Sight fishing dilemma

Mike Hodge · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 1:27 pm

Here's the scenario: I'm standing and poling, looking for fish in my Native 14.5. I see a fish, cruising.

How do I put down my paddle/pole (with little or no noise) and reach DOWN, grab my fly rod and make a cast, all while maneuvering the boat and keeping my eye on the fish. If the fish is tailing, you've got more time (presumably) to get re-oriented. But if the fish is cruising, how do you multi-task all of that.
I've thought about sticking my fly rod under my arm while polding/paddling and attaching my pole/paddle with a leash, so I could just drop the paddle and go? Anyone have issues with this scenario and cruising fish? If so, how do you manage it?

Ring King · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:42 pm

Here's my recommendation:

1. Buy a Native paddle holder clip
2. Buy a canvas web belt (thicker is better)
3. Match up the holes in the Native paddle holder clip to the belt and punch holes through where you would normally run the bolts.
4. Use zip ties to attach the Native paddle holder clip to the canvas web belt.
5. Go fishing

I keep my spinning rod in my left hand, with the bail flipped, and my finger on the line ready to cast. I push pole, using my paddle, with my right hand. When I spot a cruising fish I simply pop the paddle into the paddle holder on the belt and it stays at my waist while I make a cast.

Your other option would be to mount a rod holder on an extension in the middle of your kayak. Keep your fly rod in there at the ready and push pole yourself along until you spot your quarry. Then clip in the paddle and grab the rod.

I would think the first option would be better to keep a rod holder from getting into your fly line where you strip it. The biggest thing this does is keep you from having to set the paddle down and make noise. When you're in a hurry to cast to a cruising red that little bump of the paddle on the kayak hull is almost inevitable. It makes no noise/vibration when you snap it in to your holder on the belt.

If you search the belt mounted paddle holder on Google you'll find tutorials about it as well as a sweet video of the guy who came up with the idea flyfishing in South Louisiana from his Jackson Kayak Cuda.

Jizzo · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:01 pm

I saw this a long time ago when I was shopping for a Cuda. This guy has it dialed. I learned a lot from this video. I have been practicing this but I haven't had much success. Its fun as all hell though, even if you're not catching fish. I don't use a flyrod though. I like calm water in the evenings, right around sunset. We haven't had many of those lately.

Mike Hodge · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:04 pm

Ring King wrote:

Here's my recommendation:

1. Buy a Native paddle holder clip
2. Buy a canvas web belt (thicker is better)
3. Match up the holes in the Native paddle holder clip to the belt and punch holes through where you would normally run the bolts.
4. Use zip ties to attach the Native paddle holder clip to the canvas web belt.
5. Go fishing

I keep my spinning rod in my left hand, with the bail flipped, and my finger on the line ready to cast. I push pole, using my paddle, with my right hand. When I spot a cruising fish I simply pop the paddle into the paddle holder on the belt and it stays at my waist while I make a cast.

Your other option would be to mount a rod holder on an extension in the middle of your kayak. Keep your fly rod in there at the ready and push pole yourself along until you spot your quarry. Then clip in the paddle and grab the rod.

I would think the first option would be better to keep a rod holder from getting into your fly line where you strip it. The biggest thing this does is keep you from having to set the paddle down and make noise. When you're in a hurry to cast to a cruising red that little bump of the paddle on the kayak hull is almost inevitable. It makes no noise/vibration when you snap it in to your holder on the belt.

If you search the belt mounted paddle holder on Google you'll find tutorials about it as well as a sweet video of the guy who came up with the idea flyfishing in South Louisiana from his Jackson Kayak Cuda.

The paddle belt is a good suggestion. I looked at the vid. Clever.

Mike Hodge · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:07 pm

Jizzo wrote:

I saw this a long time ago when I was shopping for a Cuda. This guy has it dialed. I learned a lot from this video. I have been practicing this but I haven't had much success. Its fun as all hell though, even if you're not catching fish. I don't use a flyrod though. I like calm water in the evenings, right around sunset. We haven't had many of those lately.

I saw the video as well. Impressive. Unfortunately for me, the fly rod is a big part of solving the equation. I've got a few answers for the paddle issue. Dealing with the fly rod and casting quickly is the next step.

staugustinefly · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 4:16 pm

I tie one end of a three or four foot piece of rope to my belt and the other end to my push pole. When I spot a fish I stick the pointed end of the pole into the mud which stops and anchors the boat quietly while you are picking up your fly rod. For me this eliminated the noise of trying to put away my pole/paddle and also stopping my boat so I don't run over the fish. I've tried other options but this has been the most simplistic way. Hope it helps.

stumpknocker · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 6:32 pm

staugustinefly wrote:

I tie one end of a three or four foot piece of rope to my belt and the other end to my push pole. When I spot a fish I stick the pointed end of the pole into the mud which stops and anchors the boat quietly while you are picking up your fly rod. For me this eliminated the noise of trying to put away my pole/paddle and also stopping my boat so I don't run over the fish. I've tried other options but this has been the most simplistic way. Hope it helps.

I like your idea very much. He did appear to be almost on top of the last fish he caught in the video. After watching the video, a Jackson Cuda may be my choice for my next kayak.

YakGroupie · **Joined:** Thu May 29, 2008 10:00 am **Posts:** 760

Check out the Accent Transformer - it's a paddle, SOP, push pole in one. That would at least solve your paddle/noise problem. It would keep you in place where you spot the fish and then use on of the rod holders to hold your pole. My husband stands and fishes in his Malibu.

Rich.FlyFishJaX · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 9:50 pm

Mike great post and question! I have figured out my own way of dealing with that in the grass flats and just quietly get out to the kayak, stake out and wade to the tailing Redfish. However I think I might have a better solution coming soon for you to check out. It's the new U-Stand https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stand-N- ... 2615492304 (Scroll down to the photo of the pretty girl standing and fly casting here). It's made for fly fishing by a friend of mine, Rick who owns Stand-N-Fish http://www.standnfish.com/ down in Sarasota. I actually have one his prototypes being sent to me soon to try out. You can also attach a paddle holder and fly rod holder to the U-Stand. What's also great about this new U-Stand design is being able to store your fly line in the stripping basket ready to shoot. :thumbright:

I'll keep up posted on how it goes and will try to post pics of it later on.

keastman · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 10:30 pm

Rich, what makes you think that girl is pretty? Neat idea, but looks like it could get in the way of paddling.

I've been toying with making a fly rod holster that attaches to a belt and points the rod off your backside. For the push pole, I usually have a paddle leash attached to it and my belt, I just plant the pole and use it as a brake when I see fish. I've also played with a PVC extension from my front mounted rod holder that keeps my fly rod at my waist and pointed forward. It worked OK but was a bit floppy from side to side when the boat rocked and got in the way when I switched sides with the push poll.

Mike Hodge · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 10:51 pm

Rich.FlyFishJaX wrote:

Mike great post and question! I have figured out my own way of dealing with that in the grass flats and just quietly get out to the kayak, stake out and wade to the tailing Redfish. However I think I might have a better solution coming soon for you to check out. It's the new U-Stand https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stand-N- ... 2615492304 (Scroll down to the photo of the pretty girl standing and fly casting here). It's made for fly fishing by a friend of mine, Rick who owns Stand-N-Fish http://www.standnfish.com/ down in Sarasota. I actually have one his prototypes being sent to me soon to try out. You can also attach a paddle holder and fly rod holder to the U-Stand. What's also great about this new U-Stand design is being able to store your fly line in the stripping basket ready to shoot. :thumbright:

I'll keep up posted on how it goes and will try to post pics of it later on.

Saw the U-Stand on FBook. That's exactly what I need. Looks cleaner than the first stand N fish on his regular website. I'm going to look into it ASAP. Any idea how much the U-Stand retails for?

Rich.FlyFishJaX · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2012 11:59 am

Mike Hodge wrote:

Rich.FlyFishJaX wrote:

Mike great post and question! I have figured out my own way of dealing with that in the grass flats and just quietly get out to the kayak, stake out and wade to the tailing Redfish. However I think I might have a better solution coming soon for you to check out. It's the new U-Stand https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stand-N- ... 2615492304 (Scroll down to the photo of the pretty girl standing and fly casting here). It's made for fly fishing by a friend of mine, Rick who owns Stand-N-Fish http://www.standnfish.com/ down in Sarasota. I actually have one his prototypes being sent to me soon to try out. You can also attach a paddle holder and fly rod holder to the U-Stand. What's also great about this new U-Stand design is being able to store your fly line in the stripping basket ready to shoot. :thumbright:

I'll keep up posted on how it goes and will try to post pics of it later on.

Saw the U-Stand on FBook. That's exactly what I need. Looks cleaner than the first stand N fish on his regular website. I'm going to look into it ASAP. Any idea how much the U-Stand retails for?

Mike, I'll try and find out the cost..

Kevin, I believe it folds down out of the way when paddling dude.. :rr:

Black Clouser · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2012 5:52 pm

Mike Hodge wrote:

Here's the scenario: I'm standing and poling, looking for fish in my Native 14.5. I see a fish, cruising.

How do I put down my paddle/pole (with little or no noise) and reach DOWN, grab my fly rod and make a cast, all while maneuvering the boat and keeping my eye on the fish. If the fish is tailing, you've got more time (presumably) to get re-oriented. But if the fish is cruising, how do you multi-task all of that.
I've thought about sticking my fly rod under my arm while polding/paddling and attaching my pole/paddle with a leash, so I could just drop the paddle and go? Anyone have issues with this scenario and cruising fish? If so, how do you manage it?

Interesting Post Mike, what I usually do when I see the target (fish) is to bend down and in one smooth motion use one hand to put the paddle pole in the holder (as shown in pic) and with the other hand pick up fly rod whch is laying between my feet, with line stripped out (on a rubber bath mat).....all while keeping the target in sight.....it can be done quite steathly and quickly when you get the hang of it. There are times when I slide the paddle pole into the top of the front skirt or just stake out with pointed end if needed.......just my 2 cents.

BC

Mike Hodge · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2012 8:08 pm

Black Clouser wrote:

Mike Hodge wrote:

Here's the scenario: I'm standing and poling, looking for fish in my Native 14.5. I see a fish, cruising.

How do I put down my paddle/pole (with little or no noise) and reach DOWN, grab my fly rod and make a cast, all while maneuvering the boat and keeping my eye on the fish. If the fish is tailing, you've got more time (presumably) to get re-oriented. But if the fish is cruising, how do you multi-task all of that.
I've thought about sticking my fly rod under my arm while polding/paddling and attaching my pole/paddle with a leash, so I could just drop the paddle and go? Anyone have issues with this scenario and cruising fish? If so, how do you manage it?

Interesting Post Mike, what I usually do when I see the target (fish) is to bend down and in one smooth motion use one hand to put the paddle pole in the holder (as shown in pic) and with the other hand pick up fly rod whch is laying between my feet, with line stripped out (on a rubber bath mat).....all while keeping the target in sight.....it can be done quite steathly and quickly when you get the hang of it. There are times when I slide the paddle pole into the top of the front skirt or just stake out with pointed end if needed.......just my 2 cents.

BC

Scott: I try to do what you describe, but without two things you mentioned --- the bath mat (should help keep the line organized) and a paddle/pole holder (keeps everything less cluttered). Headed out tomorrow. I can sub a towel for a mat. We'll see how it goes.

Black Clouser · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2012 8:40 pm

Mike, I also stand on the rubber mat, besides helping line management it buffers any noise and helps protect those reels. I use the bath tub mats with the rubber suction cups all over the bottom.
BC

Sight fishing dilemma

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