Scott F

One thing that stands out to me about the replies on this thread. IF, someone had given the advice that we now find valuable, way back when, would we have been wise enough to listen and done as we were told? I'm sure we all got good advice from our parents when we were young. How many of us ignored that wisdom and went out and did something stupid anyway?

No need to ask. I could show you a dent in the tail gate of my truck that would tell you, I already knew that.

I've been fishing the same lake on average 1 week a year for over 25 years. I wasted a lot of time in the first 20 years fishing patterns that were successful on another lake. I did catch fish but it wasn't until I found some mid lake, underwater islands that I really started catching. The lake I fish is pretty big but doesn't get much pressure. Even now, I never see anyone fishing any of the spots I do, when I'm there. If someone had told me about this pattern a long time ago, it would have made a huge impact. Now if I could only find someone to tell me where find them when i go back in the fall.......

I was talking to a Jackson kayak rep who was showing me a pedal adaptor for a kayak. I saw how easily I could adapt the device for mounting on my personal pontoon. Then I asked the price....$995! For that price, I could get a very nice electric motor that I wouldn't have to pedal! That H2 Pro-Ped shown above was what, $775 plus $100 for shipping. Way too rich for me.

There was concern that felt waders were spreading didymo otherwise known as "rock snot". But that was shown to be wrong so felt soled boots are not as bad as they were thought to be for a while.

I can't stand poison ivy, and poison oak in the woods I cut through to get in and out of the river. We also have a lot of geese and cows that leave E. coli and there can be other nasty bacteria that live in the waters I have to wade in, so I wear waders. Breathable waders that fit properly are pretty light and comfortable. Good boots support your ankles. That's important when walking around on rocky bottoms.

Did you weigh it or did you measure it?

Baits are not your problem. Deeper water in rivers seldom holds active fish. I'm not sure what you mean by "behind rapids" Does that mean you are fishing above (upstream) or below (downstream) of the rapids? Rapids are great areas to fish while the water is still warm. Cover the water in the fast water of the rapids, and just downstream of the fastest water. Rocks on the bottom provide shelter from the current so let your bait drift right over their head. During sunny days, fish the shaded areas along the shoreline. Work plastics right next to, just downstream of downed trees. Are you fishing from the kayak? Do you stop and fish or continuously float? When fishing current, Throw the bait upstream and let it drift back down through current breaks or through the rapids. Pull the kayak up to shore, stop and make a lot of casts through good looking areas. Right now and for the next several weeks are primetime on rivers. Keep fishing, keep your bait close to cover. River fish can hold tight to rocks, trees, and bridge pilings. River fish don't seem real picky when you put the bait in front of them. Everything you've been using will work. Keep trying, you'll start catching.

Why the aversion to putting holes in the boat?

Be aware that with 12lb test mono, let out 100 feet, an average trolling distance, and line stretch will make feeling hits difficult. You will feel more of the hits with heavier line, and less with lighter lines. Thicker lines will reduce the running depth of the lure. Thinner braid will let your lures run deeper and would allow you to feel all the hits.

I've got one of the Anti-Backlash reels that I bought several years ago for my wife before a fly-in trip to Canada. It works just fine, as long as you keep your thumb OFF the spool. The only problems I had using it was when I forgot and tried to thumb the spool, that caused a backlash. Shakespeare now uses the same system that Abu Garcia used to use.

I also have a Terrova and like it for the same reasons you do. #1 is the low profile foot pedal. I also just use the buttons on the front for turning and on/off. I like keeping my foot on the floor so I just use the toe of my shoe to operate it. I like being able to use the remote like when I am netting a fish for my partner and can steer us away from the shore from anywhere in the boat. I don't fish areas where having super fast turning is needed. iPilot and spot lock alone were worth the upgrade from my previous electric steer model.

Unless you only wade in very cold water and never in the summer, don't get neoprene. Like J Francho said, breathables are the way to go. Layer underneath as needed to stay comfortable. Just get them a size larger than you think you need. That allows room for extra clothes, plus, it gives you room to move without putting stress on the seams.

You looking to buy it new? I've never been in one, but from the looks, I would not be comfortable standing up and casting in it. For what they selling for, you could get a much nicer, better equipped used boat with motor and trailer that you could stand up in.

A friend of mine tied this dragonfly.

I would put "long lasting" down the list of my priorities for my first boat. You are pretty young. In just a few years, you'll have a job and making money. You will outgrow this boat long before the boat is worn out. You should be able to find a used boat with a trailer that will fill your needs today and keep you fishing for several years. Take care of it, and you'll get most of your money back out of it when you are ready to upgrade.

Mayberry. Not everybody in Milwaukee is nice. It's in the top 30 for most dangerous cities in in the US.

Short, 12 to 14 foot inexpensive V hull, round bottom, boats are not stable. Jon boats are much better suited if you want to stand and fish. Get the biggest boat you can afford. The longest lasting boat is going to be one that is new now, and well taken care of during it's entire life. A trailer is a good investment. Being able to leave the motor, battery, rods, net, and the rest of your gear in the boat while you trailer it to and from your lake is soooo much better than having to unload, drag the boat to the truck, lift it up, strap it down, and load the gear back into the truck. Don't make your grandfather help you unload all your gear and put the boat on top of the car every time you go fish.

How deep are the rock piles? How big are they? Sometimes, the fish are on top of the rocks, sometimes, they are on the edges, they might be suspended, off the edges, they might be at the base of the rocks. On the rocks reefs I fish, I usually find them in the same spots, the spot on the spot, and usually on the shaded side of the drop off. During the warm water period, the deeper rock piles are better during the day, and the shallow piles or the tops of the rocks work better during low light times of the day.

As my grandfather used to say, "There are a lot more horses-***** than there are horses".

There are so many northerners in Florida, you don't hear many y'alls there either!

Fish whenever you can. Stay off the water when thunder and lightning are present. Fronts can effect fishing in a negative way, but sometimes they bite when they shouldn't and sometimes, they don't bite when they should. I went musky fishing early this week. It was a beautiful, cool, clear day to be outside. But, for muskies, it was a day when they normally don't bite. We gave it a shot anyway and got 4. (none were very big). The point is, some days will be better than others. Go when you have the chance and have fun. Also, forget moon phases on freshwater fish. If you fish at night, full moons help you see better, new moons it's darker out. The rest is pretty much just astrology.

There is a problem with the power switch, the live well switch, and /or the wiring. The only way to tell is to get a meter and dig in to your wiring. Trace from the plug on the pump back to the battery until you find the issue.

That should do well. I have some friends who've been fishing the Kish several times in the last few days. The mouthes of tributaries have been doing very well. Don't forget the top water baits!

Assuming the ground will hold the water, and you have enough water, a small aerator pump will provide enough oxygen for a pond your size.