Kayak on the big pond?

Was wondering if anyone has ever attempted or seen a person sucessfully fish on lake erie for walleyes and smallmouth from a kayak?  And how far do u need to get out to hit 25 -40 ft of water?  Is this a bad idea or a possibility for a calm day?  Any info on what launches would be good to attempt this and make it worth the hassle would be appreciated?
 

I would fish the bay in a Kayak, but no way in heck I would ever take one out in 40 feet of eater on the main lake.  Call me a sissy, but you simply can't paddle back fast enough if the wind picks up as it is prone to do.

The are guys all over the NJ coast on yaks. They have added, orange flags on fiberglass poles for visibility for other boaters. Add a hand held vhf radio, gps, compass, flashlight, flares,whistle,mirror,pfd, weather radio and the biggest thing, a float plan. Have someone know where you're going to be and times back to the launch. If your not back by that point, help can be put in place. Post a float plan at the marina office and at the closest pole by the launch w/ you're name and time back in w/ a phone # to contact. At the end of your day collect these float plans and let the marina office know your safe. If you know gps position of the area your be fishing post those and give a copy to your contact.

The biggest thing is play it safe, use your head.

ORIGINAL: Sunset_Slayer

Was wondering if anyone has ever attempted or seen a person sucessfully fish on lake erie for walleyes and smallmouth from a kayak?  And how far do u need to get out to hit 25 -40 ft of water?  Is this a bad idea or a possibility for a calm day?  Any info on what launches would be good to attempt this and make it worth the hassle would be appreciated?

I was out in front of Lawerence park on saturday about 22-28 feet deep. it wasn't too bad, no big waves. you just have to keep a look out for boats that are coming your way and watch the sky. i got back in right before the wind started really kickin that day. But even if the winds do kick up you can get back in pretty fast if you just go with the waves, almost like surfing them back in. I finally got a depth finder as a wedding present a week ago so I know how far out I need to go and just don't go any farther than I need to. I will be out again tomorrow morning in the same spot, in my wife's yellow and orange kayak, but usually I just paddle my brown one. I actually usually don't have my life vest on while fishing, visibility of skin is much better than a grey vest from a distance I've found. But I always put it on when im heading out or back in. I always carry my cell phone and a GPS just in case, along with a whistle as well. Later this week or next week I also plan to try walnut to see if it's any good there. The reports seem to say that the walleye are fairly close to shore. Good luck and let me know how it goes if you try or if you need a buddy if you're going alone, the first time or two can be a bit unnerving when the waves start to kick up on your way back to shore. Jim

NIGHT TIME WALLEYE FISHING ........

I recently purchased a small 10' kayak and am learning how to paddle and handle it.  The mere thought of taking it out on Lake Erie at this point is too much for me.  Perhaps one day if when I get better at handling the boat and more importantly get a bigger kayak, I might consider fishing Lake Erie, but at this point I will be sticking to the small streams, ponds and lakes.
 
I guess my comment here is, if you are going to take a kayak out on Lake Erie, please know what you are doing and choose an appropriate boat.  I would hate to hear a report of someone heading out onto the lake and drowning because they did not have a clue as to what they were doing.  Being safe is extremely important.
 
For all those guys who are experienced and have the right boat, good luck kayaking and fishing and maybe on day I will join you...
 

OK, I was partially wrong.  IF you get the right sized Kayak built for taking waves and are experienced, then it is certainly doable.  I just think that the waves on Erie are so close together that you may be rocking a whole lot and the potential for capsizing is huge.  I have a 10" dirigo angler made for lake fishing.  But i would not trust it in 1-2 foot waves.  But hey, I wouldnt sky dive either, doesnt mean ya can't.
 
Get an ocean going 17 footer or better, that may be the ticket.  I would stay away from the sit on top ones though.
 
Good luck in your efforts.

ORIGINAL: casts_by_fly

while I would have no problems taking a good kayak out on the lake, I question the need.  The point of a kayak is to go somewhere that you can't from shore or by another boat.  For fishing the 'middle ground' between where shore fishermen can reach and where boats don't go close enough a kayak is great.  What flatfish is talking about for walleye and for fall steelhead doing the same it is perfect.  For going half a mile offshore (while doable) there is no reason not to take the big boat, and a lot of reasons why you should take the big boat.

Of course if you only have a kayak then I understand the proposition entirely.

thanks
rick

I have a 23' boat for erie, but I just wanted to try walleye fishing at trout run. With a kayak you can take your time relax and maybe one night I will get a big hog walleye. I live on the Allegheny River and kayak almost every day, I have 6 kayaks and they are always being used by my wife or my 4 boys. Just remember one thing ALWAYS respect the water because it only takes a couple of seconds to drown.
 
 FLATFISH

Sounds like you're trying to audition for the Perfect Storm II or the Deadliest Catch Show. Saw a guy fishing steelies in a float tube once, didn't work out to good for him, waves and big fish pulling him around. A kayak on the big lake doesn't sound to safe to me. Just my thoughts, I've never been in one.

LOL @ the people thinking the guy is crazy for kayaking on lake erie,  people kayak in the ocean and catch fish over 100lb.  I wouldnt go on big water where there is no HP restriction unless i was in a Hobie or another high quality sit on top Kayak.  always wear your life jacket, cell phone in dry bag, flare gun or whistle too

Exactly.  I have a 14 ft boat and I don't take it out on the main lake either.  I have seen the wind come up fast out there, and it sits pretty low in the water as it is.  A person can do almost anything with the right equipment under the right conditions.  You just have to be prepared for the consequences of your decision.
 
In the end, you only go around this big blue marble once.  How you want to spend your time on it is your call.
Good luck.

True that, and the right Kayak will make that possible.  I believe we were talking about fishing from one though in 40 feet of water.  Good luck with that with a rod in one hand and the paddle in the other with 4 footers rolling in every 10 seconds.....LOL

 

That is definitely the ticket....  My Old Town Loon 100 can not compare.  Nice!!!

I saw on the news this morning that some guy had to be rescued from Lake Erie yesterday.  About a mile off of Walnut creek he flipped his kayak and could not get back into it.  I don' think he was fishing.  They said in the report he was trying to go to Canada....  Stupid is as stupid does, Momma always says...