May 1, 2009
TIME - The off-season is just about over, that time when all but the most fish-addicted hang it up for the winter. In California, the latter group is huge as a count of more than 30 fish'yakkers at La Jolla on a recent sunny Sunday showed.

Well get ready and gear up if you've taken the winter off. Across the west, the fish are set to pop as the water warms. And as usual for Southern California, that should be right around Fred Hall Long Beach time, set for the first week of March. This is the largest consumer fishing show in the world.

Time. Hobie Kayaks chose an auspicious time to debut their Mirage Pro Angler, a new category-spanning craft. It's big like a boat - indeed, that's exactly what the innovators at Hobie call it. Still, it should turn heads among the kayak fishing crowd, as it sets new standards for comfort, stability, and storage space in a man-powered craft. Get a look at one for yourself at either Hall show.

While at the Show, make time to visit the Kayak Fishing Association of California booth and get the lowdown on the Marine Life Protection Act. Implementation of this state law that requires establishment of a network of marine reserves in California state waters is moving ahead quickly. Because just a handful of unfortunately placed reserves could potentially put kayak anglers out of business, this is no time for complacency.

Stories New to the Site:
Bugs on the Brain - Paddle Away From the Crowd for your Own Piece of the Lobster Pie

Wind-Blown Howerton Defends his Plastic Navy Title

Bitter Pill: Hyatt Regency to Mission Bay Sportfishing Captains - Services No Longer Required

Stardust Snaps up Limits of CI Rockfish

MLPA Log - Dispatches from the South Coast Trenches

Double-Down with Two-Time Tourney Winner Gabe Martin

Keeping Tight the Bite

Go for the Goods: A Look at 2009's Catchy Accessories

Angling Obsession - NCKA's Angler of the Year Competition Drives Kayakers to Extremes

Rigging Tips to Get Even More from Your Hands-Free Hobie

January 8, 2009
NO WATER IS SAFE FROM KAYAK NATION - Fishing kayaks have infiltrated a legendary bass fishing stronghold. That's right, Mexico's Lake El Salto. This is a place universally described in superlatives.

The largemouth here are plentiful, and that makes for a fun time. But of course anglers are after more than a 20, 30, or even 50 fish day. No, the story is all about size. They grow 'em big here. 6 and 7-pounders are commonplace; an average angler can expect to tangle with several a day. Better yet, this may be the easiest place to punch that ticket for the 10-pounder club.

So how did kayaks gain access to this strictly controlled world-class trophy lake? The credit goes to a cross-company partnership, that of Wilderness Systems' Mark Pierpont and long-time Ocean Kayak rep Mark Olson. They teamed up with Cardon Resort, a sweet little surfer's resort on the beach a short drive from the lake.

It could scarcely be better. Pull on bass all day, rope that 10, then kick back and cool off with an oh so tasty margarita at the beach. If that's not enough, there's beach fishing, and hard-pulling jacks and roosters wait for advanced surf launchers.

Cardon's kayak fishing trips will start in spring 2009. For more info, swing on by the hotel's website here.

November 3, 2008
DODGING SKYSCRAPERS 100 MILES OUT - The Cortes Bank is a sunken island 100 miles out off the coast of California. The bottom here struggles up from the abyss to a tantalizingly close 30 feet of the surface.

This underwater Atlantis is a fish magnet. The odd sportfishing and diving boat makes it out this way, but kayakers? Never, until an intrepid crew from NorCal Kayak Anglers, the Great White Kayak Company, and Kayak Fishing Zone voyaged here aboard the excellent Islander mothership, generously sponsored by Kokatat (makers of killer kayak fishing wear) and Wilderness Systems (Tarpons, sweet!).

This was our third annual attempt at this wild place. Conditions out there are often nasty, but finally, the weather smiled upon us.  

In lake-like conditions, frantic bonito up to 12 lbs and hard-charging yellowtail pulled kayakers every which way across the shallows. A resounding success! But conditions change rapidly at the Cortes; the next day dawned spiteful, with a chill wind, short-interval chop, and blinding mists.

They woke the monster that lurks here, the infamous Bishop Rock big-wave break. As the swells rolled over the reef, they soared skyward. The mobile mountains lured Wildy kayak fishing manager Mark Pierpont in for a closer look.

I followed for photos - and the opportunity to intimately experience the legendary Cortes in a way impossible on a bigger boat. We ended up paddling for our lives, chased away by 25-foot waves - but took home a story that gets better by the day.

Wherever your kayak fishing journeys take you, whether its the backyard pond or an exotic destination, don't forget to look around and appreciate our wonderful, wild watery world.

NEW ON THE SITE
History Lesson

Kokatat Goes Fishing

Special Update, October 4, 2008
LOBSTER SEASON OPENS IN CALI - SoCal's favorite crustacean is back on the menu. Kayakers collect their share of the delicous 'bugs' using hoop nets.

This fun after-dark carnival isn't rocket science, but there is definitely an art to this game. Kayak Fishing Zone is here to help! Check out the stories listed below for some hardcore how-to. But first, run to the local tackle store for a DFG Lobster Report Card. New this year, every bug hunter must carry one.

Buggin' Out: Braving the Dark for Fall's Sweet Lobster Treats

Advanced Tips for Lobster Wranglers

Hoop Tricks - Tips for Maximizing this Year's Lobster Haul

Hoop it Up, It's Lobster Time

HOOPIN' IT UP - Want more, much more spiny lobster lore? Lobster guru Jim Salazar's just-published book Hoopin' It Up is the read for you.

This book goes down as sweetly as a buttery chunk of barbecued lobster. That recipe, as well as just about anything else needed to crank up and enjoy a buggy bounty, is mighty tasty. Salazar’s insights on equipment and hunting strategy are particularly helpful.

Life on the breakwalls would be much better if everyone read the short section on etiquette and safety. Rich in illustrations and photos of happy hoopers hoisting jumbo-sized lobsters, anyone with an appetite for bugs can’t go wrong with this comprehensive little tome. www.SabaSlayer.com

October 1, 2008
MORE BOAT NEWS - More than a month's worth of new fishing kayaks were rolled out at this summer's Outdoor Retailer Show. Let's take a look at a second batch:

Ok, so Freedom Hawk’s Freedom 14 isn't exactly new. This novel craft that makes standing up second nature was introduced a couple of years ago at ICAST. How it works hasn't changed - sections of the stern deploy into outriggers at the mere flip of a lever. So why the mention?

Easy. The boat that wasn't quite ready for prime time back then now looks like a show stopper. The price is down to around $1,700 - much closer to the market. The standing deck's now stiffer, with improved drainage, and the overall weight is down.The system is clean and clear, with a pair of rod holders and watertight storage hatches aft. Interesting!

Kayak anglers who dream of packing boats to back-country lakes now have an ultra lightweight option. FoldLite skin on frame kayaks start at an impossibly back-friendly 18-lbs! The 12-ft long kayak best suited for most anglers clocks in at a mere 20. The skinny? Flexible fluted polypropylene framing and nearly see-through but strong polyester skin. The components store in a reasonably compact pack. Assembly takes about thirty minutes. Pack one in.

RTM’s K Largo is another new kid on the block. This European import likes to fish – standard features include the de rigueur flush-mount rod holders and paddle keepers, but there’s a lot of novel thinking here. How about an anchor pulpit? Set the pick right from the cockpit! A kayak cart that plugs cross-ways into the keel is another surprising standard. And, in a feature borrowed from South African style fish skis, the bow is one big tankwell – don’t worry, it’s self-draining. Definitely different.

And finally, a bit of southern hemisphere style. The FeelFree Moken sports a huge separate fish and gear well up front and a hinged console for secure tackle storage. Here's another novelty, true molded-in carrying handles. These things are more than indents and ridges - fingers fit right through them. There's a lot of fish-forward thinking here.

NEW ON THE SITE
A Hard Day's Paddle: When Kayak Fishing for Big Game, Persistance Pays

Kayak Fishing at Cruising Altitude: Off the Beaten Path in the High Country

2008 Moyer Tournament - Longest Running - Dominated by Massive Halibut

Sanner Doubles his Pleasure at Mission Bay

Team Hobie Busts Barrett Bass

View from the Cockpit, September 1, 2008
NEWS FROM THE OUTRAGEOUS OUTDOOR RETAILER SHOW - Kayak manufacturers roll out their best new boats each August at the enormous Outdoor Retailer trade show. The headlines:

East Coast maker Emotion Kayak intro'd the Stealth, a full-sized fish'yak built into a small, 44-lb package. An answer to Malibu's Mini?

Hobie was quietly showing the tentatively titled Mirage Pro Angler, a new sort of people-powered fishing craft. This thing is huge, with scads of horizontal rod lockers, enough tackle compartments to empty a store, and an elevated seat that’s more couch than cockpit. What’s more, there’s a non-skid deck for standing, all the better to huck that cast a mile, and removable accessory shelves for mounting goodies such as rod holders and electronics along the gunnels. Look for Hobie to reveal more info in spring '09.

Native Watercraft kicked into the hands-free market with the long-awaited release of the Ultimate Propel series. These hybrid canoe-kayak designs get their giddy-up from a propeller-style pedal drive. Reverse anyone? The Propel looked superb, especially on the outfitting side. Accessory racks on all of Native's boats accept a huge variety of ready to rock add-ons.

Ocean Kayak expanded on the strong Prowler Trident line, adding new 11 and 13-foot models, each with the terrific Rod Pod cockpit hatch. Nice!

Rec boat giant Pelican Sport rolled out the Elite Series Strikes, a set of full-featured fish hunters. Built of Poly-XR, 30 percent stiffer than regular poly plastic, these boats boast all the staples and an interesting removable and replaceable mounting plate. As with the rest of the Elite Series, with the Strikes, Pelican is aiming for superior performance at a wallet-friendly price.

The Tarpons get a full rework from Wilderness Systems, making these high-performance boats fishier than ever. Look for new SlideTrax accessory rails, a hinged Orbix hatch cover, and the sweet Phase 3 SOT Seat. The picture shows the hot new 160 model (yep, they dropped the 'i').

ALASKA, FISH ON ICE - I'm just back from an amazing trip to Alaska with Chris Mautino of Liquid Adventures. We based our expedition out of Seward, a seascape indented with ice-carved fjords. The Aleutians once patrolled these waters in kayaks hand-crafted of skin, gut, and driftwood.

We followed in the paddle strokes of these ancient hunters, seeking salmon and shallow water lingcod, and later, taking time to thread our way through a maze of ice at Pedersen Glacier. Incredible!

An account of the trip will print very soon in Canoe and Kayak magazine, along with a variety of spectacular and never before seen kayak fishing photos. Don't miss it!

NEW ON THE SITE
Baja Bound? Adventure Awaits those who Hazard the Border

Land a Lunker with Redfishing Roughneck Dean Thomas

Mission Fishin': Regional Variation in the Fast Growing Kayak Fishing Market

View from the Cockpit, August 1, 2008
JULY IN THE KAYAK FISHING BIZ - Our favorite four-letter mid-summer month offered up more than fireworks. In Vegas, ICAST attendees braved 114 degrees of pavement-melting heat just to get a look at the newest crop of bleeding-edge fishing tools. Shimano claimed the Best of Show hardware for the reworked Curado E. If nothing else, it gets my More Bang for the Buck award - this glitter reel is $50 cheaper than the prior model.

The evolution of Abu Garcia's sweet little low-pro powerhouses, the tasty Revos, continued with the new go-get-'em Toro. With a wider spool and more line capacity, this saltwater ready machine is into big-game territory.

In other kayak-centered ICAST news, Shakespeare is etching their mass-market name onto a pair of ready to rock fishing kayaks. Grab and go is the watch-word for these boats built by Emotion. Few kayak shops carry Emotion's rides here in the West, so the deal could mean another option for local anglers.

There was much more: Berkley Gulp Alive in a new, near leak-proof jar; a bunch of sick FireLine braids, including the cool new alternating-color Tracer; a bevy of improved RAM rod and accessory holders; a two-in-one DSC VHF / GPS from Lowrance, the LHR-80; an entire line of reworked Quantum PTI reels; and sticks that stick it to ridiculous airline baggage surcharges, the beefy conventional Nomad travel rods from Okuma. And that's what we get out of a year that was more evolutionary than revolutionary. Not bad.

Pop some corn: Jim Sammons must be living right, 'cause he's in the midst of an all-expenses paid tour of the world's kayak fishing sweet spots - and we get to come along as he fishes it up with the hottest sticks going. Kayak Fishing Game On debuts this spring. For now, catch a taste of the ripping action at www.KayakFishingMovie.com.

Get High: When it's time to wash the salt off your skin, you can't go wrong with a trip up the hill to any of California's high spots. In the past month I sampled the best of two trout worlds at Big Bear Lake and the Sierras.

SoCal's Big Bear Lake is a sparkling gem up at 8,000 ft, less than half a tank of gas from the LA metro area. The trout here, the 'native' pink meats that wait out winter's ice cap, bite all summer. Launch at Boulder Bay, the north shore, or for the ultimate easy experience, toss a pair of 'yaks on one of Big Bear Marina's pontoon boats and cruise. Just remember to fish deep.

And oh, the incredible Sierras. One could spend a lifetime here, at places such as family-friendly Pinecrest Lake, on the western slope near Sonora. A bit more driving gets a kayak angler to the Eastern Sierras and spots such as scenic Bridgeport and the Mammoth Loop, where I dragged a kayak up an old mining trail with Mammoth Kayaks operator and fellow kayak fishing nut Rob Witherill. Take some time to get your trout on - you won't regret it.

Two great tastes that taste better together: The OEX family of kayak fishing centers has joined forces with San Diego Kayak Adventures. The partnership brings the fishy boats of Wilderness Systems into SoCal's 'Mile-of-Kayaks' dealer network, which already included Hobie, Malibu, and Ocean Kayak. Check out the new joint effort at the newly remodeled former Anglers Yak Shack location in San Diego. www.oeexpress.com/kayak-fishing

Here's August's Mega-Update:
Buzz Cut: Mow the Weeds with a Kelp Cutter Rig

Safety Snippets: Tips to Keep you Kayak Fishing

Kayak Workshop: North Coast User Mods

The Saltwater Basser's Quiver: How Top Anglers Gear up for Plastic Navy Competition

Unbelievable: Weird and Wacky Kayak Fishing Tales

KZ's Reel Look at Kayak Rods

Shortcut the Learning Curve: California Kayak Fishing Guides at a Glance

Twin Lakes, Brideport: One of the Eastern Sierra's Special Places

Family Fun Spot, Tuolumne County's Pinecrest Lake

Big Bass Sizzle at Newport, Plastic Navy Tournament Trail Report

View from the Cockpit, July 1, 2008
A SUMMER CHOCK FULL OF KAYAK FISHING FUN - June flew by, full of good stuff like Plastic Navy's Newport tourney ('Happy' Howerton strikes again), bass fishing with Hobie at Barrett (look Ma, no hands), an eerie and adventuresome foggy Friday at La Jolla, and much more. I hope you and yours got in on the good times. Wherever you wet your lines, keep on kayak fishing!

If you're not getting the recommended daily allowance of water time, you need the next best thing, a virtual supplement. The July edition of Canoe and Kayak is full of quality paper paddle fishing, including a look at the newest crop of fishy boats by yours truly.

I teamed up with East Coast outdoor writer Ric Burnley to test out the Emotion Grand Slam, Hobie Mirage i12s, Hurricane Phoenix 160, Ocean Kayak Prowler Trident, Native Magic 14.5, and Wildy Tarpon 120 Ultralite. There's not a dud in the bunch.

A self-congratulatory pat on the back: Before we get to what's new on the site, let's revisit a classic from last year. When the Tax Man Cometh, my WON column discussing the first documented white shark on fishing kayak crunching, was honored with an Excellence in Craft award from the Outdoor Writers Association of California. Here it is in case you missed it: How to Avoid the Tax Man

Shameless plug #1: Mammoth Kayaks, the Eastern Sierra's first fishing kayak outfitter and rental service, is up and running. Proprietor, all-around nice guy and trout nemesis Rob Witherill runs the show out of the cool little mountain town of Mammoth Lakes. Check them out at www.mammothkayaks.com.

Shameless plug #2: As much as we love to fish, there are other great ways to spend time on the water. One of the most fun I've ever experienced is the rocking and rollicking raft trip down the Main Tuolumne run just outside Yosemite. In early June I hitched an 18-mile ride with whitewater outfitter Sierra Mac. We challenged class IV+ rapids with names like Pinball, Rock Garden, and Clavey Falls. The adrenaline high still hasn't worn off. Find them on the web at: www.sierramac.com. - PL

The New Stuff:
Isles of Adventure: Kayak Fishing California's Channel Islands

Letting 'em Go: Releasing Fish the Right Way

Wading into the Wader Controversy

Beach Launch Baja: Brave the Waves for a Taste of Northwest Baja's Bounty

Islander Kayakers Hunt SCI Flatties, Calicos

View from the Cockpit, May 23, 2008
MOTHERSHIP ME! - May and June might as well be called the mothership months here in SoCal. It’s the time of year when most sportfishing boats are still tied up to the dock, waiting for the season to really get cracking.

Not so for the Islander and Qualifier 105. These two boats pile on the kayaks and point the bow toward exotic action.

I was lucky to spend time on both this spring. The Islander was up first. I admit it was like coming home; skippers Shane Slaughter and John Coniff have run their mainstay 1.5-day San Clemente Island trips for four years.

Talk about dialed-in. These guys really "get" kayak fishing, giving their riders free reign to fish hard - even far from the boat. This is the deep end of the pool, mana for the hardcore crowd, but not really suited for novices.

The Qualifier crew plays things a bit safer. They put eight first-time kayakers on their 3-day northern Baja expedition, and kept everyone close to the boat. We fished the beach at Colonet, spent a day a Isla San Martin, and parked for a few fishing hours a bit south of Rosarito. We even fished a few high spots on the big boat, tallying a bunch of excellent-eating vermillion rockfish.

San Martin was a first-rate destination, with tremendous variety and excellent potential for trophy calicos and the powerful pelagics that get us going. The others were coastal spots and really didn't offer enough variety to suit a full-on paddle-fishing maniac. The novices? They ate it up! Those guys are hooked for sure.

Whichever boat's your cup of grog, both provide first-class service, stuff anglers with tasty home-cooked meals, and offer stateroom accommodations and the all-important hot showers. Go for a ride! - PL

View from the Cockpit, April 28, 2008
A 'YAKKER TAKES HUGE POWER BOAT FIELD TO THE BRINK - Wilderness Systems pro staffer Mark Pierpont made kayak fishing history earlier this month at the huge Marina del Rey Halibut Derby. His 35-lb flatty was just a couple pounds shy of first place and missed second by mere ounces. Scroll down or click over to Hot Bites for a look at his magnificent flatfish.

The fantastic floating kayak fishing home base Islander is up and running for 2008. The first trip ran to San Clemente Island's crystal clear waters. The pelagics didn't show, but a trio of worthy halibut made the count. Calico fishing was slower than usual for the legendary island, but the quality was there. Several more trips are on the books and the fishing should only improve. Secure your spot! islander-charters.com

On the subject of kayak halibut fishing, let's dive in a little deeper and see how one of SoCal's hottest sticks racks up the numbers. Talk about methodical. Learn how to Scratch for Flat Ones. Click here.

In other news, Plastic Navy's first 2008 Tournament Trail contest is in the books. Tough tides made for scratchy fishing at Mission Bay, but Brian Sanner solved the puzzle and notched his first PN victory. Read the rest. Click here.

The Eastern Sierra trout season is finally underway. The range of light holds more first rate trout fishing than a kayak angler can shake a stick at. Check it out, kayak style. Click here.

View from the Cockpit, April 5, 2008
TOO MUCH GOOD STUFF - Pause a moment before you cast that enormous 'calico candy' MC Slug (you stocked up at the Hall shows, right?). There's a lot doing just now.

Fresh off its Irvine Lake invasion, Plastic Navy is days away from kick-off of its 2008 Tournament Trail at Mission Bay. Be there on April 12.

The 2008 kayak fishing event scene is just getting started. Check the KFZ Event Guide to see what's in store. Click here.

Or take a tour of mysterious Elk. NorCals are still sweating out the long wait until rockfish season opens. In the meantime preview Cali's annual Kayakstock - the Elk Rockfish Fiesta. Click here.

There's more; this is a mega update for KFZ. Other new stories:

Hit the Water a Hot Stick: Tips for Tournament Trail Newcomers

Kayaks on the Fishing Edge: Half a Dozen Catchy 'Yaks

A Stack of Budget 'Yaks - Break into Kayak Fishing on the Cheap

Kayak Workshop: Waterproof Fishfinder Fittings

View from the Cockpit, March 15, 2008
MALIBU'S X-13 DEBUTS - Got a wandering eye? You're not alone. When a new boat hits the block, few kayak fishermen can resist stealing a look.

Go ahead and drink in the view. Malibu Kayak's hot new X-13 shows off sexy lines. This baby's got curves in all the right places. Check out that upswept bow.

But she's got more than good looks. The X-13 is built for all kinds of fishing fun. There's room for rod holders galore, and plenty of storage via a cockpit hatch and Malibu's trademark big beauty up front.

The boat's most intriguing feature is hiding beneath the new 'gator hatch lite.' It's a drained well - think of it as a covered tankwell. Malibu calls it a fish hold.

Want to stash rods in the boat? Don't fret. There's room on the bulkhead for a round hatch. That's right, this baby goes both ways! Go the fish hold route, or plug the scupper and use the bow well for additional secure storage.

Time to put this baby through her paces. Check back soon for a full review of Malibu's new X-13.

View from the Cockpit, February 25, 2008
FRED HALL - The western angler's answer to Groundhog Day is nearly here. Of course I'm talking about the huge Fred Hall Fishing Show. When it takes over the Long Beach Convention Center, fishing prime time can't be far behind.

This year the Show runs from March 5 to 9 - typically when the first white seabass show up. Hah! The ghosts came early this year (see Hot Bites below).

Seabass aside, the Show is a kayak fishing tour de force, jam-packed with the best new boats, seminars galore, and WAY too much great tackle. And someone will win one of the hottest new boats, the fishy Ocean Kayak Prowler Trident. The free contest is courtesy of OEX Angler's Yak Shack. Get your entry at the Show!

PLASTIC NAVY'S FRESHWATER MISSION - A long time coming, Plastic Navy's freshwater debut at Irvine Lake is sure to make a big splash. A people-powered flotilla is taking over the trout-filled lake on March 15.

Limber up your light sticks. The heaviest 3-fish stringer will take top honors. Rinse off the salt! Read how at www.kayakfishnation.com

View from the Cockpit, February 11, 2008
The kayak angler's bookshelf is a short one. There's Ken Daubert's aging but pioneering tome, Kayak Fishing the Revolution, and more recent offerings such as Kayak Fishing the Ultimate Guide, a gorgeous coffee table book but short on the hardcore scale.

Move them on over, there's a new book in town. The Complete Kayak Fisherman by Ric Burnley is an instant classic.