NJ Kayak Fishing - Tips and Trips

[kayak1]

Just keep in mind that the spring water temp is going to be much colder then the fall.....

I always dress for the water..... Not the air temps..... Keep in mind your out in the spring and the air temp is 65 you could get away with shorts and a jacket...... But the water temp is 48 what happens when you flip and now your swimming for the kayak and getting back in.

I like to use a wet suit 3mm with a wet suit jacket of another 3mm for my core body part which is your upper body.....I have flipped many times in the spring and this set up works great for me...... I buy all my kayak gear at NRS and shipping is great......

Always think of WHAT IF I flip over then what will I do...... I have done this for years and this is what I recommend..... just be safe....the water will take your life.....faster then the air.....is it worth it.

Spend the money on some good gear.....Be safe while on the water......Have fun fishing from the kayak....... Go home safe to enjoy another day.

[Noworries2009]

Does the wet suit keep you warm enough when out of the water or are you layered up over it. I saw a pic on another site where the guy has neoprene waders with the boots cut off and wading boots.Not waterproof but any opinions on this

[ped579]

In my opinion, why put yourself in danger of being killed if you go over with compromise clothing that is not proven.

If you are going out in the cold waters of our state, please get the right clothing.  It is not worth your life.  You will go over, it happens to the beginner (me) and it happens to the pro angler.  You better be ready for it to happen, or do not go out.

[Noworries2009]

So what you're saying is you're not coming 

[Bucktail]

Here's a question.  If you are in the water and your waders fill up with water, will you really sink?  If you are surrounded by water, I would think that you would have the same buoyancy regardless of whether the water is inside or outside of your waders.

What am I missing here?

[ChrisL]

I was looking into / thinking about a yak recently.  In the course of my research I came across a video that disproved the theory that waders will sink you.  I'll have to see if I can find it again.
Basically the air trapped in the waders keeps you afloat. Even if the waders filled with water, Bucktail's theory applied.
The problem would come when you try to get out of the water with all that weight in the waders. 

Either way, it's probably not with the risk and better to do a wetsuit in the cold or other appropriate attire in the warm water.

[ped579]

Chris I think this is what you were looking for.  The key though is the quick water rescue technique as he mentions a few times.  But remember the water is cold and you have to get out of the water as quick as possible.  With me my legs are not as nimble as his so in my case I uses a bit more discretion on this type of outfit.

[kayak1]

The 3mm wet suit will keep you warm even if you don't go for a swim..... The reason I like the wet suit is that I can swim easy and most of all get back into the kayak.....

If your away from land and you cant stand up will you be able to swim with chest waders on. I look at this one way..... Think about how you would dress for surf fishing in the fall to stay warm.....Then put on your waders to stay dry..... How far do you think you can swim dressed this way.....

I can only make recommendations that work for me..... I will often take just the kayak out in the bay and dress in full gear...... Flip the kayak and practice getting back in fast...Time means everything when the water is ice cold.

I do know a lot of guys who use the waders for kayak fishing......But when asked how do they get back in after they flip and go for a swim.....Most will say.....They don't know.....And hope that day will never come....

But What If......

[Noworries2009]

Thanks everyone for the help. That video proves to me that there is room to choose here. I will have a wet suit for ocean launches but waders/pfd and wading belt may a an option for me inside. I plan to practice just like in the video in my own pool. Thanks again !!!!!!

[Pfishingruven]

Here's a link to a good table that shows how fast hypothermia will set in and some clothing recommendations.

Hypothermia Table

[ped579]

Thanks Matt...

[Noworries2009]

That's a guide and a good one. Thanks ! the upper temps from 70 and up are interesting. According to this nobody should swim at the Jersey shore without a wetsuit or Kayak  ,canoe etc... because it takes all year to reach this level. That said I'm getting mine ASAP just in case. I printed a copy to keep as a reference, THANKS !!!!!

[kayak1]

Good Saturday everyone....... The weather this weekend as well this up comming week temps will be up in the 70's....... The bay has started to produce some good action with early season bass.

Most of the fisherman in this local area are fishing the center of the Barnegate Bay with the best action being at night.

Small plugs and soft plastic's seem to be what everone is using for these bass...... I also have heard from couple of the kayak guys that some of these fish are big boys.

I would stay with the color yellow for day or night time fishing...... The back bay is still off color after last weeks big storm.....So bright colors will work the best....

Each spring the Barnegate Bay has a great worm hatch which will really turn on the the bass....Keep your eyes open for the large flocks of sea gulls over the bay.......This will let you know the hatch took place.

Then I would use a small red or pink twister tail as a teaser in front of my plug.....The worms that hatch out are red in color.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.......Get out and enjoy the weather and catch the action.....Its been a long cold winter......

Dave

[ped579]

Good report Dave.  I have my red teasers all ready, I think this year I might even try red streamers on the fly rod.

I guess the secret is out on the red teasers so good luck guys.  I gave a lot of teasers away last year and some of the guys are asking if I have any more.  I guess I better start tying more...

Happy Catching

Paul

[SeaFlea]

Hey Dave - Nice report!  Thanks for the update!!

Not for nothin'; a couple guys I fish with tied up a couple cinder worm flys for last year... I tied them to a 18" piece of leader material and trail them off anything I'm trolling.  Haven't found any bass with them but I did talk to a bluefish about this last year! Interesting how something that small piqued his curiosity...

[ped579]

What size and type hook, and how long were they after tied?

Just curious. I have tied a number up with different size hooks and lengths but the ones that are about 6" long and 3/0 to 5/0 circle hooks work the best.  At least last year...

[Pfishingruven]

Nice Dave!

 

[Hotrod]

Nice Dave!

 

My First Victim

[SeaFlea]

Paul,  these flies were just tiny things about one inch in length!  I couldn't tell ya the size of the hooks but have sent out a couple emails to try to get that info for you.

Charlie

[Noworries2009]

Have winessed bass on a worm hatch many times and been frustrated "many times".I'd like to get a peek at those teasers you're tying,6" red ? Are they made from bucktail or synthetic. PICS ?