9 minute read
Editor's Note7
One thing everyone reading Southern Tides has in common is a love and passion for the water. Being out there can mean freedom, peace, and serenity. Being submersed in the elements can mean pushing yourself physically and overcoming challenges. It can be a chance to breathe clean air and sweat the toxins out of your system. It can be your therapy and give you a sense of being closer to God. Whatever your personal relationship is with the water, there’s nothing else on the planet that soothes and heals quite like being out there.
One of the best ways to do that is to push away from the bank or the dock, dip your paddle in the water, and glide silently away from civilization. No motor noise, just the calls of birds and frogs and the occasional splash of something breaking the surface. You and your vessel, whether it be canoe, kayak or SUP.
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One of the very fi rst ways humans devised to propel themselves over water was with a canoe and a paddle. While diff erent cultures had diff erent words for these small vessels (dugout, pirogue, outrigger) and diff erent means of constructing them (wood frames covered with bark and pitch, or hollowed out logs, to name a couple), so many cultures around the world had such a device that it’s nearly impossible to determine where the fi rst canoe originated, or when.
In earlier times canoes were used for transportation – moving oneself from place to place, transporting goods, even exploration. Now though, canoes, kayaks and even stand-up paddleboards are used mostly for recreational pursuits: exercise, exploring nature at water level, fi shing, and hunting. And many have found a way to earn a living by off ering tours, instruction, rentals, and gear sales. How wonderful to do what you love and be able to support yourself with it!
This issue of Southern Tides is dedicated to all things paddling and we plan to make it an annual endeavor. We weren’t able to touch base with every paddling business in Coastal Georgia, though we did try! Touch base with us to be included next year.
Special thanks to the following for their contributions:
East Coast Paddleboarding – Cathy Liberatori North Island Surf & Kayak – Shane & Rebecca Parris
Okefenokee Adventures – Chip & Joy Campbell Pastimes Cabins, RV Park & Campground – Dale & Michelle Hazzard Sea Kayak Georgia – Marsha Hensen & Ronnie Kemp
SouthernWood Paddle Company – Larry McIntyre
Enjoy the issue and make time to get out there and paddle our amazing coastal waterways. You won’t regret it!
See you out there!
Amy Thurman Editor in Chief amy@southerntidesmagazine.com
Texted this photo to Todd. His response: "You call that working?" My reply: "Well yes. You can tell because I'm not holding a beer." But I wasn't actually working all that hard when I drifted at times to take photos of passing gators and various plants! It's a rough job!
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By Trey Leggett Kayak Fishing How-To's Ebb & F low
About 15 years ago I was reading an online fi shing report from a guy who was catching speckled trout and sharks from a kayak. I thought this was the coolest thing in the world! I met the guy a few weeks later and learned a ton of new things about fi shing that I’d never realized before. Kayak fi shing opened up a whole new world of fi shing for me – I was hooked.
In the spirit of our special paddling issue, let’s talk about how to get you into a kayak and catching fi sh. We will start with the basics and give you ideas to get you started.
The kayak – generally a sit on top (SOT) kayak is a much better choice for kayak fi shing than one you sit inside. SOTs are more stable and customizable for fi shing. Many SOT’s produced today are fi shing specifi c and include features such as tackle storage, cooler space, tie downs, rod holder bases, an adjustable seat, and are depth-fi nder ready.
Pedals or Paddle – the paddle is the original way to propel a kayak and is still widely used today. Paddles come in very basic styles, and increase in price with better materials and functions of the paddle. Starting out, the basic paddle is fi ne. Many kayak manufacturers have come out with a pedal mechanism insert that allows you to propel the kayak, steer with a hand control, and fi sh while under way. These devices protrude below the kayak and will have to be removed if going through really shallow water (always have a paddle with you).
PFD (personal fl oatation device) AKA life jacket – this item is just as important as the kayak and paddle, if not moreso. Choose a PFD that is comfortable so you’ll be apt to wear it whenever you’re on the kayak. When choosing a PFD, think of your swimming ability, your own health, and the weather and water conditions you’ll be in. Some other considerations can be pockets for storage, mesh back and shoulder straps for hot days, or the suspender type PFD. Remember that your safety is the most important thing.
Now, let’s get you set up to get on the water and catching some inshore saltwater fi sh. You have your kayak, paddle, and PFD. Next you’ll need:
Rod and reel – keeping it simple, you need a spinning reel in the 2500 – 3000 size, 15-pound braided line or monofi lament line, and a medium- to fast-action rod. An outfi t like this can range anywhere from $50 - $300. No matter what you decide on, don’t forget to rinse off thoroughly after each trip.
Terminal tackle – get a pack of 1/0 kahle hooks, a few inline ½-ounce inline tie on sinkers, and a popping cork. You can also use a ¼-ounce jighead instead of the khale hook and tie on sinker. You can adjust your tackle later for your fi shing style and technique.
Lures – imitation shrimp, topwater lures, and soft plastic paddle tails, or shrimp, with a 1/8- to ¼-ounce jighead.
Fishing pliers – get a pair that you can attach a lanyard to, so you don’t lose them. They come in handy removing hooks from fi sh.
Live bait – for beginners I recommend using mud minnows. They’re easy to catch, stay alive longer, and all fi sh love them. Put them in a fl ow troll bait bucket or 3-gallon bucket with an aerator. Shrimp are harder to keep alive, especially in the summer heat, unless you have a good aeration system and can regulate the water temperature. Another option is dead shrimp or cut mullet. Trey Leggett is an outdoorsman sponsored by Engel Coolers and Hobie Polarized sunglasses.
Email: info@southerntidesmagazine.com Austin Leggett with a nice trout, aboard a peddle-style kayak rigged for fi shing. Photo by by Chandler Wilkinson
Cooler – soft sided or hard, a good cooler is a must. It will keep your drinks cold longer and keep your fi sh cold, if you decide to keep any.
Anchor – a small 3-pound grapnel or Danforth style anchor with at least a 4mm line will be fi ne to anchor your kayak. Another option, especially if you’ll be in shallow water, is a stake out pole. The stake out pole is more expensive, but much less of a hassle.
Optional – fi sh landing net, fi sh lip grippers, kayak rod holders, VHF radio (handheld), dry bag for phone, keys, wallet, towel, and other clothes.
A few other fi shing items to remember: sunscreen and appropriate clothing, water and snacks, sunglasses, and a good knife.
Most fi shermen already have most of these items on hand. When I kayak fi sh, I like to only take the bare essentials to target the fi sh that I’m going after. Kayak fi shing can be as simplistic as you want or as technical as you want to get, it’s up to you.
Target your fi sh at grassy areas or shellfi sh beds that come to a point (especially if it has tide water movement), areas within 20 yards of the point, around any kind of man-made or natural structure, or bottom fi sh in a channel or trough in areas that have current. Keep things simple and fi sh slow. You’ll soon discover that you can catch fi sh within sight of your launch site. You don’t need to go far to fi nd fi sh.
Always remember that safety is fi rst and foremost. Know your own limitations and let that guide you. Fish with a partner and leave a fl oat plan (when you’re leaving, where you’re going, when you’ll be back) with a loved one in case you run into trouble. A handheld VHF radio or cell phone is a must in case you get lost, injured, or sick.
Get on the water and kayak fi sh to discover a new way to fi sh and a new appreciation for the beauty of our resources.
Stay safe and tight lines. 9 May 2019 Southern Tides Magazine
IMAGE BY KAREN CARR
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