I see this question often on the various web forums I frequent. My answer is very rarely specific. My friends and I have put lots of time and effort into finding these little honey holes, and I see no reason to deny others the joy and adventure of finding them for themselves.  I do however, provide some tips on how to find them.

First thing to do is familiarize yourself with the access laws of your specific area. Unlike the powerboat crowd, kayak fishermen don’t have to limit themselves to established boat ramps. You need to know where the law stands on accessing waterways and roadside parking.

Next break out the maps. For desktop scouting Bing maps are hard to beat, especially if they offer the bird’s eye view for your area of interest. This feature allows you to zoom the aerial photos close enough to view the shoals of a river or spot the potholes on a grass flat.

For behind the wheel scouting, you have your GPS units and  smart phones, but I still prefer a good old Delormes Atlas and Gazateer. I have copies for all the states surrounding Alabama, and they are all dogeared and highlighted. If you get your hands on my Gazateer, all of my fishing holes will be revealed.

I promise if you make the effort to find your own hotspots, you will find it much more rewarding.

What a winter it has been so far here in the south. My whitewater paddling brethren are loving the seemingly daily rain, but it has made it rough on us fishermen. Makes me want to add a Zen to my flotilla. Take it away, Johnny!

Some really nice picking on this one.

Well, considering I am headed to NC this weekend for some fishing, it just seems right to post a fishing song by everyone’s favorite North Carolinian. I dare you to watch and listen without smiling.