VolFan

Daiwa Pluton on a custom swimbait rod.

I think you need to assess what the boat needs. Make sure it floats, then make sure the outboard runs reliably, then start doing whatever customization you're going to do. If you've dumped $3.5 K into a jon boat build and don't have anything to show for it yet or a running motor, your plans are backward or your priorities are wrong.

I have a similar pond at a public park here. When you stand near the bed, the fish know something is coming. They back off a few feet and move to deeper water, then come back to it when you leave. You can either make your cast and walk away, waiting a few minutes for the fish to calm down or make a cast well past the bed from a point well before the bed and do it by feel instead of sight. Nothing works until it does.

If it were me Id go up the Catawba arm near Big Island and Bear Creek, or even just the other side of the canal. I havent been there in a few years though. There were some good rocky arras SE og Big Island though and just to the west of the canal on the S side.

Try to start now - Looking for a 15-16 foot aluminum V or semi-v with something on the order of 25 to 50 hp four stroke. Would fish mainly my son and I and occasionally my wife. Not doing any tournaments, really going for economy and ease of maintenance. I guess i started with a kayak as my first boat 23 years ago, and have had a few since then. Currently have two Nucanoes.

That kind of day.

Blurp

I went through this with my father in law, who us an engineer. Either have them buy their own gear or give them some of your gear. Take them fishing. Not with you fishing. Take them fishing where you guide them and don't fish. Tell them that you like taking them fishing but that you really enjoy the focus of fishing alone, but that you'll still take them. Once they develop to a competence level that doesnt offend you, take them with you fishing. Otherwise its just frusrtating and sometimes dangerous for everyone. Same works for kids. Also - Take a breath. Relax. Its supposed to be fun. Have fun. It gets easier when youre older.

Blip

Some confusion between me and the seller - I'm looking at a 2004 Lowe/Sean Nymph with a Merc Classic Fifty on it. Anyone have experience with these motors? Any recommendations?

What he said.

I fish tandem more than solo on the F12, almost at a 5 to 1 ratio. It actually paddles better for me with two people in it.

I have a Frontier 12 and a Pursuit. I will be getting my son a Flintvas his first yak. The build and customer service are second to none, and the yak itself is a better paddler and almost as flexible as my 12. Its not the only choice, but its a great choice.

I have 5 Saharas that Ive had for aboit ten years that all still work as well as when new. There is one that binds a little in the rain, but other than that, bulletproof. PS - I think it's possesed. I can dunk it in tbe river and its fine, but a decent rain makes it a little balky to reel. So. Weird.

Holy smokes thats a healthy girl!!

Comfort should be number 1, with transport number 2. If you dont like being in it, you wont use it. And if its too hard to get it to water, you wont use it. With those two taken care of - what fits the type of fishing you do? I fish primarily lakes, bringing a 9yr old with me most times, so a Nucanoe Frontier 12 is what I have. It's super stable and confortable with swivel seats, and almost impossible to turtle on flat water. It is eminently customizable, or, and the way I usually fish it when alone, you can strip it down to the seat and a couple rods and have almost 8 feet of deck. When correctly balanced, it paddles well for a big yak. The trade off is that it is sizable to maneuver on land at about 80 lbs empty, but with good technique it is easy to cartop.

For colors on the slammers - I loke Dark Trout and Golden Shiner, but I don't know that it matters. I have a black Min that I got from JFranco about 10 years ago that still crushes it.

I think im doing everything Flyfisher does except tying flies. Jumping on the trampoline with my 9 yr old and the neighbors is wearing my back out.

I was using one of these with an UL baitcasting set-up gor my Quatanyine foshing on a local creek. Caught a few reall nice fish for a creek you can jump across.

Maybe measure and get an idea of what kind of area/areas you have below the waterline and then contact gatorgard to price out a sizable sheet.

Mix a couple tablesspoons of milk with a couple egg whites. Dredge in your coating, then egg white mixture, then your coating again. Spritz with a little oil if you feel like it. If you can get your filets super dry, skip the first dredge and go straight to the eggs.

Just to muddy the waters...I always used bream to refer to bluegils...not all sunfish like shellcrackers and green sunfish...

Some great classic games being aired by NBCSN - last week was hockey, this week us NFL. Theyve been a fun replacement. I had to explain why Cam Newton wasnt on the Panthers (2006 game) and who Steve Smith and Terrel Owens were to my 9 yr old. Also funny seeing how long Jaromir Jagr played.

Big. Dead. Carp. How'd it smell?

Good to see you still kicking around! Yesterday was definitely amateur hour on the lakes around me too - and the wind made it even worse!