Subaqua Adinterim

Not totally crazy, however, if you're using spinning gear, try the following: 1/16 oz. Berkley half head jig with Chartreuse(yellow) head paired with zman 2.75" TRD in junebug color. One other more "natural" option is to use a black or pumpkin(dark green) jig head paired with a green pumpkin goby TRD. The latter combo will give some flash from the purple specks in the plastic. The jig head packs and the trd baits will cost you about $20 and have worked for me in cold, clear upstate NY lakes. No need to get the other finesse trd shapes - craws, tubes, etc. - the plain straight trd works the best. The colors above also worked the best for me. I know, since I have done the research (spent $$$) buying every shape and color. I try to fish what works best,as I'm in a kayak and minimize what I carry to still get the best results. I used to post more in the past, including pictures, Now I just fish and have good success. Hope the above is helpful. Good luck.

No need to spend big $$ to get a great knife. I've bought many different knives, including some that cost a lot. I have found the best value in a fixed blade is a Morakniv Basic 511 model. This will cost less than $15, is very sharp good steel and holds an edge. Mine has an orange handle, so it can be found easily when I set it down on the forest floor. If you want a stouter model of this brand; they do offer it, check out bladehq.com or similar sites. Walmart sells these as well. To deal with the back end of a deer; just get a butt out field dressing tool. This will save you a lot of time and make the job so much easier. I have no affiliation with these companies, I just use the products and know they work well. I get at least one deer each year and put what I use to the test before recommending.

Here's a picture showing an option for you. This works well for me in my lightweight kevlar pack canoe and I've used one of these on each side for years. It's good for just keeping your rod out of the way - in an upright position or tilted parallel for trolling. It attaches and can be removed easily and is made of strong lightweight aluminum. As you can see in the picture, a piece of wood is used to take up the space between the inside part of the clamp and the gunwhale (sp?). I use a short piece of shoe molding. On the outside you can use a very small piece of a rubber mat to protect your canoe if you are concerned with that. The product which I have no affiliation with other than just using it for the last 12 years is Tite-lok Rod Holder with C-Clamp. Hopefully you will find this helpful. Good luck

This is what I do. About 3 ft. of flouro leader. Using a quality #8 or #10 barrel swivel (see my more detailed description in Flouro line discussion started by Rev Ron on Aug 16). Cut about 1/8" of an anti tangle sleeve (anti tangle sleeve is a carp thing that I found useful for this application) and pull it down over the top half of the barrel swivel. This will protect the tip top guide of your rod in case you aren't paying attention and reel up too far. Doing this = 3 knots to fail; I know, but I'm good with that as I tie good knots and with proper drag setting, I've never had occasion for this to be a concern. Good luck and have fun.

If you are reluctant to get a covid vax because you are wary of the Mrna vaccines. There is an alternative old school, protein based vax that is now available. It's just now offered and you have to request the one by Novavax. If you do request this, make sure that's what they give you. I have no affiliation with any vaccine companies, however, I've done research. Do whatever, you think is best for you. Good luck. Stay safe and healthy.

Here's something else to consider. For a spinning setup try braid as your mainline - take your pick of brands; there's many good ones to choose from. I use 15# or something in that range. You know the advantages - smaller diameter, no memory = longer casting and less issues vs. floro mainline. Next step- tie on a quality #8 barrel swivel. Then tie your floro leader, use approx. three to four feet or so. You can use 15# as recommended above or some other brand - trilene, yo zuri, or whatever else you like. Just buy a filler spool 150 - 200 yards of regular floro line, no need for specialized/expensive leader product. If necessary, you can cut off and retie the end near the lure a few times before you put on another 3-4 foot piece of leader. One other thing to add. Cut about 1/8 inch or so of anti tangle sleeve (using a whole sleeve is a carp rig thing, but a small piece is useful here). Take this and put it on your braid line above the barrel swivel before you tie the braid on with a palomar knot or whatever you use. Then slide the piece of anti tangle sleeve over the top of the barrel swivel to protect the tip top of your rod. You can get a pack of these sleeves from ali express or Amazon or wherever you choose. I have been doing this for years after I got sick of tying Alberto leader knots and dealing with the aggravation associated with that and using many extra feet of leader line. I tie good knots with the barrel swivel technique and it works for me, as I catch hundreds of bass each year ( I don't post pictures anymore; as it is, I barely post at all). Just thought I'd provide another option, which you may want to try. Good luck.

Lots of good advice from some serious anglers above. I'm not a hammer; just catch a lot of fish and don't post much, so consider something else if you are miss hitting the nails. Before you get new/heaver equipment - try this: pair a Lake Fork Frog Tail hook with a Booyah Pad Crasher Jr. No affiliation with these or any other product. I do know from experience that your hook up rate will increase dramatically if you try this combination. best of luck - signing off again for a while to go back to fishing and other things

Went out yesterday to Honeoye from 2-6. Water was noticeably colder than last week. Action was slow to start, talked to several fisherman out on the water; no one catching consistently, some fish here and there. Even the flotilla of pan fishers was struggling. Things picked up in the last few hours and I ended up catching 8 LMB (LMB were 1-2#s, nothing big but good fighters) and 2 pickerel. The first was good size for a pickerel (posted pic on other fish species section). Last year, I caught just a few of the toothy critters; I'm off to a faster start this year. I started using 12# test floro for my leader last year to help prevent breakoffs in the weeds and it also helped prevent getting bit off by the 2 pickerel I landed yesterday. Saw a lot more power boats out yesterday as people are opening up their camps and getting docks in. I'll probably be fishing Honeoye for a few more weeks until the jet ski and waterski boat activity gets crazy and then I'll be kayaking in Hemlock and Canadice. For now it's still safe and enjoyable to paddle around there.

One of 2 chain pickerel caught yesterday along with 8 LMB. Note the telltale black bar of a pickerel beneath the eye.

LOL Yes, but love the enthusiasm of Allatoona GLocker. I think we have all been there on something, maybe not just kayak fishing setups. At one time, most of us have charged ahead, and ignored experienced advice in the process of figuring out what we really need and what will finally work best. Allen Der - I thought the same about the stability issue created by the upfront elevated weight. Another unintended consequence will be decreased aerodynamics, i.e., the bag will be like a small sail and catch any wind blowing, causing the kayak to be pushed around, making it harder to control. Additionally, the bag may restrict the casting motion, and be yet another thing for a hook on your lure to catch on. My experience is that a dangling hook will find something to snag into, usually at the worst possible time (not that there is ever a better time for this). Allatoona GLocker, down the road you'll probably end up with a much different set up; in the meantime have fun figuring it out and best of luck fishing.

Honeoye today from 2 -5:30. Caught 11 LMB; biggest was about 3#, the rest were all the same, about 1.5# each. Beautiful day.

Exactly. I've used a 6'9" medium 1st gen Veritas for several years with great success. Adding a Lake Fork trailer hook to the frog helps as well

I Use 17# Vanish for leader when fishing for Salmon. Never a problem. There are some that jump on the negative bandwagon just to be followers. Use what you have good experience with and don't use what doesn't work for you; just that easy.

Fishing from a kayak can and should be a lot of fun. Yes, good equipment makes a tremendous difference toward a positive experience. Get a good kayak - a nice stable sit on top with a good seat, or a comfortable one that you sit inside with an open deck (I have a hybrid type which is quite comfortable). Also, a light weight quality paddle is a plus. No matter what you get, every few hours - go to shore, get out, move around and stretch. Bring some snacks and some bottles of water or Gatorade type drinks. You may find that it's much easier to adjust your equipment or change lures standing on shore during your stretching and snack breaks. You can keep it simple, catch fish and have fun. I just take a few rods and a small bag of lures that I know will work. I don't take an anchor with me anymore, as I use the wind to my favor and drift as I cast quite often. I usually fish close to shore, catching most fish casting close to shore or just outside the weed line. If it's too windy, don' fight it, don't go out, know there will be better days. Always wear your PFD on the water as well. Answer to your question- No - kayak fishing should not be frustrating. Get set up properly, then get out there and have fun. Good luck.

Almost 100% spinning for me. I have a casting outfit that I still play/practice with in the back yard and have tried in my kayak a few times, it isn't comfortable for me to use on the water; that's just me. Fishing from a kayak, sitting at the water line, spinning is much easier for me. Never felt limited using only spinning, and have landed small panfish up to 30# salmon; fishing from shore or from a kayak. Use whatever you like and what works best for you. God bless America.