35 Kayak Fishing Trips

Started by FlatsNBay, March 14, 2024, 06:09:12 AM

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FlatsNBay

G, after the hurricane the water flooded the woods surrounding the lake. The water level was high enough for long enough that it killed the vegetation on the land which depleted oxygen levels. The water receded into the lake killing all the fish. There was nowhere for them to go.

I spoke with the biologist who said that the bass population has rebounded slightly. The lack of submerged vegetation in the lake has limited the increase. It will take several more years for the population to get back to normal (in my opinion).

Capt. BassinLou

Your lowest score yet, I think! Yikes.

FlatsNBay

#52
Spot 28: Lake Washington

Lake Washington is another home lake for me and I know it very well. I've fished it a lot by boat but this is the first time from the kayak.

Habitat: Dark tanic water with patches of pads and bullrush here and there around the lake.

Launch: A nice concrete ramp on the east side of the lake. Easy in and out.

Result: Favorable winds allowed for calm conditions throughout the lake. I launched at sunrise. Water temp dropped to 60 from a recent front so I expected a tough day. I concentrated on pads and any available cover with a stick worm. It was one of those days that we all occasionally have, a bunch of lost fish. I just couldn't get my mojo going. It seemed like they were short striking and not really getting the bait good. I went through a ton of soft plastics trying to find the magic bait. I ended up with only 3 landed and off the water at 11. It was fun anyway.

Will I go back? Yep, it's my local lake that is usually pretty decent. Just have to watch the weather and wait for a calm day.

Overall Score: 76. Even though I only caught 3, I can usually have pretty good success.

FlatsNBay

Spot 29: Fox Lake

Fox Lake is located in Titusville and is connected to South Lake by a canal. I've fished a few times by boat and this was the first time by kayak.

Habitat: There is 2 different types of habitat depending on the lake. Both lakes have dark tanic water. Fox Lake has shoreline grass, plenty of pads and several areas of bullrush. South Lake has plenty of vegetation including hydrilla, eel grass, and pads all over the lake.

Launch: Fox Lake Park has a nice concrete ramp and a separate kayak launch. Easy in and out.

Result: Most people fish South Lake because of the vegetation but I chose to stay in Fox Lake because spray boats were launching and I wanted to stay away from them. The morning started with turkeys gobbling and eagles and ospreys flying over the lake. I love the spring. I started with a frog and had a couple of subtle hits but they weren't that active. I tried several areas of pads with no luck. I found a few nice mats and went to flipping with the new Berkley Stank Bug. Ended up with 4 with the biggest being 2 lbs. Off the water at 1130. It was fun.

Will I Go Back? I'd try it again and take the long paddle to South Lake.

Overall Score: 72

FlatsNBay

Spot 30: Lake Cara

Lake Cara is a lake located on one of central Florida's Wildlife Management Areas. I didn't have high expectations because the lake is open year round and I suspect that it gets a lot of pressure.

Habitat: Very dark water with tons of shoreline grass and some sections of water lettuce. There are several small islands in the lake. I had water depths down to about 12 feet with an irregular bottom. It looks fishy!

Launch: A dirt road ending at a very shallow concrete ramp. I had to get my feet wet launching.

Result: I started with topwater and frog had a few nice hits but they were just swatting at the baits. Water temp was 65 so I bet the topwater bite would be much better with warmer water. After the sun burned off the fog, I went to flipping and that was the ticket. I ended up with 7 all in the 2 to 3 pound range. I lost about a 5 pounder right next to the boat. Dang it! Should've brought a net. Fun place and the quality was good.

Will I go back? It's a long drive but I'd go back. I'd like to try it during warmer weather. I bet the frogging bite would be really good.

Overall Score: 75 Good quality. Flipping and Frogger's Paradise!

FlatsNBay

#55
Spot 31: Eau Gallie River (saltwater)

The Eau Gallie River is a saltwater river that is connected to the Indian River in Melbourne. I've fished it a lot before as it's one of my buddy's favorite areas and it's always been a good place for snook and tarpon. It has a nice variety of fish and you can even catch a bass at the spillway in the back of the river.

Habitat: A wide area full of boat docks and marinas that narrows to smaller sections. The water is usually deep enough for most flats boats and skiffs.

Launch: A multi lane concrete boat ramp with boat docks. I opted to use a sandy beach just a short cart away. Launching was easy and I stayed out of the way from launching boats.

Result: I started with a topwater at a narrow section of the river. I had a few blow ups and then connected with a small snook. I stayed with topwater for a long time and had a few more hits. Another boat was fishing in front of me so I never made it to the freshwater spillway. I turned around and switched baits to a DOA shrimp. I connected with a couple more small snook then caught a big mangrove snapper. It was so big, it was a 2 hander! I should've kept it because when I released it, a dolphin went on attack mode and got an easy meal.

Will I go back? I would. It's usually protected from the wind and usually offers some decent fishing. It's a fun place.

Overall Score: 72

FlatsNBay

Spot 32: Lake Garcia

I've fished Lake Garcia a bunch from the boat but this was the first time in the kayak. I wasn't very excited as I would be limited to a canal that runs for several miles until you can get to open water in the lake.

Habitat: Dark but clear water with tons of vegetation. It looks like a dream for bass anglers.

Launch: A 2 lane concrete ramp with a dock. I used the airboat ramp to stay out of the way from launching boats at the main ramp. Very easy launching.

Result: As I was launching, I met another kayak Angler Joe from Ft Pierce. Joe was in one of the new economical pedal drives from Academy. Super nice guy. Off I went up the north canal. I tried a variety of baits and couldn't get anything going. I found a few fish at the mouth of a marsh cut and caught them on a swim worm and fluke. I worked my way in the canal and caught some more on a swim worm. Final fish of the day came flipping at the boat ramp. I ended up with 10 with the biggest being 2 lbs. Off the water at 11.

Will I go back? Definitely in the boat but probably not in the kayak for a couple of reasons. You are confined to the canal which has a lot of boat traffic including airboat tour companies. It can get pretty sketchy. It is a several mile paddle to open water. Fishing in the canal is ok but not as good as other areas of the lake.

Overall Score: 73