Kayak Fixes, Big Crappie, and a Trophy Pompano!

Good morning, Crew!

Just want to take a moment to say thanks for being part of the Kayak Fishing Guide newsletter.

Whether you’ve been with us for a while or you’re new to the crew, we appreciate you!

Every week, we’re here to bring you solid fishing tips, gear recommendations, and a little entertainment to keep you dialed in on the water.

Here’s what’s inside this week’s issue:

• Easy kayak fishing fixes to keep your trip smooth and hassle-free.

• Spring crappie tips to help you find and catch more slabs.

• Where to find African pompano and what makes them a unique offshore catch.

• And more…

Tight lines and happy paddling!

~ Kayak Fishing Guide Team

As an Amazon Associate, Kayak Fishing Guide earns from qualifying purchases.

THREE FISHING TIPS
Three Quick Fixes for Common Kayak Fishing Problems

Every kayak angler runs into small frustrations on the water, but the right adjustments can make your trip smoother.

Here are three quick fixes for common kayak fishing headaches.

1. Keep Your Tackle Organized
A cluttered kayak can cost you time and fish.

Use small waterproof boxes to separate lures by type and keep your most-used gear within easy reach.

• Label boxes so you can grab the right one fast

• Attach a small gear leash to pliers and fish grips

• Store tackle in a crate or side-mounted pouches to free up deck space

2. Stop the Wind from Pushing You Off Your Spot
Drifting out of position can make casting frustrating.

A drag chain, anchor trolley, or stake-out pole will help you stay put.

• Use a short bungee on a drag chain to reduce noise

• Drop a stake-out pole in shallow water for a quiet hold

• Face your kayak into the wind or current for better control

3. Prevent Paddle Drip from Soaking Your Gear
Water dripping off your paddle can leave your seat and tackle wet all day.

Installing drip rings and adjusting your stroke will help keep things dry.

• Place drip rings 6–8 inches from the blades

• Use a high-angle stroke to minimize water run-off

• Keep a small towel handy for quick wipe-downs

A few small changes can make a big difference in your time on the water. Try these fixes and spend more time catching fish instead of fighting annoyances!

📷️: Jason Kayakfisher

BEST LINKS
Favorite Finds

➡️ Take a look at what’s been catching our eye online this week!

• Spring is almost here, and the bass are getting fired up—use these kayak fishing tips to land more lunkers this season! (Fish Talk)

• The water’s warming up, and the bass are getting aggressive—check out three must-have baits to land more lunkers from your kayak this spring! (Native Watercraft)

• Spring crappie are stacked in the shallows, but if you’re not fishing with stealth, you’re probably spooking them—here’s how to slip in quietly and catch more. (Game & Fish Mag)

KAYAK GEAR
Tackle Storage That Works

Staying organized in a kayak isn’t just about convenience. It’s about catching more fish.

When your tackle is easy to access, you spend less time searching and more time casting.

The key is using space wisely without overloading your setup.

A tackle crate with waterproof boxes is one of the best ways to keep gear secure and within reach.

Stackable trays help separate lures by type, and adding rod holders to the crate frees up even more space.

• Label waterproof boxes for quick lure swaps

• Use binder-style pouches for soft plastics to avoid a tangled mess

• Secure your crate with bungees to keep it from sliding around

A few small upgrades can make a big difference.

A magnetic gear tray gives you a quick spot to hold hooks and jigheads while rigging.

Tethering pliers and fish grips ensures they don’t take a dive.

The simpler your system, the smoother your time on the water.

📷️: Robert Greene

KAYAK RIGS
Native Watercraft Slayer Propel Max 10

Rick’s Native Slayer fishing machine, “Gussy,” sits on Kansas waters.

What do you think? Are we looking at a sunrise or sunset?

📷️: Rick Guilfoil

FRESHWATER CATCH
Crappie

Alexander Perron with a slob of a crappie!

Fishing for crappie in early spring with an ultralight spinning rod is a blast, and they’ll be staging soon in shallower water to spawn.

Here are a few tips to get you on the bite:

Where to Find Them

• Shallow Cover: As the water warms, crappie move from deeper wintering holes to brush piles, fallen trees, and docks in 3-8 feet of water.

• Muddy vs. Clear Water: In murky water, they’ll be super shallow, sometimes less than 2 feet deep. In clear water, they may hold a bit deeper.

Best Lures & Jigs

1. 1/16 oz. or 1/32 oz. Jig with a Soft Plastic – Go-to for early spring.
   Try a Bobby Garland Baby Shad or Strike King Mr. Crappie Joker in chartreuse, white, or pink.

2. Marabou Jig (1/16 oz.) – Has natural action when twitched slowly. Black, white, or yellow work great.

3. Beetle Spin (1/16 oz.) – A small spinner adds flash and vibration, making it deadly in stained water.

4. Mini Crankbaits – Something like a Rapala Ultra Light Shad or a small Crappie Magnet Crank can trigger bigger slabs.

Presentation Tips

• Slow and Steady: Early spring crappie can be sluggish. Slow retrieves, vertical jigging, or suspending a jig under a bobber works best.

• Try a Bobber Rig: A light jig suspended under a slip bobber lets you fish just above the crappie’s holding depth.

• Twitch, Pause, Repeat: A subtle twitch followed by a pause mimics injured bait and triggers more strikes.

A 4-6 lb test mono or fluorocarbon line on your ultralight setup will help you cast those light lures while keeping the fight fun.

Early spring crappie fishing is all about patience and finding the right depth—once you do, you’ll load up fast!

📷️: Crappie NOW

SALTWATER CATCH
African Pompano

African pompanos can exceed 30 pounds and roam around underwater structures at different ocean depths.

African pompano are powerful fighters and a prized catch for offshore anglers. They stick close to wrecks, reefs, and deepwater structures, making them a challenge to hook but well worth the effort.

• Diet: African pompano feed on small fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs.

• Where to Catch Them: Found near wrecks, reefs, and deepwater ledges in the southeastern U.S., Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Indo-Pacific.

• Best Bait & Tactics: Live bait like pilchards or jigs that mimic their natural prey work well.

Little-known fact: Juveniles look nothing like adults—they have long, trailing fin filaments that resemble jellyfish tentacles, likely helping them avoid predators.

📷️: John McKroid Jr.

TASTY RECIPES
Crappy Fish Fry

Nothing beats a crappie fish fry with a side of golden, crispy home fries! 😋 

Ingredients:

• 1lb crappie fillets, cut into fingerlike strips

• 12ounces ale or 12 ounces of any full-bodied beer

• 1 ¹⁄₂cups cornflour

• 1teaspoon salt

• 1teaspoon paprika

• ¹⁄₂teaspoon cayenne pepper

• 1cup flour

• fresh peanut oil or canola oil

Instructions:

1. Empty beer into a large bowl.

2. Add the corn flour, salt, paprika, and cayenne to the bowl and whisk until you have a light and frothy batter.

3. Refrigerate for at least an hour but up to five days.

4. Heat at least 2 inches of oil to 375 degrees F in a deep fryer or deep skillet.

5. Dredge fillets in flour, shaking off any excess; then dip them in the beer batter, coating them well.

6. Fry in oil until perfectly golden and drain on paper towels.

7. Serve with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, and hot sauce. Yum-yum! Prep time does not include refrigeration time.

Recipe - Food.com

HUMOR
Fishing Memes

THAT’S A WRAP
Before You Go!

Thanks for spending a few minutes with us this week!

Hope these tips help you catch more fish and have a smoother time on the water.

Stay tuned for next week’s edition—more great fishing insights are headed your way!

~ Kayak Fishing Guide Team

As an Amazon Associate, Kayak Fishing Guide earns from qualifying purchases. This site also participates in other affiliate programs/sponsorships and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.