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How To Land Pike Or Muskie When Fishing From A Kayak
To safely land pike or muskie from a kayak, keep your eye on the lure and control the fish
Photo by Mike Sudal
THE STAKES ARE higher when you're fishing from a kayak. “It truly is as close to you against the fish as you can get,” says Jim Sammons, who runs La Jolla Kayak Fishing Adventures (kayak4fish.com). A barracuda expert, Sammons has also landed scores of pike and muskies in a 'yak. Here's his method for handling heavyweights:
[1] Preparation The key is letting the fish get tired enough to handle—but not so worn out as to prevent a healthy release. Straddling the kayak will give you leverage and better balance. Make sure that all landing tools are within reach but out of the way. Because you're so low to the water, a net is rarely necessary. With the fish beside the boat, turn on the reel's clicker. Keep at least a rod's length of line out; too much line tension loads up the rod and could result in getting yourself impaled by a hook.
[2] Execution It's usually when you go to lift a pike or muskie that they thrash about. Keep your eye on the lure at all times. Holding the rod in one hand, grab the back of the fish's head, just behind the gill plates. Sammons will pin especially big fish against the kayak. Once the fish is stabilized, pop the reel out of gear and set the rod in a rod holder. Use a Boga Grip ($120; bassproshops.com) or other fish gripper to lip the fish. Slide your hand below the belly to support the fish as you lift it out of the water.
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Comments (7)
Thanks! I didn't want to get wet learning this on my own.
great tips!
Here's a great video about how to land pike and muskie from a kayak.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpsgfdtNMWk
I've been thinking about taking up kayak fishing. It looks like a lot of fun.
Wow that is impressive. I will most likely be getting me something to get to the deeper water in my local lake.
Kayaking is great, even if you don't catch anything. No maintenance to speak of. Cheap as you want to go. I started kayaking with a $39 inflatable Coleman kayak from Walmart. Have several more expensive ones now. An inflatable can be kept in the trunk all the time. Consider sit on tops, and sit ins. Many are now designed for fisherman. Hoby makes pedal kayaks that allow your hands to be free.
“It truly is as close to you against the fish as you can get,” Not quite, I do a lot of wade fishing for muskies, you haven't got up close and personal until you have one dangling from your t-shirt cause he jumped into you!
Post a Comment
great tips!
Thanks! I didn't want to get wet learning this on my own.
Here's a great video about how to land pike and muskie from a kayak.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpsgfdtNMWk
I've been thinking about taking up kayak fishing. It looks like a lot of fun.
Wow that is impressive. I will most likely be getting me something to get to the deeper water in my local lake.
Kayaking is great, even if you don't catch anything. No maintenance to speak of. Cheap as you want to go. I started kayaking with a $39 inflatable Coleman kayak from Walmart. Have several more expensive ones now. An inflatable can be kept in the trunk all the time. Consider sit on tops, and sit ins. Many are now designed for fisherman. Hoby makes pedal kayaks that allow your hands to be free.
“It truly is as close to you against the fish as you can get,” Not quite, I do a lot of wade fishing for muskies, you haven't got up close and personal until you have one dangling from your t-shirt cause he jumped into you!
Post a Comment