“Fun beyond belief for a kayak fishing fanatic like me…”

Jeff writes from Florida:

-”Yesterday was fishing at it’s best.  The action was nonstop and I actually could feel it in my shoulders and arms last night.  The fish tally was over 100 redfish most of them were under the slot, but a few managed the minimum 17 inches.  All were released to fish another day.  Mixed among the reds were 17 trout with most of those in the 15 to 17 inches range.  Last of all were the little bluefish that just showed up for a few minutes.  The area I fished was no more than a quarter acre and most of the fish came out of section of oyster beds that were maybe 30 feet by 15 feet.  The tide was outgoing so water was pouring through the area, the reds were just waiting for anything edible to wash by.  I would throw in a lure and just count to three then pull resulting in a hooked fish.  Fun beyond belief for a fishing fanatic like me.

The W provided the perfect platform for this amount of action.  I never even used the net since it just got in the way landing fish after fish of this smaller size.  Just get them close lift the rod and reach down for a quick grab to unhook.  Since I was using single hook lures I didn’t have to worry about hooking myself.  Being able the have a work space on the seat allowed me to fish far more effectively than dumping stuff in my lap like a sit on top boat.  As it was my pants were soaked in fish blood and slime plus one whole side of the W as covered in the same.

Using the Stick Pin Anchor in conjunction with the W really made the difference in being able to hold myself in place.  The regular small anchor I carry most of the time would not have held the W in that current or the wind.  But with the pin in place in the bottom I was not going anywhere.  Comfort wise I was in that boat in place catching for over 5 hours, that would have been really tough in a sit on top.  With the W of course I could move around as needed and never worry about losing anything over the side or getting wet.
The gear this trip was as follows.  The reels as always the Diawa 1300SS Whisker series.  The rods were ones I refer to as the twins, two little 5′ Chaos NBU New Born series sold as kids rods but wonderful for tight places.  The lures were 1/16, 1/8. and 1/4 oz saltwater models with either a 3 inch Gulp Shrimp New Penny color or a 3 inch DOA Cal paddle tail in Mullet color.  The line was my signature pink Fireline with either a 15 or 20lb FC leader tied on with a 4 turn surgeons knot and then to the lure with a canoeman’s loop knot the two knots we have an article for on the site.

I was so glad to get out and fish.  Between paddling the W and fishing it provided me with a great therapy day, I needed that right now.–Jeff”