More Great Kayak Fishing Tips From Dennis Farrier

Dennis Farrier Hobie Kayak Fishing ExpertWant to learn how to become a better fisherman? Hobie Kayak Fishing Ambassador Dennis Farrier sent this list of tips on how to become a better fisherman. I read it 3 times and will probably re-visit this list in the future. It’s great stuff!

Thank you Den for your insights and all you do to help us become better at the sport we love!

[1] If you want to become great …

  • Focus on a single species.
  • Master it.

[2] Hire a guide if you’re headed to unfamiliar water.

  • You’ll learn more about fishing a given lake from a guide than you will by fishing on your own for several months.

[3] Make sure you are in an area that has the potential of holding fish.

  • Look for places with rocks that transition into deeper water, weeds, or both.
  • If it has danger written all over it, then you have located some promising water to investigate.

[4] Use fishing line that’s as light as you can.

  • Many bass anglers tend to use fishing line that’s much too heavy.
  • I realize that if you fish for bass in heavy cover heavier line is necessary, but in most bass fishing situations it’s not.
  • Eight pound test monofilament fishing line can hold 8 pounds of dead weight without breaking at its weakest point.
  • This doesn’t take into account the bend of the rod and the drag of the reel, which both take pressure off of the fishing line as well.

[5] Check your hook points and your line for nicks

[6] A lot of anglers catch fewer fish because they’re afraid to get snagged.

  • They don’t throw where the fish are.
  • Which is near rocks, stumps, and logs.

[7] Don’t move your kayak right on top of the area you want to fish.

  • Fish the edges and work in.

[8] Slow down … most everyone fishes too fast.

  • Don’t flip out a lure and immediately reel it right back in.
  • Toss your line out and let it sit there…
  • Reel in your line until there’s no slack left.
  • Wait 30 seconds – and more at times. This alone will do wonders to your fish count.

[9] Change up your retrieve.

  • Don’t cast and retrieve in the same manner and at the same speed every time.
  • Snap and even jerk your wrist towards you to stir up some vibration, and commotion in the water.

[10] Going to another spot isn’t always the answer.

  • Instead of moving, sit tight and slow your presentation down

[11] Test a reasonable amount of techniques, baits and presentations for a period no longer than 20 minutes or so before moving on to another location.

[12] Keep switching your lures (every 10 minutes) if you aren’t catching anything!

[13] Don’t lose your focus

  • We all tend to do best when we first start fishing
  • After a few hours we loose our focus.

[14] If you start to see fish following your baits back to your kayak and not committing … this usually means you need to slow down your retrieve.

[15] The first bait I reach for when it’s time to slow down is a drop shot.

  • One of the biggest mistake anglers make with this presentation is thinking of it only as a vertical presentation.
  • Don`t be afraid to make long casts with a drop shot, and slowly work and shake it all the way back to the boat.

[16] The absolute best time to be fishing is in the early morning, right before the sun rises.

  • The bass are hungry.
  • If there is a full moon, then the bass are least likely to be biting because with the light from the moon they have been feeding all night.

[17] When you re-spool your spinning real with fresh mono …

  • You can solve the line twist problem by taking your spool off the reel and running it under hot water for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • This changes the memory from the manufacturer’s spool size to your spool size.
  • This allows longer, smoother casts with less twists and knots.

[18] Always sharpen your hooks.

  • Even new hooks that are of less quality that are not sharp out of the package.

[19] One of the most over-looked noises an angler makes, is actually their cast.

  • When fishing shallow water, use an underhand cast with a low trajectory to the water.
  • Don’t use the overhead long bomb, that, scares the heck out of fish.

[20] Fish attractant …

  • Put it on your hands – like hand lotion – rather than squirting it on a lure.
  • It actually doesn’t “attract” fish.
  • It keeps a fish on your bait for a few seconds longer

[21] If your pliers ever become rusty and you need to free them up quickly, put them in some pop. The acids in the pop free the pliers up in a couple of minutes.

[22] So you’ve caught a fish of a lifetime and you don’t have a scale or measuring tape.

  • Cut a piece of your fishing line the same length and girth of the fish and put that in your pocket to measure when you get home.

[23] Let the wind dictate your plan of attack on any given structure.

  • The majority of fish will face the wind waiting for food to come to them.
  • Present your baits in the same natural manner to increase your odds.

Den Farrier
Ambassador – Hobie National Fishing Team

Posted in Hobie Mirage Drive Fishing Kayaks, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Minnesota Kayak Fishing – The Ice Is Out, Let’s Get Out There!

I’ve been anticipating ice-out on Minnesota lakes and last weekend the warm weather and heavy winds did the job. I’ve been doing some research on the Panfish and Crappie lakes in the Twin Cities, MN area. I found some websites that gave me some good insight on where to find Crappies. Even better, one article mentions areas by Manitou Island on White Bear Lake. Woooohooooo! That’s not far from the Hi Tempo Hobie Kayak center. My plan is to venture out on a nice day next week and see if I can find the Crappies based on the article I read.

I even took in some tips from Minnesota Kayak Fishing expert Tim Lesmeister

Sunday afternoons Tim Lesmeister hosts Outdoor Talk on radio station KTLK 100.3 FM. Fun stuff to listen to for outdoorsman. Even if you can’t catch the live show, podcasts are available to listen to at your convenience. Last Sunday the talk spread to early season crappies and where you might find them. Tim suggested you try the weeds and water close to shore. if the Crappies aren’t in there they may staging in some deeper water waiting for the water to warm up by shore. Bobbers and slip bobbers were suggested. Waxies or even chunks of Gulp bait were suggested.

So that’s going to be the first Kayak Fishing outing for me this year

Here’s an excerpt from the Minnesota Sportsman Magazine article. I am using this information to guide me on this years first kayak fishing outing.

“White Bear Lake, at 2,416 acres, puts up some impressive panfish numbers, too, and getting on the water is far easier. Once the ice recedes, head straight to the southeast flank of Manitou Island. Here, cattail upon bulrush paints the shoreline, covering a wide range of depths and structures. Pick through the dead hardstems and you’re sure to raise a slab.”

Oh man…I know right where that is. I’ll be there next week!

Here is a link to the Crappie Hotspots article I mention above, Click Here

Here is a link to Outdoor Talk Radio with Tim Lesmeister mentioned above, Click Here

Looking for a Minnesota Kayak Fishing shop, Click Here

Posted in Hobie Mirage Drive Fishing Kayaks, Minnesota Kayaks, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Kayak Fishing Video Gets Your Blood Pumping For The Upcoming Season

It’s only a matter of time now till our Minnesota waters are clear of ice and ready for us to set out in our kayaks to get on some fish.

Hobie National Kayak Fishing Ambassador Dennis Farrier knows how to get an audience on the edge of their seats. Dennis wrote and produced “Fish The World” video DVD. The video showcases beautiful fish, beautiful locations and the excitement of taking all this adventure in from a Hobie Kayak. Last weekend Dennis was in town to talk kayak fishing and to share his knowledge with visitors to the Northwest Sportshow.

I had the pleasure of attending his seminar. I have also had the pleasure of viewing the Hobie “Fish The World” video multiple times. Not only is Dennis an accomplished kayak fisherman, he is also a masterful writer and video producer. Dennis showcased these talents in the opening of his presentation at the Northwest Sportshow. He showed a short video that set the scene for what we are all looking forward to. The video starts with vehicles pulling in to parking area, gear being unpacked and boats hitting the water. The middle of the video story is all kayak fishing action. It’s just FUN TO WATCH!

Appropriately the video ends with silhouettes of kayak fisherman pedaling home with a gorgeous orange sunset in the background. In a short 2 minutes you experience a full day of preparation, launch, fishing action and wrap up.

Get pumped for some Minnesota kayak fishing action, watch the video below!

 

Learn more about Hobie Kayak Fishing at our website, Click Here.

Posted in Hobie Mirage Drive Fishing Kayaks, Hobie Mirage Drive Kayaks, Minnesota Kayaks | Leave a comment

Minnesota Kayak Fishing Enthusiasts Learn From Local And National Experts

Kayak Fishing Experts Dennis Farrier And Tim LesmeisterSaturday, April 2, 2011 was a gorgeous spring day in Minnesota but many kayak fishing fans chose to be inside and head down to the Northwest Sportshow to see new gear and listen to Hobie Kayak Fishing Pros Dennis Farrier and Tim Lesmeister. This dynamic duo represents a vast amount of hours on the water fishing from Hobie Kayaks.

Why do they fish from Hobie Kayaks?

Farrier and Lesmeister took turns explaining how these boats let them get into skinny water and areas that can only be accessed by small water craft. They explained the “stealthy” nature of the Hobie Mirage Pedal Drive. They talked about how they could get right on top of fish without spooking them. Each of the experts gave examples from kayak fishing outings how the Mirage Drive enabled them to get right to where fish hang out.

Kayak fishing questions from the audience

Farrier and Lesmiester took a few questions from the stage and answered many more questions after the presentation in small groups and in the Hi Tempo Hobie Kayaks booth at the Sportshow. Some questions were from newbies interested in getting in to the sport and others were from seasoned kayak fisherman who wanted to get some expert advice from the masters. One Hobie user was curious about running down riggers from a kayak. Tim Lesmeister shared a technique he is going to use on Lake Superior. He is going to use torpedo weights to get his presentation deep to reach fish when they move in to deeper water.

An open spirit of sharing kayak fishing tips, trips and hot spots

The information presented at the seminar was fun to soak in and got my blood pumping for the upcoming season. We all know the memories from past fishing trips are golden. But the anticipation of upcoming trips provide something to look forward to. So what do Farrier and Lesmeister have planned for their Hobie Kayaks? WOW! These two shared the short list of upcoming Kayak Fishing Adventures. Lesmiester plans on getting one of his Hobie Kayaks in the Rainy River or out in the gap on Lake of The Woods and pulling in some of those giant pre-historic Sturgeon. I’m looking forward to the report from that outing! Farrier has a trip to Galapagos planned. He is loading up some inflatable Hobie Kayaks and flying to meet  his sons and create some of those precious family fishing experiences. He describes fishing in Galapagos like this “it’s like fishing in an aquarium, the fish are beautiful and brightly colored.” Oh, man, I’m gonna say it again…looking forward seeing and hearing about that trip.

Tim Lesmeister let the audience know that he talks about where he will be fishing in the coming week on his weekly radio show. He welcomes Minnesota anglers to join him or email him with any questions.

Could this dynamic kayak fishing duo collaborate again?

There were some rumblings that these two experts may be getting together for a kayak fishing outing in June, 2011 in Minnesota. As fun as it was to hear and see these two talk on stage it would be really cool to hear the fish stories from an outing on one of our Minnesota bodies of water.

We’d like to thank Dennis Farrier and Tim Lesmeister for graciously sharing their kayak fishing adventures

Dennis Farrier is a member of the Hobie National Fishing Team. You can learn more about Dennis here, Click here.

Tim Lesmeister is an outdoor writer, photographer, radio, and television host. Learn more about Tim and his local outdoors reporting here, Click here

Posted in Hobie Mirage Drive Fishing Kayaks, Hobie Mirage Drive Kayaks, Minnesota Kayaks, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

On The Water Hobie Kayak Demos For Minnesota And Western Wisconsin

We’ll Help You Get The Perfect Hobie Kayak For Your Summer Fun On Minnesota Lakes!

All of us here in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin are ready for some fun in the sun! The ice is coming off our lakes and soon water sports will be in season. Whatever you like you do on our lakes, (fishing, touring or sailing) Hobie has the best kayaks to get the most out of your time on the water and Hi Tempo Water Sports has the experts to help you get the best Hobie model for your needs.

How Do You Know Which Hobie Kayak Model Is Best Suited To Your Needs?

There are many models in the Hobie Kayak line. By design Hobie has built models that are suited for specific needs. Some are built for speed and cutting waves. Others are more boxy and are ultra stable. Some are tandem models, built for two users. Some models combine a sail for wicked fast performance. Our experts have used every model in the Hobie line and know how to interview you to discover which model matches what you want to do on the water. But nothing will help you choose a model better than getting in multiple kayaks and experiencing how they perform on the water.

On The Water Hobie Kayak Demos For Minneapolis / St. Paul, MN And Western Wisconsin Customers

We’re psyched! We love these boats and nothing is more fun than seeing customers get in them and see how easy they are to operate and how fun they are! We just announced our demo schedule for spring and summer 2011. Demos are no charge. They require advance reservations. Call 651-429-3333 for more information.

Or visit our Hobie Kayak demo page: Click Here.

Posted in Hobie Mirage Drive Kayaks, Minnesota Kayaks, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Minnesota Kayak Fisherman – Don’t Miss This FREE Seminar With Hobie Fishing Pro Dennis Farrier

On Friday, April 1 (5:00pm) and Saturday April 2 (1:00pm), 2011 kayak fishing expert Dennis Farrier will present a seminar titled “Kayak Fishing Adventures” at the Northwest Sportshow at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Den graciously agreed to talk with us about what you will learn at these seminars and about his kayak fishing adventures.

Can you briefly outline what we will learn at your seminar at the Northwest Sportshow in Minneapolis, MN?

I will quickly survey the audience to get a feel for who owns kayaks, what models and whether they fish from their kayak. I will talk a little bit about what it’s like fishing with some of the best kayak fisherman in the world – like Hank Parker – and what it’s like to fish the world from a kayak. I’ll be giving out some copies of the “Hobie Fish The World” DVD I wrote, produced and appeared in.

I’ll get into “Kayak Fishing 101″ I’ll cover why we fish from a kayak, and how kayak fishing differs from fishing from a boat, dock or shoreline. Attendees will learn the exact advantages we enjoy when fishing from a kayak, how to select a kayak and how I rig my kayak for fishing.  I’ll talk about the gear I won’t go on the water without and what I leave on the beach.

I’ll want to talk with those in the audience who already fish your local waters and beyond so that we might be able to share some of that local knowledge with others in the audience who are just getting in to kayak fishing.

We know that Hobie Kayaks are not only great fishing machines, but ideal for nature photography and video. Can you share some of your favorite photos and give us some location and conditions information?

I’m intending to open the session with a brief – maybe 3 minute – video that will also include stills of some of the spots I have fished from my kayak – Holland and France for example – where we catch some species that your Minnesota and Wisconsin fisherman will relate to. Take a look at some of the beautiful photos in the slide show below that were shot from my kayak. I’ll show many more at our seminar.

sunsetSeals_On_RocksEagle

What is the wildest most exciting kayak “sleigh ride” you’ve taken after hooking a fish? Tell us about species,  the experience and the location.

Alaska Halibut Kayak FishingSeveral come to mind.  For a quick dash I enjoyed a 120 pound Alaskan Halibut – I caught it off Coffman Cove on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska.  I’ll talk about how you handle a crazy large fish like this from a kayak. Thresher Sharks off Malibu Beach in Southern California will take you wherever they want until they tire a bit. A favorite sleigh ride memory was the result of hooking up a 48 pound yellowtail off Cedros Island, Baja California, Mexico. This fish has big shoulders and doesn’t tire. You’ve set your drag before you get off the Mother Ship [I was fishing off the Qualifier 105 out of San Diego] and when you hook up you make sure that your rod tip is pointed at your bow so the fish will pull you forward rather than sideways or backwards.  The rooster tail from the back of the kayak is a good two feet high and you’re moving very fast. The yellowtail took me the length of a football in what felt like 20 seconds and then turned 90 degrees toward the beach and took me right into the rocks.  Yes … I did land him but it was in about eight inches of water.

I think one of the great joys of kayak fishing the world would be the number of species that I was treated to that I hadn’t been at all familiar with until I fished that location. A four foot Barramundi in Australia comes to mind.

THANKS for taking time to talk with us Dennis! We look forward to your “Kayak Fishing Adventures” seminars.

Hi Tempo Hobie Kayaks will be exhibiting Hobie Fishing Kayaks at the Northwest Sportshow, booth #1428. Stop by and see the models that Den Farrier uses in his kayak fishing adventures.

You can buy Hobie Fishing Kayaks online, CLICK HERE.

You can demo Hobie  Kayaks in the Twin Cities, MN area, CLICK HERE.

Posted in Hobie Mirage Drive Fishing Kayaks, Hobie Mirage Drive Kayaks, Minnesota Kayaks, Photos Shot From Hobie Mirage Kayaks | Leave a comment

Check Out This Sleigh Ride While Kayak Fishing

It’s mid March and the snow is showing signs of melting here in Minnesota. We have quite a bit of snow so it will take some time for it to go. Ice fishing is winding down and my thoughts are turning to Kayak Fishing. I get Kayak Angler e-news once a week. I really look forward to it. I read Kayak Angler Magazine on my i-pad and between issues the weekly emails really get my blood pumping to get my Hobie Pro Angler out fishing on one of the more than 10,000 Minnesota Lakes.

I am really looking forward to hooking in to some big fish from my Hobie Kayak. Last week there was a story about a guy in Hawaii bringing in a huge swordfish in Kayak Angler e-news. Today I opened up my email and found a link to this classic video of a Southern California kayak fisherman. A summer “sleigh ride” in Minnesota? Could happen. I’ve hooked in to good size fish in Minnesota that pull my 18 foot power boat around. Just think what fun hooking a big fish could be from your kayak. When we hear “sleigh ride” in Minnesota we usually think winter. Not so for me anymore. See the video below.

WOW! That looks like a wild time. Imagine being out in your Kayak and hooking in to a big Musky or Northern. Maybe a Catfish or even a trophy Walleye. The thing about kayak fishing is you are right down on the water. The action is closer, the thrill is amplified. I’m getting ready to “crank it up” is season. So many lakes…so little time.

Posted in Hobie Mirage Drive Fishing Kayaks | Leave a comment

Hobie Kayaks Are In A Boating Class Of Their Own

In the history of human-powered boats, four distinct styles emerged: the umiak or open boat similar to today’s rowboat, dinghy, dory, etc; the canoe; the traditional closed deck kayak and coracles, the basket boats used throughout the world.  Modern technology, and a creative dose of marketing have expanded these categories far beyond the basic designs of the past.

Of all the modified styles and designs available in the 21st Century, one stands out, unique among the rest – the Hobie Mirage. It’s not a kayak, a canoe or any other modified hybrid. It is clearly in a class by itself.

As more water enthusiasts are drawn to recreational paddling, basic requirements for paddleboats became industry standards. The general recreational boater wanted stability, easy maneuverability, and a boat that would provide an efficient and secure ride for a variety of waters. Paddling became as much a means to an end as the enjoyable end itself.

Hobie has excelled in achieving an inviting watercraft that by its inherent stability and ease of use begs the user to explore a variety of activities while on the water. Wildlife viewers can concentrate on watching without a constant need to maintain stability. Anglers can work on an effective, stealth like approach instead of worrying about flailing paddles. As a platform for photography, Hobie Mirage Kayaks provide a stable, secure platform so the photographer can concentrate getting that perfect shot. The “hands free” propulsion provided by the ingenious flipper system, coupled with simple but effective hand-toggle steering puts a Hobie Mirage at the top of the list for the ideal photography platform.

Variations in width, length and storage capacity gives the Hobie user a broad selection of choices. Hobie has designed models that are short, boxy and ultra stable. They have also designed models that are long and sleek that cut through waves easily and are very fast.  Hobie Cat has addressed every want and need of today’s recreational paddler.

To fully appreciate all that a Hobie Mirage Kayak offers, make a point of trying out a variety of models during a “demo day”. There are many kinds of boats on the market today, most all of which are a variation on the basic themes – and then there’s Hobie Mirage Kayaks!

Click here to schedule a on the water demo of a Hobie Kayak

Click here to visit our online store to buy a Hobie Kayak

Posted in Hobie Mirage Drive Kayaks | Leave a comment

How To Catch Monster Minnesota Bass From Your Hobie Fishing Kayak

It was late in January and I had just returned from a hard water fishing trip. For those of you from warmer climates, that’s ice fishing in Minnesota terms. We have 2 seasons, open water fishing and ice fishing. I opened my email and found my latest e-news from Kayak Angler magazine and right there was a feature article from our friend Ron Hustvedt.

Ron Hustvedt In The Hobie Pro Angler Fishing KayakThe article is about dock skipping for bass. Ron explains how to find those big bass under docks and how to use a casting technique to get on them. Well my thoughts turned to those beautiful summer days I had spent in my Hobie Pro Angler going around the outside of Lakes flipping bass baits under and near docks for big bass. The cool thing about fishing from a kayak for bass under docks is that you are right down close to the water. Getting your lure under docks is much easier. The technique Ron talks about in his article makes sense. It allows you to get your lure further back under the dock.

Thanks for the insights Ron! I’m looking forward to getting on some big bass that are hanging out under docks this season. I’m also putting all the readers of this post on your article. Here’s the link: FISH FRIDAY: Skip For Bass With Ron Hustvedt.

Posted in Hobie Mirage Drive Fishing Kayaks | Leave a comment

A Happy Hobie Kayak Customer

We received this nice note from customer earlier this summer. What really struck me was how they mentioned they were using the Hobie Kayak to build strength, stamina and lose weight. Their new kayak is so stable they feel comfortable on the water. And if you think about it, pedaling a Hobie Kayak does not create the “pounding” on your body that running does.

Hi Brad and guys at HiTempo,

Well, we’ve had our Hobie Mirage Oasis for three weeks tomorrow, (Mon, June 19) and LOVE it. Have been all over the lake with it both solo and tandem, taken every neighbor and stranger for a ride that we’ve seen, and hope to send more business your way. We’re working up strength and stamina to start portaging into our ‘chain of lakes’ up here in NW Ontario, losing weight and getting in shape. Even my 84 year-young mom loves it and enjoys wildlife watching from a front row seat early of mornings when we head out. First time she hasn’t been afraid to get on the water. The Hobie Oasis Kayak is so stable my husband and I haven’t been able to tip it over even when we tried. Rides over waves and in windy conditions like a dream. Really like the fact that there’s no lower back pain, almost no need for the paddles–as the rudder system and pedals do it all–and don’t think we could or would ever go back to a paddle kayak for any reason. Thanks for all your help, advise and encouragement.

Sincerely,

Jim & Anita P.

If you need help selecting the perfect Hobie Kayak for your needs you can call us at 800-429-3446.

Or if your ready to buy a Hobie Kayak we ship anywhere in the United States, click here.

Posted in Hobie Mirage Drive Kayaks | Leave a comment