Kayak Fishing: HUGE Prehistoric Paddlefish | Field Trips with Robert Field

Come along for the adventure as I travel to a remote stretch of the Arkansas River in Northern Oklahoma. My target: the elusive and gargantuan North American paddlefish, AKA spoonbill. Every year around March, these fish leave their usual home in the depths of various lakes to begin a journey upriver to spawn. These behemoths become concentrated as they try to squeeze through narrow stretches of the river, which makes for a much easier target for anglers looking for a rush.
Paddlefish are filter feeders, similar to whales, and plankton makes up their entire diet. Because of this, they will not take a bait or bite a lure. In order to catch them, we have to snag them. Paddlefish are illegal to snag for in most states because they have become endangered in most regions (including my home state of Texas), so check your local fish and game regulations before attempting to target these prehistoric beasts.
Join me on an emotional rollercoaster as I do battle with these enormous fish. I won't give anything away, just that this was a day unlike any other in kayak paddlefishing history.
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Music: "Don't Stop" by Odesza
#FreshwaterKayakFishing #FieldTripwithRobertField
About Robert Field:
A few years back, I ditched the corporate grind to pursue my passions for traveling, fishing and the outdoor lifestyle. Now I live in a travel trailer full time, fishing and exploring my way through all 50 states and around the world.
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Kayak Fishing: HUGE Prehistoric Paddlefish | Field Trips with Robert Field
• Kayak Fishing: HUGE Pr...
Field Trips with Robert Field
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[@Ryno2506Gaming]

After watching a few of your videos and then looking at the comments to see what other people have to have to say, i must say the online fishing community must be the rudest group of people i have ever seen. I'm very impressed by what you are doing.

[@YakFishField]

Ryno2506Gaming I've learned to let it go in one ear and out the other, man. You can tell pretty early on in a comment who has any clue about fishing and who doesn't. I appreciate the support brother, thanks for watching.

[@Psykodisko]

Robert Field So true

[@fallendown2005]

Ryno2506Gaming Dude, it's not the online fishing community, it's the internet in general.....

[@MrZOXZI]

Robert Field Thumbs up on the catch and release. I practice that as well with the huge fish here in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I've had other fishermen call me stupid (and various other names that don't bare repeating) for releasing big fish. Especially when they weren't catching any. Being a fisherman is one thing, a sportsman however, is something a lot of "fishermen" don't understand. Kudos to you for helping protect the fisheries. Major respect man. Tight lines!!

[@richardrocha1867]

I am obsessed with you adventures. Thank you for taping them and sharing them with us. I have fished my whole life and now I really want to try fishing from a Kayak :).

[@YakFishField]

Richard Rocha do it man, you'll love it!

[@sambasas]

My bf and I stumbled on your videos and we enjoy watching them also learning and getting new ideas from them! Plus your editing and footage are really good! A breathe of fresh air from other videos. Very entertaining and keep up the good work!

[@jamesscipione8292]

Everytime you lost one I could literally feel your pain I hate loosing fish great video man!

[@BrianBaileyMedia]

Thank you for catching and releasing! I really love the video and it is extremely great to see a sportsman respect the water that everyone should have a chance to experience

[@YakFishField]

Brian Bailey thanks Brian!

[@DIQMASA]

How is this not on an outdoor channel, this is so much more entertaining than a lot of shows with old people fishing for bass all the time

[@IPOMonster]

At 20:31 I LOVED when the fish bitch-slapped him repeatedly about the head. Had me DYING!!! :)

[@YakFishField]

+IPOMonster Those things fight until the end, haha. Thanks for watching bro.

[@ginaphillips4462]

Great job Robert! I enjoyed so much your video!👍 it's been a long ago but I enjoyed so much! Thanks for the patience with it and got paddle fish! Awesome!👏👍

[@ginaphillips4462]

Next time will you come to catch rainbow trout @ Clinch River, Clinton, Tennessee for take a video 📹 😄

[@YakFishField]

Thanks Gina!

[@mathewdavis-adventuresandd6643]

Thanks for the video Robert. I live in Oklahoma and have several kayaks. I can't believe it never crossed my mind to go after paddle fish. My daughters and I kayak after catfish all the time on Lake Thunderbird. I see you attracted a troll. I wouldn't mind snagging one of those also. Probably wouldn't put up much of a fight though. Ha.

[@jonahbrooks5570]

Barbless hooks when fishing for big fish make life hell.

[@JayCarroll]

Great video and this is right in my backyard. There is nothing like snagging a paddlefish. I plan on trying this from one of my kayaks during next year's spawn. I just don't get all of the negative comments that this isn't real fishing. This is the only way to catch a paddlefish with a pole. I have caught so many before that my hands and arms completely locked up and I couldn't fish anymore. It will wear you out and make you sore for days. That is what I call fishing! These fish are extremely tough. I have seen many that have been hit by the prop of a boat and some with part of their rostrum cut off. They are very plentiful in Oklahoma. But we have good regulations to keep it that way. There is a problem with poachers and I hope the wardens find a way to slow them down.

[@YakFishField]

Agree with everything you said, bud. Thanks for watching!

[@JayCarroll]

Spoonbill curls!

[@DaulphinKiller]

Hats off to you guys! After having lost so many fish, I gotta say that I wouldn't have resisted to switch to hooks with barbs! But hey, I'm evil, so glad you guy's aren't!

[@Steve-uw8ff]

I think the guy that's fishing with his dog is the real hero in this story. Just kidding, sweet video!

[@ssc4153]

I have been binge watching all of your videos, and this has to be the best one yet. I felt your pain when you couldn't land them, but your patience finally paid off.! Good job! My husband goes every year, they are getting ready for the 15th of March to go snagging. And I have to tell you, they are some of the best tasting fish I have ever eaten. Looking forward to your next video!

[@YakFishField]

This is an old one, haha. Crazy fish, was super interesting learning about them. I’ve also heard they’re delicious

[@TurokGaming]

This is what my experience was like trying to catch my first pike; the fish would never not get away. After my 7th loss I finally landed one, and I was really happy. Although pike is an easy fish to catch for me now and everyone anyways, I was young and inexperienced but persistence still paid off. Respects to you for keeping at it and not giving up :)

[@YakFishField]

Thanks man! Pike is another fish I want to scratch off the list soon.

[@JayCarroll]

At 18:45 the Slo Mo moan cracked me up.

[@emtp1013]

I have been waiting for your next video and finally its Herr and its awesome. Love these longer videos your doing, constant action. Great.

[@wesleymohawk]

Awesome fish. Great video.

[@kevinsloan3019]

Think I just found my favorite "field trips" ever!!! I live in Oklahoma and have fished for paddlefish for yrs they are addicting I got about the same introduction to it you did but I was bank fishing hit one on my first cast on the third pull and he proceeded to rip 240 yds of 30 lb braid off my rod and snap it at the reel I just stood there in shock !!! But I got one on the very next cast and was able to land it they were stacked that day caught 14 for the day and been hooked ever since my best day I landed 29 of these fish from the bank!!! When it's hot it's hot!!! Always wanted to try it out of my kayak maybe this is the yr!! Persistence pays off great video!!!!

[@GAROmx]

Ok I am going to watch that giant salamander video now I've been putting off for too long.

[@noahmonnereau3235]

Hahahahaahah

[@talbertlogan5792]

LOL

[@NjNunez510]

ESGAR MONTALVO you've inspired me im going to watch it next

[@fisheyeguy]

The video was as good as I knew it would be. Nice video Robert.

[@TXetc]

Man this looks like fun! I love these longer feature length videos you do, excellent music/editing too.

[@YakFishField]

Thanks man!

[@treyozee]

Good stuff man, makes me want to get out on the water! Keep doing what you do!

[@BetonTruth]

Thanks for the AWESOME and ENTERTAINING video!!!

[@elfndragon]

Have to admit, had the same cringe over the idea of snagging, but it is a valid point regarding it posing less risk to gills and soft tissues and it's not like your spotting and then casting into a school like I've seen poachers pull with spawning salmon. Heavy gear, heavy fish, heavy fight, and light boat, you earned your catches! They are certainly beauties! VERY cool fish, and informative vid. Great work!

[@YakFishField]

Yeah man, it's not a style of fishing I would do every weekend, but there's nothing I love more than checking out a new type of fishing and going after a new species. It was rewarding and an experience I'll never forget! Thanks for watching bud.

[@Ipera78]

Looks like all this negative comments come from people that never hook a big fish from a kayak…. Great video, you got yourself another like..

[@YakFishField]

KAYAK FISHING ZONE yep, that is part of KZbin. I've learned to ignore them. Thanks for watching!

[@drServitis]

KAYAK FISHING ZONE No. The negative comments are coming from people who see the instability in this guy, so easily discouraged and emotional. "Losing fish is taking a toll on my psyche, etc." Taylor would do well to keep looking........

[@jswanson737]

drServitis Lol, uh huh... I'm sure everyone watching his videos are judging him from a psychological perspective eh Doc? Why would you watch such an "instable" person and make comments about something so unrelated. If you don't like him, or agree with what he's doing, kick rocks. Don't try to psycho-analyze someone who's emotionally vested and passionate about what he does. Makes your comment just as narrow-minded and silly.

[@drServitis]

jswanson737 Hey, don't shoot the messenger. We KZbinrs judge videos by how enjoyable they are to watch. This guy is an unstable negative Nelly, which doesn't make for good viewing. So I was addressing the original comment about why people aren't satisfied with this video. People want positive experiences when watching random KZbin videos, not a guy who is ready commit suicide because he's not catching any fish. Btw, the word is 'unstable', not 'instable'. You confused it with 'instability', which I used in my original comment. We'll have a test tomorrow students!

[@seanserafini3011]

drServitis Tf are you talking about? No one is committing suicide over a fish. People are negative because they don't like fishing or they don't like the video, not because they analyzed this guy's attitude and mindset and decided he was unstable. That's a neckbeard comment if I ever read one, only thing missing was the fedora tip.

[@bryanwildasin168]

That was some intense fishing there bud! Such a cool looking fish,thanx for sharing!👍🏻👊🏻🎣

[@YakFishField]

+Bryan Wildasin thanks for watching Bryan!

[@jimmydavis1151]

Great fishing !

[@YakFishField]

It was a fun day trying something new!

[@thomas5975]

Can I just say something about this video? Ok......here it goes Uuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! This vid is pretty gooooooooood.

[@YakFishField]

Thank you.

[@MichiganGoneWild]

Looks like a good time!

[@woopsme]

Dude every time you say "fish on" you drop your anchor and put slack in the line then quickly yell "fuck!" Figure out a different way to drop the anchor

[@markmele6583]

I thought the same fucking thing!!! every time you drop the anchor you cause slack, then you loose the fish!!

[@slowrps13]

Exactly my thoughts too.

[@brianbaker5757]

good you're ignorant its like saying "how do you solve world hunger?" "idk figure it out dumbass" you have no clue what its like

[@BraiytryeneGibbons]

When his tail hits u lol so funny

[@kevinsloan3019]

good video bud got to be my favorite fish to catch n yea the struggle is real with those barbless hooks !!!!lol tight lines!!!

[@YakFishField]

Hahaha i was slightly frustrated 😫🤣

[@gabrielstancil6149]

U are awesome at fishing

[@YakFishField]

+Gabriel Stancil thanks

[@wlaks13]

Thanks for the video catch

[@armandoguerra7416]

excellent video. nice catch, well done. keep fishing and posting videos.

[@GeoFishing]

Great, Great video. Really tugged on the heart strings. Way to pull through. Amazing edit aswell. What a beautiful creature. Happy Fishing

[@YakFishField]

AdeptAngling thanks for watching! It was certainly an emotional fishing trip.

[@ModelosPR]

Love the manic laugh at @6:00, about THIS close to becoming evil.

[@YakFishField]

+ModelosPR hahaha

[@wallymurray620]

Great video ... and man that looked exhausting!

[@haydenbenninghofen]

I just started kayak fishing and it is so much fun.

[@Kb1legend08]

great catch, beautiful fish

[@codypetras1765]

Robert just don't read to the negative comments you are doing fine so just ignore the negative feedback Good luck and happy fishing 🎣😊

[@tollesbury1]

Amazing.........brilliant footage !!

[@alcoholfree6381]

A fun video well done. We call a fish throwing the hook a “deep underwater release”. It fun to land them and revive them but the fight is fun also? In fly fishing just touching the leader counts for a catch. I can get obsessed with stuff that doesn’t matter. However, I have become obsessed with limiting fish mortality. I think you are concerned about that also. In the West Coast they are asking that we limit our daily catching to 4 fish a day. They say that trout mortality is at least 10% even with doing everything that we can to limit it. I’m not a tree-Higher or a PETA member but long study has convinced me that fish feel pain; they are not as “stupid” as everyone has told me. I still fish but my attitude towards it has changed a lot. Keep up your great work!! Tom Purtzer

[@silverking_slayer3268]

All the hater out there don't understand. Normally and wrongly done snagging can be bad but you guy's new what you were doing. They are releasing to,people go too far saying how fragile these fish are and too far being disrepectful to the fish. This was a well done video a beautiful fish

[@johnmcallister7436]

Tough day the first day but nice persistence. Pays off

[@nolanburchett7972]

I see more comments complaining about the haters then any actual haters lol ive seen it on other videos on your channel so i know its real but i found that funny, keep up the great content!!!

[@YakFishField]

Thanks Saucy

[@jimfoley8014]

Each time he hooked a fish he would reach down with his left hand to touch the little yellow thing. It seems like that moment of not realing caused slack and gave the fish the chance to jump.

[@YakFishField]

Definitely, but staying on my anchor with a fish that big is risky also. I was unclipping from my anchor. It's all a learning process... I eventually figured it out!

[@fraggershall]

Awesome!

[@isaiahmendoza3591]

dang I would have gave up! nice fish👍

[@huntercanavan]

Great Fish!!

[@1023media]

Robert "Whooooo" Field. lol. you say "whoooo" in your vids more than Ric Flair. Just bustin balls man. Love your vids. keep it up.

[@matthewnees7056]

I love the mini meltdowns in the beginning:) Love the videos. This is only my 2nd video that I've seen of yours, and I'm hooked...oh dang...see what I did there!!!

[@zacharyanderson2578]

Crazy fish looks like a dinosaur !!!

[@YakFishField]

They're the oldest living species in North America.

[@noahopperman4947]

Robert field isnt the second oldest bowfin?

[@theghostanihalater9391]

Robert Field gg dude the biggest fish I caught is a trout and it was a battle I'll never forget

[@devious-x-demon8586]

Great video keep up the great work

[@marknormankn4cwt619]

The tree hugger comments are killing me. It's a fish as most have said! Good video Robert!!

[@dylantaylor7416]

A rather rare one in many parts of the country.

[@Hogbellylife]

Good job would be a great experience

[@YakFishField]

That it was!

[@sandipark9223]

Your videos are insane - especially the shark fishing in Florida. No way in the universe I would shark fish off a kayak, but it was very interesting to watch. Great job. Get a web site rolling! Could totally see you mainstream on a travel or fishing channel.

[@weaselmangaming7116]

I have a kayak, I want to start kayak fishing, seems very fun. I haven't kayaked in a while, I just recovered from a broken wrist. Keep posting the awesome vids, I will be watching :D

[@willisdsouza629]

Good video! I couldn't help but get frustrated because while you may have not noticed until re watching your footage, every time you would touch your anchor slack would go in the line and right off it goes.

[@YakFishField]

Yeah, but the one time I tried to stay on anchor, the fish wrapped around a log. I got lucky I didn't lose that one. That's why you drop anchor - to be able to follow the fish. There are also safety implications of being anchored in moving water in a kayak with a huge fish on the line. But yes, that was the struggle.

[@Beenhereawhile1001]

Way to go dude!

[@viol8r007]

Nice fish .. Keep up the great vids ....

[@YakFishField]

viol8r007 thanks!

[@mcnasty3597]

thing can't breathe "yeah just chill out" hahahaha

[@jennacarter907]

Nice job!

[@jaylizgee]

Nice hat ! n Gig-em.

[@YakFishField]

Gig em!

[@danielwilson1105]

About part 3 of ''kayak fishing gone wrong''... You should start carrying a heavy duty snipping tool to cut the hooks just before the barb, so it can be easily pulled through without any resistance.

[@GAROmx]

PLEEEEASE tell me that dogs name is Chewbacca. Awesome video.

[@emkbacon]

these fish feed strictly plankton and microscopic organisms. Snagging is the only way to haul in these beasts. Amazing video thumbs up!

[@Guitarplayer219]

Kept her out of the water for a little too long, but nice catch.

[@YakFishField]

She swam off just fine; they aren't the oldest living species in North America because they're fragile.

[@nolanminor6761]

Robert Field So what's with the emphasis on the de-barbed trebles? If you're gonna bring them in the boat for a minute or so for pictures, I don't see how the de-barbed trebles helped. But I don't know a thing about paddlefish so I could be wrong, great video!

[@YakFishField]

Nolan Minor The de-barbed trebles helped so I don't have to cut into the fish to get the hook out, leaving a larger wound. Instead, they slid right out and left a tiny hole in a gigantic fish.

[@kevinsloan3019]

@@nolanminor6761 only way to do it legal in oklahoma is barbless hooks

[@DwayneMcguire]

we have spoonbill here can't touch them ,,, awesome fish 👍🎣

[@Spaztek12]

I do know why but i kinda pissed myself laughing when its tail was hitting you lol great vid :D

[@David-kl5oj]

That is intense. Being a saltwater guy I had never heard of a paddlefish.

[@YakFishField]

***** really cool species. Thanks for watching!

[@stachebenimble1063]

so cut hahahha!… joys of fish in' bro.

[@mindz0f1]

Love the music, and digging the A&M hat!

[@Nikolaj1231000]

I love your videos! Keep them coming I subscribed already!

[@robertomoralesm71]

AWESOME video and incredible adventure good job man,,,,!!!!

[@travissaulman1506]

i have had days like that but still a great vid you win some you lose some! keep them comeing

[@hunterxbox11]

nice vid keep good content coming

[@KayakChris]

Loved the video, it was tons of fun, subscribed. :-)

[@YakFishField]

Kayak Chris thanks!

[@papascott]

Good video. I am just getting started fishing like this but I can see I will need find an easier release for my anchor than what you have set up there. I could almost see the slack get into your line (even from the front camera view). I have caught these from shore and a boat before but from a kayak would rock!!!

[@edisonsun21c]

i've had em bfo, never knew they could get this big

[@YakFishField]

Yeah man! And even bigger

[@birdmannoscpe]

I like the way you incorporated some techno music into this vid. Could be cool to bring back a bit in recent vids.

[@ArturoPerez-wd6mz]

he you know what that is the hard truth about no barb hooks but it keeps you on your toes its awesome and i bet that fishing from a yak its a bit harder then from the boat but still a pretty nice experience

[@michaelweber4384]

I've been hooking these dinosaurs off of big flat bottom boats here in Missouri and it's an incredible fight when they're 50 lbs and up when the water has warmed up. I've gotta try it off a kayak next season. Except we snag with big 12/0 trebles and 18 oz weights with 130lb test. It ain't exactly "castable."

[@MidwestFishingShow]

Lol if that fish would have stayed under the boat you would have been so sqrewed :D What a crazy looking catfish.

[@YakFishField]

While a lot of people call them "spoonbill catfish" they're actually not related to catfish at all.

[@MidwestFishingShow]

After a little research it appears that is true. I had a few people tell me they are catfish but I guess its just another fish alias... Good to know though. Maybe someday I'll get to snag a few we have a spot or two in Iowa but mostly fished out. Looks like a blast

[@rylanmorgan3913]

I'll tell you bro those fish kicked your butt

[@erinmccord7315]

Hey just for all the haters.. In Oklahoma and Missouri this is a huge revenue for the understanding of the paddlefish. Because of fisherman and the sport, there are more fish now than ever before. They have fish hatcheries and dump millions into the rivers and lakes. Do your research before blabbing at the mouth

[@YakFishField]

Well said. Thanks bro. They’re special fish and it was cool to see them, handle them and learn about them before setting them on their way.

[@Manuel_Z_Kayaks]

Change the title to "HOW TO LOOSE HUGE PADDLEFISH" I enjoyed the video, seems every time you touch the anchor line...Poof! I shared this on Facebook, If you're not looking at the screen, the sounds you make are being called "FISH PORN". Haaa Love it!

[@Steven-kj6ju]

Hi names Steven I'm 14 and I truly love your fishing videos.I always loved fishing and I still fish everyday and today.Having trouble catching Bass/Peacock,Large mouth, and the other please make a video about bass fishing and if u did a toturial of how please respond and make video. Sincerely Steven, in Florida.

[@boogieboogilly3470]

nice

[@surfcastinggalicianacho6186]

NICE GOOD JOB Awesome

[@sergeyganchenko4352]

In season fish has great black caviar, the meat itself not so much lots of people say fry it but have not tried yet

[@lilgaro8929]

Nice videos

[@danielwilson1105]

crazy video though. sick shit!!

[@gta4fan556]

Congrats man I'm a fisherman and have never caught anything like that.

[@mattmancuso5307]

Great video Robert. Very interesting looking fish to catch seems like they put up a great fight. Where can I find a similar kayak to the one you have?

[@kenni411]

sounds like he got off too !lmao !

[@HyperStudioz]

I’d would have had my hand higher up on the rod so I could have had better leverage over the fish. Then it would be easier to keep the line tight.

[@YakFishField]

That doesn’t make sense but thanks for the tip.

[@HyperStudioz]

Robert Field I’m sure you know since you go on those insane exotic trips, maybe I’ll explain it better. Ur hand that you weren’t reeling with was right behind the reel or slightly above. I prefer to keep my rod hand higher up on the pole because it gives me more power over the fish as opposed to keeping that hand low, more leverage. I’ve fought fish that you have to keep the line right on. I find it much easier to do so when I have my rod hand higher up. Hope that made more sense.

[@MasonTheTinyFishLord]

Nice!

[@bxiong316]

I feel your pain man

[@YakFishField]

+B Xiong it was a rough day! haha