As I looked back over my shoulder at the sun creeping above the horizon in the east, I felt a small bump on the end of my line. I turned my head just in time to see the end of my rod bend straight into the water. Bracing my feet and quickly adjusting my balance, I began to reel up as much line as possible before the fish could make it back to it's hole within the structure I was fishing. The fight was brutal—typical of this kind of fishing—and I could feel my back and my arms as they strained to get this fish off the bottom. Within a few minutes I could make out the shape of my quarry as it neared the surface. It was a nice gag grouper, definitely a keeper. As I grabbed hold of the fish and moved it into the boat, I remarked to my two fishing partners, each anchored about ten yards away, that it was going to be an awesome day.

As the day progressed we each reached our limit on grouper and even managed some really nice mangrove snappers. What makes this even more impressive though is we were only three miles off of Sarasota, Florida fishing in 32 feet of water and we were all in kayaks. Now, I know what you are thinking because I have heard it a thousand times. "You can't catch grouper in kayaks! You'll tip over. You'll get towed to Mexico." I've heard them all, but the truth is, you can catch large game fish in kayaks.

As the water temperature drops, large game fish begin moving closer to the shore off of Florida's coastlines. Here in Sarasota they even come into the shallow waters of Sarasota Bay were people often take legal-sized grouper by accident while fishing for trout or sheepshead around the docks or bridges. This is the one time of year were it is possible for kayak anglers of all skill levels to find and catch large game fish within a short paddling distance. If you are willing to do your homework and fine-tune your style of fishing, then any kayak angler can land these bruisers.

Remember, the key to being a successful angler—whether you fish from a kayak or not—is doing your homework. This is what separates the really good and consistent anglers from the angler who occasionally has a good day. Know the fish you are targeting. Understand what kind of habitat it likes, or what kind of water temperatures it prefers. Read as much information as you can, whether in magazines or on the internet. Check maps and charts that show bottom topography. Talk to other anglers and learn what techniques they use and where they are fishing. Knowledge is key. The more you know when you hit the water the better your chances of success will be.

When searching for large offshore game fish, the first thing I look for is any kind of bottom structure that will hold fish. It doesn't have to be large a structure either. Look for ledges or quick drop-offs that fish can collect around. I also look for underwater springs and upwellings. As you are paddling to one location, watch your depth finder and mark any potential areas that you may want to come back and try later. Check local charts for hard bottom and Swiss cheese bottom. All of these are places to begin.

Once you have done your homework and located some areas close to shore to begin your search, then it is time to consider your tactics. What you need to do is actually take some big boat tactics and incorporate them into how you fish from your kayak. These small adjustments, coupled with the stealth of your kayak, will prove ultra effective for taking near shore game fish. Another key to success is learning to use your bottom finder and GPS effectively. This can mean the difference between a great day and a bad day. Take your gear out on the water and practice using it until you can differentiate the subtle differences in bottom structure and recognize fish from other debris. Up size your gear as well. When heading offshore I like to take a couple of large conventional outfits and some smaller, medium-heavy spinning outfits instead of my lighter, inshore gear. Since most of the fishing will be bottom fishing, it is better to go with a heavier line and tie into an even heavier Fluorocarbon leader. I often go with 40- to 50-lb. mono main lines on my conventional outfits and 20-lb. on my spinning outfits. This will come in handy during long up and down battles and fishing heavy structure where the chance of getting broken off is greater.

Once you reach the location you are going to be fishing, it is important to mark the structure or area you plan to fish. For this it is important to bring a couple of small marker buoys with at least 50 to 100 feet of line. Once you've marked the area you want to fish on your bottom finder, drop a buoy and move away. The last thing you want to do is drop your bait and tackle right on top of the fish you are fishing for. Instead, back off about thirty yards and drop anchor. Once the anchor is secure, let out the line until you are positioned about 15 yards off of your marker or watch your bottom finder and position yourself just on the edge of the structure. This allows you to drop your bait to the bottom and not alert the fish to your presence by dropping it right on their heads. Large fish will usually be circling the structure and will inhale your bait as they move around. Keep in mind; you will need a slightly heavier anchor than the typical kayak anchors and a lot more line. I typically go with a 10-lb. anchor and at least 150 feet of line.

The most crucial part of it all though, is what you do when you actually hook the fish. These fish are much larger than most fish that you will encounter inshore and will put up a hard fight. Fish such as amberjack and grouper, to name a few, will test your will. The trick is keeping your balance and center of gravity at all times. If you lean too far in either direction or let yourself be jerked about, chances are you are going for a swim, as well as losing the fish and your rod. I find the best way to combat such large fish is to let the rod do most of the work for me. I position myself in such a way that I am leaning a little farther back and I rest the rod across my leg and use it as a lever to pull the fish to the surface. Reel down to the water and get back as much line as possible and then let the rod slowly bounce back up. Essentially, it is doing the work for you. Continue this until the fish is weakened or until it reaches the boat. It is painstakingly slow and your back and arms will hate you in the morning, but the rewards of landing a large offshore game fish from your kayak is well worth it.

The last thing to remember as you head offshore, and probably the most important, is never go alone. Fishing offshore from a kayak can be more than just an adrenaline rush—it can be dangerous or even deadly. If something goes wrong it can prove fatal if you are by yourself. Always have someone else with you. Also, make sure you bring the proper safety equipment including a VHF radio, cell phone, first aid kit, Type III PFD, extra paddle, signaling device, and a throw bag in case the need arises for a water rescue. Most of all, use your head and don't take any unnecessary risks. Landing a fish isn't worth losing your life. Lastly, keep an eye on the weather. Offshore conditions can change quickly and what was once calm water can become three- to four-foot seas in a matter of minutes. Good luck and tight lines!