I think a compass would be sufficient

I have both navionics on my phone and a gps fishfinder. Most times you can still see land from the rigs. The issue with a compas is you have to pay attention to where and what direction you paddle, are pushed with current and where the fish pulls you. Thats tough. You can always make it back to land it just may be 5 miles away from where you launched from.

Im not saying you need gps, or even a compass for that matter. Im just saying its easier to get back to your spot on the beach. Sometimes you think its your spot or your car and well...it isnt. Lol. Ive done it many times, not bad if you are in good paddling shape. Just troll behind the breakers for jacks.

Man, I tell ya I'm really looking forward to this.

So I'm getting my gear ready and want to bring 4 different rods. One for catching bait using sabiki rigs and the like, one spinner for long distance sight casting at fish boils or diving birds, probably use a f-14 jig, one for trolling and one for live bait

Take some Salt X with you. If its hot and sunny your reels might start squawking bad as evaporation of water leaves a salt film that can cause problems during the day. If your fishing two rods at the same time have a plan for what you will do if you get hit by both at the same time. Always have a knife ready to cut your line. Loosen your drag when you get a fish in close when landing it. Too tight a drag in close is not good. Clear your deck as much as possible with fish on. Get a Lindy glove. So many fish with teeth or sharp gill plates in the ocean and not knowing what you need to be careful with might save you some pain. The last thing you need offshore is a damaged motor (your hands). If breakers are much bigger coming in than going out, consider backing your kayak in. Much easier to keep from getting sideways and then dumped by paddling into a wave as it pushes you toward shore than trying to stay in control surfing it in, especially if your hull has taken on a lot of water.

http://www.lindyfishingtackle.com/lindy-fish-handling-glove-9359

Get Largest size you can find as they run small and you want something you can slip on fast, consider which hand you want it for or get one for each hand. Good luck and be safe.

Wow! that's some awesome advise thx cheers.

Before this TFF forum there was ( and still is ) http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/ go to the BTB forum and post up before you go. You will find a lot of seasoned offshore guys that will be happy to go with you . Many of the BTB guys live there and fish BTB exclusively. They will also be able to fill you in on what the action is like at any particular time and what is getting bit.

It's a hoot. It is yet another addiction to add to your list.

Have a good time, Phill

Yes sir, I'll do that thx

Some great points brought up here. Here are a couple videos that might show what to expect better than I can put into words:

Oldie but goodie from my first time to the rigs. It is NOT usually this calm.




Here's a more recent trip. Watch to the end to see why it's important to leash down your gear when you're going through the surf.



Both of these videos were out of the Corpus/Port Aransas area.

I have ran alot of baits out BTB. Fished some but never ventured more than several 100 yards.
Its amazing once you get past the breakers. Very quiet sept for the sound of an occasional gull etc.
Id drop a small anchor attached to a ball and tie to the ball. I usually used 550 cord which was more than enough for a yak. Always in sight of the beach.

All this offshore talk has me thinking back to when I used to live in south Florida and would climb the observation tower to check out the ocean past the breakers. The darker water you see on further out always looked doable from shore.




A half mile out and things start looking different. Once paddled out 7 miles to over 600 feet depths. Didn't even have enough line on reel to hit bottom. Always caught more fish over the 3rd reef in 200 feet two miles out or just outside the breakers. Lots of work with current and breeze working against you. If you weren't paying attention you could be a few miles down the coast before lunch. Everyone should do it at least once.


Later on I enjoyed the more relaxing pace of inshore sight fishing Florida Bay and the Keys.