Saturday, August 31, 2013

Skinny Water and a Big Visitor!!


Can you top a scene like that?  Sometimes I find myself on the water in situations where you cant beat the beauty of being on the water.  In the motorless world of kayaks the silence can be deafening at times.  its not necessarily a bad thing,  I can understand how a group like Heroes on the Water can be so successful.  After a busy few weeks packed with stress, A few hours on the water can re-energize and refresh.  I hit one of my favorite places to fish.  Midway up Virginia's Eastern Shore.  There was a placed I passed on fishing many times.  Today would be different.  I was gonna venture into some water that like everywhere up there looked super fishy.  The winds were pretty easy going to begin the trip.  I worked against heavy current trying to hug the sides of the feeder stream.  I hit a flat looking for signs of schooling fish in hopes of getting some pullage.  Then right off my left side I saw it in the water.  In my time spent on the water I don't think I have ever had such a feeling of excitement and fear run through me at the same time.  a large dark shadow right out in front of me.  7-8-9 feet long.  I'm not totally sure on the size but I know it was big enough to make me think about moving to much and causing a commotion in the water.  It circled me once more then likely thinking the same thing I was," Who is that good looking dude in the kayak".  I snapped a photo and he took off.  It was amazing seeing a shark that big and something I wont soon forget.




After all the excitement I worked my way back to where my original plan put me.  With the tide high it gave me plenty of water from 2-4ft.  I found some submerged grass beds and it was game on.  Throwing a spinner bait out in front of the fish produced some great results.


The most exciting type of fishing is when you can see the fish stalk your bait.  Once I figured out the pattern of where these fish were feeding and how to set up to cast to them things worked out great.  On the ultra lite setups they were a blast.  I intended to get the fly rod out but having so much fun I forgot I had it with me.  




After a few money fish It was getting late.  With a little bit of a drive to get back home I knew I should be heading in.  The wind had changed direction while I was out fishing and it was a long hard paddle back.  It took twice the amount of time to get back compared to going out.  All in all it was a great day.  Good exercise and some quality fishing.   Go out there and challenge yourself to find new water.  Don't be afraid to go out and not catch fish.  The greatest risk you can take is not taking one at all.  Challenge yourself to learn more about these fish and how they behave.  It will make for a more satisfying experience on the water in the end.




Kendall and Russ showing off in Lynnhaven

My favorite pic from the trip.


A.


Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Review: Werner Bent Shaft Kalliste





Rewind to May 28th, 2008.  The year I was starting to get heavy into kayak fishing I was involved in a pretty nasty car accident.  I was out of work for 7 months and had a brand new kayak that I couldn't even take out on the water.  My injuries eventually healed and I fed my addiction to being a plastic navy member.  The first paddle I purchase was a fairly light carbon fiber 2-pc paddle.  It was light, compact and got the job done in the beginning.  After a few hours on the water my left arm (where the injury was) would be sore.  Sometimes even a backwards paddle stroke would even catch me off guard and I would really feel it.  I figured the pain was something that I would have to live with my whole life.  11 screws and 2 plates that held my arm together would hinder me from really ever putting any miles in on the water.  A worthy sacrifice to enjoy the peacefulness and tranquility that is offered by through kayak fishing.


Fast forward to last December.  It was time for a new paddle.  I had researched and looked around.  Picked up every paddle I could.  Checked out what other people were using.All the brands, all the different models, bent shaft or straight shaft, red or blue?  When it was all said and done there was really only 1 logical choice.  Enter the Werner Best Shaft Kalliste.  At 28 oz. this thing feels like a carbon fiber feather.  Yet still feels rigid pulling through the water.  I chose the bent shaft due to my previous injury.  The bent shaft helped me align my wrists while paddling and provide a better paddle stroke therefore creating less discomfort in my injured arm.  When you hold this paddle in your hands it just feels natural.  For the first time in years I was able to really put some distance on my kayak.  The Wilderness Systems Ride 135 is no sports car, but with a paddle like the Kalliste I was cruising all over in it.  The adjustable ferrule system help cut through the wind on those less then perfect days. and its 2 piece design makes it super compact.



Werner makes some top notch products.  They have a paddle that will fit your style of kayaking without a doubt!  With so many different colors you can even customize their look.  From the shoals of Virginia Eastern Shore to the skinny water of Mosquito Lagoon in Florida.  The Kalliste has yet to find a situation it inst suited for.  I hope this review will at least reach 1 person out there in kayak fishing-land who was in the same "boat" as me (pun intended) to make their choice easier when choosing a new paddle.