Fishing from a Cobra Tandem

[NilsC]

New to this board and new to kayak fishing.

I'm staying in RI this summer (Weekapaug) and was planning to do some fishing from my kayak. One big question, not sure if it's a smart thing to do with a tandem kayak and a single guy. (no pun... I'm married but I would be alone fishing). Would this be safe, any tips would be apreciated.

Nils

[SamRiley]

Welcome aboard NilsC:)

Originally posted by NilsC
Would this be safe, any tips would be apreciated

It really depends on your ability, where in the area you plan to fish and the conditions you find when you get there. Although you are new to kayak fishing, have you done any paddling before? Do you have all of the required safety gear? A little more info would help us to point you towards safe areas to fish. There are quite a few yakers on this board that fish that area and I'll be heading down that way from time to time too. You might want to hook up with a local for your first outing.

[NilsC]

OK, here we go,

I'm a beginner when it comes to kayaking. I have no cold weather gear so I will wait for later in the season to start.

As for equipment, I have a pdf, kayak, paddle and fishing pole.
I'm looking on the net to see what I need to add to this to make it safe without breaking the bank...

I used the kayak along the shore a couple of times last year. I need to find a safe spot to learn from. (My biggest problem is that I'm so out of shape... I'm working on it.. I quit smoking and are working out)

I have no idea where to fish from a kayak, I was fishing from the beach last year. The area from Weekapaug Breachway to past the state beach with most of the fishing done in front of the carousel (Jim's beach).

All my knowledge on fishing from the beach are from people I met on the beach and the guys from the tackle shop at the breach way. So I'll take this opportunity to thank them and all of you for helping me.

Nils

[PeteV]

I also fish solo from a Tandem so I'll try to help you out.

First, I'm most comfortable fishing from the BACK seat. The kayak tracks better when I'm in the back. When I tried pushing the front seat way back I just didn't feel as stable and the Kayak didn't track as well.

Second, I carry my tackle in a bucket, Just in case I get dunked or take on a mega wave I can bail out the water.

Third, I picked up a paddle float.
Just in case the weather turned to crap & I got dunked. getting back into the yak can be tricky. The paddle float is kind of neat & I keep it stashed in my vest. the Paddle float is a "blow-up" sleeve. when you get dunked, you blow up the float and slide it over one of your paddle blades. the other end of the paddle you cram under the gunnel so the paddle acts like an out rigger and adds stability to the Yak so you can climb back in.

[ruge13]

I don;t know much about tandem kayaks so I can't help you there, however, the weekapaug area is great. Common sense tells you to not enter the breachway, however with a kayak you can stay in the outflow on a dropping tide just out of range of the bait casters and pluggers on the jetties. Ideal position. This is a pic of the cove next to the breachway. Great rocky area close to shore that is easy access from the beach. The current moves along pretty good here but if you stay fairly close it is a safe spot I think....
If I remember correctly..Another area you might want to check out that will be close by and will be a great place to play around in a safe environment is Quonny pond. In the cove just off the parking lot at the boat ramp there will be tons of people to give you a hand if needed (not that you shuold ever rely on other people). There is relatively little flow and shallow water with a sandy bottom. This will give you plenty of room to practice dumping the boat and getting back in...good place to build up some skills and confidence.

[NilsC]

Mine is a SOT and I had no problem entering and exiting the kayak in calm weather last year.
I'm trying to figure out a way to sit in the middle, like the fishNdive kayak. The problem with that is the hatch is in the middle and it feels soft (I'm afraid the hatch will break if I try to rig up the seat on top of it.)
If I can get the seat up to the middle I can use a milk crate behind me for my fishing gear and pole. I have seen a lot of pictures of this and the milk crate seems to be the way to go in the beginning (until I know what I'm doing <g>). I have to get a pump to bail if I get water in the kayak while I have a hatch open.
I'm going to invest in a paddle float or outrigger.
(Outrigger = training wheels for "me")

Nils

[NilsC]

I'm working this weekend or I would be down fishing from the shore.
Where is Quonny pond, from Weekapaug?
And those rocks in the background look like a place to test from the kayak.

Nils

[ruge13]

Right next door...