ROOKIE NEEDS TACKLE ADVICE

[JBontherocks]

Hey guys, I've got nearly all of my gear to begin kayak fishing and want to know what should be the first tackle items I buy (lure, weights, hooks, etc.). I went to take a look at Academy and it is quite intimidating when you don't have a clue what you need/don't need. Give me the basic necessities for fishing reds and trout. Thanks.

[Glwlsu]

Gulp, all type of Tsunami -- curlu tails, glass minnow look alikes etc Kahle hooks rattle coks (walmart has some good ones)

[ReelThrill]

+1 on the gulp and the tsunamis, just about the only thing in my box.

[Choupique]

This article with give you some basics on using the right color of plastic paddletails on various conditions.
http://www.texastacklefactory.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=111

The color theory works for all lures, but with topwaters it doesn’t really matter.

Other than that get some topwaters (shedog / topdog) and some suspending baits (MirroDine / Catch 2000)

[Branch_Office]

Welcome to the club...:welcome:

The forum is a great tool with a vault of information to be had. We have a search feature that is a great tool.

Here is a link to an older thread titled "what's in your tackle box". This would be a good place to start as well as all the other good advice you will get here as well. Good luck...

Link: http://www.bckfc.org/showthread.php?501-What-s-In-Your-Tackle-Box

What kind of yak are you paddlin'?

[Psycho Joe]

Nemaire Gold Spoon

[yak-aholic]

1/4 and 1/8 ounce jigheads.
Bayou Chubs... I like 4 primary colors: purple, avacado, glow, and black, all with chartreusse tails
Gold spoons (great for redfish)
Tsunami Swim Shads as said before, purple haze, and blue back are pretty popular colors
Top water lures like Top Dog, Top Pup, She Dog, etc...
Can get all of this at Academy.
If you're into supporting local companies, you can go to Bowie or Cabela's and buy the Marsh Works stuff. I've been hearing some good things about their stuff, but haven't tried any yet. Here's their site... http://marsh-works.com/products.html Can't go wrong with practically anything on their site.

I'm sure others will post up more, but that's basically my short list.

[JBontherocks]

Thanks for all the recommendations. I have a Tarpon 140, bought it a couple years back at the Pack n' Paddle silent auction, and unfortunately I'm just getting around to using it. I guess it's better late than never!

[ReelThrill]

Post where you live and it makes it a lot easier for hook ups.


Thanks for all the recommendations. I have a Tarpon 140, bought it a couple years back at the Pack n' Paddle silent auction, and unfortunately I'm just getting around to using it. I guess it's better late than never!

[papawd]

Thanks for all the recommendations. I have a Tarpon 140, bought it a couple years back at the Pack n' Paddle silent auction, and unfortunately I'm just getting around to using it. I guess it's better late than never!
Way better late than never Welcome to the club, I see You are in Baton Rouge if want come over and take a look at "The Wall" I have and we can discuss baits , if I only could use 3 baits one would be gold spoon, top dog and a little crank bait I would have to show Ya being I can't rememberthe name but it catches fish

[JBontherocks]

I see You are in Baton Rouge if want come over and take a look at "The Wall" I have and we can discuss baits

That would be great! I would definitely appreciate it.

[ecb]

Welcome to the club, lots of good tips here.

My belief is less is more, the beauty of a kayak is you cannot carry a 50lb tackle box, like I had in a powerboat. I guess you could, but can you imagine losing it?

I fish 3 basic setups for reds, flounders and specks that I have confidence in.

Jigheads/grubs, spinner jigs, and Jighead/grub and cork.

Works for me in all situations. I don't throw topwaters much anymore because I am afraid of the trebles in a Yak, but I throw them in a PB.

[MDR]

Originally Posted by papawd
I see You are in Baton Rouge if want come over and take a look at "The Wall" I have and we can discuss baits

That would be great! I would definitely appreciate it.

Seeing The Wall is impressive. One of these days there will be a sign for it on I-10. lol.

Welcome aboard and you already have some great suggestions. I will add to start a bit slow in getting baits, tackle, etc. It is easy to get overwhelmed so taking a slower approach helps.
Although you did not ask I imagine you will also need to add some basics for the yak. There are other threads here that offer advice in that direction as well. Some of the best advice I got was from Pawpawd. In essence it was start simply and minimally. As you go on more outings you will determine the things that you would like to have.

Another suggestion is to get with other members either at home, or better yet on the water, to see what they have and how they use it.

[yak-aholic]

Welcome to the club, lots of good tips here.

My belief is less is more, the beauty of a kayak is you cannot carry a 50lb tackle box, like I had in a powerboat. I guess you could, but can you imagine losing it?

I fish 3 basic setups for reds, flounders and specks that I have confidence in.

Jigheads/grubs, spinner jigs, and Jighead/grub and cork.

Works for me in all situations. I don't throw topwaters much anymore because I am afraid of the trebles in a Yak, but I throw them in a PB.

I had not really thought about that, but putting a P-Oed red in your lap with a couple sets of trebles flopping around could be disastrous.

[GreenWave]

For shallow marsh fishing: Some 1/16 oz jigheads and Deadly Dudley Terror Tail plastics. Also, google "Texas rig" and get the stuff for that (about a 4/0 offset worm hook, 1/16 oz bullet weight, plastic worms or soft plastic jerk baits). You can fish redfish in the weeds like bass with that.

[papawd]

That would be great! I would definitely appreciate it.

check Your U2

[papawd]

That would be great! I would definitely appreciate it.

check U2 or notifications at top of page

[JBontherocks]

check U2 or notifications at top of page

I'm not sure what U2 is, but I checked my notifications and didn't have any messages. There may be a short-circuit between my chair and the keyboard.

[Branch_Office]

I'm not sure what U2 is, but I checked my notifications and didn't have any messages. There may be a short-circuit between my chair and the keyboard.

The old site the messaging system was called "u2u" and the new site it is "pm" for private messaging.

[Sandman]

I will add to start a bit slow in getting baits, tackle, etc. It is easy to get overwhelmed so taking a slower approach helps.

Even though I have been fishing all my life, I still walk out of Academy or Bass Pro with new tackle - even though I only use about 4 different things regularly. I could probably open my own tackle shop with the stuff I have in my shed! :lol:

I usually carry 4 rod and reel set ups with me. One rigged with a gold spoon, one with a jig head and Gulp, one with a Speckulizer (popping cork with artificial shrimp) and the other with a Top Dog (even though I rarely catch on top water ... still have to try). I would say that the Speckulizer is great for trout, and has worked for me many times, but this year seems to be proving that statement wrong. I can not get the trout!!!

[Cast_Away]

Buy some 1/4 oz and 1/8 oz jig heads and some soft plastics ( Saltwater Assasian or Bayou Chubs ..etc ) white or black with chartreuse tail and go catch some fish
more important than lure selection to me is presentation and reading the signs and conditions....also always done well with DOA shrimp under popping cork

[RedFinn]

THE trout seem to be be like woman this year they and I don't know what they want :)

[Sandman]

Other than that get some topwaters (shedog / topdog) and some suspending baits (MirroDine / Catch 2000)

Can anyone offer a technique for fishing the MirroDines? Do you twitch them as if you are walking the dog or is there a different technique to get results?

[yak-aholic]

I think it really depends on what the fish want at the time... If I'm not mistaken, the suspending baits work better with a twitch, twitch, pause type of retrieve. Varying speed and length of pause with the conditions.

I have also heard good reports of using chrome/black back Rat-l-traps for trout.

[Sandman]

Thanks for the tips!

Mainly, I want to target trout with the hard baits.

I bought a Chrome / black Rat-l-trap the other day. I haven't used them in a few years so I am anxious to try them out again.