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Ok guys i am an owner of a hobie PA 12 kayak and i do a ton of fishing with it,(inland lakes,reservoirs,rivers) however i do not fish erie(western basin) with it, but i plan on doing so. Has anyone else attempted this? I think my best option would be in the spring and fall when the walleye are in shallow and maybe at night less boat traffic. What do you guys think? any suggestions or tips
I am gonna say never unless that's what your into living dangerously ! Kayaks are made for smaller navigable rivers that's where I would focus on . JUST MY OPINION! BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY!
I would re think this a bit . Even on a good day that lake can get nasty quick . Today the water went from 1 foot or less to 3 to 5's in less than a hour . saftey first my friend .
The lake has claimed 2 kayakers this season already .
Even when the walleye are in close it's still quite a ways out in the Lake.. Been out their 34 years and it can get real bad real quick.. I wouldn't recommend it but that's up to you!!! Wear a PFD and remember theirs NO fish worth dying for!!
Good luck and be safe
LOWE LIFE..
All I can say is 6-1-13 the water was not that rough, but coming back from Kellys my son spotted a kayak that I did not see.... could of hurt!
Yes and they are 5 times harder to see at night(after Dark)!Quote:
Originally Posted by Bggeary
Besides the weather being a factor, you risk being run over by power boats.
If your kayak does not come equipped with a light, you should not be navigating at night.
I understand the safety is a big issue and their is alot more concerns on a kayak, as far as equipment i have an off shore radio, and a 360 nav light, PDF, flair, strobe, whistle, and fish finder with navigation. The kayak fishing sport is getting pretty big i know its alot bigger in michigan where they hold salmon derbys out on lake michigan and alot of guys on the coast fish the ocean. I wonder why its not popular on erie? Maybe because of how quick the conditions can change on the lake and/or the boat traffic?
The wave action is different in the ocean and Lake Michigan. Erie has a different type of wave and can get you in a jackpot in a heart beat . There are plenty of inland lakes around to fish for walleye . I know you didn't put out all that money with out researching this and your mind is made up . Be carefull and have a safe season .
I would stay very close to shore, and never venture out at night in something that small. Lake Erie can get nasty real fast. Be safe~!Quote:
Originally Posted by eriecaster
I would think that you could easily get out to the K can area during jigging season and get some fish. I would want a rotating beacon though..that is definitely a high traffic area. May even take the ferry to Put in Bay or Kelly's island and be able to hang on downwind side of the island and paddle up some eyes with bottom bouncers or TT 40's out each side. Only thing with that though it will be tough to know how fast you are paddling. Then when you hook a fish on one rod I am not sure how you will keep your boat from spinning while reeling and tangling up the other line? I am sure that is the fun part to figure out though.
Some other thoughts:
At least here in the Central Basin we have a good summer near shore Smallmouth fishery. Might be a good situation for using the kayak.
Another idea is using the kayak to fish around river mouths and up in the rivers during the steelhead runs.
A safe area is all the wetlands behind sterling state park, just south of there which can be accessed by a channel between the detroit edison plant and sterling state park. Google map it and you can get a better idea of the area. This is Brest Bay area... but you are really not out in lake erie.
Troll with kayak out of rocky river all the time. Run single rod with cranks down to gold coast. Get good numbers of eyes, smallmouth and huge sheephead witch turn the yak around! Also took kayak across on ferry to kellys on memorial weekend and did pretty good doing the same in north bay . Had to wate till saturday on that one till wind let up.I always wear life vest and bright clothing. Haveing a pare of those buda plastic fishing pliars really makes handleing those fish at the boat nice. You wont need net if you have those. Most boaters are cool when they see you. If i am unshure if they have seen me I raise my yellow blade paddle. My kayak is a 12 foot axis dagger. In bigger waves the drop skag on this yak staightens the boat for more controlled trolling. As far as speed I can pretty well tell by rod bend but I do carry hand held GPS witch also has Lake Map witch is great for following a depth line.
the thing with the hobie is what they call the mirage drive it is foot propelled so you are hand free all the time other than moving the rudder and with the fishfinder/gps i have it is pretty easy controlling speeds.Quote:
Originally Posted by BossHogg
.Quote:
Originally Posted by BossHogg
Lol......you forgot about the planner boards!
Add a flag to your yak. Pick your days and go early or late for less traffic. take a,buddy Sounds like your rigged good already. You'll get some strange looks and even more when u show your catch. I dont fish the islands, I'm down between cranberry and Rocky river. I run everything but dipseys on mine. Have a ball catching lots of fish and get some excercise in too. In the end just Make yourself visible to the guys who may not be paying attention and use your head. Ive already drove to lake and never launched. Have fun and post some pics.
I have a friend in Fla. who is bringing me a pedal fishing kayak. He is a pro and has fished the ocean and caught many tuna off of his kayak. Be very aware of the weather and do not over-estimate your ability. Go for it! This is the same common sense for all boaters.
Pulled a couple 26 and 28 eyes today dragging Rr 35 and 40 back. 23 fow off vermilion
Jeff, Dave sent me the pictures, nice fish. You two are about the only ones I would think of catching walleye, trolling RR's in Kayaks.Quote:
Originally Posted by silverbullet
TIN CAN (FAB)
I was gonna run spoons but the cranks were working. we worked a pretty tight area for the four fish. Was great getting him into them on his maiden voyage. I can run about anything but dipseys off my yak. (they sink when i have to reel in a fish) I do even have a mini offshore board but havent used it yet.