How do you kayak ?

[pequa1]

For reasons of convenience, I have only kayaked out of Amityville and Massapequa (where I can literally walk to the boat ramp.) I fish for fluke, snappers and anything else that will take a lure, as except for Gulp, or clam bellying from the boat, I haven't used bait in ten years. One day I went out in search of a spot I knew held clams for the clam bake a friend was having (although he didn't know it yet.) Those of you who yak know that the waters look real different when you are a foot above sea level and not standing in a center console. Well, simply put, I thought I was lost, or as Daniel Boone would say, not lost but just wasn't sure yet where he was. With a brisk north wind at my back, I decided to slow the yak down and put my hand down in the shallow water. Feeling a very hard object back when the bay was teaming with blueclaws, I yanked my hand back up, but decided to do it again, with the same result. These weren't crabs ! I filled 4/5 of a spackle bucket in 25 minutes for an honest limit. (Note: TOB issues free clamming permits when you hit 60.)
One of these days I will put in at Jones Beach (free parking on weekdays- you do recall my other thread that mentioned I am part Scot, right?) or maybe Oak Beach, Hecksher, wherever, but am quite content to launch and fish locally although this past season was the worst season fishing I have ever had, whether I was in our Sea Pro, the yak or surfcasting.

 

[pequa1]

My other yak, a Perception Tribe 13.5 Ten pounds heavier than the longer Hurricane Phoenix, but obviously a tandem. And before you whistleblowers go nuts with the over limit clam pail, my buddy was with me. Try to get a boat near this spot !

 

[Sandspinner]

When the weather is nice the beach is too crowded so the yak works as a perfect alternative. I fish most the island from Jamaica Bay to Orient on the north fork. The only area I generally avoid is the south fork more because of traffic certainly not the fishing. The yak gives me the perfect vehicle to fish out of the way places.

 

[pequa1]

Welcome Sandspinner.
I should really give some kudos here to The Dinghy Shop in Amityville where both of my kayaks pictured, as well as a new Hurricane Skimmer, were purchased. Family owned by Jim and Susan Kohler, with an equally well versed staff in kayaks, small sailboats, paddleboards etc., they have a nice little beach where, if you bought your yak there, you can return to put in. One mile paddle across the bay to Gilgo island. Although the big box stores don't carry the Hurricane line (sort of a specialty line due to their uniquely lighter weight and somewhat higher price) our Perception Tribe 13.5 was selling for the same price at TDS as at West Marine, where its hit and miss if you get a salesperson who has ever paddled.

 

[Sandspinner]

Welcome Sandspinner.
I should really give some kudos here to The Dinghy Shop in Amityville where both of my kayaks pictured, as well as a new Hurricane Skimmer, were purchased. Family owned by Jim and Susan Kohler, with an equally well versed staff in kayaks, small sailboats, paddleboards etc., they have a nice little beach where, if you bought your yak there, you can return to put in. One mile paddle across the bay to Gilgo island. Although the big box stores don't carry the Hurricane line (sort of a specialty line due to their uniquely lighter weight and somewhat higher price) our Perception Tribe 13.5 was selling for the same price at TDS as at West Marine, where its hit and miss if you get a salesperson who has ever paddled.

Agree they are really good folks and very knowledgeable. My wife and I have gotten a lot of equipment from them over the years They let the LI Paddlers launch there and my kayak fishing club (KFANY) has had meetings there they really do a lot for local kayakers.

 

[buddha162]

I fish off an inflatable Hobie paddle board...storage issues preclude a "real" kayak at the moment. Mostly launch and fish in the far western sound, but also RB and more and more freshwater in NJ/NY. Glad to see a kayak board on nyangler!

 

[pequa1]

Hopefully there will be more activity here. Since I have only launched from my own town and Amityville I am interested in other launch sites. South Shore Blueway Trail is an interesting website for this, and I know there is something similar on the north shore. The problem is that many of the "sites" are residents only when it comes to launching and/or using facilities. Even Wantagh County Park wants to charge an arm and a leg to launch. I trailer a boat as well but the "footprint" I have, the time and tiny space I take up when kayaking, pales by comparison. No pollution, good exercise, what's not to like about kayaking ? I am looking forward to Cedar Creek Park and possibly Seamans Neck opening up a kayak launch.

 

[Rick67]

I fish off an inflatable Hobie paddle board...storage issues preclude a "real" kayak at the moment. Mostly launch and fish in the far western sound, but also RB and more and more freshwater in NJ/NY. Glad to see a kayak board on nyangler!

I like your inflatable. Once you figured out how to keep spines from puncturing around the drive even better.
"Storage"? I don't bring nothing but two one gallon zip locks at most. Even at the tournaments. A seat bag should be enough. Go with intent. Its nice to be a boyscout (Prepared) but you know what your after before you go. Stick to the plan, you know what will work. No one needs to be a floating tackle box except "Eddie Spaghetti" . He needs all the help he can get .
I just had an idea. An On-The-Water cooking video with a floating hibachi. Al, King Hong, he'll McGyver something up for you.
hmm, that would be a really cool video!

 

[Rick67]

Hopefully there will be more activity here. Since I have only launched from my own town and Amityville I am interested in other launch sites. South Shore Blueway Trail is an interesting website for this, and I know there is something similar on the north shore. The problem is that many of the "sites" are residents only when it comes to launching and/or using facilities. Even Wantagh County Park wants to charge an arm and a leg to launch. I trailer a boat as well but the "footprint" I have, the time and tiny space I take up when kayaking, pales by comparison. No pollution, good exercise, what's not to like about kayaking ? I am looking forward to Cedar Creek Park and possibly Seamans Neck opening up a kayak launch.

Our next KFA meeting, second Wednesday of next Month is in Levittown. Indoor meetings are free and open to public. I'm pretty sure Kayak Willy invited you in the past. If not, the invitation is yours now. You want access to other launches and when to use them. Nows your chance.

 

[buddha162]

I like your inflatable. Once you figured out how to keep spines from puncturing around the drive even better.
"Storage"? I don't bring nothing but two one gallon zip locks at most. Even at the tournaments. A seat bag should be enough. Go with intent. Its nice to be a boyscout (Prepared) but you know what your after before you go. Stick to the plan, you know what will work. No one needs to be a floating tackle box except "Eddie Spaghetti" . He needs all the help he can get .
I just had an idea. An On-The-Water cooking video with a floating hibachi. Al, King Hong, he'll McGyver something up for you.
hmm, that would be a really cool video!

Haha hi Rick!

I planned on doing some sort of cook off on one of the islands in western sound...then I found myself, you know, fishing. People seem to enjoy the "outdoor cooking" content, but man I can't think of a worse way to chop up a fishing session lol.

I will, however, experiment with "ikejime" on shore, prob on a porgy. Don't want to be stabbing any fish brains on my inflatable, I don't think my doubled carmats will help me there if I slip with the ice pick!

 

[Rick67]

Haha hi Rick!

I planned on doing some sort of cook off on one of the islands in western sound...then I found myself, you know, fishing. People seem to enjoy the "outdoor cooking" content, but man I can't think of a worse way to chop up a fishing session lol.

I will, however, experiment with "ikejime" on shore, prob on a porgy. Don't want to be stabbing any fish brains on my inflatable, I don't think my doubled carmats will help me there if I slip with the ice pick!

Ahh yeah, I don't eat fish so whatever ikejime is, is Greek to me. Epic video it would be though. Especially if Al and Brad were floating around commenting.
Come up to Mass. this year and we could probably spoof a video like that off Winter Island Beach with lobster.

 

[buddha162]

Ahh yeah, I don't eat fish so whatever ikejime is, is Greek to me. Epic video it would be though. Especially if Al and Brad were floating around commenting.
Come up to Mass. this year and we could probably spoof a video like that off Winter Island Beach with lobster.

That sounds wonderful, as soon as my ancient cat kicks the bucket (how many lives do cats have again??) I'm there! I'll be traveling up and down the coast with my inflatable in the trunk haha

Ikejime is a process by which you stab a fish in the brain, then run a length of wire down through the spinal cord...destroying it completely. It lets the fish skip rigor...and minimizes stress. I've never tried it bc frankly...when I'm fishing I just want to get back to fishing, but a comparison would be interesting. People claim it makes a huge difference, I am dubious...therefore some SCIENCE is called for!

 

[Rick67]

That sounds wonderful, as soon as my ancient cat kicks the bucket (how many lives do cats have again??) I'm there! I'll be traveling up and down the coast with my inflatable in the trunk haha

Ikejime is a process by which you stab a fish in the brain, then run a length of wire down through the spinal cord...destroying it completely. It lets the fish skip rigor...and minimizes stress. I've never tried it bc frankly...when I'm fishing I just want to get back to fishing, but a comparison would be interesting. People claim it makes a huge difference, I am dubious...therefore some SCIENCE is called for!

There's other cats at Winter Island. I was tossing candy bars by Al's tent to keep them from mine. See in the pic?

I think that Ikejime is what my brother in law used to do to tuna many years ago when we would sell them at the dock in Montauk. Thought he was just sadistic.

 

[wader]

When the weather is nice the beach is too crowded so the yak works as a perfect alternative. I fish most the island from Jamaica Bay to Orient on the north fork. The only area I generally avoid is the south fork more because of traffic certainly not the fishing. The yak gives me the perfect vehicle to fish out of the way places.

you're gonna love it here then - there are more shallow water out of the way spots then you'll have time to explore......

There's a winery yak trip tour that sets off from the Onancock Wharf.

 

[Sandspinner]

you're gonna love it here then - there are more shallow water out of the way spots then you'll have time to explore......

There's a winery yak trip tour that sets off from the Onancock Wharf.

I actually got certified as a Virginia Eco Tour Guide a few years ago and am taking a course this winter to be recertified.

 

[Richee33]

Yes we do

 

[Sandspinner]

Yep will greatly expand your horizons. KFA is a good group of guys.

 

[pequa1]

What is with all the 404s?? I can not see any of the pics. Anyone else ?
I was talking to Mike and Jim Kohler at The Dinghy Shop earlier today and they were inviting me to a meeting early next month of
a group of freshwater kayak anglers. It's not "cutting the cord" that I am adverse to but I don't get tied in to any one activity like I did before I retired almost 8 years ago. During the summer I swim, kayak, clam, go out on our bay boat or my buddy's, and as the weather cools, I start surfcasting and deer hunting. I hunt from October through early March and during inclimate weather September through early May I can also be found target shooting or working on plastic model warships. If my shoulder ever comes around again I will return to archery with both recurve and compound. This is not bragging as none of my stuff is really expensive but I do like to vary things up.


Pequa it's time to cut the chord. I could post a hundred pics a year from all over the island and beyond. We get around.

 

[Rick67]

Gotcha!

 

[pequa1]

Good one. But am I the only one on this thread that can not see Rick67's pix of various locales. I click on them and just get a "404" Should I delete that one post Rick and have you repost ?