Jigs from a kayak

[Katron]

I am a very avid jig fisherman and was wondering if any of you could tell me how hard pitching a jig is from a kayak. I am not thinking that it would be the easiest thing in the world but I am up to a challenge. I am thinking of getting myself a fishing kayak for the small rivers and larger streams around me here in Wisconsin and considering my target fish is going to be smallmouth I would think a jig will be tied on 90% of the time.

Kaleb

[WoodT]

I dont know....depends on how quiet you wanna be. I use a wavewalk, so i can stand up easily, but im still 4 inches shorter than the waterline. It's not a boat deck.

But a Gitzit doesnt make much of a splash flicked out at water level on some light spinning gear.

Definitely enjoying yak-smallie fishing right now. Lame day, no fish for hours then just little guys. Then had a 2 pounder smash a tiny white Rebel popper and a short UL rig...

Makes up for a bad day.

***edited to say this was Mississppi river, Minneapolis.

[l2yan]

Pitching jigs is not a problem at all! Definitely a different animal than from a boat deck, but not a problem. Neither is skipping

Also, if you get a pretty stable kayak, you can stand in it and pitch very easily as WoodT said.

Go for it!!! Just be warned that kayak fishing is extremely addictive

[ecu daniel 14]

use a short rod 5' to 6'

[Katron]

Daniel - your reason for such a short length?

Kaleb

[ecu daniel 14]

shorter rods are much, much more accurate....and i find it easier to flip backhanded with a shorter handle which is standard on short stubby rods.

[l2yan]

shorter rods are much, much more accurate....and i find it easier to flip backhanded with a shorter handle which is standard on short stubby rods.

I strongly agree

[Katron]

The problem with short rods from my experience is line pickup on the hookset. You have to put more energy into your hookset because you are pulling less line through the rod, hence increasing your chances of a flip or break off. A sweep hookset with a longer rod I have found to be the best route for jig and t-rig fishing. Even though I have my opinions on this topic I would still like to hear your added input .

Kaleb

[WoodT]

Sorry for delayed response, this is a good topic.

I think your rod selection has to change a lot if you're trying to fish out of a kayak. You're not two feet above things as you might be from a bass boat. So eight foot rods for pitching...if we are talking pitching as the traditional concept...man, it's hard to work a rod that long off of a kayak, to tip down and forward. At least in my experience. I kind of had to get away from the party line on a lot of things relative to kayaks because it's written assuming i am eight feet tall.

I use a 6'8" Core/Cumara set up for primary pitching stuff. And that's a bit too long, too...seems like i have the most fun pitching with a 5'6" pistol grip junker from Gander, so may upgrade that set up (daniel... ) over winter.

I take a range of rods on the yak. May make my legend elite m 6 ft my primary jerkbait rod next year, just because stuff is easier to work that length close to the waterline as i am standing in the wavewalk. But its a yak...you can sneak up on 'em better than boats. And if worst comes to worse, throw on the great casting distance equalizer...a DC100! lighter-powered rods, lighter lines...all different for me.