Kayak Fishing Trips in Florida to Catch Snook

One of the best places to catch Snook is right here in South Florida. Stuart, Jupiter and Palm Beach, Florida have great populations of these amazing game fish. Taking a kayak fishing trip in Florida is a great way to get up close and personal with a Florida staple.

Snook fishing is best early or late in the day. Your kayak fishing guide likes to start the day by throwing the cast net and catching a dozen or so 8-12 inch mullet in the bait tank. These mullet are for back up for the time 9 am hits and I want to make sure we will still get a bite. Our kayak fishing guides love getting clients bit on artificial, so the first lure that is going to hit the water will be either a Super Spook or a large paddle tail swimbait. Some days an erratic moving bait and other days a straight moving swimbait is the best way to catch Snook. On our kayak fishing trips in Florida we try both baits for a while and see what they are in the mood for.

Your kayak fishing guide will set you up with a 7ft, 10-20lb spinning rod with a 5000 sized reel lined with 30 pound braid attached to 40lb Yozuri Fluorocarbon leader. This set up will give you enough backbone to pull fish out of structure, but at same time not wear you out casting all day. My target locations are seawalls, bridges and docks. When throwing our artificial lures we get parallel to the seawall or dock making sure the lure gets as close to the structure as possible. If we are not having the luck with the lures it’s time to bring out Mister Mullet.

August 31, 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 for Peacock Bass in South Florida

In 1984 the Florida Wildlife Commission of Florida introduced the Butterfly Peacock Bass to the South Florida canal system with the thought of the bass taking control on the other exotic species already present in the system. After 3 years the Peacock Bass did help with the other exotics, but also flourished to become a staple in the South Florida canal systems.

Kayak fishing for these fish is a great way to get access to areas that boats cannot. With the kayak you are able to pull up to almost any section of a canal system and drop right into the best spot before anyone else. Peacock Bass love to hang around structure like bridges and docks. Targeting these locations will sure lead to a hook up. The best bet to landing a few fish is using live bait like shiners. Artificial baits like rattle traps, jerk baits and poppers are also a great way to catch a few. The average size Bass is two to four pounds, but larger ones up to 7 pounds are available.

Peacock Bass are not the only thing you will find lurking in these canal systems. The Clown Knifefish is another non-native species that is highly sought after. These fish were illegally released into the canal systems by residents that didn’t want them in their aquariums anymore. Just like the Bass these fish have thrived in their wild new home. Clowns are best caught on live bait, but a true trophy is when one is taken on artificial. Trolling rattle traps is a great way to pick one up while kayak fishing.

Kayak fishing for Peacock Bass in South Florida is a great experience that can only be done in this area of the country. There are plenty of fish of all different species to be caught. Get out there and knock a new species off your bucket list.

August 6, 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

Offshore Kayak Fishing – Big Fish Small Boat

We provide many different fishing trips to cater to anglers wants and needs, but the most requested fishing trip is an offshore kayak fishing adventure. The thought of catching a big fish from a small boat sparks curiosity in people’s minds on how to do it. Pushin’ Water is lucky to be based in an area on the southern coast of Florida where accessing deep water is within a mile from shore. We are also lucky enough to have a full fleet of Hobie Outback Kayaks. These kayaks use the method of pedaling instead of paddling. Having the ability to use your legs to propel yourself leaves your hands free to fish and have a much more enjoyable day on the water.

Kayak fishing South Florida at our Delray Beach launch location is the closest spot to deep water on the whole East Coast of the United States. It roughly takes 15-20 minutes of pedaling from beach to 90 feet of water. Once we hit 90 feet, baits hit the water and the likelihood of hooking into that big fish has just sky rocketed. Offshore kayak fishing for Mahi, Kingfish, Tuna, Sailfish, Wahoo and Cobia are all available within a 20 minute pedal from shore! Kayak fishing South Florida can make you a Florida sportsman within minutes.

Fishing Review

Here is a fishing review from John C. who had a great time with us and became a true Florida Sportsman by kayak fishing South Florida!

“Brian put us on an all time epic sailfish bite yesterday. We started out early from Boynton Inlet and it was only a short paddle out to the fishing grounds. Within half an hour we tripled up on sailfish! It was mayhem for thirty seconds before one broke off and the other two went in opposite directions and dragged us all over. We doubled up again 45 minutes later, hooked a dolphin for dinner 30 minutes after that and less than 2 minutes after the dolphin was in the boat hooked into our 6th sailfish. This was easily the most fun we’ve ever had on a fishing trip. It was amazing action which was that much more fun because we were doing it in 12ft boats. I can’t recommend this enough.” – John C.

July 10, 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

Glass Minnows, Tuna, Mahi

Inshore Glass minnows have showed up in good numbers and our weak spring mullet run will be right around corner. Artificial baits like DOA Cal Shad Tails, jerk bait and terror eyes will work well around the mangroves, docks and bridges. April also brings tripletail into our river system. Look to target crab trap buoys and channel markers with live shrimp to bring in these tasty fish. Offshore April is the best month of the year! Tuna and Mahi should be in full force. Trolling Sealime Lures should pick up both species as well as other pelagics. Vertical jigging 230-350 feet will also produce blackfin tuna and bonita. There are many beach areas to launch your kayak throughout Palm Beach County. The fishing grounds off our coast are anywhere form 1-3 miles. Look to work the normal 90-200ft depths. Finally don’t forget about the cobia. Bouncing the reef will put you in line for one of these tasty fish. Check us out Pushin’ Water Kayak Charters on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for all the latest adventures my clients and I get into. See you on the water!

April 12, 2017 Brian 0