What now?

So you begged and pleaded to your...mom, dad, special someone...whoever before Christmas.  And it worked.  You woke up way too early, ran down stairs and found that bright and shiny new kayak sitting under the tree in the back yard.

You have a couple of buddies that convinced you to get it.  But now it's January, it's cold, the waters cold, and your buddies are quitters (mostly) and waiting for Spring.  What to do?!

Anybody want to go fish'n in Jan?

January is great for planning.  There are a million (not verified) resources out there to explore that will help you be ready for Spring.  Visit your local library...I hate books....Instead, join a kayak club, visit forums, and check out blogs.  Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club (BCKFC), Ozark Anglers (OAF), and my blog (duh) are a few (do a search for others or check out my blog roll) that have a wealth of information.  Facebook offers some other options for networking, page's like Central Arkansas kayak Anglers FB (CAKA), Bayou Pirates Kayak Fishing FB (BPKF) and way too many others to list (again do a search).  CAKA/BCKFC/BPKF often host kayak tournaments which sometimes include post competition COOK OUT's...that means eating, drinking, and BS'ing!  I'd like to fish a few this year just for the post party events!!!

Marsh highway

Kayak clubs and forums offer numerous pages of fishing reports, maps, gear reviews and other useful information that other anglers have provided.  The best benefit is having the ability to interact with other anglers on the site.  You can ask a specific question or easily search through years of data (data- yea right).  OAF has individual sections for popular rivers, streams, and lakes.  It's as easy as finding the name of the river/stream you plan to float and then reading!!

Bloggers offer detailed reports with pictures and usually network with other bloggers, providing a never ending web of information.  All are invaluable resources for planning purposes.  You could easily get a fishing report, launch locations, camping suggestions, and shuttle options from 1 blog centered around Arkansas...and linked to the Arkansas blog find another blog dealing with Redfishing in SE Louisiana or trout in Colorado.  Most bloggers welcome interaction and if you frequent their blog, will be most happy to answer questions...NOT in the comments section for all the world to read, but through email (PM -private message).

Remember to respect the source.  If you gain some valuable information don't post it on Facebook or other social media outlet.  But going past that...respect the area...practice catch and release and understand the environmental impact you have.  Example, last August I was heading the SELA to chase reds.  After getting several reports from BCKFC I had a good idea that throwing a fly rod from the kayak was going to be very stressful (warm water) on the reds.  Several reports I read expressed concern over reds not swimming off strongly and later finding a few floating in the same area.  I decided to leave the fly rod at home b/c this was a CPR trip.  Respect what other's share.

Let'em go and let'em grow

Now you're thinking; I'll join something and start asking questions (do a SEARCH-you'll hear that often on forums), posting pics of my pimped ride, and everyone will share their fishntale (*)!!  Not so fast...after building some trust...meaning you interact on the forum and don't just use it to collect fishing reports or BRAG, some users will be happy to help you.  Be prepared for the test...you might get called out for something you posted or challenged.  How you handle that situation will determine how you're welcomed in the internet fish'n community.  Trust takes time to build so winter is a good time to start.  Especially since most are not on the water now either!  Time to start planning those yak angling adventures...take advantage of your resources!!


*fishntale would be a killer name for a blog, right!  (I'm stuck with looknfishy)