Hui O'he'e Nalu

Ok boyz and gurlz, I'm at it again. Thinking instead of fishing

I've got two big old windsurfing boards that I lugged down here and I just saw an article in Florida Sportsman of a guy killing them on a Stand Up Paddle board. So I'm ready to kick it up a notch (or at least around to the side a notch).
 
 It actually looks very attractive as the standing position gives me a MUCH better view before I spook the reds, and as fat as these boards are, they should float pretty shallow (as fat as I am I hope I don't sink them) I figure I can pole as much as paddle as the water is often one foot or less. Half the time I'm in the yak I find myself polling almost as much as paddling.

So anybody have any tips or idea about rigging these things? (Crate with a cover?)  Advice on paddles, paddle technique?



(no, there will be NO video or stills available of this impending disaster)  

I roll prone paddleboard style, and thus on a narrower board, but i've got mine rigged with a few things.  I have one of those arch topped kayak dry bags attached to the nose via high strength 3M velcro.  Never had a problem with it coming off.  Even while tanker surfing.  It's a breeze to remove when you want, too.  Also have a few eye bolts on the rear that I use to secure larger dry bags for overnight use.  You could strap down a crate with a similar setup.  Especially on an old windsurf board.  You don't need to be as careful as with a true SUP. 

Windsurf boards have a different rail and rocker than SUP boards, but you'll get the hang of it.  It'll take practice before you are casting with authority.

As far as paddles go - and my experience is limited - spend the money for a decent one.  C4 and Sawyer make nice ones.  Don't bother with any under 150 dollars.  You'll notice the lack of quality.

Paddle technique?  Keep those knees bent.  Go slow at first.  The kayaking skills don't really transfer that well.

Have fun!

When I worked at OEX down in San Diego, we carried a milk crate setup designed for surfboards. I think I remember only having one or two in the shop at a time since they didn't sell quickly. I can't imagine why they were not a hot item, especially in a place like SD.
Here's a site with some good examples and ideas:
http://www.boardfisher.com/Products2.html

I imagine a some of that stuff won't fit on a windsurfing board because of the difference in thickness, but there's some good ideas there.

Eh Bra!  You chrying say "Hui O'he'e Nalu"? 

Let me tell you, SUP boards take a while to get good at.....  As AJ said, keep your knees bent!  But also, keep your shoulders level.  If you tilt your shoulders your balance will shift and you'll end up with all your weight on one leg.  Until you get good at it, your legs will get tired very quickly.  Once balance is second nature you won't get fatigued nearly as easily.  Also, a good carbon fibre paddle will go a long ways toward easing you up the learning curve.  Heavy paddles tend to change your balance point.

All that said, they guy who loaned me his SUP on my trip to Hawaii last winter targets big Pelagics daily on one of his.  I didn't get to see the setup but I believe he has a recessed area on his board where he secures a crate with an integrated rod holder.

Don't forget to post pictures of your learning curve!   

-Spot-

Don't forget to post pictures of your learning curve!   

-Spot-

(no, there will be NO video or stills available of this impending disaster)

at least not yet. 

Eh Bra!  You chrying say "Hui O'he'e Nalu"? 

-Spot-

I stand corrected (at least until I actually try it)

Okay, got it. Flat shoulders, knees bent, good paddle (8" taller than me?), and develop some balance.

(this is going to be really funny)

(to someone else)

Maybe include a brain bucket?

Ohhh man, I smell trouble. 


http://www.youtube.com/v/B9j7Oatucw8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"

I know this isn't the answer you are looking for, but I have always caught more and larger reds wading. We would pole a boat, canoe, yak, or whatever to with in 50 yards. Then hop out with some wading shoes and sneak into position. Those big reds get really spooky on skinny waters, and any bow splashing will run them off the flat in a hurry. Also soft plastics (especially gulp) are the key to their stomachs. Big speckled trout, snook, and tarpon are a whole other game. A paddle board would be worth its weight in gold for getting close to those guys. I'll try and scan some of my redfish pics later this week.

We would pole a boat, canoe, yak, or whatever to with in 50 yards. Then hop out with some wading shoes and sneak into position.

I think I wade more than a lot of yakfishers in this immediate area. Like P², they don't like to get out of their boats. But places to wade are kinda limited in north FL. In most places I fish, the water may only be 1' deep, but the mud is 4' deep and when you add that up it tops even Allen's waders (bet y'all didn't know Allen is 7' tall huh? ). I guess that's a good reason to be reluctant to get off the yak.

Hmmmm,   
You may have helped more than you think though! How about a pole instead of a paddle? Easier to balance, something to lean on, and I can find one locally that's not made of unobtainium.

Might be time to move this thread to "Other Paddle craft"

A pole?  Hmmm, the paddle does offer a bit of balancing help, and I can see a pole leading to trouble if it gets stuck in the mud.  These boards are a bit tippier (at first) than they appear..............

Brain bucket?  Check!
Although a kevlar drysuit may be more appropriate. I'm more likely to be shedded by the oysters than bonked by the board.

This is getting dangerous, I just talked with Chappy and one of his benefactors just sent him a carbon fiber push pole to try with his pro angler.


" Where Does He Get Those Wonderful Toys?"  

In most places I fish, the water may only be 1' deep, but the mud is 4' deep

Roger that. I know a few flats like that in central FL as well. push poling would defiantly be quieter than paddling. Plus with a leash it quickly become an anchor stake.

http://www.kayakanglermag.com/component/content/article/384-stand-up-act-the-native-versa-board.html

,,,,,,, or I could add a stadium seat and that would bring this thread back into the realm of kayak fishing (unless Jason* is hears about it ) 






(just pickin on you hardcore)

Here's one of the reds I snuck up on. I picked this one up right at the canoe launch. We had been out a couple of hours without spotting a single tail, then this guy flagged us down right next to the cars. I hopped out of the boat, and about 10-15 min later we were having our pic taken. I released him, and we called it a day.

We would pole a boat, canoe, yak, or whatever to with in 50 yards. Then hop out with some wading shoes and sneak into position.

I think I wade more than a lot of yakfishers in this immediate area. Like P², they don't like to get out of their boats. But places to wade are kinda limited in north FL. In most places I fish, the water may only be 1' deep, but the mud is 4' deep and when you add that up it tops even Allen's waders (bet y'all didn't know Allen is 7' tall huh? ). I guess that's a good reason to be reluctant to get off the yak.

Hmmmm,   
You may have helped more than you think though! How about a pole instead of a paddle? Easier to balance, something to lean on, and I can find one locally that's not made of unobtainium.

Might be time to move this thread to "Other Paddle craft"

I've seen SUP paddles, I think from Johnson that you can take off a blade and attach a point for polling, or take off the T-grip and attach another blade for double bladed seated paddling. What I heard was that the upright position with one blade sometimes does not give you enough power to push through winds and current. So the idea was once you were over powered, to sit and paddle with the double blade for more power.