kayak bonefishing: a revolution ! serge thomas, igfa/sfffc dania, fl, 03/28/06
TRANSCRIPT
KAYAK BONEFISHING:
A REVOLUTION !
Serge Thomas, IGFA/SFFFC Dania, Fl, 03/28/06
What percentage of yakers/canoers?
Over 80% of recreational boaters also fish.
KAYAK TYPES
Kayak types:
Sit-On-Top
Sit-In
Inflatable / folding yaks etc.
Plastic (cheap) Fiberglass
Carbon fiber
Some plastic kayaks suitable for flat fishing:
Cobra kayaks
Malibu kayak
Wilderness Systems
Ocean kayak
Hobie
HeritageEmotionF&D
Marauder Fisherman Redfish/Marquesa
Prowler 15/13’
Malibu 2XL
Caper
Drifter
Tarpon 120/130/140/160
Tarpon 130 tandem
Extreme
Pro Explorer
X-Factor
The Ride
Outback Fisherman
Quest
Outfitter fish
Adventure fish
Sport fishTribalance
Some plastic kayaks suitable for flat fishing:
Cobra kayaks
Malibu kayak
Wilderness Systems
Ocean kayak
Hobie
HeritageEmotionF&D
Marauder Fisherman Redfish/Marquesa
Prowler 15/13’
Malibu 2XL
Caper
Drifter
Tarpon 120/130/140/160
Tarpon 130 tandem
Extreme
Pro Explorer
X-Factor
The Ride
Outback Fisherman
Quest
Outfitter fish
Adventure fish
Sport fishTribalance
KAYAK SPEED
Varies from 2-3 mph to 5-6 mph
Easy to carry on top of a car to visit multiplespots the same day (as long as spots are close to each others)
KAYAK PRICE: $350-$1,000
REMEMBERANY KAYAK IS BETTER THAN WADING!
BONEFISHING !!!!
SUBDIVISION ELOPOMORPHAElopiformes (8 spp): Elopidae, MegalopidaeLeptocephali (tarpons, bones): forked tail
Albula vulpes
Expected temperature range: 70-72° F to 86° F (22° C to 30° C)
(Albula neoguinaica)
Elusive: silvery, a perfect camouflageFeeding behavior strongly influence by the tide
Feed on small crabs, shrimps, smaller fish, clams and other items, OPPORTUNISTIC
To find fish: - Be in the tropics- Temperature should be suitable- Not too brackish water- Food in great supply (watch wading birds)- Deep water nearby (channels)- Structure that concentrates fish (e.g. submerged pile running from shore)- Right tide
Channel
edges
structure
flat
flat
flat
flat
SPOTTING FISH
Sun is low: better to stay seated
Sun is higher, fish in deeper water, betterto stand high poling/casting form
STANDING IS GREAT TO SPOTTING FISH
OUTRIGGERS
BE INVENTIVE !
BE INVENTIVE !
I prefer to keep it simple….
Less stuff on the deck= less snags
My current yak….
Moving around to spot fish…
- Polarized glasses / hat - Push pole- Paddle/push pole- kayak wading- Drift (no drift chute for bones)
DEALING WITH THE WIND:
THE WIND IS YOUR FRIEND
Wind
Shore
Wind
Shore
Wind
Shore
PolingPoling
driftdrift
APPROACHING BONEFISH:
APPROACHING BONEFISH:
SOME OF THE BIG ADVANTAGES OF A KAYAK
Stealth Maneuverability Speed
School of fish (tailing or cruising)
- NEVER RUSH TO MAKE A CAST
- Determine where the pod is going (easier when water is moving= mid incoming or outgoing tide)
- Spot the lead fish(es)
- Try to spot satellite fish(es) in deeper water
- Position the kayak
Escaping school of tailing/cruising fish:
1
2
As far as possible
Clearance depends
Yes
Best
Single /small group of fish (tailing or cruising): TOUGH
- Spot fish- See where the fish is heading- Spot other fish and pick the closest to you- Position the kayak
Mudding fish: EASY
- Spot the mud, drop the fly and hang on!
ANCHORING // STAKING OUTSTOPPING THE YAK: VERY IMPORTANT
ANCHORING (right-handed)
Two anchor system
One anchor system w/ traveler
Lance cleat
pulley
eyelet knot
pulleycarabinereyeleteyelet eyelet
ANCHORING
Wind/currentStern anchoring
Wind/current
ANCHORING
Bow anchoring
ANCHORING
Lance cleat
Wind/currentStern anchoring
Wind/current
STAKING OUT: RULE ALWAYS SET THE POLE AGAINSTTHE DIRECTION THE WIND IS BLOWING!!!
Bow anchoring
PRESENTING THE FLYACCURACY @ short and long distancesSPEED TO DELIVER A FLY IN A MINIMUM OF FALSE CASTS
Escaping pod:
1
2
XX
As far as possible
Clearance depends X
NO!
Yes
Best
2
X
As far as possible
Best
Why position 2 is best?- odds to spook fish is minimum- Narrow angle of view of leader and line- Can make several casts- Lead fish is often the biggest (Grin)
Fly line
Leader
Fly Fish focuses on fly
Fish ca
n see le
ader
Fish can see leaderand fly attacks fish!!!
OK
No No
Single / small group of fish: same as with a pod
1 2
X
Clearance depends X
NO!
Yes Best
The hardest is to see how the fish is oriented (tailing fish)
THE FLY
Hooks: Sharp, strong, thin wire, tiny or mashed barb
HOOK POINT UP!
MOVING THE FLY RIGHT
Once the cast made:
Spot where you dropped the fly Tight line Keep an eye on BOTH fish and fly impact Count to guess when the fly has reached the bottom Move the fly at the right moment (not too close, not too far)
Moving the fly:
No move or little twitch: crab fly Tiny, tiny strips (pulsating action): shrimp fly w/ optionally some pauses long fast strips (fast cruising fish)
If you did not present well, or if the fish is about to pass the fly: Stop moving the fly.
STRIPPING THE LINE IN THE KAYAK
THE STRIKE!!! (my favorite)
Strip strike rules!
THE RUSH AND THE FIGHT
Clear the line (look at your line)Keep your rod high while clearing lineRemove the anchor (= closer to fish)Apply maximum pressure on mouth fishFight the fish fast
- fish released in better condition- less chances to spook other fish- more fish to catch
LANDING THE FISH
Drop the anchorGrab firmly the fish tailRemove hook, take pictureRELEASE THE FISH,KEEP THE MEMORIES
FLY GEAR
FLY LINES AVAILABLE TO THE BONEFISHER
Different tapers
SW taper
Triangle taper
Inversed triangle taper
28’ to 52’
85’ to 110’
LEADER: At least 12’ often 14’ sometimes 16-18’
Butt section: For 6 wt: 30# butt sectionFor 7-8 Wt: 40# butt sectionFor 9 WT: 50# butt section
Formula: I divide the length of the following sectionby 2…
E.g. 6’ 40#, 3’ 30#, 1.5’ 20#, 0.75’ 16#
Tippet: Grand Max FC from Seaguar:
VERY SUPPLE, NOT KINKY, LOW MEMORYVERY HIGH STRENGTH RATIO
2-3 feet of 2X (0.09”/12.5#) or 1X (0.010”/14.5#)or 0X (0.011/16.5#)
Fly rods: From 6 t 9 wt; 9’; Fast to extra fast (10’if you remain seated)
Glassy conditions: 6-7 wt
5-15 mph : 8wt
15+ mph: 9wt
Stout reels:
I like to oversize (= better retrieve)
Good smooth reliable drag (draw bar)
THANKS TO: