KAYAK BONEFISHING: A REVOLUTION ! Serge Thomas, IGFA/SFFFC Dania, Fl, 03/28/06

What percentage of yakers/canoers? Over 80% of recreational boaters also fish.

KAYAK TYPES

Kayak types: Sit-On-Top Sit-In Inflatable / folding yaks etc. Plastic (cheap) Fiberglass Carbon fiber

Some plastic kayaks suitable for flat fishing: Cobra kayaks Malibu kayak Wilderness Systems Ocean kayak Hobie Heritage Emotion F&D Marauder Fisherman Redfish/Marquesa Prowler 15/13’ Malibu 2XL Caper Drifter Tarpon 120/130/140/160 Tarpon 130 tandem Extreme Pro Explorer X-Factor The Ride Outback Fisherman Quest Outfitter fish Adventure fish Sport fish Tribalance

Some plastic kayaks suitable for flat fishing: Cobra kayaks Malibu kayak Wilderness Systems Ocean kayak Hobie Heritage Emotion F&D Marauder Fisherman Redfish/Marquesa Prowler 15/13’ Malibu 2XL Caper Drifter Tarpon 120/130/140/160 Tarpon 130 tandem Extreme Pro Explorer X-Factor The Ride Outback Fisherman Quest Outfitter fish Adventure fish Sport fish Tribalance

KAYAK SPEED Varies from 2-3 mph to 5-6 mph Easy to carry on top of a car to visit multiple spots the same day (as long as spots are close to each others) KAYAK PRICE: $350-$1,000

REMEMBER ANY KAYAK IS BETTER THAN WADING!

BONEFISHING !!!!

SUBDIVISION ELOPOMORPHA Elopiformes (8 spp): Elopidae, Megalopidae Leptocephali (tarpons, bones): forked tail Albula vulpes Expected temperature range: 70-72° F to 86° F (22° C to 30° C) (Albula neoguinaica) Elusive: silvery, a perfect camouflage Feeding behavior strongly influence by the tide Feed on small crabs, shrimps, smaller fish, clams and other items, OPPORTUNISTIC

To find fish: - Be in the tropics - Temperature should be suitable - Not too brackish water - Food in great supply (watch wading birds) - Deep water nearby (channels) - Structure that concentrates fish (e.g. submerged pile running from shore) - Right tide Channel edges structure flat

SPOTTING FISH

Sun is low: better to stay seated Sun is higher, fish in deeper water, better to stand high  poling/casting form

STANDING IS GREAT TO SPOTTING FISH  OUTRIGGERS

BE INVENTIVE !

I prefer to keep it simple…. Less stuff on the deck= less snags

My current yak….

Moving around to spot fish… - Polarized glasses / hat - Push pole - Paddle/push pole - kayak wading - Drift (no drift chute for bones)

DEALING WITH THE WIND: THE WIND IS YOUR FRIEND

Wind Shore

Wind Shore

Wind Shore Poling drift

APPROACHING BONEFISH:

SOME OF THE BIG ADVANTAGES OF A KAYAK  Stealth  Maneuverability  Speed

School of fish (tailing or cruising) - NEVER RUSH TO MAKE A CAST - Determine where the pod is going (easier when water is moving= mid incoming or outgoing tide) - Spot the lead fish(es) - Try to spot satellite fish(es) in deeper water - Position the kayak

Escaping school of tailing/cruising fish: 1 2 As far as possible Clearance depends Yes Best

Single /small group of fish (tailing or cruising): TOUGH - Spot fish - See where the fish is heading - Spot other fish and pick the closest to you - Position the kayak

Mudding fish: EASY - Spot the mud, drop the fly and hang on!

ANCHORING // STAKING OUT STOPPING THE YAK: VERY IMPORTANT

ANCHORING (right-handed) Two anchor system One anchor system w/ traveler Lance cleat pulley eyeletknot pulleycarabiner eyelet

ANCHORING

Wind/current Stern anchoring Wind/current ANCHORING Bow anchoring

ANCHORING Lance cleat

Wind/current Stern anchoring Wind/current STAKING OUT: RULE ALWAYS SET THE POLE AGAINST THE DIRECTION THE WIND IS BLOWING!!! Bow anchoring

PRESENTING THE FLY short and long distances SPEED TO DELIVER A FLY IN A MINIMUM OF FALSE CASTS

Escaping pod: 1 2 X X As far as possible Clearance depends X NO! Yes Best

2 X As far as possible Best Why position 2 is best? - odds to spook fish is minimum - Narrow angle of view of leader and line - Can make several casts - Lead fish is often the biggest (Grin)

Fly line Leader Fly Fish focuses on fly Fish can see leader and fly attacks fish!!! OK No

Single / small group of fish: same as with a pod 1 2 X Clearance depends X NO! Yes Best The hardest is to see how the fish is oriented (tailing fish)

THE FLY Hooks: Sharp, strong, thin wire, tiny or mashed barb HOOK POINT UP!

MOVING THE FLY RIGHT

Once the cast made:  Spot where you dropped the fly  Tight line  Keep an eye on BOTH fish and fly impact  Count to guess when the fly has reached the bottom  Move the fly at the right moment (not too close, not too far)

Moving the fly:  No move or little twitch: crab fly  Tiny, tiny strips (pulsating action): shrimp fly w/ optionally some pauses  long fast strips (fast cruising fish) If you did not present well, or if the fish is about to pass the fly: Stop moving the fly.

STRIPPING THE LINE IN THE KAYAK

THE STRIKE!!! (my favorite) Strip strike rules!

THE RUSH AND THE FIGHT Clear the line (look at your line) Keep your rod high while clearing line Remove the anchor (= closer to fish) Apply maximum pressure on mouth fish Fight the fish fast - fish released in better condition - less chances to spook other fish - more fish to catch

LANDING THE FISH Drop the anchor Grab firmly the fish tail Remove hook, take picture RELEASE THE FISH, KEEP THE MEMORIES

FLY GEAR

FLY LINES AVAILABLE TO THE BONEFISHER

Different tapers SW taper Triangle taper Inversed triangle taper 28’ to 52’ 85’ to 110’

LEADER: At least 12’ often 14’ sometimes 16-18’ Butt section: For 6 wt: 30# butt section For 7-8 Wt: 40# butt section For 9 WT: 50# butt section Formula: I divide the length of the following section by 2… E.g. 6’ 40#, 3’ 30#, 1.5’ 20#, 0.75’ 16# Tippet: Grand Max FC from Seaguar: VERY SUPPLE, NOT KINKY, LOW MEMORY VERY HIGH STRENGTH RATIO 2-3 feet of 2X (0.09”/12.5#) or 1X (0.010”/14.5#) or 0X (0.011/16.5#)

Fly rods: From 6 t 9 wt; 9’; Fast to extra fast (10’if you remain seated) Glassy conditions: 6-7 wt 5-15 mph : 8wt 15+ mph: 9wt

Stout reels: I like to oversize (= better retrieve) Good smooth reliable drag (draw bar)

THANKS TO: