AUSTIN, Texas — Most of the Texas state parks in the path of Hurricane Ike have been cleaned up, have electricity again and are open for business. Galveston Island and Sea Rim state parks on the Gulf Coast, however, suffered catastrophic damage, and will be closed for some time.

AUSTIN, Texas — Hurricane Ike’s big storm surge caused hundreds of localized oil and hazardous materials spills that pose threats to fish and wildlife, and it pushed saltwater into upper coast freshwater wetlands that support migrating waterfowl and estuarine life. But ecological damage to coastal habitats may not be as widespread or severe as some had initially feared.

Leader length depends on a number of conditions. In general, when fly fishing clear water with fish in shallow water, go with as long a leader as you can easily cast. When fly fishing during windy conditions or in small streams where fly casts will be short, go to a shorter leader for better turnover.

The way an angler rigs a kayak for fishing is a very personal undertaking.  The choices you make are dependent upon your fishing style, and the waters you paddle.  What works for me may not work for you.  In this new series of articles I will offer some of my ideas which may help you create your perfect kayak fishing platform.  Please feel free to alter these rigging options to best fit your fishing scenarios.  As this is our first glimpse into the infinite world of kayak rigging, I will simply give an overview of some of the more popular rigging techniques, before going into more depth on individual ones in future articles.

Originally Published in Country Anglin' Outdoor Guide
June 2004

A nice largemouth bass the just couldn't pass up a bug.