Kayak fishing off the beach 30A

Catch live bait and fish live bottom for snapper. Troll for kings and pelagics. Grayton Beach has some good bottom in like 50'of water. I have numbers somewhere...

Have seen some Tarpon hook ups happening over there. I'd flat line some bait as well.

Yes, from Navarre Beach. A mile out is 60’ or so of water. FWC website has interactive maps with GPS coordinates for artificial reefs, wrecks, etc if you have a fish finder to plug the coordinates into. Plenty of reefs in the mile to 1.5 mile offshore range. Live bait was fairly easy to catch on sabiki rigs beyond the surf in 15-20’ of water, but having dead bait as a backup is a good idea.


From the yak last summer. Snapper caught on bottom at reefs, king while trolling as I moved from reef to reef.

Hell, I’d keep drift line out entire time with a live hard tail. I’d clip the tail fins to slow it down a bit. Otherwise it’ll run to your yak for cover and tangle you up. You can buy the king rigs at tackle shop. Keep a rod with speck tackle ready too, chicken dolphin get close too. Bonita on chug bugs is a kick in the arse as well.

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DownSouthDave

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I still have your bait tube.

And speaking of, great tip for the OP to make one and bring to 30A. There are plenty of ideas/videos online just search diy kayak pvc bait tube.

I yaked from Navarre to the reefs a mile out a couple weeks ago. One day was great; caught snapper and a few others. The rough day damn near killed me.

I was in an Emotion MOJO with paddles. Everyone else had pedal yaks a little more seaworthy (hobies jacksons, etc). That rough day I flipped on my beach start, resulting in a broken rivet, a missing plug and a flipped hatch. Forged ahead anyway. Lost a few big ones on cigar minnows at the reef. Took on a huge wave that activated my life vest. I righted but the boat wasn't paddling right. Checked the hatch and I was full of water a mile out. Told a nearby yakker that I was headed back because I was taking on water. He offered a bilge pump.
As I scooted forward to access the hatch the hatch with the bilge, the bow sank, ehe stern rose up, the yak spun and I flipped. I was able to pump it out and get back in with the help of strangers. Made it back to the beach where I flipped again in the surf in front of my family. Dont matter, I made it back. Thanks to the kindness of strangers.

1. Wear a PFD.
2. Have a bilge.
3. Buddy system.
4. Have a decent kayak.

The first day was a joy; next year I'm going back with a better kayak.

I got out there just fine, a mile isn't that bad in OK seas. The fishing is tougher because you are blowing in the wind and can't lock onto a rig.

The pedal guys could fish and use the propulsion to anchor onto their spots or to troll where they wanted.

Pedals are a huge plus and a kayak with stability is best. Pick a day with minimL breezes and you'll be fine.

ETA - The cigar minnows I was using were dead frozen bait from the local tackle shop. I got hits on them all morning, caught a few triggers, small snapper and some stout hookups that got down to the reef and broke off.

Coolest part of the venture was a closeup encounter with a giant sea turtle.

Don't bring a stringer. Asking for trouble. Sharks can get it or just the drag of the fish in the water will slow you down and piss you off. Invest in a long fish bag.

Have fished in a Kayak off 30A for 15 years. Very easy to go just past the second sandbar and troll for Kings and fish for others. Have caught flounder, Spanish, etc. We've gotten into a few tarpon, too. But never ever go alone. You are one tarpon from being a few miles out and down shore and pretty tired.

back side of the 2nd sandbar is about 60', live bait.