Great Outdoor Blog

Jameson Redding, GOPC Kayak Fishing Team member
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I have paddled the Jackson Coosa for several years now and love it. Last year I picked up the Jackson Cuda 14. I have used this kayak for almost a year and feel the same way about it. I use the Cuda for my flat water, lake and salt, excursions and like the speed it has over the Coosa. Don’t get me wrong, in my opinion the Coosa is the perfect river kayak. When I started looking into the Jackson Big Tuna for a tandem solution for me and my wife I quickly realized it had great solo potential as well. I believe it is the single most versatile platform on the market with all of the seat configurations and the Tuna Tank. I got my Big Tuna just in time to take it on my annual trip to Pensacola, Florida for the holidays. I loaded it up on my new Malone trailer, which I love, and headed down to the Gulf Coast. Excited to try it, I planned a trip for that night to a spot that was known to hold big reds. The bait of choice is white trout that can be caught in the same location as the bull redfish using a Gulp! shrimp and a jig head. I wasted no time saying hello to everyone and getting my gear ready upon arrival in Pensacola. Once on the water the trout began to come to the boat, this is where my review starts.

1. THE TUNA TANK
I drilled some holes in the Tuna Tank and could not wait to see how it would work. I placed several trout in the tank with it in the upper position. I checked on them periodically and noticed that they were alive and kicking every time. As the tank filled I decided to drop it into the low position. I eventually had 20 white or sand trout, whichever you prefer, ranging from 10-14 inches. Me and my friend used these throughout the night and all of the fish stayed healthy and frisky. We caught several nice reds. The following days were spent between this night spot and a flat that we fished for speckled trout and slot reds. Again, while fishing the flats I employed the use of the Tuna Tank. I usually carry a stringer with me that I put the keeper fish on, which can slow your paddle down and attract unwanted friends such as sharks and dolphins. I don’t like carrying a cooler with me either, due to it taking up space for my tackle. I would rather leave it in the car. I managed several nice specks 17-20+ inches and since you are allowed 5 with one being over 20, I filled the tank. I kept my keepers alive all day and was able to cull fish since they stayed healthy and active. I would never have had this luck with the stringer. I plan to order the replacement tank soon for those days where I will not be using live bait or keeping fish.

2. SPEED
I would have assumed that the Tuna would be slow compared to my Cuda 14. If it is slower, however, I could not tell on the water. I was more impressed by how well it paddles as a solo kayak than any other feature of the boat. It is fast and yet still turns well. I do have the rudder on mine, but only because I am used to it on my Cuda 14. The only way I might could see it being harder to handle is if the wind was up a lot. The boat is bulkier and sits higher on the water.

3. STABILITY
Even the most stable kayak takes a little getting used to, however the Tuna would be a quick learn. I stand and fish from all my Jacksons and have no problem fighting even 42 inch reds while doing so. This kayak is the most stable Jackson I have paddled as of yet. I have wanted to try and stand in the seat of my Cuda for extra sight fishing height all year. Many times I have started to attempt doing this and chickened out due to it becoming a little rocky. I again pursued this dream in the Big Tuna. I was able to accomplish it with ease. I am no little guy either at 215 pounds and 6 feet tall. I was impressed to say the least. (Now, I am not saying that I recommend this, but I did it anyway.) The boat also rides through choppy waters well. With the wind blowing on several of our outings the waves were up. The Big Tuna road over them keeping me dry, yet still maintained its stable feel even with the seat in the high position.

These are the things that impressed me the most. I could go on, but I promised to keep it short.

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.

We look forward to hosting the North Carolina Kayak Fishing Association (NCKFA) to our Greensboro Shop on Saturday, March 10th at 2pm for their monthly meeting. We welcome all members and guests. NCKFA President, Mark Patterson, will be speaking on Big Game Fishing. He will also cover the topic of “Surf Launching” and explain the best practices of this technical skill.

This is a great seminar for both beginner and experienced anglers/paddlers. We are grateful for the dedicated work of individuals like Mark and other NCKFA members who inspire us in this great sport of kayak fishing.

Kayak Fishing was the fastest growing outdoor activity in 2011 and the popularity continues to grow. Getting started is easy with the relative low cost of purchasing a kayak in relation to the cost of a motorized craft. And kayak fishing tournaments are a great way to to meet new people and learn more about the sport.

Kayak Fishing Team Member Mike Callahan in his Trident 13 Angler

Most tournaments are “photo catch and release” meaning you will need a digital camera and a means to measure the fish. Below are several resources that provide information on area tournaments. These include the increasingly popular “online tournament” which allow anglers to fish according to his or her schedule and participants can submit their catches online for judging. Probably the most recognized of the online tournaments is the Kayak War series.

Each of our shop locations is staffed with kayak anglers that can provide more details on the sport and offer suggestions as to how you can participate. It is lots of fun and provides a great way to be outdoors.

Click on the links below to find out more about kayak fishing and local tournaments.

North Carolina Kayak Fishing Association

North Carolina Angler Online

Hardcore Kayak Fishing

Carolina Yakfish

River Bassin Forum

Kayak Bass Fishing

Kayak Angler Magazine Online

Kayak Wars

Thanks to Gwen Crabtree for this resource. Gwen is the paddlesports manager at our Charlotte location and a member of the Great Outdoor Provision Co. Kayak Fishing Team. Follow Gwen @CLT_Kayaker.

We are excited to announce new GOPC Kayak Fishing Team member, Gwen Crabtree:

Gwen resides in Charlotte where he is the assistant manager and paddlesports manager for the Charlotte location of Great Outdoor Provision Co. While Gwen has fished for as long as he can remember, he’s relatively new to the sport of kayak fishing having purchased his first fishing kayak about a year ago. However, don’t let his relative newness to the sport fool you. Gwen has entered four kayak fishing tournaments in the past year and recently won the North Carolina Kayak Fishing (www.nckfa.com) Battle in the ‘Boro fly fish division. You can follow Gwen’s kayak fishing adventures on Twitter, just look for @CLT_Kayaker

The Greenville Great Outdoor Provision Co. kayak fishing seminar was very successful with 18 to 21 participants who were all extremely interested about getting involved in the sport. Some participants had already purchased kayak and were interested to learn about outfitting, gear, and paddling tips. Others who were entirely new to the concept of kayak fishing learned about the different kayak models, fit, and applications to their particular fishing settings. After the presentation was over there was time given for participants to ask questions and receive advice and recommendations on a personal level.

Ashley Williams @ Greenville Shop

Location: Charlotte shop
Date: Sunday, May 22, 2011
Time: 2 – 4pm

Erick is a 14 year kayak fishing veteran and has been affiliated with Wilderness Systems for the past 5 years. He originally started a fishing team to fish in the Extreme Edge Kayak Tournament Series. The original team, Team eAngler placed in the Top 3 in several events, took home 2nd place in three events and finished 1st in one event. The original three members, (Erick, Todd Llewellyn and Mark Michael) have fished in various events across the country both as a team and individuals. Todd and Erick won the Florida Sportsman Super Lure Tournament as the only kayak anglers competing against a field of 29 other teams in power boats. That was a first in that particular event and winning in a respectable fashion by weighing in two redfish that bested the field by almost 3 lbs. Erick is also a past 1st place winner in the redfish division of the Osprey Bay Kayak Tournament and 2nd Place in the trout division of the TJM Celebrity Charity Event. He also competes in other tournaments, including the world renowned Jacksonville Kayak Classic, where he won largest trout in 2009, and for the past several years has had the privilege and honor of being one of the judges.

His current team is now Team Wildy, part of the Confluence fishing family with Wilderness Systems and AT Paddles. He continues affiliations with Hook 1, along with using rods and reels from Quantum and part of the Columbia Sportswear Pro Staff. Erick competes mainly in individual events today, as well as taking part in other kayak fishing related events. He is also active in several online kayak fishing communities posting either under his real name Erick, or as erayyak.

Erick is best known for “The OLC” or “The One Lure Challenge”. A kayak fishing tournament series that he started 5 years ago on a whim to see what gold spoon caught more fish. The single event turned into an annual 4 event series that offered kayak anglers the opportunity to participate in a fun, yet competitive challenge. Each angler is only allowed to fish with the lure chosen for that particular event within certain boundaries, therefore eliminating many of the advantages someone may have by using their favorite lure, or fishing their favorite fishing hole.

After leaving Florida to return home to North Carolina, “friends” from the kayak fishing community at paddle-fishing.com held the first “Erick Bell Memorial Tournament” as part of their PFTS (Paddle Fishing Tournament Series). Although, still much alive, it follows a similar format to the OLC series he started down in Florida. This is an annual event, and a great reason to go back each year for a great time with good friends and to fish in a tournament. Plus, he wants to make sure everyone knows he has only moved and still has a passion for kayak fishing.

There is no charge to attend but we do ask two things:

1. If you are planning to attend, call our Charlotte shop so we can get some idea of how much room to make.
2. If you find the clinic useful, consider making a small donation to our local chapter of Heroes on the Water.

Dates, Time and Locations for all our Kayak Fishing Workshops can be found here

by Gwen Crabtree, Charlotte Staff

On Saturday, 30 April GOPC kayak fishing team members Bo Anders, Tim Stewart, Drew Haerer, and Mike Callahan joined me for the 1^st Annual North Carolina Kayak Fishing Association (NKCFA) Battle in the ‘Boro Fishing Tournament. The tournament was held on several lakes throughout the Greensboro, NC area and benefitted the Heroes on the Water program which serves military personnel who have been wounded, injured, or disabled.

The Battle featured two divisions for the kayak angler: largemouth bass and fly rod. I chose the fly division because anglers were allowed to count any fish whereas anglers in the bass division were restricted to largemouth bass with a minimum length of 14 inches. If you’ve read any of my other tournament reports, you know I freely admit that I’m not very good at spin fishing. Add that to fishing a new body of water and I surmised that entering the bass division would be too tough for me. I am much better at fly-fishing and I knew the lake I planned to fish had catfish and very few people would guess you could catch a catfish on the fly. My odds of placing high were further improved knowing that at most maybe 10 people would enter the fly division.

After a little online research and getting some personal intel from people who fished there before, I decided to fish Lake Mackintosh near Burlington, NC. This lake is perfect for the kayak angler because it has two sections limited to electric motors or paddle power only. My reports indicated the fish experience less pressure in these areas and I hoped this would improve my odds as well. This time I decided not to sleep in and I actually got to the lake just after 6am and after setting up my Ocean Kayak Prowler Trident 13, I pushed off from the launch just before 7am. At that point I was one of two kayak anglers from the tournament who were on that section of the lake.

As I drifted on the lake, I opened my fly boxes and tried to decide what the fish might be interested in that morning. I decided I would go with the conehead fire tiger woolly bugger, which Sam in our Charlotte shop assured me would catch fish. After about 45 minutes of paddling and casting, I felt a solid strike on my 8-weight rod and saw rod tip bend over. The fish put up a good fight, but it didn’t quite feel like a bass. After a few minutes of working the fish, I finally got it to the surface, and what do you know, a catfish on the fly. Grabbing my Hobie fish grips, I secured the catfish and scrambled for my official tournament measuring board and my camera. During all this I was trying to figure out how I was going to take a photo of a catfish without either losing it or getting spiked by one of its fins. In all the hustle to get everything lined up, I was about to snap my first photo when I realized that I didn’t have my Immersion Research sticker in the photo to make it an official catch. After a little more scrambling, I put the catfish on the board and snapped several photos. I didn’t really pay too much attention to the total length; I just knew the fish was over the 16-inch mark. Not too shabby for a catfish caught on a fly.

I fished the rest of the day until about 2pm with nothing else to the boat, but I still had confidence that my catfish would get me into at least the top five. After loading up and a quick drive to the tournament weigh-in, I pulled up my photo and zoomed in on the tail of the fish so I could fill out my entry record. The fish measured 16.5 inches in total length. After waiting about 45 minutes while the NCKFA team reviewed the entries, I was called to the judges’ table where they asked for my camera. At that point I knew I had placed at least in the top three in the fly division because the tournament officials informed us they would only ask for photos from the top three anglers in both divisions.

It didn’t take too long for the judges to review and approved all the photos and then they started the awards ceremony. Third place in the fly division went to one of the Heroes on the Water anglers, Michelle Little with an 11.75-inch largemouth bass. Michelle’s catch netted her a $100 GOPC gift certificate. Second place in the fly division went to William Scarboro with a 15-inch bass. William’s catch was rewarded with some sweet gear from Immersion Research. The winning fish in the bass division went to Wayne Stirewalt who boated a 19.75-inch largemouth. And first place in the fly division went to a 16.5-inch catfish and earned me a sweet Versa Board rigged for fishing. My strategy of fly-fishing for catfish paid off. Not too shabby for only my third kayak fishing tournament.

Many thanks to the folks at NCKFA and their sponsor for putting on a great event!

If you haven’t heard of Heroes on the Water, I encourage you to check out this great organization and all they do for our Veterans.

Until next time, tight lines.

Renowned writer, photographer and kayak angler, Jerry Dilsaver is highly regarded not only within the kayak fishing community but among anglers in general. His articles and photographs have appeared in numerous publications including North Carolina Sportsman, South Carolina Sportsman, FLW Outdoors and more. Part of Hobie’s group of professional regional anglers, Jerry is also a member of our Kayak Fishing Team. Jerry is a highly sought after speaker at fishing seminars throughout the Carolinas. We are very fortunate to have Jerry’s expertise available to us as he is one of the most articulate and talented kayak fishing instructors in our region.

We are pleased to host Jerry’s Kayak Fishing clinic at our Wilmington store location. This first clinic is introductory in nature and will focus on kayak rigging, technique’s and other topics of interest to the beginning/intermediate kayak angler. If you are looking to get started with Kayak Fishing and want a good overview from a very knowledgeable instructor, this would be an excellent clinic to attend.

There is no charge to attend but we do ask two things:

1. If you are planning to attend, call our Wilmington shop so we can get some idea of how much room to make.
2. If you find the clinic useful, consider making a small donation to our local chapter of Heroes on the Water.

Dates, Time and Locations for all our Kayak Fishing Workshops can be found here