7/10/2009 - Attack of the Killer Toads!!!!

[J Francho]

Got out for a day of yak fishing with my friend Roger to fish some water that I haven't fished in years.  Its really like a giant pond, the deepest I noticed being around 9 feet.

The day was not without its usual mishaps.  We were all ready to shove off, and I realized I forgot one important thing:  my paddle!  You'd think with all the freaking water around, some little bait shop would have a paddle.  Nope.  I had to run all the way home to get my paddle.

I left Roger to start fishing, and made the 30 mile run home, stopping at various bait and tackle shops looking for anything.  By the time I got back, he already had four fish.  He was running light, with just a casting rod and a light spinning rod.  I split off to explore a deeper weedline that looked great, but pitching worms drew a blank, so went back to join him in the swamp.  He threw a toad, while I was throwing my go to slop bait of late, the black frog.

I did get a few blowups, but nowhere near the attention his toad was getting.  When in Rome....  I had just finished saying that I really don't like the plastic toad baits, and the ones in my box have been around for two years.  And then I finally get bit.  I lost him.  Wimpy hookset, LOL.  Don't know why I'd wimp out on it, but I did.

I finally started crossing their eyes, and catching fish on the toad.  I guess I'm a convert, and will grab a few more of these to get a feel for which brands suit me.  As we worked around the lake, We changed up for some laydowns, and I got fish to one of my strengths.  While I worked the submerged wood with a jig, Roger worked the overhangs, skipping soft plastic into the willows.  

I was on a perfect laydown, and just refused to believe there were no fish.  About 20 casts later, and I heaved a dink over the branches, and I was satisfied I caught EVERY fish there, LOL.  Needless to say, the wood pattern was weak today.

Meanwhile Roger had like four more fish from the willows, so I had to get in on it.  Another dink for me.

There were some other memorable moments....Roger had a cast go off target, through several willow limb, before his bait hit the water.  Immediately, his line began to take off to left, so he sets the hook.  I will have the image of him trying to swing a bass through several willow branches, his light spinning gear arched at the handle, and a bass sploshing around under a tree.  A good bass at that!  He "caught" bass by going over to it, and releasing it, and then getting his line out of the tree.

Before that, I took a little time to run a lipless crank through a deeper portion, and suddenly had one on.  It felt like a dink, so I just started cranking him ion quickly, when I felt another "galump" and the weight got heavier.  When I got the fish in, there were two!  One on each of the trebles.  Crazy!

The day went on with Roger getting more fish on the toad, and the same for me.  I lost count of the fish, but numbers were good, though the size was OK.  No matter, it was fun as hell and success on new water is a good thing.  Success on a bait you don't generally use is also a good thing.

I also forgot my camera, but I think Roger may have a cell phone pic of one of his fish.  Maybe I can post a copy later, though its no monster.

And oh BTW, Roger treated to Angry Whoppers on the way home.  Excellent!

[J Francho]

Here is a cell pic of roger with a typical bass of the day, this one 17" and 2.49#:

[Koop]

J -

Your posts make me debate getting a yak so I can get off the shore and since I can't yet afford a boat of my own  .  Suppose it wouldn't be a half bad workout either!

[J Francho]

Its definitely a good option.  My yak cost almost as much as a well outfitted jon boat, but I was looking for a single person fishing machine.  I can carry 12 rods, all my tackle, camping gear, I have a sonar and GPS, anchor system, drift socks, and steerable skeg.  Its not the "simple, bare bones" style of fishing that many yakkers enjoy, but for me, its every bit as good as a boat.  Jusat not as fast.  As far as waters I cann access with this yak, I can get into slop that a bass boat cannot, and I've also been three miles off shore in Lake Ontario, chasing deep water smallies in 3' rollers.

Here's a pic of it "fully loaded"

[Koop]

This may be a viable option for me.  I think I will rent one first and give it a go see how I like it.

[GonzoFishing]

Good post and awesome kayak! I'm hoping to upgrade my tiny yak to something similar to what you got.

[Hammer 4]

Nice yak..it's surprising how much gear you can stow on a good yak..btw, nice fish too..