anybody here fished it in a yak? I am considering it this Saturday, as I found that there were 40 spots available. I am actually interested in light tackle tilapia fishing. I will definitely have some power worms with me though.

Thanks,
Scooter

Scooter, I bank fish it all the time but I have never had my kayak down there. And, I have never seen one, either, only large bass boats.

Assuming there is no restriction on kayaking out there, if I were you I'd launch at the boat ramps, cross the cove they are located in, follow the shoreline around and to the north and get back up in the creek pretty far. You'll find plenty of tilapia back up in there, bass, too. And, you will be insulated from the boat traffic to a degree.

But, generally speaking, the main body of the lake back down to the south and the dam area? It is extremely turbulent with boats flying around at high speeds creating endless large waves. And, the lake already catches big breezes, too.

If you make this trip, it ought to be a hoot! Ideally, what you might want to do is pick your season a bit better. The boats really stack up out there over the winter months whereas in the summer, they have so many alternatives and the lake doesn't catch the same amount of traffic.

Give us a report back if you make the trip!

Brad

That is what I was noticing, seems like there is a tournament everyday! My original plan was to just bank it, but when I saw the openings I got excited. May try the bank first to see what the layout is. Brad, there any chance of catching any tilapia in the park area?

Scooter

Scooter,

Most of the tilapia I have seen caught out there by those sort of targeting them from the bank have been in coves with some standing timber. I'd try the area near the boat ramp, that little cove there, then follow the loop around where the boats exit and there is an open gate there for bank fishermen to drive in, go down to a tight turn and there is a little cove there where I have seen tilapia caught. And, just beyond that hair-pin turn, there is a gravelly beach which is another good point.

Still, the kayak idea is a really good one as long as you pick your day carefully and stay far to the north.

Brad

A buddy was there a few months ago, bank fishing for Tilapia. Around the marina. He caught about 60 and said that he caught a Channel Cat for every 5 or so Tilapia. Using nightcrawlers.

Thanks guys. I think I may hold off on the kayak until there arent bass tourneys everyday. Like you said, summer would be a great time to go. I checked out the tourney thread in the Bass Section, and there is a tournament EVERYDAY the lake is open for boats.

I will give it a try and see what I catch.

Thanks again,
Scooter

I have fished it in a Kayak and that was on a Saturday with a tournament going on back in January I think. But was after bass, not talapia. However, did see lots of talapia in the closest cove directly north of the ramp. I fished that cove and the two west of it plus all along the shore line of the park. A purple, june-bug or black grape power worm was the bait of choice for black bass back then. Saw some guys go into that cove after talapia using a small top water bait and they caught a few. If you can make the paddle due west to the west shore line, there's really good bass fishing there. Fished that area in a boat though. Lake was too busy to make the trek across to that side in kayak.

I guess per the rules, kayaks are not allowed to go in there on Thursdays? Says Thursday - Sunday are open to bank fishing but only Fri - Sunday is open to boats. I assume boats include kayaks?

Benny, that is my assumption, too, else that would be a heck of a kayak fishing trip for some of us to plan for a Thursday. The cost would be pretty high, what $25 or $30 for a boat and I am assuming the same for a kayak. That may be the single reason so few are out there. I have never seen a kayak out there.

But, for a freezer full of tilapia fillets, I think it would make sense.

We are going to bank fish it Sunday as it stands now. Weather will be windy but we find spots to try to stay a bit protected. Brad

I may try to bank it on Sunday, but I doubt it.

I would love to see a group go out for a kayak day after tilapia , I don't think there is a limit on Tilapia so I bet I could catch enough to make the $25.00 dollars worth it , fill up the freezer.

I agree with this statement. Even 25$ for an ice chest full of tilapia isn't really that much. That being said, I'm not confident in my ability to find and catch them, so I get pretty leery of making the drive down there just to get skunked.

Never seen a kayak on Squaw, must be something new if they are allowing them in now.

The tilapia are easy to target on light tackle and yes you will catch a number of channel cats too.

I am going to plan a trip to the park to bank fish again this coming Sunday. want to see the lay of the land and see if i can catch something. if anyone wants to join, feel free.... come hell or really highwater I will be there.

I wish I could. I am likely going out tomorrow to meet friends to bank fish. Sunday is a no - go for me . . . have to pick up my wife.

*** Kayak trip for Tilapia? I wonder if you called the management out there, if they'd let a number of kayakers on the lake on a Thursday, bank fishing only day, where the boats and tournaments won't be in the way.

The inducement would be the lake WANTS tilapia out of the lake. As most of you know, if you catch one, by rule, you either take it home or throw it up on the bank.

I wonder if a half dozen kayaks on a Thursday would encourage them to set us up? The better time to do this, I think, would be early summer.

Brad

If you are going tomorrow, mention it... see if they shoot you down right off.I can mention it again on Sunday. Make sure to post a report for me too...LOL