Kayak Fishing

A giant fish, stocker trout, & friends

January 21, 2017 by coolwaterfish Leave a Comment

BEREA, OH – Some days are just about perfect, today was one of them. If nothing more would have happened than getting to kayak fish on a 60 degree day near the end of January in northern Ohio – it would have been great. When you add a giant fish, catch and releasing more than a limit of the targeted species, and fishing amongst friends it is truly a special day.

A giant White Amur aka “Grass Carp”

A few years ago, I perfected some tactics to catch Grass Carp at a lake in Medina and the pond in my back yard. The highlight was a huge fish caught by throwing some green leafy plants on the surface, and mixing in a leaf that had a single hook in it. That fish was never documented. In one of those ‘what was I thinking?!’ moments (this particular excuse applies to several memorable fish) I had decided it was necessary to clean the fish off before snapping a few photos. It’s probably not necessary to fill in the blanks, but yes, right out of my hands the fish swam away. I was pretty dejected to say the least. It was my hope whether targeting or inadvertent, that I would encounter the same class fish at some point. Most importantly, that the new story would end with a photo. As you see above, on this day that happened and a bit of fishing redemption was mine. I use the term “a bit” because the other fish took my offering in the mouth and was a catch in the purest sense. Today’s fish ended up snagged after I kept casting where I saw a big fin breach the water. While legal in Ohio for this species, it will never measure up to the first fish due to this.

A small stocker Rainbow Trout

Almost lost in my mind completely over the big fish, was that the targeted species was stocker Rainbow Trout. The trout were placed in early December and it was apparent a good number remained. While not fast and furious, I did get my 3 fish limit and continued to catch & release another 3 or 4. A few fish came on the non-glorious (but always productive) Powerbait and the others on a Panther Martin inline spinner. All of the trout I caught were rather small, and all Rainbows. The Cleveland Metroparks do a great job of mixing in some bigger trout, some Golden, and a few others species of trout with most, if not all stockings. I have never caught any of the ‘bonus’ fish despite a substantial effort in the number of times I’ve been out.

The author’s reaction to someone else’s big trout!

The photo above captures me reacting to someone else catching one of those ‘bonus’ fish I can’t seem to get. I hope it shows my sportsmanship or a lot about my personality to see my joy over someone else getting a nice catch. The unseasonably warm weather brought out a good number of kayak anglers, and this fortunate angler landed a very sizeable Rainbow.

Amongst the kayak anglers on the lake, was at least one face that looked familiar to me. It turns out it was Ken Morris, a Pro Staffer for a few brands and definitely a well respected person in the kayak and fishing community. I had first seen Ken in a Facebook Group we both belong to, CLE Kayak Angers, and it was nice to formally meet. He has a wealth of knowledge and one of those people that freely offers his expertise and insight. I hope to do some planned fishing trips with him in the future. Ken mentioned the River Bassin Tournament Trail, a paddle-powered catch, photo, and release fishing tournament series. It looks really outstanding and I wanted to give it some exposure on my blog. Check it out!

Filed Under: Fishing, Kayak Fishing Tagged With: Cleveland Metroparks, Grass Carp, Rainbow Trout, White Amur

A big catfish amongst bait stealing gobies

September 4, 2016 by coolwaterfish Leave a Comment

BAY VILLAGE, OH – It was a beautiful day to head out into Lake Erie from Huntington Beach. I was happy to get some time fishing from the kayak and didn’t really care what I caught, I just wanted to catch fish. I set up one rod with a bottom bouncer and worm harness as I drifted and the other rod was for casting. I had a few moments of excitement when I had a strike on the tube jig I was throwing, but it was very short lived. The 3-4 strikes all came off shortly into the fight. Curious as to what it might have been, but I guess that’s fishing for you at times.

My bottom bouncer rig remained quiet throughout the day, other than a single Sheephead, and a number of Round Gobies. I’ve determined my next trip I will dropshot the gobies as bait themselves, I used to do this at the pier in Port Clinton with some success. The highlight of my day came when my rod I was casting was sitting in the rod holder. While I was busy removing a goby from the other line, I felt the kayak shake and saw something had clearly taken the Berkley Gulp! Minnow that was just drifting in the current. The rod was doubled over and the fish gave me one of the best fights I’ve had on the kayak to date. While I still am searching for my first Smallmouth Bass or Walleye from the kayak, I was plenty happy with the big Channel Catfish.

The biggest catfish I’ve caught from the kayak

Filed Under: Fishing, Kayak Fishing Tagged With: Channel Catfish, Kayak, Lake Erie

Ominous weather for kayak fishing Lake Erie

June 4, 2016 by coolwaterfish Leave a Comment

BAY VILLAGE, OH – Having a day available to fish is not an opportunity to pass up, even if the weather is less than ideal. The forecast was just fair enough to make me feel comfortable hitting Lake Erie from the kayak, albeit not heading too far out. Due to the weather being suspect, I decided to launch out of Huntington Beach (link here), part of the Cleveland Metroparks, a destination I have used a handful of times the past few years.

I started the day drifting worm harnesses on bottom bouncers and drop shotting artificial tubes. My hope (better stated as my dream) was to catch Walleye and Smallmouth Bass. Needless to say, neither happened. I switched a few times before settling on attempting to troll crankbaits while paddling. This turned out to be a great decision as the rest of the day I was routinely catching White Bass. The size of the fish were good too, most falling between 12 to 14 inches.

While I don’t look happy in the photo, I was thrilled. The serious face had more to do with conditions and trying to get the fish and equipment to cooperate for a picture. Usually, my Lake Erie kayak fishing is tons of Round Gobies and a few Sheephead. Throw in an occasional Channel Catfish and that is about all I’ve done. To pick up a different species, and in good numbers and size, was fun and felt like an accomplishment. Looking at the weather and how I was having success, I couldn’t help but think of the movie Caddyshack. I just hoped it didn’t end with me getting struck by lightning. This did cause me to come off the water earlier than I would’ve liked.

No complaints about the day, I enjoyed it far more than a beautiful day without catching fish. Each time out I am trying new techniques and strategies, and my confidence is building as I am making more catches. I also continue to do better with setting up the kayak for each trip with efficient packing and having the right items within reach while on it. Right down to my loading and unloading of the yak, things seem vastly improved. I can’t wait to get back out!

Filed Under: Kayak Fishing Tagged With: Cleveland Metroparks, Huntington Beach, White Bass

One day, three kayak fishing locations

May 28, 2016 by coolwaterfish Leave a Comment

A fine Rainbow Trout from the kayak, at Wallace Lake

BEREA, OH – The previous weekend’s Kid’s Fishing Derby at Wallace Lake had me wondering if there were any stocker Rainbow Trout remaining. If you read my previous post covering the event, you will know I did not give the fishing it’s due effort, which also left me feeling a bit bummed. I was hopeful fish would remain, but also knew the lake would have had considerable pressure.

With an opportunity to fish nearly all of the day, I was fortunate that my plan could include multiple destinations. I decided I would fish Wallace Lake for a few hours before moving on to the Rocky River at Emerald Necklace Marina and then into Lake Erie.

Getting on to the water at Wallace Lake, I was greeted with a nice Bluegill on my second cast. This didn’t end up meaning anything as to the pace of the fishing as I would go nearly an hour and a half before the next strike. That strike turned out to be a small Largemouth Bass. Fortunately, I got this bite or I may have been out of the water by the time I hit the two hour mark where I had planned to leave. As I fished on, I began to convince myself that it was unlikely many fish remained. The lake is not so big as to not see a good number of shore anglers at any given time, and I had not seen a single trout taken by anyone. I am not sure what motivated me to keep throwing my inline spinner and revise my departure time, but I did. Finally, I got another hit and felt the pull of a bit better fish than the previous two. As I got the fish close to the boat I could see it was a trout, and a fine sized one for a stocker. Fish landed without issue, just under 17″.

The kayak view at the mouth of the Rocky River

With goal number one for the day accomplished by catching a trout out of Wallace Lake, it was on to the next missions. While not so specific, I just wanted to catch some fish in the Rocky River and Lake Erie. I headed north through the Rocky River Reservation and put the kayak in at Emerald Necklace Marina. The river was pretty busy with boat traffic, both large and small crafts. Who knows if this contributed to keeping fish out of the area but I had no hookups, just conversations with other paddling enthusiasts. Moving on to the lake, my luck didn’t change. All of my offerings were refused other than drifting worm harnesses that were getting destroyed by Round Gobies. I landed a few of them to confirm what species was bait robbing me, and gave up on trying to get anything else to bite. The weather changed too, and I called it a day.

I wish the river or lake would have given up a nice fish or two, but I was happy I got out, and I always get ideas for the next trip and how to be more successful.

Filed Under: Kayak Fishing Tagged With: Cleveland Metroparks, Lake Erie, Ocean Kayak, Rainbow Trout, Rocky River, Wallace Lake

Rocky River & Lake Erie from the kayak

September 17, 2015 by coolwaterfish Leave a Comment

Although the nights are starting to get cold, we are still having many very hot days on Ohio’s north coast. I recently made the most out of one of those days by taking the kayak over to the Cleveland Metroparks and launching out of Emerald Necklace Marina.

I started my day of fishing right at the ramp and was rewarded with a 12″ Largemouth Bass on an inline spinner on the first cast. This was my first bass from the Rocky River and I had only heard of Smallmouth being caught there, so it was a bit of a surprise. I decided I would work my way north, fishing as I headed towards Lake Erie. As easy as the first fish came, I would catch nothing else on my journey to the ‘big pond’. Out in the lake, the fishing picked up and I caught several Channel Catfish and Freshwater Drum. I was running a bottom bouncer/worm harness on one rod and casting a tube jig on the other. I made a few lure changes and was disappointed that I missed a nice strike on a tandem of two Gulp! Minnows. Maybe another drum, but I hate not knowing.

After getting my fill of the lake, I returned to the river and hooked up with a few more catfish and stumbled upon a new pattern. I found a spot that I was catching Bluegill on every cast, with a few being worthy of table-fare, if I were keeping. I will be curious if the spot holds up next trip.

As I headed in, I spotted another fisherman in a well rigged kayak and struck up some conversation. It turns out it was someone from the CLE Kayak Anglers group I belong to on Facebook, Rusty Butchko. Rusty knows the river well and was kind enough to share a few tips. A visit to the Facebook page the next day, revealed that Rusty caught a very nice sized Walleye that evening, too cool!

Filed Under: Fishing, Kayak Fishing Tagged With: Channel Catfish, Cleveland Metroparks, Lake Erie, Ocean Kayak, Rocky River

A new personal record Freshwater Drum

May 25, 2015 by coolwaterfish 7 Comments

The holiday weekend provided an opportunity to get back out on the kayak. I wanted to get out in Lake Erie but was worried about the wind and subsequent wave height. For once, I felt like I made a thoughtful well calculated plan, and chose to put in at Emerald Necklace Marina on the Rocky River. It was close enough to the mouth that I could paddle to the lake, yet if conditions were bad I could just stay in the river. So I put my plan into action and sure enough the lake was far to choppy for me to feel safe. I did not use good judgment as I was compelled to go out and ‘test it’, but dumping would never be a good way to say, “yes I was right, too poor of conditions”. My novice status as a kayak fisherman was also evident by my failure to realize I had left the scupper plugs in. A self bailing sit on top does no good when soaked if the plugs aren’t out. Lesson learned.

The largest Freshwater Drum I’ve ever caught, 27 1/2″

While I was disappointed to be heading back into the river, I still had great expectations of good fishing and maybe would get into some Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, or Common Carp. Reports had all of these species being picked up in good numbers recently. While highly unlikely, I also thought maybe I stood a chance at a Steelhead heading back out to the lake. As the day went on and the fishing was slow, I went from wondering what I was going to catch to wondering if I was going to catch at all. It may have been due to all the boat traffic and recreational paddlers, maybe the people and dogs splashing in the water, but the end result was nothing happening as far as fish.

I’m never one to give up easily and after multiple lure changes, I settled in on using a Blue Fox Super Vibrax. I’m a big fan of inline spinners and this is one of my favorites. After 5 or 10 minutes, I felt my first nudge of the day and a few casts later I had my first fish, a small drum. As slow as the fishing was, I appreciated anything willing to bite and that included a small non noteworthy fish. I also have to say that any catch from the kayak is celebrated, as it is a newer experience. I decided I would just keep throwing the same lure and it paid off in consistent catches, albeit small to medium sized drum. They fight plenty good for their size and I wasn’t looking for a meal, so it suited me fine. I remained optimistic that eventually something else would come along, but if it didn’t at least I was catching. As I was nearing my time to quit for the day, I had a massive strike and my drag immediately was screaming. I was pulled to the center of the river rather quickly and was fortunate that traffic was light at this time. A few recreational yakers moved out of the way and proceeded to have some entertainment, I also noted a considerable amount of shore fisherman and onlookers watching the battle ensue. I figured it was a drum as it was reluctant to do anything other than hug the bottom as it fought, but it was remarkable in it’s ability to change direction and I found myself fighting it at various times from either side of the kayak. Landing it was no easy task, but after 5 or 6 minutes I got it in the net. I have to admit I was not expecting a fish of this size and it was truly the most fun fish to catch in a very long time. I put the fish on a stringer just to help control it for the photo op and it also proved to help with reviving for release.

No success getting a photo while it was perfectly straight on the Hawg Trough

While I know a good majority of angler’s will simply say, “it’s just a drum”, I love catching the rough fish and less widely accepted and targeted species. This was the largest I have ever caught and a welcomed upgrade on my life list. It far exceeded the 22″ necessary for Fish Ohio Award and gave me quite the memory. Call it a Sheephead, Reef Donkey, or whatever you want, I’ll call it a trophy.

Filed Under: Fishing, Kayak Fishing Tagged With: Cleveland Metroparks, Fish Ohio Award, Freshwater Drum, Ocean Kayak, Rocky River

‘Launching’ into kayak fishing

May 17, 2015 by coolwaterfish 6 Comments

Behind the scenes, for at least a year, I had been considering getting deeper into the sport of kayak fishing. While I have had a cheap recreational kayak for many years, it was a big decision to fully invest all the resources necessary to take it to the next level. Kayak fishing has evolved into a niche within the angling community that you could literally devote every aspect of your recreational time to. While I am still just scratching the surface of custom- ization and all aspects of rigging, I am far enough along that I made a trip out, had success, and wanted to get the readers up to speed on this endeavor.

Before I get into my first excursion report, there have been numerous entities that have helped in one way or another to motivate me into the sport. Although I am fearful I will inadvertently omit someone, my ‘shout outs’ of appreciation go to; Brookfield Angler, CLE Kayak Anglers, KFGL, YakAddicts, Hook1, Lucid Fishing, Ocean Kayak, ACK, NRS, and The Backpacker’s Shop. I know many people will be curious what yak I bought and why. While that could be suitable for an entire post itself, I will just say the decision largely came down to the following… 1. Kayak weight vs. kayak weight capacity 2. Ability to handle a decent day on Lake Erie, yet small enough for creeks 3. Size as it relates to transport and storage when not in use. Other aspects were considered as well before making a final decision.

My 2015 Ocean Kayak Trident 11 Angler in Orange Camo

A few weeks ago, a maiden voyage took place, but it was for an overall familiarization with the boat from comfort to safety. Today’s trip was for getting down to serious fishing business. I knew Wallace Lake (Berea, OH) had been stocked the prior week for a kids fishing derby yesterday. I was optimistic that the snotty nosed little brats (err… I mean little angels) hadn’t fished everything out the first day. My species of choice would be Rainbow Trout, but more importantly I just hoped to catch fish. Everything would be catch & release, other than the trout. It is doubtful there is much, if any, carryover. The first few hours on the water were not overly productive as I only caught a few small panfish. I saw a number of Largemouth Bass, some rather decent, but nothing could convince them to strike. I also came across a nice catfish resting in the submerged timber that I was only successful in waking long enough to swim away.

So much of fishing success is knowing when to switch techniques or a pattern. It suddenly occurred to me that if I kept doing the same thing, I’d get the same result. I then paddled to the deepest portion of the lake, put a split shot above a small inline spinner and started casting. This was something completely different than I had tried all day. After letting my spinner sink for a few seconds, I began a slow retrieve. After 3 or 4 casts, I felt the smack of a fish hitting the lure and a minute or two later I had my first ‘real’ fish landed from the yak. It was a dandy 15 3/4″ stocker Rainbow Trout. My experience with most trout stocking events is that the fish are 10-12″ and often drab in coloration and markings. This fish was nice in size and plenty handsome, I was thrilled. The next step was getting an opportunity to test my solutions for kayak self photos, and overall, I was pleased with the results.

The first noteworthy catch in the new yak

The ACK Hawg Trough removes all doubt when it comes to measuring fish

The second trout was a clone of the first

A three fish trout limit was exactly what the author hoped for

While I was content with the catch, I was eager to see if I could reproduce the success again. Fifteen minutes later, a second similar sized fish was guided to the net. With complete confidence, a third trout was landed within 30 minutes of the second. My day was complete as I had my 3 trout limit on the stringer, but I did fish a bit longer. A fourth trout was caught and released, and I called it a day, I had achieved complete contentment. As I paddled to shore I thought about the fact that people could argue there are far more exotic locations and fish out there to be had, but this moment, this water, this day… was perfect to me.

Filed Under: Fishing, Kayak Fishing Tagged With: Cleveland Metroparks, Ocean Kayak, Rainbow Trout, Wallace Lake