PaGe TiTle KaYaK Bassin’
that i would use in a boat for the most part. Some custom rod builders, myself included, have started designing rods specifically for kayaks. Some of these float, some of these break down for easier travel and some have more durable components. everyone is different, some anglers use the same rods in kayaks as they do in boats, some like kayak rods to be longer so that they can reach around the front of the kayak if they need to and some like a shorter rod that is easier to handle and maneuver in tight spaces. different rods are used for different presentations when fishing. a fishing rod is a tool, much like different saws are used for different materials and cuts to a carpenter, different rods have different applications when you’re fishing. i guess another example would be that rods are like paintbrushes, some are used for heavy strokes with a lot of material and some are used to delicately place specific touches. You don’t want to use a heavy flipping rod for a finesse dropshot rig. i have rods for specific lure presentations when fishing on rivers and different rods for that same presentation in lakes.
WB: How many rods do you take with you tournament fishing? PK: For tournaments, i will usually bring five rods. The lake, time of year and weather conditions, will dictate the presentations i will most likely use to fish a tournament; so my rod choices may vary. typically though, if i am just going to go in with a blank slate, with no idea what i will fish, this is what i take: » 7’6”, medium heavy rod with a moderate fast action (for deep-diving crankbaits) » 7’6”, medium or medium heavy rod with a moderate fast action (for shallow crankbaits) » 7’, heavy power rod, with a fast action (for jigs or some soft plastics) » 7’, medium heavy power rod with a fast or extra fast action (for soft plastics and jigs) » 6’6”, medium heavy rod with a fast or moderate fast action (for spinnerbaits) Most of those rods can also double up to handle multiple duties if needed. You have limited space in a kayak; so multipurpose gear is a must. if i am just fishing for fun, i will usually stick to two or three rods.
WB: What rod do you use for early spring? PK: i don’t really have rods designed for specific seasons, they are more designed for specific
presentations. That said, there are presentations that i fish more in different seasons; so i will tend to use some rods more different times of the year. in the early spring, especially in texas and the rest of the South or West, the bass are either in pre- spawn or spawn mode. i like to fish big, weightless soft plastics this time of year, for big fish. The most common rod i use is a P. H. Kellner, 7’, medium heavy rod, with either a fast or extra cast action.
WB: What baits are your throwing in spring and why... and what’s your favorite go-to bait? PK: in the spring, i like to throw weightless soft plastics and let them drift and slowly sink onto spawning beds. either that or i will throw sunfish pattern crankbaits. i tend to fish crankbaits more than anything else during the year.
WB: What do you look forward to most about fishing spring? PK: Fat female fish; you can catch a real pig in the spring. i also love the fact that i can take off the cold weather clothes, bust out a pair of board shorts, a pearl snap shirt, a tula hat, and kayak fish a texas Hill Country river for some Guadalupe bass. When i get off the river, i can usually just camp during a cool spring night, or stumble into a dancehall for a cold beer and some great local music.
WB: What kind/size of line are you using for tournaments? PK: i use all types and sizes of line. Ninety percent of the time i am using fluorocarbon; but i will use mono and braid from time to time. i will usually throw 1- pound-test fluoro on deep diving crankbaits (lighter line gets down deeper), 15- to 17-lb fluoro on shallow crankbaits, 20-pound-test fluoro on jigs/ soft plastics. i will downsize to 7- or 8-lb mono when drop shooting or for other finesse presentations. i use 15- to 20-lb mono on topwater lures and braid if i am fishing heavy grass mats or thick timber.
Dedicated to the sports of kayak, bass and fly fishing, Pat Kellner is part of the Jackson Kayak Team. Amidst starting the Guadalupe Bass Foundation, Kellner can be found traveling through the state of Texas competing in the Kayak Angler’s Tournament Series throughout the year. He can be followed on Facebook or through his blog www.fishtattoo.net.
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