Here is a shot of my desk yesterday. I forget sometimes how much trouble it is for other kayak anglers to relax and fish. Here in my W500 I’ve got all my gear right on hand, easy to reach and a great work surface right in front of me. I do keep it simple since over gearing leads to lost fish finding way to exploit all the extra stuff we hang on our kayaks.
Some people love all the extra stuff. I really need to find out who the so called kayak expert is calling for anglers to have rods at least 7′ long in order to fight fish effectively. I’ve seen nothing but tangled rods and broken tips from those how surround themselves with a forest of over priced rods. Those little Emmrods on my desk on much easier to deal with, far stronger, and the casting distance particularly with baitcasting reels is wonderful.
Jeff
Kayak fishing is unique and wonderful in that one can be a dimwit and an ignoramus, and yet proclaim themselves as an expert.
The beauty of it is that some of these self-appointed experts get to be famous if a big kayak brand points the limelight at them.
The perfect example that comes to my mind is a pseudo kayak fishing expert from San Diego, California, who made a huge effort to convince kayak anglers it was safe to wear waders while fishing in deep water.
Believe it or not, a big sot kayak brand signed this guy for a TV show on kayak fishing…
What a joke!
Waders are for wading not for wearing in a kayak to keep from getting wet or to keep warm. Wet suits, proper rain suits, Seal Skinz, or similar clothing is safer. Your don’t see anglers fishing party boats in waders. They wear heavy duty rain gear and if they go over the side water will not fill them up like a plastic bucket dropped overboard. In the kayak fishing world waders are fine in the shallows where walking around is done and the water is inches deep. But in anything where the water is measured in feet there is a huge risk. Of course in response to the expert comment for the kayak angler referred to. In the work world an expert is someone from out of town carrying a brief case. I guess in this situation the expert is an angler from out of town toting a tacklebox.
Jeff, in the kayak fishing world, anyone with a wet butt and a diaper rash can claim to be an expert, and they won’t even be required to prove that their credentials are real
Yoav
Good point sir. I guess that means if we attend a kayak fishing class we should all ask the instructor show their receipt for Anti Monkey Butt ( really good stuff by the way ).
Hey Jeff, those Emmrods spark my interest.
If I was to purchase a spinning rod, will it be able to toss a small jig on 8lb test
and battle one of my Air Show Small Mouth Bass?
Tight lines and Paddle Safe all.
Rox
Hey Rox,
I use the Emmrods for smallmouth each summer up in Canada so they are proven for that fish. I carry the spinning version in two handle styles the Rugged Flex Jr, and the Packrod, difference being the handle long or short. The best rod section we have is the 7 coil universal standard with the large tip guide. That is the one I tell everyone to get for their initial Emmrod purchase. The rods work best with spinning reels in the 500 to 4000 series in size with Shimano as the size model in those ranges. Personally I use Qualia NLF 30s a true tank of a reel the best for kayak use salt or fresh I’ve found. Or my other long time standard a Daiwa 1300SS Tournament. In both cases I use lines from 8lb mono or fluorocarbon to 10 lb Fireline on a regular basis. Leaders are used either 15 or 20lb test fluorocarbon most of the time. I’m able to throw jigs down to 1/16 ounce with a plastic tail. If you have not tried the Redfish Magic style baits up your way they are wonderful for northern species of fish. Pike, muskie, smallmouth, and walleye find them a tasty meal and the lure hold up to repeated hits thanks to the super durable plastic tail. Your season should be coming along soon up there.
those little rods are indeed interesting. anyone wearing full waders out off the coast or in the bay is very foolish. as to the seven foot rods……yep you need ‘em. the fish you are catching are not the same as in san diego. consider a 50# yellowtail making a hard charge for the kelp beds and you will see the need for a rod and reel to match the quarry..
big fish,
I believe Emmrod has all kinds of models, and possibly some that work with big game such as you describe. You can contact Jeff through his blog: http://jeffstackleboxblog.blogspot.com/