Shore Fishing

Probabilities

Kim Berry was towed around by a 6’ shark. After fighting the shark for 30 minutes, it managed to get the line in its teeth just as she was trying to lift it slightly for a photograph just the head. The shark was totally exhausted. Kim was using 10 lb. braid and 20 lb. leader.

 

Fishing has always been about probabilities. Whether you’re cast netting off a bridge or fly fishing in the Rockies, it’s always about the probability of finding a fish. Once we get past “in the water”, the other variables are almost unlimited. Someday there may be an “AI” app on our phones to process the effects of wind, moon, current, food, structure, temperature, depth, tide, and season while we enjoy breakfast. The results will tell us where to launch a kayak, fish a beach, or wade a flat for probable success, but these same results will be available to everyone, and it might get a wee bit crowded out there. 

Successful kayak anglers take advantage of their unique potential to access areas that shore bound anglers, wade fishermen, and boating guys just can’t get to. In the winter that could be a protected shallow bay where the wind won’t blow your kayak around like a leaf. Even though we are kayak angling enthusiasts, we often use kayaks to get to wadable spots where we can secure the boats and hop out on an oyster bar or sand bar to stretch our legs and make a few casts. 

Our favorite spots are those inaccessible by wading anglers due to oysters bars, deep channels, or soft mud bottom. A kayak can float you right over these problems to choice spots. Once there, securing your kayak is easier if there are mangroves to tie off to. Otherwise use a stake out pole AND a downwind stern anchor. It’s only prudent at this point to recommend good footwear to save your feet from sharp shells. At a minimum we use closed toe water sandals but for extended wading we like ankle high scuba boots which are half the price and lighter than most wading boots. Oyster bars near deep flats are prime spots to find many of our local gamefish including sheepshead, snook, redfish, seatrout, and other fun fish like jacks, ladyfish, and Gafftopsail cats. Oyster shells offer solid footing for wading anglers using light tackle. Fishing around oyster bars requires an angler to keep their bait or lure off the bottom or risk being cut-off by their sharp edges so keep your rod tip high on the retrieve and during the battle. 

Many visiting anglers use tackle for larger fish than they will probably catch. The boy scout motto “be prepared” suggests heavy tackle is needed in case a trophy fish comes along but common-sense points towards lighter tackle based on probabilities. We recently met a couple shore fishing at the kayak launch in Lemon Bay Park with surf rods. They had heavy pyramid weights, wire leader, 4/0 hooks, 50 lb. braid, live shrimp, rod holders, chairs, and a big cooler for their catch. With mighty casts, they delivered their shrimp to hungry pinfish in eight inches of water. The bucket of shrimp didn’t last long. 

Tackle choice is critical in a kayak due to space and accessibility issues. Taking along “just in case” tackle clutters up an already crowded spot. Using heavy tackle in a kayak just makes your trip into the mangroves or across the flat quicker when you hook up. Kayak anglers rarely get the chance to bring large fish TO the boat. It is more likely the fish will tire as they pull you around. We find 10 lb. braid, 20 lb. fluorocarbon leader, and the drag set to 5-6 lbs. will tire even a big redfish quickly. 

Taking all the tackle you own just in case something improbable happens isn’t necessary or helpful in a kayak. Consider the limited space and the probabilities you may encounter and rig accordingly. 

Kimball and Les Beery, authors of Angler’s Guide to Shore and KAYAK Fishing Southwest Florida, contribute these excerpts from both Waterproof books to promote the excellent fishing available in the Englewood area. They are available locally at Old Florida Gallery on West Dearborn, and for download at www.anglerpocketguides.com &  amazon.com.