Hanover_Yakker

I use a Shimano Crucial 6'3" Medium/XF spinning rod paired with a Shimano Stradic 2500 ci4. I also have a casting setup - a St. Croix AVID 6'8" Medium/XFast that I use as well.

Welcome aboard! I have several Rooster Tails that always seem to find their way into the water when I head out

I was fuming at first as well, but then I took a step back and did some more homework. Granted, he is not the most fleet of foot, but playing center is not about being fleet of foot? The inside run game is any area of weakness, and clearly this pick was an attempt to not only supplant Costa at some point, but it also gains depth on the o-line as a potential replacement for injury-riddled Bernadeaux, because Frederick also has played OG. Keep in mind that our O-Line coach is Bill Callahan (former Wisconsin coach prior to Frederick), so he understands how the Wisconsin line play operates and probably had some pull in this selection. Granted it is considered a reach, but at least we didn't blow our load on a player with the dreaded "potential" flag and move up sacrificing more picks. I wish the pick would have been Elam, but oh well. The big plus out of the whole thing in my opinion is that they won't have to pay through the nose for him like a top 10 pick, and they have the fifth year option on the player, since he is a first round pick. So, they have basically 5 years of service at a reasonable cost and can avoid the dreaded franchise tag and save themselves from cap purgatory further. The real steal of the deal is that now we have pick 47, 74 and 80 and could really add some quality talent on the defensive side of the ball and possibly a RB. I suspect that they are targeting players like Jonathan Cyprien (FS), Larry Warfod (OG), Jesse Williams (DT) and Jonathan Hankins (DT). Although, I could really warm up to the idea of drafting Menelik Watson (OT) and send Free on his way today, or a skill player like Le-Veon Bell (RB) in the 4th round tomorrow to replace Felix Jones.

Thanks - I love that place. It's my preferred location.

I had a Revolution 13 and feel it is probably the most versatile Hobie in their lineup. I used it everywhere here in VA waters. Here's a list of where I used it to give you an idea..... Freshwater Lakes/Reservoirs: Sandy River Bear Creek Lake Briery Creek Lake Anna Smith Mountain Lake Waller Mill Daiscund Creek Reservoir Lake Frederick Lone Star Lakes Freshwater rivers: James River Shenandoah River Chickahominy River Daiscund Creek Freshwater ponds as well. Saltwater: Lynnhaven Inlet Rudee Inlet Elizabeth River Back River Poqouson River Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (both the VA and MD ones) It is very versatile!!! If I hadn't stepped up to the PA14, I would still have it. It is very fast, pretty stable and forces you to simplify what you carry on the water.

Thanks J - yeah the Hobie PA 12 or 14 and the Native Mariner are viable options at that juncture. If you are looking for motorized, then the Ocean Kayak Torque, Native Propel, bassyaks conversion kits, Torqueedo motors, etc are also points of consideration. I prefer the manual option, because it serves a few purposes. First, it is stealthier than a motorized kayak when adjusted and used correctly. Two, it is relatively lighter and easier to transport compared to a fixed mount motor. Three, most states require some form or registration for any vessel under power as well as other navigational lighting requirements. An added benefit is you get some exercise at the same time. As far as choosing one manual power option over the other - that is personal preference. I've already written up my thoughts on which is better, but only you can make that decision based upon your physical capabilities/limitations and your preferred pedaling style. They both have their merits and limitations - which ones you can accept and manage while on the water given your particular fishing styles/styles should help guide you in the right direction.

I highly recommend "The Snip" from Boomerang Tools, but a handy alternative is a pair of the Fiskars kid scissors - they cut through 65lb. braid without skipping a beat. I always have a spare pair in my dry box while on the water as well as the Snip in my PFD. I also have a spare Snip at home and a couple pairs of the Fiskars grade school scissors that I keep inside for when I am tying leaders or cleaning up line ties on lures preciously used after a trip.

In all honesty, you have nothing to worry about. This sucker has a pontoon style hull and is very stable. I was standing in it this past Friday casting with 20mph winds slamming against me.

Consider it done! It's mounted on the YakAttack Articulating Arm so you get a good wide angle view - possibly even capture some priceless facial expressions You've seen my videos, so you know I already have it positioned just right

No problem J - heck, you can text me anytime, and I'll take you to a local pond where I have permission. I mean we do live in the same town together, so we can just go fishing together sometime as well and swap boats for a bit. I love the Commanders and have fished out of them, too. I know I'll get one for quick trips at some point. Morgan already told me it was okay to do that.

I use to fish Three Lakes almost exclusively - there are some good fish there, but they are saavy. The best spots to catch them are also the most difficult to cast from (sloping banks, overhanging trees, etc). I 've caught several 3-4lbers and some massive chain pickerel on jig-n-craws. Once I started kayak fishing though, I left that place in my memory. The best lake is actually lake #2, but that is strictly no fishing as it is for the nature preserve and science center there. Lake #3 is a hidden gem but it has even more limited casting areas - a spinning rod is your best friend at that place. Spool it with 20-30lb braid and top it off with a 10-12lb. flouro leader. Tie on a shakey head worm in black, orange craw or a watermelon seed variant. Cast that sucker parallel to the banks underneath overhanging trees on the shady side and hold on. Use tight enough drag to coax the fish away from cover yet still loose enough to give on strong runs. Check your phone - sent you a text message on my availability to go with you to BPS or Green Top and help you pick out some things or at least familiarize yourself with what things are called. FWIW - the folks at Green Top are more knowledgeable than the folks at BPS. BPS employs a number of high school and college kids from the area, while GTSG employs seasoned anglers that know the VA waters from experience.

You guessed it. I might even let you take a couple of your fishing rods with you just to seal the deal and entice you further

Tell you what, anyone that wants to try it out back at the launch is more than welcome to. I warn you though - once you try it, you're going to like it a lot!! The new Vantage seating is no joke - it has three adjustments (back, leg and lumbar) and is a high quality mesh material that allows air to move through the mesh and keep you cool on hot days.

Absolutely! I'm game, but I opt for the single use fee, since I visit so many different bodies of water in VA. I have a good kayak friend who lives there, and he clues me in on when the big stripers are on the prowl.

I have the lens treated with Rain-X, so when the wind started whipping around, it pushed the water right off the lens.

That would be a Blue Fox Super Vibrax inline spinner - I prefer Mepps, but the Rooster Tail does fine as well.

Here's the video from my trip this past Friday where I landed that fat 21.25" largemouth. You can see in the video and last frame how beat up her tail was from the spawn. Enjoy!

Joe is killer, and the power group he is in Black Country Communion is pretty darn good as well.

I know all about WM. I have a special lure just for that place.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is line choice. If you are using a line with little or no stretch, you might also be pulling the bait out of their mouths. Just a thought. I've always been told to fish it on the same rig as a topwater lure. Hasn't failed me yet. When I first started, I used braid because it floated and was easier to see. After several misses, I switched to PLine CXX and have never looked back.

No problem at all - the key to extended battery life is turning off all the default add-on features like the fish identification, backlight, any auto adjust features, etc. Also, when you reach your intended location, turn the FF off. I use mine to locate structure changes and submerged cover, then I circle back around for a stealthier approach and anchor off outside of the target area and turn off the FF unit. I used this approach on four separate trips over the last three weeks and the charge held right up until the last hour of my trip this past Friday on my 12v/5ah battery.

Anytime any of you are interested in hitting up the lakes in kayaks down there, shoot me a PM. I'm game for any of them and plan on hitting Harwood Mills, Lone Star and others throughout the year.

I have two types I use: 1. PowerTeam Lures Swingin' Hammer Shad rigged on a 4/0 weighted swimbait hook. 2. Mike Bucca's 6" Bull Shad For gear, 1. I use a 6'8-7'0" MH/F casting rod paired with an Abu Garcia Revo Inshore spooled with 12lb. Yo-Zuri Hybrid 2. I use a 7'0" Hvy/Med Fast Shimano Compre Musky Rod paired to a Shimano Calcutta 200B spooled with 14-17lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid

Fishing journals - how many times have you tried to recall all the variables that accounted for your catches or lack there of in the past? If you had logged that information over the course of a few years, you would start to see a pattern of behaviors not only by you but also by the fish relative to the conditions at hand on a given day. We do it here in VA for the salt species where water temps and currents play a huge factor on when different species "turn on" and "off" like summer flounder, tautog, spadefish, sheepsheads, etc. I also do it for LMB but not as detailed which is my own downfall.

I personally love this one: Big 'Ol Bass by Brock Zeman It is the theme song for Kayak Bass Fishing/Knot Right Fishing that airs on NBCSports. You can here it here as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXyl7d8G5Ys Just wish it was a full song and not just an intro......