November Kayak Fishing Forecast

Inshore Kayak Fishing

November will bring on the cooler weather and give the fish some relief from the heat. Snook, redfish, trout, bluefish and spanish mackerel should be on your radar. Kayak fishing the inlets, docks and seawalls will produce most of the inshore species. The bluefish and spanish mackerel will prefer a fast presentation like ripping a spoon or jig across the upper water column. Snook and other mentioned species will be holding on the bridges and seawalls looking to pick off glass minnows and mullet. Kayak fishing can be challenging in some of these high current areas, but using Hobie kayaks like the ones we provide makes the experience a breeze.

Offshore KAYAK FISHING

Last month we had the worst weather I can remember, most all days kept us inshore. Now with November coming around we again get into our normal windy season. Northeast winds will start to push through this month making the surf an issue for each trip. When you hit the beach to go on an offshore kayak fishing trip, take some time and watch the waves. Most of the time you can see there is a pattern of a few big sets and a calm period. Time it out right, pedal that Hobie kayak hard and stay dry. Fish will start to move in shallow as the cold fronts push through. Look to target mahi, kings and sails in the 80-120’ area trolling a Sealime Lure to pick up a few fish. Don’t forget about the bottom fishing as well. Muttons and yellowtails will be lurking in the 60-100’ reef patches. Frozen sardines, live mullet and frozen gogs will work best.

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!

Brian Nelli

772-201-5899

Brian@tckayakfishing.com

www.tckayakfishing.com

October 6, 2017 Brian 0

Kayak Fishing Charters during Snook Season in Florida

After a long summer of only catch and release September 1^st 2017 marks the start of Snook season. From the first until December 14^th anglers are allowed to harvest one Snook in the slot size of 28-32 inches on the Atlantic side of Florida. Snook are one of the tastiest inshore species and Kayak anglers along the east coast of Florida anxiously wait for this time period. Booking a kayak fishing charter during this time will put the odds in your favor to bring home a great meal.

To Catch a Snook in season is relatively easy, but getting one in the slot is the tricky part. Luckily at this time also marks the start of the mullet bait run. Live mullet are readily available to cast net and used for bait. Finger mullet (3-5 inches) I find are the right size to entice a slot sized Snook while on a kayak fishing charter. Don’t overlook using your typical artificial baits as well. I love throwing DOA shad tails and swimbaits in the 3-5 inch range.

My target locations to catch a Snook in the slot are going to be seawalls, bridges and docks near the inlet. These are easy ambush spots for Snook moving out of the inlets from their summer spawn. When I am throwing artificial lures or live bait I get parallel to the seawall or dock making sure that the bait is as close to the structure as it can be. I will then work the area with a few casts and then keep moving. Targeting areas with the most current has always proven to be the best bet to catch a Snook.

To Learn more or to book your trip today click on the link below, Brian is always ready to answer any question you may have & help you get the best catch for your buck!

August 30, 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

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

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