VolFan

If the foam is bad then it’s probably not worth it. Use it to hold the motor and get it checked and then go from there.

That’s a young fox probably

I fish both from BFS weights up to larger (6oz) swim baits and even catfish. The equipment is there to do whatever you want to do in any remotely normal bass world with either. Your skill level with either, and how much you want to spend on it, is up to you.

MH, MF. You should be fine. If you’re tearing trebles out on that, switch to mono or hybrid, or stop pulling so darn hard. Don’t think, just throw.

With no other vibration or visible damage and the rpms, I’d still check the prop again. Boats don’t just suddenly lose speed from a bump without additional vibration or noise.

Where did the log hit? Did you check for a spun hub on the prop?

Acetone (or nail polish remover) takes it right off, but it’ll strip your wax too.

Most importantly- get a good pfd and wear it. I had a Dagger Delta, which was similarly built to yours, as my first fishing kayak - it had a little smaller cockpit and was a single seater. You have to understand and appreciate that you will tip that boat at some point and set it up accordingly. Take few things and the ones you like, tether or in a floating bag. First - they are easy to clean; a hose and a scrub brush and a little Dawn should get everything off that should come off. I would guess that boat weighs 45 lbs tops once it’s cleaned up. I would take out one seat and make sure you have the foot pegs if there are any. They help you brace and steer in a sit-in. Take it out with one rod and a couple of moving lures, just to get a feel of paddling, orientation of gear, and casting. Do not try to catch fish on your first outing. Don’t do anything stupid on your first outing, just get used to the boat. After a few outings, then decide if and how you want to set your crate. I used to put my stuff up under the front deck - easier to get to and I could wedge it so that when I tipped, it stayed with the boat. You will not be able to do some of the things that the big sit on top plastic one man bass boat yaks do, but free is free and that boat is perfectly functional within its functions.

Get a lighter wire version of the same - sized hook, or use some mend-it on where you push the hook through the bait to t-rig it. Either use rubber core sinkers on the shank or a drop shot/teardrop weight on the shank and position it with an old piece of a plastic or a bobber stop, kind of like a jika rig but on the shank. (You can also jika rig it)

Is it hooked or did you just lasso is?

I was going to put ‘small children’ but thought that’d be too dark… Takeaway is big fish feed big on small mammals that get washed in through erosion, stupidity, or storm drains. And it…is…AWESOME

Finding active, sizable bass is 98% of it. Once you find them, location and season should give you a good idea of what lure to use. Something that looks like a minnow or crawdad, and fished like one or the other, is usually a pretty safe bet.

Heavy rain sparks one of my favorite big fish patterns- rats in current. Let the rain do it’s thing and then as soon as you can after, fish the heavy inflow streams with rats or big (BIG) shallow cranks. The more noise the better. Squeaky joint? The greatest. You want to imitate rats/mice/voles/woodchucks/calves/kittens etc that are washed in by the rapid rise in water. Urban area? Be still my beating heart. Is it just after dark or just before daylight? I’m going to need a moment…. Cast up into the current and work it aggressively back to you, even swimming it on/near/just under the surface. This is not a time for subtlety- it is a time to put the power in power fishing. I will warn you, especially on the the Potomac around DC - this is a mixed-bag, big (BIG) fish technique that will ruin you when it’s good. Shameless plug - I like Baby Possums for this, with the joint just tuned off so that it squeaks like a baby squirrel that my lab caught

For me when I started fishing from a kayak (96 or 97), it was simplicity, availability, and cost, in that order. No viable place to store a boat in college, but I could carry a kayak through my apartment and prop it on the balcony. I had a Dagger Delta sit-in that I could stand in, barely, but really never did because I liked paddling more than standing. Fast forward through a canoe and a couple Nucanoes, a marriage and a family, and now I have a small, simple aluminum boat. Doesn’t take up much space, simple to launch and operate, and I can take my wife and son along if they want to or handle it myself if they don’t. It’s about balance, low stress, and enjoyable time on the water for me. Kayaks are a great tool for many people that don’t need/want/can’t store/can’t afford a larger boat. Or just really like some solitude. My boat wasn’t appreciably more than my last two yaks fwiw.

Only if I can get past the gated entrance, through the receptionist, and up to the penthouse then MAYBE I’ll ask your executive assistant if they can call you on the course!

Is it spooled with braid, and Is it just braid spinning on the spool?

If your seat sits a little higher, yes. You can pitch some too, it’s just going to be a shorter proposition, more sidearm sling than vertical pendulum. Who cares what you call it if you get it to work?

3 rods max, one crate, and a small cooler. I’ve been much happier in the yak since I went to this load out. I don’t fish tournaments, so ymmv

Now don’t you try to bring your pragmatic logic in here at this point…dang Volunteers…

With the size of your yak I think trying to car top it is a short term, high frustration deal. I see a cart and a pickup (and maybe a bed extended) in your future.

Did you move to Charlotte yet?

Is it winter?!??

I was referencing the poem!

Singing in the Rain Sound of Music Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Mary Poppins 9 to 5 Sing Pitch Perfect Pitch Perfect 2 Pitch Perfect 3 fixed it for ya!

For me, wacky is more of a vertical/slower presentation where I’m target fishing. T-rigged covers more water and comes through cover better. Not absolutes, just how it goes for me. I tend to t-rig 95% of the time.