Kayak Fishing in New Jersey

By Craig Sheppard

To most outsiders New Jersey is best known for its busy highways, less than scenic views from the turnpike, and as the home of HBO's hit series the Sopranos. However, those of us who live and kayak fish in the Garden state know better. The truth is that New Jersey offers a wide variety of both fresh and salt water fishing opportunities for kayak anglers.

Have Kayak, will Travel

The good news is that if you plan on kayak fishing in NJ you will not have to travel very far. In fact, you can drive from the top of NJ to the bottom in less than 3 hours making day trips very easy to plan. There are also many campsites, bed & breakfasts, and hotels throughout the state if you want to get away for the weekend or longer.

Northern Region

The northern part of the NJ is dotted with fresh water lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and streams that hold many popular fresh water game-fish and pan fish including: large mouth bass, small mouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, pickerel, walleye, hybrid bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, Lake Trout, salmon, common carp, grass carp,channel catfish, bullhead catfish, yellow perch, white perch,white crappie, black crappie, blue gills, sunfish, rock bass, and more. All of these fish species are available within a 1 hour drive of New York City and Newark Airport. If your are not sure what bodies of water are open to the public you can visit the NJ Fish and Game website. There you will find a list of places to fish, the state fishing regulations, licensing information, and a wealth of resources about NJ's fisheries.

Although the northern section of NJ is not well known for its saltwater fishery there is one notable exception. The NJ Meadowlands offers relatively easy access to a salt water marsh system that holds a good number of fish species including: striped bass, blue fish, weakfish, winter & summer flounder, and many more. The Meadowlands is also a kayak friendly system complete with launch ramps, good parking facilities, and a River Keeper who is dedicated to protecting this fragile ecosystem from pollution and development. The River Keeper Center also offers guided kayak tours of the ecosystem for a reasonable fee.

Central & Southern Regions

The Central and Southern sections of NJ are also very rich with freshwater fishing opportunities which include most of the species available up north. However, the biggest draw to the central and southern portions of the state is the access to the salt water bays, beaches, and the open ocean. New Jersey has over 100 miles of beach front, many inlets, and an extensive intracoastal systems of bays, estuaries, salt marshes, and tidal rivers. The top saltwater game-fish in this region include: striped bass, blue fish, weakfish, winter & summer flounder, black fish, sea bass, false albecore, mackerel, porgies, cod, northern kingfish, hickory shad, many species of sharks, and the occasional red or black drum. For those willing to venture out a little farther tuna can also be targeted in season. All of the salt water fishing regulations can be found on the NJ Fish and Game website. NJ does not require a salt water fishing license at this time, but that may change in the near future.

Launching

New Jersey is a highly populated state with lots of private property and no trespassing signs, but there is still plenty of public access for kayak anglers to launch safely without breaking any laws. Always be sure to do your homework before launching to avoid unnecessary parking tickets or fines. Launch locations and public access points for NJ can be found online with a little effort. The NJ Fish and Game web site is great place to start. There are also online paddling resources that offer this type of information as well including the Jersey Shore Sea Kayak Association, the Hackensack River Keeper Website, and Kayak Fishing Stuff. Great care should be taken when launching a kayak through the surf zone into the open ocean. If you have never surf launched a kayak before you need to practice in the warm summer months with no additional gear. Once you have become proficient at surf launching you should find a friendly group of kayak anglers to join out on the open water. When kayak fishing in the ocean there is definitely safety in numbers. Note: You can find home videos of kayak surf launches online and will learn much from others mistakes.

Safety

Kayak anglers are required to carry a Personal Flotation Device (PFD), a whistle or sound making device (air-horn), and a signaling mirror. PFDs MUSt be worn by kayakers 14 and under, adults need only have it within reach, but why take chances with your safety. A PFD will only save your life if you are wearing it. Coastal kayak anglers should also carry a VHF Marine Band Radio, a compass, GPS, and possibly a satellite locating device. It is also a very good idea for all kayakers to leave a float plan with a friend or family member. A responsible kayak angler should take every precaution to avoid becoming a statistic! When kayak fishing during the cold water periods of Spring, late fall, and winter it is very important to be wearing protective clothing in the event that you fall off of your kayak and into the water. Dry suits are the best option. Wetsuits will suffice, but will not be as comfortable as a good dry suit.

In Conclusion

New Jersey is without a doubt one of the best kayak fishing destinations in the Northeast. Kayak anglers can fish from early spring until late fall for both fresh and salt water species all within a relatively short distance of home. If you live and fish in New Jersey and do not fish from a kayak - get one! It will greatly increase your fishing opportunities, get you closer to the action, and because kayaking is a green activity you will be doing your part to make the world around you a better place.

Craig Sheppard is an experienced kayak angler, outdoors enthusiast, and the General Manager of Kayak Fishing Stuff

To learn more about kayak fishing and fishing kayaks visit:

http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com

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Kayaking and Canoeing in Suffolk County, New York

By David Champley

If you love being on the water and love the outdoors, canoeing and kayaking might be a good way to spend a day. There are plenty of opportunities to rent a canoe or kayak to spend a day in the waters of Suffolk County.

One great opportunity is to spend time right off Montauk Point in the Atlantic Ocean exploring and following the finback whale. There are whale watching activities run and organized by the Okeanos Ocean Research group, a non-profit research group that runs whale watching tours. You can watch biologists do population studies of the whales and feed them as well.

Another way to spend the day is to paddle down the Peconic River in a 17 foot canoe. The entire trip is about eight miles. Part of the trip is very desolate with isolated trees along with less desolate areas. The canoes are built for two and must be picked up five times to cross slight dams. The Peconic Paddler located on Peconic Avenue in Riverhead runs a day trip that lasts for about four to five hours. They also rent canoes to individuals who spend the day by themselves without a specific trip also.

For a combination canoe and fishing trip, try renting a canoe down the Nissequogue River between Smithtown and Kings Park. You can also bring your own fishing gear for the excursion. As you can see, there are many options to kayak and canoe in Suffolk County. Whichever you choose, make sure you remain safe and have a great time.

David Champley has been writing about recreational activities on Long Island for the past three years. He also enjoys writing about other subjects like Long Island printing providers and what is best for your small business printing needs.

David Champley

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The History of White Water Canoeing at the Olympics

By Paul Makepeace

White water canoeing has had an interesting past in the Olympic programme as it has been taken out a few times and then reinstated as a sport. Canoeing has been in the Olympics since 1932 when a form of canoeing, the canoe sprint was introduced to the Olympic programme. The canoe sprint has 12 medal events in the programme and includes a distances of 500m and 1000m, each of which are highly demanding and requires the utmost skill and endurance. Many of the canoeists were from sporting background originally and switched to the sport when they didn't make the grade. This extra enthusiasm and drive moved the sport forward to what it is today. There will be some changes in the London 2012 Olympic programme as the 500m event will be replaced by the shorter 200m race, this will be the first time this event will be featured in the games, as promises to be an exciting inclusion for the sport.

Other disciplines in canoeing then became apparent, one of the most popular, the canoe slalom made its debut in the 1972 Olympics, we then didn't see it again until the 1992 Barcelona games. This was where Great Britain won their first ever medal in the Canadian Singles Class winning, Gareth Marriott won a Silver medal and was the starting point for a huge breakthrough in interest and participation in White Water Rafting and Canoeing.

The first Great Britain Gold medal came at the 2008 Olympics when Tim Brabants became champion of the K1M event in Beijing. He then followed up this history breaking feat by then taking a Bronze Medal in the K1M 500m event, this was even more astounding as it was just 24 hours later. This put him down as the most successful Great Britain Canoeists in Olympic history.

Tim's endeavours in 2008 has inspired a new generation of canoeists which are taking the sport to a new level in Great Britain. The UK now has some of the finest facilities in the world in which has helped the training and appeal for the next Olympics in London 2012. Many of these new facilities would not have been possible without the success of individuals and the Great Britain tem in the previous Olympics. The funding and interest in the sport demanded that UK facilities improved and came up to standards with the rest of the world so that Great Britain can train and grow to the next level, to be competing in major competitions in the future.

Come and experience the UK's Newest White Water Rafting Centre. Get ready to experience the thrills, obstacles and drops of world class White Water Rafting.

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Packing a First Aid Kit for Kayaking - Waterproof Kits for Inflatable Kayaks

By Christine Layton

Even if you're heading into safe waters it's always important to pack a good first aid kit to bring with you while kayaking. A first aid kit should be stored in a strong waterproof container and include important items that will help you in an emergency, if you get an injury or if you just need to treat a few scrapes. The kit should also be very lightweight and suitable to fit in all kayaks, including inflatable kayaks.

First, select a durable container for your kit. The waterproof container can be a hard plastic case or just a very good bag that can be sealed easily. Many companies produce these containers that are designed for water sports like canoeing and kayaking.

Next, add basic first aid supplies. This includes band-aids in various sizes, ibuprofen, antibiotic ointment, alcohol and antiseptic wipes, self-stick bandages, antihistamine, tweezers and a first aid manual. You should also include some bug bite spray that reduces itching. Add a small bottle of strong sunscreen and any prescription medication you may need to take, including an inhaler. Finally, super glue can help to treat blisters, allowing you to paddle without pain.

Kayaking Supplies: What to Pack in Inflatable Kayaks

There are also some items you should bring specific to kayaking or heading into a more secluded area. A whistle can help you signal for help if you become injured or stuck. A drink for hydration like Gatorade is a good choice to keep your fluids up if you're stranded. You should also pack some emergency food like energy bars and trail mix. Dramamine in pill or chewable form can fight motion sickness. This is good to pack even if you've never experienced morning sickness in inflatable kayaks before. A bottle of iodine can treat water to make it potable in an emergency while a wrist support can give you the ability to paddle if you start to develop tendonitis or wrist pain.

Inflatable kayaks are a great way to enjoy the water but it's always important to pack a good first aid kit to be prepared. You never know when the weather will turn or you will suffer even a minor injury. Being prepared means you'll be able to take care of yourself in an emergency and get yourself to help when you need it. This list contains everything necessary for a very well-made kit, although there may be some additional items you can include for your unique situation.

Christine Layton is an outdoor enthusiast who works with Boats To Go, the best source for inflatable kayaks, boats and rafts. With the lowest prices in the country, Boatstogo.com is the first stop for kayakers who want a quality vessel.

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