Kayak Fishing Forecast

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The mullet bait run is upon us. Snook, tarpon, redfish and trout will all be cooperating this month. Matching the hatch will be your best bet during this time. Super spooks, DOA bait buster’s and anything that has the shape of a mullet will be the go to baits while kayak fishing. With the presence of so much mullet bait, the thought then goes to how do I get my lure the one that gets hit. I like trying to go with colors that stand out in the pack. Try dark or bright colors to get the attention away from the group of bait. Focus your cast on the edges of the mullet bait schools and you will do well.

Offshore

The shallow fall dolphin run should start to take effect this month, giving anglers kayak fishing a better shot at them Look for them to start to move into the more attainable depths from 250-100 foot of water. Another thing to get excited about is the snapper bite. Look to target Mutton snapper and yellowtail snapper in 60-100ft of water. I love using mullet this time of year for both bottom fishing and trolling. It is readily available and a great hardy bait to keep alive while kayak fishing.

Freshwater

The peacock bass and clownkife fishing will really be taking off in the coming months. Look to fish structure like bridges to find the bite. Live shiners are always the go to bait, but during this time don’t overlook a finger mullet as well. Mullet will survive in the freshwater long enough for them to be crushed by a hungry peacock bass or largemouth bass. Finally as an artificial option try using DOA jerk baits or rattle traps to entice a bite.

September 19, 2017 Brian 0

Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters your go to Kayak Fishing Guide Service

Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters was founded in 2010 on the Treasure Coast of Florida. In the beginning
our kayak fishing guide service was a one man show focusing on the inshore flats and beaches of places
like Stuart, Jensen Beach and Fort Peirce Florida. Over the years our offerings have grown to include
offshore kayak fishing as well as freshwater kayak fishing for peacock bass and other exotics.

Kayak fishing guide Brian Nelli has been kayak fishing the inshore and offshore waters of South Florida
since 2006. Time on the water over the last 11 years has provided Brian with a wealth of knowledge on
the kayak fishing in South Florida. Since 2009 Brian has been competing in kayak fishing tournaments all
over the world and currently he sits at the top of the all-time win list of the Extreme Kayak Fishing
Tournament series with three.

We could go on and on about our kayak fishing guide Brian’s accomplishments and history, but the true
accomplishment is how Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters translates the years of experience into providing
the client an amazing a kayak fishing trip they won’t soon forget. From learning how to catch a snook to
landing your first sailfish, we can help you catch the fish of your dreams. Below is a breakdown of the
areas and species our kayak fishing guides cover.

Stuart

Jupiter

Palm Beach

Delray Beach

Pompano Beach

September 4, 2017 Brian 0

Offshore Kayak Fishing Charters in Florida

Offshore kayak fishing has become the most requested kayak fishing charter that we receive. I thought of catching a fish as big as your kayak has people jumping at the chance to experience the thrill. Different parts of Florida offer different offshore experiences. For Example, The panhandle offers some great bottom fishing and occasional pelagics. Within kayak range, the west central area offers shots at the mackerel species, tarpon and some reef species. Here in South Florida we have most everything available all within a mile of shore. When it is time to book your offshore kayak fishing charter in Florida here are a few things to help get you the experience you are after.

Figure out what species you want to target

If you have a family vacation planned to visit Jacksonville and want a day alone on the water don’t get your hopes up to hook into a sailfish. No matter how much the guide tells you there is a chance.

Figure out the best time of year to catch the fish you are after

In South Florida a lot of species are seasonal. For example, if you are looking to catch Mahi Spring and Fall are your best options. If you are searching for that fat Blackfin Tuna, May through June would be the time to book a trip.

3. Research your guide

The good old phrase of “you get what you pay for” comes into play here. There are many so called kayak fishing guides around the state of Florida. Take your time and research them, how long have they been in business, ask friends for recommendations, ask local tackle shops who they know is a reputable guide, look for reviews on social media, trip advisor etc. Jumping into a trip with the first outfitter that pops up on google could set you up for disappointment.
Hopefully the day will come when you get the chance to chase your dream fish from a kayak. Hopefully some of this info will help steer you in the right direction of a quality offshore kayak fishing charter in Florida.

August 21, 2017 Brian 0

Kayak Fishing in Florida

Kayak Fishing in Florida provides many great opportunities. We are lucky enough at Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters to be located in the southeast coast of South Florida. From inshore and offshore saltwater to inland freshwater kayak fishing we got it all. Here are some of the best areas to fish in South Florida throughout the year.

Martin County

Stuart

It is called the sailfish capital of the world, but for us kayak fisherman it is more known for its nearshore and inshore fishery due to Stuart’s proximity to deep water. There is a wide range of species that can be caught in this area depending on the time of year. Let’s look at your best bets by season.

Spring – Large Seatrout are my favorite to target this time of year. The spring is their breeding time and they are plump and hungry. Mangrove lines, channel edges and docks will hold a few of these pigs. Offshore kayak fishing the shallow water wrecks will yield Cobia and Permit. These two are always on my mind during this time.
Summer – marks breeding season for Snook. Look for these big girls to stack in the inlets and bridges near them. Live bait is always best, but trying jigs and other bottom bouncing lures work as well.
Fall – will bring on the mullet bait run. Fishing the beaches for Tarpon is a blast when these big bait balls start to come through.
Winter – kayak fishing in Stuart is all about pompano and Spanish Mackerel. I enjoy fishing for pompano in the Indian River Lagoon instead of off the beach. Fishing the flats near the inlet is a sure bet to catch a few. Finally, the Spanish Mackerel stack up just off the beaches for their spawning session. These fish can be caught cast after cast and are a blast on light tackle.

Palm Beach County

Jupiter

Has one of the most beautiful inlets on the east coast of Florida ad is topped off by the Historic Jupiter lighthouse. The scenery is spectacular, but the fishing is even better. Let’s get into your best bets.

Spring – west of the inlet and closer to the mouth of the Loxahatchee River can produce some really good Tripletail fishing during this time. Channel markers and crab pot buoys will hold these guys looking to pick off a live shrimp or baitfish.
Summer – Jupiter is the capital of inlet Snook fishing. The big breeders stack in this inlet to feed and find a mate. Live bait on incoming tides fished near the bottom will put a few in the kayak.
Fall – This area is also hit hard with a mullet bait run. Big Jacks, Sharks, Tarpon and Snook will all be focused on the large schools that come down the coast.
Winter – Spanish Macks, Pompano and Bluefish are a lot of fun kayak fishing just off the beach. Light tackle and small bucktail jigs will give you a chance to bring a few fish home.

Palm Beach

Singer Island provides great beaches and resorts all right next to the Palm Beach Inlet. There are many kayaking activities in this area. Snorkeling Peanut Island is a favorite of mine. Many species of reef fish inhabit the islands snorkeling rock piles. Here are your best bets for kayak fishing Palm Beach.

Spring – Mahi will start to make their way into offshore kayak fishing range. Tolling your normal live bait like google eyes and blue runners will entice these guys to bite.
Summer – Palm Beach Inlet is another great place to target the breeder Snook. Fishing lures like a DOA Terror Eyz and live bait near the bottom will work great.
Fall – My favorite thing to do during the fall is bottom fish offshore for mutton snapper and yellow tail snapper. The reason being is that there is so much finger mullet bait around. These baits are like candy for any snapper.
Winter – Barracudas and Sharks will keep the rods bent during the colder months. Fishing around Peanut Island is a great place to start looking for fish.

Delray Beach

Just south of the Boynton Beach Inlet sits Delray Beach. The coastal city is known for its upscale shopping and fine restaurants, but we are here to talk about kayak fishing! Let’s check out the best bets.

Spring – If the weather cooperates this is also a great area to kayak fish offshore for big mahi. I like using mullet if they are around, but any live bait or even dead will work.
Summer – kayak fishing the beach will put you in line for Snook and big Tarpon. I like to slow troll with live bait and have another rod ready with a lure to throw at any rolling fish.
Fall – is always going to focus around the mullet run. Fishing the beaches and anywhere close to Boynton Beach inlet will get you a chance at the many species feeding on the mullet. This is also a great time to head inland for Peacock Bass. Kayak fishing Delray Beach in the Lake Ida area can produce days of 50 plus fish.
Winter – This time of year can also be amazing Peacock Bass Fishing, but all depends on how cold it gets. If we don’t have any long periods of temperatures in the low 40’s or lower the bite should be going off.

Broward County

Pompano Beach

This area is an offshore kayak fishing heaven with its many artificial reefs just off the coast. The Pompano Beach Pier is located just south of Hillsboro inlet and is where the largest offshore kayak fishing tournament takes place every year. Let’s look at the best kayak fishing options.

Spring – Blackfin Tuna is a sure bet just off the coast of Pompano Beach. Vertical Jigging and Live bait work well this time of year. The larger fish are usually around in May.
Summer – Offshore kayak fishing is a home run for the Summer months. Snapper, kingfish, sailfish, tuna and wahoo are all available when you kayak fish this part of Florida.
Fall – Mullet, mullet, mullet once again. Kayak fish the inlet, the beach and anywhere you find the bait; the big fish won’t be far behind. Try using baits like a DOA baitbuster and other mullet like imitations.
Winter – Kingfish make their way south to Key West for the winter months. Try to kayak fish offshore for them come November and December to pick them off before they get down south.

August 1, 2017 Brian 0

Offshore Kayak Fishing Pompano Beach for Tournament Winning Kingfish

Pompano Beach marks the location of one of the biggest offshore kayak fishing tournaments in the United States. The Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament brings out some of the best kayak fishermen from all over the world all looking to come out on top. The best way to get to walk up on stage and hoist that trophy is by targeting tournament winning kingfish. These tournaments are almost always won with one or two good size kingfish. Using the right equipment and bait will give you the chance to bring home the cash.

Tournament winning kingfish need to be prepared for by first off using the right bait. Big goggle eyes, Blue runners, large mullet and speedos are all great options. Next comes your wire rigs. 60 pound wire is a minimum for me when using large baits to attract tournament winning kingfish. A Double stinger rig is most likely going to be needed as these baits are anywhere from 10-14inches. You ideally want one stinger to be at the midpoint of the bait and one near the tail for those short strikes.

After you have figured out your rigs and live bait, finding the location of where to fish in Pompano Beach is next. The kingfish in this area can be anywhere from 60-180 foot so taking one day to fish before the tournament is a good idea. Generally these kingfish will stay in a general area and depth for a few days to a week. A general rule of thumb is to look in the 90-130 foot range to start. If nothing happening move out to deeper water or try putting a bait deeper in the water column with a line weight or downrigger.

Offshore kayak fishing in Pompano Beach has become very popular and only looks to get bigger. Get out there and try to catch that tournament winning kingfish. Hope to see you on stage!

July 21, 2017 Brian 0

5 Reasons Why You Are Not Catching a Big Fish

5 Proper Gear

It all starts with having the right gear to be able to stand up to a big fish while kayak fishing. Choose gear that is reputable. The reel should have a quality drag system to be able to withstand a large fish whether it be inshore or offshore fishing. Choose a rod that will allow you to bring the fish in with ease. The longer the fish is on the line and not in your kayak the easier for something to go wrong and lose your trophy fish. Choose a kayak that is stable and built for fishing. Dropping $200 on a kayak at your local big box store is probably not the best route to success of catching a big fish.

4 Location

Some research should go into your plan to catching a big fish from your kayak. Locating structure, weeds, drop offs and anything different then the surrounding area are your starting points. Next find the bait. Baitfish eat small fish, shrimp and other small creatures. Locating an area where these small creatures hangout is a sure bet to find larger fish. Once you have a list of areas that meet these prerequisites ask people that are out there fishing. Go to the boat ramps and ask online. There are plenty of people that are willing to help other kayakers out.

3 Time of Year

The time of year plays a big role in kayak fishing for a big fish. Spawning times are the best times of year for catching a big fish for any species. Gator Seatrout are always caught during their spawn in the spring, monster snook in early summer and smoker kingfish throughout the summer months. Learning where and when your desired species spawn will put you on the path to your trophy fish.

2 Big Bait

The old saying of “if you want to catch a big fish you have to use a big bait”. For most species this statement holds true. Using large baits will get the attention of a big fish looking to fill its big belly. Offshore large mullet, blue runners and speedos have proven to be tournament winning baits. Inshore big mullet, pigfish and ladyfish will give you the chances for big tarpon, snook, redfish and seatout.

1 Hire a Guide

If you want to go kayak fishing to catch a big fish you should hire a guide that knows the best times and locations to find the trophy fish you are after. Guides like myself take the time to teach you why we are fishing a certain area and provide tips on how to help you become a better angler and find big fish!

July 17, 2017 Brian 0

Kayak Fishing: The Start for Pushin’ Water

I can still remember the first day I went deep blue fishing in the Atlantic Ocean with my Hobie Quest. Rolling over the gentle waves of a northeast swell was a strange feeling for an inshore fisherman. As I paddled out to the depths and the sun rose over the horizon, I officially began a new chapter in my kayak fish career.

Kayak Fishing in 2011

After a year of learning artificial lure tactics, I wanted something more. I needed a sailfish. At the time, sailfish were not really being caught from a kayak and it was a big deal to catch one in the state of Florida. Also at the time, using live bait in the kayak was not a technique I felt comfortable with. So, I set out multiple times with dead sardines and had no luck. Months went by and still had yet to get my hands on a sailfish.

March 16, 2011, I decided to try again. I went to kayak fish at dawn straight out of the Palm Beach Inlet with a fresh box of frozen sardines. The wind was blowing well with a stiff 10-15mph northeast breeze. I made my way out 130 feet, set out two flat line sardines on triple J hooks and started drifting. Thirty minutes went by with nothing to show, but then it happened. In the distance, I see a sailfish jumping.

I quickly looked back at my lines and saw nothing was happening. Confused and disappointed I sat and waited. One minute later, I hear that fateful noise of my drag peeling. I grabbed the rod, slightly tightened up the drag and there she was in all her glory, breaking the surface. I steadied myself and prepared for the fight as she greyhounded into the distance.

To my rear, I hear people cheering me on from a boat. I had the biggest grin on my face, but all I could think about was to keep tight. Nearing the midpoint of the fight and taking 3 foot waves over the bow, I felt I had a good chance to land this fish. The last half of the fight was within 5-10 feet of my kayak. She kept swimming like she had energy for days. I finally made the decision to put on the pressure or I would never get her within reach. After thirty minutes, I got her to start circling and I finally attempted to grab her bill. Once I grabbed her, she gave a good little fight in my grasp and finally settled down in order for me to snap a few pictures. After examining this beautiful creature for a few minutes, I gave her a good revival and off to the deep blue fishing depths she swam.

July 3, 2017 Brian 0

Pompano Beach Florida | How to Catch and Release a Sailfish from a Kayak

Kayak Fishing in Pompano Beach Florida

The Set Up

The most widely used technique is slow trolling. Tackle for targeting sailfish is very specific; a 6’6” to 7” 30-50lb rod, with a reel that will hold at least 300 yards is the ideal setup. I use spinning reels because that’s what I am accustomed too, but a conventional reel works just as well. I prefer using 30-40 pound braided line. Combining the braid with 15 feet of 40-60lb fluorocarbon leader has proven to be an effective combination. The size of the hook will depend on the size of your bait; smaller bait means a smaller hook. I use a 5/0-7/0 inline circle hook exclusively. If you are specifically targeting sails a circle hook should always be used to ensure a healthy release.

Properly Rigging Live Bait

There are many types of bait to use when trying to catch and release, from live goggle eye to dead squid. The top two baits fishing off Pompano Beach are live goggle eye or small blue runners. You can rig these baits through the nostrils or for a better hook up ratio, bridle the bait. This technique will expose the entire hook for a better shot at hooking the fish. When slow trolling you want to go just fast enough to keep the bait away from your kayak. If you think you are going slow, go slower. I like to be moving at about one to one and a half miles per hour. Sails in the Pompano Beach area are attracted to structure, drop offs, current and temperature changes in depths from 40’-300’. When you begin slow trolling for sailfish, start shallow and work your way to deeper water in a zigzag pattern. Moving shallow to deep and deep to shallow repeatedly will help you find fish quicker.

Keep your drag loose!

A lot of times these fish will hit the bait with its bill or hold it in its mouth then drops the bait immediately when they feel the tension of your line. If and when that happens, free spool your bait. Most of the time the fish will turn right around and pick it back up. When the fish finally commits and takes off with the bait engage your reel keeping constant tension. When that sail feels that hook in its mouth it will go nuts dancing across the surface in all directions. Stay focused and land the fish quickly if possible.

When landing a sail use a pair of gloves to handle the bill of the fish, as it will destroy your hand if you have nothing to cover it. Snap a quick photo and take the time to revive it. Holding the fish into the current while alongside the kayak until you feel the fish biting and using its tail will revive the fish quickly.

For more information or to book your trip call Brian at 772-201-5899 or click the button below

June 12, 2017 Brian 0