Fishgator - Kayak Fishing Blog

Black Creek Near the Genesee

Took The Kayak out tonight on the Black Creek again, from the launch near the Genesee River. (Right behind the ARC)

Managed to get out around 5 PM, and immediately headed to the backwaters across the way from the launch. The wind was mellow by that point, but I still figured it would be better to get some casts in out of the current first.

Plenty of prime looking water over there, and I missed a hit on a tiny white spinnerbait, which I was speeding along just under the surface. No fish in that section, so I moved on.

I headed up to the section just before the Trail Overpass (two round entrances, about 50 feet wide… interesting to paddle through). I saw signs of a pike feeding near a downed tree, and lined myself up.

There was a couple canoeing towards me, however, so I had to wait. Talked to them briefly as they paddled past. They had put in at Black Creek Park in Wheatland/Churchville. They figured they had to portage about 6 times on the way down. Yuck.

Anyhow, they made it past, and I put in a few strokes to get into position again. I laid the same white spinnerbait 35 or so feet in front of me, and started to bring it across the tops of the downed trees.

WHAM!

This pike didn’t miss… He hit hard, and was off to the races. It was a good fight. He was 18 inches or so, and in good shape. I released him, and moved up past the underpass.

I fished around a little island, and felt a solid thud on one of the casts. I set, but noone was home. I figured it had to be another pike, since it hit with good force. I cast back to the same spot and he hit again, this time sinking the hook.

Didn’t take long to know this was no pike. It was a fiesty little rock bass. They’ve fooled me before. He went about 6 inches or so.

I called my friend Ando to brag on the Rocky (as I always do), and started peddling home.

I saw another backwater, very shallow, and stopped to have a look. There was something, either a bass or a pike, making a fuss over by a downed tree, so I headed in to investigate. One cast later, to the spot I saw him, and a second 18 inch pike was “in the boat”. Two good Western New York creek pike.

It was a good night. I beached at the launch just before dark, and headed home to tell you all about it.

Oatka Creek Brown Trout

Sometimes it’s when you least expect it.

I was wading the Oatka in the Park section, just (and I mean feet) below the downed bridge. I had on a big Adams, size 10 I think, skating it in the rapids below the bridge. Unconventional, I know, but I’ve found it to be effective when other things aren’t working.

Anyhow, I’ve got 20 feet of line in the water downstream of me, and I’m staring upstream, looking for risers, as some bugs had started to come off.

GO-WHAM!

The rod yanks almost out of my hand as I’m ignoring it. I turn quickly and do “due diligence”… I fought the fish for a minute or so I’d say, as it was a decent brown trout (12″ and change), and he was firmly entrenched in the heaviest water on that part of the creek.

Got him in and released him quickly, making my day.

So the fly was totally submerged, just drifting in the current from side to side when he took it.

Beats me. Your guess is as good as mine as to what that trout was thinking.

Kayak Fishing Tools

From time to time I plan on pointing out some fishing tools, as I did with the Wacky Saver a few posts ago.

This one I found through paddling.net, and I think it’s in my future.

Kayak Outrigger for Fishing

Fishing
Our kayak outrigger and platform is an entirely new fishing experience. The platform provides ample storage for all your gear, and the size of your tackle box is no longer an obstacle! With the kayak fishing platform you do not have to settle for a stable but slow kayak. The efficient design of the kayRak outrigger pontoon coupled with a conventional sea-kayak provides an unbelievably stable fishing platform while maintaining speed and efficiency. A kayak provides access to fishing locations unreachable by a powerboat. There are in fact three distinct fishing modes with the kayRak. The optional sport-seat provides the first solution. An electric trolling motor can be added with the optional motor bracket, and the sport-seat provides a much better position for casting and reeling in the big fish. With the optional side-platform, you can quickly paddle to your remote fishing location, then you can sit on your tackle box, or stand on the side platform. The kayRak system is so stable you will think you are standing on a dock. The kayRak is truly a no-compromise solution. Get to the fish quickly, and then fish with ultimate stability.

Sorry BumpZee!

All apologies to the Bumpzee community!  As I was moving my blog from Joomla to Wordpress, I think I double submitted all of my previous posts…  Such is life.

First Kayak Fishing Trip

After making my purchase of the 12′ LiquidLogic Mantaray, with a center mounted and back right mounted rod holders (fly rod and spinning rod interchangeable), I took it out on Black Creek on Sunday afternoon.

I launched from the Churchville boat launch, and styed close to the ramp (within eyesight) as I got used to dealing with wind, current, and fishing all at once.

It was chilly out on Sunday, and I had waterproof pants and a wading jacket on.  The boat didn’t take on too much water though, regardless, and the chill I experienced was all weather related, and not because I was wet.

The fishing was ok.  I missed two pike at the boat, one on a small white spinner bait, and one on a Senko rigged up through a Wacky Saver.  I had several bass hits as well, and saw several follow to the boat.

Outside temperature was in the high fifties, and I’ll bet the creek was about the same, maybe a little higher.  Unfortunately, I didn’t have a thermometer with me to check the water temp.  The wind was steady, and enough to push the boat around.  The wind was the biggest challenge in getting used to kayaking and fishing simultaneously.  I was only able to get 3 or 4 good casts in before I had to paddle back to the other side of the creek.

Most of the pike were holding in the middle.  They both struck at lures as I was taking them out of the water.

The biggest surprise to me was the lack of sunfish in the flats.  Those of you familiar with the Churchville boat launch will know the area I’m talking about,  I had the fly rod out for maybe 45 minutes or so, but couldn’t bring up any sunfish at all.  No hits, no sightings, no nothing.  Very surprising.