Tackle Tactics » Tips-Techniques » Whats-in-My-Kit » My Kayak Fishing Kit - Jacob Iedema

My Kayak Fishing Kit - Jacob Iedema

By Jacob Iedema

I’ve had the privilege of fishing the amazing waters of Moreton Bay from a kayak for five years now and in that time, I have managed to catch some amazing fish and see some incredible wildlife. My fishing kit has been refined over the years to carry the most effective, lightweight, and highest quality products I can find to improve the experience on the water.

Kayak fishing can be limiting in terms of where you can travel, however it makes up for this with the ability to be stealthy, making fishing shallow water super effective from a kayak. Fishing in these shallow waters doesn’t require super heavy gear and is most enjoyable with very light spin gear. Casting small lures for fish in the shallows will never grow old, especially when you will likely encounter fish like trevally, that can put up a solid fight on light line.

Rods & Reels

Fishing around the shallow waters of Moreton Bay I often fish light, bringing only a couple light spin setups out on the water. For a morning out on the flats or in the canals, I am generally equipped with a 1-3kg spin rod and a 2-4kg spin rod. My favourites combos lately have included the Okuma Cerros 1-3kg spin rod, matched with a 1000 size Okuma ITX spin reel, spooled with 6lb braid and 6lb leader. My heavier setup, as mentioned earlier, is only a 2-4kg rod and 2500 sized spin reel, loaded with 8lb braid and often a 10lb leader.

Light Spin –
Okuma Cerros Spin Rod - CER-S-701L 7’ 1-3kg
Okuma ITX Carbon Spin Reel – ITX-1000
Platypus Pulse X8 Braid – 6lb
Platypus Stealth FC Fluorocarbon Leader – 6lb

Medium Light Spin –
Okuma Cerros Spin Rod - CER-S-701ML 7’ 2-4kg
Okuma ITX Carbon Spin Reel – ITX-2500
Platypus Pulse X8 braid – 8lb
Platypus Stealth FC Fluorocarbon Leader – 8-10lb

The Cerros rods are a perfect all-round lure fishing rod, not too soft in the tip and not too firm in the base of the rod… they’re just right. These rods are perfect for throwing any lure you wish for this style of fishing, from soft plastics to lures with fine treble hooks. I’ve targeted all the bread-and-butter species, including bream, flathead, and whiting, on these rods. Along with these I’ve also landed some of the trickier species to target in the bay, including snapper on the flats, javelin fish, mangrove jack, golden trevally, diamond trevally, mulloway, queenfish and more.

My Go-To Lures

Over the years a few lures have stood out as consistent fish producers and I have always fallen back to them, when targeting my favourite species in the waters of Moreton Bay.

1. ZMan 2.5” GrubZ – Right from the beginning the humble ZMan GrubZ has been part of my kit and one of my go-to lures when out on the water. This is especially true if it’s a tough day on the water, the ZMan GrubZ always produces some fish. My favourite colours in the GrubZ include Motor Oil, Midnight Oil, Watermelon Red, Greasy Prawn, and Bloodworm.

2. ZMan 3” Slim SwimZ – A slim profiled, natural baitfish presentation that mimics the action of the many small fish in Moreton Bay, the 3” Slim SwimZ has proven itself on everything from mulloway to diamond trevally. It really is an all-round performer. My go-to colours include Baby Bass, Bad Shad, Opening Night and Watermelon Red.

3. TT Switchblade – Whenever a change in presentation is needed to entice a bite, the Switchblade is always ready to go. This metal vibration blade is super easy to cast, gets down into the strike zone quickly, and the vibration attracts fish from a distance. The action on this blade almost forces them to have a go at it. I generally fish the 1/8oz Switchblade around the bay, with my favourite colours being Green Back, Gold Noggin, Silver Minnow and Brown Mongrel.

4. ZMan 3” Baby GOAT – The Baby GOAT is a relatively new lure in my arsenal however it is proving itself to be a quality fish producer. Sitting on the bottom with its two feet up, like a defensive crustacean, the fish just can’t help themselves. My go-to colours so far have been Watermelon Red and The Deal.

5. ZMan 2.5 Slim SwimZ - There’s always a packet or two of the 2.5” Slim SwimZ, a smaller baitfish profile, in my kayak fishing kit and my favourite colours consist of Bad Shad, Blue Glimmer, Greasy Prawn, and Baby Bass.

6. ZMan 3” MinnowZ - Another quality option to have onboard and an absolute flathead slayer and big bream magnet. The 3” MinnowZ comes in a plethora of colours that excel out on the water, with some of my favourites including Beer Run, Blue Glimmer, Opening Night, Baby Bass and Rootbeer Gold.

7. ZMan 3.75” StreakZ - One final option, included to be able to cast at finicky fish, the 3.75” StreakZ perfectly imitates a fleeing baitfish and always has a spot in my kayak kit. My favourite colours include Baby Bass, Watermelon Red and Smoky Shad.

Jigheads

Having quality jigheads is vital when fishing soft plastics. You can have the best soft plastic, that gets all the bites, but without a sharp and strong hook all the fish could be missed. That’s why I use TT’s extensive range of jigheads, to match with any soft plastic that I want to throw. Built on quality brand hooks and with well-balanced weights you can rely on them on the water. With Moreton Bay being predominantly shallow, I tend to carry an assortment of lighter jigheads to match the small soft plastics I wish to fish. My go-to models include the HeadlockZ HD, HeadlockZ Finesse, DemonZ, Big EyeZ and NedlockZ, in hook sizes ranging from #1 to 3/0 and weights from 1/12oz to 1/4oz. This has me covered from pontoons and flats, to drop offs and deeper structure.

Line and Leader

Fishing the shallow estuary generally doesn’t require a heavy leader, despite some opposing opinions. In fact, a heavy leader can reduce your success on the water by reducing your lure's action and by being more visible in the water. Fish like flathead, which have raspy teeth, are one reason why a leader of about 10lb may be tied on, however I believe there is no need to go heavier. The best way to land toothy fish is through good technique, being soft on the fish and having a well-set drag, that isn’t too tight throughout the fight.

Platypus produces some of the highest quality fishing lines getting around and even better, they’re Australian made. I’ve used their Pulse X8 braided line for a while now and it’s grown to be one of my favourite lines for spooling a light spin reel. Super supple, yet super strong and it’s never failed me, while landing some quality fish.

In terms of leader, I run a 6lb leader on my 1-3kg setups and an 8-10lb leader on my 2-4kg setups. My go-to leader is Platypus’ Stealth FC Fluorocarbon Leader, an invisible line in the water, with ultra-high abrasion resistance and overall strength.

Scent

Scent is priceless when out on the water. It can mean the difference between enticing that bite or catching nothing. Scent can fire up a feeding frenzy or convince that one quality fish to eat and it always has a place on the kayak. I’ve found that good old Pro-Cure Super Gel Scent is still the best stuff on the market.

It is important to make sure that your lure smells like the organism that it’s supposed to replicate or a scent that is common around the habitat that you are fishing. I usually use Mullet or Inshore Saltwater flavour Super Gel around Moreton Bay as they are made with real baitfish, increasing the tendency for a fish to commit to your lure.

Apparel

Fishing these shallow bodies of water often sees the nasty bugs not too far behind you and that’s why it is important to dress appropriately when in these environments. To fully enjoy the experience… without being eaten alive. I always wear a long sleeve fishing polo or jersey, as well as a hat to keep the sun and bugs at bay. Along with this a head sock is never a bad idea and I always bring spray repellent on the kayak. There is nothing worse than trying to fish while being swarmed by mosquitoes and midges. Along with this, a quality pair of sunglasses is a must when fishing, especially from a kayak.

The kayak is a great way to access more water and offers anglers the advantage of stealth, especially when exploring the shallows. Fishing from the kayak has produced some hot bites and memorable captures for me and may be a suitable craft for your future fishing adventures.

Tight Lines…
Jacob Iedema