Robbie Waller catches up with kayaking legend Jim Sammons to discuss all things kayak related and what viewers can expect from The Kayak Fishing Show in the near future.
Later this year The Kayak Fishing Show blows out the candles on its 100th episode, and it’s charismatic host Jim Sammons shows no signs of slowing down or putting the rod’n’paddle in the rack.
“We started filming The Kayak Fishing Show eight years ago, and I still love fishing from a kayak,” an evergreen Jim says.
“In a kayak you’re out there on your own and up against some seriously big fish. You’re matching wits one on one, and that remains one hell of a buzz. I also really love to share knowledge about how anyone can jump in a kayak and catch fish. I probably spend more time talking about kayak fishing than actually kayak fishing.”
“The Kayak Fishing Show is a pony I’m going to ride until it kicks me off!”
And why wouldn’t he keep on riding the pony?
The Kayak Fishing Show has seen Jim setting hooks all around the globe and across the United States.
“I consider myself extremely lucky. My wife and I love travelling, we have a real crack at immersing ourselves in different cultures, and I have a hoot exploring new species, techniques and fisheries.”
Jim releases a British Columbian local
It’s an impressive kayak and hook travelogue that could easily rework lyrics for the golden oldie,‘I’ve been everywhere.
Jim’s chased Panamanian billfish, roosterfish, tuna and dorado. He’s paddled Costa Rica for roosterfish and targeted Swedish pike, trout, salmon and cod. In British Columbia Jim got stuck into the local ling cod and chinook population, while Kiwi snapper and trout were left in Jim’s wake in New Zealand. Over in Uganda Jim introduced his kayak to some local Nile perch with cracking results.
Back home in the United States Jim’s explored Florida’s black drum and redfish species, North Carolina’s striper, Hawaii’s marlin, and California’s bass. It’s fair to say that kayak fishing has been good to Jim. It’s put some stamps in his passport as well as trophy captures in his memory banks.
As a Kayak Fishing Show fan I asked about my favourite episodes, which detail Jim’s exploits as he matches mind, muscle and kayak with some leaping Puerto Rican tarpon.
“So far The Kayak Fishing Show has filmed three episodes in Puerto Rico chasing tarpon. We do get them in the States, but there’s something special about big mean Puerto Rican tarpon captures. The first time we went I was really feeling the pressure. We filmed for ages without catching any. It wasn’t until the last minute that I hooked up and landed one. Boy, was I relieved.”
“But we loved Puerto Rico, and our guide Omar Oracca not only came through for us, he became a good friend. So we’ve been back twice and each time we’ve managed to score some really good tarpon numbers.”
“Tarpon offer such amazing kayak fishing. Apart from their size, they’re a top water species that you can sight cast to. They perform for the camera with massive jumps and heavy-duty darting runs from side-to-side. You’ve really got to be on your game to succeed.”
“Then, from a filming point of view, we’ve managed to get better at capturing footage. Our cameras have improved in quality and we now use two cameras with one focussing on close up slow motion shots while the other takes in the entire kayak fishing scene in real time. We also use a drone for a different perspective,” Jim says.
The end results provide stunning kayak fishing footage. After an edit, Puerto Rican giants are on show, ripping about town and springing into the air. And this footage is interspersed with slow motion shots of tarpon breaking the surface with sunshine bouncing off their watery flanks. As a viewer, it’s a hulking and powerful armchair ride.
But it’s not all fun and games. In one episode the tarpon get their revenge as one poos all over Jim after being landed.
“Yep I got covered in tarpon crap. It stunk and there was heaps of it. It went all over me and piled up under my kayak seat. Now that’s a Puerto Rican memory with a difference,” Jim laughs with a hearty beat.
In Texas, Alligator Gar were on Jim’s hit list.
With all of his fishing travel experience, I was interested in Jim’s thoughts on how kayak anglers can best explore unfamiliar water when on the road and against the clock.
“Research on the Internet. There are kayak anglers all over the world and most are happy to share their knowledge. It’s funny, but if you’re coming to visit from afar, you come across all sorts of help. But if you’re just down the road, it’s often the case that help seems harder find.”
“Hire a guide on your first day. You can ask them a bunch of questions about the local area and species and save yourself a bunch of time in not trying to work it all out for yourself,” Jim advises.
“Bring as much of your own gear as you can too. Definitely bring your own P.F.D. So you don’t end up wearing some cheap uncomfortable hire shop version. Also consider bringing your own rod holders and paddle if you can. Finally, give some thought to bringing along your own portable fish finder set up. There are kayaks out there like the Jackson Kraken which allow you to drop in a modular fish finder of your own.”
The Kraken is Jim’s signature fishing kayak developed through Jackson Kayak.
“It’s a paddler’s kayak, and I’m still offering my suggestions to Jackson about how we can tweak improvements to make it even better,” Jim notes.
“But Jackson Kayak have all sorts of other craft matched for kayak angling. If pedal driven kayaks are your thing then Jackson Kayak have developed the Coosa FD (Flex Drive). Forward, reverse, dagger board protection and the capacity to ride over obstacles makes it a pretty sweet kayak. But there’s a bunch of other fishing kayaks in the range as well.”
Jim clearly enjoys his relationship with Jackson Kayak, but it’s one that hasn’t been without sadness. In his travels Jim notes he was lucky enough to kayak fish with Swedish Jackson Kayak fishing team member Jan Liska.
“Jan was a larger than life character that I got to form a really great friendship with through kayak fishing. Unfortunately he lost his life in an avalanche when he was back country skiing.
The Kayak Fishing Show is never far away from roosterfish.
There is a Jan Liska memorial kayak fishing tournament I’ve returned to Sweden to fish in, but Jan is a great loss.”
Friendships, big fish, international culture, and kayak design input…The Kayak Fishing Show has been pretty good to Jim Sammons, even if the odd tarpon has left it’s murky scented calling card. But I’m sure he’s a man who’s reaping the kayak fishing reward through his own hard work, perseverance and fish smarts.
Tune in and see where he’s off to next. It’s bound to be big time kayak fishing adventure.
Robbie was born and raised on Victoria’s West Coast where old style wooden barracouta later turned crayfish boats were plucked up onto piers after each journey. He’s been an enthusiastic kayak angler for over 10 years, and Robbie gets a big kick from helping define the techniques and gear that are suited to the evolving sport of kayak fishing.
