Brand new to kayak fishing and in need of some advice

[Nicole]

Hey folks, I am brand new to kayak fishing but have been kayaking and I own my fishing kayak. I have a perception swifty 11.6. I live in Southern Maryland and would like to fish the Patuxent River, Chesapeake Bay and smaller creeks. I often visit Smallwood State Park as well. Could y’all please provide me with tips on getting started including the tackle and gear I need? I am starting from scratch.


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[ronaultmtd]

Welcome aboard! Seems like yesterday I posted a similar post and wow! Snaggedline forum members came forward and helped me. Smallwood is an excellent launch for you...lots of fishing opportunities, protected from winds, and accessible. Rule number one always wear your PFD..I put mine on when I am in the parking lot before I unload my kayak. And get a PFD that fits you and is comfortable. I wear a Hobie inflatable PFD. On the Pax, consider Benedict as a launch. I fish there occasional. The area around Golden Beach seems the most productive for me. In years past it was a hot spot for croaker...nowadays it is loaded with bluecats...rodbenders for sure...the launch is very nice...Porta potties, concrete ramps and free...as for what you need to catch fish depends upon your style of fishing...for soaking bait, it is really hard to beat a low profile baitcasting outfit that is used by fresh water bass fishermen. It will handle anything that swims in our region. For throwing light lures and perch fishing a light spinning outfit is perfect. again, anything used for bass fishing freshwater will work fine. And a Bettlespin lure will catch white perch until the cows come home...there is always someone looking for a fishing partner...no matter how many regular fishing buddies, you will find yourself looking for a partner...I know. Your friends cannot always go when you can so reach out on the forum and most time someone will agree to go. This time of year, you need to stay hydrated, so carry plenty of water. Hope these tips help...but there is nothing like being on the water to learn.

[Nicole]

Thank you so much for your tips. I guess I forgot to mention that Benedict would be my main spot for the most part so I’m glad you brought that up. Unfortunately for me I have no friends who are into fishing as much as I am and the ones that are have power boats. So I’m sure I will be looking for new fishing buddies. It’s always safety first with me as I kayak in all types of water including whitewater. (I use a specific kayak for whitewater kayaking) so wearing my PFD and having safety essentials was first checked off my list. I made sure I got down my paddling skills before I made the commitment to start fishing. So I feel relatively confident in that area. Do you have any tips for specifics on rods and line? Thanks again for your help. I really appreciate it.


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[Oldbayrunner]

Do you have any tips for specifics on rods and line? Thanks again for your help. I really appreciate it.


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If you want decent equipment to start that wont break the pocketbook then I am finding the Kastking rods, reels and line to be working very well for me. Some I like even better then the more expensive gear I have.

On another note download the Windfinder app and pay close attention to the winds and direction for the days you plan on going.

[rugbyfish]

There is a meet and greet on the 20th at Piney Point that you may be interested in attending. Its a fun location to fish, and there will be a lot of experienced anglers there to help you out. Here is a link to the thread: http://www.snaggedline.com/showthrea...nigoes-July-20

[ronaultmtd]

If you are really committed to fishing, I will give you the same advice my (now deceased) Father gave to me..buy the very best tackle you can afford- quality costs more initially, but in the long run it is the least expensive because it will last and perform up to expectations. Almost any reel on the market will last one season and perform well...even the cheapest no name reels-it is the second and third years they tend to fall apart...Equipment failure is the most common reason we lose the fish of a lifetime...with bad knots, cheap hooks, sticky drag, lousy terminal tackle or cheap worn line...leading the parade...I try my best to eliminate as much as possible off this list...my tackle is probably “overkill” and pricey...but one good value reel in the spinning reels is the Diawa BG 2000 or 2500...paired with a Shimano SE Inshore 7’ medium action rod...both tough as nails and dependable...I tend to go with lighter poundage test braid, but most would recommend 20# braid on the reel...

[Nicole]

Great tips so far guys. Thank you. Is it safe to say I should use braided line instead of filament then? I wasn’t sure between the two of these. Also would a medium action rod work better than light or ultra light? I was thinking around the 6.6 foot length.


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[Nicole]

Brand new to kayak fishing and in need of some advice

[QUOTE=Nicole;163232]Great tips so far guys. Thank you. Is it safe to say I should use braided line instead of filament then? I wasn’t sure between the two of these. Also would a medium action rod work better than light or ultra light? I was thinking around the 6.6 foot length and 15 pound line. Thoughts? I don’t mind spending a little more money on something that’s going to last me a while.


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[rugbyfish]

Braid on a medium action 6-7' rod is a very common set up among those on this forum, and it will handle just about anything in the bay. I'll second Ron's suggestion about tackle. My wife and I both use Daiwa BG's on medium action 7' rods, and they have held up well.

[ronaultmtd]

Again, different lines for different fishing, but generally speaking braid is far superior to monofilament and fluorocarbon lines...there are a few special situations where light fluorocarbon line is called for in ultra clear water...but I don't have any of the reels I use filled with anything other than braid. I use monofilament leaders about 2 feet long on those, but just leaders.

[belairfishing]

I basically have two setups - a Shimano Sedona 2500 paired with a 6.5 ft St Croix Triumph medium, fast action. Neither of those are expensive, and right about at my psychological maximum of $150 for a combo. I have 15 lb braid, with either a 12 or 20 lb fluorocarbon leader. I can use that rod for white perch if I don't find any stripers. That setup will handle most anything I can throw for stripers as well.

The second setup is a Penn Fierce II, 3000 reel, medium. That rod is a little stiffer than the St. Croix, and I can chuck bigger lures or heavier jigheads with it, it casts a mile. If I get into bigger fish, that will be my primary rod. Again, 15lb braid, 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.

I also keep an ultra-light with me if I switch over to perch fishing all together while I am out.

Finally, I keep an old beater setup with me in case of breakage or malfunction. The rod is some old Diawa model that is more buggy whip that rod, but that is the rod my wife uses now that she decided she wants to go fishing with me! The reel is some $25 cheap Shimano I got a WalMart.

[Nicole]

Thank you for all these great tips. Y’all have been a huge help to me.


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[ronaultmtd]

Also...think about adding an anchor trolley for bait fishing and anchoring in current...I use mine more every year...I get older every year...peddling in current to hold position while casting lures can get tiring....anchoring let’s you relax and stay put. Catfishing is another situation I always anchor..

[Nicole]

Yes, actually that was one of my big questions. I do have an anchor but wasn’t sure how to go about setting up a trolley system. I forgot to mention that earlier. Thanks for hitting on all the big points that I’m forgetting.


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[Big Mike]

If I was restricted to one rod and reel I’d have a 6 1/2 Medium rod with fast action, 20 LB braid and a 20 Lb leader on a 2500 sized reel. That will handle just about anything in the bay or at Benedict. My perch rod is a 6’ ML paired with a 2500 sized reel and I use 8lb mono, no braid. When casting light perch lures I get much better distance with straight mono. No need to get fluorocarbon line in the dirty water around here. I have Trilene XL line right now on my perch rod. I’ve landed some of my biggest rockfish on it.