By Paul Lebowitz

“Most of them say, ‘Dude, you’re crazy! What’s the point?’” explained Jonathan Schwartz, and then he laughed. Schwartz was describing the typical reaction when he relates his unusual plans to a charter captain - that is if he gets any reply at all. He isn’t deterred by the “No way, bad idea,” replies. He keeps calling and emailing until he hears those sweet words, “Yeah! Let’s do it.”

It’s no wonder Schwartz inspires such strong responses. His idea of a good time is a charter ride out to deep water where leviathans dwell: billfish and tuna that can run into the hundreds of pounds. The desire to match himself against monsters isn’t the source of astonishment. It is only when Schwartz tells a charter captain he wants to land the biggest blue water beasts he can handle, not from the security of a charter boat, but from the cockpit of a small fishing kayak.

By kayak angling standards, Schwartz’s exotic species list is a glamorous one. Roosterfish, dorado, amberjack, tuna, and even an estimated 200-pound marlin have graced his deck. Of course these fish don’t come from local waters. Schwartz’s travels have taken him to the East Cape of Baja and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico, and to Hawaii’s fabled Kona coast.

Family types take note. A tropical vacation may be just the time to sneak in a kayak fishing adventure of your own. You don’t have to go after big game like Schwartz. Catching inshore tropical gamefish can be a blast too. 

Think about it. Destination resorts are usually on the water, and where there is water there are fish to catch and kayaks for rent. Just be sure to look for fishing-friendly models such as the Cobra Fish and Dive or Tandem or the Ocean Kayak Drifter, Scupper Pro, or Malibu II. Expect to get a bare boat, with a back band for a seat and a junky paddle. Add one simple item of your own and you’ve got a passable fishing machine: a so-called fishing seat. Its key features are two built-in rod holders and a pack to hold gear. Quality fishing seats are offered by Surf to Summit and SeaAir Sports, among others.

Along with the fishing seat, it is wise to bring a tube of Marine Goop or some other epoxy. It’s a rough world, and tourist rental kayaks don’t enjoy the kindness we lavish our own boats. Give any kayak you plan to rent a careful once-over. The Goop will plug any leak short of a gaping hole. The cheap paddle that comes with the kayak should suffice, so leave the good paddle back home unless miles of paddling are in store.

Vacation time is precious, so if possible take some advice from Jonathan Schwartz. Whether you want to fish off a personal mothership, or just launch from shore and go it alone, make the necessary arrangements ahead of time. At a minimum, reserve a kayak and hunt down some local fishing info. Tackle shops, charter operators, books and local outdoor newspapers will clue you in on the varieties of fish you can target. Match your outfits and tackle to the likely quarry. If you are planning to spring for a charter boat don’t forget that the boat's rods and reels may not be suitable for kayak use, so plan on bringing your own anyway. Remember to check into license requirements.

Safety is paramount! Unfamiliar waters hold unknown dangers. Take the time to acquaint yourself with the local hazards, especially if you are going it alone. Evaluate the conditions just as you would back on your home waters, or even more conservatively.

KAYAK FISHING in exotic blue water destinations could net a tuna like this 46-pound yellowfin caught by Jonathan Schwartz.

WHO NEEDS BLUE WATER? - Big tropical gamefish can sometimes be found right on the beach. Here Jonathan Schwartz shows off a beautiful East Cape roosterfish.

ADDING a fishing seat with built-in rod holders and maybe a tackle box turns almost any rental kayak into a passable fishing machine.

If you have any doubts if your skills are up to the conditions, stay safely on shore or postpone your kayak adventure to fish from a boat.

A charter boat is optional and expensive. Plenty of great kayak fishing can be had close to shore. If you are like Schwartz and want more, you’ll have to find a boat to get you to the fishing grounds. The less fancy the operation, the easier the arrangement. I have yet to encounter a backcountry Baja pangero who’d do more than raise an eyebrow at the request to carry a kayak out to better water. On the contrary, they seem to like kayakeros. No, it is the cruiser captain who will tell you straight out that you’re loco. Take a page from Schwartz and keep looking until you find one that gets it. 

If it all seems like too much of a hassle, there are easier ways to enjoy kayak fishing in world-class waters. Dennis Spike and Jim Sammons offer regularly scheduled guided all-inclusive kayak fishing trips at the East Cape’s Rancho Leonero and Hotel Punta Colorada respectively. Each year there are more and more options for kayak anglers ready to sample the fishing in Alaska or Hawaii. Schwartz put it into perspective when he compared doing it yourself to going with a package deal, “Oh my gosh, there are a million details to figure out. At the Rancho it’s all set up.” How much adventure can you tolerate?

Plenty, if you can imagine yourself in Schwartz’s place. You’ve motored out to the blue water, where the captain’s spotted breaking tuna. Working quickly, the deckhand lowers your kayak over the side. You jump on, collect a baited rod, and paddle furiously towards the commotion. Your bait takes a nervous run, and then something has it. A couple of hundred feet of line burn off the reel as the powerful fish sounds, and you find yourself in a stalemate, rod pinned to the rail, battling over the same few feet of line.

You do your best to hang on until eventually a shadowy form circles beneath the kayak. Steeling yourself for the final effort, you sink the gaff and hoist the big fish into your lap. Victory! The excited shouts of the charter crew prove that the thrill of landing big fish from a small boat is universally understood after all.

Jon Schwartz produced a DVD of his zany adventures. Learn more here. Check out his further antics at www.bluewaterjon.com.