where to go, where to go

[MatthewP]

Hey guys. Just finished mounting the fish finder on my tarpon. I'll be making my first real effort to catch some fish from my yak this weekend (I did land some bluefish in Barrington last week - but that was a short evening paddle to start getting used to this fishing from the kayak thing). My better half will be participating in a 60 mile walk on the cape for Multiple Sclerosis from Friday through Sunday. My job is transportation. I'll be dropping her off in Hyannis on Saturday and Orleans on Sunday. That leaves both days wide open for fishing. Any suggestions? If anyone else is fishing in the area over the weekend, I'd be glad to meet up.

BTW, at Radio Shack, I found a rechargable 12 volt 7 amp battery to run my fish finder identical to the one in Cabelas. Cost a few extra bucks and it doesn't come with a charger, but if you need one and can't wait, check Radio Shack. They sell it as an alarm system backup battery, but it's the same one.

[MatthewP]

well, here's a report of my first full-on kayak fishing effort. I wound up launching from Harding's beach in Chatham on Saturday. One word - WIND. It was pretty tough going all day. No fish. Didn't mark any, saw one boat hook up. They chased it for awhile, but I didn't see what it was or if they landed it. Paddled my arms off with not much to show. trolled the tube and worm (man, those worms are NASTY - do you guys plop the whole worm on at once, or use pieces? - i had a hard time keeping the worm on), cast metal, the fly was not an option with the wind. finally threw in the towel around 3:00 pm. lots of questions from beach folk about the yak.

Sunday: launched from bone hill in Barnstable harbor. drove up, saw birds, decided to launch. trolled a white storm shad while paddling from spot to spot. picked up the only fish of the weekend with this method - a schoolie bass about 22". saw alot more fish breaking, tried to run them down and fly cast to them, but couldn't put it together. the wind was much more manageable, making it an enjoyable day despite the low fish count. had to leave to pick marie up just as the tide was starting to move out. again, more questions about the yak

Top ten lessons of the weekend:
10 - I bring too much crap that I don't need.
9 - the rudder is a magnet for all manner of fishing tackle.
8 - bass in the boat are much friendlier than than blues.
7 - people in power boats look at you like you're nuts.
6 - I am nuts
5 - despite the lack of sails, I'm pretty convinced I could've made it to Cape Horn on Saturday.
4 - old guys and children are fascinated with a fishing kayak.
3 - plan on dumping half the beach on your car when you load the boat back on - plan on dumping the other half in your trunk with the rest of your gear
2 - "run and gun" in the kayak translates to "stroke and choke"
and the number one lesson learned this weekend:

I gotta start working out.

[BillN]

I know the feeling on the run and gun when the're not staying up long enough. When you start fishing certain areas time after time you'll start seeing some patterns that repeat that get you ahead of them. No matter what it's way more fun than casting from the beach!!!!

Bill

[Tom Kelly]

I call it" paddle and skadaddle".A cople of weeks ago I was in Pleasant Bay fishing. I beached my yak on a exposed flat across from Strong Island .As this flat began to flood ,schools of small stripers moved in and began to feed.It was a fish on almost every cast.After a half hr. of some of the best fishing I've had all year I glanced over and saw birds working and some very large breaks underneath them about a half mile away.I know it's never wise to" leave fish to find fish,"but I've never been acused of being wise and after all if I could see the breaks from this distance the fish had to be huge. I hop into my yak and start paddling like an olyimpian.It felt like I was going so fast you could of water skied behind me.When I get there the fish go down only to resurface 100yrds. away. After an hour of this game I'm drenched in sweat and have not caught a single fish.I've learned my lesson no more "paddle and skadadlle" for me.

[krisl]

You learn real quickly that its better to hold tight and let the fish come to you. Its not easy to sit and watch a blitz out in the distance, but it seems you rarely make it in time. Then you look up and see blitzing right where you came from. Frustrating.

MatthewP...keep at it, you'll nail some big ones before the seasons over.

[ruge13]

I am the opposite. I notice the patterns, and know I can position to get fish. But I will take the chase any day...even if its for one fish. I like the challenge, especially with a fly rod when you need to be that much closer. Fish are fast, but you can out run them....remember just because they are not there splashing on top when you get there dosen't mean they are not there still....

[krisl]

Wow...now I feel lazy! lol. I guess I should clarify and say there are distances in which I feel it worth paddling hard and distances I am just not up for. If a blitz is not too far off, I dont just sit there...I paddle. And as for anticipating and positioning to get fish, thats the way to do it.

[MatthewP]

I kept thinking to myself "geez, this would go so much faster with a motor" lol. Despite my slow start, I'm psyched to do more yak fishing. Been chasing sbft from a boat the last few outings. (WAY more frustrating, by the way). Hoping for good weather, and scoping my options for this coming weekend. Thanks for the thoughts, guys.
Tight lines.