Picked up a used fishing kayak over the winter, and yesterday was it's first big test. Me and a fellow from church met up at Seagrove Beach and launched into some of the prettiest water you could imagine. We didn't spot or catch any spanish, and it was a tad early for Kings, but we did manage to make something happen. One of the guys we were with had coordinates to a couple of man-made reefs, so we paddled out and put on bottom rigs and caught a bunch of small triggerfish. The wind was up by the time we got there, so you had to paddle past the spot and drift back through it every time, but 4 of us caught them pretty steady for nearly an hour. Man, those jokers fought hard every inch of the 60 feet of water they were in. The biggest one I caught was an inch shy of being a keeper. One of the guys we met out there boated 2 small mahi, and nearly got another in, but it threw the hook right at the boat. I had something hit my stinger rig while trolling between spots. Kinked up my wire leader, but somehow didn't find a hook. Even with the wind up, the waves were gentle. Occasionally, a big one would break over the bow of the kayak. All in all, the water was nice, the paddling was fun, and the fishing was pretty good. I can't wait to go back in a month or so when the kings will be around and hopefully hungry.

That's awesome. I don't have a legit dedicated fishing kayak, but we'll piddle around down there when we go 1-2/year. And every now and then we'll even get lucky and catch something. It's a nice change of scenery.

Awesome! How far do you have to paddle offshore to get into 60ft of water?

Been wanting to get mine out there for a try but haven't done it yet.
So far, the tides and wind of Mobile Bay have been adventurous enough.

According to the guy's GPS, we were just over a mile out at our farthest point. The other guys had the mirage drive Hobies, but I paddled my used 'beater' out there just fine. The reef info from the fishing app said the reef we caught the triggers on was in 60' water.

I've got a 13' Old Town predator rigged out that I've only taken in the bay and near shore in the gulf. I might try to get out a little farther in it this year when we go down.

I'd love to have a Mirage drive but don't have the money. They're good and fun but 'spensive.

I've always wondered why the molded rod-holders aren't slanted backward more instead of being as vertical as they are. The times I've been in kayaks I had to put the rod(s) beside my leg instead of using the holder. It would get in the way of casting or landing, sometimes, and occasionally snag a tree if I was shallow and not thinking about it.

Ya'll can have all the gulf kayaking you want....I've seen what's out there

Oh hell naw!

That's what I'm talking about Perch

Nope, but glad you enjoyed it.

I’m itching to go but have to get some beach wheels, a fish bag, and a vhf radio before i go. Really waiting till June or so so I’ve got a chance at some Kings too

What's a inexpensive kayak for a big boy? I want to try it but the ones I have seen are pricey. Figured I would ask the resident pros

In my humble opinion, there are three ways to go with kayaks. First is 'as cheap as it gets', and the boats will float and paddle fine, but everything about is is uncomfortable. Crappy seat, small storage, thin hull. Wilderness systems like what I have are kinda middle of the road. They aren't the Cadillacs of the kayak world, but they get the job done, and the seats are comfortable, and have more storage room, both outside and in. Then you can go expensive and get an even more comfortable seat and more outside and inside storage... the pedal drive and rudder and spend nearly 4K.

The bigger you are, the bigger the kayak you'll need. Length makes taller people more comfortable, and the boat more buoyant if you are a heavier person. If you are only going to be on it for an hour here and there, on short fishing trips, then you may get away with the cheaper models. I'll go on record saying that if you are over 40 and plan on spending more than 2 hours in one at a time, you'll thank yourself to get one with a comfortable seat. We launched at 8:00, Sunday morning, and hit the beach at 2:00. Six hours paddling/fishing, and other than a good upper body workout, my legs, back, and rear end were no worse for the wear. A hard plastic seat, with no back support for that long would have been torture.

Be advised, I'm far from an expert, but I was patient and picked up that blue wilderness systems ride for $500 advertised on Craigslist. Took a few months to find it, but it was almost exactly what I wanted. Shop around the used market and you can find some for about half the price of new ones. A new one like that would be around $1K.

Mine is a Native Slayer 13'. I bought mine from a preacher moving from Baton Rouge to Robertsdale. I found it on Facebook.

real nice looking.

Man that is awesome! Y’all should head over to Phillips Inlet next time and fish the lake if the big water gets to rough.

That's nice Larry

That guy is looking back and thinking " oh hell I wish that was a torpedo and not Jaws". I also bet the song from Jaws is playing over and over in bed head.

That's a good looking set up you have there Perch!