Kayak Fishing for Big Blue Cats

Kayak considerations

Gear for blue cats out of a kayak is no different than tackle out of a boat. Sturdy rods and reels get the nod. I’m a fan of the 7’6” Whisker Seeker Heavy Power Chad Ferguson Series rods because they are not only powerful, but also light and easy to handle compared to the current standard big cats rods. With that being said, any rod with a soft tip and solid backbone in the bottom half of the rod will get the job done.

For reels and line, baitcasters offer more cranking power than spinning gear. Both work, as long as they hold a couple hundred yards of 85 lb braided line. Why use heavy braid? It is not necessarily the amount of breaking strength that’s important. The thicker diameter of the heavy braided lines handles abrasion from rocks and logs much better than thinner lines.

Typically I use a standard Santee Cooper rig, with sinker size varying based on the size of bait and depth of water being fished. General range of weight is 1-3 ounces.

Trolling in a Kayak

This concept is the same as from a boat, however, instead of a motor pulling you along, it’s your paddle or your pedals. Electronics and GPS are just as important in the kayak in order to monitor your speed and mark waypoints. I switch up my speed to find what the fish want. I usually start out moving around at 0.5 mph, and try slower speeds before I experiment with faster speeds.

There are a few considerations to keep in mind while trolling from a kayak. Wind can be a curse for trolling. Do your best to paddle into the wind. It will reduce how much your kayak sways and keeps your lines straight. I usually stick with just two rods while dragging baits. If I’m suspend drifting, I will use up to four. Sometimes, the wind is too strong to effectively troll into. During these times, I prefer to drift. When drifting, take a much bigger drift sock than you think you will need. At least a 36”-42”. It’s a good idea to have two of them with you.

Location

For simplicity's sake, let's focus on lakes and reservoirs. On a new body of water, I look for points of interest and start eliminating spots after I’ve fished them for a few hours. During the summer and winter months, I start on deep, steep drop offs and progressively fish shallower. In fall and spring, I start on 1’-5’ mud flats and work my way deeper.

There are no hard and fast rules for blue catfish, only general trends that change based on the type of water you are fishing. All blue catfish are looking for food and their preferred water conditions. Different types of water offer these requirements in different areas, so it’s best to be flexible.

Kayaks open up water that would otherwise be inaccessible to a bank angler, and offers you the ability to experiment with techniques that would not be possible otherwise. Kayak fishing for blue catfish is a white-knuckled, adrenaline packed affair. Big fish from a tiny boat is an experience that every catfish angler needs to experience!