At right: Shown is an arial view from Google Earth of Cockroach Channel.

As a competition kayak angler, I have fished in some truly amazing areas. I have even managed to catch fish and even place in tournaments in the areas even with as little as one day of pre-fishing. How do I do it? Let's just say a little bit of luck and a lot of planning. At first I had very little success. I would simply ask someone where the fish were biting and go to those areas, but in competitions, lots of misinformation goes around. So eventually, I started using the techniques that I use locally every day (after all, I do have a Marine Biology degree), and I started to catch fish. The more I planned and started to think like a fisheries biologist, the more successful I became. So, here are a few pointers that can make fishing a new area successful, and at the least very educating.

1.) Get to know the lay of the land
Having maps and charts of the area that you are gong to fish is a must. It will allow for you to scope out areas that can hold fish as well as indicate access points, structure, markers, and any hazards that may be there. Some charts even give water depth as well as bottom composition. With the advent of computers and the Internet, there is a wealth of information waiting out there to be used. I purchased a commercial program; it gives me detailed charts of local areas. I have both topographic and marine charts with this program. If you want to go the free route, there are downloadable charts and software available from several sources on the Internet. Aerial and satellite photography is also available online. My favorite site is Google Earth. This site will allow you to scroll down to some pretty good resolutions, so good in fact, you can tell what type of car is sitting at the boat ramp. I like it because you can see areas of shallow water, submerged vegetation, channels, and submerged structure. It is easy to pick out the fishy places with these resources. The basic service is free, but has limited capabilities; the subscription service is definitely worth the extra money. You can also copy many of the maps on you copier, which is handy if you do not want to ruin a chart. Use weather proof paper and you have a handy set of portable maps that might just get you out of a pinch.

2.) Get to know the locals
Once you have studied your maps it is time to do some research. One of the best ways is to hire a guide, but this can be expensive. So, the next best thing is to talk to someone local to the area. Most anglers are willing to give up some limited info,which may be enough if you studied your maps. I prefer to go back to the Internet and Google "fishing __________", (you fill in the blank). Good thing about Google is that you can be specific, and filter out unwanted websites. I also look for message boards for the specific areas. There I will ask questions or even "lurk" to get info on all the hot spots. Anglers are prone to brag, so take advantage of it. Don't forget to ask about tackle used, and the water conditions. This brings me to the next item.

David Moss is shown holding his first place redfish caught at the Extreme Edge Fishing Tournament in St. Petersburg, Florida.

3.) Get to know the conditions
There are several factors that affect fishing; probably the most important are the environmental conditions. Tide, current, weather, solunar phase, and water quality can all effect fishing. Tide and current are very important factors. There are several places to get this information specific to your area. We fish some pretty skinny water, so getting caught in a low tide situation can lead to a long walk home. I prefer to fish the incoming, slack high and outgoing tides. I try to launch in an area that will allow me to ride the tide in, fish high tide, and then ride the outgoing back to the launch. This technique has never left me high and dry.

I also prefer to fish when and where there is moving water. I never over look cuts and culverts where there may be a little current. Knowing the speed and direction of a current can also make a short paddle very long.

Unfortunately during tournaments there is a time limit, so you are stuck with a window that may not allow for ideal tide and current conditions. Knowing exactly what they are will allow you to determine optimum fishing for that window.

Weather is a no-brainer. I actually wear a watch that shows barometric pressure and trends. I know that if it shows a major change in pressure, weather change is imminent. I also check the local Marine Weather forecast for that area. Winds, heavy or light can affect fishing conditions. For example: a light winds can blow the water off of a flat, which with a low tide can mean dragging a kayak for miles. It can also create current, which may create an area that holds fish. Wind when combined with current can also make or break a kayak fishing trip. Wind and current going in the same direction may help you get to your spot, or make it difficult to hold a position.

Wind and current in opposite directions may hold you in one spot, or create a dangerous chop. There are several more scenarios, but I will not elaborate. Lets just say that knowing exactly what they will be doing can make it easy to plan a trip. Solunar phase's tables are also a good reference; they use the phases of the sun and moon to determine the peak feeding times for fish. These are available online and in some GPS units. This is not totally proven, but works with the tide to help determine a good time to fish. Water Quality is also very important; knowing whether or not an area has muddy or clear water, or has a recent fish kill due to red tide or pfisteria. All of this can be important in selecting areas to fish and tackle to use.

4.) Get to know the fish
By understanding the fish you are chasing you can even start to think like a fish. Before I go to an area, I prefer to read fishing guides and how-to books specific to the regions that I am fishing in. Magazines can also be a good source of information. Again the Internet can be a wealth of information if you have access. I especially like using results from marine research; there are numerous studies on feeding habits and preferred habitats for specific species. You can contact the local fisheries management agency to get the results of recent research. Try to gain an edge by fully understanding the fish you are pursuing.

Fly fishermen use the term "match the hatch". If you know what the fish are eating then you can match bait to that food source. I like to look in the water and see what species of bait are around. Whether it is fish or crustaceans, the most abundant bait will be obvious. At the end of the day, I also like to hang around fish cleaning stations and look at what is in the gut of certain species of fish. This is also a good place to gleam info from proud anglers. Another option is to feel the belly of any fish that you plan to release. If you feel hard objects, they are eating crabs or shrimp. Soft objects mean that they are eating fish or other soft bodied inverts.

5.) Get to know yourself
Kayak fishing is a sport, and like all sports you should know your limitations. Like all exercise you should consult your Doctor before starting. Knowing exactly how far you can paddle and how fast should always come into play. You would not want to paddle in a situation that you could not physically overcome, such as fighting a 5-knot offshore current. Also do not take on large or dangerous fish without practice or at least an experienced buddy. I highly suggest a basic paddling course and a rescue course. These will make you more confident which will get you on the water more and further develop your skills. Also paddle even if the fishing is bad. Simply getting out and exploring will benefit you physically as well as mentally. You seem to notice more if you don't have a rod in you hand. Who knows, you might even find a new honey hole. One final point about yourself, when it comes to fishing, always go with your gut instinct. If you are confident that an area or lure will produce, it will. Be safe, have fun, and I will see you on the water.

Google Earth
http://earth.google.com

Nautical Chart Viewer
www.nauticalcharts.gov/viewer/

Marine Weather
http://www.weather.gov/om/marine/home.htm

Solunar Tables
http://www.solunar.com