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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Bassmaster Elite Series pro Keith Combs does most of his fishing in a bass boat, but he also loves to launch his kayak as often as his schedule allows.
“I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how often I choose to use it instead of my bass boat when fun fishing,” Combs said. “My Ranger is still my ‘office,’ but by utilizing a different platform on occasion it has driven home some of the basics of fishing, and helped me to become a stronger competitor.”
Combs has been an Elite angler since 2011 and has earned more than $1 million in tournament winnings, but that has not prevented him from learning — and relearning — important aspects of fishing while kayaking. Combs shares five truths he rediscovered which have helped his tournament fishing.
Stay Quiet
You need to be stealthy any time that you’re on the water. That is something every bass angler knows, but when we get in our big fiberglass boats and start banging lids, you’d think it was totally foreign. From the very first day that I got into my kayak, and nearly every day on the water since then, I’ve caught multiple bass that literally bit at the rod tip — like six feet from the boat. That happens occasionally in a bass boat, but not nearly as often, and I am convinced it is because bass boats have a much more obvious presence. The bass feel at home around the kayak, so they will still commit even when they’re close. I need to make a greater effort to keep a low profile, shut off all sounds, and stay off of the trolling motor as much as possible during tournaments.
Fish What’s There
Dissect what you have in front of you. In a bass boat, if you don’t feel your current spot is “on” you can run 20 miles until you see something better. My Old Town Predator is fast for a kayak, but you’re not going to go 20 miles. So, I have to fish what’s there.
That translates to the Bassmaster Elite Series, where we often have to fish in a crowd and share water. You wait your turn to fish the key cover or structure, and if you learn to pick apart your targets it will add up to better finishes.
Go Where You’ll Get Bites
The best way to get better as an angler when you’re learning to fish is to go someplace where you’ll get a lot of bites. In the kayak there are many places I can go that others cannot, including small, non-tournament-friendly bodies of water. It is often easier in those places to catch 50 or 100 fish than it is on the big lakes, and a kayak puts me in position to access and explore those places easily. I can experiment with tackle and presentations in the knowledge that the fish will help me dial them in.
Avoid The Crowds
Kayaking has hit home is how important it can be to get away from others. There are times you’ll have to fish in a crowd, but if it’s not necessary you should avoid it at all costs. My wife Jennifer and I frequently fish a small public lake near our home that is loaded with standing timber. We could fish it out of the bass boat, but we’ll be limited to the main channel, a few creek channels and some roadbeds. In the kayak, there’s no place that we can’t go.
Pack Light
Fishing out of a kayak forces you to be judicious about the tackle you bring. You can’t pack 20 tackle boxes. If you really want to learn a particular technique, that’s all you should bring in the boat. In your bass boat, it is possible to keep it simple, but you will always have more options. Fishing out of the kayak has often forced me to work with what I packed, and in turn, that has helped me to refine my sense of patience.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 510,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
