would you kayak fish in winter for holdovers in river
 

i have never fished from a kayak, but did a charter trip this weekend for winter holdover schoolies in a CT river. saw two guys in kayaks.

is that safe at this time of year? water temp was 35 degrees, river is only about 200 yards wide, very calm, almost no boat traffic at that time.

i could see buying a kayak specifically for that fishery, as the fish tend to be concentrated in a small stretch of the river, literally a couple of hundred yards from an easy launch site, so not a long pedal or paddle.

What do you think?

Many many people kayak there. And there are many spots to fish there
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have you ever used a kayak? If the answer is no, then you should consider taking lessons on how to handle one. If it is a sit in then you need to know how to do the Eskimo Roll. It is not trivial and with 35 degree water you will need a wetsuit at a minimum.

Unless it’s a very narrow river not without a dry suit, that temperature water will incapacitate you in minutes, even if your a good swimmer.

Fell in 32 degree water a couple of years ago up to my neck; don't recommend it. Remember, even if you get out before you get hypothermia someone still has to get you in when you're cold and wet
(could be an expensive call to 911; cost me more than 2K for the rescue, and was lucky my wet phone didn't go out). Should have a wet suit at the minimum, and if you're not familiar with it, may not want to go at all. :usd:

A pretty basic tin boat, trailer and motor used won’t cost much more than a good kayak today
Craigslist or Facebook marketplace
And you can take the kids
You still have to be careful
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Kayak choice and experience factor into safety. Even with experience and the best equipment the river can be a dangerous place to kayak. To me it would not be worth the risk to catch a few schoolies. I have never kayaked in water that cold, but i really doubt it is comfortable no matter the equipment. The few times i hooked into fish that were over 20# the fish took me for a ride, luckily the biggest fish pointed out to sea and not into the surf zone. In a river, i suspect an unexperience kayak angler could get into trouble.
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They were fishing?
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No.

I’ve only been kayaking a few times in the white mountains, in rivers, never fishing. would definitely practice a lot first. i’d probably get a sit on top Hobie. and i’d consider getting stabilizing outriggers and/or. dry suit.
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yes, and doing very well. one of them looked like he had a trolling motor with spot lock, as the current was t moving him, he was vertical
jigging and doing well. another guy was trolling small umbrella rigs. looked like a ton of fun, on a clear day if it’s safe.
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It is often the land of idiots. I have seen guys in kayaks with no wetsuit and no life jacket in February with ice floats in the river. All that risk to catch cold-sedated 14" bass.

As a guy that kayak fishes pretty much all year round, yes, it is possible to do it safely. There are lots of knuckleheads out on the water at all times of year, and in all kinds of kayaks and boats alike.

Personally, I've got a full drysuit, VHF radio, life jacket, and a PLB attached to my life jacket. We had some nice weather back in October and November and I saw guys in jeans and hoodies giving the rest of us a bad name. I'm wearing my drysuit generally mid-September thru late May. But I'll even wear it occasionally during the warmer months if the night time temps are going to be a little low, or on the rare occasion I'm out by myself.

Point being, yes it is possible to do it safely. I feel far more safe in my kayak with all my gear than I would in some of the little tin boats I see on the Sound. As far as I'm concerned, as long as the weather isn't uncomfortably cold, I'll fish if I have the chance (and the reason). Holdover winter stripers don't do it for me anymore, I'd honestly rather catch calicos, perch, and catfish as long as the spots aren't frozen over.

From someone who used to fish there 2-3 nights per week all winter, I feel the same way. Now people just hammer the fish, come from all over (NY, Ma, RI) and consider themselves a hero to say they caught 25 a night. It used to be more a social thing where you stop and talk as much as fish but not anymore.

I agree with this especially in this fishery in decline. Sort of fine to cure the fishing itch, but I would rather fish in a managed fishery like for trout where this time of year as I often do not have to share the water with anyone. Winter is better served to catch up on home projects, tie flies, carve plugs, go skiing.

Bill Wetzel stated that striped bass were meant to take from the surf. I agree, and a bass of the same size taken in whitewater will fight ten times harder than any striper i have hooked in the river. Fishing the river can be fun but it is a placeholder for the real thing. Pretty easy to skip it and definitely not worth risking ones neck over.
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So what you're basically saying is that it's the Cape Cod canal but in the winter? :jump:

Jim, I'd pick up a used kayak this spring and see if it's something you really want to do. I've only tried fishing from a kayak a few times but it's not always as glamourous as it seems like it should be. Most of the guys I see who are yakkers really get into it and have a lot of time on the water as well. I'd want at least a season under my belt before I invested in winter gear.

What the hell happened to the 2 Pungos I sold you?

I still have one, the other was taken by you know who.

Glad you have one. We really enjoyed them but we just got too old.

very very smart advice.
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And the the fish are 12" and frozen :huh:

TLapinski, best line of the weekend

not at this age <><