How do you hit the water?

Bigfatts

Bigfatts

Joined
Mar 12, 2012
Messages
2,453
A few months back my wife and I moved into a lakefront townhouse. I've always fished off and on but never had much opportunity to do it regularly. Well the bug bit me hard and I decided to buy a kayak to get off the shore and away from the bugs. 3 kayaks later I have my perfect setup. Buying a kayak has to be one of the best decisions I've made in a long time, got my big ass off the couch.

So here she is, Wilderness Systems Freedom 15. Long discontinued and much sought after. Stable enough to hit the flats and fight bigguns. Long enough to track well, fast enough to keep up with my brothers and their touring yaks and she barely throws a ripple. Pole setup is a St Croix Mojo Bass, 7' MH. Abu Garcia Revos S with Power Pro Super Slick 10lb braid (which I hate btw, going back to mono). I use lots of spinner baits and the occasional popper.

The other kayak is a Walden Odyssey (my brother's)
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So how do you do it?
 
I recently moved to a house on a river. I brought along my 30+ year-old 17' Grumann square stern canoe with a 2.5 hp Suzuki motor. My problem is I don't have the balance I once had (I'm over 60 years-old) and rolled it the last time I used the canoe. I went out and bought a G3 1860 jon boat with a 70 hp Yamaha 4-stroke motor, I can carry up to 5 people and my big dog. I always loved canoeing but I appreciate the freedom of being able to walk around the jon boat at ease. I do have a push pole that I use when drift fishing so I can enjoy the quiet and solitude of the river when I want.
Sorry I don't have any pictures, I don't know how to post them anyway.
The area I live is very popular with kayakers who do a lot of saltwater fishing and catch some big fish from them. Bigfatts, I hope you don't have to worry about 'gators where you are fishing; good luck!
 
Haha, well I'm in FL so gators are ever present. Every now and then one will pop up and watch us for a while but never had one come too close, even the big ones. It can be startling when one pops up right next to you though.
 
Depends on what we're doing. Got a 21 ft Tracker pontoon thats good for groups, cooking out, cruising, or camping on the water.

Do most my fishing and hunting out of a G3 1448.


Still got my first boat, an old Alumacraft canoe my aunt gave me over 20 years ago. Still like to take it out for day trips on the creeks.


Just got a mini armada of Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120s for our ecotour business. May set a couple up for fishing in the fall.


 
I live right on the St. Johns in Central Florida. I have a Coleman canoe, vintage Mohawk canoe, my Perception Captiva touring kayak, a 2004 Sea Chaser 22' Tournament Bay, and an older 24' Regal cuddy cabin w/ head. I am covered on the river, in the swamps, on the flats (put in for Mosguito Lagoon is 18 minutes away), and out of Canaveral or Ponce Inlet. I LOVE FISHINGAND BEING ON THE WATER! I'm doing the Wilderness Waterway in January and have started a goal of canoeing the entire St. Johns from the headwaters outside of Melbourne to Mayport. Fishshooter, I would love to know more about your ecotour business.
 
Acetylene said:
Fishshooter, I would love to know more about your ecotour business.
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Our primary focus is on 3-4 hour guided paddling tours of Dead Lakes in Gulf County, Florida. Our customers are mostly visitors that come to the county for our undeveloped beach areas and pristine bay. Theres no way to see the area we operate in without a boat and a certain amount of expertise in finding your way around. The Lakes are near and dear to my heart, and I just wanted a way to share it with people that would not be able to see it otherwise. There are a few guides that fish it, and only one other ecotour outfit that does occasional trips. I've also got a couple of multi-day trips down the Chipola and Apalachicola rivers booked this summer, camping on the hundred of thousands of state and federal land along the way. We also do trips around St. Joe Bay, I'm doing a trip tomorrow out to the end of the peninsula in the state park. Beautiful, unspoiled area. Bay on one side, amazing sugar white beaches lining crystal clear gulf waters on the other.
 
nickortizzle1035 said:
All hands on deck!

Oldtown Adventure XL 13'9
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How do you like the Old Town? I am looking at one locally, about the same size as yours although I can't remember the model offhand. I need something a little more covered for the "cold" months. My lake is very breezy and in the winter it gets downright blustery.
 
Hey Fishshooter, I can tell by your description that you are as passionate about the outoors as I am. I dont get up your way that often (in fact the last time was in 2011 when I went to Ft Walton Beach to pick up my CJ7), but I maybe I can come up one day and hit the water with you.
 
Bigfatts, I think you figured it out. Next thing you'll get is a larger more stable boat to fish the flats.

I have a 12' Wilderness Systems Tarpon also. It get me out when I feel like paddling around. Rivers are a bit more effort, but I have a lake within a mile of my home that I can scoot over there with little preparation. Have looked at regular motor boats, but I can never justify the cost relative to how much I would likely use one. I look at a 2-man boat and my wife says.... but we can't take anyone along with us.... so little happens.
 
22-rimfire said:
Bigfatts, I think you figured it out. Next thing you'll get is a larger more stable boat to fish the flats.

I have a 12' Wilderness Systems Tarpon also. It get me out when I feel like paddling around. Rivers are a bit more effort, but I have a lake within a mile of my home that I can scoot over there with little preparation. Have looked at regular motor boats, but I can never justify the cost relative to how much I would likely use one. I look at a 2-man boat and my wife says.... but we can't take anyone along with us.... so little happens.
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Oh I intend to hit the flats with the WS. It's plenty big and stable for it. I have 0 interest in having a power boat, just too much expense for something I would use very little. The lake I live on is private and nothing more than a trolling motor is allowed anyways.
 
I got a white water canoe last year. Really, it will not see much white water, as the kids are little, and I don't really have anyone who wants to go with me for white water (it is a bit of a drive to get to the good spots).



The lake, and some great little moving bodies are close though.

"Dry Run"






Scouts taking a dip on a trip last year.



The older fishing buddy.

 
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Acetylene said:
Hey Fishshooter, I can tell by your description that you are as passionate about the outoors as I am. I dont get up your way that often (in fact the last time was in 2011 when I went to Ft Walton Beach to pick up my CJ7), but I maybe I can come up one day and hit the water with you.
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Anytime!
 
I have a 30 year old 16ft med/deep V Lund with a newer 18hp Nissan and a couple downriggers.

12.5ft inflatable zodiak(sea eagle) with removable floorboards, inflatable keel. Just picked up a new 5hp Coleman 4stroke for it dirt cheap at a liquidator (570$ !!!!)

And my flyfishing boat for smaller waters for the past 20 years.....a little 7ft fibreglass tub that was a go to shore/lifeboat for an old sailboat.

Thing is thick, heavy and stable for a little boat, 3.5ft wide and 21 in deep with a higher rounded front. I bet its over 50 years old.
I have a 2.5 yamaha 4stroke for it or my electric depending on the lake, row it a fair bit to if fishing leeches or dragonfly nymphs.
Some guys think I am crazy going out in it but I love that little boat (" The Hobbit)
Fishing fever is a genetic trait in my family.

Nothing much better than a day on the water.
 
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