Silent Running
Posted: September 3rd, 2012, 4:30 pm
....and a sore butt and arms.
OK, I'll admit it. I've embraced the dark side.
Recently bought the Native Watercraft kayak that was listed here and today was the maiden voyage after having a tailgate extension built (by Metal Fabrication 
) and some other rigging done. My goal was to get a feel for how it handled, with fishing a bonus. Good thing, 'cause it was slow. The yak tracks well and is very stable. It has a tunnel design and I was able to float in water no deeper than my hand. Will take a little getting used to the drift and anchoring aspects, but overall I'm stoked. Should be able to stand on occasion once I get my balance.
Launched at Wakulla Beach around 7:30. There were two other kayaks and a canoe there and before I got back in I passed another 9. So much for uncrowded water. It was a holiday, though, and everyone was friendly. Tide was falling hard and I paddled out to the big oyster bar hoping to find a red. Tons of mullet everywhere, along with some glass minnows. Water is still stained, but clearing. No idea of temperature, but the drips felt warm. Saw a school of jacks harassing bait out towards Shell Point but they were gone quickly. Worked my way back into the mouth of Goose Creek and had two good blow-ups on the Hall 'em In Hitchcock (white/red head) topwater, but no contact. Neither trout would come back for more.
Had a turtle surface right next to me and I paddled real close to several wading/foraging birds. The yak is definitely stealthy, but not that much quieter than when I'm poling the boat. Gain a few inches on the draft vs. the boat, though.
Tide had totally bottomed out as I made my way back to the ramp. Pushed a couple nice wakes out of the grass/sand but it was too skinny and grassy to work the plug. The DOA glow shrimp earlier only produced one timid tap. The other anglers I talked to hadn't done anything either. It might have picked up with the incoming water, but I wanted to get back to see the Braves beat the Rockies. I won't be putting the Bayshore on the market anytime soon, but this new addition to the Silverking fleet has a lot of potential, especially this winter. But before I go again I'm going to come up with some padding for the seat frame. That aluminum tubing don't give!
OK, I'll admit it. I've embraced the dark side.
Recently bought the Native Watercraft kayak that was listed here and today was the maiden voyage after having a tailgate extension built (by Metal Fabrication ) and some other rigging done. My goal was to get a feel for how it handled, with fishing a bonus. Good thing, 'cause it was slow. The yak tracks well and is very stable. It has a tunnel design and I was able to float in water no deeper than my hand. Will take a little getting used to the drift and anchoring aspects, but overall I'm stoked. Should be able to stand on occasion once I get my balance. Launched at Wakulla Beach around 7:30. There were two other kayaks and a canoe there and before I got back in I passed another 9. So much for uncrowded water. It was a holiday, though, and everyone was friendly. Tide was falling hard and I paddled out to the big oyster bar hoping to find a red. Tons of mullet everywhere, along with some glass minnows. Water is still stained, but clearing. No idea of temperature, but the drips felt warm. Saw a school of jacks harassing bait out towards Shell Point but they were gone quickly. Worked my way back into the mouth of Goose Creek and had two good blow-ups on the Hall 'em In Hitchcock (white/red head) topwater, but no contact. Neither trout would come back for more.
Had a turtle surface right next to me and I paddled real close to several wading/foraging birds. The yak is definitely stealthy, but not that much quieter than when I'm poling the boat. Gain a few inches on the draft vs. the boat, though.
Tide had totally bottomed out as I made my way back to the ramp. Pushed a couple nice wakes out of the grass/sand but it was too skinny and grassy to work the plug. The DOA glow shrimp earlier only produced one timid tap. The other anglers I talked to hadn't done anything either. It might have picked up with the incoming water, but I wanted to get back to see the Braves beat the Rockies. I won't be putting the Bayshore on the market anytime soon, but this new addition to the Silverking fleet has a lot of potential, especially this winter. But before I go again I'm going to come up with some padding for the seat frame. That aluminum tubing don't give!
Good luck w/ the new ride.