KayakFishng Bass Tournament Trail

Wait a sec. Did I miss something? Kayaks would be in a separate division with belly boaters, yes? That's not exactly head to head with the bass rockets.

Ya, thats the plan, but the Bass boats will see our stringers...

Do you guys compete against the Bass boats in the same division?

Wait a sec. Did I miss something? Kayaks would be in a separate division with belly boaters, yes? That's not exactly head to head with the bass rockets.

The goal should be to do what's best for the bass. Its not going to be pretty when a bunch of fish roll. That'll only make the yak guys look bad. Live wells come with a bunch of problems, not the least of which is the weight. Batteries die, pumps get clogged, fish are crowded. The last I checked good LMB are bigger than our spotted bay bass down south.

Don't be afraid of the weigh boat option. The culling system isn't that tough. Set a weigh limit such as 10 fish. That'll make someone think twice before getting on the horn for a boat. Those that take the time to engineer a superior tank can and should hold several fish on board to make for easier sorting.

I can't wait to see the kayak tank that can handle a 25 lb tournament limit of LMB. Maybe a Cobra Triple? 

Whatever happens, you'll have fun sorting it all out. I get the desire to compete on an even level. Don't settle for sitting at the kid's table - we're all big boys here.

Weighboat = sitting at a kiddie table. Kinda funny we talk about being self suffucuent and getting it done on primitive crafts then ask for a support boat.  You really think a bunch of bass are gonna roll?  Guys can keep a scoop of bait alive in a pvc tube, I don't see why we wouldn't be able to figure something better out.  Bass are pretty hardy fish we're just gonna have to be smart about rigging livewells.

If we wanna play the same course, why would we start off swinging from the ladies tee box?       

Weighboat = sitting at a kiddie table. Kinda funny we talk about being self sufficient and getting it done on primitive crafts then ask for a support boat.  You really think a bunch of bass are gonna roll?  

Yes I do if you allow poorly prepared kayakers to compete. This is an observation based on experience with something like 35-40 catch and release kayak bass tournaments. Almost all of them went down in saltwater, but there are more similarities than differences. Calico bass are tough; spotted bay bass are even tougher (they spend a lot of their time hunkered down on the bottom). I'd wager both of these fish take up less space pound for pound than LMB, suggesting you'd want a larger tank for green bass.

In all of these events live wells were highly recommended but there was no minimum standard. Inevitably a certain number of competitors would experience problems. Dead fish were not eligible for weighing, so these guys would lose their focus on fishing and spend an inordinate time trying to keep bass alive. Some percentage of fish kept in kayak live wells roll, its as simple as that. Obviously, more fish, less water, greater morbidity. Baskets you drag? Those things are fish killers.

There's a huge difference between keeping one bass alive for a single biggest fish contest, and keeping 5 kicking over the course of a long fishing day. If you're going to go solely with live wells, it would be wise to mandate a minimum size. 5 gal is plenty for mackerel, not so good for more than a couple chunky LMB.

You need to plan for the largest possible stringer you could expect on that water, or you're handicapping yourself to a certain max weight or knowingly risking dead fish by overcrowding them. A Shimano Bristol Bay bait tank won't carry 25 lbs of bass dead or alive. I'd start with a mid-sized ice chest (see the photo), but even that's pushing it for... hmm, 18 lbs or so. (The guy in the photo is a dominant competitor who holds most of the Plastic Navy records) As you said, you have to be smart about it.

So yeah, think big. Maybe a bunch of you should hit it, piling all your big bass into this or that tank, to find out what it will take. If you do, please spread the word, because this is something the entire freshwater kayak fishing world would benefit from knowing.    

Concerning beating the more horsepower crowd at their own game, I'm right there with you. We have a big tournament down here, the San Diego Open Bay Bass. There's a 150 team limit, first come first served; entry is about $150 / boat. It fills the first day or two entries are out. For several years, a handful of kayak anglers entered, a development some organizers may have resented (taking up boat space with pool toys), so they tried a junior kayak division. It didn't draw and wasn't repeated, because it was demeaning and humiliating and didn't offer comparable purses / prizes. I hope you make a run at the stink pots!

This is long enough but I just remembered something. The guys over at Kayak Bass Fishing.com may have already cracked this nut.  

In this context a bit of skepticism is good, because you don't want to be embarrassed in front of the boaters. I want to see you kick boater butt.  

Maybe a silly question but why can't a stringer work?  Please don't flame me with responses.

I'm not talking about your typical green poly cord but something with clips.  If you poke it through their bottom lip, the are good to go.  If I can keep a stringer of trout alive this way, I'd certainly be able to keep some bass alive.

The only possible explanation that I can figure is excuse of infection but I liken it to getting your ear pierced.

So then my 10 odd years of experience in keeping LMB alive, in the waters we're discussing in this thread, in craft smaller than my kayak are just as valid then right? I'm not saying the perfect system is out there, that there will not be any die off or ill prepared fisherman. I'm suggesting we start thinking progressively and beyong the weighboat crutch. It can be done. I will fab my own livewell and post it up.

I think Kayak BASS events are on the horizon but unless we want to be anything other than a jr division then we need to do it without help.

By the way, did you read the tourney rules, boats are subject to livewell requirements and dockside inspections, we can set standards for yaks to to keep the ill prepared out.

Stringers and follow bags eventually put too much stress on the fish and will lead to problems, especially in the hotter months.  I have had a trout manage to make it all day on the rope a couple of times.  But I have also "blown out" quite a few trout heads by agressive paddling.  I think alot of force is put on the fish, not to mention the anchor effect on the yak.  Here is a link to a question I asked the B-N-T guys a few years back.  I was actively looking for a kayak solution for the livewell thing, but got sidetracked and never revisited it.  They seem to have it perfected and minimized fish kills with rule changes a couple years back.  It would be cool to get something working and be able to compete.

link to my question:http://www.calfishing.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=6&topic_id=38601&mesg_id=38601&listing_type=search   

more topical info:     http://www.calfishing.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=6&topic_id=38345&mesg_id=38345&listing_type=search

Rather than a heavy livewell on your kayak, what about some kind of small "trailer" to tow around that can support an adequate size ice chest/live well rig, something streamlined enough to minimize drag, also could be uncoupled and tied to a rock/tule or anchored while you fish a cove.  Sounds like a business opportunity........

Maybe hire a "caddy" to tote your catch all day from another kayak........

What about the trailer idea with a trap underneath a couple of small pontoons.   It could even be shaped aerodynamically.  Probably wouldn't tow well but you're not going that far like a bass boat any way.?

We can do this.  10 gallons is only ~80 pounds.  Most of your yaks float minimum 350#.  You plus your gear plus the livewell and the fish and you have room to spare.  The yak can take it and so can you.

-Allen

Allen, yeah maybe, but you know those bass guys....then where are they going to put their 10 rods and 20 tackle boxes?        

is 10 gallons really enough to keep 5 big bass alive?   i guess.  water 80lbs,  bass 20lbs, tank,pumps,filters,poles,tackle,beer,lunch,spare clothing, my fat ass......aye-yae-yae.  it is not just the weight. it is where the weight is....above the water line....way above the water line. that cooler in the above photo appears to be a 48qt like the one that fits in my t-140. if it held 5 bass and 10 gallons; it would be full to the brim creating an unstable situation.maybe the answer, my friends, is in the hull.maybe the live-well should be located in the hull below the water-line.

is 10 gallons really enough to keep 5 big bass alive?   i guess.  water 80lbs,  bass 20lbs, tank,pumps,filters,poles,tackle,beer,lunch,spare clothing, my fat ass......aye-yae-yae.  it is not just the weight. it is where the weight is....above the water line....way above the water line. that cooler in the above photo appears to be a 48qt like the one that fits in my t-140. if it held 5 bass and 10 gallons; it would be full to the brim creating an unstable situation.maybe the answer, my friends, is in the hull.maybe the live-well should be located in the hull below the water-line.

Bass would displace the water.  So you're not going to get 80+20=100 pounds up there.

Have you ever had a full cooler in your tankwell?  It is not really very much of an unstable situation as you are imagining.

And if you're really worried about it, add some outriggers to your kayak.

Or thinking about a 2-man kayak.  What's the difference between a 2-man kayak with 2 people on it vs. 1 person and a livewell?  Yes, there is a difference, but it's minimal.

Guys, I think we're overthinking everything.  Get out there and kick some butt.

-Allen

You have the same take on it as I do.  I had my stepson in the tankwell for a lake tour during a camping trip.  It wasn't bad at all in a T-140.  I noticed some weight, but was able to deal with it.  Any seasoned kayaker who has the built-in gravity centering reflex should be fine.  I was thinking of riggers as an option also.   Don't know if I'll go that route, but it would open up some sight fishing opportunities. 

If you post the dates and time when you get the info i will be in on that. Thanks for putting in the work of chasing down the info.