lighten up

[Bluegill]

Ok guys doing a lot more salt water fishing this year and I have never fished the bay or tributaries in the fall. I find myself taking way more tackle so I need some input from some of you veterans what lures terminal etc. any help would be appreciated.

[Romo]

Nothing makes me happier than simplifying my kayaking setup. All you have to do is make a gameplan. This is admittedly much easier if you are familiar with the water you'll be fishing and your comfort/experience level with the tactics you're going to choose. I usually go out targeting one species so if I was targeting stripers and launching at 5 am I would tell myself I'm going to throw a smack-it popper at spot X until 6 am, troll an xrap to spot Y, then begin jigging BKDs at piling Z. I would bring 2 poppers, 2 xraps, and jigs from 1/4-1 oz and maybe 2 different color BKDs. Don't rely solely on others opinions for what lures/tactics to use. You will ultimately have to decide which tackle you choose to bring so think about which lures/rigs/presentations you are most comfortable/successful with on other waters and go from there.

[RavensDfense]

It really depends on for what and how you are fishing. As a general starting point I carry three small plano boxes. One with an assortment of my favorite B.A.'s, BKD's, etc. A second with an assortment of jig heads ranging from 1/8oz - about 1oz., and a third with a few hard baits such as mirrolures, topwater. Ill also throw in some terminal tackle such as a couple barrel swivels, small pack of bait hooks, and one or two sinkers (in case I want to catch bait). Throw in a couple packs/tubs of Gulp! and you'll have the basics.

[MetroMan]

Yes...I learned after a few trips that I was carrying a bunch of stuff that was never used.

A handful of soft plastics, a few hard baits, a few spinners, gulp & jig heads. Also leader material/mono & hooks. If I know I'm just bottom fishing with bait or live-lining, I carry next to nothing.

I understand wanting to be prepared for any possible scenario, but it is easy to over pack.

[JohnE]

Oh man, it is really tough sometimes to lighten the load. I have a ridiculous amount of tackle laying around the house for all the different species I target and tend to carry slightly more than I need when I go out. It really depends on where I am fishing and what I am targeting. I typically take: one or two medium or large waterproof plano stowaway with some hard plastics, jig heads, sinkers, swivels, snaps...etc; a small waterproof stowaway with gulp and another with soft plastics. This all goes in a tackle bag with my camera, leader material and other various items. If I am targeting species that require pretied rigs like spades, togs, flounder, I wrap them up around and pool noodle and keep them separated with pieces of onewrap velcro. I do not carry more than what can fit in that bag and be able to have it sit comfortably and easily accessible between my legs. I also usually carry a soft cooler with drinks and bait that goes behind seat, usually behind my live bait bucket with small aerator. I keep some food and some water just in case inside the center hatch and that is about all I like to keep inside the hull. The anchor I usually carry is just a very small wreck anchor and pretty light weight. Sometimes my sand flea rake ends up in the hull also. On my pfd, I carry my cell phone (also in a waterproof stowaway), pliers, sometimes vhf radio and small air horn and/or whistle.

Seems like a lot, but that is about as much as I can minimize when I typically go out for 6-8 hours at a time.

[Longtrav]

When I first started I saw all the decked out kayaks. I learned quickly for me less is more. I try to simplify. I bring what I need based on the fish I'm going after that day. Currently, I use two rods. I'm debating in bringing a third rod ( rigged for casting into breaking fish) however , I don't need anything else to wrap trolling lines on the back of the boat.

[JohnE]

I pretty much always take 3 rods and have no problems. So, basically a soft cooler, small tackle bag, and 3 rods.

[Frogsauce]

If I am on the Tarpon, I take 2 rods and the kind of lures I need for the fishing I am doing. But if I am on the ocean kayak with the mod pod, I stick a third down in the storage area to use. It really depends on the kayak I am using. That Modpod really helps with gear organization.

[buzz]

I know I bring too much stuff. But I use it all.

3-4 rods, 2 Plano 3600 boxes (which fit in the seat back), 2 Gulp containers, small waterproof box for phone and keys, VHF radio, very small cooler for a few drinks, cooling towel, regular hand towel, Humminbird + battery, drop-in trolling motor + 50lb ballast, and GoPro front and rear. My fish grip and hook out are attached to the seat and I wear a fishing vest containing hooks, leaders, Fish Bites, and some granola bars.

And sometimes I bring an anchor and/or stake-out pole depending on location.