight perpendicular line and wants to keep turning where you will keep turning away from it until you counter steer. Then you are constantly reaching down and counter steering which gets pretty annoying. Its hard to explain in words but you can see it plain as day in the videos.

[Oolie]

Even being completely vertical, I have a very hard time snapping 12 pound with a good knot.


I'd be worried about flipping with stronger line and a fast running fish with buttoned down drag.


I do think the the best outcome is getting vertical and keeping drags mostly loose so they come up easy and don't fight too much, but that doesn't always happen.

If necessary, you can drag them around with the kayak, but not everyone has a pedal kayak. If is paddling only, then a drift chute becomes the next best choice. That said, I've never come close to snapping 25 pound test on a kayak, and it's a real chore to cut through 40 when they bury you.

[chris138]

Originally Posted by Oolie

Even being completely vertical, I have a very hard time snapping 12 pound with a good knot.


I'd be worried about flipping with stronger line and a fast running fish with buttoned down drag.


I do think the the best outcome is getting vertical and keeping drags mostly loose so they come up easy and don't fight too much, but that doesn't always happen.

If necessary, you can drag them around with the kayak, but not everyone has a pedal kayak. If is paddling only, then a drift chute becomes the next best choice. That said, I've never come close to snapping 25 pound test on a kayak, and it's a real chore to cut through 40 when they bury you.

I'm sure many would agree with you, and plenty of folks get flipped by fish. However, I can easy bust off 40# and I will frequently go up to 50 pound. And I wouldn't say that my knots have any issues considering my track record. I also wouldn't say that I've had a shortage of big bites. Keep in mind I fished paddle kayaks the majority of my career.