KyakR

WOW! That video about Falcon was jaw-dropping. Am planning a cross country trip to visit my son in CA this spring.....have never seen Texas or Montana....I think my choice is easier now. Welcome, Bstovall21! Hope your wife pulls in a few! By the way, does anybody know why in the name of heaven these fish in Falcon get so huge?

I hope I never do! I've seen one snap a branch the size of my thumb with one bite

What kind of fishing do you do?

Wish they had more women's stuff.....sent an email to get the specs on a small size

I'd love it! Gonna try more to get to know other local fishermen around here. This site is helping me with my shyness! Bill, wish I was next door to your family

One of the guides who takes me out flyfishing for trout and salmon every spring is Kevin Tracewski (Tracewski Fishing Adventures). He's an instructor at the University of Maine in Orono, ME and is very active in conservation methods for these fish in our state. He's written a book. I'll forward your information to him, as he's actually in a position to help get the word out a bit more. It's amazing when I think that your efforts to help fisheries are international because Europe has a shared sense of responsibility for the health of these species and the environment as a whole.....many countries together! I so wish that America would join more in this kind of vision. Keep going

Thanks guys! As for a pic, since there was current (a low-head dam up ahead) and I didn't have my trolling motor on, this is what I was able to get.

Yesterday after a rain I went out on this river and hung around where a trib flows in....just about where the river changes color as the sediment hits the main river. There's a nice drop-off. Threw a red-eye shad and wham! Inside an hour pulled in 7 fish, three 3 pounders, which for a smallie here is a happy thing! Going again tomorrow!

That's too bad! My guess is the guide was bummed too.....he makes it on client satisfaction, bite or no. When I hire a guide I'm all into his teaching me, which helps me come away with a sense of having my money's worth even if I don't catch much, except for the guide I had once ice fishing who got pie-eyed drunk and called all his relatives to come out and party....

Passion and all the knowledge that comes with perseverance is what the KVDs of the sport started with, and it looks like you have these qualities. Also generosity......think of how many other kids got a hand because you had the vision to do something! Hope you post more

Awesome fish! Wish I could help with estimate. Pleases me that after fishing Florida you caught your PB in NY I bought a scale with calipers but my arms are so short I can't get a pic of the whole bass. sigh

Thanks for the topic, Bill. I know that I lurked on here for two years before I got up the nerve to join. I agree that the search engines directions probably bring people here (that's how I found BR myself), but I'll bet there are a good number like me who start reading and come back over and over. So, to those of you out there who're shy like me, come on in. I know it's intimidating that there are so many people here who have mega-experience and knowledge, but they were new once too. For any kids out there, this forum is especially welcoming and supportive

Guess you aren't such a bad guy after all

I was inspired by the video on this site! There appears to be a caring and support for fisheries in Europe that's often lacking here in the US. I'll certainly support this......I see there's an international coalition for returning salmon to the Rhine. Just curious......what kind of support are you getting so far in the US?

Looked up this river and am jealous. Amazing! I read about the "fish hospital" and manatees.......even sea trout. I never fished in FLA (sob!) but I found this that might help: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/TidalWaters.html FW has the real experience though

Have often wondered about snakehead (read about them 10 yr ago when there was panic)! This thread has been totally fascinating. We don't have them in Maine. But NY and the Chesapeake aren't far. As a neophyte, I can tell you I was put off by the name and Jeremy Wade (he!) Thanks for so many knowledgable posts here! Now gonna try 'em out

This is so true, I think! And the more I fish, the more respect I have for the intelligence of these amazing fish. I read many comments in the fall here regarding their disinterest in our stuff when the whole world under the water is moving to prepare for winter.....I see it too. It's harder for me to compete with the real forage, and harder "cause the fish are moving. Followed Tom's advice and got bit

5 lb 2 oz ?? Looks like you're doing great already! Welcome! Try this for some more super info

This is inspiring. Wish I knew her.....lucky daughters!

This is the reason I put a trolling motor on my yak! I was out in the middle of a sizable lake and couldn't paddle fast enough to get in. Lightning struck the shore near me! I never was so terrified

Heartbreaking. Guess he was the kind of guy for whom hurting somebody was such an alien idea he couldn't imagine somebody doing harm to him. I can't imagine what his family is going through. He was in his prime. Had my camp broken into one time while I was in it. I hid in a small enclosure under the bed. Afterwards I bought a shotgun, which I hope to heaven I'll never use.

I'd try to get a pic of a big bass (in a kayak it's hard to pan back enough). If dying, legal or not, I'd give it back to the lake. Bald eagles are common where I fish, and they'll often spot it and swoop down. What a sight!

I'm in Maine, and have had the same thing going on! I'm gonna follow the advice here too

As I fish from a light kayak, I have a watertight box I put my favorites in (or any plastics specific to where I'm going). The rest are in the original packages in my main T box packed in the back just in case. But then I have to beach the yak......but that's worth it, 'cause then I probably am getting bit like crazy