Offshore Kayak Fishing: Big Game Adventures with Colby Blackwell

If you think kayak fishing is just for calm ponds and small bass, you haven’t met Colby Blackwell. A specialist in offshore “big game” kayak angling, Colby takes his tandem kayak into the deep blue to face off against some of the ocean’s most powerful predators.

From Venice, Louisiana, to the open Atlantic, Colby’s adventures are the definition of “high-stakes” fishing. Here is how he manages the chaos of the open ocean—and why he never leaves the dock without his Rod-Runner.

The “Sleigh Ride” of a Lifetime

Kayak fishing is physically demanding and technical. Colby has landed some truly “monster” catches that would challenge even the best center-console boats:

• 182.5 lb Yellowfin Tuna: Caught in Venice, LA, this massive fish took Colby on a 2.5-mile “sleigh ride” at speeds of 4.5 knots before being landed.

• 500 lb Shark: Estimated at 11–12 feet long, this shark was hooked at a depth of 145 feet and towed the kayak for two hours out to 350 feet before a successful release.

The Challenge: Managing a Full Arsenal in a Tiny Space

When you go offshore, you never know what the ocean will give you. You might need a Sabiki rig for bait, a heavy jigging rod for reef fish, or a stout trolling setup for Pelagics.

“I carry multiple rods—Sabiki, jigging, inshore, offshore, trolling, and surf—when I travel,” says Colby. “The best way I have found to transport and protect my rods is with Rod-Runner carriers and rod racks!“

Why Rod-Runner is Essential for Kayak Anglers:

1. Vertical Storage: In a kayak, horizontal space is non-existent. The Rod-Runner keeps your rods vertical and out of the way of your paddle stroke.

2. Speedy Transitions: Transitioning from the truck to the launch point can be the most dangerous time for your gear. The Rod-Runner allows you to carry 5 rods in one hand, keeping your reels off the sand and pavement.

3. Organized Chaos: When a 100lb Tuna is towing you at 4 knots, you can’t afford a tangled deck. The Rod-Runner keeps your backup rods secure and ready for immediate use.

Pro-Tip: The Multi-Tasker’s Mindset

Colby emphasizes that to be a successful “Yak” fisherman, you must be a master multi-tasker. You are simultaneously:

• Steering and balancing the vessel.

• Watching for boat traffic and swell.

• Managing your drag and gaffing the fish.

Having an organized rod management system is the only way to ensure you can focus on the fight rather than your gear.

Follow Colby Blackwell’s Adventures

Want to see more of these epic offshore battles? Follow Colby on social media to keep up with his latest catches:

• Instagram: @tandem_kayak_fishing

• YouTube: Tandem Kayak Fishing

Ready to tackle the big ones? [Shop the Rod-Runner Pro 5] and give your kayak the pro-level organization it deserves.

Colby Blackwell – Tandem Kayak Fishing

”I Love to Fish” and I’m a multi species fisherman but I’m drawn to BIG fish and offshore kayak fishing.  I enjoy the different variety of fishing offshore, you never know what you are going to catch such as Amberjack, Tuna, Shark, King Mackerel, Snapper, Bonita, Grouper, Redfish, Sailfish and others. To catch this wide variety of fish I carry multiple rods (sabiki, jigging, inshore, offshore, trolling, surf) when I travel. The best way I have found to transport and protect my rods is with #RodRunner carriers and rod racks!  

A couple of the largest catches on the Yak are a 182.5 lb Yellow Fin Tuna on a 50W reel out of Venice, LA. He took us on a sleigh ride of over 2.5 miles at top speeds of 4.5 knots for 1 ½ hrs. before we landed it. Also, I landed an estimated 11-12ft , 500 lb shark using 30 lb mono and a small talica 12ii reel. Hooked him at 145 ft and he towed us for 2 hrs. to a depth of 350 ft before we landed and released him.

Kayak fishing is intense you must be patient, technical, physically fit and a multi-tasker to be a good kayak fisherman. There are so many things happening on a kayak all at once, such as paddling, steering, balancing, gaffing, watching out for boats, all while trying to catch and reel in a fish.  Also, not to mention that your sitting down, closer to the water, at the mercy of the current which makes it all more exciting.   All these factors require a different approach than angling from a boat.  I love testing my skills and ability against big predator fish in their habitat.

Instagram: @tandem_kayak_fishing

YouTube: Tandem Kayak Fishing

Email: Tandemkayakfishing@gmail.com