Every Day In May

Re-blogged from How Small A Trout

Every Day in May is a blogging throw-down to all fishing and outdoor bloggers, issued by How Small A Trout, A Fresh Start, and Memoirs of a Flygirl.

CHALLENGE: POST TO YOUR BLOG EVERY DAY IN MAY. Mayfly hatches, spring runoff, spawning fish, tulips, debauched May Day pagan rituals—blog it all. Blog to learn, blog to remember, blog to forget. Document May in images, words, quotes, links, whatever, wherever. We’re providing prompts for each day, but feel free to interpret, misinterpret, reject, or improvise on these themes. To accept the challenge and pass it on, reblog this kick-off post and graphic, then tag your May posts with “every day in May”. We’ll post a list of everyone who guts it out until June.

The prompts:
1. May Day
2. home waters
3. current
4. tying
5. fishing
6. praying
7. working
8. hatching
9. grinning and laughing
10. conservation
11. waders
12. something completely different
13. Mother’s Day
14. rod
15. line
16. leader
17. fly
18. fish, fish, fish
19. more fish
20. greenery
21. bugs
22. runoff
23. safety first
24. memory
25. shoreline
26. lessons learned
27. bucket list
28. news
29. inspiration/aspiration
30. fish philosophy
31. achievement

Don’t worry if you see this and May is already here; there are no late fees nor penalties for early withdrawal.

To all you who blog about other stuff like knitting or wine or fancy mice: feel free to copy this idea and do your own Every Day In May!

The Mental Game - Step Three: Prepping Your Gear

After you have decided what all you need to take along with you (made your lists,) you need to get all your gear ready.  Make sure all your reels are spooled with good line, and make sure all your rods are in working order.  The next thing you need to do is gather up everything you need to take and begin packing it to make sure you have room.

I usually start with the lures and tackle I am going to bring.  I sort through all of my tackle and pull out the lures, hooks, etc. that are on my tournament prep-sheets.   Starting from presentation one, I grab the items I need and pack them in their own box, specific to that presentation.  Having everything you need for that presentation in one box will help you be more organized and manage your time when you are out on the water.  Repeat this for each presentation.  You will most likely want to reduce the amount of tackle and gear you have in your kayak to a minimum, so at this point try to double up and put two presentations in the same box.

Once you have your tackle organized, gather up whatever other gear (camping, safety, food, etc.) that you might need and bring it out to your kayak.  At this point you should start packing your kayak just like it will be on the water during your trip.  Start with the essentials!  Make sure you have room for everything that is a must first.  If you are camping from your kayak, be sure to pack your food, tent, and sleeping bag.  If you are fishing a tournament, make sure you have your measuring board, camera, and the tackle you need (starting with your number one presentation.)  Once the kayak is full, it is full.  Do not try to cram more items on-board.  This will only make everything miserable.  If you started with the most important items, then you should have everything you need on-board and the rest are just item that you think you might want.  If you have to cut back on the tackle you are bringing in order to have enough space to be in your kayak comfortably, do it.  You will thank me later.  Be sure to set your PFD in your seat so you do not forget it. 

You should be wearing it out on the water, so there is no need to pack it in with the rest.

Now that you have determined all of the items that you have room for and how you will pack your kayak, you are ready to go.  Load it up in your vehicle and hit the road.  If you are fishing a tournament, and you are worried that the conditions might change, bring the rest of your tackle with you.  Know that you will not be able to pack it in the kayak without eliminating something else, but bring it along just in case.  To me, it is better to have the lures I want in the truck rather than at home.  Conditions can unexpectedly change quickly, and if you need to make a last minute “tackle trade” the morning of the tournament, you will want to have what you need there.

Follow these steps that you have read over the last three articles, and you will be ready for fishing.  You will be far less likely to forget anything you need.  This will help you be able to remain more focused, and catch more fish, while out on the water.  Since we have now eliminated the worry about forgetting items, the next mental aspect we will conquer is actually preparing your mind to focus on your fishing!

This was step three.  To read steps one and two:

First Step: Knowing What your Trip Is

Step Two: Making a List

The Mental Game – Step Two: Making a List

This is Part 2 in the series, to read Part 1: The Mental Game - First Step: Knowing What Your Trip Is

Ok, so…once you have decided where and how you are going to be fishing, you need to decide what you to bring along to make that trip successful.  It does not matter if you are going for fun or for money, forgetting something can ruin or even end your day (or week) on the water.  If you are anything like me, you get very excited while planning your fishing, and excitement often leads to me forgetting things.  So here is what I do to prevent that: Make a list of everything I am going to need to bring.

Here are a few things to think about while making your list:

If you are like me, you have way to much tackle and gear and there is no way you can get everything onto your kayak.  So, you should have already done your research and know what type of techniques, lures, and presentations, that you will be using during the tournament.  What I do next is create my tournament prep sheet.  (If anyone knows how to upload an Excel Document or attach it to something in blogger let me know and I will upload mine.)  Pick the top four or five of these presentations and rank them, on a piece of paper, from 1-5 based on what you think will be most effective.  For example: 

1) 8-10 foot crankbaits in Sunfish Patterns

2) Jigs in Sunfish patterns around weed lines

3) Spinnerbaits over the top of the grass

4) Heavy Texas rigged worms in the grass

5) 15-20 foot crankbaits.  

Now, on another sheet of paper, starting with your #1 presentation, write down everything you will need for that presentation.  Do this for each presentation.  For example:

8-10 foot Crankbaits in Sunfish Patterns

1) Medium Heavy Moderate Fast Action Rod with a slow speed reel

2) Sunfish Pattern Carnkbaits!!!

3) Shad and Crawfish pattern cranks in case sunfish is not the pattern

4) Needle nose pliers to remove the treble hooks

5) Sunfish sent stick

Later on you will “pre-rig” your kayak from these lists (top to bottom) to maximize the effectiveness of your on-board storage.

Once you determined what tackle you are bringing, you also need to decided what else you need to take along.

Are you camping?  Make a list of all the camping gear you will  need.  Don’t forget your tent, stakes, hammer, knife, etc… Do you need a GPS or anything?

Make a list of the clothes you will need for the weather conditions you might be facing.

Do you need to bring any money along with you, don’t forget your wallet!!! 

How are you going to eat and drink?  What food and water are you taking?

Don’t forget to write down your camera, measuring board, or PFD!!!

After making your lists of EVERYTHING you might need.  Go back over the list a few times to make sure you didn’t leave anything off.  You don’t want to forget anything.

Continue reading: Step Three: Prepping Your Gear

 This is Part 2 in the series, to read Part 1: The Mental Game - First Step: Knowing What Your Trip Is

The Mental Game - First Step: Knowing What Your Trip Is

The first step in becoming mentally prepared for your fishing trip is knowing what your trip is.  Is your trip a fun trip you are taking to place you know well, an expedition to a new stretch of water, or a tournament where pride and money are on the line?  Each one requires you to prepare in different ways.  Here is a step by step process to start your mental preparedness for each:

Fun trip to preciously explored waters: 

1.       You already know what type of fish to expect, so start developing a mental list of what presentations will catch fish this time of year.

2.       Do a little research; try to figure out what patter the fish are currently in.  Are the post-spawn, are they in a fall patter, see if you can figure out where you might expect to catch the fish.  If you keep a fishing log (and you should), read over logs from this time and similar conditions in previous years.  Next, read over current reports on the internet to see what everyone else is doing (this should be secondary to what has worked for you in the past.  Internet reports are not always accurate!) 
3.       Start thinking about what you will need to bring with you.  Was there anything you forgot in the past that you wished you had or anything you brought that you never used?  Just start getting a mental idea of what you want to do. 

Exploring a new stretch of water:

1.       Learn what type of water it is.  Are you fishing a river, a lake, a bay, etc.?

2.       Do some research on the internet or in magazines and books about this water.  Start thinking about how this will affect your trip and what you will need for it. 

a.       If it is a River: is it a larger or small river, is there a strong current or is it slow and meandering, are the current water levels up or down, etc?

b.   If it is a Lake: is it a large or small lake, will you focus on one cove or can you cover the entire lake, what are the current conditions, and how will  all this affect the fishing?

3.       Learning about and doing a little research about the water you are headed too will help you know what to expect when you get there.  This is true in fresh or saltwater. 

Tournament: 

1.       Prepping for a tournament is really no different than anything else. Do your research from what you have on file and on the internet.  Start developing an idea of what you want to do.  

2.       For a tournament you also need to make sure your finances are in-line enough to pay for your entry fees, gas, food, etc.  You don’t want to be worried about that when more money is on the line.  Tournament fishing costs more than fishing for fun.
3.       You will need to be completely focused in a tournament, so really start thinking about everything you will need for that now!

Continue Reading: The Mental Game - Step 2: Making a List

The Mental Game

Mental preparedness is a must for any type of fishing, especially from a kayak.  Being mentally prepared will help keep you focused while out on that water, and being focused will lead to the ultimate goal of catching more fish.  There is much that goes into being mentally prepared.  Everything from making sure you pack what your need for your trip, to planning the rout you will take out on the water, to creating a game plan for catching fish, all goes into being mentally prepared.  Knowing you have what you need, where you’re going to go, and what you’re going to do, will allow you to keep your focus on your fishing while out on the water.  This series of articles will help walk you through being mentally prepared.  Being right in your cranium will help you catch more fish!

To continue reading:
The Mental Game - First Step: Knowing What Your Trip Is

How to Choose a Topwater Rod

As many of you know.  I am a custom fishing rod builder, and own a custom fishing company called P. H. Kellner – Quality Custom Fishing.  So, as you might imagine, the fishing rod is an important piece of the fishing puzzle to me. I have done more on-the-water research than you can even imagine, testing different fishing rods in different situations.  In this series of posts, I will describe how to choose the best rod for each specific fishing situation and presentation.  I will start by going through each lure category and situation and discuss the best choices for each scenario.  I will then help discuss how to choose how to whittle down your rod choices and decide what to take out on a kayak.

I know it is cliché, but the rod to an angler is like the brush to a painter.  It is a tool, maybe the most important and overlooked tool that the angler has to make decisions about.  The wrong rod can cost you fish!  And in a tournament situation, or anytime you’re out on the water, losing a fish can turn a good day bad, quickly.  Here is the how and why of choosing the correct fishing rod for you specific situation.

Topwater:

Almost nothing is more exciting than fishing for bass with topwater lures.  Poppers, chuggers, walkers, and the likes, are a blast to fish, but choosing the proper rod when fishing topwater baits can help you catch more fish.  You need to be able to work (walk or pop) your bait, set the hook properly, and land the fish.  Just like anything else, the proper rod when fishing a topwater lure is crucial and will help you catch more fish.  If I had to break it down to one topwater rod, here is what I want:

Length:  I like a shorter rod when fishing topwater baits.  I use a 6’6” rod for towater presentations. The reason is that when I am working a topwater bait, either in a kayak or a boat, the rod tip is pointed down, and all my “pops” are that direction.  A long rod will slap the boat or the water.  Also, a shorter rod will give you shorter pops on the line, and the lure will travel less distance each time.  This will let you keep the bait in one place longer.

Action:  There really are two schools of thought on action when it comes to topwater baits.  To most anglers, you can either choose a fast or extra fast action rod to help with working the bait, or you can choose a slow or moderate action rod to help with the hookset.  I choose the middle road, I like a moderate-fast action blank for most topwater fishing applications.  Every once in a while I will use a fast action rod, but most of the time I like a moderate fast action.  The main reason for me is the hookset.  When you are fishing a topwater bait, you see the bass hit your lure.  If you set the hook too quickly, you will pull the bait away from the fish before it actually has it.  So…a moderate fast action rod sets the hook that split second slower than a fast action rod, giving the fish a little more time to “eat” the lure.  I do not want to use a slower action rod, like a moderate action, because that makes it harder to work your lure.  A fast action rod is easier to give short, quick, hard, pops to your lure, but will often pull the lure away from the fish on the hookset with a topwater lure.  The moderate fast action gives you a good middle of the road rod between working the bait and setting the hook.

Power:  I like a medium heavy power rod for topwater fishing.  I guess I use a medium heavy rod for most bass fishing situations, haha, but they work well.  Big fish will smash a topwater lure and you need the power to bring the fish in.  Also, if you are fishing the bait over a grass bed or other cover, the fish will want to dive straight into it.  You need to be able to turn the fish to keep it out of that junk or pull the fish out once she is in it.  If I am throwing a small topwater lure, I will step down to a medium power rod.

Guides:  Like just about everything else, I like micro guides on my topwater rods.  They give me a little more accuracy and distance on each cast.  They also are lighter, making the rod lighter and leading to less fatigue.

Handle and Reel Seat:  For a topwater rod, I like a split grip handle.  Any rod that I point down while fishing, I want to remove as much weight as possible.  Lighter is better.  I like a Minima real seat for this reason as well.  As far as grip material, again this is preference.  If you like the feel of cork, get cork, and if you like the durability of EVA, get EVA.

Breaking my topwater rod choice down to one rod isn’t that hard.  I would use a 6’6” P. H. Kellner – Quality Custom Fishing, Moderate-Fast Action, Medium-Heavy Power, baitcasting rod with Micro-Guides, a Minima Reel Seat, and split grip.  Remember, the right rod will help you catch more fish. 

How to Choose a Crankbait Rod

How to Choose a Rod for Texas Rigged Soft Plastics

How to Choose a Spinnerbait Rod

How to Choose a Jig Rod 
What is the "Action" of the Rod

Why I Kayak Fish - Part 3 "Ease of Access"

There are advantages to kayak fishing over power boat fishing.  One of the biggest of these is the ease of access to fishing water in a kayak.  You can take a kayak just about anywhere and fish waters you cannot reach in a big boat.  

To move your kayak from location to location (from your house to the water), all you need is a vehicle.  You don’t need a trailer, although if you are carrying multiple kayaks a trailer can be useful.  Most of the time, you don’t even need someone else to help you load or unload the kayak.  I can load and unload my Jackson Coosa’s and Cuda’s myself.  You want to be careful not to hurt yourself, but with a little bit of brains and a little bit of muscle, you can get it done.  If you build yourself a little cart to carry the back end of your kayak, you can bring the kayak to the water, over long distances, without getting tired. 

Another bonus to kayaks is that you do not need a boat ramp to launch.  You can launch just about anywhere there is water.  A boat ramp can make this easy, but it is not necessary.  Heck, I have lowered my kayak down a 10” bank, into a river, then jumped in the water and climbed into the kayak from there.  There is no way you can do anything remotely close to that in a boat.  You also, do not need to get your vehicle right next to the water to launch a kayak.  You can park anywhere and carry a kayak to the water.  Now, I have carried a jon boat pretty good distances, haha, but I would like to see someone carry a bass-boat at all. 

Kayaks let you access places that a boat cannot

 Another part of the “ease of access” reason that I kayak fish, is that in a kayak, you can access water you cannot fish in a boat.  I sorta touched on this earlier when I discussed being able to launch from areas you cannot launch a boat, but beyond that, once you are in the water, you can take your kayak into places that boats just can’t reach.  Talk to any Saltwater Kayak angler, like Tray Collins, and they will tell you that there is nothing better for chasing redfish that are tailing in the shallows than a kayak.  You can simply access skinnier water than a boat can, and you can reach more water that someone wade-fishing.  This shallow water can translate into freshwater fishing as well.  The shallow floating nature of a kayak will allow you to easily fish shallow freshwater too, in lakes or rivers.

Could I have camped along the river like this from a boat?  No!

In rivers, the Jackson Coosa excels.  You can take the kayak into shallower waters than you can a boat, easily floating rapids.  You also have so much more control of the Coosa than you would a boat, or most other kayaks for that matter, allowing you to quickly turn and sneak into a cove or make a cast back into the current just behind a rapid.  We all know how productive that water can be!  The Coosa has an advantage over peddle powered kayaks in shallow water.  With a peddle powered kayak, you have to remove the peddle system to scoot across shallows and rapids.  Not in a Coosa!

Can you flip you bass-boat over to use a table to filet freshly caught Breakfast?

 In lakes, kayaks such as the Jackson Cuda, allow you to sneak into coves and areas that are either too shallow or too narrow for a boat to fit in.  You can also take your kayak back into a area full of trees or grass.  You don’t have to worry about the prop getting banged up or your pretty sparkles getting scratched.  You can cast to bass that most people can’t!

I wouldn't have been able to access this bass on Lake Amistad without a Kayak, the closest boat ramp was out of water

Basically, to me, ease of access just means that it is easier to take your kayak to the water and once there, it is easier to access more water.  That is a huge reason why I kayak fish!

Why I Kayak Fish - Part 1"The Beginning"

Why I Kayak Fish - Part 2 "Environmental Reasons"

Howler Bros Package Came!

Nice!  The package I have been waiting for from Howler Bros came in this morning.  Here are some pics and my first impressions.  I will write a full review after I put them through the ringer.

The first item I opened was the Gaucho Snapshirt with the Dancing Prawn embroidery.  This is my style.  It screams, "I am a West Texas Kayak Angler."

The next item I opened was the pair of Bruja Board Shorts.  Nice, simple, green.  I think they will do just fine.

And the last item I opened was the Logerhead Longsleeve in Diamond.  Nice shirt.  Looks comfortable and should be very breathable.  It also has a nice feature with the thumb holes, which should help keep the sleeves down and the sun off while I am casting (and also while I run.)

Can't wait to try everything out.  I think the Devils River will be a good proving ground.

Other related posts:
Darkfin Gloves Review
Plight of the Guadalupe Bass
Why I Kayak Fish
Calling All Texas Hill Country Fly Fishermen

Interview With Tray Collins - Part 2

Tray Collins, is the owner, a guide, and an Instructor at Kayak Fishing Louisiana.  He is also a member of Jackson Kayak’s Fishing Team, as well as a Pro Staff member of nationally known brands such as Rat-L-Trap and Columbia Sportswear.  He is also the director of online tournaments with the Lafayette Kayak Fishing Club.  He truly is a busy man in the Kayak Fishing community.

I was lucky enough to track him down for an interview.  Here is Part 2 of our conversation (Here is Part 1):

PK:         I know you have given a few kayak fishing seminars.  What is it about these that you enjoy?  Is there a schedule of events you might be speaking at?

TC:          I like bridging the gap between anglers and great products most.  Anglers have so many choices when they visit a paddlesports store, tackle shop, or shop on the internet.  Over the years I’ve wasted my fair share of time and money trying something that’s supposed to work, fit, or last.  So when I come across great products I can’t wait to share them with fellow anglers to help them be more successful and comfortable while also saving money in the long run.

I have one last speaking engagement for spring. The event will take place on May 15^th at Pack & Paddle in Lafayette, LA. 

PK:         I think I may know the answer to this, but if you could only pick one place to fish the rest of your life, where would it be and why?

TC:          I stumbled upon paradise in 2001, and I have no plans of leaving.  Louisiana has an exceptionally diverse array of both fresh and saltwater fish species. The inshore estuary consisting of salt, brackish, and freshwater marshes produce tall grasses that line the waterways that I paddle in.  I experience wildlife in its most venerable state being that a lot of these areas haven’t been visited by anyone in a very long time.  When I need a change of pace the gulf has many huge fish that will pull me and my kayak around.  I leave any stress from life at the launch and it has disappeared by the time I get back, I’m truly blessed!

PK:         That’s what I thought you would say.

What do you consider to be some of your greatest achievements in fishing?

TC:          I’ve caught a bunch of different fish and have placed high in tournaments, but to me great achievements come in the form of helping other anglers, the community, and preserving the environment.

Other than helping anglers while guiding, at different seminars, and events I’ve been a part of the local kayak launch constructions.  I’m also very active within the local kayak fishing community. 

I participate in CCA’s tag and release program here in Louisiana; have been promoting CPR (Catch-Photo-Release) through the Lafayette Kayak Fishing Club’s CPR Online Tournament as one of the founders of the tournament, and the tournament’s director.    

PK:         How has the sport of kayak fishing grown as a whole since you started kayak fishing?

TC:          It’s grown so much! Boat tournaments are adding kayak divisions, dedicated kayak launches are being built, prominent manufactures within the fishing industry are beginning to focus on kayak fishing…man, it has grown!

PK:         What has been the greatest fishing memory you have?

TC:          Taking my father fishing on a charter when I visited California a few years back.  It was our only fishing trip together, and our last being that he passed away a couple years ago.

PK:         Outside of kayak fishing, what other hobbies do you have?

TC:          I play the piano and trombone, and love to plant things.

PK:         Any future goals for yourself (fish you want to catch, places you want to go, etc…)?

TC:          I’d like to get on some tuna here in Louisiana out of the kayak, also some huge grouper, sailfish, etc.  I’m ready to get some nice frames on the wall!

PK:         Ok, time for some quick answer questions.

                I am a rod guy, my whole trip revolves around what rods I am going to bring.  If you could choose one, what is your favorite Rod?

TC:          7’, medium action, with extra fast tip.

PK:         What is your favorite Lure?

TC:          Glow/chartreuse swimbait

PK:         Favorite fishing kayak?

TC:          JacksonCuda

PK:         Where is your favorite place to fish?

TC:          Calcasieu Lake

PK:         Who has been your favorite fishing partner?

TC:          John Williams

PK:         Who is the best angler you have ever had the chance to fish with?

TC:          Wayne Richardson

PK:         Yourself included, who is the best Louisiana angler you know?

TC:          Wayne Richardson

PK:         Who is one person you would love to take Kayak Fishing?

TC:          My buddy Rodney

PK:         Do you ever fly fish?

TC:          Soon, very soon!

PK:         If someone went to fish your area, where and what do they need to eat?

TC:          Not sure I try to eat at home as much as possible.

PK:         Thanks for your time Tray.  I appreciate the interview.

Other Interviews:

Interview with Drew Gregory

Interview with Jim Dolan
 

Other articles of interest:

Case for a "Big Time" Kayak Fishing Tournament Trail

Plight of the Guadalupe Bass

Interview With Tray Collins

Tray Collins, is the owner, a guide, and an Instructor at Kayak Fishing Louisiana.  He is also a member of Jackson Kayak’s Fishing Team, as well as a Pro Staff member of nationally known brands such as Rat-L-Trap and Columbia Sportswear.  He is also the director of online tournaments with the Lafayette Kayak Fishing Club.  He truly is a busy man in the Kayak Fishing community.

I was lucky enough to track him down for an interview.  Here is Part 1 of our conversation (Here is Part 2):

Pat Kellner: When did you start fishing?  

Tray Collins: In the 90’s, 1994 to be exact.

PK:         Wow, first exact year answer I have seen.  Cool.

How/why did you start?  Was there one person or reason that introduced you or really got you hooked on the sport?

TC:          Like many, my first fishing trip was when I was really young.  It wasn’t until high school that I was hooked.  A friend took me on a charter trip; we fished Catalina Island off the coast of California.

I’ve had the chance to fish with many very good anglers over the years that were willing to share info that most others wouldn’t. 

PK:         How and why did you get involved in kayak fishing?

TC:          I was on my way to purchase a bay boat and was caught by a red light at the intersection where our local paddlesports store (Pack & Paddle) sits.  After visiting the store I called the guy with the bay boat and told him I wouldn’t be coming.  I became involved in kayak fishing after realizing that a kayak can go just about anywhere.  A boat has more range, but can’t get into most places that I now fish.

PK:         Awesome. First time I have heard about a red light leading someone to kayak fishing.

 I know you’re a saltwater guy.  Have you always been a saltwater angler, did you start somewhere else, and do you enjoy fishing for other species?

TC:          I started as a saltwater fisherman, fished a little freshwater while living in California. When I moved to Louisiana I had 3 rivers within a 20 mile radius that I began fishing.  I worked three days a week and fished four, in that time I spent 10-12 hours on the water, in every weather condition except lightning.  I had this luxury for five or six years, during this time I learned a lot that I’ve been able to bring over into the saltwater world.  I enjoy fishing for different species and will switch it up after a number of trips. 

PK:         Is their one species of fish you enjoy catching over any other?

TC:          I can’t say that there’s a particular specie that’s a favorite.  My goal this year is to catch a 10lb trout for CCA’s Star tournament that starts soon, so the speckled trout will be higher in order for a little while. 

PK:         Do you guide?  If so, how would someone contact you for a guided trip?

TC:          Yes, I guide inshore and coastal kayak fishing trips here in Louisiana from Lake Charles to Cocodrie.  These areas receive very little pressure because kayak fishing is still fairly new and the powerboats can’t draft shallow enough to access most of these areas. Inshore we generally target redfish, speckled trout, and flounder.  Coastal trips are where the big fish roam, and an angler can catch many different species.  I can be contacted through my website, KayakFishingLouisiana.com or by phone (337) 205-2018.

PK:         Louisiana is an awesome destination for so many different types of fishing.  And, I know you are from California.  What part of California are you from, and what brought you to Louisiana?  Was it that great fishing, or did you get more involved in fishing after arriving?

TC:          I’m originally from Long Beach, California. My move to Louisiana came after establishing a long distance relationship with a friend’s cousin. The fishing was just a bonus.

PK:         Did you make any pit stops, and live (and fish) in any other areas before you arrived where you are now?

TC:          The only place besides California and Louisiana that I’ve lived is New York.  I lived upstate for a while and learned to ice fish while there.  Most of my east coast fishing experience comes from fishing while on vacation.  

PK:         I know you fish tournaments.  What are some of you best tournament finishes in kayak tournaments?

TC:          I’ve only fished kayak tournaments for a year.  I’ve won two tournaments, placed in the top-5 twice and in the top-10 once.  I also fished Kayak Wars last year with artificial lures and placed 15^th out of 109 anglers.  I didn’t fish any IFA tournaments last year, but will fish the Louisiana division this year.

PK:         I also know you have competed from your kayak against power boat guys in tournaments.  When did you start doing this?

TC:          I started fishing against powerboats in 2009.

PK:         What kind of reaction did you get at first from the power boat competitors?

TC:          My first power boat tournament was a local bass tournament.  The tournament director told me I couldn’t compete because I didn’t have a bass boat.  I pointed out that there weren’t any rules excluding kayaks, after the boaters joking about taking my money they allowed me to fish.  I placed third in the tournament.

PK:         How well have you faired in these tournaments?  Have you won any?

TC:          I haven’t won any power boat tournaments yet, but have a handful of top-5 finishes.  I’ve only found a few that have allowed me to drive to another location to launch.  When you are forced to launch from the same landing as the power boats it becomes a lot tougher.  Many times there are not a lot of productive areas nearby.  The saltwater tournaments are the toughest because you have to factor in weather and tides. 

PK:         How do the logistics work?  I guess what I am asking is, how do you keep your fish, launch your kayak vs. the boats, etc.?

TC:          Before the heat of summer I use a floating live well which is mesh netting and a floating ring. Once the heat is on, I stop looking for bass tournaments to fish.  Bass are hard to keep alive even in a serious kayak live well, I know because I’ve made many.  I look for two fish redfish tournaments (if alive) or tournaments where the fish don’t have to be alive.  I use an insulated soft-sided bag for those tournaments.  Speckled trout tournaments with a live weigh-in are impossible out of a kayak.  

When launching from the same landing as power boats I opt to launch last and even then I’ll wait another 15 to 30 minutes and troll a Rat-L-Trap 30-40 yards behind me as I paddle to my destination.  If the landing is in a dead end I’ll allow the waves from the last boat to settle and begin trolling a Rat-L-Trap rigged with a trailer on the back end of the Rat-L-Trap.  The motors from the power boats places oxygen in the water and get the baitfish stirring around which causes the targeted fish to become aggressive.

Fishing these tournaments can be really dangerous because you’re like a motorcycle on the highway without the high pitched motor! It’s really important to stay away from blind spots like points and other structure that may hide you, and it’s best to cross intersecting waterways out in the open water.  A flag on a telescopic pole may help, but is no guarantee.  The last thing on their mind is a kayak!

PK:         Have you been able to convert any other tournament anglers to the kayak?  Have you seen anybody else fishing in power boat tournaments from a kayak since you started?

TC:          I know a few tournament guys who have purchased kayaks, but they still fish primarily from their boats.  I hear guys saying that they’re going to try it, but have only seen one guy whom I fished within a team tournament on the water.

PK:         Would you say that fishing from a kayak gives you an advantage, a disadvantage, or is neutral when fishing against power boats?

TC:          I would say all three.  If the fish are shallow fishing from a kayak is an advantage, neutral if the fish are in open water, and a disadvantage if the weather is less than ideal.  

PK:         Even with the bass fishing I do, I would agree with that answer.

                In your eyes, what are some of the advantages of fishing from a kayak, and what are some of the main challenges you face?

TC:          There are so many advantages of fishing from a kayak.  Here in Louisiana we’re able to drift shallow oyster reefs remaining stealth with less of a visible profile than a boat. These same reefs are fished by boat anglers by wading, but we often out fish them because of our ability to cover so much distance.  Some of our reefs here are really big and the fish can be stacked within a very small area of the reef, or on a small area of scattered shell that the wade fishermen can’t reach.

We have another advantage fishing the marsh.  The entire Louisiana coast is occupied by extensive salt marshes; within these marshes are channels that have been cut by companies within the oil industry. The main channels are deep enough for boats to travel in, but the best fishing is often far back into the marsh where only a paddlecraft can reach.  The redfish and flounder push into really shallow water, sometimes less than a foot!  I live for days when the redfish are tailing and busting through schools of bait, it’s just amazing to witness them feeding.

The main challenges that I face in a kayak are using the restroom, weather, and knowing when to go home. 

My personal trips are often over 12 hours long.  In that time I will have to use the restroom, experience some rain, wind, or extreme temperatures and through it all I just don’t want to call it a day!  I just can’t get enough of kayak fishing.  I love to stay out and fish both sides of a tide; it keeps you sharp because the tactics that you used with a falling tide won’t usually work on a rising tide.

Continue on to Part 2

Other Interviews:

Interview with Drew Gregory

Interview with Jim Dolan

Other articles of inetrest:

Case for a "Big Time" Kayak Fishing Tournament Trail

Plight of the Guadalupe Bass

A Roundtable Discussion of Organized Kayak Fishing Events

I recently was lucky enough to have been chosen as part of a roundtable discussion for The Milkcrate Magazine, along with Allen Sansano and Andy Cameron (from The Milkcrate), Rory Gregg (Hobie Kayak Tournament Pro and Guide), and Eric Stockwell (Tournament Founder and kayak angling's philosopher king), about the importance of organized events in the world of kayak fishing.  Most of the pictures were provided by Jose Chavez.  Be sure you check it out and leave a comment with your thoughts!


Here is the Intro: A Roundtable
Here is Part 1: The Importance of Events

If your not already, you need to be following this magazine.  They have some really cool profiles of anglers, artists, craftsmen, and professionals, in the sport.


Other articles of interest:
Plight of the Guadalupe Bass
Interview with Drew Gregory
Interview with Jim Dolan
Case for a "Big Time" Kayak Fishing Tournament Trail
Why I Kayak Fish

Calling all Texas Hill Country Fly Fishermen

I was excited to find this today:

http://tournament.texasriverbum.com/

You can bet I will be signing up for it (as soon as I get $30 bucks I can spend.)  You should sign up too!

Other posts of interest:
Plight of the Guadalupe Bass
Fishing Artwork
Why I Kayak Fish
Interview with Drew Gregory