Choporoz

I use racks, but to get from ground to top, I do have to lay along top rear edge of the car. I keep an old sweatshirt in the back of the Durango and lay it on the car, hanging down, before I put the kayak on the rack. I stand the yak straight up, then lean it against the car (sweatshirt.) I then raise the back of the yak until the front lays in the rear rack. I'm sure there's a little sliding that goes on between the yak/shirt/car, but it is mostly just rested on the 'edge', like a fulcrum.

So....how'd the tourny weigh-in go? My wife and I spent a few hours out there yesterday afternoon and landed exactly one fish.

Sparky, you aren't going to like it, but you may have to get off the banks. There's some here that will probably disagree, but after living here for 5 years, my thoughts are that bank fishing for bass around here is pretty tough. I don't know where you are fishing, but there are plenty of bank accessible areas of the Potomac where I've never caught a fish; bass or any other fish. The tide is a huge factor in all the places where I HAVE caught Potomac LMB. However, the only three places off the top of my head that I've had consistent success from banks, piers or wading are all in Gunston Cove. I'm sure there's others, but I never found them. I'm guessing there's good spots in Aquia and Mattowoman. Aside from the tides, the bass orient to weed lines and structure and that can be hard to find/determine/fish from shore. To Fritz' suggestion, I love the Occoquan River, but only since I've gotten a kayak on it. From the banks, rocks, shore, I never caught anything there. Good luck.

I went through similar painful consideration. Mine wasn't Gander Mtn, but a Cabelas rod that came in a combo a few years ago. The Bait Monkey triumphed and I now have half a number of 'better' spinning rods. The Cabelas rod sat in a corner of the basement for quite some time. I picked it up this winter because the cold weather sends me to the basement to fondle my tackle and I was very impressed by the weight, feel and action. It is now back in regular use and, with one possible exception, is my favorite spinning rod. So.....since you only take one spinning rod, I'd say that if it fits your range of weight, power, tip, etc that you want from a spinning rod, the only one that will be disappointed if you keep what you got will be the Bait Monkey. .....however, the BM told me to tell you that the one exception to my 'favorite' Cabelas rod.....just happens to be a Fenwick...sorry

Google nationalbass.Com and Charlie Taylor fishing report for recent reports. Hard to find, but Ken Penrod's 'Fishing the Tidal Potomac River' is a great reference. Great fishery, but learning the lmb habits as relate to tides and especially grasses is critical.

Put a piece of plastic on a jig head, preferably a stand-up head and let it sink to the bottom. Not trying to be flip, but it doesn't get much easier. There's a couple recent threads that offer to complicate the issue, but it doesn't need to be hard. just this week.....

I've read those...couple times and this one: http://www.tackletour.com/reviewdaiwatatularod.html

apologize for the jack, but sort of on topic, I'm in the same market as OP. I want to upgrade from my Veritas 2.0 7' MHF, which I do like a lot, but looking for a bit more sensitivity and length. @Catt, you've nearly got me sold, but I'm torn between that and Tatula, which show up on ebay for $120. Wish I could handle both, but nothing around me carries either. Toss @WRB's frequently recommended ALX and I'm paralyzed with indecision.

That's the sound of Mr. Shishamo's teeth; as he's laughing so hard on the way to the bank....unless its all those bearings rattling around in there

I agree....90+% of the time....however, there are bridges and branches out there that cause me to rethink it every so often To the OP, as to jon boat, I don't think it makes any difference whatsoever....You may want to stand on a seat (or platform) for flipping and punching, but rod length isn't a consideration for me in a jon boat From the kayak, I'm more particular about handle length than I am about overall rod length. The PFD, the seated position, the limited mobility...all lead me to prefer a shorter handle regardless of how long the rod is

Another rough weather weekend coming up. I was supposed to work Heroes on the Water Saturday, but even that got cancelled. Probably get out on O rez or river Saturday, but its going to be a cold morning. Or...maybe not....I just checked weather.com: SAT Apr 9, Low 27°, AM Rain/Snow Showers/Wind, WNW 27 mph.....ugh

http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Terminal-Tackle-Hoodie-X-Large/dp/B00DNNWYHI/ref=sr_1_1?s=hunting-fishing&ie=UTF8&qid=1460045946&sr=8-1&keywords=spf+hoodie I've got a couple of the Columbia SPF hoodies and I love them. Cool enough, even in August, but loose enough to wear a tshirt or light sweatshirt underneath in spring/fall. Around $26 each.

I got a new Thule 'Glide and Set' off eBay for $100 and I absolutely love it. Not sure I'd pay $220 if I had to do it today, but for $100 its a no brainer.

Heavier jigs, high-viz line, concentration....I don't recall ever getting bit on a tight-line pendulum fall. Watching is key, but I admit, I'm not the best of watchers; but even when windy, I try to see with my hands. I feel as though I can feel a slack braid pick up as well as I can see subtle movements.....sometimes. I wouldn't choose not to throw a jig simply because its windy

@Goose52, @Fishing Rhino, and @A-Jay , I very much appreciate all of your informative canoe posts. So much so, that I am rethinking my 'position'. I love my yak and have had terrible experiences alone in canoes on windy days, but it is clear that you aren't operating out of the same kind of vessel that I think of when someone says 'canoe'. I got to thinking....and wondering if there's a canoe that can do double-duty; as a tricked out solo craft, but can float two of us on a river comfortably when my wife's available to go along? I am thinking maybe an Old Town Discovery 133 might be small enough to handle alone, but could fish two for 4-6 hours fairly comfortably.

Not familiar with your waters, or your shiners, so I'm not sure they'll match the profile you're looking for, but I'm very happy with Power Team Hammer Shad and Gene Larew Sweet Swimmers. Those little Sweet Swimmers in threadfin shad or smoke silver on a 1/8oz weighted hook kill the smallies when they're on the minnows.

I agree with tbone. Unless you can get your canoe tricked out like AJay, who obviously makes it work and work well, I am firmly in the kayak camp. Disclaimer....I was answering OP as to fishing alone. I am seriously considering a canoe in addition to my yak, in order to float rivers with my wife (who won't do the kayak thing.)

Like buzzed, my hands are less than dextrous. Takes me longer to flail around with a Norman "Speed" Clip than it does to retie.

Somebody here turned me on to this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-Electronic-Hanging-Fishing-Digital-Pocket-Weight-Hook-Scale-40kg-10g-/201182152447?hash=item2ed76406ff:g:vxYAAOSwnDZUKd7b I bought a few...I keep one in a boat bag, one in my yak crate, and a spare in case one dies.....none have yet

I'm guessing you meant split ring? O-rings are rubber (or synthetic rubber), in my experience.

LOL, cott...its not as though there's just a couple trolls jerking your chain....seems to be a pretty strong consensus of (respected?) real world experience talking above

Title does say ball bearings...title also says it's a carp reel...that does explain quite a bit, I guess....I'm no expert on carp-specific gear By the way, at the bottom of the page, they link to their high end shishamo spinning reel that's marked down from $180 to $25....it'd all be rather comical if it weren't duping some unsuspecting fishermen....or worse, someone buying a gift for a fisherman

Original Poster....as opposed to TJ (thread jacker)

Most of my $ goes to: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/forum/18-fishing-flea-market/ (Buzzed, more often than not) TW, redsgear, ebay (ecop!, sportsmanoutfitters, nuggettstuff, simmons, others) oh, yeah....ffo also has no problem taking my money, either....great deals; keep checking back there