CTFishTalk.com: Making the transition - Connecticut Kayak Fishing ( CT Kayak Fishing ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

RLoutdoors · Joined: 12 Aug 2013 Posts: 74 Location: Stamford, CT

After a few months of "tire kicking" a few different yaks, I finally purchased my first, a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140. I tossed it in Stamford Harbor yesterday for a quick ride, and I can already tell... I'm hooked.

Until I start to get really comfortable, I'm kinda hesitant to paddle in these cold water months by myself. That said, anyone down to team up and show a newbie the ropes of yak fishing? I live in Stamford, and work in Shelton, so the entire western half of the CT coast is fair game. Shoot me a PM and let's make it happen!

Just4fun · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 1389 Location: Saybrook

Congrats,..I know you are excited, but be very careful of the water temps that will be dropping fast this time of year!
You should have the right apparel (dry pants & top or full suit ,..or a drytop and chest waders etc) to be able to survive a plunge into the water temps that you are fishing in. This is expecially important in the salt, since you are likely to encounter rougher conditions there,..but I know a well experienced yaker who rolled in some fresh water also! All it takes is leaning and reaching the wrong way for something without thinking,...I almost did it myself one time, when a rod fell overboard!

That being said,..I hope you have a blast out there! It's gonna be sketchy at first and fishing from a low seated position takes some getting used to,..but you will be loving life in that thing by next season!!
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"If people concentrated more on the really important things in life there'd be a shortage of fishing poles."
Mark

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

The water temperature at the mouth of the Connecticut River was 49.5 to 50.5 degrees, today. We tried to keep an eye on the few kayakers we saw, but saw other boaters waking them pretty badly. More than anything else, it's other boaters who scare me when I'm on the water.
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Don't forget to wear sunscreen and don't litter!

RLoutdoors · Joined: 12 Aug 2013 Posts: 74 Location: Stamford, CT

Paddling cold water is the biggest thing deterring me from taking this bad boy out. I would really like to go out in a group or at least with someone else for my first few times, but this is proving harder to do than I thought.

Great point on the waders/dry top combo. I have a wetsuit that I was considering wearing underneath some rain gear, but If I can pick up a cheap dry top and pair it with neoprene chest waders I already have, that should work great. I've always been told to stay away from waders on a kayak, but matching them with a dry top should solve the issues presented.

SheltonTom · Joined: 16 Apr 2011 Posts: 96

RL, I live in Shelton and just got my yak about a month ago. I've only been out on it four times, once with a group out of Branford and the others out on the Housatonic by myself. I've benn fishingyhe Housy from shore for a while now. I think I'm going to go out on Monday, either into the Sound for togs or on the Housy, depending on weather and who else is going out. Let me know if you want to join up. I probably can't hit the water until about 11:00.

If anyone else reading this post is interested let me know.

coastieyaker · Joined: 27 Jan 2013 Posts: 282

I live in the area as well.
if you guys plan to hit up fresh water, including Housatonic,I am in.

if you plan to go on the weekends, then def count me in

Fitoct2000 · Joined: 09 Dec 2014 Posts: 1

I'm not a expert I kayak fishing for like 3 years now and I know how hard it's to get a partner for paddling and fishing
So get in touch if ur interested I will start in the spring
I always fish alone will be nice to have a partner