TOPIC:

Does anyone else kayak near shore for salmon and steelhead? Getting my rig set up for the big lake, any tips would be appreciated.

It seems to be a growing sport. I know several guys who monitor this site do it and a couple of them post regularly. All I can say is 1) now is the time to do it while the fish are abundant and close to shore and what I should have listed as #1 is be careful! At least two yak-fishers bought the farm last year on this end of the lake. Both were doing stupid things.

Here is my setup. Love fishing the big lake.

Nice rig neighbor!!

Thanks neighbor Dan!

Non-existant user wrote:

Here is my setup. Love fishing the big lake.

I will say one thing about Steve he does nothing half way. How does that thing even float?

I have kayaked the big lake a dozen times last year and did fairly well. I can say every time I went out it was an adventure. One nice day in May I was in 60 FOW trolling dodgers and flies at Michigan City. It was a calm day and not a lot of traffic untill about 11am when I headed in. That seems to be the time the pleasure boaters come out and some are not very friendly to kayakers, it can get dangerous even inside the harbor. It's a lot like riding a motorcycle, you have to keep watching for the other guy all the time and make sure you always have an air horn with you. I had to use mine twice last year. The other thing you have to watch is the weather and waves. One day last summer the weather report said there would be 2 foot waves which I thought was manageable until I got out by the light house and they were 3 foot plus waves rolling into the mouth of the harbor, I got caught in them before I could get turned around and head back. Needless to say it was very scary and the crazy thing was the wind was blowing out of the SE and the waves were coming from the NE. a few hours later the lake caught up with the wind and the waves laid and I was able to fish outside the harbor. Don't be scared, just don't take any chances the lake is not very forgiving. If you have any questions you can message me. You can also see some of my videos that I shot at Michigan City last year on my YouTube Channel Weekend Outdoors. Here's a picture of my rig. Good Luck!

Surprised just how stable these kayaks are. Yes you have to be very observant when your out on the big lake. Have not run into any problems with other fishing boats. They have been very respectful so far. I do carry an air horn. I will not go out when the pleasure boats are out. To scared. I am glad I purchased one. So much fun!

looks like both have transport wheels for launching. Do they make or sell floatation/balloon type wheels for traversing soft sand and double as sponson/outriggers if set parallel to kayak?

I'm not aware of any balloon-type wheels that double as outriggers.

I've been fishing the big pond out of my kayak for about 7 years now. Started in a paddle yak (Tarpon 140) and then won a Hobie. I do my fishing out of a Hobie Revolution 13. It's a sleeker, faster version of the more popular Outbacks and Pro Anglers. Easier to get up on my vehicle and beach launch wherever I want to fish. I've been keeping my eye on the new Outbacks - they seem awesome. Anyways, you have to be safe out there. I invested in a drysuit about 5 years ago. It's been a great investment whether I layer warm clothes under it to fish 3rd shift walleyes in the early spring, chase browns/cohos at the warm water discharges in the winter, or even if it's pouring rain in the summer and I want to get after some kings but don't want to get soaked (incidentally, one of my best numbers day of kings happened during a steady rain in July fishing in tight - 15-25 fow. They were hammering crankbaits and I ended up landing 14 kings and 4 coho out of my kayak in mid July. All the boats went deep). Pay attention to the weather and keep your head on a swivel out there. Try to stay as visible as you can.
As far as presentations, it obviously depends on time of the year and what you're fishing for. I'm a king guy. Life has gotten crazy these past couple years and it's limited the number of trips I can take in a given year... So I focus on my favorite now - summer kings. I usually run 2 torpedo weighs, one on each side, to get a spoon or flasher fly down. I then run a spoon or crank down the chute on a leadcore presentation. I reside in Wisconsin and fish areas where I can get deep in the shortest amount of distance. Generally, I'm fishing a couple miles offshore. Hopefully, someday I'll crack that 30 lb king mark. I've got three 27.xx kings to my name, all during Salmon-a-rama tourneys. Was a rush to catch 2 27s in one trip. When I got my biggest, 27.95, I landed a 23.4 and 23.5 in the same trip. Seems like the big kings like to hang out together, at least where I fish.
Anyways, shoot me a message if you have any questions. 1st and foremost, stay safe out there. Tight lines!