How far can you cast in a canoe/kayak?

Re: How far can you cast in a canoe/kayak?

feeds@kickapps.com (pearow) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 15:23:24 PST

I agree with you bass yakker. I think this discussion started about maximum distance from a canoe or kayak, but i think when you are trying to make 60 foot casts you are spooking fish either by lining them or by the extra umph you have to do to get that distance. Generally, I rarely make casts more than 40 feet, and most are closer. A yak is a stealth vehicle; you can get right on fish and not disturb them unless you just make waves or racket; and then only in skinney water. Of course some days they are much spookier than other days, and some species are more spookier than others. If a redfish is feeding you can sometimes almost run him down in your yak before he spooks. Fishing for bass in cover like hydrilla or lilly pads I generally make 20-30 foot casts because you won't ever get one out fishing further than that. Fishing the salwater flats I have had redfish actually bump into my yak; they will be laying in a pothole or in grass and you run over them and not see them til...

Re: How far can you cast in a canoe/kayak?

feeds@kickapps.com (BassYakker) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 14:40:20 PST

spinzo wrote:
With a 7'6" rod and a 7' leader, I can usually muster a cast of about 14.5'.

Mike

From Wikisandbaggeropedia.com; Translation: I can cast a Clouser 100ft, into a gale, from lying on my back, up hill...

Re: How far can you cast in a canoe/kayak?

feeds@kickapps.com (BassYakker) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 14:36:46 PST

I have experimented with different lines with my fiberglass rod and the kayak and I can't match the distance I can get from more faster action graphite rods. When I take my fiberglass rods on the yak, I get closer to my targets and don't worry too much about distance. I recently went out in my yak with my wonderod and a heavily weighted black Whistler and just fished structure from realitively close range (30ft) with good results (read "it was a blast").

I prefer catching fish on the glass rod and I will use it if conditions allow me to...and even then, I'll take it out anyway.

Re: How far can you cast in a canoe/kayak?

feeds@kickapps.com (Cornmuse) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:17:56 PST

I have been fishing with a Fenwick glass 8 1/2 foot rod with 8 wt line... it loads great and able to cast okay, but was curious about the overlining concept for more distance with it from a sitting postition

I'll bet that overlining helps you be more accurate and eliminates false casts on those ubiquitous 30 and 40 foot casts, but I douby you'll gain much in distance. The rod and line you have are capable of casting to the backing - but the big trick is the line taper. For longer casts you can either shoot more line (longer distance, less accuracy) or carry more line in a false cast (more work, better accuracy but a bigger demand on timing). Also you have to take into account the air resistance of the fly itself. Even a healthy 8wt line won't throw a size 1/0 bug 90 feet. If you need to go longer try this: make sure the line is clean, try using a long belly line or a triangle taper, ensure you have a proper leader design with a...

Re: How far can you cast in a canoe/kayak?

feeds@kickapps.com (Wee Hooker) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:58:47 PST

IMHO. there is rarely a need to cast more than 50-60' from a boat in WW flyfishing. Most of my fish are taken inside of 30-40.That said, 50' is fairly standard /effortless out of most craft. ( I fish 8.5-9.5' graphite rods for almost everything.) Maybe slightly less distance/more effort out of a yak and more disatance in a jon/skiff where I can stand. While I havn't fished your ponds/circumstances, I'm betting there are ways to get those fish to hit shallower. SH's are a PITA IMHO. Especially as their sink rate goes up.
FWIW, I do use a 8 Wt SH set-up ( mostly with a #2 sink head) in the salt and can toss that 70-80' out of the Wee Hooker when standing. I use it becasue of rapidly changing water depts in the SW river I fish.

p.s. Your very fortunate to live close to great Smallie fishing ( and NH in general) . Just getting back from teh lakes region tonight. Up there for some hiking up/around Mt. Cardigan.

Re: How far can you cast in a canoe/kayak?

feeds@kickapps.com (flflyfishing) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:53:45 PST

"With a 7'6" rod and a 7' leader, I can usually muster a cast of about 14.5'.

Mike"

Mike - you need a longer rod!

Re: How far can you cast in a canoe/kayak?

feeds@kickapps.com (spinzo) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:46:35 PST

With a 7'6" rod and a 7' leader, I can usually muster a cast of about 14.5'.

Mike

Re: How far can you cast in a canoe/kayak?

feeds@kickapps.com (gillbuster) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 06:59:55 PST

Joe,
I have been fishing with a Fenwick glass 8 1/2 foot rod with 8 wt line... it loads great and able to cast okay, but was curious about the overlining concept for more distance with it from a sitting postition

Re: How far can you cast in a canoe/kayak?

feeds@kickapps.com (flflyfishing) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:33:47 PST

Warren,
It looks like you've received some excellent tips. I appreciate the fact that you asked the question because the replies have been very enlightening.

I fish both fresh water (large mouth/pan fish) and salt water (snook,reds, and trout) in a Native Watercraft Ultimate 12. The advantage of using a kayak is of course stealth. I have drifted over big reds who didn't move until the shadow of the kayak landed on them.

Casting 50' is about as much as I can handle. But in order to be accurate I'm most comfortable with 30-40'. Since I'm not able to cast a long distance accurately I rely on the stealth of the kayak to enable me to get closer to the fish. When I've identified a potential spot to cast to I approach very quietly so as not to spook the fish. In order to reduce the number of false casts to a fish (which i'm told can spook fish) I tend to use a setup that loads quickly.

Interesting side note: My kayak is...

Re: How far can you cast in a canoe/kayak?

feeds@kickapps.com (BassYakker) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:41:43 PST

gillbuster wrote:

Bassyakker,
1. Wife and I borrowed kayaks this weekend and gave themt a try. I was in a "Ocean Big Game Kayak", sit on top and 34 " wide. I was surprised at the comfort and stability it had, handled windy weather quit well. My biggest surprise was that I could go in skinny water 4-5" and paddle through lilly pads/milfoil with ease. This is a definite stealthy buggin vehicle. I am seriously considering getting one, next week I am going to borrow it again and try to fly fish from it to see how if goes...

That's great John. Wind is no problem with a kayak (like a canoe) and as far as a fishing platform, it is similar to a float tube (specially short kayaks). Good luck and make sure you try out a bunch of different models if you can>

-Phil

Re: How far can you cast in a canoe/kayak?

feeds@kickapps.com (Cornmuse) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 03:57:54 PST

How many folks over line their fly rods to get a extra distance? That would be my question of fly casting for distance and fishing out of a Kayak... I always went with the recommended line weight but my fly casting is so poor maybe over lining might help me get some distance

First off, welcome to the site. Warren! I hope you're still enjoying the posts you'll find here. It's a great group of folks...

There are many issues that might affect the solution you're looking for. Overlining might help you, but for distance casting there are times when underlining is the way to go. For the record, I don't think that's the right direction right now and going up a line weight may help you feel the rod load easier. Regarding John's question I'll ask first off,...

Re: How far can you cast in a canoe/kayak?

feeds@kickapps.com (pearow) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 03:54:27 PST

bluegilbob has some nice tips; In my yak I have to really punch it to get 60 feet; then my accuracy is not good; 50 feet is about my max, but 40 is probably more realistic. We have the same conditions this time of year and bluegillbob hit it on the head; if the fish can see you, they can see you cast. I fish early and late; overcast skies; when the sun is full i fish the drop-offs with sinking/sink tips and even then its tuff-p-

Re: How far can you cast in a canoe/kayak?

feeds@kickapps.com (gillbuster) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:50:46 PST

Bassyakker,
1. Wife and I borrowed kayaks this weekend and gave themt a try. I was in a "Ocean Big Game Kayak", sit on top and 34 " wide. I was surprised at the comfort and stability it had, handled windy weather quit well. My biggest surprise was that I could go in skinny water 4-5" and paddle through lilly pads/milfoil with ease. This is a definite stealthy buggin vehicle. I am seriously considering getting one, next week I am going to borrow it again and try to fly fish from it to see how if goes...

2. How many folks over line their fly rods to get a extra distance? That would be my question of fly casting for distance and fishing out of a Kayak... I always went with the recommended line weight but my fly casting is so poor maybe over lining might help me get some distance

John

Re: How far can you cast in a canoe/kayak?

feeds@kickapps.com (BassYakker) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:58:36 PST

Hey Warren,

My favorite rod for the kayak is a fast action 8wt with a 10wt line. I took me a while of experimentation to come to this combination, but I can cast it 60+. For lighter rods, I can cast fast sinking tip lines the furthest. I once read where someone stated that you have no casting strength from a kayak because of your leg position, that even in a seated (chair) position (like a seat in a boat or canoe), you have more "core muscles" available to aid in casting. At first, I didn't believe it but now that I pay attention to it, I believe he is right.

That all being said, like those who have posted before me, I am not sure distance is the solution. I have had fish swim under me totally unaware of my kayak (that is orange BTW) and refraction keeps you below their angle of sight. A kayaker biggest enemy is paddle bangs. You might want to try short casts with a long leader...or better yet a clear tip sink line at least one weight bigger...

Re: How far can you cast in a canoe/kayak?

feeds@kickapps.com (bluegillbob) — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 11:13:05 PST

Hi Warren!

Welcome to the forum. I know a pond that is gin clear...I cast far to get to the bigger bass (when I fish during the day).

When flyfishing from a canoe, I'll sneak in...25-30 ft casts. If the fish are spooky, I'll do a few things : 1) cast 50-60ft. 2) fish overcast days, 3) Fish at night, 4) Fish late in the afternoon (close to nightfall).

Don't forget to use a lighter wt. line for spooky fish...I use a 4wt, and it lands softy on the water.

Just remember : if you can see the fish, they can see you!

Cheers,

Robert

Re: How far can you cast in a canoe/kayak?

feeds@kickapps.com (caddis4) — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 08:55:32 PST

Warren,
Not much need for long casts in a 'yak. Just paddle to 'em. Stealth is the key - have a friend who was fishing joppa flats one time and a striper swam along with him UNDER his kayak. Must have wanted to use it as protection from predator birds.
Lou

How far can you cast in a canoe/kayak?

feeds@kickapps.com (warren) — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 07:01:32 PST

Hello;
I've been reading this site on and off for the past year or so and finally decided to join in. I also visit a few other Smallie sites but all the others are river and stream Smallies, which are fished differently than lakes and ponds.

The ponds that I fish are crystal clear ( you would have no trouble seeing a dime at 12 feet), so early in the year they are a little spooky. I have been able to cast out about 50' or so ( 35' colored shooting head, 9' leader and about 5-6' tippet, when all that gets out beyond the tip I know that's at least 50') and would like to know how far can you reasonable expect to cast with a fly rod in a canoe or kayak? What type of set up etc..?

And no I haven't been able to get out yet this year as we still have at least 3-4 weeks of hard water up here..:-)

Thank you.

Warren.