Hanover_Yakker

A personal favorite of mine is the Strike King Rocket Shad. The one negative about the lure is that a toothy encounter may shred the skirt. I had it happen on three different ones, so I just had a friend who is a fly tier wrap a custom pattern for me. I'll post up some photos when I get a chance.

Normally, SML is really clear, so hopefully all these storms will not cloud it up too horribly. Lots of main lake points and structure changes over in that area. Sam might be a good one to tap into on this one though. The area I fish is further down lake. In fact, there's two citation LMBs waiting for me when I head back. I spooked one last time in a shallow creek finger and lost another when she wrapped me on a sumberged stump on a secondary point.

Nice fish John - looking forward to your long range feedback on the rod and the reel. Especially when it comes time to service it.

The Quest 13 retails for around $999 and includes the paddle. The tracking trueness is by design. Once you start it on a line, it holds that track which is a good thing. I've paddled other hulls that don't track as well and let me tell you it is a pain in the rear to have to constantly correct your drift. All SOTs (Sit On Tops) are wet because of how low to the water you are. Some more so that others. For example, the Ocean Kayak Trident series is probably one of the most popular 13' kayaks out there, but the main complaint people have is that it is a very wet ride in the seat area. So much so that Ocean Kayak engineered a new scupper valve system to evacuate water from the seat scuppers when you paddle. My fix for that was a $7 inflatable doughnut ring from CVS/Walmart/Walgreens, etc. that I placed underneath of me. Served two purposes - one, elevates your rear out of the wet area; and, two, it alleves pressure on your lower back and spine over the course of the day on the water. Like I said before in your other post - seat time seat time seat time!!!

Too bad you can't make it to Farmville tomorrow - the Hobie booth will have a Quest, an Outback, the Revo 11 & 13, the Pro Angler 12 & 14 and the Tandem Island.......

The OK BGP is a great yak for stability and will handle some big waters fairly well. Our resident BR moderator JFrancho had one that he sold to another BR member. He can give you firsthand knowledge of its pros/cons and its best use.

Most people have a quickie mart or local grocery store where if you ask one of the workers, they might give you one. My first was a gift from a fellow kayak angler, but the one I have for my son was one from a local gas station. I just asked the manager when I saw one sitting on the floor near the front door of the store. No charge at all.

And if you are unsure of how to service your reel proerly, don't hesitate to contact someone that knows how to do it and have them done in your off season. I don't have the tools, patience, nor the workspace for it, so I send a couple of mine out each fall and rotate through every one of my reels in both fresh and salt.

Sort of, Backyard Boats near Annapolis is one I know of and have a friend named Matt that works there. You can also try the ones listed here: http://www.paddling.net/dealers/VA/

That's a monster for certain, but I know for a fact where there is one over 40" that scared the be-j3$u$ out of me last summer in that area that would swallow that one whole and not even bat an eye or alter its swim path. All I know is I was working a jerk shad targeting a small school of Potomac River Specials (that's a 17" LMB for the unaware and uninitiated ) and was so focused on the bass that I completely missed the monster snakehead lurking in the shadows near a laydown. When that sucker fired out of the shadows and lunged at my lure creating a huge swelling wake, I nearly jumped out of my Revo 13. After a few mild expletives and a racing heartbeat, I managed to calm down and try to cast at it, but she was nowhere to be found nor enticed. I'll be back!!!

Kyle, Do yourself a favor and make the trip to Farmville, VA on Saturday June 8th like flyfisher said and get some real seat time in as many kayaks as you can like I said. I'll be there in the Hobie booth, but I have several friends I fish with that that are pro staffers and will be in the Wilderness Systems, Native Watercraft, Ocean Kayak/Old Town, Jackson, Hurricane, Elie, Perception, Feel Free, Necky, Heritage, etc. ARC typically offers an awesome deal on this weekend where you can get an entire setup at a nice combo price and within your price range. Something to take into consideration is the fact that the companies listed above have been in the business of designing, testing and producing kayaks for years. The folks at Ascend (Bass Pro) and F& S (Dicks) have only been in the business of selling kayaks for a handful of years. In all honesty, they aren't even the manufacturers of those kayaks, they simply sell them, so the staff on hand at those stores typically does not have the real experience to place you in the proper kayak. Not saying that they do not make a quality product nor am I saying that one of theirs wouldn't work for you. All I am saying is that reputation and a loyal customer base speak volumes of how good a product is.

The number one factor in any kayak purchasing decision regardless of brand and model is real seat time on the water in as many different kayaks as possible. Word of mouth is a great way to identify ones you should consider. In the end, only your body will can give you true feedback on how comfortable you will be on the water. Never ever underestimate the importance of comfort while on the water. If you're not comfortable sitting in the kayak factory seating and footpeg position, imagine how uncomfortable you will be after an hour? 2? 3? Try 8-10 hours like some of my outings in the salt water where there is not way to just get out and stretch for a bit! The other thing to remember when it comes to comfort is actually wearing the PFD you will be using while on the water. If you aren't comfortable with the PFD on in the same factory seating and foot positions, two things are going to happend. One, you won't wear your PFD properly; or, second, you won't enjoy your time on the water in the kayak you just spent your hard earned money on. Now, not all retailers that sell kayaks have the ability to get you real seat time for a demo on the water. If that's the case, ask around some of the kayak focused forums in your area. Heck, you might even have a friend or two locally that has a model you can try out. If at all possible, avoid purchasing a kayak you have never paddled before. Save the rigging concerns until after you figure out how you will be able to fish out of your new kayak.

Well, finally got a chance to hit the water for some fishing today. Spent the better part of 8 hours on two different bodies of water. First, fished a body of water loaded with millfoil and submerged standing grass. Ended up only catching two smallish bass in the 12-14" range. One on a SPRO Fat John in the Cell Mate color and the other on a PowerTeam Lures 5" Sic Stik in green pumpkin with purple flake. When I couldn't find another bite, I loaded up the Pro Angler and made my way to Bear Creek Lake and hit some familiar spots. Ended up landing a total of 10 more fish, including a 15" channel cat, a fat 8.5" pumpkinseed and a nice 18.75" LMB all on one lure - the Sic Stik. Here's a photo of the bass and pumkinseed.

What snook said - for live bait, find out what others are using, but a great reel and one on my short list when I get the funds is the new Release Reels SG. Look them up! @ $249 and a lifetime warranty, they are hard to beat!

Welcome aboard - when you return stateside, be sure to look up a couple organizations dedicated to service members like yourself: Heroes On the Water and Project Healing Waters I know both have chapters in NC and VA that would love to have you as a participant.

Seat time seat time seat time. If you can't sit in it and then paddle it for real on the water 'feedback' and 'sensory perception' then don't buy it. Last thing you want to do when trying to get into kayak fishing is spend a lot of money on a kayak only to learn that you are uncomfortable or that the seat and foot peg arrangement cannot be adjusted to your body's overall frame and type. Ask around your local area for anyone that has a kayak (regardless of brand and model) and see if you even like it. Your overall budget also needs to account for other required items - a class III PFD and a decent paddle (both of which can be found for $50-100 each) but there are better models of both that can be found at good prices. Good rule of thumb when buying these two items is get the best that you can afford. You'll most likely need straps (ratcheting if possible) but the basic ones will work just fine. If you are car topping the yak, you might need some protective supports to prevent damage to your car if it doesn't have a rack. Go with pool noodles here. Cheap and always available. If you need a seat with better support, you can find options in the $75 range. Remember - in kayaking and kayak fishing, the goal is always to be safe first, be comforatble and enjoy your time on the water second, try to catch some fish (bonus) third and return to shore to come back and do it again another day. Regarding the Ascend line of kayaks, I can tell you one thing from firsthand experience - they are H-E-A-V-Y for what you get. There are several options out there under the $500 price point - Perception Sports, Native Redfish, Pompano (West Marine), etc..... Do your homework and don't rush to buy the first one you come across. Keep a close watch on Craigslist as well - lots of people will sell an entire setup that include the PFD, paddle, some other accessories. Regarding rod holders, never install a rod holder until you have figured out that the kayak is the right one for you. Then and only then do you start to accessorize. When choosing a location for them, take a fishing rod and a jar of vaseline. You place a dab of vaseline on the butt of the rod and practice your turning and reaching motion to see where you can comfortably get to and set the tod butt down to mark your spot. Now get some duct tape and a rod holder and head out on the water with it taped down in place and try it. If it works comfortably and you can still maintain balance, then you are ready to install it. Good rule of thumb to follow when installing accessories - measure twice, even three or four times - drill once!!! Even though there are plastic welders out there, it is better to try and avoid that if at all possible! When you are ready to talk about mounting accessories, consider looking at the YakAttack line of GearTracs, Mighty Mounts, and other accessories. They are designed by a mechanical engineer who kayak fishes and is a good friend of mine whom I fish with each year.

Actually you can make it yourself. Go to a craft store and look at their plastic container aisle (most of them are made by Flambeau or Plan anyway) where folks use them to store stamps, letters, cutouts, etc. and then get a piece of craft foam. Simply cut and fill the slots snuggly (even hot glue them in place if need be) and then insert your hooks. You can even use an exacto knife or dremel and trim any fixed dividers to custom fit an area.

Here's a neat little tip I saw a while back and will be employing myself here when I restock some of my hooks. Take a standard safety pin and thread the eye of your hook through the open barb before re-closing it. Now you won't have a loose hooks flopping around your tackle tray or on the boat. It's much easier to manage when it comes time to change hooks as well without the fear of getting stuck reaching for one hook or worse, pulling out one and several get caught and fall out. Like this..... Works great on drop shot and smaller hooks that tend to get caught up on one another. As far as my EWG, swimbait, Confidence Baits hooks, those all go in a 3600 Guide Series tackle Tray along with my other weights and such. Try it!

Welcome Max - where at in SE VA? I hit the salt from time to time down on the peninsula.

You have a couple options. When installing an anchor trolley, you want to have a little slack in the line when attaching the ring. The ring can be used either as the primary insertion point for the stake out pole and results in your kayak staying close to the anchored position. If you are using a tether or length of rope option, you simply stake out, then drift while holding the attached line and then tie it off or clip it to the ring on your trolley. This serves two purposes - provides you with greater movement/positioning flexibility in current and two, provides a stealthier footprint in the water when stalking wary species that spook easily. Works extremely well in the salt flats where bigger overslot reds and trout spook at the slightest unfamiliar noise like hull slap, the splash of a lure, the shadow cast by the novice or unaware angler, etc.

The YakAttack Park-n-pole has a notch in the center of the claw handle that you can tie off to. It can also double as a camera mounting point. The PNP also floats and comes in 3 sizes (3', 6' and 8'). The handle is also notched for use either as a lure dislodger in shallow water by guiding it down your line to the lure and as a duck decoy retriever by hooking the decoy lines and pulling them to you. When paired with an anchor trolley, the PNP is a killer combo and excellent for use as a flats pole just by reversing the pole and using the handle like a duck foot on a traditional flats push pole. The other thing to remember about them is that they can also be used as a make shift paddle for subtle small movements while poling. I have three myself (2 of the 6' variety and one 8'). I'll be adding another 8' version soon for a new idea I have for stake out positioning. Here - check this out for more info......

I have four Clarus rods and love them all - two worm n jig casting, one worm n jig spinning and one crankbait casting. At $79 each with a lifetime otc warranty, that is hard to beat in my book with the way rod and reel costs have skyrocketed for upper end equipment these days in this economy. Don't hesitate if you get the chance to get one or our like I did I've taken my worm n jig rods into the salt and can say they handle salty species as well without fail.

Drop shot a 5-7" "finesse style" worm on 5-7lb. flourocarbon is a viable alternative as well. Just remember, no hero style hooksets, just a reel and raise the rod technique. You can also use this technique to change up the lure profile and length until you dial in the right size. Then play around with the colors until you really get them turned on.

What's your target species? I have a friend who is a Colorado Native but he targets trout mostly when he's back home.