Fresh Water Kayak Fishing for Rookies

I plan to fish for trout by "trolling" from my kayak this week in the Lundy Canyon area and next week at Pinecrest.  I fish a lot but it's my first time trying from a kayak.  Unless directed otherwise, I had planned to be using basic spinners and spoons.   I normally fish high mountain rivers with gold-blade mepps spinners or lakes from the shore with either spinners or bait.  I notice from what I have read so far that most of you are far beyond me in experience, skill, and technique, but I figure I gotta start somewhere.  Does anyone have any basic suggestions for me?  If this topic has already been covered I'll gladly go where you point me to read what has already been said.
Thanks.
RSR

I'm honestly not sure where Pinecrest is. Trolling is a good way to go for a yak rookie. Going out for a day and just paddling without any gear to get the feel of the yak is even better, and of course wear your PFD. A Mepps is hard to beat but take siver bladed one as well. Oh yeah don't forget a rod leash. Good luck

Pinecrest is a funny lake to fish. At times the fish will congregate right at the launch or head all the way to the back of the lake by the inlet. I used to troll there with just a black roostertail and have also caught them with flies, especially green leaches and black ants. If the fishing is real good look forward in C&Ring 30-50 trout in a day. If not, you may just get one or two.

If you haven't had a whole lot of yakfishing experience, maybe start out trolling, so you can get the "paddle and watching your rod" thing down.  also lets you cover a lot of water if you aren't fishing electronics. 

I'm not a big fan of trolling roosters b/c of line twist.  Even with the swivels, it just gets gnarly.  Get a two rod stamp and go with double fisted combo of kastmasters and shallow diving cranks, like the risto rap.  This time of year, flatline trolling at pinecrest should be fine early or late.  Then you can bait up some PB, crawler, or dunk some other baits when the troll bite shuts off.

Anyway, the paddling time will help condition you for the salty pursuits.  Good luck, and hope to see a good post (with pics!!!!)

Yes, if you plan to use a spinner like a Panther Martin/Mepps/Roostertail, you should definitely use two swivels. One snap swivel directly connected to the spinner and one barrel swivel about 2ft above the spinner.
For trolling, I prefer roostertails. For casting, I use Martins.

Kastmasters, Lil Cleos, and Thomas Bouyants work great too! I LOVE using Cleos because you don't need to paddle very fast to get the lure to wobble effectively.

If you find a school or get tired, drop down some crawlers or PB. I've had some 30 fish days at the back of the lake, near the Stanislaus River inlet. But I've also been skunked there. Very weird lake, indeed.

The main problem I experience in my kayak while fishing freshwater is wind. You might want to invest in a small anchor or drift sock. And get some scupper plugs if its a SOT because you paddle 100X faster with the plugs in.

Good luck,
PK

Yea PK, it is a wierd lake. Ever catch the Kokenee they planted there a few years back? I ran into a school of them just cruising the shoreline in back last time I was there.

What are the freshwater rookie regulations, regarding season, method of take, limit etc... ? Anyone know of good lakes or rivers where the rookie fishing is good? What is considered a trophy rookie ?

Scott

Splashdown, Sin Coast, Yakuza, Paddle and Flies-
Thanks so much for the insight.  Will report in with (hopefully good) results and maybe even some pics.
Much appreciate your time and effort.
-RSR (the kayak rookie)
PS: For Paddle and Flies, Pinecrest is East of Sonora about an hour and East of Twain Harte about 30 minutes - near Dodge Ridge

Hi Guys-

I did my maiden voyage at the lake in Lundy Canyon.  On the first day, there was too much wind for my small kayak (we're talking gails here), and the 2nd day I found a calm part and practiced paddling, swithcing between the rod and paddle, trolling, etc.  I noticed three problems.  1) I felt like my paddling through the area that my lures would go through a short time later was spooking the fish, especially if I accidentally hit the side of the kayak with the oar.  2) I had a hard time estimating how deep my lures were (especially a crank I was using).  3) I couldn't tell if I was getting action on my spoon, and overall just wasn't sure how fast to go, and also wasn't sure how to adjust (if at all) going with the wind versus against the wind (and how that affected my lure, or overall should change the basic process).

As a side note, I saw one guy on one of the new paddle kayaks (pretty cool, but I can't afford the high price tag), flying by and pulling a small crank bait and he said the previous day (the windy day), he caught several fish in a short time. But he seemed to be going a lot faster than I have heard other's recommend.

I'd appreciate any advice/comments/suggestions on any of the 3 items I mentioned.  I was skunked in two tries (a total of about 4 hours) in Lundy Canyon, but plan to hit Pinecrest this week with my kids and still very much feel in the trial and error stage so I don't expect to be productive for a while, but would like to claim my first catch (and release).

Thanks!

-RSR

Hi Splashdown, Sin Coast, Yakuza, Paddle and Flies-

This is the yaking rookie that started this posting.  I did catch a trout while trolling from my Kayak at Pinecrest, but choked when it hit the line: I stopped paddling, fumbled with my second line to clear the way to bring it in, and it came out of the water and free'd itself while the line was flappinging in the breeze....oh well, the thrill have seeing the pole bend when the fish hit was enough for me.

I had a small 8' "kayak" that is A shaped and horribly inefficient on still water let alone windy conditions, and I have the paddling blisters to prove it.  Will sell that to a more recreational user and just got a used Ocean Kayak Caper and am looking forward to trying it on more small lakes in the Sierras.  Hope to graduate to the ocean, and a larger kayak, after I get better at the fresh water stuff.

Thanks again for your help and advice.

-Rob

  Hello again RSR, Congrats on the Caper. The OC Capers is a good beginner’s yak. Just remember to extend your paddle strokes or you'll bang your knuckles on the side of the yak. Try fishing the head waters of Pinecrest. ( Where the river flows into the lake.)

IMO: the best trolling lure ever made = Rapala Shad Rap 

In clear water lakes - keep this lure a hundred feet behind your yak and paddle along the ledge or drop off along the shore line. Use your FF to locate this area. Keep an eye on your rod tip to make sure you lure is running right. Vary your speed every now and then. A sudden burst of speed can get the fish to react and attack the shad rap. Sharpen those factory hooks or simply replace them.

Use 4 to 6 # mono and NOTHING heavier = key to success Light line imparts better action on any lure 

Just my 2 cents....

If you see 'em in the shallows.....toss an orange and black rooster tail (it's actually called a yellow coach dog) - again, using 4 pound mono so you can get a longer cast with a lighter lure. You can also replace the treble hook and this particular lure with a single siwash hook made by gamakatsu.

Thanks for the info on Pinecrest guys.  I've been there a couple of times but only fished from shore and have always been skunked.

I rented a cabin up there for our family get together in a couple of weeks so I'll be taking the yaks.  I hope to finally catch something.

I haven't been to Pinecrest, but have caught trout trolling a Super Duper behind my kayak, (Sugar Pine), using 4lb test, cruising slow with lots of line out.