First striper on the Yak!

[GULFSTREAM]

Caught my first striper on a yak this evening. My father got a Ocean Kayak Drifter fisherman for me a week ago. Anyways launched from the dock in front of the house and exited the entrance to the Nanaquaket pond in RI and made a right into the Sakonnet. Trolled a storm shad and within the first five minutes of paddling the reel sang and the rod bounced up and down in the holder. A nice fat schoolie came yakside in a few minutes and I was so excited I yelled out in triumph lol. I AM HOOKED! I'll have to bring the fly rod next time cant belive I left it on the deck! I am going to ask him if it's ok to bring it to Boston with me as I will be living on the water once again this time in Quincy when I move back for school! AWESOME!

[Dumpcast]

There's no song like a reel song. It's the real thing, especially when you're paddle-powered. I can recall my first fish from a kayak with almost as much excitement, and it was only a pollock. Congratulations.

[dlangan]

The great thing is how with time on the water, fishing out of the yak becomes second nature :)

[no problem]

Had the same experience on my hobie four weeks ago. Wait till you get em with the fly rod..have been prowling the waters off castle island with out much luck last two weeks...but soon...very soon --126-3-

[tjf02]

Nothing like it, wait until the fall run and sitting right in the middle of blitzing bass/blues. I started with the yak last year and can still remember my first keeper size bass.

I just up'd my personal best from the yak last week and yelled just like you. The adrenaline rush was unreal. 38" and a 10 minute fight. --127-3-

[GULFSTREAM]

Thanks for all the responses. I literally jumped into the kayak after work today and headed out for a spin. Fly rod and spin rod this time. Caught some schoolies on the fly which was awesome! Witnessed an amazing sunset while floating in the middle of the sakonnet this evening. Unreal! So cool! Cant wait for the fall and my first keeper.

:-%

[no problem]

As those who have gone before us say..."welcome to the yak side"

[joca]

Gulf - I had the exact same experience this weekend. I mostly flyfish from a boat on the eastern side of Buzzards Bay, but we had bought some sit-in kayaks this summer and decided to give it a try. I trolled a small clouser fly around some structure, and bam, fish on. The fly rod was between my legs (no rod holder), and I have no leash for the paddle yet so it was a bit of expected chaos. Had to push the paddle under the front cockpit, grab the line, and try to keep enough pressure on the line as not to lose the fish from the debarbed fly. Ended up pulling in a 14" schoolie.

I can't imagine catching a keeper size from the kayak - but I'll certainly keep trying.

John

[GULFSTREAM]

Joca, I nearly dropped my rod when my first yak striper hit! Luckily I had a leash for the paddle but no holder for the fly rod yet. Just holders for the spin rods...Which brings up an important question...make or buy my own fly rod holder...? Suggestions? Went out this am at 5 caught some schoolies. Nothing huge but lots of fun. Damn blues tore up my storm shads and destroyed my clousers. Oh well. Beautiful morning anyways but its going to be a scorcher!

Adrian

[averagejoe]

Gulfstream I sent you a PM

[FlyFishMich]

make or buy my own fly rod holder...? Suggestions?
Scotty makes one specifically for flyrods, available through Cabelas. I also pondered the idea of putting a piece of PVC into one of my flush mounts and doing a cut-out for the reel (easier done than explained in print) and a velcro leash. I already have a bunch of regular Scotty holders (which will hold a flyrod that has an uplocking seat and a fighting butt) in my walleye/salmon boat so I just bought the flush mount assembly and put it in the front of the opening of my sit-in yak. You may also consider purchasing or making a "rod leash" to use while trolling and in transit. I have only had my Heritage Featherlite Angler a couple of weeks but already think its the cat's meow. Unfortunately, no salty excursions for me until late September. For now its "dog day" largemouths and non-fishing whitewater excursions.