Bak in Yak!

[Southerly]

i've been doing a lot of boat fishing lately but last nite, i took the yak out at a small spot in southern md near PLO. i got on the scene at dead low tide and explored a little. but as current started, the menhaden got more active. i positioned for drifts over the rip, in 9-13' water. i vert jigged a 3/4 oz gold kastmaster touching bottom each time, no slack. i caught 10-12 rock up to 24" or more. 1/2 of the fish were keeper+ but smaller ones mixed in. all released. i also got a 12-14" croaker on the KM. i had intended to do a drift or two for flattie but was having too much fun with the rock.

[CB kayak 02]

Always feels good to be back in the yak, but especially when your catching! Nice!

[ictalurus]

Wow, congrats on finding the keeper stripers. We were a bit north of you and definitely didn't have that kind of luck. I've never had much success jigging Kastmasters because they flutter on the way down. How to you keep your line from going slack?

[Southerly]

i just lower it slower than it would fall naturally. i also raise it at a similar speed. the bites either feel like a 'scratch' or 'tick' on the line, or the lure doesn't go down when it should for some reason,... set the hook immediately!

sometimes i think jigging's been built up to be more than it is. keep in mind - the basic vert jig on still nite like last nite in relatively shallow water and modest current maybe 1 kt or so, is easiest thing in the world. stronger currents, faster drifts, windy condns, casting are all variations from that and present added difficulty and in extremes make it impossible to feel the bites.

fwiw - if i'm not feeling bottom with KM for any of the reasons noted, i switch to gold stingsilver, slow the drift or whatever fits the situation best. stingsilvers aregood too. in any case - i endeavor as best i can to keep some bend in my rod and give fish no slack from the hookset until i remove the hook.

[Cal]

Success! I really appreciate your insights into jigging technique, it has definitely helped me catch more fish.

[J.A. Veil]

Congratulations on some very nice fish from the kayak. I know how well you did last month in your powerboat. You obviously carried the fishing MOJO with you. Nice work.