View from the Cockpit, July 1, 2008

A SUMMER CHOCK FULL OF KAYAK FISHING FUN - June flew by, full of good stuff like Plastic Navy's Newport tourney ('Happy' Howerton strikes again), bass fishing with Hobie at Barrett (look Ma, no hands), an eerie and adventuresome foggy Friday at La Jolla, and much more. I hope you and yours got in on the good times. Wherever you wet your lines, keep on kayak fishing!

If you're not getting the recommended daily allowance of water time, you need the next best thing, a virtual supplement. The July edition of Canoe and Kayak is full of quality paper paddle fishing, including a look at the newest crop of fishy boats by yours truly.

I teamed up with East Coast outdoor writer Ric Burnley to test out the Emotion Grand Slam, Hobie Mirage i12s, Hurricane Phoenix 160, Ocean Kayak Prowler Trident, Native Magic 14.5, and Wildy Tarpon 120 Ultralite. There's not a dud in the bunch.

A self-congratulatory pat on the back: Before we get to what's new on the site, let's revisit a classic from last year. When the Tax Man Cometh, my WON column discussing the first documented white shark on fishing kayak crunching, was honored with an Excellence in Craft award from the Outdoor Writers Association of California. Here it is in case you missed it: How to Avoid the Tax Man

Shameless plug #1: Mammoth Kayaks, the Eastern Sierra's first fishing kayak outfitter and rental service, is up and running. Proprietor, all-around nice guy and trout nemesis Rob Witherill runs the show out of the cool little mountain town of Mammoth Lakes. Check them out at www.mammothkayaks.com.

Shameless plug #2: As much as we love to fish, there are other great ways to spend time on the water. One of the most fun I've ever experienced is the rocking and rollicking raft trip down the Main Tuolumne run just outside Yosemite. In early June I hitched an 18-mile ride with whitewater outfitter Sierra Mac. We challenged class IV+ rapids with names like Pinball, Rock Garden, and Clavey Falls. The adrenaline high still hasn't worn off. Find them on the web at: www.sierramac.com.

The New Stuff:
Isles of Adventure: Kayak Fishing California's Channel Islands

Letting 'em Go: Releasing Fish the Right Way

Wading into the Wader Controversy

Beach Launch Baja: Brave the Waves for a Taste of Northwest Baja's Bounty

Islander Kayakers Hunt SCI Flatties, Calicos

- PL

Hot Bites:

June was t-time, and I'm not talking about golf. Click Here to Read the Rest

What's your take? Feedback is welcome. Click here for email

On the Horizon:

July 13 : Party down and catch fish with our south of the border brothers at Baja-based Peskayak. They're throwing their first annual kayak fishing tournament at the beautiful Hotel Coral just north of Ensenda. Travel down and back with an escorted convoy for peace of mind. www.peskayak.com.mx
July 20: Baytuber's monthly excuse to catch halibut is set square on their home turf this time. After fishing up a storm at San Pedro's Cabrillo Beach, prepare to chow down on an incredible array of potluck eats. Don't get culinarily punked; bring something good to share. www.baytubers.com
August 1-3: 'Kayakstock' takes over a tiny little north coastal town when the Elk Rockfish Fiesta comes a' calling. This Great White Kayak Company production tests all-around kayak fishing grit. www.gwkc.com
August 16: Plastic Navy's Tournament Trail continues at Mission Bay. This bass throwdown was originally planned for Dana Point. Oh well, put away the calico baits; it's time to wrestle with their pugnacious cousins the spotties. www.plasticnavy.com
August 21: One of kayak fishing's friendliest groups will go all out in late August for Baytuber's 5th Annual Big Summer Tournament at Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro. May the biggest halibut win! www.baytubers.com

Stop by again soon. Kayak Fishing Zone is updated roughly every two to four weeks. For Looking Astern, the View Archive, Click Here