Hanover_Yakker

Just ordered a tube of the original, probably will snag some of the craw at some point.

If you like crappie, the fishing pier at Powhatan Lakes is not bad. Big ones hang out in the brush piles right next to the pier. At Sandy River, the fishing pier has some nice catfish available. Bear Creek Lake has some decent fishing with some well placed trees about 20 yards out from shore and next to the pier. Check the VA DGIF site for locations with fishing piers and fishing opportunities. You might there are more than you realize.

Didn't see your reply, so sorry for the delayed response. For me, my primary waters are Sandy River Reservoir and Briery Creek Lake. I also hit up Diascund Creek, Smith Moutain and Lake Anna. I hit afew local ponds when time is short, but once summer gets here I can usually be found around the Eastern Shore and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge tunnel chasing some salty species like Summer Flounder, Redfish, Speckled Trout, Spadefish, Sheepsheads and big Croakers. I frequent both fresh and salt and try to stay as well rounded as possible.

Welcome aboard! Lots of VA folks on here. Just a matter of coordinating schedules with people. I know that there is a meet-n-greet on the Potomac at the end of August you might want to consider....

Like Dwight said, a backing plate of some form is highly recommended. An easy solution that several of my kayaking friends use is the cheap cutting boards from Wallie world and cut out a circle. Almost bulletproof then.

I never even consider it to be honest, because most of the weather sites I use to check temps and winds do not have the barometer listed until you dig deeper into the details on a different page. Heard about it, read about it and even started tracking it after my fishing trips just to see if there was some measure of truth to it. What I found was more akin to the amount of time I had on the water and my approach or tactics for the day were the most likely culprit of why I didn't catch as many fish as I had hoped for.

A Strike King King Shad (wake version) - the joint just seems to stiff to me compared to my floating SPRO BBZ-1 shad. The motion is too mechanical if that makes sense, so it just sits in a tackle tray along with other unused random/old tackle. I've cast it one time, didn't like it, so I cut it off and tied on something different.

If i remember correctly, I used a 1/8" drill bit for the pilot hole and a #10 cap screw in various lengths, started threading the initial bolt into the hole through the mount, then drilled a second pilot hole opposite of that one and started threading another bolt. Once you have 2 bolts started, you can drill the third one, but make sure you hand tighten the cap screws and nuts to avoid over tightening them. Like I said earlier though, its easier to just carry the base with you into the store and test fit the bolts or cap screws first. ***NOTE - keep in mind that you need to plan for not only the mounting depth of the base, but also any hull or moutning material you are mounting to. Especially if you are using the tip I mention below - an additional 1/4" will be needed in the length of the cap screws. I think I ended up using 1 1/2" cap screws on the ones with the pad eye backing approach.*** Here's a tip for anyone looking to install any type of mounts on their kayak or canoe and using the RAM bases. Purchase a handful of the nylon or stainless steel pad eyes. When you go to install the bolts (or rivets), use the pad eye as a backing washer on the iside of the hull. Once completed, you know have an attach point for any form of lashing or caribiner. Perfect for those small Placno dry boxes that people use to keep phones, keys and such in. The reason I mentioned the RAM bases is because the holes on the RAM bases actually line up on one side so that you can use both moutning holes on the pad eye. If you use some other base like a Humminbird or Garmin, you can still use the pad eye approach, but you may only get one hole lined up on the pad eye. No worries, once it's cinched down, it will hold and can still be used. This is a great technique for boats as well where you have access to the back of a panel, because you can use the pad eye or a zip tie with the bolt eye on it to attach wiring to to keep it from laying around and getting chafed or cut by movement.

To be honest, it has been awhile since I used those because I use the YakAttack Screwball paired with the YakAttack GearTrac accessory tracks. Let's me slide the mounts on and off and secure them with a simple twist. The best method I used was taking the base in with me and checking the diameters of the bolts firsthand. Sorry i don't remember offhand but I'll look tomorrow and see if I still have the plastic pack with the sizing info for you.

I gotcha - the main reason they do not provide any mounting hardware is that the install depth varies from application to application. I got mine from HD or Lowes and used S/S cap screws (allen heads) with backing washers and nylon locking nuts. I used cap screws, because I figured not many people would be carrying around an allen head in their pockets to steal the mounts. A phillips head screw driver is way too common. I also tipped each bolt and the backside of the washer and the nut where they would contact the hull with LEXEL to ensure a watertight seal.

According to RAM's product info page on the 107-U, your package should have come with three items, the Humminbird base with integrated 1" RAM ball, the RAM double socket arm and a 1" RAM ball base. If you have anything less than those three pieces, then your retail package was missing the requisite pieces per RAM's package description. You can print and take the product description from their page to the retailer and exchange it for the right package. http://www.rammount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045066045049048055085/Default.aspx Hope that helps!

Appreciate it - yeah it does take a lot of time, but fishing and volunteering with Heroes On the Water are my priorities outside of family, coaching my son's baseball team and work. Although I have to admit, and the setter owner can chime in on this one as well, when you have a dog that has that "it" factor where they just get it, its natural for them. It makes the training relatively easy. Let's hope that others will share their lovely four-legged family members and keep this thread going!!!

Depending upon which package you purchased. Most mounts from RAM can be purchased either by themselves or in a retail package with the base. I have purchased both types. The mounts themselves alone typically run in the $18-30 range but the packs with the bases typically run in the $39-49 range. What is the part number/model RAM mount you purchased?

I most likely misread his original post, but I agree with you on the different types, but the beauty of the Welsh Springer Spaniel is that there is no distinction between field or conformation. The same breed standard applies around the world for our breed. As for your comments on hunt tests, I am well versed on those. I have marshalled, been a steward and am certified as a bird planter. In addition, the dog you see in the photos is my own and he is not only a WDX (working Dog Excellent), JH (Junior Hunter), and has two legs towards his Senior Hunter, but he is also an obedience champion, a Versatility Champion, a confirmation Champion, a Grand Champion, as well as an International, and National Champion and has won several Sporting Groups, Best In Shows and Reserve Best in Shows. I am well aware that many breeds like setters, pointers and even some of the spaniels (namely English Springer, English and American Cockers) have differences between breed standards for their field or trial dogs and their confirmation dogs.

Welcome aboard.

Here's a few of my toys.....thanks HawgTech!!!

If you do, drop me a PM. I have a specific question to ask you offline.

I almost forgot that I also have the Ghost Chartreuse Shad and the Blue Herring colors as well. Awesome baits - was able to snag mine at the local Gander Mountain when they were closing down. 70% off!!!

If you're interested in them, contact Frank Bandy of Tar River Paddle Sports in NC. He is a good friend of mine. I have fished and volunteered with him for Heroes On the Water, as well as worked some of the same Expos here in VA. He can give you some insight on them. You can get more info here: http://tarriverpaddlesports.com/About_Us.html Another friend of mine here in VA was added to their Pro Staff, so I can put you in touch with him as well if you need more info. Good luck.

Welcome aboard!

Gotcha - sporting dogs are just fun to watch in their element. Some of your traditionalists that breed pointers and setters only allow them to point or set the game. Most of them have a retriever of some sort to actually go and get any downed birds or rely upon themselves to get the downed bird. The cool thing about spaniels is that they are bred for upland game as well, but they are bred to quarter, find, flush, mark, and retrieve the birds on both land and water. When they quarter, they have an instinct that keeps them close, typically 30 yards away at most when they quarter from side to side. Basically a one stop shop dog when it comes to hunting. I love to watch mine work..... Check out the focus (prey drive) in his eyes...... Success.... And in water as well.... And the rewards....

Yes sir!! My good buddy Marty Mood won it just a couple months ago when it was in Texas. I wish I had the time to travel to some of the qualifiers down south but no can do foe me this year.

Great deal if they still have it in stock. You should make sure of which model it is though. Might be the last of the lefthanded models or standard spool versus hi-capacity spool. Still a great deal though.

Remember that these guys are also responsible for testing prototype rods for their sponsors, so the rods that Brandon and Ike were using may be new prototype rods not released yet. If that's not the case, the rod that Ike had looked curiously like the red and black Team Daiwa rods sold at BPS. As for me, it doesn't really matter what combos they are using? Shouldn't we be focused more on the techniques and the specific structure and approach utilized? I for one noticed that the majority of the televised coverage focused on the people using Rogues, but realistically what we should take away from this is that any jerkbait worked properly and at the right depth could produce. I remember seeing at least four different brands in use.

Based on your price range alone, you have somewhat limited yourself on your total cost outlay. If possible, try and get a 2012 demo of something like a Ride 115, Commander 120, Ocean Kayak Tetra 12, Jackson Cuda 12, etc. You should be able to find something in the $550-650 price range if you are patient. Then you could add a Stohlquist Fisherman PFD for around $80-100 and a carbon shaft Aqua Bound for around $130. If you want to save some money, you could opt for the West Marine Pompano 120 (pre-2008 WIlderness Tapron 120 mold). They retail for around $450 new (frequently goes on sale for $379-399), and you can ship it to the store at no cost. Then you could upgrade the seat for around $75-100. Lots of choices, but you need seat time and patience before rushing into a decision.