​A SAILFISH STORY FOR TRAVELERS:
​By Justin Ritchey

It’s never been easy for me to get organized the night before a trip offshore. Not just because it’s a 3+ hour drive at an ungodly hour (usually 1 or 2am), but the amount of preparation that goes into rigging jigs, tying stinger rigs, charging batteries and studying weather conditions keeps me on edge the entire night. Every time this type of trip rolls around I think, “I’ll get a jump on preparations in the afternoon so I can get a good night sleep”. And every time, I’m reminded of how bad my time management really is. So after 4 hours of rigging & packing, I finally back out of my driveway at 1:15am the next morning, on Zero Sleep (which I DO NOT RECOMMEND to any angler), and embark on yet another expedition to the waters of South Florida.

Even though I safely made it to Pompano that morning, it wasn’t without it’s pit stops. Between the Gas Station, a quick McDonalds drive-through, and a much needed 30 min power nap once I pulled off the interstate, I ended up making it Beachside around 5:30am. With only 30 minutes left until Sunrise, I rushed down to the surf with all my gear and launched as fast as I could. Unfortunately, this didn’t leave me with much time to Sabiki bait before daybreak. I tried checking the 3 known areas I usually target for bait off the beach, but only ended up with 3 Oversized Blue Runners and 1 Goggle Eye; not the most ideal turnout, but it would have to do for the day. Besides, I had mentally prepared to test out all of my Slow Pitch Jigging gear anyways, so having bait was more of a bonus.

But as luck would have it, the Jig Bite was non-existent. Crystal Clear Water and Zero Current makes for ideal diving conditions, but not so much in the way of vertical jigging. Every depth I explored, from 90’ all the way out to 350’, seemed to be devoid of life. Sure, my depth finder showcased nice marks halfway down the sounder, but it seemed like no one wanted to come up to play. All the while, my Arnold Schwarzenegger-sized Blue Runner was running a marathon way behind my kayak, with zero interest from any pelagic passerby. Reports on the radio featured William Centrone and other locals on an exceptional bite, with one person catching a nice Mutton Snapper and the other landing a Wahoo. At least someone was finding action today. Their success only fueled me to try harder, cover more water, and jig faster.

Unfortunately, it was nearing Noon and all I had to show for my efforts was a small Almaco Jack and a Trigger Fish. With one last Hail Mary attempt, I switched out the large Blue Runner with the only Goggle Eye in my live well and decided to leave the 300’+ ledge for shallower prey. I noticed on my Navionics app a wreck out in the low 200’ range that was nearby. If anything, maybe this wreck would hold a few small Blackfin or even an Amberjack to test my tackle; anything that would make this trip worthwhile. I marked the structure on my Lowrance and drop my Benthos 150g. Pink/Glow jig to the bottom. Shortly after making contact I notice my flatline setup get nervous. A few bounces of the rod-tip and then SPLASH!…..my line immediately went slack. Normally, a sky-rocketing Kingfish is a dead giveaway, and I would be able to see this predator mid flight during the decent. But this strike didn’t seem characteristic of a King. Given the time of year and my location, I had only one other assumption of what this could be.

My instincts kicked in, I quickly grabbed my rod and placed my reel into free spool, carefully thumbing my line further back. Nearly 10 seconds later, I feel something grab my bait and make a blistering run South. After spoon feeding this mystery fish I slowly engage my drag until I felt pressure on the other end. The verdict was in: this was definitely NOT a Kingfish. Line was peeling off my reel faster than I could manage, and then suddenly I hear splashes in the distance, although not in the direction my line was going. My rod may have been bent to the South, but the splashes were coming from behind my kayak, and over 100 yards away! I quickly realized I had hooked an experienced Sailfish that was taking full advantage of this inexperienced angler.

I quickly try to gain line on this fish and shift my rudder North to begin the chase down. Despite my best efforts, this fish was pulling line off my real faster than I could pedal! After taking nearly 200 yds of line I slowly gained control over the fight and the tables turned in my favor. I didn’t care how far this fish pulled me. I didn’t care how long the fight would take. All I could think about was this was the best opportunity I’ve had all year at landing my 1st Sailfish from a kayak. I’ve landed a few Sailfish over the years from a boat, but nothing can compare to being at eye level with one of the most acrobatic fish in the ocean. About 5 minutes into the fight this Sailfish breached and put on an amazing show. 1 Jump, then 2, then 3, 4, 5, 6! It felt like I was in Cabo San Lucas, but at half the price! Then she sounded and went deep, and I realized that this fight was far from over. With this fish hovering directly under my kayak most of the fight, I was forced to shift my rod tip over my bow multiple times to apply pressure from different directions. Normally, a 7’ Rod is the standard length with conventional outfits. Fortunately I hooked this fish on my Star Rod Handcrafted KFHC 7’6” outfit with me today, allowing me to swing my rod tip from left-to-right across the front of the kayak with ease. Right tool for the job was an understatement, as this setup allowed me to maneuver this Sailfish with little effort and apply steady pressure to lessen the length of the fight.
 
Out the corner of my eye I notice another kayaker by himself, enjoying the fight from a distance. I quickly realized it was our Local Legend, John McKroid. I informed him that this would be my 1st Sailfish from the kayak and he politely agreed to help me land the fish and snap a few pictures. Even though I was able to leader this fish next the kayak multiple times, I just didn’t want to quit fighting. It was humbling, really, knowing that this fish was ready to fight to the end, much like myself. John quickly snaps a few pictures of me holding the broadbill and fin of this fish, keeping her in the water as much as possible to offer the best chance for survival. These fish deserve our respect: they give us 100% during the fight, we should offer 100% during revival.

After nearly 10 minutes of pedaling in big circles, this beautiful animal swam away strong; her stripes glowing blue with the same intensity as the beginning of the fight. John and I celebrated the victory, spent some time chatting about our backgrounds and shared a few fishing stories. I can see why he is so well-respected in our kayak community. We parted ways and I slowly pedaled back to the beach with the sweet satisfaction of not needed to lick my wounds after such a long trip South.

I always preach that Preparation is the single-most important component to a successful day on the water. But I learned another lesson this trip. That we need to be flexible and be grateful for whatever Lake Atlantic throws our way. I had it in my mind that morning that I would focus on Jigging until my arms fell off. Instead I was rewarded in kind by one of the toughest fighting fish in the ocean. It goes to show you that even though you can cross all your “I’s” and dot all your “T’s”, Pompano Beach is never without its curveballs. With the Sailfish Smackdown fast approaching, have this be a reminder to have your finger ready on the trigger, because you just don’t know when that award-winning bite is going to happen. 

Introduction:
Whether you are new to kayak fishing, or an experienced kayak angler looking to test your skill, kayak tournaments are a fun and inexpensive way to spend a weekend. This article will help new and experienced kayak anglers alike, who are considering entering their first kayak tournament. As a new competitor, it can be difficult to know what to expect when entering a new event, this article will provide an overview of what you can expect, how you can prepare, what the rules are, and where to start. Kayak fishing is becoming more popular every year, as the community of kayak anglers expands, so do the local and national kayak tournaments. From local bass tournaments to deepwater events like Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament, kayak competitions cover both freshwater and saltwater, and include a range of target species. If tournament fishing is something you want to try, do some research, there is probably an event for your preferred style of fishing.

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Getting Started:
Whenever you enter a competition, the first thing you should ask yourself is: what are you trying to get out of it? Is this a fun activity to spice up your favorite hobby? Or are you expecting something more serious? Setting you expectations is essential to having a good first experience with anything new, and tournament fishing is no exception.
I wasn’t expecting to get hooked on tournament fishing, but thought it might be a good way to learn, and an opportunity to meet more like-minded anglers. When I first started, the tournaments were all about meeting up with the group, pooling some cash, then coming together at the end to see who had won with the best catch. Kayakers are a great community of people, and we’d end the day with an evening of laughs, stories and great food. It didn’t take long before I got the itch, and began looking for bigger tournaments with harder competition. Now I compete both locally, regionally, and nationally to find new challenges.

Local and Virtual Competition:
Local kayak bass fishing tournaments are easy to find, with new ones popping up all over the country all the time. Although not all groups promote through social media, a quick Facebook and Google search are often the easiest ways to find local competitions. If there is not tournament series in your area, an innovative company called KBF (Kayak Bass Fishing) holds online tournaments which allow people to compete against one another in online competitions. These competitions are usually limited to a certain state, but multi-state and overnight events are also held online. Online competition opens up many opportunities, letting you compete and fish at your pleasure, while cutting down on traveling costs often associated with tournaments. This low pressure competition allows you to hone your craft in a low pressure environment, and can help you prepare for larger competitions.
Virtual and in person tournaments alike often use apps for online photo submissions and judging, most groups use these, however some still reserve judging for after the tournament. Most, (if not all) kayak bass tournaments are catch, photo, and release competitions (CPR); and for good reason, more fisherman means more fish are being taken each year, depleting the reproductive gene pool in our favorite waters. Catch, photo, release tournaments ensure there will be larger schools and bigger fish year after year. The morning of the tournament, you will be given an identifier to place near your catch pictures, this allows judges to know that fish were caught for this specific event, and helps eliminate cheating. Rules vary from event to event and from state to state, new rules are coming out all the time to combat potential cheaters (kayak fishing is still a small community...don’t be that guy).

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Tackle:
Another important consideration for any tournament is what tackle to bring. I recommend bringing what you are comfortable carrying on your boat, it’s all personal preference. Arriving at a location a day early will allow you to pre-fish the area, and can help limit the tackle you need to bring. Pre-fishing an area doesn’t always help as conditions can change drastically overnight, driving fish to deeper or shallower water. Fish are not always creatures of habit and can change feeding habits quickly as seasons and available prey change. What worked a few days ago might not cut it the day of the tournament. One lesson I learned early is to come to the event prepared, but limit your tackle the morning of based on the specific conditions. It’s better to have more than you need than to not have enough, but you’ll only catch fish if your line is in the water! The temptation to find the perfect lure may hurt your chances at success.

Rod Choice:
Your choice of rods, and number of rods all comes down to how you fish. I have fished tournaments with anywhere two rods all the way to eight. Although you may be laughing at the thought of this, asking yourself “EIGHT RODS! REALLY?” The answer is yes, it all goes back to preparing for the conditions. Some days you have no idea what you are going to do or how the fish will behave, on these days, bringing more gear is a way to cover all your bases. After a few tournaments, you will get comfortable and understand what works best for you and your style of fishing.

Optional Equipment:
One piece of optional equipment is a net for landing your catch. A net is not something everyone uses, however, it’s a good habit to get into. Many tournaments have been lost by trying to land a fish...the hook shakes and your biggest catch of the day disappears into the blue with a shake of its tail. As sportsmen and women, it is our responsibility to care for the waterways we use, this includes treating the flora and fauna with respect. This is another great reason to use a net, it puts a lot less stress on the fish; allowing the bass to rest in the water instead of flopping on the hot, dry deck of your kayak while you get ready to take a photo of the fish. Letting your catch rest in the water allows the fish to continue to breathe, this keeps the fish calmer as you snap a picture of your trophy. Pro Tip: I highly recommend a rubber coated net, these won’t waste your time trying to dig barbed hooks free of the nylon.
Another item which can improve your performance in tournaments is a trolling motor. This is a new addition to kayak fishing, as motors have only been allowed in kayak tournaments very recently. Fortunately, this means there aren’t many competitors who have made the investment yet, making it a great way to gain an advantage. I find trolling motors useful for saving energy on long days of paddling, especially when fishing offshore. They can save you time by allowing you to travel between locations while switching lures, they allow you to correct your position without awkwardly juggling your paddle and rod, and they let you hold your position in currents and winds. Trolling motors such as the Newport Vessels Kayak Series are specifically designed for use with kayaks, are ideal for this. The Kayak Trolling Motor options from Newport Vessels are offered in 36lb and 55lbs of thrust, and are the best kayak trolling motor currently available on the market.

Personal Preparation:
When preparing for a kayak tournament, don’t forget to take care of yourself. This may sound like common sense, but the excitement of an event makes it easy to forget your routine. You won’t have fun if you end up getting sunburned, eaten alive by bugs, or have a grumbling stomach all day. Remember to stay hydrated, bring enough snacks, and a trash bag for your wrappers. I always bring a water bottle, an electrolyte sports drink, and a jar of peanut butter to keep me fueled and whipping casts all day long. Getting a headache on the water from low blood sugar will quickly take the fun out of the experience. Pro Tip: Make a list of everything you need, and check it off before you leave for the tournament. My list always includes items like snacks, drinks, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses (with Croakies), phone, waterproof bags, trash bag, a small first aid kit, multi tool, and a few other personal items.

Final Thoughts:
Well there you have it, hopefully the idea of entering your first kayak tournament isn’t nearly as intimidating now! Have fun trying to sleep the night before, I still struggle to sleep even after years and numerous tournaments. I toss and turn all night before an event! Be sure to eat something the morning of, it helps calm your nerves, focus your energy on the day ahead and avoid headaches. Always budget plenty of time to unload and setup your gear, check in at event registration, and find parking. Doing this is a simple way to make sure you are not rushed and distracted as you prepare your boat for a day long tournament. With most tournaments, you are permitted to start fishing at safe light, and allow you to fish for six to eight hours before you have to check in at the end of the day. If for any reason, you leave a tournament early, always notify tournament organizers! Otherwise a search party will be sent out fearing the worst!
Last, it’s important to note that if you don’t have the latest and greatest kayak or gear, that’s okay. The coolest looking stuff doesn’t help you catch fish, just enjoy yourself and remember why you are there, whether it’s to have fun, to learn, meet new people, or start a career! Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get to know your fellow competitors, kayak anglers are a special breed and they love helping a new guy get hooked! Be humble, be curious, learn a lot, and have fun.

You're friend,
William Pfingst

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7 Tips To Get Better At Kayak Fishing By Dung Bui

Though a kayak is a means of transportation, it has widely been used for some other purposes as well. Fishing is one such thing that a kayaker does. There are some water bodies which are not large enough to let a boat move in it for fishing. Doing it on a kayak gives you the liberty to get into the remote waters where shore fishermen and boaters cannot go.
Before you get yourself a kayak and rush into the waters, there are a few things that you need to know. Doing something like this without having any prior information is never a good idea. If you are new to the field and looking for some tips to get started, go through, and do consider these instructions in advance.

Talk to an expert
A number of people have been in kayak fishing for around four to five years, which makes them a good mentor. Although they don’t consider themselves to be an expert, holding such an experience suggests otherwise. Having a piece of advice from an expert before doing any strange thing is always helpful. Experts will teach you the measures that are of importance and significance. Practising them, however, is based entirely on the one who is learning the new things.

Selection of a Kayak
Before purchasing a kayak, you need to self-introspect as to what exactly you are going to do with that. Is it a small lake, or a bigger river that you’re going to go? A number of parameters, like stability, storage compartments, seating comfort, transportation of the vessel, have to be looked upon when purchasing a new kayak. Always choose the best kayaks for fishing. Now best means the one that suits your requirements.
Sit-in-Kayaks, Sit-on-top, recreational, touring & sea kayaks, and the whitewater kayaks, are the available options from which you can select the one that best suits your needs, style, and budget.

Use Life Jackets
No matter how good you are at swimming, it is always good to have a backup. Life jackets save do save lives, but only when you wear them. There’s nothing more important than a life vest, quote the experts, when you are in a water body. Bring along the first aid kit, emergency repair kit, and a whistle as well.

Mind the weather
When going for kayak fishing to an unknown location, it is recommended that the weather data of the destination be collected and read beforehand. The foggy environment can make you lose the sight, and eventually the track. Winds, be it the head, tail, or the crosswinds, can be very dangerous for a person sitting in a small vessel surrounded by just waters. Exposure to a temperature a few degrees below the normal body temperature, for an extended period, can even lead to hypothermia.
Higher temperatures are not good for you either, as it may cause the heat stroke. Failing to prevent your body from getting overheated due to the sun rays can lead to skin

Don’t forget the food and water
These two are the definite necessities at any given point of time. While you are on the waters for whatever period, make sure you don’t get dehydrated. Drinking the sea water will not make you feel any better; rather it will cause some health issues. Having plenty of water-rich fruits is always recommended when fishing. Eating and drinking, in a few subsequent periods, keep the stomach inflammation away as well.
 
Learn the angling skills
You must have an idea about how to handle your kayak at all times. The usage and handling equipment, like paddles, anchors, on board, needs to be learnt properly. These skills techniques include; one-handed cast, handling of the paddle with one hand, since paddling with two hands is a cake walk even for a completely inexperienced person. Learning to use feet to paddle, and utilizing the currents have an added advantage.
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Keep a radio in the stack
Having a radio which works on very high-frequency (VHF) bands can come to your rescue when you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere. It is the only means you can communicate to the people in offshore areas. If it is fog around, and you can’t see a thing, a radio is something that will let you know if you are being an obstacle to some other water vessel around. It will most likely prevent an accident from happening in the first place.
So, here the tips one can follow to transform himself from a naïve kayaker to a virtuoso of the field. 
Kayaks have one more advantage that they cost significantly lesser than their fuel burner counterparts, and so not create any noise as well. A person with a kayak does not have to pay any property tax for the possession, unlike the one having a boat. The mode of fishing has lately garnered the popularity and is gradually becoming a sport.

Eugene Mora III
Wilderness Systems Pro Staff

My journey to fish the Extreme Kayak Fishing Summer Slam 2 started just four weeks prior to the event.  Everyone, myself included, that knows about the Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournaments absolutely wants to fish this event.  When Wilderness Systems called and said they needed an Angler to fish this tournament on a Radar 135, I could not have been more excited.  Without even thinking about time off work, or finances, I immediately responded “yes, absolutely!” This was an opportunity to fish with some of the elites of the offshore kayak fishing scene.

Planning was priority #1, as this trip was going to be a long one.  21+ hours (one way) on the road and hundreds of miles away from home, I needed to have everything that made my time on the water most efficient.  Luckily, I had an idea of what was needed, because just months before my girlfriend Diane and I had made the trek to Florida in route to the Bahamas for the Extreme Kayak Fishing Battle in the Bahamas tournament.  Packing and sorting gear in the living room soon became the everyday norm.  This would be the staging area where I would spend every evening until the departure date, getting everything organized and ready.  Although I had tackle and gear from previous trips, another trip down to Roy’s Bait and Tackle was a must. Everybody knows an angler can never have enough gear.  My excuse was that I was fishing against the best and needed to have lures X,Y,Z, and accessories for “safety purposes”.

Weeks passed and it was finally time to load up and head out.  The initial plan was to drive straight through, rest in Pensacola, and then shoot down south to make it to Galuppi’s in time for the Captains meeting.  Eleven hours and three tanks of gas later, we pull in and stop at the first rest area for a one-hour nap. We sleep from six to seven a.m., get up, brush our teeth and continue driving.  Finally, 10+ hours later we make it to the hotel and jump in the shower to clean up and look halfway presentable.  When arriving to the party, we were greeted by a bunch of friends that we had made in the Bahamas.  This was honestly one of the best feelings ever.  To be welcomed by everyone, and to pick up on conversations as if we had never left Florida or the Bahamas, was amazing.  The friends we made through EKFT are amazing, for that Diane and I are ever so grateful. 
Fast forward to tournament day when we arrived and parked directly across from the beach.  It’s drizzling, nerves are amped up, and the excitement is unreal.  Music can be heard over the loud speakers as I piece together my equipment and try not to fumble too much.  A few minutes pass and I am ready to make my way to check in and get inspected.  Inspection passed, and the EKFT sticker is slapped on my hull.  It’s becoming very real that I am about to partake in an event that I have only dreamed of. I dragged my Radar 135 and Helix PD through the course Pompano Beach sand and stand before the water’s edge. The view is absolutely breathtaking and I am overwhelmed with the entire experience.  I take a moment to reflect and give thanks.  As cliché as it sounds, I am living the dream.

Interrupting the sound of the surf, Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament director Joe Hector announced over the speakers that tournament was about to start. I get a good luck kiss from my girlfriend and push off to get in line for bait.  The bait line moved fast as Joe Bait’s set up spot on.  My Gogg’s were fresh, kicking, and ready for deployment.  Shortly after I hear the countdown…off we go to try our luck, and out fish all of the other anglers.  My goal was to represent Texas, Wilderness Systems Kayaks, and myself to the fullest.  Pedaling out, I request a radio check and verify that my bait tank is circulating fresh water, both are good.  I continue for deeper water and drop a live bait as soon as I hit 150 feet of water, as Im continuing my way out to 300 plus feet.  I had the Goggle eye on a stinger rig that consisted of a 4/0 Owner SSW and an Owner Stinger size 4.  The hardware was connected with 40lb Malin wire and a Spro size 6 swivel that tied to 30lb P-Line Fluroclear.  A slow troll and a sharp eye on the Lowrance 7ti reveals some bait balls, but a quick drop of the jig yielded no results.  I make my way back over to 168 feet and I see some good marks on the graph.   Shortly after my Seigler SG sounds off and the fight is on.  25 minutes of back and forth with some unbelievable runs ended abruptly when the line went slack; the fish was gone as soon as it had appeared.  I am understandably upset, but I also knew that I had to get back in the game. 

I immediately rig up another Goggle eye on a drop that is about 60ish feet down still sitting in 165 to 170 feet of water.  Not even fifteen minutes later the rod bows over.  Another long battle, and I’m ready the gaff, as a fellow angler calls the help boat to record the catch.  Still 40 or so feet down I lean over and take a look at what I hoped is a Wahoo and sure enough it is.  I yell out, Wahoo, it's a Wahoo!  Three failed gaff attempts later I finally get the gaff in the cheek of this beautiful fish.  It’s a true trophy Wahoo, and it looks incredible.  This fish was lit up like I have never seen before.  Sitting in my Radar with this giant fish in my lap I look up and see the Extreme wrapped boat pulling around.  In it I see Doug, Robert, and Micah with cameras in hand.  Let me tell you, that was an unbelievable feeling.  To tag this bucket list fish, get it photographed, and to do it all on my Wilderness Systems Radar 135 kayak was the absolute best feeling in the world.  The guys on the boat were excited as was I was, but I knew that I had to refocus and get back on the bite.  I ungaffed the fish and put it in the bag. 

I rigged another Gogg and set him out again at about 60-70 feet.  A slow troll ensues and a constant reminder to slow down was running through my head.  The combination of adrenalin and 6:1 gear ratio in the Helix Peddle Drive made me have to really slow down as to not drown my live bait.  Hours passed as I jigged and fished any sign of bait or structure that was seen on the graph.  The effort put forth was there, but the fish were gone as fast as they showed up.  Time was winding down and the decision to make my way back to the beach was made.  All lines were cut and rods secured as I made my approach back to shore.  A clean beaching and short drag up the sand meant that I was a short walk from weigh-in. 

​It was the coolest feeling to throw that Wahoo on my shoulder and make my way to the stage.  All of the people on the walk up were in awe of the catch.  Their reactions and comments all added up to make this experience that much more special.  The fish gets verified and as I turn around to make my way out of the check-in station I see John McKroids behemoth Wahoo.   This thing was a submarine, and quite honestly, I was elated.  This meant that the Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament event smashed their previous record and that all of the work that the team had done was going to pay off.  I grab a quick rinse at the shower and change into some clean clothes so that I could hang out and watch the rest of the weigh-in.

The weigh-in and festivities begin and the weights and prizes are being announced on the big stage.  I know I’m in the top ten for sure.  With that I’m happy.  Shoot, just being there I was happy.  When 5th place was called, and my weight wasn’t read, I knew it was at least a top 5 and my excitement skyrocketed.  My catch weighed in at 48.7lbs and I had finished the Summer Slam 2 in 4th place.  Taking home a beautiful trophy and $1,000 from Pompano Ford.  To say that I was on cloud 9 was an understatement.  Many pictures and poses later, the experience was worth far more that the check in the mail.  It was truly a huge accomplishment and memory that will last a lifetime. Seriously, how many people get to do this; cross the country to fish an offshore tournament on a kayak? How awesome is that?  There aren’t enough words to express the gratitude that I have for all who are in my corner, my family, girlfriend, Wilderness Systems Kayaks, and friends, to name a few.
I encourage all who are interested in the Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournaments to look them up and do their homework.  It is a first-class operation that elevates the offshore kayak fishing experience to another level.  The friends, experience, and memories that come with it, but are not listed on the entry form, are priceless. 

Thank you, Joe, Maria, and EKFT for the friendships and opportunities. 

​The Afternoon Bite
 
Whoever says that you have to be the early bird to catch the worm has probably never left the dock after 2pm. Ive noticed in many Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournaments anglers will get a great afternoon bite at the end of the event. This time of the year can produce some exciting action in the late afternoon, just a few miles off the beach. Sailfish, dolphin, kingfish, wahoo and cobia are just some of the species that might crash the party.
 
As the west wall of the gulfstream edges closer to our coastline combined with an easterly breeze and an outgoing tide, the fish will get closer to the beach to feed. Kite fishing live baits such as pilchards and goggle eyes on 20-30 pound high speed conventional outfits is your best bet. If you don’t have kite gear,  you can still take advantage of the bite by drifting flat lines. 20 pound spinning outfits are the ticket for the flat lines. Blue runners, goggle eyes, ballyhoo and pilchards are all great baits for flat lines. Fishing two flat lines is ideal. I suggest fishing your first bait far away from the boat. Fish your second bait about half way between your first bait and the kayak. If your bold and want to do a third fish your third bait with 4 to 6 ounces of lead to cover more of the water column. If you can’t find live bait, fish dead ballyhoo on old school triple hook rigs with ½ to 2 ounces of lead. This technique is deadly for kingfish.
 
Look for clean water or an edge in 250 to 300 feet of water to start your drift. As you drift closer to the beach, keep an eye out for birds or other signs of life and adjust the start of your next drift accordingly. Don’t be afraid to continue your drift into 50 or 60 feet as dolphin have been caught in as little as 20 feet of water as the ballyhoo tend to gather over the shallow patch reefs just off the beach. Good luck in the Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournaments! 

By Gene Dyer

​All’s Well: Offshore Kayak Fishing and the Live Well Predicament
Sid Dobrin
 
Live bait. It’s that simple. If you want to succeed as an offshore kayak angler in South Florida, you need live bait—especially if you want to succeed as an offshore kayak tournament angler. I’ve tried fishing strictly artificials offshore and I do fairly well, but not well enough to be competitive in tournaments like the Extreme Kayak Fishing events. Live bait really is part of the formula needed for tournament success.

Extreme Kayak Fishing has adjusted its rules regarding live bait for the 2016 tournament series—and following the bait-related chaos of the 2015 Summer Slam II, there’s no doubt why.  Next year, live bait will be delivered to kayakers in the water prior to the start only. In the past bait suppliers like Hillsboro Inlet Live Bait would also deliver bait directly to anglers throughout the tournament. While this was convenient given the difficulty kayak anglers face in trying to carry anything more than a small amount of live bait, Summer Slam II also proved that it is no longer possible to efficiently deliver bait to the entire fleet of anglers in a timely manner. Radio chatter throughout the day of Summer Slam II repeatedly echoed the frustration of “where’s the bait boat?” and post-tournament conversation expressed concerns about whether anglers were getting their baits delivered equitably throughout the day.

Given both the importance of live bait and the changes to the rules regarding live bait delivery during the Extreme, bait maintenance has become an even more important concern for offshore kayak anglers. Unfortunately, there are very few live bait wells designed specifically for kayaks available through manufacturers, leaving kayak anglers to rely on DIY approaches—as we tend to do for many things, anyway. Ultimately, three primary factors drive how we should think about live wells for yaks: drag, space, and accessibility, all of which are addressed here.
           
Drag
Recently, Ego S2 Slider Nets asked me to test and review their new Bait-Mark Containment system, a collapsible net-based live well specifically designed for maintaining live bait. After using the Bait-Mark successfully in several offshore and inshore scenarios from different power boats, I decided to use the Bait-Mark in the 2015 Summer Slam. I paddle an older-model Tarpon 160, a sleek, narrow-hulled boat that is fast in open water. When the starting gun sounded at Summer Slam, I leaned into my paddle cadence with the Bait-Mark loaded with a dozen goggle eyes tethered behind me. Normally, I’m quick, one of the first boats headed out, ahead of most broader-beamed boats, but within two minutes I realized I was the absolute last boat in the peloton and losing distance to everyone else. The drag from the Bait-Mark prevented virtually any forward movement. It was like fighting a sea anchor. I’ve had similar experiences with Flo-Trolls and other drag-behind systems. I ended up folding and stowing the Bait-Mark, sacrificing my chance of using live bait, and, thus, any chance I might have in placing in the Extreme Kayak Fishing tournament.

This past year, A Jacksonville-based company called Torpedo Bait Bucket began advertising a hydrodynamic-shaped, towable bait bucket that might begin to solve the draft weight issue. The Torpedo Bait Bucket is shaped, as the name suggests, like a torpedo, designed to flow effortlessly through the water with minimal resistance. The Torpedo is made of durable, blue UV stabilized polypropylene. It is 21 inches long and 4.5 inches wide. Now, I need to be clear that I have not yet used the Torpedo, so I can’t comment on its effectiveness. I admit that given its size, I am curious about its ability to handle a dozen or more goggle eyes or a couple of dozen pilchards. It seems easily capable of handling a few dozen shrimp or some pinfish for inshore anglers; the question will be its ability to handle larger offshore baits.

Nonetheless, if the Torpedo Bait Bucket can solve the drag issue for kayak anglers and prove to function as a towable live well system that does not hamper speed and is able to sustain sufficient numbers of offshore bait, then offshore kayak anglers may embrace the Torpedo Bait Bucket as a live well solution.
 
Space
Space is valuable to the kayak angler in the Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournaments. Anglers sacrifice substantial amounts of accessible space when we opt to head out on our floating billets, requiring that we become masters of buoyant ergonomics. Fortunately, as kayak angling continues to grow in popularity, kayak manufacturers have taken into account the demands we make in how to maximize our limited space. Unfortunately, with very few exceptions, kayak manufacturers have not yet provided stuffiest options for manufactured live wells.

Perhaps best-known is Hobie’s Kayak Live Well. The Hobie Live Well is an 8-gallon capacity well designed to fit five different Hobie kayak models: Mirage Outback, Sport, Adventure, Revolution, and Quest. The Live well comes fitted with three rod holders, and you can add two more if desired. The Hobie well uses an Atwood high-flow pump and a 6-volt sealed battery. The Hobie well runs about $300.

Hobie also produces a Live Well XL, which has an adjustable two-level capacity of 6 gallons and 11 gallons. The XL includes a partition to keep debris from clogging the pumps and preventing bait from hiding in hard-to-reach places in the tank. The Hobie XL sells for about $400.

Both of the Hobie wells have great reputations, and their capacity make them ideal for handling bigger offshore baits as well as smaller inshore baits. The problem, of course, is that we don’t all paddle Hobie, and the design of these live wells doesn’t always mesh with other yaks’ space.

Engel Coolers also offers a 13-quart live well cooler. The Engel well uses Engel’s molded polystyrene cooler with a 3-volt, 2-speed pump that runs on 2 D-cell batteries. Basically, what Engle has done is integrated the standard aerator we’ve all traditionally used in our shrimp buckets with a closed-lid cooler, allowing the cooler/well to be closed completely without crushing the aeration tube. The Engel cooler is relatively small, offering only 3.25 gallons of space. Granted, the smaller Engel is more likely to fit most yakkers’ deck space. However, the limited 3.25 gallons of water, when combined with a smaller aeration system, can prove tricky for sustaining larger, active offshore baits throughout a long day.

Thus, what most yak anglers face is the dilemma of surrendering enough space on their deck for a well tank large enough to accommodate offshore baits.
 
Accessibility
Part of the problem of limited space is also a problem of limited access. We want to be able to get to our stuff easily, without knocking other gear around—or worse, overboard—and without having to contort ourselves into tendon-ripping yoga poses. Of course, too, reaching for a live pilchard or goggle eye is not the same as reaching for a rod or pair of pliers. The wriggling of the bait adds an extra dimension of unpredictability to accessing bait. Hence, where one places a live well on a yak can make all of the difference in its usefulness to the angler. An out-of-reach or hard-to-reach well is about as useless as a football bat.

Generally speaking, then, placement of a live well should be determined primarily by the individual angler’s preference for where the well can be most efficiently reached, without disrupting access to other gear or to paddling motions. These kinds of personal rigging options will always be tempered by deck configuration and angler’s needs.
 
DIY
As you have probably assumed—and have likely seen in your own experiences or in watching other yak anglers—due to issues of drag, space, and accessibility, the most realistic approach to yak live wells at the moment is DIY. You see alot of them in the Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournaments. 

Fortunately, live wells are fairly simple to plumb, and can be made to fit just about any angler’s preference in size, design, and placement. A quick internet search reveals many DIY instructions and videos for making yak live wells. Most designs consist of three components: a tank, a pump, and a power source.

Tanks can be made from just about any kind of container that will hold liquid without leaking or spilling. Many DIYers are fond of using the Vittle Vault pet food container due to its durability, size, and sealable, wide-mouthed opening. But, realistically, just about any large-capacity container can be used, allowing yakkers to select their tank based upon best fit for their deck and accessibility choices.

When it comes to offshore baits, the commonplace 2 D-cell aerators anglers use in their shrimp buckets is generally not sufficient for maintaining active offshore baits like pilchards or goggle eyes. A good live well pump needs to push anywhere from 500 gph to 11gph depending upon the size of your tank. Look, for example, at live well pumps manufactured by Rule, Shurflo, Atwood, or Johnson.

As to power supply, you’ll want to match your power to your pump. However, the tricky part if making sure your battery can be closed into a sealed, water-proof container. One quick splash of saltwater can short out your battery in a blink, leaving your bait without oxygen. Most DIYers use small water-proof boxes, like small dry boxes. Just make sure the box you choose can accommodate the battery you opt for, as well as any wiring you will need to include inside the battery box.

As to the batteries, themselves, there are a number of 6-volt options available, but you may want to look at 6-volt scooter batteries, which tend to be compact and sturdy. Once protected from the elements in a dry box, these batteries can reliably push your pump through a full day of fishing.
 
Look, the competition in the Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournaments is growing, and the top anglers recognize the importance of live bait maintenance in their strategies. With the shifts in rules regarding the delivery of bait throughout a tournament day, anglers are going to have to pay more attention to how they are storing and sustaining their baits throughout the day. It is important that anglers find ways to ensure that they have fresh, vital baits not just at the start of the tournament, but in those final minutes of the day, as well. Given that most of us will likely be carrying more baits that we used to when we could simply call for more to be delivered, live well management will necessarily become a critical part of the offshore angler’s game plan. 
 
Sid Dobrin is Chair of the Department of English at the University of Florida. He is co-owner of Inventive Fishing, an online resource for recreational saltwater sportfishing (www.inventivefishing.com). He has been kayak fishing for more than 12 years. Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament.

​Extreme Catches in Fall, Winter Fishing Report
 
With Summer officially over, angers now get a taste of some excellent Fall fishing in the Pompano Beach area. Fishermen are still catching the occasional Wahoo, but they are scattered and it is spotty. Your best bet, if anglers still want to target these prized fish, is to head out on an outgoing tide early morning, and fish over the deep wrecks from 180-250 feet of water. This past August was one of the best Wahoo runs I’ve ever seen since moving to Pompano Beach from South Jersey. The last Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament had a 71lb Wahoo win the event. There was also a nice 59lber and 48lber brought to the scales with many other small Wahoo. Expect some stragglers still around.
 
The Mahi Mahi bite in October & November is usually very solid. For us kayak anglers, you do not have to paddle that far like in the summer to catch these beautiful fish. I have already been getting reports of nice 15-20lb Dolphin being caught from 200-250 feet of water and even some nice Mahi being caught shallow with a nice east wind. A tip for catching Dolphin in October & November is to look for the big drift boats, I’ve always caught some nice sized Dolphin around those boats, due to the fact that those boats put out lot’s of baits and chum in the water around those boats, and the Mahi will be just far enough to where a kayak angler can pick them off.
 
Sailfish season is about to be in full effect. Usually November will bring South Florida’s first cold front and with it awesome Sailfish bites. There have been great Sailfish bites from 80-120 feet of water. For targeting these fish I like to go stealthy, use 30-40lb. mono leader with a 3/0 circle hook and a nice juicy gog. Registration is now open for the Extreme Kayak Fishing, Sailfish Smackdown. Anglers that register before November 6th have a chance to win a FREE Garmin Striker GPS.
 
The Kingfish bite has still been solid with the occasional 30lber being caught around 80 feet of water.  Although most catches have been on the smaller side of 20lbs. Many Kings have been caught right out front of the Pompano Beach Inlet on an outgoing tide. 
 
If there is one thing South Florida Fishing in October & November is known for its catching big Mutton Snappers while night fishing around the moons. November in South Florida means good numbers of mutton snapper on reefs and wrecks in 50-120 feet of water. There is even reports of muttons being caught surf fishing from the beach at night between the Pompano Pier and 16th street. For Extreme kayak anglers looking to target them make sure you have at least 2 lights on your kayak, and all of your safety equipment while fishing at sun down. The great part is you do not have to go too far to catch them. Kayak anglers can also get some nice Mangrove Snapper while fishing for Muttons. While rigging for Muttons on the kayak make sure you have 40-50lb floro leader. For length,15 to 30 foot floro carbon leader with an egg sinker. Make sure you have a nice strong 4/0-5/0 circle hook. It’s best to work your drift at night dragging on a sandy bottom between Pompano Pier and Hillsboro Inlet, right outside the swim buoys during the moon.
 
The 2018 Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament Series kicks off with the Sailfish Smackdown scheduled for January 27th-28th, 2018. 

Rig For The Win 
Captain Mike Genoun

For adventurous kayak anglers competing in the Sailfish Smackdown—the only billfish tournament of its kind across the United States—successful sailfish releases are the only way to the podium. And while hometown heroes familiar with local waters and local species may believe they have the upper hand, the truth is this is anyone’s game.

The Atlantic sailfish is an open water pelagic game fish constantly on the move. Migrating fish heading south en route to wintering grounds off Isla Mujeras, Mexico, fuel their insatiable appetites whenever opportunities arise. This means picking off ballyhoo, flying fish, herring, mullet and tastiest of all, the coveted goggle eye. Still, sailfish are no fools and in order to persuade hungry fish to commit, irresistible offerings must be presented as naturally as possible. Considering kayakers are not afforded the same opportunity as competitive sailfish crews aboard open center-consoles where six- to nine live baits are presented below a duo or trio of specialized fishing kites, ‘yakers have to close the deal with only one or two baits. Out-of-towners fishing in the Extreme Kayak Fishing Sailfish Smackdown and new to this style of high adrenaline offshore fishing where both physical and mental prowess play huge roles, need to know that appropriate terminal tackle is both simple and stealthy, yet absolutely pivotal for enticing strikes and achieving successful releases in the Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament. 

The path to stardom starts with 20 or 30 lb. class conventional or spinning tackle outfitted with high capacity reels cherished for their silky smooth drags.     
Doubled low-vis running line tethered to a reliable 75 lb. class ball-bearing swivel starts you off right. An egg sinker in one- to four-ounces can be incorporated above the barrel swivel to help present one, or more baits deeper in the water column. When fishing two rods, one flat and one with added weight will assist in avoiding tangles while covering a greater swath of the strike zone.  
The opposing side of the swivel is where 6 ft. of 50 lb. Diamond Presentation fluorocarbon leader is tied before completed with a VMC 9/0 in-line tournament circle hook connected via loop knot. Bridling the bait through the top of the eye socket with rigging band increases hook up ratios.  
From start to finish, the hardware is simple and stealthy while the appropriate length leader provides ample protection while allowing confined anglers with limited mobility the opportunity to handle fish safely at boat side.   

Win or lose, achieving sailfish success during the Extreme Kayak Fishing Sailfish Smackdown will undoubtedly result in one of the most exciting angling adventures all kayak fishermen strive for. Follow my advice regarding terminal tackle, and you may achieve a milestone only few have. 

I finally decided last year that I was going to take my fishing to a new level and jump into the “off-shore game.”  My only experience offshore was on big boats, and I knew there was a huge learning curve coming.  With my busy schedule, the first opportunity to fish off-shore was going to be the 2016 Extreme Kayak Fishing Battle in the Bahamas.  I figured there was only one way to learn something new, and that was to surround myself with some of the best and most dedicated fishermen in the industry.

I had no idea what to expect or what was even needed to fish off-shore from a kayak.  Christina Weber was a huge resource, giving me ideas for rods, reels, bait, and tackle.  Maria Hector answered numerous emails and messages from me asking typical “googan” questions.  Before I knew it, I found myself in Ft. Lauderdale checking my gear at customs alongside some very experienced anglers.  After checking my nerves at customs and getting on the boat, I started to notice that these people were nothing like I imagined.  Hearing all of the stories about the monsters they had been catching and seeing the comradery, despite an unspoken level of competitiveness among them, was awesome to be a part of.

At this time in my life I was at a critical point trying to decide if I was going to be able to chase my dreams and pursue a career in kayak fishing.  There was a lot of negativity around me and way too much negativity in my mind.  The very first day with this group I had completely forgotten about all of it. Joe, Maria, Doug, and all of the anglers act more like family than competitors, and they welcome everybody in.  I learned more in one week with the EKFT family than I could hope to learn in a lifetime about deep water kayak fishing. 

The atmosphere at this event had a much larger effect on me than the actual fishing itself.  I met some of the top anglers in the sport and instantly became friends with them.  The Bahamas is actually where Robert Field and I hatched the crazy idea of him finally moving to Florida and moving in with me in Cape Coral. Eight months later he took the leap, loaded up, and headed down here, permanently.

It’s been about a year now since last year’s Extreme Kayak Fishing Bahamas trip.  I haven’t seen many of these guys since the Bahamas, but as soon as I arrived at the 2017 Sailfish Smack Down these guys were putting me up for the night and taking me out to crush fish all week.  I got to meet so many more anglers that were asking what the Bahamas is really like, and whether or not they should go.  Every single one of them heard the same response from me, “That is the one tournament you have to fish.”  There is no other experience that can compare to the Battle in the Bahamas tournament. This tournament pulled me right out of a period of stress and negativity and immersed me in one of the most welcoming and real environments that I've ever experienced.  It helped launch my career as a competitive angler but also reminded me why I became a guide in the first place, and that was to share the experiences and opportunities that kayak fishing affords us.

​If you’re questioning going to the Battle in the Bahamas this year and have any questions at all about the experience: how it all works, gear, traveling out of country, or anything else, please feel free to reach out to Maria, Joe, myself, or any other angler that you know has been to this tournament.  We would all be glad to help get you there, and it was literally a life changing experience for me.  Thank you Joe, Maria, and the entire Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament family for creating such a great atmosphere and a badass tournament for some amazing fish.  I’ll definitely see you there this year.

​By Mike Plainte