FrogFreak

If using treble hooks I get them to the side of the boat and use boga grips to lip them and then remove hooks. I just started doing this because I had to go to the emergency room 2 weeks ago to remove a hook. If it's a large fish, I get the net. I think boat flipping is a bit much for a recreational fisherman like me.

I own and use a Lexa iand I'm in love with the reel. I use it for top water poppers and walking baits. I have a Revo Premier and a BPS PQ but that Lexa is my baby for sure. It's as smooth as anything I've owned and throws light lures very well. Thank you for all the Tatula information. I think I'll grab one at the end of the season.

I have a M/F Triumph that works perfect for walking baits and poppers. Maybe that would work?

Nice ride!!

Oh, oops. I sure did misunderstand that one. I'm in the market as well. I'd love to hear feedback if anyone has it.So now I guess I'm an accessory to the hi-jack.

I wrapped some grip tape around my paddle and I just sit it on the gunwales when I stand. That way it doesn't slide around too much.

I would save more and get a good quality yak. The seat is very important. I just bought a sub $300 yak for my wife to use occasionally and I wouldn't be comfortable it it for over an hour. I'm with the others when it comes to the fish finder. Invest in a good yak, then later on down the road, get the fish finder. Just my 2 cents.

Not sure how this is a hijack, the OP asked for information on gear, I provided information.

Academy has some for like 569 for the top and $59 for the bottoms. The reviews are good but I don't know. I use Frogg Toggs for the summer. http://www.academy.com/shop/browse/apparel-fishing-apparel/h2o-xpress/_/N-871288296+4294713062 It looks like the are out of stock on the parkas though.

I just store mine in a Plano 3700 box that doesn't have the smaller compartments. I'm not sure of the actual number.

TW, Seiberts and Academy here.

There are way too many variables to make that statement. I fish some lakes that just don't have good habitat so the bass aren't there. But up here, neither lake would stand a chance if it wasn't deep. We get winter kills on shallow lakes all the time.

That picture made me smile. The look on your face says it all! That's why we fish baby!!!

I landed a 39 inch Northern while drop shotting for Walleye with 6 lb test line. No Idea how because the line was in the Northern's mouth. Years of clean living I guess.

Great suggestions from everyone. While I fish from my Kayak, I bring a small tupperware container that I velcro in place. I use it when I swap out plastics or lures and it hold my braid scissors, pliers etc. At the end of the day, I just take out the items that are still usable and put them in my tackle box. It saves me time and headaches. Also, an extra pair of pliers is essential. Just last weekend I dropped my primary set of pliers overboard. And in the case of a Kayak, I always carry a collapsible oar as a back up.

I am happy with where I'm at but when I look back to where I was 2 years ago, I realize I've learned so much since then. So I'm betting that in 2 years I'll look back at where I'm at now and think the same thing. I am getting very good at certain techniques but I have sacrificed other techniques to get there. So what do you do? I choose to be happy with my skills that I have obtained and I'm hopeful that I'll acquire new skills in the future. For example, 2 years ago I had no idea what a drop shot was and now I am very confident with that technique. Top water frogs had me stumped 2 years ago but now I find myself looking for an excuse to throw them. This is a journey that I enjoy more than anything else. I hope it never ends!!

I appreciate the full moon and barometric pressure effecting the bite but I can only fish when I can fish so sometimes I just have to deal with it. Just last Friday I was fishing all morning with very little to show for it and at noon they turned on for about 30 minutes and then shut off again. It happens. I think it's all part of the deal. If we all had em figured out I think it would become boring.

I thought about that after I posted. No video cameras would be a rule for sure.

I have a Crestliner VT17 and I really enjoy it. I did get the 24V trolling motor and I have an onboard 2 bank charger. I should have gotten a 3 bank but I listened to the silly sales guy who said 2 banks was enough. PM me if you want more info.

Hmm, I'd have to say KVD. He is from up north like me so I could learn tons from him. What lake? I'd say Lake Michigan for smallies. More specifically Door County, WI. Now that would be fun!

My buddy owns a very popular restaurant in town. I asked him to sponsor me. I told him if he gave me a sticker, I'd put it on my boat and 3 or 4 people would see it each weekend when I fish. Of course he laughed and never gave me a sticker (jerk). I don't think I'd like being sponsored if it meant I couldn't use the lures I love to use. I wouldn't be caught dead on the water without my favorite popper, walking bait, and frog. If I had to stop using any of them (they're made by 3 different manufacturers) I'd be upset. Further, if I was given apparel to wear from any of those companies, I'd wear it. My rule is I only wear stuff from companies that have products I truly use and like. I have a TW shirt that I wear because I love their service. I now how a Hoorag from MTB and I'll wear it because I love me some MTB. If someone asks me about either of these companies, I'll be happy to endorse them. Not for money, but just because they're good and I want to help others. I really like Cabelas guidewear shirts. I don't mind it a bit that it says Cabelas on it.

Good question OP. I really dislike the way fishing shows are going these days. They don't help that much, frankly I think they can confuse people. I watched one that said you should only use walking baits when the water is dead calm. Where I fish, I have more success when there's a ripple to the water. How'd I find that out, trial and error. Really the most important new technique I've learned in the last few years was the drop shot and it was pretty intuitive. I do listen to KVD because he grew up fishing the same types of lakes that I fish. He mentioned using a translucent type of lure in clear water and that has helped me narrow down my color selection. Yes, I know he is selling Strike King stuff but you just have to tune that part of it out. All in all, I like to learn about seasonal patterns and bass behavior but when anyone starts getting very specific with lures, I tune them out. I don't want to be sold to, I want to learn.

I vote for some guy that"s never entered a tournament in his life but always catches em. He's the guy that doesn't say much when you ask where he was or what he was using. We all know someone like that. I bet there are some folks on this forum that fit this description. But if we are talking famous folks, I would say KVD is hard to argue against. I haven't heard anyone mention Hank Parker yet??

I just got my wife into fishing. I wasn't going to forego fishing though. Instead, I gave her some trick worms and showed her how to T-Rig them. She likes purple so she started fishing them and has had some great success. She also had a ton of panfish bite on the worm so she got the feel of what that felt like When I took my kids fishing, it was panfish all the way. Worm and float is the way to go with little ones. However, in your situation I would T-rig a Senko or another type of worm at first. Better yet, give them a couple choices of colors and types. One other thought, I would make sure their set ups are sensitive enough to feel the bites. Nothing can frustrate like inferior equipment.

My suggestion is to look for a used yak in your price range. Jackson, Wilderness Systems, Native are all good. I have a Sit In and I will be buying a SOT next just for something different. Just remember that the yak is just the beginning of the spending. Rigging the yak can add hundreds easy.