Picking up my first kayak. Lake and River suggestions?
 

Hey guys, I just purchased my first kayak, I am just waiting to pick it up:D . I'm familiar with kayaking but I never actually fished from one. Ever since I began browsing this forum before I joined and seeing how many users here have kayaks, I figured I might as well join the bandwagon lol. I really just want to fish bigger locations without running into the issue of find accessible shorelines. Since I'm in Bergen county my most obvious destination that would be recommended is the Passaic river. However, I would like to know of some popular lake and reservoirs that I can start out will so I am not dealing with moving water right away. My first thoughts were Pompton lake, Munskville, Green turtle pond. I know of other locations but I'm not sure where a kayak is permitted. Which leads me to my next question, does anybody knows where I can find a list of locations of where kayaking is permitted. Or can I pretty much kayak anywhere, unless a sign is posted (lake of decent size of course). Like for example can I kayak Ramapo Reservation, or is that to small of a lake to kayak?:confused:

Lastly, is fishing for cats from a yak manageable and worth it? Any tips?

Thanks for the help guys I'd really appreciate it! Sorry for so many questions I just want to make sure I'm prepared and picking a decent location for my first outing. Any other tips in general will be greatly appreciated. Hope to get some solid ideas cause I plan on going next Saturday hopefully.:cool:

P.S. Purchased Field & Stream Eagle Run 12' camo fishing kayak
On sale at Dick's
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/pr...igkw=eagle+run

Re: Picking up my first kayak. Lake and River suggestions?
 

I would try Monksville, its fun going back into the timber from the north boat ramp, where the Upper W comes in( i try and go as far up the river as i can, its an adventure)
I also went on the Pompton river with my yak starting behind the now closed A&P on rt23, and taking it allllll the way down to two bridges. you can fish for trout (at first), bass, pickerel, and pike in one trip. Theres only 1 small rapid spot by the Ramada hotel, its not too bad.
I was on Pompton lake last week with my yak, and i thought i was going to be sucked under by a lock-ness-monster....questionable looking water quality and weeds to be literally inches from on a yak. rather a boat in there, but still manageable.
I know they dont let kayaks on any NWK Watershed res.

Re: Picking up my first kayak. Lake and River suggestions?
 

Hey jd,

The places that you've mentioned are definitely excellent locations for kayak fishing. If you'd like a more comprehensive list of kayak "put in spots" you might want to consider purchasing a paperback book called "Quiet Water New Jersey" by author Kathy Kenley. The review of the locations is pretty thorough and the author also provides directions to get there. It has a great list of kayaking/fishing locations from High Point to Cape May Nice little book.
Your question about fishing for cats from a kayak is a good one and the answer is "yes". Catfishing from a kayak is great fun especially fishing for those bruiser channel cats that can tow your yak all over the lake.

Re: Picking up my first kayak. Lake and River suggestions?
 

Take that thing anywhere there is water! North Jersey has so many awesome bodies of water. All the places you mentioned are awesome to start with, as I fish them the most from my kayak, but also check out Splitrock Reservoir, Lake Hopatcong, Hackensack River, Lake Aeroflex, Cranberry Lake, Swartswood Lake and Greenwood Lake. All very different bodies of water with different fish, all great from a kayak.

Re: Picking up my first kayak. Lake and River suggestions?
 

No kayaks allowed at Ramapo Reservation. I wish they would though because the lower lake would be nice to paddle and fish from. There is some decent shoreline access though but the people and their off the leash dogs can make it a nightmare.

Re: Picking up my first kayak. Lake and River suggestions?
 

Thanks guys for all the advice! Just picked it up today and can't wait to get out there.

Gonna check the Pomoton for sure Birdman, for some pike hopefully

Thanks Skunk I definitely got plenty of choices to decide from lol

Thanks Kev I'm gonna check that book out seems like and alot of help

Thats a Bummer about the reservation Mike. Yea Thats why I rarely fish there with all the dog walkers and everything

Re: Picking up my first kayak. Lake and River suggestions?
 

Being its your first yacking experience, try some smaller waters first before hitting the larger lakes. It takes time to get used to the balance of your kayak with all of your gear. Trust me, trial and error! Also, a great suggestion is to purchase rod leashes for your rods..

Re: Picking up my first kayak. Lake and River suggestions?
 

Pompton Lake is a good first lake to hit I'd say. The bass there are usually cooperative all over the lake.

Re: Picking up my first kayak. Lake and River suggestions?
 

Definitely looking for smaller waters lol. And the kayak commons with rod leashes already some I don't have to worry about losing them haha but thats for the suggestion. Any other essentials im missing? Its got rod holders and I purchase a third for the front. I got a paddle holder that I have to install, Life-vest (to play it safe lol), net, and it has i storage that I could remove if I like. Anything Im missing?

Re: Picking up my first kayak. Lake and River suggestions?
 

Good luck with the kayak. I agree with posts above, and I also have the Quiet Waters book. I really like Lake Musconetcong, lot of weeds but I usually do better on the shallow, weedy lakes. Probably because I can read the water better, not because the fishing is better.

If you fish rivers and don't have someone to drop you off upstream so you only paddle with the current to your takeout, I suggest you start off paddling upstream so you are with the current on the way back. Even if the current isn't strong, better to need less energy at the end of your trip.

Re: Picking up my first kayak. Lake and River suggestions?
 

I'm in the same boat (kayak?) as jdigrande91 and found these tips helpful, thanks!

Does anyone have any idea on water temps? It's easy to find water temp readings for the ocean but I'm curious about lakes and lesser extent rivers. I don't want to head out on my first trip only to get splashed (or worse) and freeze even though the air temp is warm.

For lake fishing, do you recommend trawling or paddling to an area and casting?

Re: Picking up my first kayak. Lake and River suggestions?
 

Water temps are in the low to mid 60's in most bodies of water in NNJ right now.

Re: Picking up my first kayak. Lake and River suggestions?
 

Water temps in some of the smaller bodies of water have reached into the low 60's. I think 64 is the highest I've found so far. As far as your question about trolling vs. paddling and casting......each method has it merits. Trolling on some days is very productive but I think that most of your time will be spent paddling to a spot then casting.