kayak fishing ft morgan

Question for the Ft. Morgan/Gulf Shores kayak guys/girls. How hard is it get the hang of kayak fishing, specifically off the beach in Fort Morgan? I was planning on renting a fishing kayak for a few days this summer so I started watching youtube videos to get an idea of the set up/gear necessary. in general it looks like a lot of coordination and having the right set up is key (which could be difficult to achieve on a rented kayak). I've read a lot of the kayak posts on the forum using the search feature, though generally they are about different types of kayaks and how to set them up. Am i on a suicide mission trying to fish off the beach in that area in a kayak?

Assuming this isn't a terrible idea, besides a life vest, can anyone recommend some gear i absolutely need to bring with me to properly pull this off. The only things i've come up with on my own so far are bungee cords, milk crate, net.

Also, based on the forum searches i've done, it appears people have strong opinions on which kayaks are better than others for fishing (SOT seems to be preferred). Can anyone recommend a rental outfit in the area that rents what would be considered the better kayaks for fishing?

We use a 9.5 tribe to run baits. Does pretty well in the surf. Think the other guy that fishes with me is going to paddle out to the first rig and fish out there. I think he is nuts!

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Originally Posted by Psychobilly

We use a 9.5 tribe to run baits. Does pretty well in the surf. Think the other guy that fishes with me is going to paddle out to the first rig and fish out there. I think he is nuts!

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I can assure you that in no way shape or form will I be paddling out to any of the rigs. My idea of kayak fishing is trying to catch specs and maybe reds as close to shore as I can be while still fishing in an area that I can't actually reach from shore. I have no interest in hauling up a shark. I've read plenty of posts about people paddling out to the rigs and having pretty good luck pulling in some great fish. That ain't gonna be me. Too fat to paddle that far and unless i up my life insurance amount, the boss isn't going to greenlight that plan.

As long as you stay outside the breakers you should be fine. Make sure you practice going out and coming back in without your gear you wouldn't want to turtle in the surf and break anything.

You might try the bay side of Ft Morgan I have done pretty well at the flats dropoffs. good luck

If you try the surf make sure you pick a calm day. Little Lagoon might be a better choice if you have not been in a kayak before. Either way wear a life vest and be carful.

Little Lagoon Pass is currently undergoing a bridge replacement and egress to and from the Gulf may be restricted as is direct beach access.

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Originally Posted by daniel9829

You might try the bay side of Ft Morgan I have done pretty well at the flats dropoffs. good luck

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thanks. Stupid question. If i am renting the kayaks for a few days and we stay on the beach side, how does one get the kayak to the bay side? I am not at all trying to be a smart ass here. I'm really asking if there is a way that i'm not thinking about. I drive a 4runner with a roof rack, but my guess is the kayak would be too heavy for the roof? I could see renting the kayaks and having the provider meet me on the bay side, but i won't be able to get away for that long and probably need the flexibility of being able to go out when the opportunity presents itself (e.g. kids are napping or i've perfected my invisibility potion)

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Originally Posted by Pier#r

Little Lagoon Pass is currently undergoing a bridge replacement and egress to and from the Gulf may be restricted as is direct beach access.

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Thanks for the heads up. Definitely would not have known that. I know you are one of the most respected guides in the area and I'm curious about your thoughts on fishing past the breakers (which is generally where i envisioned being). I really just want to catch specs, some for C&R and some for the table. Redfish are good too, though i like specs better. as i said in my reply to one of the others, getting the kayaks to any other spots on the island is going to be a real challenge for me, unless renting kayaks comes with a trailer, but i didn't get that impression.

There is a temporary parking area with a walkway to the water upstream of the bridge at Little Lagoon (it's not as close to the bridge as before, but within about 50 yards). You could drag the kayak into the Lagoon and and ride the kayak "through the chute" into the surf. I saw a couple guys ride through with Seadoos Sunday morning.

The pass no longer has the low concrete walls on the sides, as sheet pilings have been driven down their length for all of the construction zone. This has narrowed the pass to about 12 feet or so, which has increased the speed of the water flow somewhat. Paddling through that pass against a tidal current would be tricky, so if you did that, I would launch reasonably close to the tide change so that you didn't have to fight your way back. Otherwise, you'll have to drag the 'yak from the beach to the road.

Kayaks are relatively light so putting it on the roof rack would be an easy task. I have the heaviest fishing yak they make and its only 112# unloaded.

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Originally Posted by Monk

Kayaks are relatively light so putting it on the roof rack would be an easy task. I have the heaviest fishing yak they make and its only 112# unloaded.

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that is good to know. Do you have any recommendations (or does anyone else for that matter) for rental companies that rent the best fishing kayaks, or the most beginner friendly?

If you're a fat man, like me, make sure you get a yak capable of safely supporting your & your gears weight.
I have an Ocean Kayak-Prowler 13', 400-450# weight limit, and it only weighs 56# empty, very easy to carry and load on/off car roof.
Yes, you can rent a fishing yak, it'll have at least two rod holders, you can rent the PFD too.
Get a back rest aka seat, they rent those too.
Whistle on lanyard is a good thing to have on your vest. Paddle & rod leashes are good too.
Minimal tackle (small utility lure boxes or tackle box, pre-tied/rigged leaders), small aerated bait bucket for shrimp/small fish, dry storage (ziplocs) for car alarm/keys/phone/wallet.
Milk or beverage crates make for good storage. Net, lip gripper or even small gaff for landing fish.
Fish bag or cooler for your catch, do not just hang them off the side... Sharks are known to try to help themselves to fresh fish.

Learn how to launch & land, right a capsized yak, re-enter after capsizing and how to move around while staying stable (center of gravity- head over center at all times).
Practice these several times before fishing.

Try these guys, they deliver & p/u.
http://www.gogokayaks.com/

Good luck and get bent.

as chile said get a whistle on ur life jacket also try and strap your stuff (rods tackle box ect.) down in case u flip u dont want all ur stuff to sink to the bottom good luck!

If you haven't had any experience kayaking I would highly recommend kayaking in calm water to get a feel for your boat before you try going out on the gulf as the swells and breakers can be a little challenging. +1 on Chile thats pretty much everything you need hope you get some fish!

I knew guys that would practice flipping their kayak over and righting it in their swimming pool.

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Originally Posted by SNAKE

I knew guys that would practice flipping their kayak over and righting it in their swimming pool.

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Guilty...it's better to get your technique down before going offshore and realize you don't know what you're doing. My pool makes self-righting drills less cumbersome and I'm working with my wife on her technique now as she doesn't have the upper body strength/reach to flip it like most men can. I'm seeing a lot more kayaks venturing into the gulf and I am not sure people take the time to prepare and practice before venturing out.

If you haven't taken a kayak beyond the surf before I'm gonna break it down real simple...plan on losing everything in the surf, usually on your way back in. So don't take your new Shimano Torium or that custom king rod you love because the inevitable will happen. Wear your PFD, pack light and strap it all down.

Stay away from the pass, you'll drown. I would keep to the bay side and fish for specs and redfish. If you absolutely have to go beyond the breakers on the gulf side, do so away from the point because the current that pushes off the Dixey Bar is no joke and you can be in big trouble very quickly.

Ft Morgan has a kayak rental place on the peninsula - GoGo Kayaks. They rent basic fishing kayaks if they have them in stock and deliver to your rental.