Darren.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard! 4 ponds, eh? Sounds like there's hawg's awaitin' ya in them thar ponds!! I've fished some farm ponds, and there could be beasts in there! Good luck!

IMHO, trolling motor is the way to go. I used to carry an anchor, then a drag chain, etc., but find my trolling motor is the key to managing windy conditions in my yak. I do have a 7' Stik-It Anchor Pin always with me, as well, for the shallow situations. I modeled my trolling motor setup after the BassYaks kit. Though if I had the money and were starting over I'd buy the BassYak kit outright. As it stands I had most of what I needed to make it work, thus it was a cheaper endeavor. I'm outfitted with a 30lb thrust Minn Kota and a 35 AH wheel chair AGM battery that is deep charge. Everything is awesome

Welcome aboard!

Awesome reel, man!

Nice deal either way!

I'm with Snook and Lou. No superstitions. But I'm also with Blue! I remember once getting to my fishing destination with all my gear except my tackle bag. Glad my wife had to run errands, she was kind enough to drop it off.

Skunk repellant? I've never found one for me. Skunk days happen from time to time no matter what. Only sure-proof thing I can think of is TNT Or an electro-fishing boat like the DNR uses to check health of a water ecosystem.

Life's a beach! Have fun. We may have to deal with freezing rain down here in VA for the next 20 hours or so. Before we can go back outside with just sweatshirts. I feel your pain...no wait, wrong thread, sorry. I thought this was the Southern Winter Suffering thread. my mistake.

Google is great for this. Do a search, then click on "images" to get a quick picture of mods done by yak fishermen all over. More creativity there than just about anywhere.

Craigslist is good for a used yak in your price range. Brands like Native, Wilderness Systems are well known in the kayak fishing world. You could also look at affordable offerings at Bass Pro. Above all, leave room for a quality PFD (life jacket) and a good paddle whatever you decide. Always wear your PFD!

Welcome aboard, McCoy's!

I bought several 600 yard spools as recently as November on eBay - green - my preferred color.

Hit TW or eBay and score some 600 yard spools. For me, I use it as a leader, so will last me a VERY long time Far as I know it is still being made.

Nice bass! I need to get out soon....

I have no first-hand experience with Daiwa customer service, but when I went to a couple rod builders/reel repair shops in my area and asked about getting a part/repair, each said they prefer not to deal with Daiwa due to length of time in getting parts, etc. Both of these shops were all about Shimano, Penn, and a few other brands. Said Shimano was best in backing up their products. I like the Lexa spinning reel better than the casting. For future purchases I'm pretty much going with Shimano, mostly because I've had best experiences with the brand. That's not a slam of Daiwa, just my experience and preference.

Agree with DVT. Don't overthink it. Put each on a rod, and if you don't like the setups, change 'em out! I've settled with my 2 Chronarch 50e reels paired up on 6'6" ML Carbonlite, the other on a 6'6" MF Carbonlite. Lightest setups I own at this point, and love 'em.

Welcome aboard!

This is a baaaad thread. Beautiful rods, folks. Amazing work.

I'll say yes and no. It really depends. I've recently picked it back up, and I've had some success in local areas, but I've yet to employ it on my regular fishing spots. The deepest water I tend to fish is *maybe* 20 feet. Normally I concentrate on shoreline structure, or grass lines off the shore. Fished a drop at a local pond and did catch a nice 1.5 pounder. I bought some roboworms and drop shot weights over the holiday to use at my normal lakes. So I'm looking forward to trying them out there. If the past is any indication, and this is only for me, it may not be as awesome as a simple wacky worm setup. But I'm determined to try it out. Good luck!

I cannot help you with the South Side, but Prince is one of the places I've been told is a "must visit" by a friend who has had good success there. For me it's all on the Peninsula. Primarily fishing at Newport News Park, Harwood's Mill, then up to Williamsburg at Wallermill Park. Also have hit Beaver Dam Reservoir in Gloucester, which is a nice fishery. Good luck with all your efforts!

I like a bait with a nice "tail end - something that will shiver and shimmy without much work from me moving the rod. Roboworms, Yamamoto Shad Shape worms, etc., are good considerations.

Those Sundolphins are nice! I looked at those, BPS pond prowlers, and such at one point in time. You could look at this model, or some of the Bass Hunters in the side columns (they show up there for me). But I'm a kayak fisherman at this point in my life.

That's just awful! So sorry for your loss. We have three dogs, one "pup" of 1.5 years, and a cat. Love them all, and can't imagine losing any. Though our "old man" Jake is getting closer to the end of his days. Can't hear or see well, can't walk well, but dadgummit we love him.

Yup, different places, different food sources. No biggie. Adapt, realize, as others have said, that TV and such is not necessarily your friend, and you will have a start. I'd talk to "old-timers" or guides who may fish the locales you mention and ask them if they'd be willing to share secrets, or in the case of a guide, pay him/her for services and see what you can learn.