Pack and Paddle

PAC Kayak is located about an hour south of New Orleans with Houma being the closest bigger town. It is right in the marsh and is a kayak marina. You read that right, a kayak marina. Eddie and Lisa Mullen developed a kayak specific launch and tackle shop dedicated to the kayak fishing community. Located on the water in Point Aux Chenes, Louisiana, it has become quite the destination for kayak anglers. It is known around the nation and even internationally.

The fishing that is available within sight of the launch is only surpassed by the community they have helped build. I originally stumbled across this location after John Williams, owner of Pack and Paddle in Lafayette. He introduced me to it on a Jackson Kayak shoot years ago. John’s kayak and outdoor shop has always had a great relationship with the community in Louisiana. I was super pumped that he would be joining us on this part of the trip! We met up at his shop and enjoyed a great night of storytelling before heading to the water at PAC.

I truly consider the folks at PAC family, and it has quickly become my second home. You can imagine my excitement to visit and share the area with Richard, Jake, and Michael. All had decided to come along after our trip in Freeport.

Louisiana Sight Fishing is Weather Dependent

The weather followed us and the wind was still strong with cooler temps. It had been this way for a few days now. This typically means the fish are starting to feed again and they have overcome the initial shock of the cold front rolling in. So it was with high hopes that after getting settled in, we hit the water.

A few months earlier I had found fish super shallow just to the Northwest of the launch. This lead the way as we moved back into that area. The wind was coming out of the North so it had the water pushed out. This meant that if the fish were up there, they would be feeding. You do not see a huge tide swing on the Gulf Coast, but the wind can increase the flow, especially when it is consistently blowing the same direction for several days.

Finding the Reds by Sight

The larger movement of water can get the fish fired up as it can move the bait around a bit more. This is exactly what we found. It was not your typical sight fishing conditions, with the high winds and overcast skies, but we were able to watch the surface and sometimes actually see the fish feeding with their backs completely out of the water. This made for a very interesting situation.

Mixed emotions of frustration because the overcast skies and wind made it a bit hard to see the fish until you were on top of them, and the shallow water made it hard to get even the kayak into some of the areas. Then excitement, when you saw a fish feeding so shallow its back was out of the water and you were able to get the cast on it! What a ride all day of hard work and then reward! The decision to fish at PAC was paying off once again, proving that even in not so ideal conditions, you could still have an amazing day on the water!

Wiley X for the Win!

On this trip I found all my success sight fishing. Having good, polarized sunglasses was super key and being able to stop the boat in the wind to make an accurate cast before running the fish over. I was wearing the Wiley X Peak glasses with the copper lenses which I find work great when you have more overcast conditions.

As I mentioned, stopping the boat was super key to my success and I was able to do this with the Micro PowerPole. I could tap the remote after seeing the fish and with the softer mud bottom, the boat would stop slightly allowing me to grab the rod and make the cast.

Louisiana Sight Fishing for Reds: My Set Up

For my tackle set up, I was using a 7’ Medium Spinning Rainshadow Judge blank with a Moderate Fast action. The reel was spooled with 20lb Seaguar Smackdown and tipped with about 1.5 – 2 feet of 20lb Gold Label Fluorocarbon. I caught every fish on a ZMan Dizel Minnowz in the Redfish Toad color, and I had it rigged on a 4/0 ZMan Chinlockz so I could cast into the grass and bring it off the bank without getting snagged.

Sunglasses: Wiley X Peak!
Anchor: Power Pole Micro Anchor

The post Louisiana Sight Fishing for Reds appeared first on Hazeadventure.

How You'll be Using Your Kayak Fishing Paddle

When making a paddle selection there are a few things to consider. First, think about if you'll be using the paddle most of the time.

Even in pedal kayaks there may be times when it's too shallow to use that pedal drive. Plus, the drive could become inoperable if there's some kind of mechanical issue with one of the components. Either way, you'll need to break out a paddle to get where you want to go.

I stand up while I'm fishing quite a bit, so having a good paddle is super important to me.

Choosing a Kayak Fishing Paddle on Price

Now let's talk about the differences between paddles at various price points.

I don't have any paddles in the low end of the price range. So today, we'll be starting in the $100 to $150 range with the Bending Branches Angler Classic. To start with, the difference between paddles at different price points are materials, weight, and efficiency.

On a lower price point paddle in that $50 to $100 range you're going to have an aluminum frame and a plastic blade. That frame is going to be very flexible and have a lot of give. The same goes for plastic blades.

With materials like these you'll lose a lot of efficiency. Plus, you'll be carrying a lot more weight around all day. It may not seem like a big deal when we're talking about ounces. However, moving that little bit of extra weight over a long period of time adds up.

Bending Branches Angler Classic

All the paddles we'll be looking at today are in the Bending Branches Angler line.

We'll start with the Angler Classic which costs about $160. The Angler line goes from that starting point all the way to the top tier.

A few features come standard on paddles in the Angler line. One is that they all have a drip ring as well as a little notch cut into the blade. If you're wondering what the notch does, it allows you to retrieve hooks and lures. What you do is run your line through the notch and push the paddle down to the hook that's hung up below the surface.

The other thing all these paddles have is a measuring tape. I find that these come in really handy. This is especially true if you're a tournament angler who needs to cull fish before weigh-in.

If so, pulling a clunky board out every time you catch a fish can be a pain in the neck.

Angler Classic – Fiberglass Shaft and Polymer Fiberglass Blade

The Angler Classic has a fiberglass shaft and a polymer fiberglass blade. They're both far more efficient than their aluminum and plastic counterparts.

Since fiberglass doesn't flex as much, your energy will flow more efficiently through the paddle into the water. This means you'll move the boat easier without being too tired at the end of the day. It's also worth noting that it's quite a bit lighter.

Another big pro is that fiberglass is very durable. With the Angler Classic you don't need to be shy about pushing yourself off obstructions in the water which are common when you're kayaking.

Even if you stand up and move around frequently, you can use the paddle regardless of what position you're in.

There are also differences in the ferrule system. Some of these paddles can even be adjustable in length, but this is pretty standard for this price range. What you generally get is a fiberglass shaft with some type of polymer or fiberglass blade.

It's also a great starting point. I would definitely recommend that if you can't go any higher, at least try to get something in this price range.

If you can, you'll be a lot happier out on the water.

Angler Classic – Weight and Features

The Angler Classic comes in at 35 1/2 ounces. However, weight depends on paddle length.

As we take a look at these paddles you're going to notice that they all come with a drip ring. Many lower priced paddles don't come with drip rings. Essentially, drip rings stop water from flowing down the blade and shaft and ending up on your hands and lap. So they definitely keep you drier and more comfortable out on the water.

Angler Classics also have a snap button ferrule system which allows you to adjust the paddle to different angles. This is a big plus when you're paddling in the wind. It also makes it easy to tweak the paddle to match the motion of your stroke.

There are other options that will also allow you to adjust for the length in case you have multiple kayaks or you're moving from a high seat to a low seat position.

Don't Forget About Swing Weight

As we look through these different weights and materials, you'll also notice the difference in paddle swing weights. A big shout out to John at Paco Paddle for sending this one over. I think it's very important.

He suggests grabbing paddles and rocking, or swinging them back and forth when you're deciding which one to buy. By doing this you'll really feel the weight difference, especially in the blades.

As you move up in price point you'll notice that moving the paddles gets a lot easier. Weight is important because you'll be moving those paddles all day long out on the water. When you're going back and forth that little bit of extra weight really takes a toll. So keep that in mind as we move up the line and look at lighter materials.

And remember, those lighter materials are also going to add a lot of efficiency to your strokes.

Angler Ace

Moving up the line we have the Angler Ace which transitions into a carbon-fiber shaft.

This reduces weight right off the bat. The Angler Ace also has a carbon reinforced nylon blade which has even less flex than the Classic's blade.

The Angler Ace starts at around 30 ounces. So the weight savings here is about 5 1/2 ounces. Trust me, you can really feel the difference. And again, this is going to be very rigid and a lot more efficient out on the water.

This is my go-to paddle when I'm river fishing and pushing off lots of rocks and other obstructions in the shallows. It also works well when I'm stand-up fishing around oyster beds because the carbon reinforced blade can take a ton of punishment.

The price point here goes up to about $225, so there's a bump between the Angler Classic which comes in at around $160.

Angler Pro

Taking another step up the line we have the Angler Pro which costs about $325. So it's about a hundred dollars more than the Angler Ace.

The big difference here is the solid fiberglass blades. They're even stiffer and more efficient. You may already know this, but the more flex you have in your paddle the less efficient your strokes are going to be.

So as we move up the line these materials will add rigidity to the paddle to make it more efficient.

With paddles that don't flex, more power is transferred from your body to the water. This makes the whole process a lot more efficient. Unsurprisingly, more efficient strokes will move your kayak along easier with less effort.

This paddle also comes in at 28 1/2 ounces, but again, that'll vary depending on length.

Higher Price, Less Weight

As we compare various paddles you'll see that weight goes down as price goes up.

The Angler Pro is a great paddle if you'll be spending a lot of time in lakes and other large stretches of open water where you're not too worried about banging up the blade. However, this blade is super durable and I beat mine up quite a bit. In fact, it's the paddle I have on my Jackson Kayak Knarr most of the season in that nice Copperhead color.

Even so, I prefer to use this paddle in open water. When I know my paddle is going to take a beating on rocks and oyster shells I generally switch over to the Angler Ace.

Angler Pro Carbon

The Angler Pro Carbon is Bending Branches' top-of-the-line paddle.

It comes with a 100% carbon shaft like the Angler Ace and Angler Pro, but it has a carbon blade too. So with the Pro Carbon you get big weight savings and maximum stiffness, so it's the best of both worlds.

It tips the scales at just 25 1/2 ounces compared to where we started out at 34 ounces. That's almost a 10 ounce weight savings right there. This is the lightest paddle in the company's Angler line.

Again, those extra ounces definitely come into play when you're out on the water for long spells. This is even more true if you're in a big lake with lots of open water.

Angler Line Standard Features

With Angler line paddles you get this built in tape measure.

It's a very useful tool, but what I really like is these paddle's versatility and durability. This is a big deal because most of us use our paddles as general tools instead of just moving the boat.

I don't know about you, but I'm always pushing off things like rocks and sand. I also have a knack for beating up my gear while I'm fishing. In fact, I beat it up a lot more than I would if I was just paddling around for fun.

Cheap vs. Expensive Kayak Fishing Paddles Recap

There are a lot of different brands on the market, but I use a lot of Bending Branches products.

We've been partners for a very long time and I couldn't be happier with our relationship.

When you're considering paddles, make sure to think about all the things we looked at today. Here I'm talking about weight, rigidity, efficiency, and extra features. Price is definitely important, but it probably shouldn't be the only consideration.

I always recommend getting out in a kayak and trying out the paddles you're thinking about. By testing them in the real world you'll be able to see what feels right to you.

Of course, you also need a paddle that's the right length for you, your boat, and your style of fishing. And again, the main difference in paddles at various price points comes down to materials, weight, strength, and efficiency.

The more expensive materials are lighter, and as paddle prices increase the paddle also becomes more efficient. Efficiency is what gets your energy down the shaft, through the blade and into the water to move the boat. The more efficient your paddle, the more water will be able to cover while expending less energy.

In a nutshell, you really do get what you pay for when it comes to paddles.

Paddles: Bending Branches Angler Classic, Bending Branches Angler Ace, Bending Branches Angler Pro, Bending Branches Angler Pro Carbon
Fishing Kayaks: Jackson Kayak Knarr
Anchor: Power Pole Micro Anchor
Life vest: NRS Chinook PFD
Sunglasses: Wiley X

The post Cheap vs Expensive Kayak Fishing Paddles appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Because of their nature to feed shallow in the marsh it can be a very exciting and visual experience. You receive instant feedback to your presentations and get to watch them eat! It is this battle of being super stealthy, quiet, and having the right bait with the right line. It can be a roller-coaster ride of emotions. I say all of this to justify why when Dustin Nichols and Michael Fiorenza asked me to get up at 1:30am and make the long drive from San Marcos to Freeport to beat a cold front, I did just that.

Cold Front is Coming!

Richard Penny, his son Jake, and I had just wrapped up fishing with the fine folks at TG Canoes and Kayaks and the plan was to head to Freeport the next day to chase reds on the flats. What didn’t look promising was the weather. As I mentioned, a cold front was pushing in. This was not going to stop us from getting on the water, however.

Dustin and Michael were planning to pre-fish for an upcoming tournament, and we were hopeful that if we left early enough, we would have the morning to fish as the front drew nearer. As we rolled into Freeport the son was just starting to break and you could see that we were surrounded by water. It would honestly have been a bit overwhelming to try and pick a place to target, but lucky for us Michael is a guide and knows where the fish have been.

Freeport Redfish Fishing: An early start!

As the bugs surrounded us, we prepped our kayaks. We had a decent run down a channel before making our way through a small creek to access the flat. This was where the kayaks really shined. The creek was very narrow and even had some trees that had fell and been swept by the tide blocking the way. In addition to that, the creek had a significant amount of current flowing out and against our forward progress. This would have made it a challenge if we had not had the motors to help us push through.

Once we came to the mouth of the creek, the flat opened up. Michael pointed out some seagulls in the distance and told us he had been having luck following them to find the schools of redfish. The redfish push the bait around and to the surface, and the birds take advantage of the situation and in turn give the redfish away! Everyone powered up and made a b-line for the birds and as soon as the first person to reach the school was in casting range, I heard “FISH ON”.

Fish ON! For some of us…

Michael and Dustin both managed to hook up and Richard and I targeted another school just a bit further into the flat. We both reached it at the same time and made cast, but I missed my bites as I was throwing a topwater lure. I don’t know if it was the lack of sleep, the pressure to catch fish, or just me struggling, but this set the tone for the day as far as I was concerned. I fully expected Michael and Dustin to out fish me considering they are both local Texas angler. Especially Michael who is a guide in this area, but I do consider myself a decent angler, especially when it comes to redfish.

For whatever reason, however, I could not make it happen. I would cast at fish I could see. Watch them eat it and then set the hook, but there would be no fish on the other end. I had several short strikes blind casting. I just could not connect, and I continued to hear “FISH ON”. Don’t get me wrong, I really was super happy for the others, but I wanted to participate. The day continued this way and Richard was also able to get in on the action. Before all was said and done, I was the only one that had not been able to make it happen. Well, me and Jake, who was running the camera most of the day and had not been fishing.

Heading Back and some Night Fishing

With the tide continuing to drop off the flat, we had to call it a day and head back to the launch. The front was for sure starting to show itself as the wind began to pick up. I will admit, it was hard to take the big ZERO, and leave the water without feeling a fish on the other end of my line, but I still enjoyed my time with friends and seeing a new area, even if I was a bit “Salty”.

That night as we hung out at the house and prepped kayaks for the following day, if we could even get on the water, an idea began to form between Jake and I. The house was on a channel that connected to more channels giving the neighborhood boat access. In these channels were several dock lights. Dock lights attract baitfish and baitfish attract bigger fish. I think you see where this is going!

Lights, Camera, Fish!

We decided to give it a try, so after rigging up some GoPro and Lights on the kayaks, Jake and I made our way into the canal. The very first light we came to, Jake made a cast and immediately hooked up! It was a nice red. The next light produced a speckled trout for me, and I believe Jake pulled another redfish. This continued and we both were able to land a few fish. Even though this was a bit of work, it was worth is to get the skunk off my boat.

I had spent the whole day chasing redfish and by trying one more thing that night I had found success. I am not sure if it was persistence or stubbornness that drove me to stay up and keep fishing even after starting the day off at 1:30am, but I was able to sleep much better that night knowing I had a little more fish slime on my kayak.

The next couple of days produced high winds and tough conditions, but Michael and Dustin were both able to find some fish for the tournament and placed in the money. We decided to take a break and show up to support them at the weigh in. As always it is a great time getting to hang out with some friends in a cool place and maybe, just maybe, catch a few fish.

On this trip I found little success as I mentioned above, however the few that I was able to catch came on the following.

Gear I Used Freeport Redfish Fishing

I used a Rainshadow Judge 7’2” MH blank rigged with a Shimano Chronarch G. It was spooled with 30lb Seaguar Smackdown and tipped with a 20lb Seaguar Gold Label leader. The bait I used was a ZMan 5” Herculez in Pearl. I kept still in the wind with Power-Pole's Micro Anchor.

The post Freeport Redfish Fishing appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Before jumping in, I want to mention that sight fishing can get you into trouble! Once you start, it’s how you’ll want to fish most of the time. 

I recommend investing in a decent pair of polarized sunglasses because they reduce glare, help you see down into the water, and allow you to differentiate between fish and other objects like weeds and logs.  I use the WileyX Twisted glasses on this adventure.

Sight Fishing Basics

When sight fishing is to stand up in your boat or kayak to give yourself the best possible view of the water. Next, scan for signs of active fish like tails, fins, and swirls. 

Look for different water

Keep an eye out for any patch of water that looks different from what’s around it. Just remember that the differences can be subtle, so it’s important to be observant. Also look for shadows, outlines of fish, and things that look like sticks moving through the water. 

You’ll need to be quiet and stealthy and be able to transition quickly from your paddle (or whatever you're using to move the boat) to your rod. And of course, good boat position is imperative too. 

PowerPole Micro Anchor

On a recent outing, I kept getting blown into the area where redfish were feeding. I was able to catch a lot of them by using my PowerPole Micro Anchor to stop the boat from drifting into the school. If you don’t have a power pole, you can shove your paddle or oar into the sand or mud to stop or slow your drift. This will prevent you from ending up on top of the fish and spooking or scattering them. 

If you get too wrapped up in fishing and just let the boat drift when the wind is blowing, you can get moving pretty quickly. By the time you realize what’s happening it may be too late to do anything about it, so stay alert and be aware of the conditions and your surroundings.  

Windy conditions present challenges

Ruining a good spot in windy conditions is fairly easy. Nothing’s worse than wasting valuable time fishing water with no fish. Whether in tight groups or loose schools, redfish tend to stick together, so keep moving if you’re not seeing any fish or surface activity. Once you find what you’re looking for, slow down, keep your distance, and be as quiet as possible.  

Instant Feedback when Sight Casting

One of the coolest things about sight casting is that it provides instant feedback. Sometimes fish are super aggressive and will hit anything you toss into the water.

Other times they’re tentative and will only follow the bait or strike short. You’ll have to play with line and leader weight, lure size and color, and presentation until you find a combination that works. You’ll see how the fish react with each change, and it shouldn’t take long to figure out what they want and what they don’t.  

I’ve had days when a sixteenth of an ounce or one change in hook size made a huge difference even when the lures were identical otherwise. Sometimes you’ll need to slow down and let the bait sink when the redfish won’t take a lure that’s high in the water. Other times they’ll be feeding aggressively near the surface but will slow down as the day progresses. Whatever the case, instant feedback can be a real game changer. 

Try Sight Fishing With Other Species!

Now that you have all these tips, give sight casting a try next time you’re fishing for redfish or bass. If it’s sunny and the wind isn’t too bad, stand up, throw on your polarized glasses, scan the water for fins, tails, and swirls. Keep moving until you come across active fish. Chances are you’ll get the hang of sight fishing quickly. When you do your mind will automatically start doing the work for you so you can concentrate on putting more fish in the boat.   

Read More Fishing Tips and Trips

Check out my most recent adventure journal post: Black Bass Fishing the San Marcos River, TX and a great tip on knots I used for redfish can be read here: Palomar Knot Tying for Fishing.

Sunglasses: Wiley X
PFD: Chinook Fishing Kayak Lifejacket
Kayak: Jackson Kayak Knarr
Rods: 7’ Medium Rainshadow Judge, 7’ MH Rainshadow Judge
Paddle: Bending Branches Angler Pro Versa-Lok
Gear Box: Yakattack Blackpack Pro
Hoodie: Men's Silkweight Varial Hoodie
Paddle Holder: Yakattack Rotogrip
Rod Holders: Yakattack Omega Rod Holder, AR Tube Rod Holder
Camera mounts: Yakattack Panfish Pro, Yakattack Broomstick Pro
Footwear: XTRATUF Kiata Waterproof Sneakers

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