Kayak Fishing Stream Secrets

Flowing freely across the continent, rivers, creeks and streams all hold the promise of adventure, fishing and fun. If you can navigate moving water, breakdown the puzzle and fool a few fish you’re on your way to learning stream secrets. Lakes and ponds, flat water are great places but there’s little change to the landscape and minimal current to challenge the kayak anglers.

On the other hand, flowing waters rise with the rain, fall with the drought, and experience shoreline change from eroding banks and the power surge of the swollen streams.

• While being capable of holding multiple species of fish streams offer a diverse fishing experience. Standard species generally include bluegill, sunfish, and several species of bass, crappie, catfish, walleye, trout, musky and more. You have the choice of targeting a certain fish or going after whatever is willing to bite.
• With irregular shorelines, streams give indications of location based off the bends (inside and outside) which are ruled by current. Fish can position themselves to wait in the swirling eddies for food sources to be delivered. Add structure and objects and the positioning puzzle becomes simpler. Fallen trees, boulder rock, gravel bars and aquatic vegetation all are potential hangouts.
• Year round activity characterizes streams. Because the water is in motion streams are warmer than lakes in the winter and cooler in the summer. The fish respond likewise and remain active for longer periods of time and in some cases through the year.
• Food sources can be a wide variety and plentiful. Typical streams are a smorgasbord of fish forage. Normally evident are minnows of several types, shad, crawfish, frogs, mayflies, snakes and other many other meals for the inhabitants. Fish thrive on the abundant food sources and on many cases also feed on each other in the form of fry or adults.
• Current can be the bane of the kayaker or the friend to the fishing fans. The presence of current aside from adding another key ingredient, oxygen also makes fish location easier for the experienced “river rat.” The stronger the current the more likely the location of the fish seeking to avoid the push of the fast moving water. Fish of all types will stage on the downstream side of objects that deflect ad redirect the current. Knowing this you can use the drift of the lure as an effective presentation to the fish.
• The kayak fishing in stream secret tackle box is a miniature version of its big water cousin. Most of the same lures that lake fans cast are likely to fool steam fish. Mimicking the normal food sources is highly recommended. Small soft plastics, worms, craws and minnows are a good choice for stream fish. Medium size and mid-level cranking lures in a couple of colors deserve a spot on your box. Shad and crawfish patterns are almost a sure thing and a few should the square bill models. The square bill crankbaits excel when cast past cover and bounced of submerged wood, rocks, docks and weed beds. Save room for some spinnerbaits and a few topwater plugs.

• If you’re a lover of wildlife, streams are frequented by everything that walks, climbs, swims and flies in the area. Nature photographs are almost too easy on the stream trips. Don’t discount a hunting trip from your kayak. Silent and stealthy are good qualities for fishing AND hunting. *check your local regulations for the rules governing your own state.
• While the launch ramps at lakes are crowded in many instances you might be the only boat on some streams. Often the shallow waters that welcome a kayaks that drafts in inches of water is impenetrable to big boats. Solitary and serene streams are the scene of many memories.

Kayak Fishing Stream secrets are revealed slowly but are worth the wait.

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