The most successful bass tournament anglers are those who know how to use all of their available tools to put fish in the boat or kayak. This is especially true for lure selection. Teaching yourself to master different techniques expands your reach on the water and builds confidence. Kayak fishing presents it's own unique challenges in even traditional bass presentations. In the coming weeks, I'm going to cover different popular bass techniques and how to adapt them to fishing in a kayak. I'm also going to reveal a few kayak specific tactics and secrets. The first type of bait I want to cover is crankbaits. I hear discussion on the challenge of crankin' in a kayak perhaps more than any other method.
I remember my first time throwing a crankbait in the yak. I whipped it out a country mile and began cranking it back. Between my glass rod and the slow reel I felt like I couldn't get the bait down. In fact, it seemed the fat series squarebill was reeling me in. I quickly learned I could gain more leverage retrieving the bait to the side of my kayak instead of the front. I also found I could use the wind to help put tension between the bait and my kayak. Still, I began to realize cranking was less effective in the kayak. The first time I tried to throw a 6xd it was immediately apparent it was time to re-think everything. You can't always control your direction during a retrieve from a kayak. There's not as much resistance on the bait. For everything from large squarebills on up to deep divers...more often than not-the struggle was real.
The first thing I changed was my rod and reel set-up. I switched to a heavier, longer rod with a medium fast action. This helped keep fish pinned and gave me more leverage on the bait. I also started using deeper diving crankbaits on floroucarbon line to ensure I could reach the bottom. For instance in areas I would normally throw a 4-6 ft. diver I use a a 6-8 ft. diver instead. These changes really helped me to crank more effectively in a normal casting scenario. However, I found myself using some of the following ideas when the going got tough.
STAKE OUT
A stake out pole, a tree limb or even a buoy make great tie offs for your kayak. Sometimes getting the right casting angle and pressure on the retrieve requires a stationary position. This can even mean sitting on a weed mat or nosing up on a sand bar. The more stationary you are the better. A paddle leash attached to fish grips makes a great quick attach device so you can efficiently hook up to something and move on. An anchor on a trolley also works in certain situations. Let's not forget the advantage a Power Pole or reverse drive kayak would also give you while cranking. It's better to take the time for an effective presentation then to throw a bait that is not performing correctly or reaching the correct depth.
LIPLESS
Lipless cranks are a versatile tool that offer less resistance on the retrieve. I personally have learned to be more creative in my use of lipless cranks while kayak fishing. I've had success in all seasons with a vertical yo-yo offering of the lipless on traditional deep crank spots. I also remove the front hook and fish it like a squarebill. You can also burn it over grass in spots you would typically throw a waking bait. Most techniques are born out of necessity, don't be afraid to experiment with and utilize this bait in unconventional ways.
LONG-LINING
An underutilized technique for crankin' in the kayak is long-lining. While most kayak tournaments outlaw trolling, long-lining is another option for covering ground with your bait at the right depth. It is very simple, just drop your bait in the water where you want to begin your retrieve, then with the reel on free-spool, pedal or paddle across your bite zone for a longer distance than you can cast. Then engage your spool and make your retrieve. This method works particularly well for deep cranks.
When all is said and done, it is possible to just go chuck a crank and catch fish. However, if you want to maximize your game, especially in tournaments-
it pays to account for both the subtle and not so subtle differences the kayak platform presents. Learning to use all the tools available to you correctly is a great start to more success on the water. Hopefully, these tips will help you sharpen your skills as a kayak angler!
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