Kayaking, Diving, Skiing, & Surfing Forum. - Fishing Kayak - where to put the fish???

Just bought a Hobie kayak (fishing version) and caught a couple of shell cracker and a speck on the first day. I was just playing around so I didn't think about where to put any fish I might catch. Next time I'll be prepared! However, the area I'm fishing is brackish and has gators around. Maybe pulling a stringer isn't such a good idea. Any kayak fishermen out there have any ideas? :)

Pull a stringer. Gators won't mess with that big guy (kayak) for a little speck. ;=)

Dodging gators, sharks and cudas is half the experience of Yak fishing. Embrace it. If the shark is bigger than your yak cut the stringer and paddle like you hear banjo music....LOL

oneill469 - 3/22/2008 6:37 PM Dodging gators, sharks and cudas is half the experience of Yak fishing. Embrace it. If the shark is bigger than your yak cut the stringer and paddle like you hear banjo music....LOL

../images/emoticons/laugh.gif.........adrenaline can be your freind, how fast can a gator swim? ;?

i promise the gator can catch the yak

I use a 5 gallon bucket with a small hole cut in the top just big enough for my trout to slide into, mix some ice and water in the bucket and your good to go. Catch a fish, turn and slide him into the bucket.

Filet n release then troll back through the chum line you left.

I have a small collapsible ice chest that I'm going to try. I bet I can out pedal the gator if I have to! So far I have found I get about 5 mps (miles per 6 pack) :) I also thought about a wire fish basket, but I'm gonna try the ice chest first. Course I need two ice chests, one for the fish and one for the fisherman! ;)

I have tried all the options and heard from hundreds of my customers what method they use. Two methods are most popular. A heavy duty fish bag like divers use is what we sell the most of in our shop. You can tie it off and drop it in the wayer like a stringer but its much quiker to slip fish into. In hot climates where getting the fish on ice is important the best ice chest is the large flat ,soft beach bag type. Theese are sometimes sold at grocery stores and at Sams wholesale for bringing frozen foods home.

I would go with an ice chest of some sorts. I find that dragging anything in the water really affects my ability to track straight. Plus I'm sure most of your fishing is in hot/warm temps where ice is a plus.

http://www.hoax-slayer.com/images/shark-kayak.jpghttp://www.britepic.com/gallery.php?id=454162&src=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm1.static.flickr.com%2F59%2F18 6557338_437dd2ae50.jpg&width=500&height=389&show_ads=1&caption=Great+White+Shark+Stalking+a+Kayak

new to forum.new to kayaking.im learning alot from forum conversations.thank everone. i should have one in a month or so.

I have used a floating Wade basket( stryofoam ring) & drag behind yak , gators will not bother you unless he is 10ft or above. You can also use it as a live bait well , works great!!

which Hobie did you buy?

I have a Pro Angler and it has a large bow compartment. I put a soft cooler bag in the compartment, add ice, and put the fish in the bag. Works fine.

Also have an Outback. When it is used for fishing we put a soft bag behind the seat. Works fine.

my first tht reply. I've become addicted to the forum after my first motor boat a year ago, a 22' bay boat. But I've been fishing out of a 17' touring Necky kayak for years. I lost fish on 2 occasions. 1st a slot red and 12" + flounder. I'd used some nylon cord as stringer due to missing tackle. Probably 8' or so out as I was fishing the incoming tide on my way back in. I felt a sharp tug, turned and pulled back an empty stringer. It really makes you think about whats down there when that kind of meat gets snatched from a stringer. (a gator may have taken the boat from me). Second loss was a nice slot red, same tidal creek (near Nassau sound, N.Fl) I had the fish on a stringer, but at the end of it's length while drift fishing in with the tide, then quick jerk and I pull up a red head, unfortunately a fish head with a razor clean arched bite. Ever since I've used only 2' or so of stringer "rode", keeping the fish near the boat & surface.

filleting and fishing back through the chum trail is genius though!

Seems to me that dragging bait for gators is kind of inviting trouble, especially when a little nudge could roll yah. Has anyone ever come close?

I just got into kayak fishing this spring and this was a problem I ran into as well. I ended up getting a Kayak Catch cooler bag and attached it to the side of a crate. It's great for it has an inner bag that is attached/detached with velcro and once at the dock, all you need to do is remove the inner bag leaving the actual cooler in place. I just transfer a few ice packs from m beverage cooler once I have a keeper. In the fish picture, you can see it in the top right corner. In the yak photo, it's on the other side of the crate.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t301/theramrod/07021129indrum.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t301/theramrod/070211kayak.jpg

which Hobie did you buy?

I have a Pro Angler and it has a large bow compartment. I put a soft cooler bag in the compartment, add ice, and put the fish in the bag. Works fine.

Also have an Outback. When it is used for fishing we put a soft bag behind the seat. Works fine.
We sell hobies and the front hatch liner of the pro angler does make a great fish box but you need to cut out a piece of 1/2 closed cell foam and use spray contact cement to glue it to the underside of the lid. The temp difference will amaze you.

I use an insulated fish bag similar to this one below. I just toss some ice in it before heading out and stays cold all day i just tie it up up front or behind me and slide the fish in works well for me

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PrecisionPak-YakCatch-42-Long-3-Large-Insulated-Fish-Bag-/320795015156?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab0df77f4#ht_3035wt_1140

We sell hobies and the front hatch liner of the pro angler does make a great fish box but you need to cut out a piece of 1/2 closed cell foam and use spray contact cement to glue it to the underside of the lid. The temp difference will amaze you.

Great suggestion. Thanks :thumbsup:

You can get these at Sam's for under $15

http://www.californiainnovations.com/coolers/grocery-bag/item/ci-45-can-eco-blend-thermal-tote-blue.html?category_id=78

Mine is a few years old and perhaps not as insulated as the new ones, but I have held up to 25 trout, 5 reds, and a bag of ice at the same time in my kayak. They are cheap enough to replace if needed. Also, the company is working on making one specifically for holding fish. I am not sure how long until they are in production, but some in Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club are doing some field testing on them now.

I just got into kayak fishing this spring and this was a problem I ran into as well. I ended up getting a Kayak Catch cooler bag and attached it to the side of a crate. It's great for it has an inner bag that is attached/detached with velcro and once at the dock, all you need to do is remove the inner bag leaving the actual cooler in place. I just transfer a few ice packs from m beverage cooler once I have a keeper. In the fish picture, you can see it in the top right corner. In the yak photo, it's on the other side of the crate.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t301/theramrod/07021129indrum.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t301/theramrod/070211kayak.jpg


I have this same bag, but only use it when I'm going to be paddling bigger distance. I usually just use the stringer and have never had a problem.

I just use a small cooler. If I ever replace it, I'll get a Polar Bear Cooler.

Precision pack as mentioned, perfectly tapered for the bow of my Outback and holds ice all day :thumbsup:

I use a small hard cooler, but i'm thinking about going with a long soft one. The cooler i use now catches a little more wind than Id like. It also wont hold larger fish. My particular kayak has a "rod pod" that i rarely use to stow away my rods. I'm looking into bags that will fit nicely under my deck--shielded from the sun. I occasionally use a stringer on short fishing trips, but the drag created by the fish really hampers my speed and ability to paddle straight.

current set up.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b327/haletravis/rigged.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b327/haletravis/rigged2.jpg