Darth-Baiter

I was dead set on the Raymarine Dragonfly 5Pro. Compact was the key. I also love the single plug in the back since it will need to come off and on every time I head out. I do not want a big giant unit. I currently run the ubiquitous Garmin Striker 4. It’s okay and gets it done. But more detail would be beneficial. I love casting to structure. looks like the Dragonfly series is being fazed out! I think I can still find new-old stock at this point. Not sure if the dragonfly counts down battery voltage which is another feature I love. Anyone know? anyone running a dragonfly gonna tell me it will be worth the search?

Got it. I had a big Kastmaster in my garage I wish I he’d packed along.

Weather was perfect for humans. No wind, sunny. 65 deg. I was on a kayak. ‘’water was 58 deg. The bait balls were giant. One point some kayaker yelled at me, “come fish this bait ball!” I responded with, “I’m over it as well”. I bet we were 60 yards apart. He was killing w his umbrella rig. I was picking off the occasional one with a strategic drop shot. Deep 30 feet. Fellow kayakers were all friendly and helpful. we ended up with small mouths and my friends got two spots. Not a lot of catches, but we didn’t get skunked. I got a decent one in my first cast. Pretty exciting nevertheless.

I went Saturday. I invited a guy I met at another lake. We had fun, it’s nice to have someone to hoist up a bass at. I also met up a few kayakers I chatted with at Clearlake , months before. The bait ball spanned a necked down section of the lake. We caught a few, but the more experienced guys did really well with the umbrella rigs. I don’t own one. me, I used one thing - the Drop shot. Deep. 20-30 feet. bite was slow, but I blame it on jinxing myself by catching one in the first cast. I never knew the challenge of cold water bass (moderately cold at 58 deg) I’m gonna fish thru the winter I think. I NEED a kayak dry-suit. STAT!

Gotcha. I’m not that sensitive or experienced to judge a rod. I shop according to weight and nimbleness- if that makes any sense.

Not sure what’s you are reading out of my post. I just like the rod. My spinning setup allows me to skip, since I can’t skip with a baitcast reel.

This. I love mine. It’s the only rod that I plan on buying a second one. I toss weightless SENKOs more and more with a spinning setup but my 703 is great in my Kayak. It’s a fun fun rod.

Haha. Love it. Reminds me of prom night

The 7’ med heavy is sold out at TW, so they must sell more than a few.

Today. Lake Berryessa in Napa CA. Drive thru miles of sobering burn areas to find a gem of a lake. My first visit. My first smallies. I thought I had hooked into giants the way they pulled line and spun my kayak around. Nope, just strong. Really cool. My first cast of the day!

You catch one of the Guadalupe bass yet? ( I hope I got the name right)

Sweet. Somebody needs to add “dead-stick” to the list

You all open up the hatches? Me, I put a small fan blowing inside my kayak in between trips. I do not want stanky mold. I get to fish year round tho. Well, once I buy some immersion gear$$

Haha. Truth. my first best day I forgot my camera and my landing net. I lost a whopper right at the kayak.

Technically that banana isn’t yellow ?

Why couldn’t they say “slow-cranking” the chatter bait. ? ’thanks. Everyone. and yes, I had to google “dead stick”.

Fishing lingo will be the death of me what does slow rolling mean? Just dragging it slow, just fast enough to get it to chatter?

I just recently changed. I RARELY fished. I hunted plenty. Bow hunting mostly. Big game. I think I like the associated camping. I LOVE sitting around a campfire- poking at it with a stick. Love it. COVID started me fishing again. I love the frequency. I can simply load up my kayak and go fishing. Twice a week is common. And I’m home again that same day. That’s nice. nis if I can kayak fish, and poke at a campfire? My head may explode. I sat out this hunt season because of the virus. I’ll pick up my bow again for spring turkey.

I try. It’s staggering. It’s intimidating. Everything looks “bassy”. I have a yellow pad at work where I jot down potential spots. I fish the delta on a buds bass boat frequently, but he has his usual haunts. I don’t really get a say. But we do well. Hard to argue. but a kayak is different. You’re are pretty much committed once you launch. It’s slow, it takes effort. I’d rather launch relatively close to my fishing spot versus peddle miles and miles. Well, it’s the pedal BACK that usually gets me. At least I have pedals! I’m the worst paddler. any Google earth tips? For a rookie?

I tested it! Blazingly great catches. I leave my charm home and skunk- city. haha. Do you have a lucky hat or something? just a fun thread - I don’t sacrifice a chicken or anything.

Master the bait. He the master-baiter.

Where in California? So vague. in NorCal, I feel like i’m just getting started. I just rigged up a few rod/reel setups to try to find a few dumb cooperative bass tomorrow. I head out in my kayak. it’s odd. I’m new as well. I’ve been casting and trying a lot of baits and tactics. When you get a hit it’s so eye opening! Right there you’ve learned something! BAM! I watch YouTube, I read, I use google earth. Those bass are NOT going to catch themselves. just start. Dont get all hung up on one tactic. Top water. It will happen. Maybe not so much in the fall or winter.

While my fishing is nearby; it isn’t that nearby. I’m on the road at 4am in the summer. I wake up at five every days as well.

I sleep with a wrist sling now. It’s helping!