Hanover_Yakker

Managed to get on the water for a change last week for a bit. I loaded up with Medium gear rigged for smallmouth and spent the day on the James River. While the big brown footballs escaped me, I managed four species on the day: 2 little smallmouth, 1 largemouth, 2 gar (lost one over 40" right at the side of the kayak but boated a 22" - first one ever), and landed my personal best channel cat at 29 1/4".....3/4" shy of a VA freshwater release citation. All in all, a great day on the water. Here's the beastly cat.

Already one in progress......... http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/25485-show-your-ride/

I've caught them on Blakemore RoadRunners in high visibility colors down my way. Just a thought.

Congrats!

Welcome aboard!

I'd go with the Perception Pescador 12 (a pre-2008 Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 hull). It is one of the most versatile hulls out there. Several friends of mine use theirs both on the river and in big water. It is easy to paddle ( ihad one for a bit myself), plenty of space for a milk crate and a couple rod holders and you can find them fairly cheap. Look on craigslist in and around your area. Often times, you can find one for sale with a paddle and other things.

Mine is on order already - can't wait to install it on my Hobie Pro Angler! I've seen it up close and in action - pure awesomeness! Silent and lightweight.

I used the Zoom Horny Toad hooks all the time when I first started using Ribbits and never had an issue with hookups. I tried the double take hooks fut found them to be too large for the standard Ribbits. I think they were designed primarily for the Bull Ribbits. Either way, I tried them and didn't like them. They ended up causing too many legs getting ripped off, because the hooks penetrate at the legs and not in the main body. I switched back to the traditional EWG hook with a keeper pin.

I use hand poured keel weighted hooks with keeper pins on mine - no snags at all! Oh yeah, and I rig them with a 5" or 7" PowerTeam Lures Finicky Tickler or 5" Sick Stick

I hear you on the back issues. Been seeing a chiropractor for over 12 years now. I have no issues what so ever loading my PA14 on top of my van. The height to the rack from the ground is a shade over 6', and the dry weight of the PA14 is 118lbs. They key is to use leverage and physics to your advantage. I realize not everyone can shell out the funds for the Hobie Pro Angler models, but the key point here is that if you have limited funds, there is a kayak model that you can find within your budget, and there are racks and methods to transport your new kayak if you look around hard enough.

I have several friends that have the Cuda 14 and they love it. Look up Fish Tales by Drew.

You might also look into KC Kayaks, Diablo Paddlesports, possibly a couple of the newer Jackson molds like the Big Rig, Big Tuna and Cuda 14, then the Hobie Pro Anglers.

The Wilderness Systems Commander 120 and 140 are candidates to consider.

I use them a lot, but I prefer to use the Tactical Anglers Power Clips in the 50lbs rating. No snags from vegetation as you retrive your lure. I think Eagle Claw also makes a version similar. http://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Anglers-Power-Clips-50lbs/dp/B00CFTOB22

Welcome aboard - you should take a moment and look up the Alabama Kayak Anglers - the Tadlocks are good people and fish Guntersville a lot!

The plastic armada grows yet again! Welcome - I started in a Ride 135 myself. That will be a nice fishing platform for you!

Welcome - the VA representation just got a little bigger!

PowerTeam Lures Swinging Hammer paired with a Siebert Outdoors swim jig - just nip the first 3/4" of the head off the bait. Sick tail thumpin' action!

PowerTeam Lures Conviction Craw PowerTeam Lures Texas Rig Jig PowerTeam Lures Sick Stick

If you want to top it, you can do it! I load my Pro Angler 14 on top of a minivan. It can be done!

I can tell you from looking at the standard Google maps (non satellite) that if you scroll in to the 500 ft. range per the scale, you can see where the current property lines are drawn. Once you see where the lines are, then switch to satellite view and look for a house or residence of some form. Just because a person lives in a trailer does not provide you any right to assume they are not the property owner. A good friend of mine had a trailer for almost his entire life, and just rcently replaced it with a rancher and paid CASH in full to build it. Looks can be deceiving, so you may want to roll on over to the Hanover Courthouse and go visit the Public Records office to see if anyone pays property tax on the area you are speaking of. Better to be safe than sorry. Never know, the next time the guy could come out armed and put a couple shots at you. If the property has No Trespassing signs on it, you're up a creek.

The difference here is that the weight is fixed with a traditional knot but the advantages are: 1. You can vary the height of the drop shot hook without having to retie. 2. The hook has a free movement on the line and can add to the action of the lure.