Darth-Baiter

If you run similar electronics. You still need a regular down image fish finder? or can you toggle back and forth between different views? I know Zero about any of it. Thanks.

Right side. I practiced sliding back in from the left side so I’m very interested in keeping my path free/clear.

Thanks. I’m pretty good at math it was just a question.

Thanks everyone! Lots for me to work on! Great advice.

Tough ti set the hook with a looser drag no?

Today was not great. Windy as heck. Gust up to 30-40 probably. fish were stubborn and dieting or something. Zero bites. I reached for my Finesse baitcaster and rigged up a super light weighted Texas rig. I used the tail section of a trick worm. It was like skinny TRD finesse. I casted it out there. I was quietly marveling at how far that bait flew. Daydreaming almost. TICK!! Huh? Was that a tick? I set the hook thinking hook sets are free. All hell broke loose. My reel drag was way too tight. I somehow got the rod and fish on the other side of my kayak before it sucked my rod tip under my boat for a for sure rod-snappage. There was zero turning that fish. I was reaching to loosen the drag when I felt it come loose. I let loose an, “AARGGHH!” That may still be echoing in that valley. There were too many children on the beach for me to say what I wanted. I looked at the hook and the point was twisted to the side. It was a 1/0 wire finesse hook. Gamagatsu hook. CRESTFALLEN does not describe my mood. It might have been a great fish. (Dare I say PB?) I’ve never felt anything so powerful. I’m sure my light rod/reel magnified the weight. so how exactly do you fight a bigun with such light gear? I’m not a great fish fighter. Do you supplement a looser drag with thumb friction? Teach me please. I’ll probably reserve the setup for the worst fishing days. A hail-Mary setup. it was ugly.

A smaller bass. Maybe my first catch of the day.

My good fishing friend moved to the Midwest. I still fish with another group, but it’s different. I enjoy a partner that explores. Finds new waters, etc. my good friend would go solo and explore, me I do the same. We share notes. And we do really well. It’s fun saying, “I found a new spot!” Or, “let’s go check out this small lake”. As a result I have a decent inventory of lakes. At a giant lake like Clearlake, just finding a new kayak launch that puts you near a new honey hole is solid gold. my remaining group? They like to rely on me. Haha. While I prefer to NOT fish solo, I know if I take someone, they take someone else. We know now more than ever, things spread. I know it’s stupid, but I think fishing info should be traded. I found a new spot yesterday with real promise. Nobody was interested in exploring with me, but now that I hooked a few Mrs. Bigs… people are, “hey, where did you go?” nowhere. I was nowhere.

I’m cool with other country currencies. It’s so fun when I travel. im buying a reel when I go to Japan. I can’t wait to pay in their money. My wife, is gonna be ticked.

Thanks. Never knew they made a 4”.

4 inch or smaller? A finesse lizard. Any good ones?

My Google Earth recon paid off! The lake was amazing and I was the only fisherman. Deep undercut banks on one side. Sloping gentle shoreline on the other side, and the rest is choked in Tule reeds. Submerged grass patches everywhere and I found four great downed trees in the water. bass were finicky. I decided last night to quit worrying about what other people are catching fish on, and to fish my strengths instead. The drop shot was bass kryptonite. Zero interests. I sllllooooooowed dragged a weighted Texas rig late in the day and ended in a flurry. So much fun. Got three great fish and lost a heavy mystery fish. I can’t wait for my GoPro to finish downloading so I can have some decent images. One bass was a hair under 4. But he fought so hard. Right after freight training my bait. Hehe. tomorrow? Err. My wife signed us up for a nature hike where we learn about local edible plants. Trying to stay married, so no bass talk. but Sunday…shhhhhh! pics later friends.

I took the rod to show the shop. He grinned at me and absent-mindedly filled out the paperwork and put it into a rod rack. I went to look for a replacement. Sold out! We just started sharing pics and talking story when I interrupted with, “hey, what is gonna happen to my old rod?” He said 1-2 months a new one will show up with my name in it. I now have to pay $75. No biggie. ‘’in the meantime I bought a carbon copy elsewhere. The price increased $10. Oh well. Fury 703. I just like the thing. I don’t love the colorings but this isn’t a fashion show for me. It really clashes with my reel. I looks like wearing white shoes before Labor Day It’s a great finesse jig rod for me. Or weighted Texas rig tosser.

I was looking at a favorite lake. While panning around I caught a glimpse of a small lake. I zoom in. What? 1. No motorboats 2. Low fishing pressure 3. I found historical info with pics of HAWGS. I called a few old timers and gathered info. They used to stock w trout. No more. The local bait shop has only heard rumblings and rumors. im loaded to go dip my toe into the water tomorrow. I’m not even bringing friends. Mums the word at this point. I called and it’s free to launch my kayak there. The nice lady had no fishing info. I found some old quarry ponds using Google Earth. Lots of bank fishing, but I dragged my kayak and did really well. This was last season. These lakes don’t even have names! I love the Google Earth pre-scout. You?

Awesome.

Wow!!!! That’s rarified air for me! I’ll get there someday. Congrats.

To be clear. With or without the skirt? inthink a 6” lizard will kill. No skirt.

I have a rubber coated G2 Everlast or something. Treble hooks will bury themselves hard. Not awful f fishing is slow. But if your in a hurry to get your bait back in the water. It sucks. My next net will be full rubber.

I’ll see how this plays out. My PB was caught on a tiny worm with spin-gear. It was nerve racking. I see your point. Something to consider for sure.

My wife wakes up at 2am every night. She will burn two hours watching videos that pertain to her work. Nursing. Then doze off until morning. She says it sometimes annoys her that I am dead to the world next to her. for the Record. After a tough arduous fishing day. I slept 9 hours straight last night. I feel so good.

I did it as a teen. My mom bought my brother and i both a Daiwa Magforce reel. (I think that’s what it was called). It was immediately fun. You know why? As a teen I didn’t overthink anything. Just casted. Sure I backlashed a few times I’m sure, but I don’t remember a huge learning curve. Fast forward a few decades, it took more to get reacquainted with them now than it did to learn back then. It’s was in my mind. now, I can cast either hand. back in the day during a white bass feeding frenzy it was frantic cast after cast. Never a backlash. Haha. Quiet time to think and perfect a perfect cast to a tiny submerged bush…briffft. I don't understand! Backlash!

I was slow twitching a tiny swimbait. It took some getting used to casting it. It just feels so light and unsubstantial. But by the end of the day I was getting some good distance. when the fish grabbed the lure. I set the hook. My drag was embarrassingly loose. I’m shocked how loose it was. I got the most flimsy hook penetration ever. I cinched the drag down while I thumbed braked the fish. My initial thought was my drag was broken. Eventually I got the fish kayak side by saying, “don’t come off, don’t come off…..” repeatedly and in a rapid staccato. It was barely hooked. I just reached down and took the lure off without boating the 12” fish. im not sure how a much larger fish will play out. You cinch the drag knob down super tight? A 3lb bass is gonna be a wild ride. Scary almost

As a fisherman sleep is important to me. I fish often. Spring summer, I’m known to have my truck idling out of my hood at 3:30 to catch the purple skies of morning on some distant lake. I load my kayak and back my truck up against my garage door the evening before. Nobody can slide my kayak out to steal it ( I have a shell on my truck bed). Make coffee, load my fishing rods and kiss my wife goodbye. (Funny truth - 100% she will whisper, “the fish aren’t gonna catch themselves “ when I sneak that kiss) I can fall asleep almost anytime. My buddy will yawn and say he went to bed at 11. Me: I fell asleep at 7 pm. Lights out. bowhunting was tougher with the back to back days. Sore muscles and grit makes sleeping more difficult. But I’ll step away from a campfire and sleep before anyone else. my siblings are vampires.

Every place has pros and cons. Thank goodness we can visit. im gonna try ice fishing next year. It looks so interesting. Adventurous almost. and I’m gonna go try and sweat balls fishing Florida. Travel fishing is my new thing as the craziness of the past two years hopefully trickle to a nuisance. What I NEED is a Sprinter van so I can show up with a kayak.

My arms are sore. I think I know how the musky fisherman feels. 8 hours - two bass. I must have taken my kayak 14 miles today. I am beat. the lake is close to home. It’s beautiful. It’s huge. You may catch a glimpse of s wild hog in the surrounding hills. Deer everywhere. Crazy surprise winds. You launch kayak for free, but you pay with sweat. The hike back up to your car at the end of the day is straight up. Maybe 1/3 mile. You speed walk it if you don’t have a friend watching your kayak and gear. I’ve never been burgled, but I do haul booty. At the end of kayak exertion, you’re rewarded with a hill climb to your parked car. If lucky, you can catch a ride on a tailgate up. I’m never lucky. i love that lake. Brown and green bass. It’s where I learned how to jig fish. Afterwards, the drive out thru rolling hills of grapevines give you that, “it’s good to be alive” feeling. I just need the fish to be more predictable. Prespawn is fun.