Paul Naj

I have a PiranhaMAX 220 and Humminbird specs it as waterproof.

Eddie, I love the Ultimate 12 but it's my first kayak so I don't have another point of comparison except fishing twice on an Ocean SOT kayak. I did a lot of reading on 2 different kayak fishing boards and saw what complaints guys had about the various boats and thought that the Ultimate 12 would answer most of those concerns. So far it's worked for me. Let me know if you're ever up around Sterling, you're welcome to come take a look at mine rigged up. It might help in your decision. P

I hear what you're saying Andrew, your Hobie and my Native are very stabile platforms but they are just not boats. I know a lot of yakkers who fish saltwater and guys do go in from time to time. The problem is that a kayak is not as easy to climb back into as a boat. Therefore you need to dress for the water temp as much as the air temp. Unlike my saltwater buddies we are rarely more than a couple hundred yards from shore so we can get to dry land pretty quickly if needed. However, you should still take great precaution since hypothermia can set in pretty quickly in 44 degree water. Also a quick word about waders. You need to be sure that you wear a snug wading belt on the waders and another over the top you're wearing over them to ensure water doesn't get in if you do take a swim. Waders that are loose and fill with water are a very bad thing. I far from an alarmist but safety first guys. Dan, try and find some way to keep yourself dry in the yak and then wear enough to keep yourself warm in the event of a dunking. Always carry a set of dry clothes in a sealed bag to change and you should be good to go. BTW, I'm tentative for the 7th.

Also a Nova guy and fish a bunch of local lakes and ponds for LMB and the Upper Potomac for SMB

Knucklehead.

Sorry I missed you guys, a family commitment took me north instead. Instead of having fun at the show I got to spend the weekend in NJ in the snow.

I packed 2, two piece rods in a rigid tube, the reels in my luggage and a small tackle bag of assorted soft plastic and season appropriate lures. One trip I caught most on flukes and the trip to Port Orleans Riverside where the water was stained, weightless lizzards were key. One walk around the property and you'll know why. The anoles are everywhere.

I stayed at Port Orleans Riverside a few years ago. It was right on a canal that lead to downtown Disney. There were no posted signs for no fishing but I had also heard that fishing was not allowed so I limited my fishing to the first hour or two of daylight to be safe. I fished right from the bank of the canal and never got asked to leave. As soon as the foot traffic started to pick up I quit for the day. It took me a few days to figure out what they were biting but once I did I caught 5 to 10 fish per morning with several over 4 lbs up to a 7.5 lb beauty caught right against the wall under a hanging Magnolia tree. A few years prior to that I wasn't staying on the water so I drove over to the Contemporary hotel and fished the canal there. Once again, no signs saying I couldn't fish, fished only mornings and was never asked to leave.

Greetings gents, it's been a while. I haven't fished for LMB since September. Work has a real way of interfering with fishing sometimes. I'm actually heading up to Long Island to do some wreck fishing for blackfish tomorrow. I still may try and squeeze one more day out on the kayak before I put it up for the season.

I put it on the calendar for the 17th. I'm happy to load up the Expedition starting in Loudoun county and pick a few up on the way down. It's a good opportunity meet the fellow VA bass nuts.

I got a few last week on the Sebile. I may be heading on on Sunday morning. We'll see how my body holds up after a 7 mile hike tomorrow. Andrew did you try the website I sent you for the Sebiles?

Congrats Jason, Stephanie and Grandpa Ron.

I was at Disney twice a few years back, once on business and once with the kids, and I brought a rod both times. Although you're not supposed to fish unless you hire one of their guides, I didn't see any no fishing signs where I fished and I only fished the first 2 hours of daylight and no one gave me a hard time. When I stayed at the Contemporary I kept my rod in my car and walked the banks there and caught a bunch of fish but nothing big. When I stayed at Port Orleans Riverside my room was right along the "canal" and I caught several fish over 4 lbs including a 7 1/2 pound beauty that hit a lizard right along the bulkhead. The guides there are nice but they basically pitch live bait at docks and that didn't excite me.

Great job, Mrs M. Be careful, those smallmouths can be addictive. ;-)

Ron, What an awful experience. I'm happy to hear that you and J are OK. A buddy of mine had a rod go over and he made a drag rig out of a piece of chain and some big trebble hooks tied to a line and he was able to snag it. I agree with flechero, it needs to be done from a boat. You can borrow my vest if you need one. P