How much do you kayak fish from Nov. to April? Also, are you fishing the big lakes like Fork or RR? Is it easy to stay out of the wind on these lakes? Also, are there places to launch in the northern parts of RR, like where the bridges cross Isle D'Bois and Indian? I'm pretty interested, and have been looking at some websites. I really like the stealth idea, but I want to make sure I know what I'm getting into and where I'm going to fish.

/Dave

Nov-Apr is the BEST time to fish regardless of your favorite mode to get on the water. I wear good neoprene waders, long johns, wool sweater and life jacket(for sure). Rain gear over standard winter wear works fine also. When you'er paddling, you'll shed the warm stuff, but keep it handy, cause when you stop , it gets cooooold

CT,

What about fishing the big lakes. Do you seek out smaler waters or do you find access to the bigger lakes as well? I saw a post about paddling against a 20 mph wind was quite an effort. We see those winds quite often here. What do you do?

/Dave

I got my kayak after getting fed up with big water fishing(ie- fuel,maintanance,towing,launch fees,registration,"courtousy safty checks,etc). I now fish small water where big boats aren't allowed or cann't go(rivers,creeks,ponds). I'm catching more and bigger fish. On the occassion I do fish big water, say Lake Travis (for me). I go to where I'll fish to unload then stay in a semiprotected area. If the wind is blowing strong, Rethink your fishing strategy and try to skirt the wind always paddling into it when you are fresh. Hell on earth is having to go into the wind after you've been fishing all day and you'er cold and tired. Basically, just use common sense and think small, it'll payoff BIG! I don't know your area so I cann't help with launch points and such.

no lie, definetely go upstream, and against the wind while fresh
crabtrap has an excellent strategy on fishing from yak

Thanks for that info. It makes good sense. I'd need to scout out some good places here in N. Dallas. My wife keeps telling me I should buy another boat, but I'm not so sure, and it's not like I have a $ tree in the back yard. I seem to fish all by myself anyway, unless I go on someone elses boat. I like the idea of peace and quiet.

Thanks again for the info.

/Dave

Since you live in Plano, you may want to check out Lake Lavon. Though I don't often see many yaks out there, Lavon has many great places to launch and fish from a yak.
1. During the winter I like fishing the power plant. Launch at Little Ridge park ramp about 100 yards away. Tie up to the fence and cast into the discharge current.
2. You can also easily launch at Clear Lake near the island and chase sandies.
3. If you are wanting to fish the trees, launch at Highland and paddle right out.

There are several other places you could launch. These are just the ones I've tried. Watch out for big boats, use common sense, and remember however far out you paddle, you have to paddle back.

KaLuB,

It makes sense about the paddling. I like to fish RayBob, but it seems like the access to the northern part of the lake is a little restricted for kayaks. Buck Creek would be no problem, but to get up into Isle D'Bois would take some paddling. Certainly the prevailing wind would make it tough, since you'd be heading into the wind on your return. The bridge crossings up north don't have any parking, so you'd need to drop off your rig, and hoof it from wherever you parked. I'm sure Johnson Branch has access, but this is still a trek to get farther north. I really liked that ida someone posted about a trip to spend the night on Wolf. That would be fun.

Lewisville has access off of Hwy 380 and possibly at Little Elm Park.

I'm still kicking this idea around. Right now I don't have storage for a 13 foot yak, so I need to give it some more thought at this point.

/Dave

I am a former Big Boat owner and now fish out of a kayak. I can load up an go at a moments notice. I can honestly say I have more fun fishing out of a yak than I ever did a boat. I gear up for whatever the situation calls for. I have outriggers for heavy weather or large lake situations. I have breathable waders for colder weather. But most of the time I fish in waters a powerboat is not allowed. Rivers in my area are senic, peacefull, and I rarely fail to catch lots of fish. Using light tackle you turn smaller river fish into a real challenge. Small impoundments and coves in larger lakes are also great places to fish.
For me, I wouldn't trade fishing in a yak for a powerboat if the price and hassle was equal. Something about being closer to everything and more in touch with my environment give me a thrill and sense of satisfaction second to none.