John Hansen

Thanks for the replies all, its going to take me a bit to sift through everything and check everything out. First, Im just not really sure what would suit me best, I really like the idea of the Kayak, that sit on top one at bass pros looks good! Even with the oversized shipping it looks like it would fit my budget just fine. Hauling anything big isn't a major issue but its a consideration, with a Kayak I could still haul a cooler and camping gear. With a Toon, probably not so much. If I went with the float tube style I already own chest waders, aren't insulated but its not hard to dress insulated, I had no issues in them steelhead fishing this winter, even waist deep in water. But its a bit small and IMHO not ideal for bass fishing. Fly fishing for trout its fine, bass fishing not so much. Kayak seem great, only downsides I am potentially really seeing is cost, and just being too susceptible to wind drift. But they seem like they would be the cats meow. Pontoon, I like them, Ive used them, but they are big and bulky and tough to store. Also tough to get in my price range. I have looked at inflatable stuff before, but I hate relying on them holding air, it seems like anything like that now days won't hold air. What makes it all real tough is there is not a major supply of kayaks locally. We see more white water style kayaks than anything. Not many big cruisers like I am looking at. They're around but they are hard to find. Craigslist is also a joke around here. People sell very old sit in style kayaks for $100 less than I can get a new one for. I was looking for a mountain bike and people wanted $150 for bikes that 10+ years old. I am still going to keep an eye out but I will probably end up going new if I get anything. But I do like the Bass pro shop link posted above! Wish I was back east, it would be neat to get to meet up with some people that have different things and maybe fish from them for a few hours. Just get a feel and see what I like best.

Thanks for the replys all! So, ideally I am wanting something that will let me go anywhere. Small ponds reservoirs that don't have ramps and/or don't allow motors. But I would also like to be able to go to big lakes and reservoirs and cruise along shore, at least be able to get out past where most bank fisherman can't hit. Idaho isn't bad about wind, it still gets windy but its nothing like Montana. The wind where my parents live in Montana is terrible! So I understand wind drift, but it does worry me that I will spend more time paddling around and fighting wind than fishing, unless I can get some sort of Kayak anchor system. Im a pretty solo fisherman, I am joining the schools "bass club" Just found out about it today, so that may change but the majority of my fishing is alone. Storage is not a major issue. I live in a fraternity and could easily store 10' or less in the storage shed and then just chain it to the bike rack. But easier storage is nice. I already own a small aluminum row boat. Bought it when I was 13 for 75 bucks. Its from the 50's and took a little work but me and dad got it floating and water proof again. I would bring it up but Its trailer needs a plate, then it needs new axels then ontop of that I still have to register it so I would rather just play around with something smaller. It would work fine for what I need buts its too much work. Fishing around me isn't great. About 15 miles from me is a reservoir that is honestly no challenge to fish. Its nothing for me to go there and have landed 20+ fish within an hour. All bass and trout but its still annoying. I only go there when I want to chase tiger musky. But if I go an hour and a half north or an hour south there are two very big lakes/resevoirs and a lot of other smaller ones. They are full of bass, sun fishes, etc but shore access is tough to find so a small kayak would be sweet because I could access more water easier.. My buddy has a small sport Kayak. Maybe over the summer Ill have to borrow it and just play around with it and see what I think.

Howdy all, Im sort of kicking tires. My search didn't return quite what I was wanting, maybe I searched wrong though, seems like every forums search has its own little quirks. Anyways, I have really been wanting to get a kayak or some other small personal watercraft. Im in college and don't have a bunch of money available so I don't really know if I can get anything in my budget. I also can't be hauling around too big of anything. I drive an '03 Toyota Tundra (back when the Tundra was only a little bit bigger than the Tacoma) and have a tool box so what little bit of bed space I have is gone. I could still haul a kayak but not a giant one. I also need to be able to store what ever I get while I am at school. My budget, I don't want to set a budget but lets say I had $500-$600 to spend could I get myself into some sort of watercraft? Not just for bass fishing but it would be sweet to be able to use it for trout fishing. I have been looking at: A float tube, Fairly cheap, easily come in under budget, very easy to store, but it sucks sitting in the water all day, and there isn't much room for tackle.. Small Pontoon, Can be had for $500 ish, pontoons are easy to store, frame is harder to store, would be easier to haul tackle. Not sure if one of the small ones would actually fit in my truck fully assembled. Then I was looking at a Kayak like this, but that may be a bit long for my little pickup. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/Canoes-Kayaks-Small-Boats/Canoes-Kayaks|/pc/104794380/c/104710680/sc/104252580/Old-Town-Vapor-10-Angler-Kayak/1342772.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fcanoes-kayaks%2F_%2FN-1100570%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104252580%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104794380%253Bcat104710680&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104794380%3Bcat104710680%3Bcat104252580 I open to thoughts. Being in Idaho, and Montana I deffinately like the idea of not having to be in the water all the time with the toon and kayak but the float tube have a very attractive price tag.

Pick a controversial topic, I feel its generally easier to pick one side and roll with it. One big one I did my freshman year of college was write about why commercial fishing with sein nets and long line rigs, and other types are bad for the environment. Not that I fully believed that but because it was easy to finds lots of information about it. I wrote about bycatch, damaged nets cause to underwater structure like reefs, and sorts of stuff like that. Spend a little time on a controversial topic and you can find both sides of the argument and lots of information supporting both. Other topic ideas: Wolves? Pebble Mine in Alaska? Why the drinking age shoulld be less/more?

Been using one of these, I like it cause I fish for every fish species under the sun short of salt water. I can have any different plastic containers filled for certain species and just take what ever I need/want that day. And being a bank fisherman its nice and easy to lug around. My only complaint and maybe someone can help me solve this issue is terminal tackle, Hooks, sinkers, swivels etc seem to mix compartments... anyone help me fix that? I got away from the traditional tackle box style cause one day I forgot to bungee it down to the bed of the truck and by the time I got to my fishing destination it had rolled and bounced around and mixed everything inside up...

First rod I ever built. Not really a bass rod but it is a blast to fish for gills on this thing. The looks of pure confusion people give you when you have an epic battle with a fish and then pull up an average sized gill. Winston GVX 7'6" 3wt. The epoxy over my name and rod model isn't the neatest, but I am happy with how it all turned out. Built it for my high school senior project, and ended up getting the best overall grade with it.

Curious, when does Dworshak start heating up? Hopefully we can get a warm snap soon.

Hello all, New Member from Idaho. Currently going to school in Moscow. Usually in the Boise area during the summer but my parents do live in the Billings, MT area so I do head over that way every so often. I am fairly new to bass fishing. Caught my first bass probably close to 5-7 years ago. Just a river smallie my cousin put me on. Im more of a trout fisherman and prefer fly fishing but bass fishing has been peaking my interest lately. More bass that trout in this area. First rod was just a plain 7' Ugly Stick lite, MH action, spinning reel. Best I could afford for being 13 years old and its still going strong. Last fall I upgraded to a Shimano Clarius (spelling?) Its my steelhead rod, but Its also pretty ideal for some bigger bass and pike. Hopefully I can land my first pike this coming fall. Decided its time I give a bait caster a try. Have an ugly stik lite GX2 in the mail. Another 7' MH action. Wanting to give bait casters a try without spending too much. Cant wait for it to get here and can't wait for the weather to warm up. Probably won't see many posts from me, more lurking and reading, expanding my info and learning. John H