While kayak fishing in the Florida Keys, families, friends and neighbors can explore the great coral reefs, island mangroves and seagrass meadows filled with ocean rays, Bonefish, Tarpon and much more beautiful tropical fish. Kayaking is rewarding and allows one to discover a whole new world along the Atlantic Ocean. Learning the basics about kayaking is essential to gain control and confidence in fishing off your own kayak. After that, you can truly enjoy the adventurous sport of kayak fishing.
Many people can fish but can not kayak properly. A beginning course in kayaking will help you learn how to paddle correctly and do a self rescue if you fall into the water. The first rule is: "Dress to swim and rig to flip". This means dress with the intention of swimming. Wear clothes and shoes that will dry quickly and easily. Rig to flip, simply means, anything you bring on the kayak is securely tied to the kayak. Bring objects that will float and anything that can get wet should be wrapped in a plastic bag.
Rule Two, "Where your head goes, your body will follow". This means, stay upright and keep your head down the center line of the boat. Following this procedure, the kayak will rock under you and you will stay securely on top of the kayak.
Rule three, "Always give yourself a rod's length of fish line". Because you do not want to fight with the equipment. When you catch a fish, keep it at eye sight, it will be at your finger tips when you point your rod straight up. From here, you can easily net your fish.
When you get a fish biting your bait and it snags in the mouth call out, "Fish on". This lets people around you know that you might have dinner on the line. If it's a big fish let it tire itself out by allowing it to pull your line and 'run' a little. When the "runs" are getting shorter, the fish is tired. In this case, bring the kayak to the fish and not the fish to the kayak. When the fish releases your bait or snaps line, call out, "Fish off".
Use a kayak with rod holders for the net and pole in front of you. This allows you to have access to the immediate items right in front of you during fish catching frenzies. Scoop up a caught fish with a net to avoid getting hooks caught in your hand. Also, after catching use an umbrella bag to wrap your fish into before you store in a cooler. This also keeps the slim out of your cooler.
A single sea kayak runs $50-$70 for a full day rental. Tandem kayaks are $65-$90. Have a fishing license and know legal measurements of fish you catch in order to keep and cook. Other options are to catch, photo and release. Fishing bait options are: live shrimp, rapala broken back minnows, soft plastic lures, spoons, jigs with gulp, greenbacks, or sardines.
Following the golden rules of kayak fishing may reward you with Puffer fish, Topwater Barracuda, speckled Trout, Bonefish, Snook, Redfish, Tarpon and even shark. With seasonal changes, expect encounters with shallow water Grouper, Cobia, Black Drum and Jack Crevalle.
