In Todayās Newsletter
Big fish, smart tactics and a little inspirationāthis weekās lineup has it all. From a massive ālake of giantsā smallmouth caught in the Pacific Northwest to deep-sea battles with barracuda and yellowtail, weāre serving up the kind of kayak fishing stories that keep you dreaming about your next trip.
Along the way, learn why time on the water is actually good for your brain, sharpen your skills with a breakdown of one of the most versatile lures in fishing, and donāt forget to enter for a chance to win a complete kayak fishing setup.
ā Kayak Angler Newsletter Editors
P.S. Kayak Angler is looking for your best catch photos. Reply to this email or send your photo and a short fish story to [email protected]. Weāll print the best shots in the CPR reader photos in the next issue of Kayak Angler and one lucky angler wins a Mustang Survival inflatable life jacket.
Kayak Angler Scores Massive Smallmouth On "Lake Of Giants"
Josh Howard of NW Trail Series was out fishing with his friend on a lake in the Pacific Northwest when he hooked into a massive cold water smallmouth. The lake, which the friends referred to as a ālake of giantsā, was home to the largest fish of the KFNW season-long tournament the previous year.
Why Kayak Fishing Is Good For Your Brain
Two summers ago, I decided to learn how to cast my fly rod with my left hand. Iām right-handed ,so relearning was a fascinating exercise. There is a lot going on in a fly cast, with subtle applications of power and sharp stops. After 20 years of burned-in patterns, starting over was laughable. I could actually feel parts of my brain working. Neuroplasticity in action.
Types Of Fishing Lures
Learn When And How To Fish A Jig
A jig is a type of fishing lure where the hook is molded to a weighted head. This weightāusually lead or tungstenāhelps the jig sink to the bottom, where anglers ājigā it up and down to lure fish into strikes.
Jigs are versatile lures, but they generally work best for more vertical presentations or bottom-oriented fish.
Walleye anglers often fish a live minnow on a jig hook. However, you can also fish a jig with a soft plastic body or buy jigs already dressed with bucktail, feathers, or a rubber skirt. At least half of the fish Iāve caught from a kayak have come courtesy of the humble jig.
As their name suggests, most jigs are made to be jigged up and down. Once the jig hits bottom, raise your rod tip to lift the jig off the bottom. Then lower your top tip as you reel in the slack line to drop the jig back on the bottom.
Some jigs can also be swum through the water (see swimbaits). Bigger bass jigs are made to be flipped or pitched into pockets of water surrounded by weeds.
Target species for jigs: walleye, bass, panfish
Types Of Jigs
ā¢ Round/Ball jig heads are the most popular jig, especially with walleye and panfish anglers.
ā¢ Stand up jigs keep your live bait or plastic lure upright on the bottom to catch bottom-oriented species.
ā¢ Floating jigs are fished behind sinkers to suspend live bait just off the bottom.
ā¢ Swimming jigs are designed to fish open water or weedlines with a steady retrieve.
ā¢ Marabou jigs are lightweight, feathered jigs that catch crappie, trout, and panfish.
ā¢ Bucktail jigs can be casted or jigged to catch many freshwater and saltwater fish.
ā¢ Flipping/Pitching jigs can catch bass in heavy cover.
Enter To Win A Pelican CATCH MODE 110, Exocrate fishing Bag And Poseidon Angler Paddle Valued At $1,020
Ready to level up your kayak fishing setup? Weāre teaming up with Pelican to give one lucky winner a complete on-the-water upgrade worth $1,020 USD ā a best-in-class fishing kayak and top-tier accessories built for serious anglers.
Video: Kayak Fishing For Deep Sea Monsters With Robert Field
Targeting barracuda and yellowtail kingfish, Robert Field hooks into some beasts. Watch as he wrestles these monster fish that have him almost losing his rod at one point, and breaking it at another. Not to mention a barracuda that fights against two anglers after biting both of their lures.
We Want Your Best Catch Photos
Kayak Angler is looking for your best catch photos. Reply to this email or send your photo and a short fish story to [email protected]. Weāll print the best shots in the CPR reader photos in the next issue of Kayak Angler. One lucky angler wins a Mustang Survival inflatable life jacket.
Get Kayak Angler in Print
Thereās nothing like flipping through a print issue with a coffee in hand and your next fishing trip on your mind. Upgrade to a print subscription to read in-depth gear and kayak reviews, learn new tips and tactics and be inspired to try new kayak fishing adventures. Upgrade now and get print issues delivered straight to your door for just $17 per year.
