Pack and Paddle

PAC Kayak is located about an hour south of New Orleans with Houma being the closest bigger town. It is right in the marsh and is a kayak marina. You read that right, a kayak marina. Eddie and Lisa Mullen developed a kayak specific launch and tackle shop dedicated to the kayak fishing community. Located on the water in Point Aux Chenes, Louisiana, it has become quite the destination for kayak anglers. It is known around the nation and even internationally.

The fishing that is available within sight of the launch is only surpassed by the community they have helped build. I originally stumbled across this location after John Williams, owner of Pack and Paddle in Lafayette. He introduced me to it on a Jackson Kayak shoot years ago. John’s kayak and outdoor shop has always had a great relationship with the community in Louisiana. I was super pumped that he would be joining us on this part of the trip! We met up at his shop and enjoyed a great night of storytelling before heading to the water at PAC.

I truly consider the folks at PAC family, and it has quickly become my second home. You can imagine my excitement to visit and share the area with Richard, Jake, and Michael. All had decided to come along after our trip in Freeport.

Louisiana Sight Fishing is Weather Dependent

The weather followed us and the wind was still strong with cooler temps. It had been this way for a few days now. This typically means the fish are starting to feed again and they have overcome the initial shock of the cold front rolling in. So it was with high hopes that after getting settled in, we hit the water.

A few months earlier I had found fish super shallow just to the Northwest of the launch. This lead the way as we moved back into that area. The wind was coming out of the North so it had the water pushed out. This meant that if the fish were up there, they would be feeding. You do not see a huge tide swing on the Gulf Coast, but the wind can increase the flow, especially when it is consistently blowing the same direction for several days.

Finding the Reds by Sight

The larger movement of water can get the fish fired up as it can move the bait around a bit more. This is exactly what we found. It was not your typical sight fishing conditions, with the high winds and overcast skies, but we were able to watch the surface and sometimes actually see the fish feeding with their backs completely out of the water. This made for a very interesting situation.

Mixed emotions of frustration because the overcast skies and wind made it a bit hard to see the fish until you were on top of them, and the shallow water made it hard to get even the kayak into some of the areas. Then excitement, when you saw a fish feeding so shallow its back was out of the water and you were able to get the cast on it! What a ride all day of hard work and then reward! The decision to fish at PAC was paying off once again, proving that even in not so ideal conditions, you could still have an amazing day on the water!

Wiley X for the Win!

On this trip I found all my success sight fishing. Having good, polarized sunglasses was super key and being able to stop the boat in the wind to make an accurate cast before running the fish over. I was wearing the Wiley X Peak glasses with the copper lenses which I find work great when you have more overcast conditions.

As I mentioned, stopping the boat was super key to my success and I was able to do this with the Micro PowerPole. I could tap the remote after seeing the fish and with the softer mud bottom, the boat would stop slightly allowing me to grab the rod and make the cast.

Louisiana Sight Fishing for Reds: My Set Up

For my tackle set up, I was using a 7’ Medium Spinning Rainshadow Judge blank with a Moderate Fast action. The reel was spooled with 20lb Seaguar Smackdown and tipped with about 1.5 – 2 feet of 20lb Gold Label Fluorocarbon. I caught every fish on a ZMan Dizel Minnowz in the Redfish Toad color, and I had it rigged on a 4/0 ZMan Chinlockz so I could cast into the grass and bring it off the bank without getting snagged.

Sunglasses: Wiley X Peak!
Anchor: Power Pole Micro Anchor

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So now I'm going to turn it over to Jeff little from the The Little Stuff YouTube channel.

Jeff is going to go through his setup and show you how he utilizes his Torqeedo to troll, especially when he's fishing new water.

Jeff Helps us Find the Right Trolling Speed for Fishing

Every Torqeedo system has a GPS unit. In this case, the Ultralight's GPS unit is in the battery. It tells you your speed over land, but its real purpose is calculating how much range you have left.

For instance, if you need to go 8.4 miles and you typically mash it to cover a lot of water quickly, you know you'll have plenty of juice if it says you have 14.6 miles of range remaining.

Finding the Right Trolling Speed

So in this example, we're going 2.2 miles per hour, we have 63 miles of range remaining, and the battery is 94 percent charged.

This is actually faster than I want to go for trolling. So I'll back this down to about seven watts. This will stabilize my speed somewhere around the 1.3 mile per hour range. I've found that this is a good trolling speed for smallies in this particular lake. After a few minutes at this speed, Jameson hooked up.

Hopefully this tip will give you a better overall experience and help you catch more fish. I think it'll be particularly useful when you're fishing new water and want to do some trolling. I have another tip for the Torqeedo Ultralite here: Electric Kayak Motor Tips: Cleaning Weeds from Electric Boat Motor.

Kayak: Jackson Kayak Knarr
Paddles: Bending Branches Angler Pro Versa-Lok
Rods: 7’ Medium Rainshadow Judge, 7’ MH Rainshadow Judge
Reels and line combos:
– Shimano Vanford 3000 reel spooled with 20lb Seaguar Smackdown in Flash Green and a 12lb Seaguar Gold Label Fluorocarbon leader
– Shimano Chronarch 150 HG spooled with 30lb Seaguar Smackdown in Flash Green and a 20lb Seaguar Gold Label Fluorocarbon Leader
Bait rigs:
– 5” green pumpkin and purple flake Yamamoto Senko rigged wacky
– 1/2 oz Z-Man Jackhammer chatterbait in bruised green pumpkin tipped with a black and blue laminate Razor Shadz

The post Torqeedo Trolling for Fishing appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Because of their nature to feed shallow in the marsh it can be a very exciting and visual experience. You receive instant feedback to your presentations and get to watch them eat! It is this battle of being super stealthy, quiet, and having the right bait with the right line. It can be a roller-coaster ride of emotions. I say all of this to justify why when Dustin Nichols and Michael Fiorenza asked me to get up at 1:30am and make the long drive from San Marcos to Freeport to beat a cold front, I did just that.

Cold Front is Coming!

Richard Penny, his son Jake, and I had just wrapped up fishing with the fine folks at TG Canoes and Kayaks and the plan was to head to Freeport the next day to chase reds on the flats. What didn’t look promising was the weather. As I mentioned, a cold front was pushing in. This was not going to stop us from getting on the water, however.

Dustin and Michael were planning to pre-fish for an upcoming tournament, and we were hopeful that if we left early enough, we would have the morning to fish as the front drew nearer. As we rolled into Freeport the son was just starting to break and you could see that we were surrounded by water. It would honestly have been a bit overwhelming to try and pick a place to target, but lucky for us Michael is a guide and knows where the fish have been.

Freeport Redfish Fishing: An early start!

As the bugs surrounded us, we prepped our kayaks. We had a decent run down a channel before making our way through a small creek to access the flat. This was where the kayaks really shined. The creek was very narrow and even had some trees that had fell and been swept by the tide blocking the way. In addition to that, the creek had a significant amount of current flowing out and against our forward progress. This would have made it a challenge if we had not had the motors to help us push through.

Once we came to the mouth of the creek, the flat opened up. Michael pointed out some seagulls in the distance and told us he had been having luck following them to find the schools of redfish. The redfish push the bait around and to the surface, and the birds take advantage of the situation and in turn give the redfish away! Everyone powered up and made a b-line for the birds and as soon as the first person to reach the school was in casting range, I heard “FISH ON”.

Fish ON! For some of us…

Michael and Dustin both managed to hook up and Richard and I targeted another school just a bit further into the flat. We both reached it at the same time and made cast, but I missed my bites as I was throwing a topwater lure. I don’t know if it was the lack of sleep, the pressure to catch fish, or just me struggling, but this set the tone for the day as far as I was concerned. I fully expected Michael and Dustin to out fish me considering they are both local Texas angler. Especially Michael who is a guide in this area, but I do consider myself a decent angler, especially when it comes to redfish.

For whatever reason, however, I could not make it happen. I would cast at fish I could see. Watch them eat it and then set the hook, but there would be no fish on the other end. I had several short strikes blind casting. I just could not connect, and I continued to hear “FISH ON”. Don’t get me wrong, I really was super happy for the others, but I wanted to participate. The day continued this way and Richard was also able to get in on the action. Before all was said and done, I was the only one that had not been able to make it happen. Well, me and Jake, who was running the camera most of the day and had not been fishing.

Heading Back and some Night Fishing

With the tide continuing to drop off the flat, we had to call it a day and head back to the launch. The front was for sure starting to show itself as the wind began to pick up. I will admit, it was hard to take the big ZERO, and leave the water without feeling a fish on the other end of my line, but I still enjoyed my time with friends and seeing a new area, even if I was a bit “Salty”.

That night as we hung out at the house and prepped kayaks for the following day, if we could even get on the water, an idea began to form between Jake and I. The house was on a channel that connected to more channels giving the neighborhood boat access. In these channels were several dock lights. Dock lights attract baitfish and baitfish attract bigger fish. I think you see where this is going!

Lights, Camera, Fish!

We decided to give it a try, so after rigging up some GoPro and Lights on the kayaks, Jake and I made our way into the canal. The very first light we came to, Jake made a cast and immediately hooked up! It was a nice red. The next light produced a speckled trout for me, and I believe Jake pulled another redfish. This continued and we both were able to land a few fish. Even though this was a bit of work, it was worth is to get the skunk off my boat.

I had spent the whole day chasing redfish and by trying one more thing that night I had found success. I am not sure if it was persistence or stubbornness that drove me to stay up and keep fishing even after starting the day off at 1:30am, but I was able to sleep much better that night knowing I had a little more fish slime on my kayak.

The next couple of days produced high winds and tough conditions, but Michael and Dustin were both able to find some fish for the tournament and placed in the money. We decided to take a break and show up to support them at the weigh in. As always it is a great time getting to hang out with some friends in a cool place and maybe, just maybe, catch a few fish.

On this trip I found little success as I mentioned above, however the few that I was able to catch came on the following.

Gear I Used Freeport Redfish Fishing

I used a Rainshadow Judge 7’2” MH blank rigged with a Shimano Chronarch G. It was spooled with 30lb Seaguar Smackdown and tipped with a 20lb Seaguar Gold Label leader. The bait I used was a ZMan 5” Herculez in Pearl. I kept still in the wind with Power-Pole's Micro Anchor.

The post Freeport Redfish Fishing appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Find Accountability Partners

I find it difficult to stay on track with my workouts when I feel alone. So having a friend or family member that I can text and check in with really motivates me to keep going. 

An accountability partner essentially encourages you to be more disciplined to get the workout done. You know that your friend is waiting for your score. And you know that they’re relying on you for motivation also. So for me, having an accountability partner has really helped—especially on those days when I absolutely dreaded my workout. 

Plan Your Workout

Another thing that has really helped me with staying consistent with exercise is to take the guesswork out of it. It’s hard to schedule a workout into your day when you don’t know what you’re going to be doing. And it’s even harder when you have to put together a workout routine.

To help with this, I use a couple of different programs to set up what I’m going to be doing in my workout. There are yoga challenges, CrossFit programs, and even my gym has an app that gives me daily workouts. 

By not having to plan your workout down to a T, you’re really taking the guesswork out. And allowing yourself to be a little less stressed in regard to your exercise. 

Set Goals

My third tip for how to stay consistent with exercise is to set goals. For example, If you put in place unrealistic goals—like running 20 kilometers every day—you aren’t going to be motivated to even start. Instead, think of goals that are suited to your fitness level. 

At the end of the day, attainable goals make me feel more motivated, they help me see my progress, and they give me that dopamine hit that exercise is famous for. 

What I’ll usually do is at the start of the year, I will set a New Year’s resolution for how many miles I want to run that year. Even if I just go outside and run one mile, that is one mile ticked off my yearly goal. 

There are so many different ways that you can set goals. So choose the ones that make sense for you. 

Bring the Kids With You

My final tip is to bring the kids along with you—or your husband. Set up fun events for the whole family, like races or activities that you know everyone will be excited about. That way, you’re all getting in your exercise, spending time as a family, and having fun in the process.

How to Stay Consistent with Exercise: Conclusion

Those four tips are how I’ve managed to stay consistent with exercise and turn working out into a habit. Now my days are always much better once I’ve spent time burning off some energy as exercise makes me a better mom, a better wife, and a better person overall. 

Follow our Adventures and Subscribe

Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel, Great Family Adventure, and keep an eye out for more awesome videos we’ll be publishing shortly.

If you enjoyed this article and are hungry for more family adventure tips, tricks, reviews, and adventures, head on over to the Great Family Adventure YouTube channel and feel free to sign up for our Hazeadventure.com newsletter.

Kayaks: Jackson Kayak Rockstar
Life Vest: NRS Zen PFD

The post How to Stay Consistent with Exercise appeared first on Hazeadventure.

It can be challenging and potentially dangerous when it comes to whitewater and children, so these pointers will definitely help you get your family out on the water safely while also ensuring you have a great time. 

When Kayaking with Kids, Make It Fun

I find that it’s really important to make kayaking fun. If your kids aren’t enjoying the process of learning how to kayak, then there isn’t much point in doing it. In the end, we go kayaking as a family because it is fun. So if your kids are having a horrible time, it may not be for you. 

There are some things you can do to make the learning process fun, however. One way is to treat the kayak like it is a pool toy and play games along the way. By playing games, your kids will grow and learn without even realizing it, as they won’t be overly focused on actually learning. 

Choose the Right Environment

When teaching your kids how to kayak, it is important that you look for the right environment. I personally like to look for a controlled environment, so either flat water or a nice big eddy, because that way, I'm confident that I can make sure my kids feel good on the water.

The Right Gear for Kayaking With Kids

What’s really important when it comes to kayaking is to make sure that you have the right  gear. When it comes to selecting paddles, go for a smaller paddle that isn’t too long or too heavy. Your kids' arms are going to get tired easily, and when that happens, they’re not going to have as much fun.

My kids use something as small as 185 as they’re lightweight but long enough for them to reach the water. You want to make sure the paddle is light and easy to use so that way their arms won’t get worn out while trying to move their boat.

You’re also going to need a helmet, and just about any helmet works as long as the material doesn’t absorb water. If the helmet absorbs water, it’s going to get really heavy, so we like to use Sweet Protection or WRSI helmets.

Make sure the helmet is snug, fits well, and doesn’t rock back up on their forehead. 

Keep Your Kids Hydrated

Hydration is key when getting kids out on the water. And so is making sure they’re not hungry because there is nothing worse than getting down to the water and having hungry or dehydrated kids. 

Set yourself up for success by bringing snacks and water with you or making sure they’ve filled up before you go.

Just be Patient

At the end of the day, try not to be impatient, when kayaking with kids. Things are going to be a little slower than you anticipate. If your kids are feeling nervous, feed them good energy and confidence so then that way they can have the confidence they need to grow out on the water. 

I wrote another article on How to Help a Child with Fear that can help you through some more hoops on the water.

Camera: GoPro Hero 11
Kayaks: Jackson Fun Kids Kayak, Jackson Kayak Rockstar
Life Vest: NRS Zen PFD
Sunglasses: Wiley X

The post Kayaking With Kids appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Today I’m going to be sharing some tips with you on helping your kids overcome fear. These tips have helped my kids through their fear, so hopefully, they will also benefit yours. 

Validate Their Fear

The first tip I have for you on how to help a child with fear is to validate their fear. One of the most common problems we have as a parent is that we can’t truly understand their fear. Therefore we need to validate, acknowledge, and give attention to their fear, so they know we want to help them. 

For example, if your kid says something is really scary, don’t reply with “this isn’t scary.”  No matter how you feel, to them, it is still scary. Kids will begin to think that you don’t understand them or that you aren’t listening to them. Once your kid feels that way, it can then be a lot harder to regain their attention and also regain their trust. 

I instead approach acknowledging their fear. “I understand how that can be scary, can you help explain it to me.” Talk it through with them and ask questions. This way, you can better understand what it is that is truly scary for them.

Once you can understand what's scaring them, you can then set them up to overcome it. You are being more effective in finding out how to help a child with fear.

Break Down the Fear

Once you better understand what’s scaring your child, you can then help them work through it by breaking it down. This way they can see themselves working to overcome it. 

My son, for example, is sometimes very afraid of running rivers. The way I like to work with him to overcome it is I ask him, “do you think you can get to the next eddie? Do you think you can get to the next point or destination we’re trying to get to?” His answer is always yes, and with each and every yes, he gains more confidence, and in no time, I’m not having to ask the questions anymore. 

Once you’ve broken everything down into tiny little baby steps, you’ll start to notice your kids gain a lot more confidence in what they’re doing. This is because they see themselves overcoming the challenge in front of them. 

Only by overcoming their fears are your kids going to gain confidence in what they’re doing. As a parent, your job is to break down what it is that’s scaring them into tiny bite-sized pieces. This way they can gain their own confidence in overcoming the challenge. 

Repetition 

Another way to help your kids overcome fear is repetition. If your child only does something once a year, they won’t know what to expect, and most fear in kids is fear of the unknown. 

You have to remember that when they’re doing these things, they haven’t had as much experience as you. Tthey don’t know what to expect, which will give them some anxiety, which then further leads to fear. 

Try to find times when you can make something a little more repetitive. Go biking once a week, go hiking or kayaking once a month. Try to do that activity more often. Just like riding a bike, the more they do it, the easier it is for them to get back on. 

Be Open Minded

You need to also make sure that you’re approaching their expectations and your expectations with an open mind. 

We’re often surprised by our kids being afraid. We then push them or get frustrated ourselves is that our expectations of the day. The adventure gets in the way of us being able to parent them in the best way possible. 

My expectation of the day is we’re going to have this beautiful day running the river. When either of my kids get scared, and it surprises me, and I become frustrated. I had already assumed how my day was going to go. 

Frustration comes out when I’m trying to help him overcome his fear. When my kid senses that I'm frustrated, angry, or disappointed, it can really make the fear a lot bigger. The end result is that the experience as a whole not so positive. 

Make sure that when you’re going into these things, that you remember that your kids are their own people. They’re going to have their own fears and their own expectations. 

Wrapping Up

The overall goal is for us to have a great time with our kids in the outdoors. Make sure you remember that when you’re parenting them, lecturing them, or helping them overcome their fear. The goal is for everyone to have fun because that's what's going to make more adventures possible for you and your family in the future.

Every once in a while you tell your kids it’s okay, we don’t have to do that. It will make them more inclined to try other things moving forward because they will feel like they have a say. 

If kids don’t feel like they have a say in what they do, the chances of them being enthusiastic about going on more adventures are slim, so by giving your kid a little bit of control in their decision-making, you will make them feel like they can decide whether or not to go on the adventure. 

There is going to be some pushing, and you will have to push them outside of their comfort zone, but if they say yes to something that scares them, reward them. Offer the reward of hot chocolate, treats, a movie they’ve been dying to watch, or just anything that will get them excited and willing to step out of their comfort zone to try new things. 

Camera: GoPro Hero 11
Sunglasses: Wiley X
Kayaks: Jackson Fun Kids Kayak
Life Vest: NRS Zen PFD
Bikes: Bosch E-Bikes

Be sure to follow us on our Great Family Adventure YouTube Channel. Please comment down below what other tips and tricks you’d like to know to help get your family enjoying the great outdoors.

Check out our previous article on one of the Best Family Adventure Vacations!

The post How to Help a Child With Fear appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Before jumping in, I want to mention that sight fishing can get you into trouble! Once you start, it’s how you’ll want to fish most of the time. 

I recommend investing in a decent pair of polarized sunglasses because they reduce glare, help you see down into the water, and allow you to differentiate between fish and other objects like weeds and logs.  I use the WileyX Twisted glasses on this adventure.

Sight Fishing Basics

When sight fishing is to stand up in your boat or kayak to give yourself the best possible view of the water. Next, scan for signs of active fish like tails, fins, and swirls. 

Look for different water

Keep an eye out for any patch of water that looks different from what’s around it. Just remember that the differences can be subtle, so it’s important to be observant. Also look for shadows, outlines of fish, and things that look like sticks moving through the water. 

You’ll need to be quiet and stealthy and be able to transition quickly from your paddle (or whatever you're using to move the boat) to your rod. And of course, good boat position is imperative too. 

PowerPole Micro Anchor

On a recent outing, I kept getting blown into the area where redfish were feeding. I was able to catch a lot of them by using my PowerPole Micro Anchor to stop the boat from drifting into the school. If you don’t have a power pole, you can shove your paddle or oar into the sand or mud to stop or slow your drift. This will prevent you from ending up on top of the fish and spooking or scattering them. 

If you get too wrapped up in fishing and just let the boat drift when the wind is blowing, you can get moving pretty quickly. By the time you realize what’s happening it may be too late to do anything about it, so stay alert and be aware of the conditions and your surroundings.  

Windy conditions present challenges

Ruining a good spot in windy conditions is fairly easy. Nothing’s worse than wasting valuable time fishing water with no fish. Whether in tight groups or loose schools, redfish tend to stick together, so keep moving if you’re not seeing any fish or surface activity. Once you find what you’re looking for, slow down, keep your distance, and be as quiet as possible.  

Instant Feedback when Sight Casting

One of the coolest things about sight casting is that it provides instant feedback. Sometimes fish are super aggressive and will hit anything you toss into the water.

Other times they’re tentative and will only follow the bait or strike short. You’ll have to play with line and leader weight, lure size and color, and presentation until you find a combination that works. You’ll see how the fish react with each change, and it shouldn’t take long to figure out what they want and what they don’t.  

I’ve had days when a sixteenth of an ounce or one change in hook size made a huge difference even when the lures were identical otherwise. Sometimes you’ll need to slow down and let the bait sink when the redfish won’t take a lure that’s high in the water. Other times they’ll be feeding aggressively near the surface but will slow down as the day progresses. Whatever the case, instant feedback can be a real game changer. 

Try Sight Fishing With Other Species!

Now that you have all these tips, give sight casting a try next time you’re fishing for redfish or bass. If it’s sunny and the wind isn’t too bad, stand up, throw on your polarized glasses, scan the water for fins, tails, and swirls. Keep moving until you come across active fish. Chances are you’ll get the hang of sight fishing quickly. When you do your mind will automatically start doing the work for you so you can concentrate on putting more fish in the boat.   

Read More Fishing Tips and Trips

Check out my most recent adventure journal post: Black Bass Fishing the San Marcos River, TX and a great tip on knots I used for redfish can be read here: Palomar Knot Tying for Fishing.

Sunglasses: Wiley X
PFD: Chinook Fishing Kayak Lifejacket
Kayak: Jackson Kayak Knarr
Rods: 7’ Medium Rainshadow Judge, 7’ MH Rainshadow Judge
Paddle: Bending Branches Angler Pro Versa-Lok
Gear Box: Yakattack Blackpack Pro
Hoodie: Men's Silkweight Varial Hoodie
Paddle Holder: Yakattack Rotogrip
Rod Holders: Yakattack Omega Rod Holder, AR Tube Rod Holder
Camera mounts: Yakattack Panfish Pro, Yakattack Broomstick Pro
Footwear: XTRATUF Kiata Waterproof Sneakers

Follow my Adventures and Subscribe

If you enjoyed this article and are hungry for more adventure fishing tips, tricks, reviews, and adventures, head on over to the Road Trip Angler YouTube channel and feel free to sign up for our Hazeadventure.com newsletter. 

The post Sight Fishing Tips: Redfish appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Over the years, we’ve tested many different internet plans. I’m going to give you a quick rundown of the four that we use the most. 

Sky Net – Wireless for Remote Locations

The first one is our brand new Sky Net. It’s definitely the biggest internet contraption that we’ve had. It's actually a recent purchase because it came out with their mobile edition. It was was specifically marketed at people who travel in RVs. 

We went ahead and purchased it, and I can tell you that the internet is fast. I can do all my Zoom calls and all my Skype calls without any issues. It’s about $135 dollars a month, and initially, for the setup of the mobile version, it's about $700. It’s very worth it, and I'm definitely finding that the internet works everywhere. It also works in Canada, which is great! I'm not limited to only being able to use it in the U.S. 

Verizon MiFi – Wireless for Remote Locations

The other internet program that we've used over the years is Verizon’s MiFi which is a smaller contraption. I still really like the MiFi, and I still have it even though we have the Skynet. The reason why we still have it is that it is battery operated. It doesn’t require any power, whereas the Skynet has to be plugged in, and it pulls from our solar. 

If I have to work all day long and we’re not plugged in, then the Skynet can drain its battery. This is why we have the MiFi because I can charge it. It keeps its charge pretty well for our backup option.

With the MiFi, you can connect multiple devices to it. I think it’s only $35 a month once you’ve purchased the pack itself. As far as the monthly costs, it really isn’t that bad compared to other options. 

One other cool thing about the MiFi is that it works really well if you’re outdoors doing something. You can just throw it in your backpack and use it on the go. 

Verizon Phone Plan – Wireless for Remote Locations

We use Verizon phones, and I frequently use the hotspot quite often. Between the Skynet, the MiFi, and our Verizon phone plan, we’re connected to the internet most of the time. 

GMC Truck HotSpot – Wireless for Remote Locations

One last feature we have for the internet is actually our truck. We have a GMC truck, and it has a hotspot as well. I never really realized how much we would be using it. When we’re driving, there are so many cases where the cell service isn’t good. When our phones and our MiFi don’t work, the hotspot on our truck works great. 

I’ve also found that with the truck, long drives aren’t a problem for work. The GMC HotSpot keeps me working while Nick’s driving, or vice versa. 

Four Wireless Remote Suggestions

So, those are the four main internet connections that we use. Of course, you can take advantage of the wifi internet in cafes and different RV parks. If the internet is one of the reasons that’s stopping you from hitting the road for a long period of time, then I would definitely consider doing some research. There are so many great options out there to help you. 

We’re using all four different internet sources right now. The total monthly cost for us is around $200. It’s a work expense and a big part of allowing us to be able to take on these adventures, so for us, the expense is totally worth it. 

There are plenty of options for you to check out. Whether you can see if you can get a car with a hotspot, the Skynet, the MiFi, or your phone’s hotspot, all of them are available and will help you transform your adventures into long term adventures and turn your dream of working on the road into a reality. 

Fleece Jacket: Cotopaxi Abrazo Half-Zip Fleece Jacket
Portable Wifi: Verizon’s MiFi

The post Tips for Wireless Remote appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Best kayak for fishing rivers?

A sit-on-top hardshell is an excellent choice, and definitely the way to go for kayak anglers. A sit-on-top inflatable is a good choice if you don't mind sacrificing some performance and are mindful of the maintenance. Sit-inside hardshell kayaks can cut it in modest current, but will swamp if tipped over. If you ‘re looking to really attack the rapids, then nothing beats a whitewater kayak. Whitewater kayaks have spray skirts and these aren't a friendly fishing boat.

When it comes to fishing on rivers, many people prefer a sit-on-top hardshell kayak. Pedal kayaks have improved leaps and bounds over the years. For current, shallow spots, and rapids a paddle kayak is a great way to go for kayak fishing on rivers. 

Sitting Position for River Anglers

Quality fishing kayaks typically have seats that can adopt a high or low position. While casting out over calm waters, the high position offers a better vantage point to what lies beneath the surface. However, when you encounter some current, be sure to drop down into the low position, since this is a much more stable setup. 

Packing for Kayak Fishing Rivers

Packing for a kayak fishing trip will look quite different for a river run compared to a lake outing. My suggestion is to pack light, or as us river paddlers like to say: “Rig to flip”. Even if you know what you're doing and the river is relatively mild, it is always best to expect to flip. Then when this happens, all of your gear will be properly attached and stowed so that you don't lose anything.

Hard lessons

I learned this lesson the hard way while doing a 3-week paddling trip through the Grand Canyon. After an unexpected capsized raft, we lost all the food for the trip. Everything! So needless to say, that put a bit of a damper on the expedition. 

Selective packing

The best way to prevent losing valuable goods is to be more selective with your packing. Bring less rods; bring less tackle. This may mean some tough pre-game decisions. You'll be grateful for the minimal approach not only in terms of mitigating damage, but also for boosting performance. A bogged down kayak will be slower and less responsive across those winding and ever-changing waterways. 

How do you handle rocks while paddling rivers?

One of the main concerns kayakers have while paddling rivers is how to handle rocks. At any time, kayakers may find themselves getting pulled into sizeable rocks by the current. This happens more easily while fishing, since the focus tends to be elsewhere. Most people's natural reaction when drifting sideways into a rock is to lean away from it. This is an example of where our instincts mislead us.

Lean into the rock

You'll actually want to lean into the rock. The reason for this is that the current that's pushing into you will gain purchase on the kayak's edge (if you're leaning away from the rock/into the current) and flip the kayak remarkably quick! Conversely, if you lean into the rock/with the direction of flow, this will give the water a path under the boat, which will keep you upright until you're able to slowly push yourself around the rock and get on with your day. 

What's the best way to anchor a kayak?

The same principles for navigating rocks on the river apply to anchoring a kayak in current. If you like to drop an anchor while fishing on a river, it's important that you don't have the boat positioned perpendicular to the current. Once again, the force of the flowing water will pile up on the kayak's edge and flip you before you even know what's happening.

Anchoring a kayak

To be perfectly honest, I don't recommend anchoring at all while fishing rivers, but if you are set on doing so, you'll either have to maintain a downstream tilt (which is not easy to do), or drop the anchor from the ends of your kayak so that you're kayak points downstream (but beware that strong enough current will still accumulate and potentially cause problems). Keep in mind that if you want to linger in one spot, you can always beach your kayak and cast out from the shore. 

Flowing rivers can be great places to catch fish because they tend to be untapped wells. However, the reason these spots are less visited is because the current, rocks, and rapids can be difficult to manage, especially while trying to split your attention. But if you pack light, avoid anchoring, and act smart around rocks, you'll be set up nicely to snag big fish while going with the flow. 

Kayaks: Jackson Kayak Coosa, Jackson Kayak YuPik
Paddle: Bending Branches Angler Pro Versa-Lok
PFDs: NRS Zen (Product Details)
Clothing: NRS Guide Shirt, NRS Benny Board Shorts
Sunglasses: Wiley X

I hope you enjoyed this article. For more paddling/fishing content, check out PaddleTV, and sign up for our Hazeadventure newsletter to be notified of the latest and greatest tips, gear reviews, and outdoor excursions. 

The post Tips for Kayak Fishing Rivers appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Black Bass Fishing Paradise

Large populations of black bass call these bodies of water home. There is just something about exploring moving water in hopes of landing a big one that I cannot resist. As the brand manager of fishing at Jackson Kayak, I was excited to make the long journey south and a bit West to the San Marcos Rive. It is one of the most pristine paradises for black bass fishing.

Jackson Kayak has been working on our newest model, the Coosa X, for over a year. It was specifically designed for river fishing.  The new Coosa X is designed for areas where you need to float shallow, turn quickly, and handle whitewater to get to where the fish like to hangout. 

TG Canoes and Kayaks

Just off the banks of the San Marcos River, in San Marcos TX, a family-owned kayak shop called TG Canoes and Kayaks has been in business for decades. Owned by Dwayne, Evelyn and their son, Alex, TG is a long-standing Jackson Kayak dealer. I could think of no better place to spend some time trying out a brand-new river fishing kayak than with these awesome people in their great environment. The plan was set.

When we arrived, a decision was made to float from TG to a popular take out about 3 miles downriver. This would take us through a couple of small rapids. It provided us with ample opportunity to test the boat and target some hungry bass.

Even though it had rained the day before, the water conditions were low and relatively clear. Picking the brains of Dwayne and Alex, I took their advice and rigged up with a white Chatterbait and a white trailer. I am probably most confident with a Chatterbait tied on, so I felt right at home.

As soon as we hit the water I was met with a unique landscape where giant Cyprus trees lined the bank and limestone rock protruded from the river. I have had the opportunity to fish a few rivers in TX, but this one was for sure unique. I had no idea where to cast. So I began to hit every ‘fishy’ looking spot to try and develop a pattern.

New rivers need patience

Casting my bait behind rocks, along the bank, around the tree roots, and on every piece of wood I came across, I was anticipating a bite. However, the bite just didn’t come. I could see that Alex was beginning to get frustrated as well and I understood why.

Every time I take someone new to one of my favorite spots, the fish somehow sense this and decide to make me look like a fool for bragging about how good it can be. I had no doubt that this stretch of river held fish, I just didn’t know what they were hitting yet.

Anytime I am struggling to get a bite, there is one set up that will usually make it happen. Now this is not my favorite way to fish for a few reasons. For starters I like to fish moving baits. To cover a lot of water and get that reaction bite. I also feel that with larger baits like a Chatterbait or spinnerbait I get bigger bites. But when times are tough, I turn to the trusty Senko.

Z-Man vs the Senko for Black Bass

A wacky rigged Senko allowed to slowly sink into to an eddy, especially one with a ball of Cyprus roots, simply cannot be resisted…by any size fish. Dwayne and Alex have extensive knowledge on this river, so I reluctantly put the Z-Man Jackhammer Chatterbait away and tied on the only color Yamamoto Senko I had which was green pumpkin with purple flakes. Almost immediately I began to catch fish. The pattern was found. The next step was to locate the big ones.

Taking a short break from the fishing, Dwayne and Alex were anxious to try the Coosa X out in some of the rapids. We pulled over just below one of the drops and began to take turns playing in the small wave. I was very excited to hear their feedback and to see how the boat handled the challenges that a river presents.

New Coosa X was Fun

I am happy to say that the boat was a hit! Falling right were we wanted with a nice blend of stability and maneuverability. Dwayne and Alex are river people who fish and float rivers every chance they get. They have supported the paddling and fishing community for many years, so to have their approval of the boat was a big win for Jackson Kayak. Now back to the fishing!

Bigger Black Bass in the Slack Water

I noticed that the bigger fish were hanging more in the slack water between the rapids than in the current breaks near the rapids. I would basically cast in and around any structure or tree that I came near and let the bait fall naturally as possible. Being careful to keep slight tension on the line so I could feel the subtle bite.

Most of the fish were under a pound. It was fun to finally feel the tug on the other end of the line. Everyone had figured out a pattern that worked. The bite got a bit better as the day went on, but still no big fish had been caught.

As we approached one of the final straight stretches, I began to panic a bit. Another reason Senko fishing is not always my first choice is you tend to go through a lot of baits. They just don’t hold up to repetitive bites or fish catches and I was running out.

Lost the Senko

That was it. I was back to the drawing board as my last Senko came off while fighting a small bass. With only a small amount of river left ahead I decided to go big or go home. I mean this was my last day on the river anyway so why not risk it all.

I pulled out my Chatterbait box and pondered over the type and color choices that lay before me. Armed with the knowledge that green pumpkin and purple flake seemed to be working I chose a Z-Man Jackhammer in bruised green pumpkin, which is a combination of green pumpkin, blue, and black.

Z-Man Razor Shad

I added a Z-Man Razor Shad in black and blue and began to make a few casts. Moments later I noticed that the group had pulled over to discuss filming the next sections of rapids that would prove to be the most technical. Not hard by any means but narrow with some sharp turns.

As I approached the group, I decided to keep fishing while listening to the plan. I was just feet away from everyone I continued to make casts down river. A group of lily pads lined the right bank. Even though I had not caught fish near anyone else, something told me to make a cast parallel and just in front of them.

Fish on!

As I brought the bait back, I felt that thump that all anglers live for!  A solid fish slammed the Chatterbait and began to fight. I yelled “I have a good one” just as it surfaced with a big headshake. I could hear a collective gasp from the audience.

The cheering and poking began immediately with shouts of “nice” and “don’t lose ’em”. The pressure was on. It seemed like an eternity. Several jumps later the fight finally came to an end. I was able to get a grip on the bass’ mouth and bring it in the boat! I could not have been happier. With only a small stretch of river left to go I had pulled off a nice one!

After getting a few photos and celebrating it was time to run the last stretch of rapids. We were going to meet Evelyn at the takeout. The trip to St. Marcos was short lived with only a few days to spend with such wonderful people.

Jackson Kayak Team

I have only named Dwayne, Evelyn, and Alex. Several of the Jackson Kayak team and one of their shop paddlers, Justin, had been along with us as well. As always, it was great to spend time on the water with like-minded people, sharing our passion. I can’t wait to return to this beautiful location and spend more time chasing these lively river bass.

Paddles: Bending Branches Angler Pro Versa-Lok, Bending Branches Angler Navigator Versa-Lok
Rods: 7’ Medium Rainshadow Judge, 7’ MH Rainshadow Judge
Reels and line combos:
– Shimano Vanford 3000 reel spooled with 20lb Seaguar Smackdown in Flash Green and a 12lb Seaguar Gold Label Fluorocarbon leader
– Shimano Chronarch 150 HG spooled with 30lb Seaguar Smackdown in Flash Green and a 20lb Seaguar Gold Label Fluorocarbon Leader
Bait rigs:
– 5” green pumpkin and purple flake Yamamoto Senko rigged wacky
– 1/2 oz Z-Man Jackhammer chatterbait in bruised green pumpkin tipped with a black and blue laminate Razor Shadz

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The post Black Bass Fishing the San Marcos River, TX appeared first on Hazeadventure.