Yinzyaker

I have 2 sedonas and 1 president. Honestly I think it is a coin toss. The president might be a little bit smoother, but I like the handle on the sedonas better (the president I have is a few years old with a wooden handle) . Both great reels for the price.

I don't think it is pressured in the same way as some place like Burke Lake is. In that their are always a ton of people fishing from it. That is what got me to fish their in the first place. But it is not that big of a body of water and if you have 3-4 people fishing from shore along the stumps, which I have deffinately seen more than once. And another 3-4 fishing from other spots around the lake including the dam then that is pretty good pressure on a small body of water. Its not like that happens every day but I think that is not uncommon on a weekend. I think the fish get used to seeing the same presentations in the same spots everyone fishes which causes it to be tougher to catch fish. Honestly all of this talk about the place makes me want to go try it out again this weekend. Its been a while since I took the yak out their, I might have to give it a try.

Those sound like some pretty nice fish. I fished Mercer extensively last year. My PB was a 6 pounder that I caught their from shore in the stumps. I have fished it both from my Kayak and shore and always seem to do alot better in the kayak. This year I have only took the Kayak out their once and ended up with 5 in the 2-3 lb range. I have fished it alot form shore this year and have not had very good luck. mostly I will walk down the access road do by the stumps. Last weekend I decided to change it up and fishe the dam. I hooked 3 in about 2 hours, but only landed one. None had any size to them. When I fish from shore I often run into a local or two either fishing or walking the path who tell me about the glory days their and all fo the 7-8 pounders in their. I would like to think theres still some left but who knows.

No switching. Last year I changed from a right handed baitcaster to a lefty. At first I thought it was going to be tough to get used to, but it felt really natural and I took to it right away. Best decision I have ever made. I have since replaced all of my baitcasters with left handed versions, and will never go back.

I am on my third kayak, first I will warn you that kayak fishing is highly addicting. I started out with a $250 8' spitfire kayak which was very small and uncomfortable to fish out of. I have bough two more since then. The best advise is to demo one or find a place that rents the kind your interested in and take it out for the day. Their is alot to consider when you are looking for a kayak, so dont just run out and buy one do our homework. I would not recommend buying a cheaper pelican or similar budget brand kayak. If you can't afford a quality name brand like wilderness systems, native, hobie, ect. Then get a good used one, it will save you form buying a different kayak after you realize you don't like that one trust me I know. I highly recommend getting a kayak you can stand up in as well. Sitting down all day makes your butt sore. It is nice to be able to getup just to stretch out. Not to mention that being able to stand and fish is a better position than sitting. If your in or around Virginia I agree that appomattox river co is the best place to buy one from. They have the biggest inventory and best prices. They also take tradeins and have a large used inventory.

I would say you are wasting your time with stabelizers/outriggers. Personally I think they would be a pain to deal with, you need to worry about remembering to pack them with your gear and put them on and take them off every time you take it out. Not to mention it will probubly slow you down quite a bit and you have a good chance of getting your line tangled up in them when fighting a fish. I would recommend getting yourself a nice sit on top or hybrid (canoe/kaya) like a Wilderness systems commander or native ultimate. I have paddled sit in kayaks like the pelican you used and they are not stable. I have a Wilderness Systems Commander and a Jackson Coosa both are super stable, I stand and fish from them most of the time I am on the water. A good quality kayak is not cheap but you can find a good deal on a used one. I would recommend getting out to Demo any kayak before you by one.

I have tried alot of these smaller lakes that everyone is talking about, Royal, Brittle, Braddock, Huntsman, Mercer and even Burke lake. Personally I have pulled some fish out of all of them but have never had a great day of fishing where I caught more than 1-2 fish when fishing from shore. I have had some luck at Mercer fishing out of my Kayak, but it is not the most accessible place. I think they are all to pressured and over fished. I concentrated on smaller lakes like this over the past 2 years or so. Now I have been hitting bigger water like the Potomac and have been having alot more luck. I have never fished lake Fredrick in Front Royal, if I decide to make that drive to fish I would be fishing one place the Doah. I have fished the Occoquan a few times this year but have not had great success, But I might have to give it another try.

Don't worry, I still bleed black and gold.

My name is Eric I am Pittsburgh native but have been living in Burke, VA for the past 5 years. I am new to this form, but I have been active on some others for a little while. I have been fishing periodically most of my life, family trips and what not. Over the past three years I have been fishing alot more frequently mainly out of my kayak. The past few years I found myself frequenting smaller lakes in the area, Burke, Mercer, Huntsman, and Occoquan Resevoir. This year I have found myself fishing the Tidal Potomac, mainly Pohick bay and Occoquan river more than I have in past years. I will also make the occasional trip out the the Shanendoah river to chase some smallies. Looking forward to learn some more and inprove my fishing skills.