Perhaps one of the more recent developments in boat fishing is also one of the oldest. It is fishing from a kayak. As the water warms from early spring sunshine, phytoplankton and zooplankton begin to appear in the very shallow water. Be it either a lake or pond, the nutrient rich skinny water attracts hungry bluegills.
Due to water depth ranging in the inches, most anglers disregard this fishery or fish it only a little from shore. Boats have difficulty reaching the backs of coves where most of the fish are feeding. Kayaks are an exception to the rule when fishing such water and dropshoting is a productive method of fishing.
When man first crossed over the Bering Strait and began to settle in North America he brought with him a craft made of animal skins stretched over a wooden frame. This one man craft was fragile and no doubt cost some people their lives. But it was light and portable.
Today’s kayak is made of manmade materials and is much safer. Usually constructed of fiberglass they are heavier but still much more portable than other watercraft. Some even have portable carts that allow for wheeling right up to the launch site. Some like the Hobie are for fishing, with live wells and rod racks, etc.
Dropshoting is a finesse presentation that is also known as controlled depth fishing. It is particularly effective for suspended fish like the bluegills found around the boat docks and in coves.
This pattern is particularly effective with light line regardless the type of rod and reel combination. For flooded brush fishing a long rod with four to 6 pound line is best. In jigging situations from boats stationed over a brush pile shorter rods can be effective.
Rig the line by tying a Palomar knot in the line, about 18 inches from the end, with a very long tag end. You tie the Palomar knot doubling the line and form a loop three to four inches in length. Pass the end of the loop through the hook’s eye. Hold the standing line between thumb and finger, grasp loop with free hand and form a simple overhand knot. Pass the hook through the loop and draw line while guiding loop over top of eyelet. Pull the tag end of the line to tighten the knot snugly. Do not trim the tag end.
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