J Francho

I hear ya. But I wouldn't want to encourage foolish boating. its not like we just dump the things in the water,and go...lots of forethought and communication. There were three of us attacking this particular stretch of shoreline that day. Here's a couple of shots from later that day, after we'd been blown off the lake.

41°. You make a good point, and I have been pretty outspoken about safety in the past, so I'll give you MANDETORY equipment I carry whenever water temps dip below 60°. Wear your PFD, thisi actually state law here from Nov to April. Carry a ditch bag. I wear 5 mil neoprene bib waders. Looking at a semi dry suit from Palm. Anchor Tow line knife Its important to note that my boat was made to stand and fish. Its not a balancing act at all. Ditch bag contains: complete change of clothes towel space blanket cell phone mirror air horn flares and flare gun hand held flare water proof matches extra lighter flint All this fits in a 20L Sealine dry bag, I like the see through ones As far as kayaks in cold water, my particular model is about 1000x more stable than any canoe I've been in, and about 100x more stable than any semi-V boat that I see everywhere this time of year. Basically, I will fish as long as there is open water. I've practiced cold water immersion and reentry in a controlled situation - friend's pond - and feel I'm pretty well prepared for the worst. You definitely need to practice this in cold water to see how it affects you. Your legs become logs, and your arms are weak. Its like trying to get back in with a bag of concrete on your back. Bottom line, if the water is safe, its possible to fish it,as long as you take the proper precautions.

It was in the 60s that day, LOL. I fish all winter.

I had that 30+ carp, and while it moved the boat, it didn't get too far. The Boat is heavier than you think, about 280 lbs including me and my gear. Plus, I can always anchor, as I was in the video. And BTW, in that particular video, the chase boat followed the other kayak in the double hook up. They ended up 8 miles apart, and he had to break off this one because it was getting dark, and unsafe with all the other kayaks around.

Phhht! Chinooks, LMAO. These guys are in the EXACT same model boat I use:

This is what I use: http://chotooutdoorgear.net/shop/product_info.php?cPath=21_27&products_id=33.

I think you can sometimes make a greater impact with a still than video, though seeing the action in motion takes you there. Unless I am in a tournament, I love the slime darts. Here are a couple better pickerel, from Oneida Lake:

It was reported on Sportscenter last night, though they had already planned to discontinue the Tiger Woods Signature brand, or whatever, before the recent events.

Thanks Paul. I figured you'd get a kick out of the alternative fishing vessel. He was fishing too, or so he says, LOL. He had a disappointing day. Meanwhile, we had three northerns over ten after getting blown off the lake. I don't shoot video, I take stills, like this:

Thanks! Here is a quickie from the same day, landing a dinky northern.

I have caught plenty of browns and a few lakers, but no steelhead, until a couple of weeks ago. Enjoy!

We call that a "dusting" of snow up here.

I didn't say not to chart it. What I meant was, it seems like way to much work to wait for winter, drill holes, measure depth, and note GPS coords to make a map. Its a couple of acres - turn on your graph, and get fishing. If we're talking about something bigger, say 20-50 acres, by all means, start graphing that baby with a purpose. I still do it on waters I've fished for my whole life.

Thank you, Dan. Your efforts did not go unnoticed.

That's a disappointment. I see this as a bigger loss to BassResource than to Shimano. :-X

Dude, its a COUPLE OF ACRES, no need for a map. Do you need a map of your yard to remember where the path is? Just get out there an fish it!

Target a different demographic. They would not be my customers. Do the florists in your area get payment after they have delivered? What about the limo driver, bakery, reception hall, etc.? Are photog/videographers second class service providers? Don't get me wrong, someone has to do the work, but not me. In fact, I don't even do weddings anymore. Don't need to. Don't want to. I'll be willing to bet I got a lot more for each event than the average so called "wedding photog" weekend warrior type. Your location only determines a mean price for services, and you can be on that mean, below it, or above it. This isn't exclusive to just wedding services. I ran a successful aquarium installation and maintenance business for 10 years much the same way. To some, charging more for service excellence is a gamble. To me, its a no brainer. Why would anyone, in this litigious society be afraid of turning cheapskates away at the door, and gamble that it will only be one or two a year. Now in my reel business, the scenario is different, and relies on communication through the process. I get the reel, and payment is not expected until the reel is complete. But I have the reel. There in lies the rub. Its the same process as when I take my car to the mechanic, except I get the job done right the 1st time, LOL. My latest venture involves teaching kayak angling, and guided fishing trips. I'm targeting those involved in kayaking, but perhaps never thought to fish from one, its original intention. The other group would be established fisherman, looking for access to new water through a different type of vehicle. I am not after the the shore bound angler, looking for a cheap way to get off the bank, but I suppose I will attract a few. But they aren't my target audience, and I make no adjustments in my policies to attract one or two a year. I won't be waiting at the end of the dock for payment at the end of the day either.

Our dj's do that as well. Most video/photo companies in the area save a video payment for afterwards, so it's tough to get everything up front because that's what people are used to. Not true. Most - myself included - get their payment UP FRONT. No money, I'm not their to photograph the event. This includes their print package. Most people have only one or three weddings, there's nothing for them to be "used to." You can't compare an area such as rochester to that of New Jersey/NY City. Keep in mind, I said "In my area". We do about 6-700 events a year, as do many of our competitors. 99.9% of photographers and videographers save a payment for after the wedding. When I said what they're "used to" I mean in terms of what other companies are telling them. With the amount of companies going out of business people are very weary, and most ask if they can keep more money for afterwards. It's a whole new beast in this area. For our area, it is most certainly the industry standard, and no reputable company asks for payment in full up front. But again, it's a lil different here. We probably have more companies going out of business on a regular basis than you guys have total wedding business. It makes no difference where you're from. Ask Mark McCall, PPA photog of the year, about not getting payment up front. He'll tell you how it will ALWAYS be for those that do not get with it. You can get paid more, be percieved to be higher quality, and run into less "customer issues," the less flexibility you offer your clients. Sounds backwards, but it isn't. You are the pro, you tell them you do it your way, they can take it or leave it. Charge more, up front, and you are the better service provider. You are exclusive.

I'd be looking at the Core, Sol, or even the Steez 1st. Availability is much better, US warranty, and price. That said, if you were to go out, get a Pixy, and pay for the upgrades, I would say congrats. A very cool little reel, if somewhat unpractical. Then again, roughly 1/4 of my tackle isn't about practicality - I just got it because I wanted it. ;D

Keitechs and Skinny Bears don't work, LOL.

Our dj's do that as well. Most video/photo companies in the area save a video payment for afterwards, so it's tough to get everything up front because that's what people are used to. Not true. Most - myself included - get their payment UP FRONT. No money, I'm not their to photograph the event. This includes their print package. Most people have only one or three weddings, there's nothing for them to be "used to."

Spend a couple bucks more, and get a Sedona.

After spending most of the early 90s thinking I was a crankbait aficionado, I only realize after the past two years of getting back into this style of fishing, how lucky I really was during that time. Now when I go fishing crankbaits, and I am speaking in terms of relatively deep, like 8 to 20 FOW, I analyze a great deal more. As I read Chris's post, I can only echo many of the points he made, and gained insight on a few more things I either suspected, or didn't realize altogether. If you can get over your personal feelings about the post, I suggest you put Chris's points in the forefront of your mind next time you are out cranking.

I troll it for northern pike.

Nice reel, I own one. You got a fair deal, congrats.