| By the time mid-February comes around on the | | | | matter, is by way of a paddle poweredkayak or |
| Gulf coast,signs of spring are usually in the air and | | | | 'yak for short. They are easy to handle both in |
| have not goneunnoticed by fish and fishermen | | | | andout of the water and large numbers of |
| alike. Now that watertemperatures have begun | | | | fishermen havealready flocked to the sport. |
| their climb to moreaccommodating levels, | | | | Special havens and trails haveeven been created |
| gamefish will soon become moreaccommodating, | | | | in coastal areas exclusively for the use |
| too, as the sun warms the shallow flatsand | | | | ofunmotorized craft. |
| baitfish gather on the shorelines. | | | | Kayaks are in demand, especially used ones if |
| There is probably no better time of year than | | | | they can belocated. Reasonably priced to begin |
| between | | | | with, used 'yaks arehighly sought after. (A friend |
| February and May to catch a trophy speckled | | | | who recently advertised his forsale, received over |
| trout - for thewall, or a once in a lifetime photo, | | | | 40 calls.) Used 'yaks are often equippedwith some |
| then quick release. Thisis particularly true if you | | | | extras that the owner has assembled over |
| are fishing the lower Texas coast. Ifit has | | | | timeand tosses in to make a full package and |
| survived in good health since its catch and release | | | | ready-to-fish dealfor often half the price of new. |
| in | | | | The previous owner can alsobe a valuable source |
| May 2002, when it bottomed out a 15 lb. scale, | | | | of knowledge for tips and tricks on useof the |
| there's atleast one speckled trout cruising the | | | | craft and places to try. In addition, they may |
| Laguna Madre thatcould easily best the current 17 | | | | have awish list for gear or options to consider |
| lb. 7 oz. world record caughtat Fort Pierce, Florida. | | | | that will helpjumpstart your kayaking experience. |
| One of the easiest and most stealthy ways to | | | | Kayak fishing is clearly the way to go if you want |
| prowl the flatsin search of heavy trout this time | | | | to combinefun, fishing and exercise. |
| of year, as well as anyother season for that | | | | |