Kayak Fly fishing

celticfisherman · #1 07-08-2008, 11:36 AM

I started fly fishing 20 years ago and have never been great but capable. I just started this year fishing out of a kayak. Anyone got any advice on casting while sitting? It just feels awkward and difficult. I am a big guy and even in my Ultimate I have trouble standing and casting. Any advice on casting sitting in a yak?

chico · #2 07-08-2008, 12:07 PM

It is a little difficult to get used to, but I have found the longer the rod, the better. But with a little practice, like anything else, you become more proficient.

If you are in a SOT kayak and can sit with your legs over the side, you may find that a little easier than with them our stretched in front of you.

celticfisherman · #3 07-08-2008, 01:14 PM

Thanks. I was considering getting a 10' 6 wt for bass fishing. I can sit sideways on any of my Wilderness Systems boats but unfortunately not on the Ultimate. It does help.

chico · #4 07-08-2008, 02:33 PM

YW. I use a 9' 6wt the really picks line up well. I'm using a WS Tarpon Angler. but I see what you mean with the Ultimate

Dick Blakely · #5 08-17-2008, 03:59 PM

Celtic, I fly fish out of a Hobie Quest, and really enjoy casting from the Kayak. Usually long cast are not required, my usual way to fly fish out of the kayak, is drop the hook (anchor) mounted on the stern and swing both feet over the side and working an area that way. My favorite, depending on the location, depth, stream flow, is to anchor get out and wade and keep the cold beer in the kayak. I practice

by going out in my front yard with my different combos, 3-6 weight and sitting in the grass and casting. Sounds silly but sitting vs standing casting the mechanics are really not different, the main thing is enjoying the moment. Fish for reds and trout in N.Fla. and float the Suwannee and Withlacoochee (sp.) for bass and red breast. Did a five day trip in Virgina, fishing the Rappahanock for small mouth and would anchor and wade, beautiful river and country. good luck, dick

celticfisherman · #6 08-17-2008, 04:27 PM

I am considering a float on the With or the Suwannee soon for Suwanne bass.

I fish Keaton Beach A LOT and have grown up fishing St. Marks so for red fish and trout it's on down there. Some of the best in the world. And I have chased reds from NC to Texas.

Open water is easy to get used to casting sitting down. However moving and sitting down a river has been a challenge. I have been doing a lot more wading lately.

dmwphoto · #7 08-17-2008, 05:10 PM

I am just starting to do the dsame thing. I have a wildersess system Tarpon 120 sit on top and am using a 9 foot 5 and 9 weight rods. It is much easier than I expected and going very well.

Cole · #8 01-31-2009, 01:00 AM

If you have an ultimate you need to be standing and casting.

My dad is fairly big, 230 and has no problem standing and casting. Sure you might fall in a couple of times, but if you practice, you will get the hang of it.

I have never fallen in on my ultimate, but I am a skinny young punk.

Richard · #9 02-01-2009, 09:39 PM

Sitting certainly can feel more awkward. Practice helps. From my experence in canoes and kayaks, improving that backcast is a major help. A lot of folks don't look at their backcast and don't realize what's happening behind them. Sitting low to the water can mean a lot of slapping the water behind you if your backcast is not what it should be. A longer rod may help some...but better is to practice that backcast so the line is going straight back or ascending on the the backcast. Learning and practicing a better technique and shifting to more of a front to back motion, rather than up and down, I think, will help reduce that awkward feeling.

Richard · #10 02-04-2009, 07:32 AM

Reflecting on the comments here, I remembered that a lot of the photos I see of folks on Sit on Tops show them in a semi-reclining position i.e. leaning backwards. That would, for me, be a more awkward position to cast from. It looks like when you swing your legs over the side of an SOT, you immediately are able to assume a more erect posture...makeing casting easier. That's probably why I enjoy fishing from a canoe. Sitting on the seat or occassionaly kneeling means that I maintain a more erect posture than when I may be in or on a kayak with my legs stretched out in front...with knees at or above the level of my hips.
Casting seated in a kayak is about the same as casting when standing waist deep in water...except the angle of your back. Even when just paddling a kayak, I prefer to adjust the angle of the backrest to maintain a more erect posture. Readjusting the backrest; or changing it out to get something with more lumbar and back support may help make casting easier.