Hey everybody. I've been curious about this in my new kayak, just not sure what to call it. If I used a little crappie jig or live bait, would leaving a line out with a bobber (dependent on depth) work while I paddle? Just leave it in the rod holder? Being a don't break local laws about numbers of lines I have out. Just cast it out and leave it behind me? Thoughts? Thanks.

i doubt it is against the law anywhere but if you want to stay legal get a copy of the state fishing regulations. Usually available where they sell fishing license and more than likely from DNR web site.

I didn't mean the actual way of fishing being illegal, just if it's not my third line out or something. Cast one, leave one out. Around here its a two max most everywhere. 

I'll work. People troll  in kayaks all the time. Just be sure to buy a decent rod holder, and maybe a way to leash the rod to the holder so a decent bite doesn't take off with your gear. 

12 hours ago, Smalls said:

I'll work. People troll  in kayaks all the time. Just be sure to buy a decent rod holder, and maybe a way to leash the rod to the holder so a decent bite doesn't take off with your gear. 

Do you think a small curly tail grub has enough action to sit out there? Especially when I’m not paddling? Just trying to get the most out of my time and fish two rods. 
 

I have the locking yakattack rod holders on gear tracks so I should be fine. One thing I’ve been ocd on is gear leashes. Lock it all up! 

12 hours ago, Kayak Fishin said:

Do you think a small curly tail grub has enough action to sit out there? Especially when I’m not paddling? Just trying to get the most out of my time and fish two rods. 
 

I have the locking yakattack rod holders on gear tracks so I should be fine. One thing I’ve been ocd on is gear leashes. Lock it all up! 

I have no idea, it's not how I fish. 

 

Sounds like you're all set for gear.

On 9/5/2020 at 7:07 PM, Kayak Fishin said:

Hey everybody. I've been curious about this in my new kayak, just not sure what to call it. If I used a little crappie jig or live bait, would leaving a line out with a bobber (dependent on depth) work while I paddle? Just leave it in the rod holder? Being a don't break local laws about numbers of lines I have out. Just cast it out and leave it behind me? Thoughts? Thanks.

You would have to have enough weight on the line to keep in down in the water while you paddle. If you're going to be paddling I would consider using a small crappie crankbait.

 

14 hours ago, Kayak Fishin said:

Do you think a small curly tail grub has enough action to sit out there? Especially when I’m not paddling? Just trying to get the most out of my time and fish two rods. 
 

I have the locking yakattack rod holders on gear tracks so I should be fine. One thing I’ve been ocd on is gear leashes. Lock it all up! 

Yes, a curly tail grub should do well just sitting out there while not paddling, the current, wind, movement from the kayak will give it action. I usually drop a 1" Gulp Minnow + 1/16 jighead out without a bobber on my UL rod right beside my kayak about a foot from the bottom while I fish for Bass, and have hooked some nice fish that way this year, many different species.

8 hours ago, kayaking_kev said:

You would have to have enough weight on the line to keep in down in the water while you paddle. If you're going to be paddling I would consider using a small crappie crankbait.

 

Yes, a curly tail grub should do well just sitting out there while not paddling, the current, wind, movement from the kayak will give it action. I usually drop a 1" Gulp Minnow + 1/16 jighead out without a bobber on my UL rod right beside my kayak about a foot from the bottom while I fish for Bass, and have hooked some nice fish that way this year, many different species.

Thanks Kev. Do you nose hook it? Or hook it like a swimbait with the hook out the back? Does it get hung up much?

2 hours ago, Kayak Fishin said:

Thanks Kev. Do you nose hook it? Or hook it like a swimbait with the hook out the back? Does it get hung up much?

The hook comes out of the back. I use the Chartreuse 1" Gulp Minnow with a Chartreuse Big Bite Bait Jig Head, especially at night, but if it's sunny and the water is clear I will use the Shiner color.

 

I'll catch a snag or some grass once in awhile, but most of the time I can get it unstuck. I keep it off the bottom, so it doesn't happen very much.

 

It's not something I do a whole lot, but I probably should. It makes sense to have a 2nd line in the water if possible.

3 hours ago, kayaking_kev said:

The hook comes out of the back. I use the Chartreuse 1" Gulp Minnow with a Chartreuse Big Bite Bait Jig Head, especially at night, but if it's sunny and the water is clear I will use the Shiner color.

 

I'll catch a snag or some grass once in awhile, but most of the time I can get it unstuck. I keep it off the bottom, so it doesn't happen very much.

 

It's not something I do a whole lot, but I probably should. It makes sense to have a 2nd line in the water if possible.

Thats what I’m going for; maximizing time i have bait in the water.

 

Sounds good. I’ll probably try the bobber and different depths while paddling, and do your vertical jig with a gulp minnow when I stop. Sure can’t hurt to try. Might be able to get out tomorrow. 

6 hours ago, Kayak Fishin said:

Thats what I’m going for; maximizing time i have bait in the water.

 

Sounds good. I’ll probably try the bobber and different depths while paddling, and do your vertical jig with a gulp minnow when I stop. Sure can’t hurt to try. Might be able to get out tomorrow. 

Good luck and be careful with that Gulp Minnow, just about anything will eat them. I had a few 10 lb catfish hook up on them on my UL rod that I fought around 45 minutes each with. I've caught Channel Catfish, Bullhead Catfish, Drum, White Bass, Laregmouth, Saugeye, Crappie, and Bluegill doing it this year.

 

 

46 minutes ago, kayaking_kev said:

Good luck and be careful with that Gulp Minnow, just about anything will eat them. I had a few 10 lb catfish hook up on them on my UL rod that I fought around 45 minutes each with. I've caught Channel Catfish, Bullhead Catfish, Drum, White Bass, Laregmouth, Saugeye, Crappie, and Bluegill doing it this year.

 

 

Wow not bad! I love multispecies fishing. Fine by me.

One more thing... Any other baits that would be good for this? Besides gulp minnows and curly tails?

creature baits on football swinghead, plastic worms on shakey head, if you are moving a rapala, spinner, pretty much anything.

9 minutes ago, Tizi said:

creature baits on football swinghead, plastic worms on shakey head, if you are moving a rapala, spinner, pretty much anything.

So if I'm not paddling, those first two are cool just chillin on the bottom? 

drag em on the bottom, any movement of the yak will make the bait move. You can try zman TRDs too or some of their other trailer options too.

1 hour ago, Tizi said:

drag em on the bottom, any movement of the yak will make the bait move. You can try zman TRDs too or some of their other trailer options too.

Awesome, thanks. I'll add those to the list of things to try on my extra line out. I've always only used live bait with a bobber on rods that weren't in my hand. Not much experience true trolling either. 

I think I'm going to have a chance to get out tomorrow to try these techniques. I didn't go today because fishing on weekends around here is typically irritating until the temps really drop too much for weekend warriors. I shall report my findings!

I keep second line out with a skinny Senko on a circle hook with a bobber when I kayak/canoe fish.  Usually catch 1 or 2 LM Bass throughout the day on that 2nd rod.

1 hour ago, Nelson Wormefeller said:

I keep second line out with a skinny Senko on a circle hook with a bobber when I kayak/canoe fish.  Usually catch 1 or 2 LM Bass throughout the day on that 2nd rod.

Good stuff. Tried today. Wind was sort of irritating. Had a 2" grub fixed about 5' down in an average of 10' of water on a round styrofoam bobber about 30-40' behind me. No fish. But still going to try.