Just recently bought a yak for the purpose of some tight lines. I go to freeport/galveston area as well as the rockport/aransas coast to fish a lot, however i'm needing some advice from a weathered yaker and fisherman on areas to try, but mostly any helpful tips on how to improve the success of my yak may it be maneuvering techniques, rigging setup, epoxy to mount and seal with, and on and on and on!!! I'd really appreciate and if anyone wants to go fishing let me know!
TIGHT LINES!

"what would you attempt, if you knew you couldn't fail?"
"the greater part of happiness or misery depends on our dispositions, not our circumstances" Martha Washington

gig em

What kayak? Most of them are plastic boats, and you have to rivet or screw/bolt things to them if you add hardware. Lately, I've taken a "less is more" approach.

I don't fish down there, so can't offer advice. I know the jetties are very popular, but winter isn't probably the best time unless you like sheepshead.

AS for paddling, the best thing you can do is find some calm water and practice. Unless you take a course where they actaully show you hwo to paddle, you're probably just going to have to experiment and learn what works for you. 95% of paddlers learn that way.

I go down there a few days most summers.

I've had some success fishing the cuts leading into the Lighthouse Lakes paddling trail. I've caught quite a few trout, as well as ladyfish in the deeper water...yeah, they're trash fish, but fun to battle in a yak. I've never done well on the actual trail, but I have seen some higher end slot reds tailing.

Kayak fishing is definitely a KISS proposition.

I carry 3 rods at most. 1 baitcaster, 1 spinning rig, and 1 fly rod. I have 2 flush-mounted rod holders behind my seat for the conventional rigs and a Scotty rig in the cockpit for the fly rod. If I'm not carrying the fly rod the Scotty rod holder gets stowed leaving just the mount.

As for lures I'll have 3 small boxes (like 4" x 8" and maybe 1.5" deep): 1 with 3-4 topwaters a couple suspending plugs and a couple spoons; one with touts, jigheads, DOA shrimp, and flutter hooks for going weedless; and the last is a fly box. In my shirt pocket I carry leader/tippet material, clip on a pair of nippers, and a knife. I also keep a pair of pliers on deck. Then I have a small dry box which usually stays in a hatch but this has my wallet w/ license, keys, cell phone, camera, and dry cleaning cloths for my sunglasses.

I'll also usually carry a decent sized soft-sided cooler in my tankwell for water & snacks. I generally keep sunscreen in there too. This also doubles as a fish bag if I feel like keeping anything.

Some guys go the milk-crate route. Basically you get a milk-crate and use zip-ties to attach sections of PVC as rod holder on the outside of the crate. Tackle boxes go inside the crate and it all straps into the tankwell.

As for places to fish in the Rockport-Port A areas. Closer to Port A there's Lighthouse Lakes, Brown & Root Flats, and Wilson's Cut/Shamrock Cove. In the Rockport area during the winter I'd say Port Bay, Cavasso Creek/St. Charles Bay, and I've heard of people catching good trout in the deeper water of Little Bay (the ski basin behind Rockport Beach Park).

[This message has been edited by Finn Maccumhail (edited 1/4/2011 10:54a).]

bump for the OP

I usually take two poles. I usually throw the following into a milk carton tied down behind my seat.

A couple sorted fishing plastic boxes with fishing tackle (popping corks, plastics, hooks weights etc.)
Pliers
Knife
Cast net - I like to set out some live bait on my second poll if its slow. (how I catch most redfish)
Stringer
Water

I have fished the light house lakes before you get to the ferry in aransas pass probably a dozen times. I limited out on redfish on the majority of those trips, with a few trout here and there.

As previously posted Lighthouse Lakes is a great paddle and very productive. Also Brown and Root has some great yak trails and is stacked with reds if the tide is right.

As far as tips go, depending upon the size of your boat, I would look into getting a rudder. It takes alot of the strain off your longer runs and is great in the wind or while drifting. When your running too shallow just yank it up.

In my boat I take:

Two Rods
Small Cooler (water, beer, snacks)
Wadding Boots
In a Fabricated "milk box"
-Two takle trays for assorted baits
-One small takle tray for terminal gear
Stakeout Stick
Net
Stringer
Pliers
Knife
Waterproof box for phone, wallet, cigs

My boat is 15' 5" so I have plenty of room.

Oh yah... two more things to add. Stakeout stick or anchor and a net.

If you get out and wade fish your kayak can take off on you. I usually just tie my kayak to me with some rope.

And THE MOST IMPORTANT thing to bring!!!!
LIFE JACKET!!!, I don't care if you are in knee deep water all day and just cross a couple channels. Find a a comfortable life jacket that you will wear all day.