Category: Kayak Fishing

Kayak Fishing Delray Beach Fishing Report

Inshore Kayak Fishing

December will start to bring a few cold fronts our way. During the winter months, when water temps drop, targeting areas that warm quickly like docks, mangroves, mud flats and potholes will be the best bet. Getting out a little later in the day to allow those areas to warm will help you put more fish in the kayak. Sheephead are a favorite of mine to target during this time. These fish are easy to catch on just pieces of dead or live shrimp around docks, bridges and channels while kayak fishing Delray Beach

 

delray beach kayak fishing

Offshore Kayak Fishing

Offshore Kayak fishing during the winter months are heavily weather dependent. With our usual heavy winds out of the Northeast try to find a day with a little less wind to pick catch your favorite pelagic species. Sailfish, mahi, kings and wahoo should be your targets. Frisky google eyes and blue runners will be your best options. While offshore kayak fishing Delray Beach, trolling the 90-200ft depths will give you the best shot at a bite. Finally don’t neglect the nearshore bite for spanish mackerel, bluefish and others. These fish can be a lot of fun on light tackle when maybe the other big pelagics are not cooperating.

Freshwater KAYAK FISHING

Depending on how cold it gets the peacock bass, largemouth bass and clown knifefish bite should continue to be great. Live shiners and or shad are your best bets. All 3 of these fish will be looking for deeper water when the water temps get colder. Find the right depth and you will find the fish. 

Offshore kayak fishing delray beach kingfish

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    November Kayak Fishing Forecast

    kayak fishing redfish

    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 sealime lure

    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

    Jupiter kayak fishing Tarpon snook

    Jupiter Kayak Fishing during the Fall Mullet Bait Run

    The Fall season brings the almighty mullet bait run to South Florida. During this time these baits make their way down the Atlantic Ocean coastline. Snook, Tarpon, Jacks, Sharks and all other predators are following these large schools to join in on the feast.

     

    The Jupiter kayak fishing area is a great place to target the Snook, Tarpon and Jacks feeding on the mullet bait schools. Fishing along the beaches is the first place to start. Getting out early is best to find a school of mullet and be able to stick with them for the day. Predators won’t be far from any school, so if you can just locate one school you should be in business. If the weather forces you off the beach don’t worry, these schools get pushed in and out of the Jupiter Inlet with the daily tides. Look to set up at ambush points around bridges, docks and seawalls along the river for your best shot at a bite.

     

    Using live mullet for bait is the best bet, but when these fish are fired up around the schools most mullet bait artificial will work just as good. I love getting 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.

     

    The Jupiter kayak fishing basic fishing set up is 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.

    Kayak Fishing Forecast

    mullet bait kayak fishing

    InshorE

    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.

    Mullet Bait Mahi Mahi 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.

    kayak fishing trip in florida catch snook

    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.

    kayak fishing guide snook on kayak fishing trip in florida

    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.

    kayak fishing charter during snook season

    Kayak Fishing Charters during Snook Season in Florida

    After a long summer of only catch and release September 1st 2017 marks the start of Snook season. From the first until December 14th 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.

     

    Snook season kayak fishing charter

    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!

    Kayak Fishing Charter in Florida

    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.

    1. 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.

    1. 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.

    offshore kayak fishing charter in Florida

           3. Research your guide

    1. 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.

    clown-knifefish-south-florida-kayak-fishing

    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.

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    peacock-bass-south-florida-kayak-fishing
    peacock-bass-clown-knifefish-kayak-fishing
    Kayak Fishing Trips Kayak Fishing Trips Palm Beach County

    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.

     

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    snook kayak fishing stuart florida (1)

    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.
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    Jupiter kayak fishing Florida sailfish

    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.
    kayak fishing palm beach snook
    palm beach kayak fishing florida kingfish

    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.
    kayak fishing delray beach florida mahi mahi
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    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.
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    Offshore Kayak Fishing Pompano Beach for Tournament Winning Kingfish

    offshore kayak fishing tournament winning kingfish
    Tournament winning kingfish at Pompano Beach
    2013 offshore kayak fishing tournament winning kingfish Kayak Fishing Photo Champion

    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!