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Hello all, new member here. I’ve fished the upper Chesapeake and the flats numerous times from a bass boat, but never from a kayak. I have a perception pescador pro 10 with a small garmin fish finder. I’ve fished fresh water lakes and the Susquehanna in PA, but never anything tidal. My question is, how should I pay attention to the tide and time things so that I’m able to paddle back in. What should I pay attention to weather wise, wind, wave height etc so that I don’t have a nasty day. Will my kayak be able to handle properly since it is a 10 footer? Also, when things get a bit colder what do you all recommend wearing, waders and a dry top? Thanks!
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Welcome, you will find lots of good information here. I am fairly new at this, and I will give you what limited insight I have to offer. There are many more qualified folks than I, and I'm sure they will chime in. I learn from mistakes mostly!
Should I pay attention to the tide - Yes, but not necessarily for the paddle back in. The tide will impact how and when the fish bite. Generally it is best to fish a moving tide. Incoming or outgoing, fish will feed. Flood high, fish will feed and sometimes push up into the rip rap and sod banks. Slack low usually equals poor fishing in my experience.
What should I pay attention to weather wise - You should ALWAYS pay attention to the wind. Wind, much more than current, will impact your paddle. Fighting both of them at the same time will tire you out quickly. I don't like to fish anything over 10 or 12, but some others will say it's manageable up to 15. But...most guys here have pedal kayaks, so use your judgement. The wave height is generally a function of the wind. But that also depends on the direction of the wind. In the main bay, a wind from the south will have a LOT of water to blow over (google the nautical term "fetch") and consequently create difficult conditions. Depending upon where you are fishing, a wind from the east or west could be manageable, and you can find protection of either side of a tidal river.
Will my kayak be able to handle properly - You are likely to have challenges with a 10 foot kayak without a rudder in any tidal water. Might be time for an upgrade!
I don't fish in the cold weather, but I understand that most guys here that do it wear dry suits.
Good luck, and enjoy.2015 Hobie Revolution 13
2016 Wilderness Systems Ride 115 -
Belairfishing gave some great info. I'll just add my two cents! Also, congrats on joining the yaklife! It's an addiction, and many here will tell you there's no better way to fish than from the kayak.Originally posted by GunFish89 View Post
I fished out of a 10-foot sit in for years and hit tidal waters often. I absolutely second Belairfishing in terms of keeping an eye on wind. I use the paid version of Windfinder, and anything sustained above 10 eliminates me from open water, but that doesn't mean you can't find sheltered tidal waters to fish from. This depends on wind direction for sure. Places like Weems Creek are great for hiding out from the wind most times, and you can still get some fun pullage from things like white perch or creek-bound stripers. When it comes to wind, check it early and often before going out. Sometimes it underperforms, sometimes overperforms, but I always try and see whether it's trending positively before heading out. If it's been steadily getting worse, then I would plan on whatever it says on there being a bit under-guessed. I never once focused on the tide in terms of paddling, but as said above it definitely impacts fish biting.
For cold water (I use 50 degrees as my cut-off but some are more cautious) wear a dry suit, especially in a smaller kayak. And wear your PFD at all times when tidal. Sometimes it's not the wind alone that can make things hairy, but the wind combined with boat wakes. When dealing with boat wakes, don't turn and ride it surf-style. Point your bow at 45 degrees into the wake and paddle into it so you kind of fold over the top and down the back.
With the right variables in place in terms of wind and waves, you'll be just fine in a sit-in for tidal waters. Be overly cautious and good luck!Matt
Instagram: @sunrisekayakfishing
2019 Vibe Sea Ghost 130- "The Blurple Nurple"
10' Pelican Angler 100- "The Starter Kit"Comment
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I can't speak at the pro level about the tidal water dilemma but I can tell you that I just moved up from Florida in November and this forum is a WEALTH of info.
In regards to the tide and it affecting your paddling... my advice is to start on small trips on the same body of water. Don't stray too far from the ramp. A ten foot kayak can be an awesome tool in skinny water but it can quickly turn into a miserable day if you are working against the current and wind. I think wind more than anything is my enemy. Tide will affect fishing more than paddling but just know that the logical way to go about it is to paddle into the creek on incoming tide and out of it o the outgoing. But pay more attention to the wind using an app like windfinder.
Most importantly, as you learn, ALWAYS have a plan. Tell someone where you are going and when they can expect to hear from you. Have a drop dead time and someone should call emergency services if you don't contact. It is too easy for something to happen.
Cold weather is luckily past us but I think it is absolutely critical to have a dry suit. They are expensive but I got a used Kokatat for $200 bucks that works great. Usually the high end products are supported by incredible warranty services and repair by the manufacturer. It could mean the difference between 20 minutes alive or 80 minutes alive. Google the "Rule of 120" for more info on being in the water: https://www.gobair.org/Resources/Doc...Cold_Water.pdfComment
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If you haven't figured it out yet, sitting in the yak, you are a sail. Wind is your enemy so check the forecasts and bouy data before going out. Here is a good site for winds. https://www.windfinder.com/#3/52.5170/13.4000
I have both a 14 foot and 9'6" yak. I suggest, if you can afford it and are handy, to install a rudder on your yak. Otherwise you will eventually wind up with one arm bigger than the other.
John
Ocean Kayak Trident 13 Angler (Sand)
MK Endura Max 55 backup power
Vibe Skipjack 90
Graduate of the University of the Republic of South Vietnam, class of 1972Comment
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Thank you all for the replies, great info.Comment
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Sooo..... to all the veterans... please don't beat me up with my comments..Originally posted by GunFish89 View Post
as we can debate things forever.
Rudder... I wouldn't worry about a rudder right now. There are complications with having a rudder.
There are known veteran kayakers that don't even like having a rudder.
You really shouldn't have a problem turning your 10foot kayak.. if you are new with the kayak should learn how to move it around anyway.
The Pescador... also.. shouldn't be too much of a problem keeping it straight without a rudder. And with it's shorter length.. to correct to keep straight.
In a strong swell from the stern and wind I found the rudder almost useless on my new 13foot kayak.
I had the regular Perception Pescador for many years.. my longest paddle over 20 miles, with my average day 12 miles.
And I had it in lots of crazy conditions. And those that have known me and my pictures I carry everything loaded it up.
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Does your fish finder have Charts and plotting... ? Even if it does you should pay attention to where you came from looking back at landmarks and print them on your brain. You never know if your battery will die on you electronics.
The Chesapeake is known for changing conditions... and many places going from deep to shallow.. can make the waves and currents even stronger than on a typical day.
Always be looking behind you... be aware of your surroundings... many of the rivers, particularly Summer and weekends... it's can get crazy out there with boats.
Never assume a boat sees you.
Last year we had a Charterboat run right up onto a sailboat.
There a few guys here that have been hit by boats.
Working boats... the crabbers, clammers.... they are running hard and NOT looking for you.
Some places the Charter boats have been nasty to the kayakers...
If you don't have a VHF radio... put it in your budget and get one.
Get a radio... if you can before a rudder.
Never expect the weather to be what they say it will... expect the worse.
One trip a few years ago... all was predicted a clear day... and then funnel clouds produced and it got crazy as I was three miles from shore...
Another trip the same... and winds kicked up to plus 20knots... with squalls that moved through.
I am sure most of the people here that have been on the water can surely tell similar stories.
Best wishes... tightlines.. don't be afraid to ask questions.Last edited by rob-kayak; 05-29-2019, 02:03 PM.Comment
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Rob brings up a good point- Definitely invest in a VisiCarbon flag or find some other way to put a visibility flag on your yak. I use a striper-themed garden flag from a great company in Annapolis called Citizen Pride. I super-glued it to a heavy-duty rod and use a bungee cord to strap it to my crate when I'm tidal. I always think flags look kind of cool and they can also save your butt. A whistle or other sound-making device is a great backup in case you aren't sure a boat sees you. Same goes for reflective, waterproof tape on your yak or paddle. All good things!Originally posted by rob-kayak View PostMatt
Instagram: @sunrisekayakfishing
2019 Vibe Sea Ghost 130- "The Blurple Nurple"
10' Pelican Angler 100- "The Starter Kit"Comment
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Actually the whistle is mandatory under Maryland boater safety, the flag is not. You can get ticketed for not having a whistle or air horn on board.Originally posted by YakMan1731 View PostMike
Pro Angler 14 "The Grand Wazoo"Comment
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Rob makes a good point about the radio - you should absolutely have one, particularly if you are fishing by yourself. One of the first things I bought after my first trip on the bay last year.
I'll share a story that did not happen to me, but was told to me by the charter captain I go with on the Flats every year. He heard a distress call on the radio "fishing vessel kayak, taking on water, please assist." He asked the guy where he was and was told "approximately one mile below route 40 bridge." When Jeff finally found him, he was almost 3 miles below the route 40 bridge, and almost passed out from exhaustion when he pulled him onto the boat. He was paddling a sit in kayak, without a skirt, during a small craft advisory. If that guy didn't have a radio, who knows where he would have ended up.2015 Hobie Revolution 13
2016 Wilderness Systems Ride 115Comment
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Thanks for the advice, I will look into a vhf and some sort of flag, or homemade attachment to a rod that I have vertical in the milk Crate. I do keep a whistle permanently attached in my pfd and always wear it. My fish finder does have a plotter and gps, but good point about the battery dying. Are there any other items that are required or recommended for either safety or to make life easier? Are county launch permit stickers required like they are with boats?Comment
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The VHF is most important if you paddle alone.. or in places you might not be able to waive down a boat or people from shoreline for help.
One thing is handy is that they have weather channels... and also the emergency alerts that get broadcast. Of course these days with cell phones you can look at radar maps and see if a storm is coming.
Queen Anne's County (other side of the bay bridge and Kent Island area) requires a permit for all their County launches and piers.
$35 for the year (sticker supplied) or $10 a day that you can get from a machine popular fishing piers and boat ramps.
You can get the year or day pass at Anglers Sport on route 50 before approaching the Bay Bridge.. or on the otherside of the bridge at other locations.
A number of places/boat ramps have fees for trailered boats but not cartop boats
Some other parks in Anne Arundel County have entrance fees... like Quiet Waters Park... Mayo Beach (although Mayo has "free" days in the Summer.. I think Sundays), Fort Smallwood etc...
Anne Arundel cartop boat launch website https://www.aacounty.org/services-an...op-boat-launchComment
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That's right! My fault, I totally forgot it was required. Like GunFish I keep mine permanently looped onto my PFD.Originally posted by Big Mike View Post
I think one of the best ways to make sure you are getting into safe water depending on conditions, or just new water when the desire strikes, is to have a good resource for launches. This is the website I use and it has not only locations, but type of ramp, parking, fee, hours, and links to any county-controlled launches so you can get all the info you need. There are a few websites like this, but this one I have found to be most versatile- https://maryland.maps.arcgis.com/app...3a4e3f8c1def94Matt
Instagram: @sunrisekayakfishing
2019 Vibe Sea Ghost 130- "The Blurple Nurple"
10' Pelican Angler 100- "The Starter Kit"Comment
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