Basics for Jet ski fishing.

[JimD]

Interested in Jet Ski fishing or possibly trying to take your kayak with you?
I have three kayaks and two jet skis and went into researching the Jet Sking basics. There is less info out there than when I started kayaking back in 99-2000 with Captain Jack's help.

I did a little research on Jet Ski fishing and posted up some of the basic ideas, information, and questions to be addressed as a starting point if you are thinking about this. Have any information please add to the post.

Jet ski fishing is up and coming in the US but there is not a lot of info out there. I talked with the board’s pro photographer and Jet Ski guide, Brian. I have attached a couple of web sites with pxs but the info is not there like it is for kayaking now. Might do a better search on the NZ sites and they seem to have a lot of jet ski fishermen.

It is like kayaking you can go big or rig.

Brian has a big JS/sk (jet ski) with attached custom made fixed aluminum (al) frames and racks on his js. Depth finders can easily be added with TD’s either mounted thru the hull or off the back. Great set up but expensive.


There are al frames and that you buy for your JS that strap down on to the JS so that you can place coolers, rod holders, and spare gas cans to. Fishing close by you do not need the gas cans but the off shore and long distance fishermen take them. For safety they always fish in pairs or more.

Then there are my type of riggers for close by casual fishing. Many people build their own racks that strap down from heavy duty PVC or aluminum, and some just attach a cooler the same way. both types have rod holders attached like kayakers do. Some have rod holders mounted up front for trolling or easy reach.

Anchors and anchoring: I have attached a utube that shows one of the simpler ones for faster water. This seems the best for faster water where you want to keep the nose into the current but others just drop an anchor and tie off to frame work or other spots. I am wondering if the kayak 2.2 claw anchor with break away rig would work just as well as it does for kayakers? I plan to try this type of rig using an old ski rope and anchor bag. The anchor bag Sam’s type bag and can be either placed in the front hatch or hung on the side.

Some have small trolling motors attached but I have been told they are a pain unless you are sitting on the back of the SK and easing around. Problems are getting to the TM and where to store the extra battery (though it can fit on the back rack) and how to build the transom type attachment for the TM to mount to.
* I can see a real need for something if you ease around and fish rivers, lakes, shore lines, or work birds, or schooling fish.

Short distances can handled with a paddle either straight or a kayak type but I understand that JK’s are not the easiest thing to paddle any distance and then where do you store the paddles?

Similar to kayaking you have the same problem of where do you store the fish? In the small back cooler or a fish bag that fits in one of the compartments on the JK or a fish bag that straps to the side of the JK are common for small and medium size fish.

Tackle bags can fit on or in the back rack/cooler, in one of the hatches or a bag that attaches to the side or slips over the handle bar or attach to the side but each has its it pros and cons.


It is an up and coming sport and way to fish. It may be like kayaking is today with every boat rigged to fit the owner and the type of SK that they have. Some Jet Skiers will attach their kayak to their jet ski and pull the kayak to the fishing spot anchor and get out and kayak an area similar to the kayaks that fit on my Baby cat..


I did not really address safety because all the regular gear is needed plus some extra gear depending on the trip.


For me it is an anchor, cooler rack, two rods, small bait box, couple of waters, emergency gear, life jacket and a way to fish the river around my farm within a few miles of the place.

For racks and ideas do google searches on jet ski and the item you want to see and look at the pxs was the best way I saw to get ideas for your jet ski. Be sure to try different searches.

Night fishing questions: because personal water craft are not allowed out after dark BUT what happens if you put red/green/360 lights on your jet ski does it make it a legal water craft? Interesting topic.
Few of the sites I looked at.



http://thejetski.club/jet-ski-fishin...bdaddbbb102686" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.jetskisportfishing.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.greenhulk.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=213" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://s744.photobucket.com/user/Gre...cdf05.jpg.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You Tube

[mnfisher]

Here's my jet ski. There is a Texas jet ski Facebook page...

[mnfisher]

Custom aluminum cooler/rod rack from platinum. Fits like a glove.

[JimD]

Nice looking set up. Did you allow for gas cans for long trips?

Can you put up some more pxs. Here and 2 cool too. Some on 2 cool want to get a msg board going over there too if possible

I thought about going out to a buddies shop and welding up a back frame but for the little that I will fish a cooler set up with couple of rod holders will work and it has been a lot of years since I was a Brown and root instrument person. I have been a dentist since 1975.

Thanks,
JimD

[Maverickfh]

http://www.texaskayakfishehttp://www.te ... 70a6203293" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There is one other method and that's the Handle Bar and Aft Bracket method. We manufacture a line of patented brackets and luggage that take your Jet Ski and turn it into a fishing machine without drilling any holes and for a reasonable price, you can find these parts at your local power sport dealer or online at http://www.maverickfishhunter.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. The Handle Bar bracket is wicked on fish, the combination of trolling and the jigging action off the steering column is beyond effective. The catch bag/saddle bag holds ice packs and plenty of fish, it also protects your rods and reels from the salt water, its a simple but yet effective solution to your conversion problems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tACv9WN ... Ae7ctnZT4j" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I run full running lights for night fishing as well, all legal as the day is long. Check out our web sight for install tips and videos. We have installed every combination of transducer and sonar made and we have a few solutions that are sure to work for anyone's price budget. We are doing an install right now that is possibly the cheapest and best of them all to date, stay tuned for more info once the video is done, you'll love this one, we did.

If you have questions on how to do an install or get set up for reasonable coin, you can call me (Troy) at 705-759-1375, we have done many machines and I am always willing to talk about Jet Ski fishing. My email is troy@maverickfishhunter.com

[TroutSupport.com]

i started out fishing the bays using a jet ski. It's a fun way to fish, and sometimes I think about getting one again, or getting one of the jet propelled kayaks. there are some crazy ones out there including a guy that put a 70 hp in one that runs about 35. That is pretty fast that close to the water in that light a craft. LOL. Then when you get to where you are going, you just paddle your kayak.

Nice share Jim.
fun times.

[JimD]

You are right the facebook group has some good stuff.

Wonder if I can get them to share information for a Jet ski fishing forum and possibly keep their trips on just facebook?

[lagavulin62]

What are we looking at as far as cost? Never priced a jet ski, then you have to get it to water and store it if you don't have room in garage. But even though I can't see much comparison to a kayak I'm sure it would make sense to many. Interesting.

[Forever Fishing]

This is my second season with a ski. Love the offshore fishing and the comradery. Recently started fishing West Bay, Fayette County and Conroe all from the ski. Lot's of fun with quick access to many areas.

I've learned everything I know about it from Face Book Texas Jet Ski Fishing. Check it out. Great public group. One of our guy jumped a tarpon two days ago.