Key West Kayak Fishing - Fly Fishing For Tuna/Mahi Mahi

[@xmask321]

As an aspiring fisherman, I found the stream of consciousness monologue useful to help understand the logic behind fishing decisions. Thanks for the video!

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

No problem. I think to have a truly effective technique, someone should be able to follow your advice and get the same result. Otherwise, you could have just been lucky.

[@originaldriver2066]

Ive had a shoulder operation 3 weeks ago, and I have done a lot of reading, a LOT of facebooking, and a LOT of youtubing. Your videos have been as good an escape for me as an Earnest Hemingway novel could be. Ive really enjoyed watching you live the life, and I feel as though I am living the dream vicariously of a simple life of freedom in the Florida keys. I watch this series, and I feel as though ive spent the day alone fishing on a simple, one-man kayak thats been converted into exceptionally functional, fishing rig, eating on the water and enjoying the act of surviving in God's world. Might be a deeper reply than you may have been anticipating, but these are my true thoughts. Thanks for posting! Ill be watching out for more vids in the future.

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Thanks for watching. I get a lot of recuperation binge watchers. Those and people slacking off at work or school. I have a lot of videos and long ones so it really burns the time. Appreciate the compliment.

[@kingdavey90]

originaldriver , Couldn't have said it better myself! 😊

[@corbinames5069]

you're such a cool, laid back, relatable guy. only recently found your channel a week or two ago and have watched nearly every video since. would be awesome to fish with you one day. I have a feeling this channel is gonna explode, and it deserves it.

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Appreciate the compliments Corbin. Binge watching eh. I've got a lot of videos so definitly would burn some time. Welcome to the channel.

[@johnnevin7759]

This is what real fishing looks. It is full of excitement induced chaos. I appreciate that you show this instead of editing it out like most. Murphy,s law applies double when you are on a boat fishing.

[@AlanHowellphotovideo]

Thanks for keeping it real. I always learn a lot watching your videos. I'd love to see your version of fresh speared lionfish ceviche catch and 'cook'.

[@flysubcompact]

Don't change a thing with editing. Fishing is fishing. I'd rather watch a channel like this on a meh day than some celebrity "slaying" on TV.

[@flysubcompact]

Prof Salt is my favorite saltwater guy, but this fellow's channel is growing on me.

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

I'm evolving, but I also get bored with all the video and shows where you just watch people reel in a fish. Plus, I am more interested in the how's and why's more than just the glory shots.

[@flysubcompact]

Good man. Keep on, keeping on.

[@baseballwiffleballtraining3294]

In my opinion you should have 400 k you are a great channel.

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Thanks reels of Fortune. Appreciate the compliment. Slowly but surely is good enough for me.

[@cobbs]

Yup, we've all been there. With me, sabikis get me every time. Seeing all those dorados schooling like bait fish is just insane. Good vid.

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Thanks Cobbs. Yea, sabikis can be a blessing and a curse.

[@kevinking9527]

Love the video! I have moved up to Colorado (last month - August 2016) and I'm already in tears being away from the fishing down there!

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Just gotta get the fly rod out and hit all that crystal clear water and clean air. That will take your mind off of it. Until it gets freaking cold that is. Then you either ski/snowboard or be miserable.

[@justindyster7073]

Best fishing video ever. This is real world! Keep them coming!

[@paulvalley7532]

Yo Steve, I think you need a few more fishing rods on your kayak. :-)

[@davehollander6543]

I LOVED it! So reassuring to see I'm not the only one who has days like that.

[@shadowyshadow11]

you are a master fisherman. Best fishing channel ever.

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Appreciate it Yasser. Thanks for the support.

[@kasencastellanos9190]

I'm a key west local and now that i found your channel and learning more tricks for trolling and all the fishing we have down here, ive been dying to get back out there. Sometimes catch and release shark fishing off the shore isnt enough

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Definitely get back out. So many different fish around here and so many different techniques to get them. It's like a big revolving puzzle. Gotta take advantage of what we have down here. Some day you might move and it will haunt you.

[@ilikemarijuana]

Every time I see you handing multiple rods and gear having no issues I am amazed. However it was very entertaining watching you have so many problems lol. Still better than i could have done! awesome video as usual.

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Yea, the watch me reel in a fish videos are boring. It is never always that easy. It's all part of the fun.

[@Encourageable]

Those Dolphins thought you were their bro - following you around LOL.

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Yea, they are like little puppies. Just want to check out everything and play around. I guess they were pretty much all juveniles. Kind of like kids in Kindergarten.

[@AmericanKayakSupply]

Always love your videos bud. Keep up the good work.

[@Leeloominaa]

good job bro. i was laughing so hard just about everything went wrong when you are rushing it. good stuff man keep filming.

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Yea, those Dolphin can be finicky. They will swarm you and then be gone so you have to keep them occupied. Doesn't happen consistently especially this year, so was really forcing it.

[@yuhanzhang2882]

Most entertaining when the situation with dolphins got hectic and out of hand. XD best episode!

[@SellsZac]

7:55-8:15 is some beautiful footage man, well done.

[@dlynch2006able]

great videos buddy keep it up love how you explain everything and stuff

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Thanks Danny. It's the parts of the tv shows that I like the most, the hows and whys.

[@willmacaluso5293]

"Comedy of Errors" Don't worry about it, we ALL have those days! I know I do.

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Yea, it's all good. People like to see more than just reeling in a fish.

[@m7airbi344]

It's an awesome channel, you should have more than 4k subs right now. :D

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Maybe if I dye my hair blonde and wear a thong bikini.

[@KayakFrank]

What happens in Key West, stays in Key West. Whatever gets your channel growing. Bleachy blond and tights.

[@WoodenBoatGuy]

Whatever floats your kayak. I'm OK with that as long as you keep the same camera angles so we don't have to see it. :)

[@donaldplank54]

68k now

[@josecorujo7331]

great job man your the man still killed it out there looking forward too the next level .

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Thanks Jose. Hopefully always improving.

[@vegaldh1954]

Love this guy and his channel all real good days and not so good.

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Thanks Angel. That's fishing. Especially down here in the Keys. It's definitely not like the tv shows.

[@kingdavey90]

Angel Vega , agree totally!

[@AdussFadass]

Thanks for keeping it real. We all have had days like that with funny little errors like yours. All in all that was a great fishing day.

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Yea, its all fun. I like showing the bloopers. Keeps expectations low. LOL.

[@AdussFadass]

Key West Kayak Fishing lol

[@nycedreamz615]

awesome footage man.beautiful day on the water

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Yea, that was a fun but frustrating day.

[@grob3095]

Great video as usual Steve.I see you have had trouble with your graph shutting down on this and other videos.I have two similar graphs and was having the same trouble until I paid more attention when attaching the 2 wire harnesses to the graph. I thought I was getting them attached correctly but I think the power cable was slightly misaligned sometimes. Hope this helps. I haven't had a problem since I have been more careful with this attachment. Tried to send a personal message about my vacation in six weeks but it may have failed getting to you? Thanks again for all the entertainment and tips.

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

I think I figured out the problem. The battery wasn't charging correctly. I think I got it fixed. Regardless, I picked up a new battery as burning a trip over a $20 battery is not worth it. Hit me up on my email. [e-mail]

[@saltflies2553]

ha that's awesome. I can say that just practicing your casting is the best way to get Better. Awesome to see that you had luck on fly!!

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Yea, definitely can use some non-school of Mahi's swarming around you pressure, practice. I also have to not take things for granted and have my stuff prepared, especially for fly fishing. I felt I had a lot more lee way with the Tuna/Bonito as those are just big pods of free for all feeding fish. Kind of like the worm hatch for Tarpon.

[@froggleggers1805]

Helterskelter, lol. Just one of those days, it was entertaining to watch.

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Yea, straight up unprepared chaos.

[@jayjohnson9668]

Gotta say Steve out of all the videos I have watched of yours this one has got to be the most painful. Either you are gonna need a bigger boat or a whole lotta less rods or both but something has gotta give buddy

[@alpel945]

Not so bad after all, you know what they say "a bad day fishing is better than a good day in the office"👍

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

I screwed around in my office, so not all the time. LOL.

[@DougKnechtClips]

Nice video my favorite fly's for dolphin fishing are dolphin pattern flies something about it makes theese dophin go crazy nice job we all have thoose kinda days

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

I'll look those up. Thx. What they were eating were these small one inch black minnows that are hiding out in the moon jelly fish and weed clumps.

[@willmacaluso5293]

The heck with the fly rod, you could just reach down and grab one!

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

LOL. They were actually right there feeding on the minnows hiding out on my yak. They were actually smacking into the side of the yak sometimes.

[@kingdavey90]

Wow!!!

[@mikediaczyk762]

hey try something 3 flies I white and chartreuse clouser minnow. a white and chartreuse glass minnow. The new one it is called a polar hair minnow. for tarpon use a 10 to 12 wt. For Mahi you should be able to use a 8 to 10 wt. The clouser is even fun to use inshore for mackerel Bonito and Jack crevelle. Tarpon and snook will hit it. I also use it for large mouth bass in Bradenton FL.

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Thanks. I am not a big fly guy except for Tarpon. I will probably try and pick up some lighter weight set-ups to do what you recommended. I just have to see if I am really going to enjoy it. Fly fishing is not cheap.

[@aachasta]

This blue water.... are really out there alone? What's your back up plan should breakdown or something??? Cause I'm about to venture out here in the Jacksonville area Atlantic. Now Atlantic is x less forgiving but I'd go out a bit IF you are out there by yourself.

[@nauticalstar8363]

I love your fishing adventures. I do feel the pain with the fly rod.

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

That reminds me, I need to get back out there with the fly rod.

[@nauticalstar8363]

Key West Kayak Fishing, looking forward to the video.

[@flysubcompact]

I've said it before, but I love the boat. You should giver her a name. It is a wisp of a boat, so I'd call it the "Nuance". Also, what would be max range with a full tank?

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

The Nuance? That sounds like a shampoo. How about "Plastic Explosives" or "Death by Yak". The charter guys around here can be a bit brutal. I get 10 miles per liter. The engine has a 1 liter tank built on the top of it. I also carry a gallon can as well. I can get 50 miles, but even on a trolling day have not used that much.

[@flysubcompact]

I see your point. "Sea Wasp" better?

[@1983CHEVYSUBURBAN]

THE TUPPERWARE TITANIC, lol

[@askjldkalsasdnasn3721]

this is the coolest thing ever

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Thanks, Askjldkals.

[@phillipja2010]

Your gonna need shinny chrome saltwater flies 100mm or longer for tuna! Good luck fishin.

[@FlKeysFishingChannel]

Another great video! That blackfin sure has a lot of yellow to it. I've caught a lot of blackfins off big pine key, but never saw as much yellow in the fins as the one you pull up at the end. Was it just the lighting or do you think it could have been an unsuspecting small yellowfin?

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Just bright sun. Maybe a wider stripe. More glow.

[@Butterskayak]

Cool video! that was one of those days... ! keep it up

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Thanks. Just need to fine tune some stuff. You guys are killing the Blackfins up there.

[@kingdavey90]

If "your" a fly guy 😂 sorry, I couldn't help it. Great video!

[@outdoorbloodline5392]

Hey key west kayak fishing I recently got into fly fishing and wanted to take the challenge a little further and go after some tuna and mahi magi I was looking all around for what setup of fly rod and reel to buy but could not find any. What fly setup do u use that I could possibly buy and use for mahi mahi and tuna

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Saltwater set-up with a lot of line capacity. 10-12 wt is right in the ball park. They also use 14 wt, but with the 12 you can use it for Tarpon and Sharks.

[@pedrogtar]

awesome video man!!! No wonder why you make a mess, carrying like 90339 rods haha... Nice catches tho

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

So many fish, so many rods.

[@somanythings9049]

hey man i'm new to your Chanel and i have to say it's a very nice Chanel , so i was wandering if you have ran in a storm in the past and how it been if that happen , if not how do you think how the kayak will perform and what you will do ?

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Yea, been caught in a few. Definitely can handle the rough stuff. With the outrigger, I am basically sitting on a 16' X 6' platform. Plus, two unsinkable sections. Plus, I have three different modes of propulsion. I feel more comfortable in the yak than a small boat.

[@somanythings9049]

i agree with you , the yak With the outrigger is more staple than my 12 ft boat + it's lighter , any way man i hope you stay safe and have a nice time , thanks for the reply and the videos , you are awesome

[@robertmitchell6651]

What type of pontoon are you using? Did you build it or buy...really appreciate your response...

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

My kayak is the Hobie Adventure Island. It is a blue water sailing kayak so all came together. I just don't use the sail or one of the outriggers.

[@rileythewelsh]

that last tuna you caught looked like a small yellowfin

[@mikepan9730]

Another good one, you handled that K os well... Sometimes sh.. just happens,

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Yea, it's all for fun. No need to get too bent out of shape. LOL.

[@royalgameraaa4277]

What is that thing connected to the side of your kayak and what is it used for

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

That is the outrigger. It is for stabilization. It basically makes the kayak that much wider and therefore much more stable. Kind of like paddling a kayak that is 7 feet wide.

[@marcusbennette8454]

Key West Kayak Fishing...What brand is it and where can it be purchased?

[@valgeir80]

Awesome! Chaos fishing!

[@shenoac4259]

man, I would be too scared being in a kayak in the middle of the ocean.

[@kingdavey90]

Shen Oac , right! I get freaked out a bit just watching from his point of view, and I'm watching this on my little old phone screen! My mind jumps to all the terrible things that could possibly go wrong 😅😄

[@blkcpdconure]

I would feel safer going offshore where he is than to go out on a big busy lake on a summer weekend here in Minnesota. A lot of idiots think racing around a lake while drinking is what boating is all about.

[@wyattennis4243]

hey another reason the mahi stay longer wen u leave one in the water is because they also regurgitate there food in there stomach and start to kinda start a chum slick

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Your right. Lots of fish do that.

[@01ericowen]

Was that a 10 or a 12 WT rod and reel combo?

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Both. 10wt reel on a 12wt stick.

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

It was a $143 combo I bought used off off Ebay.

[@maximusstrano3165]

what weight fly rod were you using

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

I was using my Tarpon Rod. 12 wt.

[@JeepComeTrue]

Those Dolphins were laughing at you

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Yea, so do Tarpon, Grouper, Permit, Bonefish. I seem to amuse a lot of species.

[@ItzRetz]

If I saw that many Mahi around, I don't think I'd be patient enough to try and get them on a fly. I'd just give up after a few minutes and catch them on normal lures.

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Oh, I tried. They got smart after I put a few in the cooler. Needed some live/cut bait to get them active. This is when a couple of other people throwing plugs would keep them fired up.

[@jeroom98]

A bow and arrow would have been perfect that day with these mahis

[@goneonamission8607]

Nice! I honestly thought it was just me, one thing after another, fucking up all over the place, tangled round this, snagged round that, everything going wrong! Yt takers don't usually show this side of the frustration of working in a confined space! Big shout from the U.K. Brother

[@goneonamission8607]

Yakkers not takers?

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

One of the greatest fishing tools is the Video Editor. Can make an average fisherman a pro with a few quick edits. LOL. I'm not proud. I catch em and sometimes I don't and they make me look like an idiot. It's all good though. Fishing is my passion not my job or competition.

[@camboyer8292]

get some crease flies and some soft minnows or blue water ep flies and try faster stripping mahi like top water and fast flies

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Yea, my non-Tarpon game is weak. The bait the Dolphin were eating were small black minnows about an inch long. Water was really clear, so my Tarpon leader was not a good choice. I was planning on targeting boiling Blackfins and Bonito, so when they are crashing, they will hit anything. Wasn't ready for any finesse fishing.

[@camboyer8292]

+Key West Kayak Fishing damn i feel that bonito usually hit anything that is shiny and moves

[@wrightackle1]

To use an old expression blue water fly fishing is "too much sugar for a dime" I tried it a little and found it is just too much trouble. Lot more enjoyable fighting those chicken dolphin on light spinning tackle. They don't cavort as much having to drag that fly line around. Keeping the line on the reel is a pain in the ass. You need a stripping basket for sure to manage the line or just throw a towel over everything. Now fly fishing in the back country would be a different deal. Don't have to move the fly that fast. I got a kick out of your little side note about skipping the next 48 minutes of the video. Been enjoying your videos over the last few days.

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

The original plan was to run up on the bait balls being busted by the Blackfins and Bonito and lobbing a fly into the mayhem. Those Dolphin ran up on my when I wasn't ready. Still had all my Tarpon stuff set up. Never did find any fish busting the rest of the day. My preference is chumming with live Pilchards then dropping a fly. That is fun. Thanks for checking them out.

[@wrightackle1]

I used to do that when I was fly fishing. I used a clear sinking fly line and basically just let the fly drift back like a piece of chum. and strip as fast as I could. Usually would get hit as soon as the fly moved. Catching small kings was pretty cool on the fly. When and Amberjack jumped the fly it was another story. Straight to the wreck, bye bye leader and fly.

[@bpbass903]

Great video! Don't edit anything! Could watch it all day

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Then you must love all these long videos. And that is without commercials. LOL.

[@robert121-]

Now I know what I look like Hahahahahaha I’ve been fishing for years and some times I think it’s my first time cool video

[@boomer3305]

slow is smooth smooth is fast ...get em

[@msacco175]

Great vids

[@rudy4269]

This is a dream to run into a school like that on the yak

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

In my dream, they would be biting everything. I run into them pretty consistently. Usually pick one up on the troll and then the school stays with the hooked one.

[@5eraph9000]

8:32 more like: "knot" prepared "knot" good

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Uhh, I hope you didn't spend much time on that. LOL. Knot humorous.

[@fiveheed]

great video!! I was getting a migraine just watching you!! hahahaha

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

LOL. It's a guise by the Key West Tourist Commission to get more tourists to come to the Keys. "If that guy can catch a fish...I can slay them."

[@fiveheed]

That's funny!

[@evanrexroat7492]

Dolphin were hitting the kayak not his fly

[@evanrexroat7492]

Dolphins are mahi mahi

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Just plain rude and unprofessional Mahi.

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Yup. Not the Dolphin you find in canned Tuna. LOL.

[@msacco175]

Pack of Berkeley minnows perfect

[@XtremeH18]

Gotta love when braid tangles, huh? It's a major pain in the @ss!

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Yea, lucky it is 65# so it's not too horrible to untangle.

[@kenbobca]

Ducks everywhere!!

[@TylerLabbe]

Time for some blue water bow fishing!

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Definitely be able to chum up lots of targets out there. Just get a well full of pilchards and everything is swimming on the top.

[@dannyleon265]

nice video, sometimes it's better to watch actual reality :-) why didn't you use the dolphins you caught, cut them to pieces and use them as bait for the rest of the school?

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Thanks Danny. I was thinking about it but I wanted to eat them. Plus, I wanted to focus on the catching by fly as that was this video was going to be about.

[@travisthegreat1381]

Am I the only o e who has found that baby scissors cut line better then big ones

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Two for a dollar at the Dollar Store. Kids safety scissors. Works fine for what I use them for (cutting line) and I just shrug when they sink to the bottom of the ocean.

[@williamleidy6713]

Man has two arms.

[@msacco175]

Now that’s real

[@HuntIQtv]

You should change your name to the Unlucky fisherman

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Not unlucky, those fish were just being rude and unprofessional. They knew I was filming too.

[@rhdjdmda6]

i guess it wasnt a total fail

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Me and a few friends ate pretty well. Dolphin and Tuna makes a meal.

[@thejonesbrothers2303]

This crap was too stressful for me to watch lol.

[@msacco175]

Looks like me fishing

[@jayjohnson9668]

And that's exactly why I don't fly rod fish any more.....such a pain in the ass compared to regular fishing.. Not nearly worth all the bullshit that comes with it!😎

[@windowclean100]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@trevorfout4759]

id bet ur batt is junk not holding a charge are not taking a full one

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

It looks like I wasn't getting a good charge. The charger wouldn't even recognize it when I got home. Tried again in the morning and it charged fine. Seems to be holding a charge. Regardless, I picked up a new battery. Missing a trip over a $20 battery is not worth it.

[@christymcdonald7887]

My God man everything but the kitchen sink , get yourself a big boat for God sake

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

I go out on a few different varieties of boats so I get to go out and stay dry every once in a while. I fish a wide variety of scenarios from flats, backcountry, inshore, mangroves, reef, wrecks, offshore, so it would require a few different boats which becomes a big hassle. Plus, I fish up and down the Keys as well as both the Gulf and the Atlantic, so it is nice being able to drive pretty much anywhere and being able to launch. Outside of +20 miles out, I can pretty much do everything a boat can do.

[@lipgripfishing3275]

Don't strip in the fly so much let it sink first so its get on their level then strip but not to fast if you do it fast they don't care

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

Will try that. The main problem was that I hadn't switched out from my Tarpon set-up so had heavy leader and big fly. Water is crystal clear and I had already caught a couple. They got lock jawed. Smaller, lighter, and slower would have helped.

[@lipgripfishing3275]

Key West Kayak Fishing ok cool man keep up the good vids

[@nocturnalman]

Brutus!

[@Ryno-zm8ip]

Bad day mate

[@anjelcuara-starnes8433]

Bro put the open face reel away plz so much time wasted on birds nests

[@tylercirincione2140]

this was painful to watch

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

And a little bit amusing???

[@tylercirincione2140]

yes

[@ELRob.001]

I am freakin bored watching you make a mess of yourself!

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

There is a lot of people with videos where you can watch somebody reel in a fish. It's kind of like fishing. You throw the same lure as everybody else, and the fish get smart to it. They just avoid it. Now, if you throw something different, it will often illicit a strike. Same thing with fishing videos. Same as everybody else is boring. Do something different ie. video all the other stuff that happens that nobody wants to talk about and all of a sudden people will watch and keep watching. Your watching them. Can you feel the hook? LOL.

[@Bobs_Driver_Divot]

How do you keep your kayak in place?

[@KeyWestKayakFishing]

I have peddles. It is a Hobie Adventure Island. Plus the rudder helps.

[@mataxoco308]

what fly rod and reel combo did you use

[@xxanaxx7718]

big chuch 10wt reel 12wt rod