Fishing Report - Saturday 1-28-06

[Sandtiger]

Well, we (Stan, Rob, and I) went kayak fishing today up off the Chickahominy River. Had a great time. Caught a lot of fish, but many were small. Total kept were about 20 or so. They were blue cats, channel cats, and white perch.

Stan caught the most, but Rob put us both to shame with his 12 pound blue cat.

Rob sort of sits back and peddles his Hobie and steers with his thumb and forefinger while we have to actually work at paddling !!

Here's some pictures.

Me on the river

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzepzl9i/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/gary_in_his_yak_wid_full_winter_dress_on.jpg.w300h 225.jpg

Then there was Stan who caught most of the fish. He must have landed at least 30. The way he did it was to hide from the fish - look here he just backs up into the bank.

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzepzl9i/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/stealthy_stan.jpg.w300h225.jpg

Rob got the largest of the day - a blue cat at about 12 pounds, but he can tell you the story................

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzepzl9i/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/rob_with_his_12_pound_blue_cat.jpg.w300h225.jpg

Maybe we can do this once again coming weekend - no crowds......... [wink] This could be habit forming.

[FishingRod]

Way to go! Looks like you guys had a great time. Thanks for the pics.

[Tim Clinton]

I saw that Hobie on a fishing show- How is it? I have always been a canoer, but have been considering a sit on top model for James River fishing. any info would be appreciated. Thanx-Tim

[moc]

Those are some great picks. Looking at your pictures is therapuetic for my cabin fever. Looks like everyone was wearing waders?

[Sandtiger]

moc originally wrote:
Those are some great picks. Looking at your pictures is therapuetic for my cabin fever. Looks like everyone was wearing waders?


Glad you liked the pictures.

Only one person is wearing waders and that is the guy (Stan) in the green Tarpon 160 in the second picture down. I am wearing a full wetsuit under a water-proof breathable paddling jacket (red) and a pair of bib coverall rainsuit pants to keep the water off and for wind chill purposes although I really didn't need it. The guy in the Hobie (Rob) also is wearing a wetsuit, knee-high Chota boots and a water-proof breathable paddling top.

[Sandtiger]

Tim Clinton originally wrote:
I saw that Hobie on a fishing show- How is it? I have always been a canoer, but have been considering a sit on top model for James River fishing. any info would be appreciated. Thanx-Tim


Tim,

Rob has a bad shoulder and has a problem with long paddles. He stayed right with us as without any real problems. Now I did get going relatively quick and he couldn't stay with me, but I couldn't paddle that fast all day anyway.......... [wink]

The Hobie seems very stable and is quite a bit wider than the Tarpons Stan and I have. It seems well adapted to fishing also. The drawback is the paddles underneath because with them in operation you will be limited to deeper water than a person that is not using one. The paddles can be stowed in a flat position on the bottom and then you can paddle like everyone else (but there's a lot of drag with them in the up position). Just need to be careful about the apparatus underneath.

[moc]

Thanks for the detailed Answer SandTiger. I still have not bought my cold water gear yet for my Kayak. I am leaning towards your setup with the wetsuit. What do you wear for shoes so your feet don't get wet and freeze?

Sandtiger originally wrote:
moc originally wrote:
Those are some great picks. Looking at your pictures is therapuetic for my cabin fever. Looks like everyone was wearing waders?


Glad you liked the pictures.

Only one person is wearing waders and that is the guy (Stan) in the green Tarpon 160 in the second picture down. I am wearing a full wetsuit under a water-proof breathable paddling jacket (red) and a pair of bib coverall rainsuit pants to keep the water off and for wind chill purposes although I really didn't need it. The guy in the Hobie (Rob) also is wearing a wetsuit, knee-high Chota boots and a water-proof breathable paddling top.

[Sandtiger]

moc,

You asked, What do you wear for shoes so your feet don't get wet and freeze?


Here's a couple of links. You can buy direct. Both are excellent choices. These will keep your feet and legs up to your knees dry. They both have a gasket around the top of the boot that prevents water from rushing in if you go over, but water will seep in. They are also good for getting out at the shoreline and wading in the shallow water to fish.


Rob wears these (do a copy and paste on this link since it's secure link you cannot just click on it);

https://www.chotaoutdoorgear.com/CyberMerchant/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=33

I have just ordered these;

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2308&deptid=1169


They are great for entering and exiting the kayak from shore and won't weigh you down if you go over. I like them because SOTs are inherently wet inside. They are also warm and I have Mysterioso socks
( http://kayakfishingstuff.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=mysterioscks&Category_Code=gloves )
to keep my feet warm. The boots from NRS are a bit thicker than the Chota boots, but if you decide on the Chota they are excellent also.

You might want to consider Seal Skinz socks
( http://kayakfishingstuff.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Sealskinz-Socks&Category_Code=gloves )
since they are waterproof so if water did seep in a bit your feet would stay dry.

[Yakgeek]

Did you guys go out of Chick. river park at the bridge? That looks like a great place for Cats.

Geek

Give a man a fish, he will eat for a day,
teach a man to fish and he will buy an ugly hat.

[Sandtiger]

Yakgeek originally wrote:
Did you guys go out of Chick. river park at the bridge? That looks like a great place for Cats.

Geek

Give a man a fish, he will eat for a day,
teach a man to fish and he will buy an ugly hat.

We launch and fish the creeks. We try to find holes of at least 20 feet deep.