HawksFan03 Loc: Wenatchee, Washington

Ok, guys/gals: I live in Wenatchee, Washington and although, this may sound/look like a preamble to finding a "Significant Other" on this Fishing Forum, IT TRULY IS NOT! I have one and he is a work-a-holic and he loves to cook. Enuff on that! I am an energetic 67 yr old woman who LOVES Seattle Seahawks, Fishing, and NASCAR RACES(GO MARTIN TRUEX JR!). I am a beginner at learning how to fish by myself without having someone always"there" to help me with lures, bait, and all the important stuff needed to catch fish. It's a big THRILL to catch a fish and right now it must be Lake Fishing until I can learn the basics of fishing . So besides high and low tides that I have just recently learned about from this Fishing Forum could someone explain to me about fishing in the rain as long as there is no thunder and lighting. Can you catch fish in the rain? (2)(.a). Next: how am I to manage/move around and catch fish without tipping myself and my kayak over and giving all the folks on the banks a good laugh?(b) I know I must wear a life jacket and be safe but how am I to cast and not lose my kayak paddle?(c) How am I to keep my line from getting tangled up with my fishing line?(d) Please advise me on how to be a little bit organized in fishing and having a good time without worrying about tipping my kayak over and losing everything. I have a 10' kayak with little "foot braces" to help ballance myself and a pole holder. Any/all words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated. I am hitting up "U-tube" to learn how to do certain fishing line knots. Once I learn the basics there will be more questions coming. This is enough for now. So thank you for the words of wisdom that I have already received from you "die hard" fishermen and thanks in advance to the answers of these questions. Try to keep things SIMPLE for me. I am a TRUE Beginner. Respectfully, HawksFan03/Brenda

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

H F, 1st fishing in the rain nothing wrong with it provided its not a down pour. Safety first is the rule of thumb. Fish aren't worried about it raining. Not like they are going to get wet or anything. They still got to eat.

2nd, if you can post a pic of your yak that would help the visual what you are talking about. I have a 12' yak that is 36" wide and common sense factor is spread those legs wide and flex the knees with the waves.

3rd, As for the paddle bungee it to something when you reach your destination. Last thing you don't want to do is to cast at your paddle to get it back.

4th, You lost me on the tangle question. I am assuming you have more then one line out?

5th, Organize is an easy one. Take what you need for the day. If you forget a certain item remember for the next trip. Small first aid kit and pliers can be left on the yak, gear is your choice each trip.

Ronniejw Loc: West Point MS

I dont have a yak,just an inflatable 12ft boat. I would say just whatever you do make your movements slow and precise. Always keep the paddle tethered. Dont over exert when casting, keep the drag on the reel not too tight. Just take enough gear without taking up too much room. As for rain I've been asked that over the years, my reply, the fish are already wet so they don't have a problem with it. Hope that helps a bit

Garry Loc: Wellborn, Florida

When it's raining, (as long as there is no lightning flashing)is my favorite time to fish. This is just my idea of what happens with the fish when it is raining.
1: the barometric pressure drops turning on the bite
2: The rain raises the oxygen content of the water making the fish feel better so they eat.
3: The rain washes food into the lake or pond making the fish feed.

My wife didn't like for me to take our daughter fishing in the rain, but the girl still loves to fish in the rain.
The first time I took her in the rain she caught 5 bass that were within 4 oz of each other and averaged 5 lbs.
When I wasn't bailing the boat I was getting her baited up and taking her fish off the hook.

Jeremy Loc: America

Rain also makes noise and breaks up the surface so fish feel like they have cover. Wind does too.

FinFisherman Loc: Born in Ohio - 40 yrs Florida- Clearwater,Fl

You've already heard fish don't care about rain, actually it can be better in the rain. The next thing I'll address is stability. I have a kayak and how I fixed my problem with stability is I built a pontoon that I strap on. You can buy them to mount on either or both sides of your yak. I want to mount a trolling motor on my yak, which I can do with my home made pontoon. Think safe! It's the law. Life jacket, whistle ect. ect. It'll come naturally the casting catching and you can even troll.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Don’t forget to take a waterproof box for your keys and cell phone...just in case. Pelican makes a decent one. Good luck and good fishing.

Cycl14 Loc: Bristol, NH

Finfisherman....could you supply pictures of your yak with homemade pontoons?

Weekend Hooker Loc: Clyde, Texas

Sounds like a BONUS day.

Ronniejw Loc: West Point MS

Even saltwater fishing can be great in the rain and wind changes. Have had some great catches when that happens as long as its not a stormy day

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

When it rains and the wind blows things get washed into the water. Things like worms and bugs and stuff that fish like to eat, and the fish know this. Fishing in the rain can be very good as long as it's safe. Best thing to do to get comfortable in that thing is to take it out and play with it. It's like anything else you're just learning to do. Number one rule in kayak or canoe, if you don't want it to get wet, put it in a dry bag, and if you don't want to lose it, lash it to the craft somehow. That way if you do tip (unlikely but it happens) it's still attached. You're yak won't sink, but your cell phone will for sure. And your tackle box. Have fun and be safe. Photos!

Fish Dancer Loc: Guntersville, Alabama

Hi Brenda, another Hawks fan here over on the peninsula. Lots of great questions. As to the tipping over while casting, just go out and have a practice day with just your rod and net. Go out to very shallow water so if you do go swimming you can just stand up and get back in your yak. Cast out and reel your lure back in and use your net to put it in your boat. Do it over and over till you are comfortable. Also learn how to do a self rescue using your paddle and a paddle float and a tie down. Once you’ve learned that it’ll give you a great feeling of empowerment knowing you can save your self. Get a paddle leash. One end attaches to the paddle the other end to the yak. You can drop it in the water and it’ll be right there when you need it. They also make “taco” clips that attach to the side of your yak that you can just snap your paddle into. Dry bags for your valuables ( keys,phones, wallets etc. make sure they are attached to the boat. They also make trays that you can attach and remove that go right in front of you that you can put your tackle box on , again make sure the box is attached. Hope this helps.

Garry Loc: Wellborn, Florida

I think I knew that too, or at least I should have. When I forget things like that I blame it on, Oldtimers Brain Farts.

Mark V Loc: Colorado,now RV full time we winter in MesaAZ

Most importantly, when fishing from a kayak, always be aware of the current direction and lake chop around you. Always keep the bow or stern of your boat into the current and or chop. Getting broadside and you could find yourself upside down in the water. Not a good place to be, especially in you are out alone

Mark V Loc: Colorado,now RV full time we winter in MesaAZ

One more thing to remember. Before loading your boat put your PFD on. Now you can load your gear in your boat. You don't want to get your boat loaded and out on the water only to realize your PFD is back in the car. When I say put on your PFD I do not mean put it on your boat I'm saying put it on your body. Hope this information helps.