Joe Poole's Blog (12)

I was invited by the REI Willowbrook store in northwest Houston to present my Introduction to Kayak Fishing seminar last Saturday. We had a packed house. I usually plan on an hour to an hour and a half for this presentation but we had so many good questions on everything from safety to clothing to tackle that I was there for 3 hrs. It was an excellent seminar from my perspective. I always have so much fun doing this seminar because people have such a curiosity about fishing from a kayak. I…

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As my fellow Wildy Pro Staffers, Jeff and Tommy, have reported...WOW!!!



Folks, this is by far one of the best run tournaments I have ever fished. With a whopping 430 anglers registered in this their 8th year, they have it down. I was impressed!!!



It was a great to get to meet fellow Wilderness Systems Kayak Fishing Pro Staffers. We actually had a pretty good group of us there. I got to meet Jeff Suber, Todd Llewellyn, Erick Bell, and one of our newest members, Tommy… Continue

I drive everyday! I drive at least 55 miles every week day just commuting to and from work. And I live roughly 200 miles from the salt. So when it came time to buy a new vehicle last year, I searched for economical car that was comfortable for my 6'4" frame. I tried everything including the Honda Element, Subaru Forrester and a lot of small wagons. Unbelievable to me, the Toyota dealer had me try a Scion xB. It worked!



I couldn't believe how comfortable it was for me to drive. And… Continue

Weekend before last, my fishing partner, William, and myself made our usual 240 mile trip from NW Austin to Aransas Pass, TX. We go down usually once a month for 3 days leaving on Thursday after work and returning Sunday afternoon. That gives us a full 2.5 days to fish. Since we have to travel and plan our trips anyway, we try to schedule trips based on moon phases, predicted tides, and weather forecasts. But sometimes we just have to go when we can.



That was the case for us in… Continue

Being a new member of the Wilderness Systems Pro Staff has been a blast for me. I've had the opportunity to promote both kayak fishing and Wilderness in many ways. I have had the great pleasure to speak on the "Advantages of Fishing Texas bays from a Kayak" to several different angler groups including local chapters of the CCA (Coastal Conservation Association) & the FFF (Fly Fishing Federation). The past two weekends I spent at the Austin Canoe & Kayak Demo Days. Two weeks ago, it was… Continue

This past weekend I had the good fortune to participate in the annual Saltwater Sweeties Tournament in Aransas Pass TX. It is an all women tournament where each team has 3 women and they get one guide/deckhand of either sex to help them. The helper can not catch and weigh fish. All of the catching has to be done by the ladies. And most teams run powerboats and can use bait. I got to assist Team USA which was made up of 2 wounded women soldiers from Ft Hood, TX. fishing from KAYAKS with… Continue

Here is a video I made showing how to make a 360 degree lantern out of a Wyler Light drink mix can and a Mini-Maglite. It is brighter than any kayak light I have seen on the market today.



Here is the parts list.....



pool fun noodle tube ( hole in the center)

Wyler's Light drink mix can

2" Blind Spot Mirror ( small dome mirror from auto parts store)

3M 77 Spray Adhesive

sand paper

electric knife

empty longneck beer… Continue

I have an issue with the light poles available to kayak anglers for mounting 360 degree lights. They are too short to be seen above the paddler. And they usually need a Scotty mount or the likes to hold them. I use a crate with rod holders mounted to it. I wanted a light pole that would fit snugly into the rod holder and be high enough to be seen over my head.



I happen to have a piece of 3/4" pvc pipe that I started designing around. My first attempt just used the 3/4" pvc pipe but… Continue

Many folks new to kayak fishing ask me about what I take with me and how do I carry it all. It amazes them when they find out I carry 3 rod/reels, 5 tackle trays, drift anchor, manta anchor, stick anchor, fish lippers, drinking water, snacks, and a 360 degree light, as well as my wallet, camera, keys, extra smokes & lighter in a small dry bag. The best part is that most all of this stuff fits into my crate. When I get to the water, I unload my 160, put my crate in it, load my rods, PFD,… Continue

I often hear kayak anglers talking about anchor lines and lines for drift socks and stake out anchors. Down here in Texas, for some unknown reason, people like to rig anchor trolleys around their kayak. I hate having any extra rope around the edge of my kayak especially up front where my topwater plugs can get hooked up in the rope. And I have never ever wanted to anchor facing into the wind to fish. And with a trolley, each anchor has to have its own line to attach to the trolley. Too much… Continue

It seems that every time I have headed to the coast the past 12 months, the winds has been howling. I haven't fished a calm day in months and months. Well, this past weekend the wind finally died and went calm. I almost forgot what it was like to fish calm water. BUT I DIDN'T!!!



William, my fishing buddy, and myself left Austin late Friday night for the 230 mile drive to Aransas Pass to visit our good friend, Capt Dean "Slowride" Thomas. We got to Dean's house about 2:00AM Saturday… Continue

My name is Joe Poole and my kayak fishing nickname is GoinCoastal.



I was born & raised in Texas. I am a father of 3 and a grandfather of 2 with another on the way.I live in Austin, Texas now and work as an investigator for the Texas Attorney General's Office. When I am not chasing down bad folks, I love to "throw plastic". I am often outside "throwing plastic" disc at a metal basket, I play disc golf for exercise and enjoyment. But, I would much rather be "throwing plastic" lures… Continue