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Life or Death Preparations for Cold Water Safety

By Wade Nichols Here in the Northern regions spring is beginning to show itself with warming days and slightly climbing water temps. The urge to get the ol’ battle yak cleaned up, double check those reels, and make sure everything’s in just the right place inside your crate, is strong… and the growing NEED to get out on the water and start catching fish is just about unbearable! But before you do, I would like to remind you of 10 simple things that you can do to greatly impact your safety. 1. Always dress for the water temperature not the air temperature. Although water that is 50 degrees...

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Five Ice Out Lures and Techniques that Catch Big Bass

Five Ice Out Lures and Techniques that Catch Big Bass Drew Haerer As winter finally fades, many kayak anglers throughout New England and other regions are getting to see open water for the first time in months. The period between ice out and the spawn is short in many of these areas, so the fish do not take long to get active and start feeding. Largemouth bass generally use channels, troughs, and ditches to move toward shallow areas that warm quickly. Smallmouths tend to school up around deep to intermediate structure before the pre-spawn kicks into full gear. These fish can be targeted with...

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Spearfishing from a Kayak

Spearfishing from a Kayak By: Kris Cortez If you're a spearo, then you know that sometimes the best reefs are pretty far out and are usually past shore dive range. With a kayak, you are able to get to these “secret” spots faster and safer. I grew up in Hawaii on the island of Kauai and I started spearfishing when I was 6 years old. As I got better I wanted to venture further out and my dad bought me my first kayak when I was 11 years old. To get to some of the good reefs and drop offs on Kauai , you definitely need a kayak or a boat. I now live in California and about 90% of the spearfishing...

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Kayak Fishing the California Coast

Kayak Fishing the Central California Coast- By Andy O’Brien California’s Central Coast is a place I have been fortunate to call home for the last 20 years and been able to Kayak fish for 13 of those. The Central Coast is a beautiful stretch of largely undeveloped coastline between Big Sur to the north and Point Conception to the south. This special area of California provides opportunities to hit the salt year round. Kayak anglers can target a wide array of species in a single trip during all four seasons. Rockfish, Lingcod, Cabezon, Halibut, White Seabass, Salmon, Saltwater Perch, Leopard...

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Jeff Little - Maiden Voyage and Rigging the Radar 135

Radar 135: First Trip, Early Riggings & Favorite Features Rigging a kayak is seldom carried out in one shot. In the case of my most recent project, the Radar 135, I had it on the water with only the installation of a retractable anchor system (video below), two flush mount rod holders, and of course decals. I'm not sure why, but application of decals is a critical step in feeling ownership of the vessel. Although the boat hasn't yet received a depth finder, AirPro 3D seat, YakAttack camera mounts or the Helix Pedal Drive that the tri powered kayak was designed around, it's maiden voyage...

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What Makes a Great Fly Fishing Kayak?

What Makes a Great Fly Fishing Kayak? By Juan Veruete I grew up fly fishing for a variety of species from native brook trout to smallmouth bass in central Pennsylvania. After leaving my fly fishing roots behind me for over 20 years in favor of “conventional” tackle, I picked up the long rod again about two years ago. Since then, I’ve had a lot of fun chasing smallmouth bass and panfish. There’s something special about making that perfectly eloquent cast to that perfect fish holding spot. Of course, there are plenty of “not so eloquent” casts along the road to perfection. I’m sure any fly...

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