Tackle, techniques must be considered before launching
The challenges associated with species-specific fishing from a kayak vary depending on the species being targeted. Probably the easiest species to master from a kayak are those associated with single-rod casting. These include black bass, redfish, trout and the like.
While any species can be targeted with only one rod, including catfish, Ol’ Whiskerface presents more of a challenge. That’s mainly because he and his cousins are not generally associated with artificial baits.
That’s not to say that kayak anglers can’t be immensely successful pursuing catfish. The go-anywhere yak grants you access to stretches of rivers and backwaters that rarely, if ever, get fished.
A few considerations come to mind for those who are new to fishing for cats from a kayak. Just like other species-specific gear, the catfish has its own requirements to make the kayak catfish angler successful.
Stay comfortable, and be well-equipped
- Comfort. Catfishing often involves soaking baits in one spot for a length of time, then moving to another spot. Sitting and waiting for a bite means you need to be seated comfortably, whichever boat you are paddling or peddling. Many manufacturers offer upgraded comfort seats. And for those that don’t, a big aftermarket exists for replacement seats with added foam, support or other cushioning.
- Rod holders. Four to six rods is probably the most you’ll need to cover a likely catfishing spot from a kayak. Again, the aftermarket is loaded with rod-holder options and mounting accessories that you can position and re-position around your boat to hold your rod steady while waiting for a bite.
- Rods/Reels/Line/Hooks. Catfish range from under a pound to more than 100 pounds in the Carolinas. So match your tackle with the size you’re likely to catch. There’s really nothing kayak-specific about tackle. Whatever powerboat anglers are using will work just as well from a kayak. And these days, the internet is full of tackle tips for catfish anglers.
Don’t overlook these considerations
- Boat positioning. Trolling has become a thing for catfishing. If you’re trolling, you won’t need an anchor or stake-out pole — or any other boat-holding gear. However, most fisherman find anchoring and spot-fishing easier and more productive from a kayak. So anglers should consider all the gear mentioned above.
- Bait. Flathead catfish are the No. 1 reason you’d want live bait on your kayak. Keeping bait alive requires some type of bait tank. And that means figuring out where to put one. Fresh cut bait in a cooler on ice is much easier to handle and will catch every species of catfish that swims in the Carolinas.
- Fish storage. Catch-photograph-release and kayak fishing go hand in hand. Catfish are probably the most sought-after food fish (next to crappie). Most catfisherman strongly urge releasing any catfish over 10 pounds and keeping a few small ones for the table. A stringer, which can be hung over the side of the boat, will suffice. A collapsible cooler for the trip back to the truck works great.
Planer board trolling
Trolling for catfish is a popular tactic from a kayak as well as a powerboat. Lakes and reservoirs are better trolling bets than rivers. Anglers trolling from a kayak can employ the same slinky weight rig, also known as a Santee drift rig.
The Santee drift rig uses a three-way swivel with one eye attached to the main line, one attached to a long, slinky, no-snag weight, and the third eye attached to a 2- or 3-foot leader and the hook. A small float or floating rattle keeps the hook up and away from structure that would otherwise snag the hook.
Finally, planer boards are becoming popular in catfishing circles to spread baits apart when trolling.
This is a great idea for kayak anglers since the distance between rod tips is minimal on a kayak compared to a larger boat. One of the great features about trolling with planer boards from a kayak is that the trolling speed doesn’t have to be consistent. The goal is to keep the bait on or near the bottom.
Once you get the planer boards attached and deployed, you have no hurry to maintain a specific speed to keep the bait off the bottom.
September’s Best Bets
NORTH CAROLINA
WHAT — Blue, flathead and channel catfsh
WHERE — High Rock Lake
HOW — Two methods to consider are: 1. Trolling — dragging slinky weights baited with cut shad across mid-depth flats on the edge of the channel. And 2. Anchoring on those same flats and using live or cut bait like shad or perch.
LAUNCH — Buddle Creek and Southmont are both good access points
INSIDER TIP — It takes a bit of practice from a kayak, but using planer boards to troll the slinky or Santee drift rigs helps move the clutter away from the side of the boat so you can paddle. Put the rods in a vertical position so you can see the bite by the bend in the rod.
SOUTH CAROLINA
WHAT — Channel catfish
WHERE — Upstate rivers: Broad, Saluda, Pacolet, Enoree
HOW — Channel catfish become very active in late summer. Position the boat at an area where the fish will have a current break and cast two or three lines baited with catfish dip bait. Give each spot about 30 minutes before moving on down the river.
LAUNCH — Other than public road access areas on the rivers, you can also find a list of public ramps at www.upstateforever.org/blueway-mapping
INSIDER TIP — Instead of struggling with an anchor in current, bring a brush clamp, hook or some other way to quickly attach and release the boat from snags, over hanging brush, or other woody anchor points you’ll find in the river.
GTS Pro molded foam seat
With kayak fishing gaining so much popularity these days, Surf to Summit decided to focus on building a seat just for the angler. They developed the GTS Pro primarily with the kayak fisherman in mind. Its enhanced features, like the oversized bottom pad, accommodate the larger seat wells that are common on many of the new fishing kayaks. The 2-inch, extra-thick thermoformed EVA foam padding added to the bottom section minimizes leg fatigue. It also helps the angler maintain comfort throughout a long day of fishing.
The thermoformed foam upper back-rest portion is a little shorter than the GTS Elite and the Air Wave without sacrificing any support, for the sole purpose of enhancing the paddler’s access to the rear of a kayak’s tank well and hatch section. Surf to Summit enhanced the seat attachment system by spreading apart the rear webbing tie downs. Paddlers have peace of mind in knowing the rod is safe.
MSRP is $150.
Available at surftosummit.com
BPS Catmaxx Combo
Bass Pro Shops understands that catfishing is not for the faint of heart. You could hook into a monster at any time. So they built the CatMaxx Baitcast Combo like a tank. This matching rod and reel can tame a catfish of any size, even in swift current.
The CatMaxx CMX3000B baitcast reel features a rigid, 1-piece aluminum frame and side-plates with a double-anodized, forged aluminum spool, high-strength brass gearing and 5.2:1 gear ratio. An audible bait clicker alerts the angler of bites. You’ll like its smooth, 4-bearing system with Powerlock™ instant anti-reverse, externally adjustable magnetic brake, 6-disc Teflon/stainless steel drag, and heavy-duty aluminum handle.
The CatMaxx Casting Rod is the perfect complement. Its high-vis white blank is made of a blend of E-glass and carbon to withstand heavy abuse. And it’s topped with structurally reinforced, snag-resistant Pac Bay DPL guides. Our EVA handle sports a crosshatched shrink-wrap grip, flared rubber butt, and an integrated cushioned reel seat for maximum stability.
MSRP is $99-149.
Available at basspro.com
