Pitching from a kayak 2025
Bass Ninja reply :
Anybody have experience pitching from a kayak? I just met a guy who is somewhat of a local fishing legend in my area. I fished against him in a couple tournaments and got really lucky to get second place only a pound under him, but he beat everyone else by a nice margin. Got to talking to him over the past few weeks and we've built a good relationship. He's been giving me pointers, saying that I'm overthinking my lure selection, really all I need is like 8 different lures to use year around. But from spring to fall, he exclusively fishes shallow, and since most of our lakes and ponds have a lot of shallow areas with tons of weeds, he pitches a texas rig 98% of the time and consistently puts up amazing numbers. I've tried it once or twice but never more than 10 minutes at a time before I give up and go back to fishing a frog or chatterbait. I tried it a little last week, and I can sort of pitch my lure out sideways maybe 15-20 ft, and if I stand, I can get a little further. My friend is in a bass boat, but I only have a kayak. When I stand, I'm comfortable and pretty stable, but I still make little ripples from the kayak rocking slightly. I cant find a whole lot on youtube about pitching from a kayak. Any tips? Will the ripples from the kayak spook fish? Is it too much of a disadvantage being that low to the water or am I just overthinking it? I'm using a 7ft medium heavy baitcaster with 30lb line.
Smalls reply :
You’re over thinking it.
It might help to have your jig a few inches above your reel before making your pitch, just to be sure you clear your kayak. But everything else is the same.
A few ripples from your kayak rocking isn’t gonna scare fish, 99% of the time, either. Earlier this year I was fishing in 6 ft of gin clear water with a 8-9 pounder literately just chilling underneath me while I fished.
BassWhole! reply :
No help from me here, I can't fish sitting down, whether in a pointy roto molded wading pool, or a real boat. I would imagine in a stable enough yak, by a smaller nimble angler, standing up and pitching would be doable, but again N/A in my case...
Hook2Jaw reply :
I spend a lot of time pitching from my kayak, it's one of my favorite ways to put fish in the boat. On the move, I prefer a 7' MH, and I may be trying a 6'7" MH in the future. Palm your presentation at the reel and sweep your rod out sideways, keeping your presentation low and rely on your thumb as much as your stick to make your shot. I sit in my kayak's chair in the carport and practice this about once a week.
I also pitch standing, using a 7'11" Heavy Fast. I'll anchor pole down and pick apart the heavier stuff with the more traditional pitching technique rather than the modified side sweeping pitch when I know I need heavier gear to get them up and out. I use a coffee mug in the carport to practice this.
Practice the side armed pitch, Gene Jensen has a good video on it on YouTube. Practice traditional pitching as well, it's all been rather effective for me from a kayak. Leave the frog and bladed jig at home, tie on a jig or Texas rig, and do it all dang day long. You'll figure it out quickly, as I did, I'm betting.
J Francho reply :
On 9/25/2019 at 6:15 PM, Bass Ninja said:Any tips? Will the ripples from the kayak spook fish? Is it too much of a disadvantage being that low to the water or am I just overthinking it? I'm using a 7ft medium heavy baitcaster with 30lb line.
Get used to standing and pitching. Learn to do a flip cast as well. These are useful when you drift past something close you missed. I've caught fish right under or next to the kayak this way. I think being close to the water and the action is an advantage. It feels more connected. There are so many other things that can spook fish, I don't think ripples bother them one bit. I use rods from 6-8 to 8' for pitching, and I also pitch with a spinning reel if needed. It's juts a casting technique for getting a bait to a spot quickly with little hassle. Get good at it and you'll be rewarded. Good luck.
Bird reply :
I fish from both, kayak and 18 ft bass boat.
I'm much more accurate with my casting standing on a solid deck.
As far as scaring the fish ? Not really an issue.
I often vertical fish " drop shot " in bath clear water , only 8-10 ft in a blaze orange kayak.....I watch the bass take the bait.
Your friend sticks with a very proven method to consistently catch bass, texas rigged plastics.
I get bored and like to rip a few baits. Lol
Fishing_FF reply :
Lots of good advice here.
Pitching, flipping, and even punching can be done from the seated position as well as standing.
The recommendation to sit and practice in your kayak’s chair is a great one. Do something similar, having measured the height of my kayak seat to the top of the kayak gunnel and creating the same offset on the back porch with a patio chair and one of the kid’s toy boxes. This allows me to practice the technique and gain accuracy while the kids are outside playing.
Once you start practicing, you’ll find either a slightly higher starting position for the pitch or a sidearm roll will be more comfortable for you. From there, practice and have fun with it.
Choporoz reply :
I never stand.
Pitching was a bit awkward at first, but really didn't take very long to get real comfortable doing it. Over about 15 feet, I typically roll-cast, but can pitch it out there a ways at times. One thing I haven't mastered is flipping from a kayak.
rickyg reply :
There's a decent video of this on Youtube. I don't have a link, but I found it by searching "pitching from a kayak". There are few on there and you should be able to find one to help you. I found that my rod doesn't load enough to get much distance, but my accuracy is getting better. Next time out I'm gonna try a different rod and see if that helps.
Harold Scoggins reply :
On 9/25/2019 at 6:15 PM, Bass Ninja said:Is it too much of a disadvantage being that low to the water or am I just overthinking it?
Not at all. My first kayak was an OK Trident, not really made for standing, and pitching while sitting was one skill I really wanted to master. I spent the first winter after acquiring that yak in my kitchen practicing. Every night after the wife and kids went to bed, I grabbed my pitching rod and sat on the floor and pitched for about an hour. The wife would come out the first couple of nights and shake her head and give me that "you're losing it" look, but come spring, I got to where I could consistently hit a 12" square tile at 15-20'. I put a couple of dents on the side of the range, but the nightly practice sessions paid off. I now have a kayak I can stand in, but being able to pitch while in a sitting position is a skill I am glad I mastered.
Hammer 4 reply :
TRy flipping or pitching while seated in a Float Tube..Tricky, but doable..
Bass Junke reply :
I have been pitching from my kayak for about a month now. When I was in Newport for a week my wife and I rent a house with a bunch of friends. We don't really do anything but eat and drink. The house has a 20' by 40' deck attached to it. I spent the entire week pitching into solo cups on that deck. Got okay at it, still a lot to learn.
I do not have a framed seat on my kayak so I am basically pitching from about 6" off the water. Little tricky at first but once you start doing it, all kinds of possibilities open up. Keep practicing.
CountryboyinDC reply :
On 9/25/2019 at 7:13 PM, Hook2Jaw said:Palm your presentation at the reel and sweep your rod out sideways
I think I know what this means, but to be sure, does it mean hold the bait in your non casting hand about reel level?
@J Francho should be changing his screen name to something with ninja. Flipping from a moving kayak - now that takes holding your mouth right. I'd be lucky if I didn't end up swimming.
Smalls reply :
On 9/27/2019 at 10:55 AM, CountryboyinDC said:I think I know what this means, but to be sure, does it mean hold the bait in your non casting hand about reel level?
Yes. If yer vertically challenged, like myself, maybe even just a tad higher.
CountryboyinDC reply :
On 9/27/2019 at 10:57 AM, Smalls said:Yes. If yer vertically challenged, like myself, maybe even just a tad higher.
Okay, thanks. I sometimes hold like that when I'm pitching standing if I need to line it up real well. I'm going to figure this pitching sitting down thing out - it could come in real handy.
Smalls reply :
On 9/27/2019 at 11:04 AM, CountryboyinDC said:Okay, thanks. I sometimes hold like that when I'm pitching standing if I need to line it up real well. I'm going to figure this pitching sitting down thing out - it could come in real handy.
When I pitch sitting down, I’v usually got the target at my 10 o’clock, and I’m basically leaning my upper body to/rod hanging over the left side of the kayak. That way there’s nothing to clear. I’ve found that to work well for me, not sure how everyone else positions.
CountryboyinDC reply :
On 9/27/2019 at 11:09 AM, Smalls said:When I pitch sitting down, I’v usually got the target at my 10 o’clock, and I’m basically leaning my upper body to/rod hanging over the left side of the kayak. That way there’s nothing to clear. I’ve found that to work well for me, not sure how everyone else positions.
And you're holding the rod with which hand?
Smalls reply :
On 9/27/2019 at 11:15 AM, CountryboyinDC said:And you're holding the rod with which hand?
My right. Palming the bait with my left.
CountryboyinDC reply :
Okay, thanks. I will have to try that out next time I'm out.
the reel ess reply :
I pitch a lot form the sitting position because I learned in a kayak that wasn't stable enough to stand in. Make your cast much like you do standing with a spinnerbait-more of a roll. When the bait touches down, thumb the spool and let the rod tip slow it down. You'll get a quiet drop in. As for skipping it under stuff, that's something that will require a lot of practice. It's hard to let go of the spool knowing you'll be putting the bait on the surface and expecting it to go past the first bounce. There's the method of starting your skip earlier in the cast as you do with spinning gear (or skipping a stone). But I usually do the same as I described before except I try to slow the landing instead of stop it. At the last moment, feather the spool and lift the rod tip for a gentler skip at the end. When it comes to getting back into the sticks and under overhanging stuff you just have to sling it in there. That's where the big mamas live and feel safe.
HookInMouth reply :
I pitch a lot from a kayak and I do it from a sitting position. My seat is about 10" off the deck. It's a little awkward at first. Its the same as if you were on the deck of a bass boat except you are doing it from the side instead of in front of you. I've not even tried flipping from a kayak yet. I think you would need to stand to do that and I've not fished from the standing position yet (haven't found a reason to yet even though I could).
the reel ess reply :
On 9/30/2019 at 8:50 PM, HookInMouth said:I pitch a lot from a kayak and I do it from a sitting position. My seat is about 10" off the deck. It's a little awkward at first. Its the same as if you were on the deck of a bass boat except you are doing it from the side instead of in front of you. I've not even tried flipping from a kayak yet. I think you would need to stand to do that and I've not fished from the standing position yet (haven't found a reason to yet even though I could).
You will if you fish the spawn, if you don't have a personal issue with that. It can really help you spot the bass before they spot you and get a long pitch to them. You don't really need to remain standing, just get a good look at all the beds in an area.
HookInMouth reply :
On 9/30/2019 at 10:53 PM, the reel ess said:You will if you fish the spawn, if you don't have a personal issue with that. It can really help you spot the bass before they spot you and get a long pitch to them. You don't really need to remain standing, just get a good look at all the beds in an area.
Very true. That definitely might be something I end up doing next season. I didn't get to fish the spawn this year from a kayak (first season) but plan to next season. I do stand some on my shallow river to spot fish. I usually end up sitting back down to fish though.
Smalls reply :
On 9/30/2019 at 8:50 PM, HookInMouth said:I think you would need to stand to do that and I've not fished from the standing position yet (haven't found a reason to yet even though I could).
It’s a lot easier to spot cover, structure, and other fish attracting spots while standing. I’m probably still sitting 65% of my day on the water, but I’m definitely standing when pin point accuracy is needed.
Bassjam2000 reply :
A little of topic but did this legend by chance share with you his eight lure fishing system? I’m curious.
Bass Ninja reply :
Thanks for all the replies! With all the house projects, I was only able to get out for about 2 hours on Sunday, but it was mostly teaching a friend how to fish. I was teaching him how to fish a frog at first and got a 4lber while I was demonstrating how I do it, which is always nice. Practiced pitching a lot for the rest of the time, like you guys said, slinging it sideways. Its not too difficult, and hopefully it'll pay off soon with some nice fish. Just one more question....When you guys pitch it out, what do you do next? do you just let it drop through the weeds and sit? Do you hop it couple times? When reeling it back to you, do you let it drop in any more pockets? How long do you leave it in a pocket before you decide to do another cast?
Bass Ninja reply :
On 10/1/2019 at 8:33 AM, Bassjam2000 said:A little of topic but did this legend by chance share with you his eight lure fishing system? I’m curious.
He said he keeps it simple to what he has confidence in and knows it will work. During the winter, he uses either jigs or jerkbaits, and spring through the fall he uses square bills, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, senko-type baits usually wacky rigged when he gets desperate, a frog, and his pitching set up. As soon as the weeds come up in the late spring though, 90% of the time he is pitching shallow weeds. His pitching set up is a 6" Zoom Brushhog on an extra wide gap hook with a 1/2oz bullet weight, and he uses a 7ft heavy rod with 50lb braid. He's told me plenty of times though that those lures cover pretty much all scenarios for him, so dont get hung up on specific lure or brand. Odds are high that the same fish that ate his brushhog would eat my pitboss, its just what he likes to use, but more importantly, he can take apart cover effectively with it. He'll pitch a lake for like 6 hours straight before he'll think about switching out to a different lure, which I don't quite have the patience for, and I don't quite think thats the most effective way to fish, but....he's beat me enough times and his record is such that I can't argue with him haha ????
Boomstick reply :
You're definitely overthinking it. It's my personal belief that pitching from a kayak puts you just above the water and thus you are able to pitch quietly into shallower waters and scare the fish less which puts you at an advantage, plus a smaller footprint overall
related Bass Boats Canoes Kayaks topic
next topic
most viewed Bass Boats Canoes Kayaks topic
© 2025 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.