Roaming the beaches in the morn- ing with calm conditions can pro- vide hundreds of opportunities for snook cruising the trough right off the sand where the waves are breaking. Or try going aſter them at night in the residential canals throwing swimming plugs such as Yo-Zuri lures, Mirror Lures and Mavericks on a 40-pound fluoro- carbon leader and the 30-pound PowerPro so you don’t break off in the structure. Te reds school up this time of
year. It’s good to find these fish on a low incoming tide, pushing up on the flats trying to get to get the shrimp and crabs that are in the grass. Tis will be when you will find these fish tailing on the flat. Once the tide comes up, the reds will mix with the mullet in the three- to four-foot depth where the mullet are churning up the water. You can use a variety of lures such as topwaters, jigs, jerk baits and gold spoons. Tarpon are also finally here all
over the beaches, passes and back- country areas. If you are going to tackle one of these beasts I recom- mend having at least one or two buddies with you to give you a hand. You are going to want to use a stiff, heavyweight rod with at least 40- to 65-pound braided line with a 60- to 100-pound leader. It’s best to have a calm wind so you can see the pods of fish cruising down the beach and figure out if the fish are heading north or south. You can throw the DOA Bait Buster or mirror lures. Also you can get threadfin or pin- fish on a sabiki rig and put them out under a cork and hang on!
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Central Gulf Coast
kayaks. Tey learned how to iden- tify and tag the specks, white trout, flounder and a few rat reds they caught. Te Wish to Fish program reminded me that fishing is a giſt that should be shared and handed down to the next generation.
Texas
CAPT. DANNY WRAY IS A HERITAGE ENDORSED KAYAK FISHING GUIDE IN GRAND ISLE, LOUISIANA, WHERE HE OWNS CALMWATER CHARTERS.
K
ayak fishing trips in the heat of summer are centered on
the prolific speckled trout that run the Gulf Coast. Great fun out of a kayak, speckled trout are an aggressive school fish that put up a great fight on light tackle and are also great table fare. Trout fishing in a kayak puts the angler in direct contact with the school and gives you the ability to keep up with it as it moves. Your heart will race when you see shrimp running for their lives as a feeding frenzy de- velops around your kayak and you begin to pull beautiful specks over the side. Trout typically bite best in the
early morning, so don’t sleep through the chance to experience the thrill of landing a few specks in your kayak as the sun slowly climbs out of one of the many productive marsh bays that bor- der the Central Gulf. Although many Gulf Coast
kayakers spend most of their time in the skinny waters of coastal ponds and bays, others take to the beaches and are fishing be- yond the breakers chasing specks and reds. However, it would be a huge oversight to forget game fish such as Spanish mackerel and the mighty jack crevalle. Tis summer I hosted a “Wish
to Fish” event in Grand Isle, Loui- siana. Wish to Fish is a Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries program that gives kids a chance to learn to fish, with an emphasis on conservation and exploration. I took a group of Girl Scouts from the New Orleans area for their first fishing trip in
CAPT. DEAN THOMAS OWNS AND OPERATES SLOW- RIDE GUIDE SERVICES AND KAYAK RENTALS IN ARANSAS PASS, TEXAS.
A
whopping 400 miles of shore- line with the potential to be
every kayak angler’s fantasy is what Texas has to offer throughout the summer months. From Sabine Pass in the northeastern corner of the coast to the flats of South Bay near Brownsville in Deep South Texas, kayakers have the opportu- nity to enjoy world-class fishing. Whether it is an inshore or near- shore adventure you are look- ing for, conditions will be fairly consistent and numerous species will be pursued. Te ranks of in- shore kayakers will enjoy chasing the schools of red drum, spotted seatrout and flounder in the back lakes and marshes that extend the entire length of the Texas coast. Te shallow estuaries are where
the lifecycle begins for most fish, crab, and shrimp that inhabit the bays and large predatory species will be there in search of an easy meal. We also have a migration of menhaden into the bays that will have spotted seatrout feast- ing along the spoil islands and dropoffs that surround the deeper portions of inshore waters. Tere is also a growing trend of
kayak angling that is reaching into the near-shore waters of the Gulf of Mexico with kayakers pursuing big bull red drum, sharks, jacks, and other migratory species that
will venture into paddling range. With so much opportunity there is no reason to miss out on a chance to get your shot at a trophy fish in Texas this summer. Along with the chance to get
out and fish, we have numerous events showcasing kayak fishing. Te Tird Coast Fishing Tourna- ment and the Texas Kayak Series have proven to be huge draws to the competitive kayak angling crowd and those looking to get into the sport will test paddle new boats at demo shows offered by finer dealers all across the state. Wherever you paddle, remem-
ber to be safe and get out there to get your shot before the big one gets away.
California
PAUL LEBOWITZ COVERS KAYAK FISHING FOR KAYAKFISH-
INGZONE.COM AND THE WESTERN REGIONAL SPORTFISHING PRESS. LEBOWITZ IS THE INAUGURAL PRESIDENT OF THE KAYAK FISHING ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA.
I
t’s prime time, baby! Summer and fall mean warm water sessions
down south, and the best odds for connecting with fork-tailed light- ning at La Jolla and the Channel Islands. Most of the yellowtail will be schoolie-sized, 15 to 20 pounds, and highly susceptible to an early- morning mackerel snack. In the cool ocean waters north
of Point Conception, the long wait for the rockfish and lingcod openers is finally over. Te rug- ged NorCals specialize in what they call lingosaurs—primitive- looking green- or blue-fleshed eating machines that can swallow a bowling ball. California’s active tournament
scene is rolling full-force. In Sep- tember, sleigh riders will gear up for the long-running La Jolla Kayak Fishing Moyer Memorial,
www.kayakanglermag.com… 45
PHOTO: SCOTT NULL
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