Can You Fly Fish from a Kayak? (Spoiler: Yes, and Here's How to Make It Happen)

Spoiler: Yes, and Here's How to Make It Happen

Hey, fellow anglers and adventure seekers! If you're like me—part of the Average Angler Life Channel crew, always chasing that next thrill on the water—you've probably eyed your kayak and wondered: Can I really fly fish from this thing? I mean, kayaks are nimble beasts for sneaking into tight spots, but let's be real: they're not exactly built for the dramatic backcasts of a full riverbank setup. The short answer? Absolutely, yes. But if you want to turn potential frustration into pure fishing poetry, grab an OPST Commando Head. It makes the whole endeavor way easier. Let me break it down for you.

The Kayak Fly Fishing Challenge: Why It's Tricky (But Totally Doable)

Picture this: You're perched in your sit-on-top kayak, paddle stowed, rod in hand, surrounded by glassy water and hungry trout (or bass, or whatever's striking your fancy). Sounds idyllic, right? Until you try that overhead cast and realize your backcast room is about as generous as a parking spot in downtown Seattle. Kayaks offer killer mobility—slipping through lily pads or drifting over shallow flats that bigger boats can't touch—but they come with constraints:

• Limited Space: No room for a full Spey swing or exaggerated loops without snagging your gear or tipping the boat.
• Stability Issues: Seated low, your casts feel awkward, and wind or waves can turn a simple roll into a splashy mess.
• Line Management: Traditional fly lines can drag in the water or tangle around your legs, killing momentum.

I've been there, flailing like a novice on my first video upload. But after some trial (and a few errors), I discovered it's not just possible—it's addictive. Kayak fly fishing lets you cover more water stealthily, access hidden honey holes, and feel like a predator on the prowl. The key? The right gear to adapt your setup to the boat's realities.

Enter the OPST Commando Head: Your Kayak Casting Superhero

If there's one piece of kit that transformed my kayak sessions from "meh" to "must-do-more," it's the OPST Commando Head. This isn't your grandpa's floating line—it's a short, aggressive Skagit-style shooting head designed by the wizards at Olympic Peninsula Skagit Tactics (OPST) to punch through wind, sink flies fast, and load rods with minimal effort. Why does it shine in a kayak? Let's reel off the wins:

• Ultra-Short Design: At just 13-20 feet (depending on your rod weight), it lets you make powerful casts with almost no backcast room. Perfect for that cramped cockpit where every inch counts.
• Versatile Power: It handles single-hand rods (think 5-8 wt for most kayak work) like a dream, turning your 9-foot trout stick into a Spey machine. No need for a two-handed rod unless you want the extra flair.
• Quick Sink and Turnover: Pair it with OPST's sink tips, and your streamers or nymphs plummet to the strike zone faster than you can say "fish on." Ideal for targeting bottom-dwellers from a low seat.
• Sits-Perfect Casting: Users rave about it from seated positions—I've seen videos of folks slinging lines from kayaks on lakes like Lavon, nailing white bass without standing up. Stability? Non-issue.

In my last outing on a local reservoir, I rigged a 475-grain Commando Head on my 7wt with a 10-foot intermediate tip. The result? Effortless 60-foot casts into the wind, hooking smallmouth that had no idea what hit 'em. It's like the line was built for this—short enough to stay out of the drink, punchy enough to overcome kayak wobbles.

Pro Tip: Match the head weight to your rod (OPST's chart is spot-on), and run 20-30 feet of mono running line for smooth shooting. Boom—instant kayak mastery.

Real Talk: Tips to Get Started

Before you launch, a few quick hits to up your game:

• Rod Choice: Go for a 9-10 foot medium-fast action rod. Faster tips help with the short head.
• Boat Setup: Add rod holders and a crate for fly boxes—keeps things tidy.
• Safety First: Life jacket on, PFD mandatory. And practice casts on land (or in a parked kayak) to build confidence.
• Where to Score One: Check out shops like Red's Fly Shop or Gorge Fly Shop—they stock the full OPST lineup.

Wrapping It Up: Paddle Out and Cast Away

So, can you fly fish from a kayak? Hell yes—and with an OPST Commando Head, you'll wonder why you ever bothered with anything else. It's the game-changer that bridges the gap between boat and bank, letting you chase fish on your terms. Whether you're a channel subscriber tuning in for Average Angler Life vibes or a solo warrior, this setup will have you hooked.

What's your take? Have you tried kayak fly fishing? Drop a comment below, share your rig, or hit us up on X (@AverageAnglerLife) with your stories. Tight lines, and may your next drift be a drifter's dream!

Average Angler Life Channel: Where we talk hooks, lines, and the lies we tell about the ones that got away.

More on the OPST Commando Head mentioned earlier about fly fishing from kayak. #ad #amazon #flyfishing #kayakinghttps://t.co/xjfMVaUzKO

— Average Joe's Fishing - Reel Cast Fishing Podcast (@ReelCastPodcast) November 11, 2025

Tips for my next lure!

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Love this fly line but still need to work on my net handling #flyfishing #opst #spey #troutfishing

OPST Commando Head 

OPST Commando Head makes for awesome casting, hooks trout where they are lurking in. those hard to reach spots, but... it can't net them for you!

Mobile Fishing Livestream (Spotify)

Keeping It Simple, One Fishing Fly To Limit Out #fishing #flyfishing #trout

Plan was to fish Waterloo Park Pond in Denison with Centerpin Combo but switched last minute to a One-Handed Spey Fly Fishing Combo that used the  OPST Commando Head 175grn on a 4wt, 8ft fly rod.

Cold and windy morning, I decided to keep it simple and use on fishing fly - an Olive Near Deere. I would adjust my retrieve and depth until I limited out.

Do check out the video where I find the pattern limit out!

Note: I used a 175grain OPST Commando Head not a 200grain as mentioned in the video.

Try kayak fly fishing... 😀

Kayak Fly Fishing is fun! Even better with an OPST Commando Head to make it easier to cast from a sitting position! See full video at https://youtu.be/qnjuabWu4AU

Clouser Minnow Pack

Left Deceiver Pack

Would I Buy It Again... OPST Commando Head? 🤔

Closing out the One-Handed Spey Fly Fishing series with a final product review of the OPST Commando Head 175grn that I used with a 4wt, 8ft fly rod. I describe the simple rating system to rate a fishing product and in the OPST Commando Head it rates high... "will purchase again" or better said, I have purchased again, and again, and again!

How Many Fish...? 🤔#shorts

Out and about for a quick trip fly fishing a pond... One-Handed Spey Fly Fishing style! Using a 175grn OPST Commando Head on a 4wt, 8ft fly rod and fishing a Betts Hand Tied Popper. No need to cast far but was good to know a distance cast was at my fingertips! How many fish this round... three!

One-Handed Spey Wish List

• OPST Pure Skagit Commando Head https://amzn.to/2X83dF0
• OPST Commando Smooth (Integrated) Skagit Shooting Head https://amzn.to/2YQKM8L
• OPST Pure Skagit Commando Micro Tips https://amzn.to/3htb2fE
• OPST Pure Skagit Lazar Line https://amzn.to/3hmH2lG

Bass, Poppers, and OPST Rock!

 Quick trip to the local pond for Bass!

Testing My DIY Floating Tip | OPST Commando Head for One-Handed Spey Fly Fishing 👍👍👍

Ordered a 175 grain OPST Commando Head for my 8ft 4wt Redington Pursuit Fly Rod. Going to use it with the 4/5wt Echo Ion Fly Reel. Should deliver Saturday. In preparation, made a DIY Floating Tip. After a quick test, the floating tip is good to go. Do check back, hope to kickoff the next video series... One-Hand Spey Fly Fishing!

Pond Fishing Practice for the Blue River | Near Deere, Rainbow Warrior, and OPST Commando Head

Halloween Day last weekend. Was not able to fish the Blue River in Oklahoma but did take the opportunity to practice fishing using the same setup I would use on the Blue River.

Fished the local pond – Bethany Lakes in Allen, for whatever would bite. Opted for a tandem-rigged leading Near Deere and trailing Rainbow Warrior. This is the same rig I like to use when fishing for trout, changing out the fishing flies as the fish dictate.

Caught a Bass and several Bluegill after switching to a single fishing fly and using a short pull, fast retrieve. Another presentation I like to use on the Blue River when the trout are actively feeding on minnows, nymphs, and other emergent.

Do give it a try… especially liking the One Handed Spey setup: Redington Classic Trout 9ft 5wt, Echo Ion 4/5wt reel, and the OPST Commando Head with Lazarline Running Line!

Pond Fly Fishing for Bluegill and Bass | Foam Grasshopper Works!

Pond Fly Fishing fun with the foam grasshopper coupled with the One Handed Spey combo – Classic Trout Redington 9′ 5wt, Echo Ion 4/5wt reel, and the OPST Commando Head with Lazar Line running line. Caught Bluegill at first, then the Bass started biting using a fast retrieve! Fun stuff!

Pond Fly Fishing l Damsel Fly Variant

Fished the local pond with the TFO 6wt and OPST Commando Head. Started with a Popper Tube Fly and caught a little Bass. Switched to a Damsel Fly Variant and caught Bluegill and another Bass, too! Damsel Fly got beat up but still caught a fish or two despite losing the fishing fly’s tail!

COAF Field Team Livestream - Updates | Bass Fly Fishing | OPST Commando Head Works Well!

Live stream update from the Team! OPST Commando Head keeps working well on Bass and more!

OPST Commando Head | One Handed Spey | Pond Fly Fishing with the Simple Foam Fly!

Having fun pond fly fishing for Bluegill and Bass with the OPST Commando Head on the Redington 4wt Rod. Caught one fish using a Foam Grasshopper but switched to a larger size Simple Foam Fly.

Lost count of the fish caught, did have several throw the fly on us, but overall was a great morning fishing the local pond!

Pond Fly Fishing for Bluegill and Little Bass!

Video of yesterday’s pond fly fishing action on the 4wt Redington Fly Rod and Echo Ion Fly Reel. OPST Commando Head worked well for reaching out mid-pond but most strikes were nearer to shore.

How We Setup The OPST Commando Head?

Impromptu livestream providing fishing updates from the Team. This round I provide a quick update on our recent trip to Turner Falls, and then answer the mail concerning how I setup an OPST Commando Head for one-handed spey casting on a 5wt and 6wt reel.

Main One-handed Spey Casting Setup (6wt Fly Rod)

• TFO Professional Series II 9′ 6wt Fly Rod: https://amzn.to/2D3n9LF
• Echo Ion 6/7wt Fly Reel: https://amzn.to/2WxKnm1
• OPST Commando Head – 225 grain: https://amzn.to/2GjX26n
• M Maximumcatch .026″ 15lbs test coated running line: https://amzn.to/2MKS0kp

Used to be our main One-handed Spey Casting but went to a 6wt this year (2019). Is our backup one now. (5wt Flyrod)

• Echo Ion Fly Reel 4/5 wt: http://amzn.to/2ql1EhN
• Redington Classic Trout Fly Rod (9′-4pc-5wt): http://amzn.to/2rENFHu
• OPST Commando Head (200 grain): http://amzn.to/2zftMuC
• OPST Lazarline Running Line: http://amzn.to/2gTrjOU

Blue River Oklahoma Fishing | Two Trout This Round

Fished the Blue River in Oklahoma this past Sunday for a chance at trout for dinner. Fishing was tough for yours truly. Managed a Longear Perch, and two Rainbow Trout.

Used the 6wt TFO Fly Rod and caught the Perch on a Pink Near Deere with Rubber Legs, one Trout on a White Megaworm, and the other Trout on a Tandem Rigged White Megaworm with trailing PMC Emerger.

Was hoping for a limit of trout to cook blackened fish style using a recipe from @30milesOut – see video at Blackened Redfish Recipe. Ended up adding two Catfish to the two Trout to make dinner… tasty, tasty.

Do check out the video, and do note the clear water and trout moving about below and above the low water crossing!