Introduce Yourself

[SamRiley]

O.K. gang, it's time for a head count. I'll start

My name is Sam Riley and I'll be your Moderator on this forum. Although I have only been paddling for a few years, in that time I have covered a lot of water, caught some fish and have mess of stories to share with everyone. My yak is a Perception America from which I fish both fresh and salt for everything from Trout, Largemouth and Salmon to Stripers, Blues, Tunoids and Cod. Home base is Boston, MA but I paddle and fish most of the MA coast and have hit parts of ME, NH and RI too. I'm really looking forward to sharing in with each of you the best way to get skunked... while kayaking :)

[thecanoe]

Hi Sam,
I also am relatively new to kayak fishing. I've owned a canoe for years and fished fresh water only. Since buying my pungo,
I am hooked on salt water. I fish mostly around Bass River and Herring River. I did do well at Corporation Beach ,so, I hope to hit there more this year. Although I'm not a fly fisherman,I do use light tackle. I fish with a Penn 4300 and a 6 ft Fenwick rod. I love slug-gos and top water plugs.I'm attaching a picture of a 36lb striper I caught off Monomy last year. I'm not sure if the attachment is working,but, if not,it was a BIG fish.

See you on the water
Larry

[FishHawk]

Hi I'm the FishHawk and a newbie . I have a Necky Santa Cruz and looking forward to the sport of yakking.
I fish mostly the Cape for stripers. Have not been able to get on reel-time for the past year due to software problems. With the new software has fixed the problem and its good to be back.
FishHawk

[RIBill]

Sam & All: Mark could not have picked a better man to moderate this board! Congrats!

I'm looking forward to my second season paddlin the Pungo around MA, CT and of course, good ol' Rhody. :D

[bluewatr]

Hello Everyone,

This will be my 2nd season with the yak. I use it mostly in the salt but sometimes do some largemouth fishing from it. The reason I got it is to regain access to some of my fav spots that get closed off to parking come Memorial Day. I use it more to shuttle myself to key locations then wade. I have a wilderness systems ride angler. I am buying a pungo to chase the tunoids in the colder months. If the Pungo is more comfortable I will be doing a lot more fishing from the yak.

-mike

[ekg]

I live in Newport Ri, And fish from a Loon 138. So far I've ccaught stripers,blues,shad and a gull from my Kayak. The Gull was an interesting excercise in catch and release. Bogas don't work on gulls. There are fish around but I haven't gone out yet. I usually wait for 50 degree water before I sart fishing. I'm can always use a fishing partner.Its more fun and safer. So if you want to fish around Newport drop me an email
ekg

[Clark]

Russ Clark.. Have been paddling for a couple of years now mostly on the cape with a few trips to Maine thrown in. Stripers just seem to go hand in hand with the yak thing. I use mostly Sluggo’s and a few live eels thrown in at night. Hopefully we could put a couple of trips together where those who want could meet for a day’s paddle and fishing. I have been known to make a good pot of espresso to help keep those arms pumping….

[canewitch]

I'm in Tiverton, RI and fish from a 15' QCC fiberglass. This will be the second season out for stripers, blues and bonito. Last year, fished the Sakonnet from Nanaquacket to the point and both the southside of the Cape and the Bay from Eastham to Truro. The catch and release bird stories are probably the best(worst), followed closely by snag the buoy in a rip and try to look like you're fighting a fish....

[tibro]

I got a pungo for my birthday.I have never used a kayak but have had canoes.I am looking forward to hopefully getting some good advice from everyone out there on this forum.I plan on doing as much fishing as is humanly possible or my wife will allow, which ever comes first.;)

[sandy]

I'm Sandy

I've been yakin' for about seven years now in the Boston area and parts of Cape Cod. I use a Necky (sit-in) that I love. Nothing beats getting towed around by a big fish. All I can say is that it has been a long winter and I can't wait to get my yak down to Chatham and catch some fish!

[rockfisherman]

A Yak Forum...all right! Excellent choice of Sam for moderator.

This will be my 7th season yak fishin' with my own boat. (It took my fishin' buddy 5 years to convince me to make the switch... I was a die hard canoeist).

My old Keowee will be spending time in the rafters this year, as I've upgraded to a roomier Pungo SuperLight.

I live in South County, RI and don't have a passport to leave. I am investigating getting one to visit some neighboring areas, though, and perhaps attend a yak fling.

[lunkhead]

I live in Nepwort, I kayak fish in a cobra fish n dive at night off of Brenton Reff, Prices Neck, Elephant Rock and the rocks at the mouth of the river. Anyone interested heading out when the fish show up out front? You'll need a skirted sit-in or a sit on top, if you have an open sit in you *will* get swamped.

[Wes]

Starting my second season with the yak. Had a couple years in the salt with a solo canoe but found too often I was still looking at them OUT THERE because it was too far/too windy/too stupid to go there. I only have a 6wt so I spin fish a lot in the yak.
Jim

[WeeHooker]

I live in Westport Ma but work in Newport RI. Fish from a Pungo and Loon 138 ( Both spin and fly, freash and salt) from the Cape to Naragansett . Most my yak fishing is close to home Westport, Newport, East Bay) . Always willing to fish /paddle w new buds.
Dave

[kayaker]

When I discovered Reel-time in 2000, I was unaware of the popularity of kayak fishing among the Web site's participants and chose what I thought would be a singular moniker. Because I probably fish from the kayak less often than many of you -- I spend 75 percent of my fishing time in a 16-foot Lund outboard -- I am a little embarrassed to be Kayaker and really should be Lunder (or, perhaps, BLunderer). Anyway, I live in Gloucester and paddle and fish adjacent waters. My kayak is a 16-foot Prijon Seayak (spray skirt mandatory), not the most stable platform for fly-fishing, which is why, this season, I expect to use it more as a way of getting TO selected fishing spots than as a boat to fish FROM. Reel-timers who have questions about kayak put-in spots and parking on Cape Ann can e-mail me at D_Cohen@Globe.com.

[kcsmes]

Mi, I'm Kahuna, and I'm a fishaholic from Western Massachusetts. Most of my fishing has been wading or from a 19" Starcraft and a smaller boat. Split my time between trout, fw bass and stripers with a regular Spring Maine salmon trip thrown in. Most striper fishing has been in the Massachusetts portion of the CT River or the Merrimac and mouth. Baught a Cobra Fish & Dive this winter for the times that I am alone, don't want to take the boat, can't take the boat or can't get access with the boat. I think it it will be ideal for the family vacation at Saco Beach, ME, where the boat is just too much trouble, or the perennial camping trip to Cape Anne,
MA. Lots of experience canoing and moderate experience in other's yaks - have yet to get mine wet! Any tips on Saco Beach, Cape Anne, or the upper CT River are welcome.

[Coof]

I've been talking to many of you like brothers and you guys don't even know who the hell I am!
Coof here. (a derogatory term meaning "not born on the island of Nantucket" c.1790's)
Own a sign co. North of Boston and head for either Nahant(weekdays) or the Cape(weekends) where I have a summer camp @ Peter's Pond. I fish for EVERYTHING from eels to crayfish. I've been kayaking for 5 or so years now, love those sleigh rides! I guess I'm mostly a plugger, and a master at the Freshwater Sluggo. Novice at flyfishing. I let those skills wane many years back, I'll return to them soon.
Nothing better than surfcasting from the rough rocks in nasty weather when the Stripers are hugging tight to the cliffs!
I guess the kid who grew up at Old Silver Beach in N. Falmouth never left me.
I make plugs and seem to always be tinkering with the Yak.
Somehow, I think there's an undiscovered market in unusual/bizarre hull art, but I've made really weird business
decisions in the past. I've got new friends who are gearing up for Tuna runs...not enough time in the day!

[ruge13]

YEah I never did that either.....I am just a kid now living in Boston adicted to fishing. I grew up in RHinebeck NY on the Hudson River fishing for Monster Stipers durring the herring runs. Befor elast year I fished for Trout and largmouth where a 2lb trout was huge. After coming to Boston, i.e. saltwater last summer, I thought the "Monster" stipers we used to catch are what people here call schoolies. I remmeber last year when I caught the first striper I had ever caught in salt water and thinking I had some kind of record over my friends because it was 25 lbs. I was used to Bass being 10lbs or less. Where I am from if you caught one over 25lbs you were in the paper the next day. Sad to know that here this fish was only barely a keeper. anyway, my Fly skills are just plain ugly. I don;t even pretend to say I can fly fish. I just never learned but now I am trying. Spinning tackle is my weapon of choice, but I use rediculously light line to make things interesting and expensive with all the lures and rigs I loose. I had a pungo but now I am looking or something new. And I have a quiet obbsession with trying to shark fish from a yak. My friends laugh at me so I don;t bring it up anymore, but this year I will do it.

[Coof]

Shaun......

You'll have the last laugh if you show this photo to your friends.

Lots of guys on the West Coast pull these Thresher's in (and on) to their yaks.

If you're fishing Boston harbor with bait, you'll be shark fishing. Plenty of the dogs around.

[David Churbuck]

My jaw is on the floor!

[ruge13]

Coof, Sweet picture. I actually got the idea from West coast Threshers, I have heard they are popular there. There is also a group in Galveston TX that fishes regularly for anything with teeth from a yak Tigers, Lemons, and I have even heard of small whites being taken. I don;t really beleve that one but hey you never know. I hope to avoid the dogs...I equate them with stingrays...but who knows what a good chum slick will bring in... :p

[Mad Dog Matson]

It seems like most all of you are from New England. I'll be the oddball midwesterner. I don't have much kayak experience though on a recent trip to Brazil I was able to swamp one in a river, and find out just how difficult it is to maneuver, cast, and stay in any kind of position with strong current to contend with.

I do have 30-some years of canoeing experience and own a pristine piece of wilderness in N. Wisconsin on a wild river. I watch the kayakers glide by, and they seem to do it almost as easily against the (usually) mild current as with it. It sure looks like a fun way to spend time.

Do most of you flyfish right from a seated position in the kayak or do you use it as a vehicle to get to wading locations? I'd be interested to see which models would be suitable for casting and navigating my small river, and still be okay for flats in the Florida Keys if you have any recommendations.

[hal11]

I can't wait for the water to warm up. I fish from the s. shore of the caoe to Maine in a Current Designs sit in. I mostly troll a sluggo or a black tube for blues and stripers. I am always looking for mid week partners. To see what I use go to http://www.ez-troll.com. I can be reached at hal11@adelphia.net I was on the water in FL last week and just got the tails of a lot of sluggos bit off.
Hal

[notime]

I fish out of 11' 6" Seirra Neveda for the past two years. Mostly saltwater, but also some local stillwater. Stripers in the South Shore is where I fish most often, but also the Boston Area. I live in MetroWest Boston so have been trying some of the local stillwater, with limited success. I fish mostly with fly, but occasionally spin. Any of you local kayakers want to hook up for some local stillwater fishing let me know.

[adrian]

Hi, I'm Adrian and I just got into the Yak thing this year after thinking about it for the past two years. I have a WS Tarpon. Based in Fairfield CT, most of my fishing has been up on the cape in the Chatham area but I plan to spend more time on the CT coast this year. The Yak is primarily an access tool for me but I'll probably have a few casts if I find myself paddling through a blitz!

[bluewatr]

Coof,

You are out of your mind! So how did you calm him before hoisting in the yak?

You need a bigger boat!

[joev]

JoeV
Live in Bristol CT.
Madd yakker fish the yak close to 3 times a week .
I have a Tarpon and Pungo.
Fish anywhere they are hitting LI Sound all the CT rivers .

Joev

[keeper]

Hello Fellow Yakkers!

I'm "Keeper" on Reel-Time. Just got a Pungo a couple of weeks ago & it's going to be GREAT not being shore-bound again this year!! I haven't fished from the new 'yak yet as I wanted to get some time on the water first to get used to the new toy before trying to fish from it also. My impressions from the first couple of outings: These things are a BLAST!!! Very easy to load/launch, easier to paddle than a canoe and the Pungo feels very stable.
I thought it was pretty decent of "kayaker" to offer advice on parking & launch sites in the Cape Ann area. Anyone else who can offer more of the same would be greatly appreciated.

Good luck to all on the upcoming season!!!:)

[PAX]

Hi guys,

My name is Patrick and I live in West Roxbury, MA. I own a RIDE from Wilderness Systems (http://www.wildernesssystems.com/kayaks/boats/theride_a.html). It's a Sit On Top that I use for free-diving and will use this year for fishing. I mostly do fly-fishing but use a spinner from time to time. Being new in the area I don't know any other kayaker and hope to do some fishing with you guys in the next months. I will also need tips about locations.

Take care

Patrick
West Roxbury, MA

[bluewatr]

Patrick,

How do you like your ride? I use the same. I like mine. It's all rigged for fishing. It's not very fast but darn stable.

[Seahorse]

I'm another pungo fisher. I have been salt and freshwater fishing from a kayak for a year and can't get enough. I fish mainly the south shore and cape areas. Live in Rockland, MA. Am always interested in fishing with new people.

[paulyfish]

Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. I fish and kayak in the Sandy hook/central NJ area. You may recognize me from the NJ reports as I run reel therapy flyfishing charters.
Flying around in a power boat all the time is great, but the tranquility/simplicity of paddling backwaters really lets me get back to nature.
This year, we are expanding our services to offer kayak eco tours in the central NJ starting in June. I am certain that fishing and or mother shipping will come into this at some point later in the season.
We will have a fleet of kayaks, including solo and tandem models and the ability to handle 12 people.We have 4 trip leaders to guide the tours.
Tight Lines
Paul

[kayakfish1]

Hi. My name is David Hadden. I fish mostly around Joppa Flats, Plum Island, Parker, and the Merrimac River. I fish from a Walden Scout and fly fish 95% of the time.

It is good to see so many kayak fishermen in the area.


Cheers.

DH

[PAX]

"I fish mostly around Joppa Flats, ....., , and the Merrimac River"

I never had a chance to fish either Joppa or the Merrimack but plan to do so this year. I did some research during winter time and would like your advice on some of what I learned.

Joppa flat is a great great stripers and blues spot that can be very busy at time and dangerous due to heavy current. I did some scouting and found the boat ramp (water street ??) that would allow me to launch my yak, however there is almost no parking space. Clouser and deceiver work well in the area.

Do you have any other input?
Is the area dangerous if you wade or if you use a yak?
Anytime of the tide that is not worth fishing or that require special attention?
Can I park in the streets in the area?
What other part of the Merrimack (with an easy launch) are worth a try?
If I was to go upstream from Joppa would I found other fisheable areas?

Thanks for your help

Patrick
West Roxbury, MA

[jeffp]

Hi,
My name is Jeff Plant. I live in central NH but try to salt water flyfish once a week.My boat is a Pongo I fish PI, Hampton Harbor, and southern ME. This is my 3rd year saltwater ff and still learning the ropes. Would very much like to hook up with other yak fisherman to learn more about this great sport. Can email me at Jeffrey.N.Plant@Hitchcock.org. Thanks! Really enjoy this forum. Keep up the good work.

[kcsmes]

Pax: Joppa is probably a good place for the yak. You can fish all around the flats, shore and an island there. I have only fished upriver as far as the iron bridge - but I woudl not recommend spending much time in the main river. There is a very nice launch at the State Park - I beilieve it is Salisbury State Park. Lots of use but there is a dirt launch area there also that nobody uses. It does cost to get in the park most of the season. It think it is $10. The cove where this launch is located and this side of the river upstream should be good for yaks also.

[jeffp]

Hi,
My name is Jeff Plant and I live in the Hanover,NH area and travel to the coast once a week to fly fish. Started 2 years ago and bought a pungo to fish with . Fish mostly the Plum Island, Hampton Harbor, S,Maine area. Would be interested in connecting with other yak fisherman as I am still a novice with lots to learn. Email me at Jeffrey.N.Plant@Hitchcock.org. Thanks, I really enjoy this forum keep up the good work. Jeff

[kalamaiofly]

I've been 4 times at Cape Cod; Falmouth mostly. I'm very intrigued in kayak ff, and I think about west Falmouth harbor. Now I live in La Spezia (Italy) where I do a lot of bluewater ff for bluefin tuna & bullet tuna too whith some amberjacks & dorados mixed in. I think of a S.O.T. for gulf fishing or estuary fishing, but here it's difficult to find tools good for fishing. I'm looking around for something which could be a minimum compromise for ff. May be I can start something in this periode, but we have a nice shad run in these days so i'm focused on it. Bye Antonio.

[mgustav]

I'm Mark. I use a Malibu II which I mainly fly fish from but also spin. I do both fresh and salt with it on the Southshore of Long Island, in particular, Moriches Bay and Carmans River. I look forward to hearing from everyone and contributing.

[Mickeyfin5]

I am newbie as well and am very interested in learning more about kayacing. I have looked at pongo's and am trying to get as much input as possible, so if anyone has thoughts, suggestions/recommendations I would appreciate it.
Some background, I am 50, love fly fishing but spin as well, live in Harwich and am learning more and more about spots, techniques, etc. Hope to see you out there!
Michael

[NilsC]

Hi, I'm Nils. I fish from a kayak, it's been 6 days since I launched the kayak last... Uhhhhh sorry that's the AA... :D

I'm fishing the CT/RI area from one of my Tarpons, in the summer after memorial day I will be fishing 3-7days a week. This spring I'm part in organizing a kayak fishing tournament and we are gearing it toward beginners and experts alike. We have a website up to promote the tournament and are adding sponsors and their donations (Work in progress).

As for me, I'm 49 grew up on the ocean in Norway. Fished comercially as a young man, got out of and did not fish for close to 10 years. Then I was introduced to Rocky Little Rhody and I was hooked on striper fishing. I started out walking the beach, but switched to the kayak because I could not cast far enough. This is the season where I have enough kayaks for my boys to come out fishing with me and for the ladies to take the tandem kayaks out for a spin.

Anytime you are in the area between CT river in the west to Point Judith east email me if you are looking for a fishing partner. We go out in groups every weekend during the summer.

Nils

[flynny]

I bought my first yak a year ago, 14' pungo, and use it strictly for saltwater fishing. I actually use LT/spincast but hope to learn the art of fly fishing one day. Thanks to this board, I got many ideas on how to rig the yak for fishing and equipped it nicely during the winter. I fish mainly Duxbury bay area, and also the Chatham area.

[kalamaiofly]

[COLOR=DarkGreen]
Here I am: Antonio from La Spezia. South ligurian sea/ 5 terre.
I flyfish offshore with my sit in no name.
My fish: dorado, mackerel fregate, bluefin tuna, amberjack, cuda (sfirena viridis), white sea bass, leherfish, palometa, bluefish, others minor.

[fluid]

Hey,

My name is Russ and I just started fly fishing from my SOT yak'...I have never tried it in the salt...just various waters in Camden County, NJ.

I have been throwin' flies in the salt for the past 6 yrs.

If anyone is from the area let me know. Maybe we can link up sometime.

I'd like to link up w/ some fly fisher's for salt too in the NJ area...SEASIDE down to Wildwood.


Thanks

[Flyflinger]

Hi all! My name is Tony and I flyfish from a Pungo 140 - in SE FL primarily for inshore species (snookie, snookie!) as well as for fresh water fish. I need to start venturing offshore as the inshore bite hasn't been too good of late, unless you're night-snookin'! I just ran across the Reel-Time website - I thought I knew most of them - very nice.

If anyone's ever in the Jupiter/Stuart/WPB area give me a yell.

Tony

[ChemFly]

Jeff Weiss of Nutley NJ reporting for duty.
I own a Tarpon 16. This is my first season fishing from this boat and I think it is the fastest, most stable SOT available for fishing or touring. I assist Paul "Paulyfish" Eidman of Reel-Therapy during his Ecotour trips and have found the T16 to be a great boat. Also, Paul has taught me more about kayaking in two seasons then I could have figured out in four. Lastly, I fish Raritan Bay to IBSP whenever possible.