MKFS Journals...Wanahoo

               My eyes fluttered open and I saw clouds. Clouds illuminated by the pale light of the coming sunrise. I didn't know where I was or why. I turned my head to the right and left and saw a tent stake on one side and a truck tire on the other. I could smell the wisps of smoke from the previous night's campfire. I pieced it together, I was at Wanahoo Lake to fish the Midwest Kayak Fishing Series' Live Event tournament. I had been planning to sleep in the tent with my brothers but they had complained about my oversized sleep mat and refused to let me in. Now, I was laying covered in dew and smelling of campfire. When I wake up in that type of situation it is usually the start of a good day.
         I shook off the salt of lapping delta waves and slowly began collecting my gear and myself. The sun crept over the horizon and set the lake on fire. The forest of dead trees in the middle of the lake looked haunting backlit by the red sunrise. It took little time to paddle to the bay where we would all launch. A small navy of vessels floated quietly in the bay. When it was time to fish, the playful chatter among the kayak anglers ceased and destinations were mapped on the water's surface by subtle wakes.

         The last time I had fished Wanahoo was a week prior. I had found a spot where the fish were stacked and this was my first cast destination. After ten minutes I deemed that spot 'fishless' and moved on. A slightly miscalculated cast and my bait was hanging over a tree limb. In classic fashion, a nice bass erupted out of the water and snatched my plastic. The fish measured 18.5" and would be the largest fish of the day for me. I messed around in the area and caught my 5 fish limit fairly easily. I moved to another spot and the fish were stacked. I landed 7 in 7 casts and a handful more after that. There was another bass tournament at the lake that day. When I started  hammering the fish one of the bass boats came over and watched me. I had a laugh and then moved on to let them try the spot. After that, fish were few and far between. About two hours before the tournament ended I found another group of fish and upgraded one on my card. I caught all my fish by recognizing certain features the bass were relating to out in the trees. Once I found what I wanted, I would slowly swim a plastic through the cover. An hour before the tournament was over I was satisfied (and tired) and 'weighed in' early. Upstream Brewery had provided some jugs of beer so I poured a cup and slumped on a picnic table and waited.  My goal had been to catch five fish. I felt like five would give me enough points to win the overall championship.

        My card of fish ended up taking 2nd in the tournament and thus helping me take 1st overall. It took some serious time and energy but in the end I accomplished what I set out to do and it felt very rewarding. I guess sometimes being obsessed with something pays off. Kayak fishing is a healthy obsession. Whether you try to win tournaments or just get some therapeutic time on the water, there is always a reward.

MKFS Journals...Bass Tales

     

         

  The June tournament for the Midwest Kayak Fishing Series was all about bass. One month to catch, photograph and release your five best bass. My personal goal for the month was to catch 5 fish measuring 21" or better. It didn't take long to realize this would be more challenging than I'd assumed. The month started with a trip to South Dakota with my fellow toads in Toads Angling Alliance. Clark, Josh and I drove through the night and pulled into the parking lot at the lake at 5 a.m. Before the truck was in park, it had already been decided....no sleep, it was time to fish!
      On the horizon, lightning flashed...warning of a coming storm. Still, as dawn broke and rain fell lightly we paddled towards the 'ridge'. Within a few minutes of the first cast we were hauling in chunky smallmouth bass and northern pike. It was ridiculous! After an hour, the storm was upon us and we were paddling like hell for shore. We sat in the truck waiting for the lightning to pass, just gushing with excitement about the great fishing we'd just experienced. As soon as the weather lifted we were back out there killing it. Now, I could go on and on and on about that trip but that is a post in itself. I will say we caught crappie, bluegill, pike, rock bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass and walleye! I also landed my personal best smallmouth, a 20" tank! It was the first bass I entered in the tournament. We made a video of the action which can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMV9YAtJWsw

  As the story went all summer, finding time to just fish was difficult. I had a whole plan hashed out including night fishing but none of that worked out. Fishing was rather slow as there were thousands of young of the year fish in the water and plenty for the hungry post-spawn bass to eat. The bass were feeding in short windows and weather cues, it was all about timing. In the first half of the month, I managed a few nice fish.  A couple near  21" fish caught on a PowerTeam Lures Swinging Hammer. I swam the bait over weedbeds and didn't have many bites but the ones I had were quality fish. There is a hint in that last sentence about catching big bass...something about low numbers of fish but good size. Anyway, I finally busted a big girl who was hanging out under the shade of a mulberry tree in the middle of the day. The cast hit and there was that big swirl on the surface, no hesitation....I leaned back and she jumped.....big. When she slid into the net I knew I had the caliber of fish I was looking for. It was unexpected in the middle of the day and I was a bit shaky as I put her on the measuring board. She went a whopping 21.75" and would end up being the second largest fish of the month for me.

         The next weekend I didn't get much time to fish. However, on a Sunday morning I happened to wake early so I headed down to the lake. I only had about an hour to fish but this little trip would be well worth it. The morning was overcast with a light drizzle and short on time, I paddled to my favorite spot on the lake. I was fishing a brushpile in 13 FOW just on the edge of a shallow flat. I casted one rod out with live bait and the other was rigged with a PowerTeam Bully Grass Devil in green/blue swirl. That particular bait has been extremely effective for me in SE Nebraska waters this year. Anyway, I cast the plastic and felt a big bite. I set the hook and immediately knew I had hooked a toad. After a fantastic aerial battle, the fish was on the measuring board. She measured 21.75"! Another beast of a norther strain largemouth and I was excited! As I was ready to release her I saw my live bait bobber go down. I dropped the big girl in my floating net and grabbed the bait rod. It was another toad, this one measuring 20.75"!  Meg was fishing close by, so after measuring the fish, I put them both in the net and kept them submerged while she prepared to take a great picture of the two fish. That hour of fishing was huge for my overall success in the tournament. It is also a testament to the fact that an hour of fishing in the right conditions can be better than a whole day on the water in the wrong conditions.

         I was now sitting on a pretty darn good card of fish for the tournament. I still wanted to give it one last go though. I met Josh out at the lake on the last weekend of the tournament and we fished hard. By midday, we'd persuaded a few 18-19" fish to bite but nothing real big. Josh called it a day and headed home. I fished for a couple hours more and caught nothing. I decided to go hit my 'magic tree' one last time. As I crawled the bully grass devil through the branches, I felt a bass suck the bait in and hammered back. Fish on! This toad let me get a good look as it made some nice head shaking jumps by the kayak. I lipped her and pulled her into the yak with a real big grin on my face. The fish measured 21.25". I now had 5 fish averaging over 21". I had for the first time in the series accomplished one my personal goals for the month and even did better. I was  completely surprised I'd been able to scratch off three fish that were larger than your average 'large' bass around here. That is fishing I guess. After that catch, I packed up and went home. I had finally reached my goal and I was done trying. My efforts would pay off with another win for the month! I humbly admit it was not easy and there was a bit of luck from the fishing gods or something but I couldn't believe how the month turned out with so many other great anglers competing and catching huge bass. Lucky and grateful would be the best words to describe how I felt after bass month. I had taken a good lead in the series, it would now come down to the live event where I would need to finish strong.

MKFS Journals...May Slam

         

                                           Corn Coast Kayak Angler Caleb Workman with his catfish entry.

    It was the first outing of the month. I was waiting for darkness. When the last light was gone, the predators of the night would be out prowling. My senses adjusted to the lack of one. Among the song of insect wings and laughter of seagulls, I listened intently for the click of a rotating spool. A sound that would mean there was a fish eating the fish on my hook. My bait was larger than most of the fish the anglers on the jetty were trying to catch. I was in my element. I felt this month's tournament would play to my strengths...strengths born of an obsession...an obsession with catching fish born before I was.  The same obsession that you can see glimmering in Jeremy Wade's fish junkie stare into the depths.
           It all started in a cafe in Brownville, NE. There was an array of yellowing photos under a glass countertop. A greasy crew of river rats with huge catfish laid out across tailgates. It wasn't long after that when I walked into Hunter's Headquarters in Auburn and bought an eight foot broomstick rod and a big reel loaded with 40 pound hi-vis green line. I don't think I ever caught a big catfish on that set-up but i tried and tried...and tried. Years later, as I lifted a massive flathead from the muddy Missouri river, I felt a level of reward, gratitude and respect unparalleled by most catches. I truly believe that fish was a state record but when it swam away with a mighty swoosh of the tail and left me drenched, I was as happy as an angler can be on the water. Since my youth, I've landed many big cats and catching one during the May Slam tournament was very important. A single trophy cat would weigh in heaviest point wise than any other fish in the tournament.
    So there I was, waiting all night for that one big bite. Hours of monotony just mean more adrenaline when the line starts to go. Wandering thoughts interrupted by a jolt of instant excitement. The bait clicker let out a screech. I grabbed the rod and felt the line slipping through the eyelets. I waited, the fish stopped and swallowed the bait then began swimming again. I eased back on the rod, felt the kahle hook slide into the corner of the jaw and bury itself. The rod tip bowed down to the the surface and it was on. The fish ran deep, found a snag for a moment then busted free. Soon enough, I had a fist full of  bottom lip. The flathead stretched to 34". It was a good fish, however there were much larger catfish in the lake and I had my sights set on 40" or better.

     The May Slam consisted of one fish of three different species. Bass, bluegill and catfish were the targets. My strategy was to spend most of my time chasing catfish. I put the other two fish on the back burner with confidence I could catch some big ones without much time to do so. On a random family camping trip I scored a nice bass and entered it. I ended up catching some bass that were larger but thought I could do better and did not photograph them. In the end, I spent one afternoon chasing bass and didn't do well. I was a bit overconfident and ended up not scoring as many points as I could have, lesson learned....or maybe not. I waited until the last day of the tournament to go after bluegill. I had a great spot for gills that went nearly ten inches but not only did I procrastinate, I opted to go to a closer lake expecting to easily capture a 9" plus specimen. I spent all day chasing gills and didn't catch what I expected to. The part of my strategy that would pay off was focusing primarily on big catfish.
     With a 34" flathead on the record, I headed to the river for something a bit larger. I spent a day roasting in the sun with nothing to show but perma-Keen tan lines on my feet. I returned to the lake I had been fishing earlier in the month and planned to stay late. Around 10:30 in the evening, I saw my float slowly disappear from the moonlit surface. The line crept off the reel as the float occasionally bobbed up further and further away. After what seemed like ages I had had enough and reeled up the slack. As soon as I felt tension, I hammered back on the rod only to feel nothing. I started retrieving line but didn't even feel the slip bobber on the line. Ten yards from my kayak I caught up to the fish which had swam directly at me. The fish was solidly hooked and once we both realized that, all hell broke loose. The big flathead was damn near under my kayak when the battle began and it was a bit nerve racking as that fish really wanted to tip me. Once I gave her some line to work with, I let her tow me around. I finally felt it was worn down and dropped anchor in the rocks. My first attempt to lip her and she just gave me a good shower and returned to depths. Finally, I had a firm grip and hauled her into the kayak. I immediately realized this fish was larger than I thought. I fumbled around with two measuring boards and this big kitty on the floor of my kayak. I needed some help, plain and simple. I paddled to the nearby jetty and called out to a crappie fisherman.  The fisherman was happy to help and measured the fish at around 40" with his tape measure. I laid out the boards and control item and we put the fish on them, I snapped a picture but the tail was bent. The fish still measured almost 38" with bent tail. I then tried for one better picture real quick and just as I was about to take it, the dude lost his grip on my fish and she was gone...back into the depths. Now, I'm all about releasing fish and this fish wasn't out of the water more than a few minutes with a couple dunks in between but I was a little sad I didn't get a picture with the largest flathead I'd ever pulled into the kayak. Oh well! I had a great fish for the tournament and it would factor into winning the May Slam!



          I spent a couple more nights on the water and caught nothing at all. At the end of the month I had caught a total of 2 catfish in 5 outings. It was a great month for simply sitting on the water with a line out and chatting with kayak fishing buddies. I even was harassed by the "Godfather of Nebraska Kayak Fishing". He approached in the dark and posed as a witless game warden and had me going for a minute....troublemaker!
     The month was extremely challenging for me. This is a good thing for an angler. You learn from catching fish under pressure. I've fished many tournaments but this one had its own unique challenges. I spent most of my time not catching fish. I can say after the first two months of the tournament I was feeling a bit burned out and relieved to spend the next month pursuing the good ol' black bass.

   

       

MKFS Journals...Crappie Month

                 

                 I'd been slowly formulating a plan of attack for months. I had set goals for each monthly tournament of the Midwest Kayak Fishing Series.  The computer desk was a mess, highlighters and empty cans of  Coors Banquet sat on lake map printouts as I scouted and researched the internet. I would have one weekend open to travel. It wasn't hard to choose, one of the best crappie lakes in the midwest was only three hours away. I would fish local waters when I could and hit the big lake on the last weekend of the tournament. I had a goal of 3 fish that went 15" or better. Crappie month would end up being the most challenging for me.
            In the months before the tournament was underway, my fishing buddies and I talked often about  our strategies. Almost immediately the trickery, lies and trash-talking began. We had all planned to fish together but everyone became quiet and branched out on rogue missions when April rolled around. I had shared my plan of going out of state but I wouldn't reveal which lake. My time for fishing was very limited and as the tournament got going I was immediately feeling pressured.The corn coast crew was out fishing and I couldn't seem to make it out. Finally, I was able to go to a sand pit that I knew contained big crappie. I'd caught several in the 15" range while bass fishing and I hoped to locate some although I'd never targeted them there. It was a cold day and we'd had a cold spring. Water temps were in the upper 40's. I spent a couple hours making passes with the electronics. After awhile, I found a brush pile in 14 FOW with fish on it. I was drifting my favorite crappie bait, The Slabmaster. I had a few fish slash at the bait but no real takers. I downsized to a pumpkin tube, added some Hog Tonic and started catching fish. There were some nice fat slabs but nothing over 13". I spent a few hours working the area and went home with 3 decent fish logged for the tournament.

       I only made it out twice after that day locally. On one occasion I was skunked on crappie but landed a 23" freshwater drum. On the other, I caught one 9" crappie. I was feeling nervous as some really nice crappie were being entered. One friend of mine had entered a 16" fish and several people had 14" fish including one of my brethren in the corn coast crew. I had my fingers crossed my month end trip would pay off big....three outings, thirteen hours spent fishing so far and not much to show.

When the end of the month finally came about I was loaded to the gills with jigs, roadrunners and crank baits. My fishing buddy from work was joining me for the weekend. We had a light camping set-up, twelve rods, two coolers and an ambitious determination to go hard-core for some monster slabs. Mother Nature decided she wasn't going let that happen without a fight. After some campfire drinks and a fit of sleep under the stars, I woke up ready to hit the water. 

I began dissecting a cove that held some of the warmest water in the lake. The morning bite was slow with a smallmouth bass and a drum being the only catches. Mid-morning I passed over a school of fish and felt a light thump on the slabmaster. Moments later a fat slab appeared beside the kayak. I thought for sure she would go 16" but she measured an even 14". The fish helped spark my high hopes again and I buckled down and focused on what I was doing. My efforts were fruitless however and by the time we stopped for lunch, 60 mph wind gusts were rolling across the lake and our little bay was rocking.

With every wave, the hull would lift and crash down sending a constant spray into my face. Our anchors would not hold. The fish had disappeared and the bay had filled with big boats trying to get off the main lake. We threw in the towel for the afternoon and began driving around scouting the lake. At one of the boat ramps I saw a familiar boat docking and recognized a fishing friend from Nebraska. We exchanged pleasantries and he gave me the down low on a spot he'd been catching some nice fish in. We decided to hit that area in the morning and headed to the dam where we'd be out of the wind for the  evening bite. The calm water was a relief. The sun began to sink behind the horizon and the water lit up in pinks and oranges. A few casts in and the arc of my line twitched on the retrieve. Then there was simply weight and the rod slowly bending. A set of papery lips appeared revealing a throat full of crank bait. It was a sign of things to come. The rest of the evening provided a consistent bite. The slabs were inhaling a yo zuri rattle-n-vibe. I caught some nice walleye to boot and probably 15-20 crappies between 11 and 13 plus inches. I had upgraded my three crappie at the end of the first day but I was nowhere near my goal for the month. However, after hours without a bite it was a good way to finish the evening.

On day two of the trip we had some good luck and some bad luck. My friend's advice had been right on the money. The first fish of the morning bit in 30 FOW and was wearing the neat tuxedo spawning colors of male crappies.  I could see crappie chasing food just below the surface of the emerald water. The entire morning held good fishing and I was able to upgrade with two 14" fish. My final entry would be 3 fish all at 14" for the tournament. I was shy of my goal but was extremely satisfied after how challenging the month had been. We paddled for shore in the early afternoon to pack up and head home. When we arrived at the truck we realized we'd had some gear stolen. We filed a police report and did a little investigating on our own but did not recover our stuff. It was a sour end to a great day on the water.  With the exception of a few hours, the month was extremely tough. In the end my three fish would be enough for second place but I had to work for them. The best part was sending my buddies fish pictures after the trip. They didn't tell the whole story but maybe made them jealous of the success of my secret plan. A bit of a cheap reward in our rather competitive circle. With crappie month over, I thought perhaps the May Slam would be a bit easier but there would be more jammed gears and thrown wrenches.

Big Fish and Mentality...

   

    As a young angler, fishing was simple. It was a matter of getting my chores done so I would be granted a few hours at the local pond. It was a matter of scrounging up enough change to buy a can of sweet corn and a root beer. I didn't need to choose a specific lure or color pattern. All I needed was my Zebco and some hooks and sinkers. I caught many carp and the occasional channel catfish. The most important factor for catching fish was simply being able to go fishing. These days, things have grown a bit more complicated....
     Last week, I found myself somewhat stressed as I sat in the blue glow of the computer screen. My mind was filled with dozens of questions pertaining to my decision of going fishing on the weekend. The pure excitement I once felt while planning an outing had been replaced by anxiety. I was researching my past trips, reading water temperature reports, debating lure choice and trying to balance other responsibilities with my obsession. Even on the water, I felt pressed for time and pressured to 'make something happen'. I wasn't concentrating on fooling a big fish or enjoying my time outdoors. I felt like I had to cram catching fish into my schedule or I wouldn't feel satisfied. At one point, I stopped casting and let out a sigh. I realized I was doing my favorite thing in the world and I wasn't having any fun.
    I've had the same feeling before while fishing tournaments. That moment when you are not having the best of luck and you see someone on another boat hoist a big fish in and let out a celebratory howl. You start re-thinking your whole game plan. You start switching out lures or moving around to different spots. You lose confidence and without realizing it, the enjoyment of the sport diminishes. More often than not, the negative mind set leads to catching less fish. Instead of thinking that you did what you could, you think about what you didn't do, you question yourself. Looking back on these moments, I've realized despite the many decisions one is faced with when fishing...there is one factor more important than all others...confidence. If you don't believe in what you are doing, you won't give it your full effort.
   A few years back, I remember standing in the pre-dawn darkness chucking lures into 30 mph wind gusts. It was early spring and I felt a little crazy but it felt good. I wasn't worried about the fact that most fishermen were tucked in bed asleep, waiting for fairer weather. I wasn't worried about whether or not I caught a fish. I just wanted to fish and I was enjoying it. I had selected a lure that made the most sense to me and I was confident in my choice. If I didn't catch anything, I would at least get to say I was hardcore and have the bonus of learning from being out on the water. As luck would have it, the largest pike I've ever caught slammed my crank right at my feet. Moments later, I lifted the toothy giant from the net and held it up for the camera. I didn't catch many fish that night but it was one of my most memorable fishing trips. I could have sat at home debating whether or not to go until was too late. I could have read the weather report and tucked my tail. That night I didn't let negative thinking stop me from catching the fish of a lifetime. I didn't debate which lure to throw. I was decisive and I fished with confidence. Ironically, most of my best fish came in situations when one might not expect to catch a big fish. No amount of consideration for the various factors that lead to success would've helped me. It was very simple, I decided to go fishing because fishing is fun and I ended up being rewarded in a big way.
      One of the largest bass I've landed in recent history came on a windless, cloudless summer day with temperatures approaching 100 degrees. I started the morning casting a hollow body frog and doing well with it. In the late afternoon things had slowed down considerably. I was enjoying the lazy day on the pond and chatting with my fishing buddy while my frog sat a few feet from the boat floating idly. Suddenly, a giant bass came up out of 8 feet of water and crushed the frog. The fish put on a hell of a fight before I pulled it in. The behemoth weighed 7 or 8 pounds and bit in conditions most would consider unfavorable for the application. Once again, I would have never planned it to happen that way. I caught that fish simply because I was out fishing and enjoying myself, not because I had been tediously debating the perfect plan of attack. I'm not saying it's bad to think about how to fish. I'm saying that fishing should be fun. I'm saying that it can be simple and I'm saying that one who fishes with confidence and without regret will end up catching more big fish.
     Here is one last story to illustrate my point. Last summer, in the middle of the dog days, my brother and I decided to paddle up a local river and fish for catfish. We knew there were big fish in the river and we chose our gear and bait accordingly. We didn't know what our chances of hooking a big catfish were but we knew we would have fun nonetheless. We fished in areas where we knew big catfish liked to hang out but we didn't know if there were any around. We didn't read fishing reports or base our decisions on the weather, we just went fishing. On our very first trip up the river, my brother landed a giant blue catfish that weighed in excess of 80 pounds! It was fish of a lifetime for him. We didn't expect to catch that fish but more importantly we didn't expect not to catch that fish. Some people would doubt their chances of a huge fish like that and not only be unprepared but never even try. We spent several more days soaking baits in the river and catching nothing close to that size. However, a couple weeks later I hooked another giant! This fish weighed over 75 pounds! I must admit I had a bit of doubt we would catch another fish in the size range of the first one but more importantly I still tried!
           After all, one of the things that makes fishing the most fun is never knowing what will happen. It really is as simple as it was when I started. You just need to pick a your lure or bait to the best of your knowledge and go fish. You won't catch anything waiting for the perfect moment and often enough the big fish come at times when you least expect them to. Be confident and enjoy yourself, learn to take something away even if you blank on the fish. If fishing becomes stressful you are doing something wrong. Keep the obsession fun and you will catch more big fish. Tight lines!




     

Kayak Fishing with the Texas-Rig...

   

  When it comes to fishing for largemouth or smallmouth bass, I will tell you that 90% of the time I have a rod ready with a Texas-rigged plastic.  This rig is one of the most common and versatile presentations in bass fishing. For kayak anglers however, this rig can present some unique challenges. More often than not, plastics are going to be fished fairly slowly. This requires an angler to stay in position so they can properly work a piece of water and therein lies the challenge of fishing plastics from a kayak. I have written about the importance of position before but when it comes to plastics and even bass jigs for that matter, position is of the utmost importance. I want to briefly cover a few tricks I've learned for fishing these presentations from a kayak that definitely help put more slime on the measuring board.
      First of all, here in the midwest one is hard pressed to find a calm day.  You will almost certainly be dealing with some wind on most outings. This is where an anchor system comes in very handy. There are a variety of set-ups but I've found that quick and simple systems are my favorite. Personally, I use a retractable dog leash for my anchor. I simply click the release button and my anchor drops, I lock the cord and then I'm ready to fish. When I want to move, I pull the anchor up and the cord feeds back into the handle and out of my way. Another method is a trolley system that runs the length of your kayak. This system allows you to anchor from the front, back or side of your kayak. You can then cast with or into the wind. This is helpful because often bass will position themselves on habitat according to wind direction. When anchoring there are a couple things to keep in mind. One thing to think about is the best place to efficiently work a piece of habitat or to cover the most water. Think about how the wind is going to move your kayak while anchored. Another thing to consider while fishing the Texas-rig is the length of your casts. Let me give you an example. Last week, I went out for a couple hours in the evening. The wind was gusting to 20 mph and I anchored near a beaver dam and started tossing my PowerTeam Lures Texas-Rig Jig. This is a unique bait that resembles a bass jig with a craw trailer but it is a one piece plastic bait. One can Texas-rig this bait and have a jig-like presentation that is even more weedless than a jig but has the same bulkiness and action. I immediately started getting bites but I was only hooking a small percentage of the fish. The problem was that I was making long casts. The strong wind was making an arc in my line and I couldn't  make up the slack in time to get a good hook-set. I finally repositioned closer to the beaver dam. With less line out, I had less wind play on my line and started connecting. This is a very important thing to pay attention to with fishing plastics. The kayak allows for a stealth approach, don't be afraid to move in close. If you keep these details in mind while anchoring, you will have more bites and hook more fish.
      There are other ways of positioning for fishing plastics as well. I always have a bungee cord with a carabiner attached to my kayak. You can tie-off to about anything with this option and it is very efficient and less time consuming. If you are fishing wood, an anchor can lead to difficulties but a tie-off can work very well. I've tied up to trees, rocks, docks, fence poles, etc....When I can, I use a tie-off over an anchor because it is so much faster. One tip to stay in good position so you can detect the subtle thump of a fish picking up your plastic is to wrap your cord tightly around the object you've tied off on. In the wind, you will move around quite a bit if you have slack in your cord. I have a friend who likes  to use fish grips attached to a cord. He simply snaps the grip on an object and starts fishing. Once again, the less time you waste trying to position, the more time you'll spend actually fishing and catching fish.
      Another good option is a stake-out pole. If you are fishing shallow water, a stake-out pole can be very handy. You can simply stick it in the mud and have a secure object to tie off to. Remember, that if the bottom of the lake is soft, you'll want plenty of length to drive the pole down so it is secure. Another friend has rigged his pulley system so he can position his stake-out connection at the front or back of his kayak. Once again allowing for the perfect position to make his presentation and ever-important for fishing plastics.
      Lastly, don't be afraid to nose up on the bank and fish from there. Often a wind-blown bank is a prime place to find bass. They will often be facing the wind waiting for food to drift in and casting out from or parallel to the bank is key. I have spent much time sitting against rip-rap with a foot hanging over my kayak on a rock, holding me in place. Of course, if there are no rocks it is even easier to just let the wind hold you against the bank. It  surprises me how many anglers think because they are in a boat they don't need to get close to the bank. This is actually an advantage of the kayak, we can make the same presentations as a bank fisherman as well as the guys in the glitter sleds.
   Well, hopefully I've given you some ideas on the best way to fish your plastics whether it be a Texas-rig, Carolina-rig, drop-shot, weightless or even a bass jig. There are a couple other general tips for fishing plastics from a kayak aside from positioning. Regardless of how well you position there will be times when you've made the perfect cast and you find yourself drifting out of position, it happens. Try moving your rod tip towards the bait as you drift, keeping the bait in place but enough tension to feel a bite. You can even pull some line off if need be. This sometimes works well  if you decide to let your kayak drift in a light breeze. Another key point is always pay close attention to your line. If you see a twitch, if the line slacks up a bit, if you feel anything different at all, set the hook! When in doubt, set the hook! There have been too many times when I have wondered, "was that a fish?" ...only to see the flash of a big bass disappearing or a swirl in the water and it's usually too late at that point. Also, it is good to remember that using a heavier weight can help you detect bites better in the wind. I could and probably will eventually write another blog on choosing the weights and sizes/shapes of plastics for fishing the Texas-rig but that is a subject of its own.
   I want to thank my buddy Kevin for suggesting this topic. I think most kayak bass fishermen have quickly learned the challenges of fishing this old go-to rig from a kayak. I hope by sharing what I've learned from my own trials and errors, you'll be smelling of fish more often. Tight lines!

Adapting for Spring Bass

 

     The wind was howling and my kayak bounced around on the waves. It was early spring and the unpredictable weather of the midwest had served up a blizzard. I'd had cabin fever for weeks and even the colder than average temps couldn't keep me inside any longer. I casted into the chop and as my lure slowly sank near a brush pile, I felt the light thump of a bass inhaling it. I set the hook and the fish peeled drag for a bit on my light set-up. Moments later, my thumb was inside the bottom lip of a fat 5 pounder. Normally, this time of year I would be looking for shallow bays that have warmed up already. I'd be throwing a suspending jerkbait, crawling a jig or plastic or maybe slow rolling a big colorado blade spinnerbait. However, this spring was different and knowing when to adapt to the conditions is key for warm water species like the largemouth bass.
     When it comes to bass, the size of your lure is important. Especially, in conditions like I described above. That spring day in particular I was using a spinning rod with 6 pound test fluorocarbon, an eighth ounce jig head and a three inch grub. The common spring tactics were not working and the more finesse presentations were. In fact, I landed four fish over four pounds on that outing. Often during the ice-out conditions of spring you will see a die-off of forage species like shad or slow moving forage in general as the melting ice mixes with warmer water and cools down the water temperature. Bass and other predators take advantage of this and begin to feast. This is when slow moving lures that match the forage or the action of the forage work well. Even amphibians and crustaceans begin to emerge and move very slowly. Jigs can be dynamite in areas where these food items are found. So the question is...when do you need to adapt with a smaller presentation? Well, this largely depends on water temperatures. This is because a bass's metabolism slows way down in cold water. It is easier for a bass to digest a smaller morsel than a large one and it costs less calories as well.  What this means for the angler encountering temps below 50 degrees in spring is downsizing. Even if you downsize however there are things to keep in mind. For example, bass will be less active in cold water. There will be some fish that are more active than the rest but this activity is usually only for short periods. So this applies to the location you choose. If you are looking for the active fish you would probably want to target an area where they can readily find food, if they are feeding, they will be near a food source obviously. You can catch the more inactive fish though. These fish will generally be hanging around normal bass habitat in well oxygenated water with maybe a little current. Now these fish may not be interested in expending a bunch of energy so a presentation that allows for them to easily slurp up a bait is needed.
Many anglers will say things like "the bass are finally chasing lures". This is a sign that the water temperatures have reached a point where the majority of bass have grown active. If the bass are chasing it's time to bust out your normal sized baits. Let the fish tell you what to do, pay close attention to water temperatures and be open to adapting your presentation and you will find much more success in spring.
      Let's talk about big bass now. In spring, some of the first fish to become active are the big fish. Females must feed to support the eggs in their bellies and get ready for the rigors of the upcoming spawn. This is why spring is one of the best times to catch the heavyweights. Personally, I believe 100% in the big baits for big fish theory. Generally speaking, the big bass will take bigger baits in cold water just like any other time of year. This is relative to the fish's size. If you are throwing a big bait in cold water you are more likely to get fewer bites, however, those bites you get are often quality fish. With that in mind, never overlook the finesse presentation. Big bass will also eat tiny lures and like I wrote above, there are times when downsizing is the ticket. Often, due to the forage available in colder than average spring temps....my presentation is going to mimic a small fish that is moving slow or wounded.  A light jig head and a fat grub is one my favorites. This lure sinks very slowly and can be fished at a pace where you can work it slow anywhere in the water column. There are other good options as well. Crappie tubes, small lipless cranks fished vertically, small spinnerbaits or in-line spinners, count-down minnows, weightless flukes...all of these work well. Make a choice based on local forage, water clarity, weather and what you need to get in front of a bass's mouth. You can choose a lure that is too large but you can never go too small. It is always easy to want to start slinging bass lures as soon as the ice is gone but being aware of the best presentation and adapting will help you be more successful in the ever inconsistent weather of the midwest. Good luck and I hope we are all on the water soon!

The Perfect Position

   

          There are certain advantages to fishing in a kayak. There are also sacrifices made. Learning to fully use the benefits you have in the kayak is key for consistently catching big fish. One of the most obvious advantages is the stealth factor. It is easy to slip up quietly to an area without spooking fish. Still, everybody makes mistakes that cost fish while trying to be stealthy or position their kayak. Personally, I tend to be less aware than I should be of noise inside the kayak. I'm always messing with rods and paddles and sending out bad vibrations. It is also important to be aware of movement and silhouette. I like to wear colors that will blend with the sky. While fishing clear water on sunny days, I like to look for wind action to help break up my silhouette. On calm days try to make long casts and be aware of shadows. Sight-fisherman basically hunt their fish making slow movements and keeping a low profile.  Keeping small details in mind will help you better utilize the stealth factor in a kayak.
         Another  advantage of a kayak is being able to access almost any area of a water body. However, recognizing areas that will hold big fish (based on habitat/seasonal patterns/weather) and positioning on them correctly will make a big difference with having such accessibility. Like most anglers, I like to break down a lake or river and identify areas that are most likely to hold the species I'm after. I then decide what area will be most efficient for time based on how much fishing verse paddling I will be doing. One thing is sure, you won't catch fish without a lure in the water. The larger an area the more time I can spend and often areas with the largest amounts of habitat or food will hold the largest fish.Breaking down a lake will you give the confidence to work an area instead of having doubts and spending a bunch of time paddling. There are times when moving around is beneficial. However, when possible I take advantage of the ability to fish slow in a kayak. I go bass fishing quite often and fishing slow is a great way to catch the big fish. Even working a shoreline in a  bass boat there is a tendency to move much too quickly. The truth is every stump, rock, brush pile etc....could be holding a fish or multiple fish. Big bass especially like isolated pieces of cover. Take advantage of the shoreline, use tie offs, anchors and stake-out poles to stay in place and fan cast a likely looking spot. Figure out what gear you need to efficiently and effectively position your kayak. Fishing fast doesn't always equate to finding more lunkers. Catching the big ones you do encounter should be the focus.
       In open water, rivers, etc...positioning is just as important. If you troll, then you understand the need for attention to detail when positioning. Wind and current direction, the speed of your kayak and your position to the fish are key. If you are fishing over a school of baitfish or deep habitat  make sure your casting angle is properly allowing your lure to move through the strike zone. All the while, keeping your kayak at a distance that allows for stealth. In some situations, I will work a spot in a circular motion, making different casts that might elicit a strike. On a river, these things are even more important. If I'm going to anchor and fish a stationary bait, I always give the spot a wide berth as I move into position.  If I'm casting, I generally take the best position for casting range and the current's effect on lure action. Most of it is common sense, yet being aware and thinking on the water always is important. Combine careful positioning with stealth and the ability to thoroughly work a chosen spot and you've fully taken advantage of some of the most obvious benefits of fishing from a kayak.

     As I wrote in my last post, I like to fish for the big fish...I chase a variety of species but I'm always after the "big ones". I've only briefly brushed on a few of the factors that contribute to catching big fish from a  kayak but they hold true for most species and on almost every body of water. It is important to recognize how to rig your kayak for your personal fishing adventures. With the proper gear to help you position for stealth and maximum fishing opportunity you will catch more fish and enjoy your time in a kayak even more. It is easy to focus on things like what lure to use...but focusing just as much on the details of your whole approach in a kayak will make a huge difference. The best lure will only catch a fish if the fish is there and the lure correctly presented to it. On the water, I'm always learning new things about how to position myself for big fish. It is one of the most valuable tools for successful kayak fishing.
       In  these waning last few weeks of winter I've been preparing my gear for when the ice finally melts. Here in Nebraska, the winters can really start to drag. Part of my preparation has been mental as well. I read fishing books and magazines, do product research, drink a little beer and think about ways to improve my fishing. One of the best ways to improve is by learning to use your tools wisely. Own your kayak,  make it a body part. Take full advantage  of stealth and position. In the near future, I'll be writing about specific species and techniques. There are many more presentations allowed by wisely planned positioning. Paying attention to the details of your approach and position is very important for anyone trying to catch a big fish, anytime they are on the water.
 

A Subtle Wake

     The number one driving force behind my passion for fishing has been the pursuit of the unknown. The mystery of what might be lurking in the depths. The gamble that always pays off in one way or another. For me, the mystery is the beauty itself. Perhaps the vast intricacies of nature are what provides its allure and also a mirror to our own intricacies. Something wild and untamed, something free. For an angler like myself, it is the big fish, the rare fish that embody the mysteriousness. In my pursuit of the rare, my most valued asset is efficiency. Of all things to be efficient with, I most value time. Time increases your chances at catching a big fish. Time at the very least, extends an experience from which to learn from. If you ask an experienced angler what the best learning tool they have is, the answer is usually unanimous....time on the water. In today's fast paced society, finding time for sports that require various gear, travel and windows of opportunity can be challenging. For the longest time, I was a bank angler. In my quest for efficiency, I would carry a backpack with my gear and one or two rods that were versatile enough for several presentations. With this setup, I was able to pound the banks and cover as much water as possible. Sometimes, I would circle an entire pond or lake trying to develop a pattern and locate the fish. In some situations, fishing from shore was more effective than being in a boat. Much like a trout angler quietly wades a stream, keeping a low profile, shore fishing presented the opportunity for a subtle approach. However, like many shore anglers, I was looking forward to the next step...owning a boat.
      My first "boat" was a belly boat. A glorified inner tube  propelled by wearing fins on one's feet. It was fun being able to fish areas I previously could not reach, however, the pace was slow and I was limited to smaller water bodies. Eventually my tube had a leak and I started becoming convinced that this method of fishing was not efficient enough for me. Soon enough, I had graduated to a two man "bass buggy" style boat. Once again, I was limited to smaller water bodies. Propelled by only a trolling motor, I wasn't able to cover much water either. In the back of my mind, time was always pressing and I often didn't have time to try the things I wanted in a given outing. However, with each new vessel I tried, I kept learning more and more about efficiently pursuing big fish. Finally, the happy day came when I purchased my first bass boat. It was a simple aluminum Bass Tracker with a 50hp Evinrude outboard and a foot controlled trolling motor. I thought I had finally become satisfyingly efficient on the water and especially because my local waters were not large. Yet, the problems that come with owning a boat soon became evident. Trailer wiring, dead batteries, shorted fuses, gas consumption and a multitude of other headaches seemed to constantly plague my outings. There were times when having a motor powered boat made fishing better than any other means but I began to feel like the negatives were outweighing the positives. The first time I took my wife out, we hit a small, local bass lake at the perfect evening hour. Within ten minutes my trolling  motor propeller had become hopelessly entangled in some heavy braided line someone had broke off on a log. We went home early, which to a hopeless fishing addict like me was just the pits. Then one day, while out in my boat on a lake a few hours west of where I lived, I saw something very intriguing. There was a guy fishing in a kayak. This guy was slicing through the water with ease. He looked very content and relaxed. He had a milk crate strapped to the back of his kayak with pvc tubes mounted on it as rod holders. In his milk crate he had all his tackle stowed securely. I watched as he eased onto a weed bed and started pitching his bait into holes and catching some nice bass. It looked so effortless! I began thinking about the concept....how easy to load and unload it would be, never having to worry about engine trouble or anything related. It seemed so efficient for my style of fishing and the locations I fished. I don't know who that guy was but he left an impression on me.
           Over the next couple years, I didn't think much of buying a kayak. I figured although it was an interesting idea, it would not be suitable for me. I figured that fishing on a windy day or trying to keep upright would be difficult for a 6' 200 pound dude like myself. Then one wintry day, I was scouring our local bass club's fishing forum when someone posted a link to a new fishing kayak that had come out. The video featured a guy standing in the kayak and jumping around and it advertised amazing stability and features like built in rod holders and anchor recesses. It blew my mind! People that know me, know that when I start fishing, I usually don't stop casting until it's time to leave and even then it's difficult to pry me away. That said, fishing appeals to me in a whole variety of ways...one of them being the peace and tranquility I get from being on the water and in nature. One thing that will slow me down on the lake is the sighting of wildlife. I will stop to photograph everything from an eagle to a bullfrog sitting in the lily pads. While watching this kayak promo video and seeing a guy float down a stream in peace and quiet, the subtleness of the kayak had great appeal to me. I started thinking about all the backwaters I could reach. I thought about the fact that while I would have all the advantages of a shore angler, I would also be able to reach the same areas I could in a bass boat. I started thinking about efficiency and time on the water and before I knew it, my bass boat was for sale and I had ordered a top of the line fishing kayak.
       For once, I had a boat that lived up to all my expectations. I could launch from almost anywhere. I could paddle into waves that crashed over the top of my kayak. I could fish the shallowest of water and the deepest as well. I had found the versatility I was looking for. Also, there was something very gratifying about the oneness with nature that I felt in the kayak. It was quiet and peaceful and I left a very small footprint. I encountered wildlife  more frequently and battling a big fish was much more exciting as they towed and spun my kayak. There are of course situations where a having a big boat with an outboard will catch you more fish and be more efficient...but for my style and in most of my situations the kayak has been an amazing tool. There are pedal propelled kayaks on the market that can take on huge lakes and the ocean for that matter. Guys go out and catch sharks and sailfish in their kayaks. My brother and I caught two giant blue catfish in excess of 75 pounds each last summer from our kayaks. The amazing part is I doubt we could have accessed  and caught those fish by any other means. Among all the great benefits of kayak fishing is the fact you also get excersize while paddling around. For me, it is a sport that benefits the mind, body and soul. In my lifelong pursuit of those mysterious lunker fish, I have found my favorite way to stay afloat. I'm capturing something larger than any fish and leaving only a subtle wake.