About the Author: Isaac Miller considers himself an "equal opportunity angler" and will fish anything that will take a hook. Isaac often makes live internet video broadcasts when fishing from his kayaks, giving up-to-the-second reports on conditions and tackle choices. He also blogs at www.isaac-online.com and is a YakAngler.com Pro Staffer as well as Co-Host for Kayak Fishing Radio's Wild West show, PR Director for Recycled Fish, and co-owner of Green Tackle.
Many kayak anglers won't even consider an inflatable kayak for fishing. Those folks are missing out on river fishing in those holes behind the Class III and higher rapids. They're also hauling around their hard-to-store-without-a-garage hard plastic kayaks in trucks that get gas mileage in the low teens. They're missing out on a kayak that can fit in a backpack and fit in the trunk of even some of the smallest cars - or even on the bus. It's called the NRS “Pike”.
There's no doubt that the Kayak Fishing scene is growing. Now Lowrance is engraining deeper into the sport with their newest offerings - the Elite-4 series of fish finders. Lowrance is marketting these new sonar and chartplotter units as "Perfect for Kayaks." Its time to take a closer look at these new units.
Further down the Oregon Coast, just on the south edge of Coos Bay, you will find Sunset Bay State Park. Protected by rocks just off shore, this beach launch is usually very calm and easily navigated. Those weary of surf launches usually feel right at ease at Sunset Bay. This little-known location is a great launch with plenty of fishing to be found in the area.
When you're on the water, other boats can present hazards for kayak fisherman. They can also be a lifeline. Cell phones are great when you find yourself in a hairy situation, but they don't always work. That's where the VHF radio comes in. It allows for on-the-water communication with other boats on the water, the Coast Guard, and you can also get weather information in case you don't notice the storm moving in on your location.
Sometimes neoprene just doesn't cut it. You need a real shoe. You might be scrambling around oyster beds, portaging your gear around an obstical, or just prefer to keep the feet protected. The problem with shoes is that water pools up inside, mud and sand pile up and make things uncomfortable. Baffin shoes, however, are different.
Oregon, this weekend, joins its neighboring states of Washington and Idaho with mandatory boat inspection stations. Kayaks are not exempt from these inspections which seak out possible invasive species that include quagga mussels, eurasian milfoil, and more. Failure to stop will get you pulled over, and ticketed by the state patrol. Let's take a look at common trouble areas on kayaks and how to deal with them.
A product so new, Watersnake had no details other than the photos I was able to get. The new universal motor mount will make powering your kayak as easy as any other kit, and it's very easily removed for times when you don't need.
Keeping a log of your fishing adventures is the best way to keep track of your successes and failures. With time, a glance to the moon phase, tides, and weather can tell you exactly where you need to fish - provided you kept track in the past. Rite in the Rain makes this even easier with waterproof log books. Whether you bass fish, stalk reds on in the flats, or throw flies along the banks, Rite in the Rain has a professionally designed fishing log, and paddle logs, just for you.