How Do You Prepare

[BocaGrande]

I always find myself debating on fishing or not, mainly because the work thats involved in getting ready. I usually get home from work around 3pm, and find that some days are just right to hit the water. I haven't had much luck from the banks lately and really want to get on my kayak. But what happens is, I get home and start thinking about throwing the kayak up on my car, strapping it down, pack up the fishin buddy, choose what rods to bring, how much tackle to bring etc.. and it turns me off.. so I stay home.

How do you guys prepare for an "on the fly" trip? The lake I'd like to go to is about 5 miles from my house, so not too far. What do you guys do?

[BocaGrande]

Sometimes it's just a hassle

[scaleface]

I go fishing . Doesnt take me long to get everything together .

[Ratherbfishing]

Your situation sounds ideal to me.  When it's hot and humid like it's been, almost NOTHING can talk me into going out but otherwise, it's not a tough decision.  The best way to go "on the fly" is to always be somewhat prepared.  That means, for me, having a "special" box with a cross-section of baits I might want to use and having 2 or three rods/reels prepped and ready to go.  As far as loading/strapping down a kayak goes, find the easiest system possible for carrying it.  If it's a pain, it's gonna be easier to look for excuses not to go.  The more work that is done in advance will make the the day of the trip that much less painful.

[the reel ess]

I have a Chevy 1500 pickup so it's pretty easy. Straps are in the truck. If I think I might go, I'll leave all my tackle on the back porch and strap the kayak in the bed of the truck the night before. I even have a cable and lock if I feel it's needed, but usually not. I don't carry a fish finder or any other electronics. I always keep the rods I think I'll need rigged up for what I think they'll bite. I have a crate that holds 4 and the kayak holds one. I'm usually going to a reservoir 2 miles away. Then I throw a few bags of plastics behind the seat and paddle away. I can go from unprepared to on the water in 30 min.

 

I have a real boat that's too big of a hassle unless I'm going to a big lake. I have to crank it in the yard with the water hose attached every so often to ensure it still runs.

[Ski213]

I keep a certain amount of stuff literally at the back door. If I want to go its ready to roll. If I'm gonna take the boat out there's a couple bags with all the tackle I would typically carry for a tournament and more rods. Those bags are also always ready to go. I know exactly what you're talking about and that's why I get that stuff ready to go out again as I bring it in from the last trip.

[Ersteman]

My Kayak trips are planned and I put the kayak on the car the prior night.

I also get my rods and tackle ready the night before, so the day I'm fishing, I don't waste time.

 

I tried a few 'on the fly' kayak trips but ended up forgetting items(pliers or drinks) and it ticked me off.

I'm a planner by nature though, so planning works for me.

 

Even if I don't know when the next kayak trip is, I still take a day to get some things ready just in case, b/c I like to be ready.

[Choporoz]

I always find myself debating on fishing or not, mainly because the work thats involved in getting ready. I usually get home from work around 3pm, and find that some days are just right to hit the water. I haven't had much luck from the banks lately and really want to get on my kayak. But what happens is, I get home and start thinking about throwing the kayak up on my car, strapping it down, pack up the fishin buddy, choose what rods to bring, how much tackle to bring etc.. and it turns me off.. so I stay home.

Huh....???    I do not understand.

Maybe try golf? 

 

 

I don't start getting ready when I get home for work.  I'm now prepping a river smallie bag for a float trip on Saturday.   My kayak bag and crate are always ready --- first thing I do when I return is get it ready for next trip.  I may need to modify slightly depending on where I head to, but it takes just a minute. 

In March I put trolling motors, batteries, tackle boxes, rods, paddle, crate, anchors, rain gear, net, etc in the car.   Its all in there now and will be until Thanksgiving.  If I know that the wife will be busy after work, I put the kayak on the car before going to work and toss a pair of shorts and sandals in the car.   If it seems hard, then maybe....idk....what was the question again?

[BassinLou]

My sling pack is always ready for situations like those. I have a designated outfit for bank fishing so i just grab that. Bass fishing does not have to be so cerebral. I know guys that freeze in their tracks trying to figure out what to take and throw. Geesh... just go fishing!!

[Catt]

I stay cocked, locked, & ready to rock!

[NotnatsSamoht]

I pack and rig everything the night before while I'm excited about going, then it's all ready for when I got time. I also have 2 tackle bags and 2 tackle boxes all set up for different things so I can grab it and go easier.

[senile1]

If I had a lake only 5 miles from my house, there would be no excuses.  I would be out there.  Get your rods and gear prepared, stay prepared, and it shouldn't be too much trouble.   

[gardnerjigman]

I have a "quick" trip bag that I have loaded at all times. (it's actually the B.A.S.S bag). I usually only take 2-3 rods and base that on what water I'm fishing. Most of the time it's a bladed jig rod, t-rig rod, and top water rod. Other times I replace the top water rod with a shaky head rod. Those things will pretty much always get bit. 

 

Don't stress out over it too much. It's supposed to be a fun, enjoyable event. Keep it simple and go catch some fish.

[Paul Roberts]

Ah! I know this problem all too well. You are going to have to decide how deep you need to go to be satisfied. Oftentimes a bag of worms with hooks and weights in there, and a topwater or two, is a recipe for bliss.

 

Me, I bought my way out of it , by being redundant. I try for as little switching stuff from one bag or box to another as I can. I keep a boat bag, and a shore pack, each redundant with the other. For my fly-fishing I keep a full-sized and fully stocked vest, and a hike-in satchel. No pulling stuff from one to put in the other. That’s asking to forget something.

 

In each I’ve put together a number of “rigging boxes” for terminal tackle, and “technique boxes” for lures set up and labeled for GoTo techniques. I keep them ready to fly by re-stocking after each trip, if needed. Yep, there is maintenance involved -better done after a trip than trying to pick up the pieces before a trip. I then keep “seasonal boxes” that are more apt to be adjusted, fiddled with, prior to a trip.

 

It helps to know where I’m headed and how that water changes through the seasons. I know I’ve been outdoors too little when I arrive with spring gear (light) and see that summer (heavy) has already descended. If it's new water, I make educated guesses and make it a recon trip. If it's worth re-visiting, I'll be better prepared next time.

[powerduster]

Whata bout bank fishing? Go there and fish and if you're bored after 30 minutes, then go back home.

[NathanW]

My biggest motivating factor when I am feeling like that is how much I regret it when I don't go. I tell myself "If I don't do this I am going to regret it all week"

[brown12687]

My tackle bag and at least two rods are in my truck at all times.  

[papajoe222]

Evidently, you like to fish, but aren't passionet about it. Nate's suggestion is the perfect answer. What I always do is look at what may need my attention and decide which is more important to me. Unless it's family related, fishing ends up getting it.

[Senko lover]

Get my bag, get my water battle and snack, and bike about 1 1/2 minutes to the pond. KISS for the win!!

[buzzed bait]

i do a lot of prep work to make sure i'm pretty much always ready to roll at a moment's notice

[bassguytom]

I also have an escape tackle bag always ready to go. I grab 2 rods my bag and roll. If I want to get on the water quick I throw the yak in the back of my 1999 F-150 I picked up 4 years ago just for driving to and from the lake with my yak. It has served me well for many other things also. If I want to go fishing I'm going. Sometimes I will put my vest and old sneakers on and head to the creek to wade some creek smallies. I guess what I'm saying here fella's is "my name is Tom and I am a FishAholic". Wow it felt really good to say that out loud. Anyway thanks for letting me share.

[bigbill]

When I gotta go, I gots to go fishing. I'm worse than a beagles chasing a rabbit.

I fish from shore with 5 tackle boxes and 5 rod setups. But sometimes it's like moving or packing the car for vacation.

Now I have a quick fish tackle box. Just a few of everything. I grab my topwater and crankbaits setup and I'm gone. A fast short evening trip.

On the motorcycle I had a few lures with a telescopic rod under the seat. Cruising the back country roads looking for new places to wet a line.

[Fried Lemons]

I keep my equipment in my car most of the time. I get off of work at 4 and go fishing directly after that so the preparation is mostly done the night before. I fish from the bank so for convenience I only ever take one rod out of my trunk. I decide based on the location and which techniques I anticipate using.

[stk44]

Get everything ready to fish at the end of each fishing trip. Then all you have to do is pack and leave. If you have to figure out which baits to bring, outfit your rods, etc, you waste a lot of fishing time and you will feel rushed instead of relaxed.

[BassThumb]

Coffee, and preparing the stuff a day prior.