Maiden Voyage ...finally

After some months of delays owing to such things as weather, health issues, and work we finally got to take a real kayak outing last week, I in my Trident 11 Angler and my non-fishing wife in her Sea Eagle inflatable. We had done some self rescue drills in our favorite swimming hole prior to this but this was the first time out for a combo trip, recreational paddling and fishing on some tidewater on the coast. Well, I learned a lot. First of all was be sure not to track five pounds of mud and slime into the kayak when first getting in. The kayak attire thing I am still working on and have accumulated a variety of items but on this day I felt pretty hot and overdressed. Shorts and a T-shirt would have been fine. Anyway, I only have one crappy picture to document the event. 

(Sorry, guys, I am having problems with my picture but it wasn't so great anyway...next time.)

I hope I didn't botch up the picture as I am on the low end of being tech savvy. Anyway, the first kayak caught fish is officially a 13 inch searun cutthroat. I intended not to keep any fish but this thing was bleeding all over like a stuck pig and it was a goner so it did end up going back with me.

Got a few questions now. Since I have only bank fished up until now, how do you guys do it with only two hands? I realize now that I need a net. Also, I need to buy a serious salmon rod for this fall. Does the length of the rod come into play when in a kayak. What's your recommendation? Also,I plan to transition from spinning to level wind for the first time. And lastly, I hope to get in some more trips like this soon but , come salmon fishing time, would anyone out there let me tag along like in the vicinity of Alsea, Yaquina, Siletz, Salmon? Those are the closest for me anyway but would go a bit further. Thanks.

Nice report! and you got a fish on your real fishing trip...good work

I seem to have a problem with my line getting wrapped around the rod tip while jigging for bottom fish. Having a 7 foot rod is nice because I can hold the rod in front of the reel and reach the tip to get untangled. With a longer rod, the reel would be in the water. The 7 footer also works fine for salmon and its easy get the fish next to the boat, even while using using  a 5 foot leader. My yak is only 11 feet long, so with a longer yak, a longer rod might be needed in order to play a fish around the bow.

Thanks GD. Those are things I wouldn't have thought of and will sure keep them in mind.

C

Congrats on your first kayak fish! 

Since I have only bank fished up until now, how do you guys do it with only two hands?

Managing the rod and a kayak at the same time is something you just have to get used to.  It helps to go out with people that have spent plenty of time fishing from a kayak and pay attention to what their doing.  Getting comfortable in your kayak plays a big part too so keep getting out there and it'll only get easier. 

I'm definitely in the Learn-by-doing phase. At least I didn't lose anything over the side yet.

... At least I didn't lose anything over the side yet.

Just give it some time.   

Welcome.  In the 1970s I spent 6 months working a ranch near Independence-Monmouth.  We worked a 300 acre alfalfa spread and baled straw across the valley, selling it as feed.  This was back when Monmouth was a dry town because of the teacher's college.  Very, very fond and vivid memories.  I was working for Ray Ogle.

Learn by doing is the best way IMHO.  For rod lengths, I use a 6'6" spinning for bass/pan/trout... an 8'6" for steelhead & same length (different rod) for salmon and have been know to wave a 9' bug wand around.  Heck, I  have even played around with my 12' surf caster in the tub, awkward.  I will certainly hit the water with you on the Alsea.  Every year no matter where I am, even at 9k ft in Afghanistan, I get the 'calling' that the winter run is about to start on the Alsea.  Being a former Cornvalley boy, hands down that is what I wait all year for.

Thanks for the replies. Demonick , even though Monmouth is not dry anymore, it's still about as lively as you probably remember it from the 70's. I too moved my share of pipe back then, only at Stayton.

I will probably be fine with the 8' rod I already have. Probably going to get a second one, though. Thinking strongly on taking the kayak class at Next Adventure. I haven't caught a bright chinook in a couple of years. I am hoping that the kayak will make the difference now by being able to access the bays. I am gearing up.

I was at one of the big name sporting goods stores in Salem the other day and asked the employee to advise me on nets. I told him I was going to fish for salmon from a kayak. He was in disbelief- I don't think he had heard of that before. Odd, since they sold both kayaks and fishing gear.

He was in disbelief- I don't think he had heard of that before. Odd, since they sold both kayaks and fishing gear.

Was it Wholesale Sports?  I went in there talked to people about kayak fishing many times when I lived in Salem.  They've got great people working there.

Congrats on the maiden voyage C_run. I'm still waiting patiently for mine, but have just recently caught the kayaking bug, so in good time. That's awesome you were able to land a fish too. Good luck on your next adventures.

Great job getting out there and getting a fish Chris! I use a 7'9" Okuma salmon rod that works pretty well. It's not as sensitive as a lot of the 8"6' rods but lets me sling a bit more weight. I think just get out there with what you have and see how you like it. I just use a cheap salmon net and I put it in my left rod pod. Trying to deal with a folding net with a fish one would be too much multi-tasking for me.

Thanks , Noah, a picture is worth a thousand words. Nets all look alike to me but a nice short handle looks like the ticket. Still shopping for another rod and the net. If I remember right, you just get the salmon to jump in your lap at the last minute, right? Well, I am going for round two at the coast tomorrow. Thanks for all the replies folks, I am going to the kayak class on 8/22 so hope to meet a few folks then.

C

Thanks , Noah, a picture is worth a thousand words. Nets all look alike to me but a nice short handle looks like the ticket. Still shopping for another rod and the net. If I remember right, you just get the salmon to jump in your lap at the last minute, right? Well, I am going for round two at the coast tomorrow. Thanks for all the replies folks, I am going to the kayak class on 8/22 so hope to meet a few folks then.

C

Ha. Yeah, I've actually never sucessfully got a fish into it! Short handle but big enough to use on a 20 lb fish, I think this one was 25 bucks at dicks.