Great Outdoor Blog

Kayak fishing is no longer a niche. Anglers everywhere have simplified their lives by relying less on gas-gulping power boats, and have turned to relatively lightweight and inexpensive fishing kayaks to take them places a motorized craft could never dream of going.

The last few years have seen a tremendous amount of innovation in kayak fishing, and your friends at Great Outdoor Provision Co. have brought in a comprehensive selection of fishing kayaks and accessories that will keep our angling customers on the cutting edge.

Wilderness Systems has long been an industry favorite, and this year they’ve launched a redesigned Ride series (115 & 135)of kayaks that offers stability for even the largest anglers. The Commander Series offers a similar hull design in an enclosed boat that offers more protection from the elements and is great for in-shore fishing.

Hobie has made another huge splash with the just received Pro Angler 12. Calling this fish catching machine a kayak wouldn’t do it justice. It’s a super-stable floating platform that relies on Hobie’s patented MirageDrive pedal system with Turbo Fins for efficient propulsion.

Jackson Kayaks offers feature-rich, super-super comfy boats. The maneuverable Coosa is perfect for moving rivers or tight areas. The new Cuda offers efficiency and speed for ocean or big lake anglers. The Big Tuna is a solo/tandem kayak that features an innovative “Tuna Tank” that keeps your bait fresh without relying on a motor.







Innovation in kayak fishing doesn’t end with the kayaks though, as accessories have also evolved. The Hobie Livewell keeps bait fresh in up to eight gallons of water and allows three spare rods to be stored within easy reach.

The Bending Branches Angler Ace paddle has blades shaped specifically for fishing kayaks, and incorporates a simple but brilliant hook retriever.

Stohlquist’s Fisherman PFD offers a raised foam back so that it doesn’t interfere with a fishing kayak’s high seat back. Huge platform pockets in the front allow for tool storage and provide a convenient work platform.

GOPC staff is ready, willing, and able to help you custom design your kayak fishing experience. Once you’ve selected the boat that’s right for you, we can add a variety rod holders from Scotty’s or RAM, anchor trolleys, or other accessories. Come on in to any of our seven local shops to see what all the fuss is about. We guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

Written By: Chad Pickens, Manager at Chapel Hill GOPC

The last time we experienced such buzz surrounding the launch of a new fishing boat (we won’t call this beauty a kayak) was when Hobie released the Pro Angler onto an unsuspecting public. The original Pro Angler was a radical design for a human powered fishing craft -chock full of the kind of innovation only Hobie can come up with. While plenty of manufacturers have since copied some of the features of the Pro Angler, no one has really improved it. Honestly, about the only way to improve the Pro Angler (other than to make it cheaper) would be to offer a more compact version.

Enter the Pro Angler 12. Same concept as the original Pro Angler except with the following differences:

* 20″ shorter
* 12 lbs lighter hull weight & 18 lbs lighter fully rigged
* 100 lbs less capacity (but still an ample 500 lbs)
* New Vantage Seating (more on this later)
* 4 Rod Horizontal Storage instead of 6 on the Pro Angler 14
* Different Design for Center Console Tackle Box Storage
* Pre-drilled for Anchor Trolley mounting
* Fishfinder/Transducer installation is Lowrance Ready with multiple sealed mounting plugs for easy wiring
* Under Seat Tackle Storage

The killer feature on the new Pro Angler 12 is the superbly adjustable Vantage seating. From the seated position, you can adjust the angle of both the seat back and the seat cushion with just a twist of the arm rest. You can also change the lumbar support with the patented Boa system technology. This is the most adjustable seat we’ve seen in a fishing kayak and we would not be surprised if Hobie offered this seat in future models.

While there is an excellent video walkthrough of the new Pro Angler 12 on the Hobie website, we took a few minutes to show off the new Pro Angler 12 sitting alongside an original Pro Angler 14.

We recently received a limited production, initial shipment of Pro Angler 12s from Hobie and are literally selling these before unloading them off the Hobie Truck! Give us a call if you’ve been waiting for this boat to hit the market.

Casting Notes:
Cause and correction of tailing loops
A tailing loop results when the caster fails to create a stroke with a straight path of the rod tip. The line follows the path of the tip.
To open your loop, the tip of the rod follows a convex path, like a windshield wiper blade. Sometimes you want to open your loop to cast heavy sinking flies and indicators. This permits the fly and indicator to be cast without hitting the line. If you open your loop too much you can reduce the amount of forward energy to the point where the cast will only go a short distance. It’s important to know how to make an open loop because this will also help you learn how to close that loop which creates more effective forward energy transfer in a tighter loop.
So what can cause the rod tip to not travel in a straight path?
When the rod tip travels in a Concave path or a dip. And what causes that?
Stroke too short to put adequate bend (load) in the rod
Improper power application (not evenly accelerating to a stop)
Creep (starting you cast too soon) which results in a short stroke
Pushing rod through the stroke (instead of pulling)
Stopping the stroke too soon
Putting too much power into the forward delivery cast (improper power application)
Same with the double haul (improper power application)

Photo provided by resident angler, Don Horton, in our G'ville shop

Start with the fundamentals:

Beginner Fixes: The best way that I know how to eliminate tailing loops is to teach the “elbow forward” cast. When I teach it, I give them the visual analogy of the Tin Woodsman in the Wizard of Oz. When Dorothy and the Scarecrow find the Tin Woodsman immobilized by rust, he whispers the famous line “Oil Can” to which the scarecrow replies..”oil can what?” The point is for the student to pantomime the tin man, oil the shoulder and leave the elbow and wrist frozen. Hold the rod in a proper grip (thumb on top or key grip), rotate the hand and wrist fully forward and lock the elbow at approximately 90 degrees. Start with 20′ casts lifting the shoulder and arm to a stop on the back cast and then lowering the shoulder and elbow to a stop on the forward cast. This cast eliminates most of the moving parts that can cause casting faults. The student can quickly learn the feel of the rod loading and the line loops rolling out on each cast. Everyone wants to immediately start to cast longer distances and this is OK. Just tell them that when they start to lose their stroke on the longer casts to shorten up and start again at 20 feet.

Experienced Fixes: If you are an experienced caster but maybe you are having trouble making your fly landing first or maybe catching your fly on your own fly line, the elbow forward cast is a good cast to go to. Anytime I am casting for accuracy from 15 – 40 feet, I return to the elbow forward cast. When casting for distance (which I consider is 45 feet plus and which requires shooting line and maybe employing a double haul to increase line speed which in turn increases the load on your rod) a lot of experienced casters start to get the dreaded tailing loop. This is usually caused the the increased application of power in too short of a stroke, erratic power application etc. that causes the rod tip to bend too much and this creates a dip in the rod path which causes a tailing loop. Don’t despair. A technique known as the “drift” will eliminate these tailing loops. I teach it first in pantomime. Practice your back cast stop like you are swatting a horsefly a little behind and above your shoulder (Whack) on the stop. Then immediately allow your back cast to EXTEND 3″ – 6″ further back. Then start your forward stroke. The key on the “drift” is not to rotate it (which would lower the rod tip) but to poke it back on the same rod tip path you had when you stopped and whacked that horsefly. It takes some practice: back-cast HAUL, STOP, DRIFT, begin the forward cast, HAUL, STOP, shoot line, drop rod tip to the water.

FISH ON!

Here are my FFF notes on the elbow forward cast:
“Elbow forward: at the start of the cast the elbow is directly below your hand which is at ear level and slightly forward of your casting shoulder. It is part of the overhand baseball throw which is called a kinetic whip because each body part move in a whip like sequence adding to the overall force. This up- right forearm is also important to accuracy by leading and thus controlling the vertical forward movement of your fly rod and the unrolling of the fly line. Most tournament casters who use this style also offset the back cast slightly to simplify the fly lines path of travel as it changes direction from backward to forward. The arm lifting motion of the back cast is called shoulder flexion. Lowering the elbow on the forward cast is called shoulder extension.”

How to install accessories on a sit-on-top kayak to turn a basic model into an angler model. In this part, I am installing a flush mount rod tube on the back of a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120.

How to mount a Scotty rod holder to the Harmony Slide Trax Mounting Plate.

Thanks to Gwen in the Charlotte Shop for making these great videos.

Join us at the Greensboro Shop on Thursdays, 6:30-8:30pm, for FREE Fly Tying Demos. These events will be manned by local Trout Unlimited chapter, Nat Greene Flyfishers, members. Learn fly tying techniques and ask questions in a casual format. For more information, call Mike Callahan at the shop (336) 851-1331.

Mar 3rd – David Dow / “Clear Cure Goo” (the “Goo” cures instantly with a U.V. light source and never yellows)

Nearly a year after our film premier in downtown Wilmington, NC, Redfish Can’t Jump is finally coming to TV. Showing for the first time in High Definition, WILM channel 10 (the CBS affiliate in Wilmington), will air the film in its entirety with never before seen interviews and footage. We’re excited about the opportunity to have a brand new audience for RFCJ. Please mark your calendars for the shows. There will be two airings: January 1st (7pm-8pm) and January 29th (12n-1pm).
- Luke Pearson / Lift Films

CONTEST: Find Trusty and win a $50 gift card!

Watch the extra content during the broadcast of RFCJ and Find Trusty in the form of GOPC logo. Identify his location and post as comment at facebook.com/TrustyGOPC. Hint – He’s likely to show up on some sort of cool outdoor gear! Just simply tell us where you saw him. For example: “On a vest” or “On a duffle.” We’ll draw a winner and have consolation prizes from Patagonia as well. Enjoy the show!

Jerry “Capt. Jerry” Dilsaver
Oak Island, N.C.

Jerry is the newest member of the GOPC Kayak Fishing Team and came to kayak fishing after a very successful career in king mackerel fishing, where he earned a Southern Kingfish Association National Championship, a U.S. Anglers Association Angler of the Year Award and induction into the Southern Kingfish Association Hall of Fame. He finds the pace of kayak fishing to be relaxing, but exciting in its own way. It didn’t take but one time of being dragged down a small creek and bounced off a dock by a determined over slot puppy drum and he was hooked.

The determination and skills that earned Jerry numerous kingfish tournament wins have already propelled him to the forefront of kayak fishing in his home waters around Southport at the mouth of the Cape Fear River. He is new to kayak tournament fishing, but has a history of success that promises he will be a contender at any event he enters.

Jerry is also a well-known outdoor writer and photographer. His articles and pictures have appeared in numerous publications including North Carolina Sportsman, South Carolina Sportsman, FLW Outdoors and more. His weekly fishing and outdoor reports are heavily read in several North Carolina newspapers and on-line. He is also a prominent speaker at fishing seminars throughout the Carolinas and tirelessly strives to promote fishing. He really loves to share his enthusiasm and excitement with fishing, and especially kayak fishing, with all who will listen.

Jerry is available for inshore and ocean kayak fishing trips through captjerry.com. Hanover Center in Wilmington is his home store.

New product available in our Wilmington and Raleigh shops

When you live life in the sun you have to take skin care seriously. The folks at Watermans are committed to providing quality sun protection products to those individuals for whom sun protection is not an option. Watermans: Applied Science offers the best, most effective and functional, high-performance sunscreens on the market, specifically designed with high-intensity water sports in mind. Their sunscreen is formulated to stand up to the rigorous demands of an active life in the wind, water, and waves. Function is their focus, because a day in the shade is not an option. Watermans will never run in your eyes, make your hands slippery, or negatively affect your performance in any way. Their goal: to make sure a day in the sun doesn’t mean a lifetime of dealing with the consequences. Watermans: Applied Science, because not all sunscreens are created equal.

Lotion $19.99
Face stick $15.99
Lip Balm $2.99

Staff member Jason Allred caught this brown beauty in the Boone area. Stop by the Winston-Salem Shop to ask him about it and get outfitted for your next fishing adventure.

23″ hold over brown trout caught in wild designated trout waters. Weather was HORRIBLE!

Wed, April 21
7pm
Hanover Center – Wilmington, NC

Join us at our Wilmington shop for a slide show presentation about fly fishing the Roanoke River. Captain Lee Parsons is one of the “original” full-time fishing guides in our area. He was born on Wrightsville Beach in the summer of 1952, started fishing at age 3 when he caught his first Flounder. At age 12 he cast his first saltwater fly and was hooked.

Lee received his Captains license in 1996 and started Gottafly Guide Service. He now guides 150 to 200 days a year and is also an amateur photographer and writes for fishing magazines.