Hey I am going to be visiting the area of Jacksoville beach the week of feb 11-18. I am looking for a place to rent a kayak or two for the a few days. I am looking for a place that rents ocean kayaks prowler or maybe a hobie pedal drive if I can get it. I have a cobra two man and a O.K.'s scrambler xt here on the west coast but I would love to demo something different. Also I am looking for any advice on where, what, when and how to fish the jax spots. I want to ship some gear out to JAX. what size reel/line to use. any help would be appreciated.

Casey

Check All Wet on beach Blvd They rent. I was considering renting one for my brother when he comes down.

Blackcreek Outfitters rents kayaks.

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Melita

Hobie Revo
Wilderness Tarpon 140

thanks for the info.....got any suggestions for what size line and reel?...

Reel and line would depend on what you are fishing for. If you are doing inshore fishing for reds, trout, flounder, etc., I would suggest 8 lb. braid on a Penn 2000 - but that's just me.

Water here is really brown - silt from the river so sight fishing is hard but not impossible. You can get in really shallow water really fast around most parts so check your tides before you go out. If you do get the Hobie with pedals, keep in mind that if you do get shallow, you need to get those pedals up and out before they gets sucked in the mud. When I say sucked, I mean some real suction power. You cannot get out and wade - you will get stuck in the mud - unless you find a sand bar. You will also need to watch out for all those oyster mounds or you can tear up those pedals in a heartbeat. All that being said, I love my pedals and I cover alot of area fast with them.

Good luck - we have prime fishery here in Jacksonville. I spent the first 11 years of my life in southern California - loved it.

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Melita

Hobie Revo
Wilderness Tarpon 140

Thanks so much for your help. I was looking at google earth and it looks like you could get lost in those back waters. I can't wait....

Hey Calicasey.....Welcome to JKF and looking forward to hear how you do on your JAX fishing trip!!
Some additional thoughts:

1 - Rentals can be done at several places as said above. I work at Black Creek Outfitters P/T and we rent a variety of kayaks including some Hobie Mirage Drive ones. Other places do also, and the big advantage is you take take it where you want to fish...BUT....you need some type of carrier or cartop rack or a pickup truck....some way to transport it safely......

2 - Kayak Amelia (link is at the bottom of each page) rents kayaks right there on Simpson Creek, which is normally a good place to fish. You could do two trips up there...one North and one South and not cover that same area or water so that is nice, and you have the convenience of not having to transport the kayaks or putting down a fairly large deposit on your credit card.

3 - Over the next couple of weeks, pay attention to the FISHING REPORTS forum which will tell you the general location of the report and most often the bait or lure which was used on that trip....good info to plan your trip.

4 - When you see a location, then click on FISHING SPOTS (above top center) and you will get detailed info on that launch and fishing area....directions, maps, cautions, etc.
Good Luck and maybe some of us can take you out and get some fish slime on your rented kayaks!!
JohnYaksJax

PS: YakGroupie has some great tips above me and when she mentioned "braid", there is a reason for it...OYSTERS!! Braid is less likely to get nicked or cut on them and lose a nice fish and your terminal tackle also. Dunno how many rods/reels you are shipping, but to save some $$, just buy ONE spool of 8-14# braid (I use Berkley FireLine Crystal) and you can "top off" 3 reels with 40 yards on each from one spool!! Just a thought in case you are not currently using braid....

Wow this is really good information and I really appreciated. I am really impressed with this web site and forum.....

Both spinning reels I was thinking about have xtra spools so I can fill them with whatever is needed. If I wanted to make it out to the mayport jetties, is that a reasonable paddle? Can you get live bait? is it worth it? is the bait strong enough to survive with out a bilge pump or can I manually add fresh water into a bucket. We use achovies out here but they will die without a pump in minutes. I have a tsunami pump and battery but I don't know about taking it on the plane. Do you happen to know the rental rates and black creek for multiple day rental perhaps a whole week?

I would not recommend the jetties in your kayak. I'm even scared to go out there in a boat! It's a major highway for cargo ships, navy ships, and the like. It's dredged for those ships and the currents are strong and unpredictable. Just my opinion.

We fish with live minnows and shrimp (no anchovies here). Throw the minnows in a minnow bucket and put it in the water when you stop paddling. Hobies can come with a live well but not sure if BCO rents them with the live well. Minnow buckets are pretty cheap so you can buy one (or buy a minnow tube) when you get here.

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Melita

Hobie Revo
Wilderness Tarpon 140

Here are the rental rates:
for 90 minutes $18.69
4 hours = $34.58
All day = $44.86
2nd day = $25.oo
3rd day = $20.oo
4th day and on = $15.oo

Bonus... When you return the kayak you can use rental fees towards the purchase of a new kayak!

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Andy @ All Wet Sports
8550 Beach Blvd.
904- 646-9887
web site: Allwetsports.net
Shop Hours 10-7pm Mon-Friday
10 - 6 pm Saturday
12 - 4 pm Sundays

Andy Thanks for getting back to me, I checked out the website for ALLWET. and its said that their rentals were Cobra's...Do they also rent Hobie's with the mirage drive? Hopefully set up for fishing. Also, should I ask for you when I call? I am looking to pick up the Yak onSaturday the 11th of feb. and keeping it until -17th or so.....Do I need a reservation?

P.S. If anyone is going out 12-17th I would love to tag along.

thanks Casey

Hey Casey.
Our rental fleet is Cobra and K12 kayaks. The Cobra line up is: Play, Explorer, Navigator, Marauder, FIsh N Dive, Tandem and Pro Fisherman.
The K 12 Kayak is set a single seater that can handle 2 people easily. It is a hybrid... sit kayak style or raise the seat and sit canoe style...... but unlike a canoe this has scuppers so it self drains and can be taken out in the ocean.

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Andy @ All Wet Sports
8550 Beach Blvd.
904- 646-9887
web site: Allwetsports.net
Shop Hours 10-7pm Mon-Friday
10 - 6 pm Saturday
12 - 4 pm Sundays

Andy is a great source for you. I bought my Maurader from him and you can do some bass fishing right behind his shop in Pottsburg Creek. Also, follow up on what JYJ said about K.A. They have a fish cleaning station on their dock, covered picnic area and private parking if you have anything of value in you car.

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Mango Cobra Maurader

Hey John it looks like I will be renting a two man Hobie at black creek...are you working saturday? If so see you there at open.

Hey Casey.....Nice to hear that BCO was able to handle your requirements for the Hobie Tandem!!

Yes, I will be at the store on SAT from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, so we can meet there when you pick it up....

I also work on SUN from Noon to 6:00, but after that, I am FREE for the rest of the week, so let's wet a line and I'll show you some places!!
CYA on SAT and thanks again....JohnYaksJax

PS: I have an extra Stake Out Pole and small bait bucket that you can borrow if you want/need them?? Let me know....