Looking Astern - Past View from the Cockpit Messages
View from the Cockpit, May 23, 2008
MOTHERSHIP ME! - May and June might as well be called the mothership months here in SoCal. It’s the time of year when most sportfishing boats are still tied up to the dock, waiting for the season to really get cracking.
Not so for the Islander and Qualifier 105. These two boats pile on the kayaks and point the bow toward exotic action.
I was lucky to spend time on both this spring. The Islander was up first. I admit it was like coming home; skippers Shane Slaughter and John Coniff have run their mainstay 1.5-day San Clemente Island trips for four years.
Talk about dialed-in. These guys really "get" kayak fishing, giving their riders free reign to fish hard - even far from the boat. This is the deep end of the pool, mana for the hardcore crowd, but not really suited for novices.
The Qualifier crew plays things a bit safer. They put eight first-time kayakers on their 3-day northern Baja expedition, and kept everyone close to the boat. We fished the beach at Colonet, spent a day a Isla San Martin, and parked for a few fishing hours a bit south of Rosarito. We even fished a few high spots on the big boat, tallying a bunch of excellent-eating vermillion rockfish.
San Martin was a first-rate destination, with tremendous variety and excellent potential for trophy calicos and the powerful pelagics that get us going. The others were coastal spots and really didn't offer enough variety to suit a full-on paddle-fishing maniac. The novices? They ate it up! Those guys are hooked for sure.
Whichever boat's your cup of grog, both provide first-class service, stuff anglers with tasty home-cooked meals, and offer stateroom accommodations and the all-important hot showers. Go for a ride! - PL |
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June 6 and 15 / May 30 / June 13: More motherships! The Islander goes south to Todos Santos, twice. Meanwhile, the Q105 goes long, with 8-day skiff / kayak trips down to the promised land of Cedros and other incredible and remote destinations. Newcomer Ocean Odyssey comes online with a 1.5-day visit to SCI on June 13. All aboard! islander-charters.com / www.qualifier105.com / www.oceanodysseyfishing.com
June 21: Plastic Navy's Tournament Trail paddles into Newport Bay for their next installment of bass-catching action. Can Mission Bay winner Brian Sanner stave off the hungry field on his home turf? Come find out! www.kayakfishnation.com
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View from the Cockpit, April 28, 2008
A 'YAKKER TAKES HUGE POWER BOAT FIELD TO THE BRINK - Wilderness Systems pro staffer Mark Pierpont made kayak fishing history earlier this month at the huge Marina del Rey Halibut Derby. His 35-lb flatty was just a couple pounds shy of first place and missed second by mere ounces. Scroll down or click over to Hot Bites for a look at his magnificent flatfish.
The fantastic floating kayak fishing home base Islander is up and running for 2008. The first trip ran to San Clemente Island's crystal clear waters. The pelagics didn't show, but a trio of worthy halibut made the count. Calico fishing was slower than usual for the legendary island, but the quality was there. Several more trips are on the books and the fishing should only improve. Secure your spot! islander-charters.com
On the subject of kayak halibut fishing, let's dive in a little deeper and see how one of SoCal's hottest sticks racks up the numbers. Talk about methodical. Learn how to Scratch for Flat Ones. Click here.
In other news, Plastic Navy's first 2008 Tournament Trail contest is in the books. Tough tides made for scratchy fishing at Mission Bay, but Brian Sanner solved the puzzle and notched his first PN victory. Read the rest. Click here.
The Eastern Sierra trout season is finally underway. The range of light holds more first rate trout fishing than a kayak angler can shake a stick at. Check it out, kayak style. Click here. |
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May 1, 15, and 30 / May 2 and 16: Mothership may I? With spring in full swing the Qualifier 105 and Islander will head over the horizon on multiple dates. Go long! www.qualifier105.com / islander-charters.com
May 3-4: Come on out for the Kayak Festival at Irvine's Southwind Kayak Center. The free seminar day and parking lot party will feature manufacturer booths, a full slate of seminars, a kayak fishing outfitting contest, and more. www.southwindkayaks.com
May 17: Kayak bass fishing tournament pioneer Rick Hoolko and his San Diego Kayak Center shop are gearing up for the latest in their long series of events. Like all the rest, this one will be for the heaviest 5-saltwater bass stringer. Entry only $15. Fish 8 am to 1 pm. More at 858-488-0651. |
April 12: Gentlemen, limber up your paddles! Plastic Navy's four event Tournament Trail 2008 is taking flight at San Diego's Mission Bay. Who will take this year's checkered flag? Big prizes and bigger prestige are at stake. Hit the Trail at www.kayakfishnation.com
April 25-27: Load your kayak on a big boat, the beautiful Islander, and head over the horizon for a shot at San Clemente Island 'tails and sportcoats. This is WON's annual trip, spiked with extra goodies. See you there. |
View from the Cockpit, March 15, 2008
MALIBU'S X-13 DEBUTS - Got a wandering eye? You're not alone. When a new boat hits the block, few kayak fishermen can resist stealing a look.
Go ahead and drink in the view. Malibu Kayak's hot new X-13 shows off sexy lines. This baby's got curves in all the right places. Check out that upswept bow.
But she's got more than good looks. The X-13 is built for all kinds of fishing fun. There's room for rod holders galore, and plenty of storage via a cockpit hatch and Malibu's trademark big beauty up front.
The boat's most intriguing feature is hiding beneath the new 'gator hatch lite.' It's a drained well - think of it as a covered tankwell. Malibu calls it a fish hold.
Want to stash rods in the boat? Don't fret. There's room on the bulkhead for a round hatch. That's right, this baby goes both ways! Go the fish hold route, or plug the scupper and use the bow well for additional secure storage.
Time to put this baby through her paces. Check back soon for a full review of Malibu's new X-13. |
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March 26-30: The Fred Hall Fishing Show spins through its laid back second session at Del Mar. Here's another chance to visit the Quantum Kayak Fishing Center. Don't forget to drop by and talk with the KFACA about your Southern California launch sites. www.fredhall.com
March 28-31: Aqua Adventures hosts the 2008 Southwest Kayak Symposium at Mission Bay. Lots of sea kayaking skills clinics, plus a little bit of kayak fishing. www.southwestkayaksymposium.com
April 4-6 : Catapalooza presented by OEX Sunset Beach. Camp and kayak fish at Catalina's beautiful Little Harbor. www.oeepress.com
April 5-6 : The Marina del Rey Halibut Derby - the West's largest and oldest fishing tournament - welcomes kayak anglers back for a second year of competition. Here's the chance to take on power boaters head to head for big money prizes; kayakers also enjoy exclusive divisional awards. MDR is reaching out to the kayak fishing community - let's give them a good turn-out. www.halibutderby.com |
View from the Cockpit, February 25, 2008
FRED HALL - The western angler's answer to Groundhog Day is nearly here. Of course I'm talking about the huge Fred Hall Fishing Show. When it takes over the Long Beach Convention Center, fishing prime time can't be far behind.
This year the Show runs from March 5 to 9 - typically when the first white seabass show up. Hah! The ghosts came early this year (see Hot Bites below).
Seabass aside, the Show is a kayak fishing tour de force, jam-packed with the best new boats, seminars galore, and WAY too much great tackle. And someone will win one of the hottest new boats, the fishy Ocean Kayak Prowler Trident. The free contest is courtesy of OEX Angler's Yak Shack. Get your entry at the Show! |
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PLASTIC NAVY'S FRESHWATER MISSION - A long time coming, Plastic Navy's freshwater debut at Irvine Lake is sure to make a big splash. A people-powered flotilla is taking over the trout-filled lake on March 15.
Limber up your light sticks. The heaviest 3-fish stringer will take top honors. Rinse off the salt! Read how at www.kayakfishnation.com |
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Mar 2: Inshore Day aka the 'Frank Hall' show and sale at OEX Oceanside. For those who can't make it north to the BIG SHOW... www.oeexpress.com
Mar 5-9: Yes! The show of all shows, the giant Fred Hall Fishing Show comes to Long Beach. Don't miss the Quantum Kayak Fishing Center, sure to be the center of the action. While there, visit the KFACA and show us which Southern California launch sites and fishing areas to fight for in the MLPA process. www.fredhall.com
Mar 15: Plastic Navy finally dips a toe in the freshwater scene with the debut of the Irvine Lake Trout Experience. www.kayakfishnation.com |
View from the Cockpit, February 11, 2008
The kayak angler's bookshelf is a short one. There's Ken Daubert's aging but pioneering tome, Kayak Fishing the Revolution, and more recent offerings such as Kayak Fishing the Ultimate Guide, a gorgeous coffee table book but short on the hardcore scale.
Move them on over, there's a new book in town. The Complete Kayak Fisherman by Ric Burnley is an instant classic. |
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This is a how-to guide written by a man whose PFD is covered with fish slime and scales, someone who's as much a certified kayak fishing lunatic as any of us. Read about his experiences fishing under the frozen winter lights of Virginia-area bridges, ice on the deck to match the ice in his veins, and see if you don't agree.
Burnley's book takes a thorough look at the sport. It's exactly what a beginner needs. Experienced western kayak anglers will smile when they encounter Burnley's East Coast sensibilities, where milk crates are the height of fashion and live bait gets short shrift. On the other hand, the tales Burnley spins of his misadventures have an all too familiar 'I've lived it ' feel.
This book is as close to a masterpiece as the sport has generated. For more, check out KFZ's capsule review in the Gear section. Check Out Burnley's Book
Feb 16: Baytubers monthly fish-off storms San Pedro's Cabrillo Beach. Kayak Fishing Association of California director Paul Lebowitz will be on hand to talk MLPA. www.baytubers.com
View from the Cockpit, January 28, 2008
Congratulations to Derwin Chang, winner of the inaugural San Diego Angler's Open Bay Bass Tournament kayak division. What a mouthful - no wonder most simply call San Diego's biggest and most lucrative bay bass contest the SDAOBB.
Allowing kayak anglers to join the fun was a long time coming, and kudos go out to the club and OEX Kayak and Dive Centers, sponsor of the cash prizes. Yet there's room for improvement. The 150 powerboat field sold out in days; the 50-kayak capacity wasn't reached until the eleventh hour. This, on a bay that drew more than 100 kayak bassers for a rain marred Plastic Navy event just weeks earlier. What gives?
Rules for the kayak division were simplified; the entry fee and prize money fell shy of the powerboat side. Some kayakers were insulted by the kids' table offering. The solution is simple: one set of rules and one pot of cash. Kayak anglers want to play with the big boys. Here's hoping it happens in 2009.
Feb 1 - NorCal Kayak Anglers' year-long AOTY points contest is taking sign-ups. The prizes are the shiniest in the event's history, including a new Hobie Mirage fishing kayak and a vacation for two at Rancho Leonero. www.norcalkayakanglers.com
Feb 1: Aquahunters' Makahiki year-long points tournament paddles out from Hawaii. Fishing ends Sept 30. The gods are watching; poor sportsmanship is kapu. Mahalo. aquahunters.com
Feb 17: Plastic Navy's Money Between Friends IX jackpot will visit Mission Bay. New this time, $5 of every $10 entry will benefit the KFACA in their defense of kayak fishing launch sites. Single largest fish wins. Launch and landing at Bahia Point. www.kayakfishnation.com
View from the Cockpit, January 14, 2008
New on the Site: KFZ rolls out a pair of recurring features. The first, Hot Bites, highlights the West's most impressive kayak catches and ripper bites. Our new event list dubbed On the Horizon offers the area's can't-miss contests in an easy two month at-a-glance format. Check 'em out just below, but first, take a look at the newest stories on the site.
If it's the middle of the month, there's a new kayak feature. Two actually. When Sportboats Attack - How to Play Nice with Our Bigger Brothers leads off. Trust me, a game of bumper boats is a losing proposition. Next up, journey to remote Baja with kayak fly fishing pioneer Gary Bulla in One for the Fly Guys.
View from the Cockpit, January 1, 2008
Happy New Year ! As we say goodbye to 2007, let's take a look back at a great year of kayak fishing competition. Plastic Navy partnered with Western Outdoor News to launch the Tournament Trail, a 6-event saltwater bass fishing series. On the big fish scene, the annual Moyer Memorial showdown at La Jolla didn't disappoint. Up north at Elk, a different sort of hitchhiking lingcod led to the win. Relive the action on the News page. Click Here
More MLPA closures on the way in California: Just months after the first set of Marine Life Protection Act closures went into effect in Central California, California Resources Secretary Mike Chrisman announced Southern California will be next. The Kayak Fishing Association of California is mobilizing to ensure kayak anglers get a fair shake in the process. Meanwhile MLPA reserve planning continues in north-central California, where NorCal Kayak Anglers representatives are working hard to protect key kayak fishing launch sites. Please visit the KFACA website for more on the MLPA's impact on the sport.
New stories on the site! Visit Chef's Big Sur kitchen, discover easy rigging additions that pack a big payoff, paddle the exciting new Ocean Kayak Prowler Trident, pump up Hobie's latest Mirage marvel, and more. There are nearly 20 new pages to explore. Enjoy!
View from the Cockpit, December 14, 2007
Kayak fishing is hot. Throughout the world, growing numbers of anglers are discovering the thrills of ‘modern-primitive' fishing. Kayaks are stealthy and environmentally friendly. They can venture into water that is too shallow, too rocky, too weed-choked, and just plain too ‘fishy' for powerboats.
Learn about this exciting sport here at Kayak Fishing Zone, home of outdoor writer Paul Lebowitz. Paul is the inaugural Kayak Fishing Columnist for Western Outdoor News, "The Nation's Biggest Weekly Hunting and Fishing Newspaper."
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