Standing and Motoring Down the Bank in Kayak

[snake95]

Looking for some advice about how to stand and motor down the bank in a kayak.

 

Background:

• Kayak fisherman (OT Sportsman 106PDL, Bonafide RS117).
• Combo of Bixpy J2 motor and using kayak paddle to steer from standing.
• Just learned to stand and fish.

 

I managed to stand and fish and periodically fire up the motor to move a few feet down the bank.

 

Worked well and was less awkward than you might think. Probably helped I wasn't catching fish!

But I had my hands full - rod in one hand, paddle under one arm to occasionally steer, motor controller in hand.

 

Can anyone with experience doing all this suggest a smoother and more efficient way to stand, motor, and fish?

(in the kayak).

 

 

 

[flyfisher]

stick steer is the best option but it is hard to do if you are monitoring the throttle all the time.  I primarily use my stick steer set up for river fishing and floating downstream not motoring along working a shoreline though.  I'd rather sit and use foot steering for that.

[Darth-Baiter]

i see guys using spot lock and that slow tracking thing all the time.  

 

me, i use the wind and current to my favor.  old school.  i know  a guy that has outstanding balance.  he can stand fish, and reach up with one foot and kick his hobie drive to adjust.  i tried it and almost died.  i'll try again, in a swimming pool this summer.

[snake95]

1 hour ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i see guys using spot lock and that slow tracking thing all the time.

 

Laughing about the almost dying part. I get it!

 

Admittedly, I am not that sophisticated with my simple Bixpy motor and paddle. Maybe that is the answer - I need a fancier setup. (Saying with a bit of a wink - I am not reading into this you are saying the answer is spend more $$ and get more gear, and I would prefer to hold off on that for now).

 

I have shocked myself that I have figured out how to stand and fish. One step at a time!

[flyfisher]

59 minutes ago, snake95 said:

 

Laughing about the almost dying part. I get it!

 

Admittedly, I am not that sophisticated with my simple Bixpy motor and paddle. Maybe that is the answer - I need a fancier setup. (Saying with a bit of a wink - I am not reading into this you are saying the answer is spend more $$ and get more gear, and I would prefer to hold off on that for now).

 

I have shocked myself that I have figured out how to stand and fish. One step at a time!

I would get the bixpy pole steering adapter and the yak gadget stick steering arm, assuming it is a stern mounted set up, if it isn't a stern mounted set up then I would convert it to one lol 

The biggest chalelnge in kayak fishing is boat positioning really and figuring out what works for you is the name of the game.  I like my stick steering set up but not all the time which is why i have mine set up to do both stick and foot steer.  I still need to reach down to manipulate motor but that isn't a big deal and still easier than when i used to bend down and move the foot pedals to steer while standing.

 

[snake95]

1 hour ago, flyfisher said:

I would get the bixpy pole steering adapter and the yak gadget stick steering arm, assuming it is a stern mounted set up, if it isn't a stern mounted set up then I would convert it to one lol 

This is a possibility, thanks for the suggestion. It is stern mounted. My inclination was to steer with the PDL rudder, but that requires sitting back down. 

[casts_by_fly]

I’m in an autopilot so my solution is simple. The motor has cruise control and navigation. If you don’t have a motor with that then you can ‘pull’ yourself down the bank with high resistance lures and it’s about the right fishing and casting speed. 

[snake95]

3 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

I’m in an autopilot so my solution is simple. The motor has cruise control and navigation.

I gave it serious consideration, and will again. For now, I'm going to stick with what I've got but someday that will be on the wishlist.

 

Good point and experience about the lures. 

[airshot]

If this old boy wants to stand and steer/ fish...it ain't gonna be in no kayak !!  Thats what my 16' side console is for !!!  

[Darth-Baiter]

Kristine Fischer has foot steer.  she stands and fishes with her Torqueedo.  she uses her shins to adjust steering.  

[galyonj]

On 6/4/2023 at 12:23 PM, snake95 said:

I have shocked myself that I have figured out how to stand and fish. One step at a time!

 

If it makes you feel any better, I can't even stand and fish on land!

[Bankc]

36 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

Kristine Fischer has foot steer.  she stands and fishes with her Torqueedo.  she uses her shins to adjust steering.  

And she probably weighs like 90lbs and fishes from a Hobie PA 14.  I've seen photos of her standing on the bow of that thing, a move that would slip the kayak out from under me if I tried.  

 

Honestly, short of autopilot, I don't think there's a good way to pull it off.  Anything foot controlled will likely cause you to lose balance.  Anything hand controlled, and you're having to take your hands off your rod.  
 

What I typically do is fish sitting down when I'm on the move.  I've found if you side arm cast and keep your bait parallel and low to the water, you can pretty much mimic a pitch, with the soft landing and all.  It's harder to pull off and less accurate than pitching, but it keeps you from having to stand up and sit back down constantly.  It allows me to cover more water at the expense of fishing an area more thoroughly.  

 

I'll still stand to fish from time to time, but that's typically only when I'm drifting or anchored.  I've got cable foot controls on mine (stern mounted TM) for steering and a power box for speed control that I can pull up by my feet, and sometimes I'll fish with the motor on and bend over to make an adjustment, without having to commit to a full sit.  But it's rarely worth the effort.  If you can get the wind out of the right direction and deploy a drift sock, sometimes you can fish for long periods of time without having to make a major adjustment.  Though I'll still usually have to make a micro adjustment here and there by swishing my rod tip in the water or changing the angle of my retrieve (if the bait that your using has some pull, like a big crankbait).  Sometimes shifting my weight can help too.  

[Darth-Baiter]

yea.  i didnt want to make any assumptions on the OP's personal balance point.  my aquant, is probably 230 lbs of solid muscle and he has the balance of a wood nymph.    i dont think size plays a role..not a huge role.  

 

i can walk out to the nose of my hobie outback.  i dont stay there, but that is how i typically get myself to shore.  i stand up, paddle in, and step on the nose and then onto shore.  i make it look easy, but i know i am on the precipace of embarrasment the entire time.   i dont like my feet wet at the very last moment.  

[snake95]

7 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

yea.  i didnt want to make any assumptions on the OP's personal balance point

LOL thanks - let's just say I have a lower center of gravity than ideal! 

 

I did what others have told me to do. Just tried it! I did it in a small pond on a scorching Georgia spring day. I tried standing near the bow and other weird places. I am pushing myself because I think that's what I need to do enjoy kayak fishing more and do well at it.

8 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

Kristine Fischer has foot steer.  she stands and fishes with her Torqueedo.  she uses her shins to adjust steering.  

I did not know that. I will watch what she does.