atcoha

Here's one from fall of 2013... 39" using mullet head

you can no problem. My buddy uses one all the time, even lands the big bulls. Just make sure you use one that has the big spool for line capacity or you are asking for trouble. Reds run for days, and laugh at weak drags.

I like using spinning gear for the reds...Most of the time we are fishing off bridges or passes. 4500 series and up for the bulls, I use 20-30# braid, and a stout 7' rod. You can get away with a 3500 series, with the smaller slot size reds, it is a ton of fun! When I am inshore fishing in my kayak or wading the bay shores, pretty much use 3500 series and my mojo inshore rod, I save the bigger gear when I am targeting the big ones. Live shrimp on a popping cork, gulp shrimp on cork..If I am using live shrimp, I tear off the tail, and put it on a jig head, or gulp shrimp on jighead. I like using live shrimp, but you will go through them quick with all the pinfish and other undesirables. Throwing artificial can be a lot of fun and rewarding. doa shrimp, doa cal, mirrolure plastics and matrix shad on jighead are great. You can bump them off the bottom, bump through grass, stroke'em, twitch twitch reel. Try different retrieves, just like bass, they can be finicky. They are fun to catch, once you hook a few, you will be hooked. Now is a good time to catch the reds, might even be some big ones still in close where you are, the slot size reds will be around all year. Good luck and have fun!

I have an rx pair of costa's. Don't believe the hype on the warranty...For the $ I spent, I expected more. Went with wileyx last year, and the warranty even covers my rx lenses. Fit great, can see great on the water, and about 1/2 the price of costa...overrated..? To each his own.

Walked down the creek a bit, as far as I could...threw a dark trick worm, got bit immediately, in the water, right in front of me is a couple of downed trees or big branches...I was reeling her in, she did not jump, but swirled on top, went down and got tied up in those branches. Let the bail loose for awhile, she did try to swim away, but could not get the line unwrapped...Had to break her off. Hope she got unwrapped. Pretty good day, weather was high 70's and 5-10mph winds. Got broke off again on that dang log in my spot...and headed home.

I agree, kayak fishing in wind is a downer. I do have an anchor trolley set up, and use it. A stakeout pole is only good in light wind, and shallow water with good bottom that can hold it. There have been a few times I had to abandon fishing altogether due to wind and tides. I usually fish more out of my kayak in the bays/inshore, where I can drift over grass flats, paddle back, and drift back over. Get an anchor trolley and do not get any kind of claw anchor for fresh lakes...too many logs/limbs to get permanently hung up on. Make sure you get some sort of float attached to your line and a quick way of disconnecting, a couple of carabiners work fine. Good luck!

Got home today from our trip to Port St. Joe Had a good time. Everything unloaded, decided to hit up the creek. Throwing some craw thing that was loose in my bag of junk I take to the creek. He swiped it and got hooked in the throat, poor guy, he swam off fine. Had another follower, all the way up to the bank...After a few break offs from the logs, I left.

Catch a lot of reds and "gator" trout in Pensacola bay. Shrimp on a jighead, mirrolure, doa shrimp, doa cals and paddletails on a jighead. No snook around here, tarpon every once in awhile. I'm over in Eastpoint/Port St. Joe this week...seems nothing is biting...not even pinfish...

Have caught fish on the cut-r worms. t-rigged mostly. Always try and keep a pack in my bag.

Stopped by a little "pond" (marshy, high water due to rain) on my way back home from work today. I keep a flimsy 2 piece 20 year old ugly stick behind seat in my work van(shhhh). It's really too flimsy for anything, but I did not bring my other stuff. Anyway, had been eyeballing this spot for years, decided to stop. Threw a 7" blue bruiser worm, 2nd cast I get hit..came undone, this rod stinks for trying to set a hook, Kept throwing, the lily pads are everywhere now. After a few, switched to a craw, felt like brim pecking at it...Nothing else. Switched to roboworm on shakey head...finally got that little sucker...not a bass but a big green sunfish. Considered it a success and got back on the road home. Anyone have some recommendation on a decent "travel rod"...I do bring one of my good rods and reel when I know I am going back in the bama sticks, and know I will have time to wet a line.

Tough call. Add up those accessories cost by themselves, and do the math. You can customize any model/brand to your liking. You should take a test drive before you buy.... Check the online yak dealers, I am sure there are plenty of leftover 2014 models you can save hundreds on. Leave you more $ for the "incidentals" that will nickel and dime you to death, not must have's, but wants...

Thanks. That was last year, spring break, we went down to crystal river. Had a good time, except for the wind was blowing 15-25 EVERY day, did not get to use them much on that trip. Headed to port st. joe next week. Have added some gear, blackpack, park-n-poles,more rod holders, different yak carrier setup, those jracks were too much of a problem on my truck, too high. Went with the yakima sweet rolls...could not be happier.

Got mine a couple days ago. Smaller than I thought it would be. Looks great. Will put it to use very soon.

Hit up the creek today after work for about an hour. 3 bass. One spot came undone as I was flippin' him onto shore.. t-rigged black/blue yum dinger, green pumpkin baby zoom lizard, missile baits dbomb(dookie brown). There is one spot on this point with some branches/logs about 2' deep, I get hung up and broke off so much...gotta be $25 worth of tungsten weights down there, lol Whatever it takes, right? Had a good time, peace and quiet, a few fish.

got an email that hud gill shipped today, usps... just an update.

That sux. Gonna be upwards of 80 here tomorrow.

Hit up the creek again about 3pm. Tried tossing a new shakey head with a watermelon trick worm. Nothing. Water was still high, but lower than the other day. Tied on a weighted trigged blue colored yum dinger, 5" First cast, got nailed. Pulled in another sub 2# spot. My boy went with me, he was in the truck, playing on the phone. As soon as he saw that fish, he decided it was time to make some casts. Nothing more today, headed out to the lake tomorrow...more 4-7# fish being caught, along with an 11+ yesterday. Spring has sprung in NW Fl and LA (lower Alabama for you yankees).

My jackson cruise kayaks... Getting ready to get them off the stands and use them...been awhile.

nice one

went today after work. With all the rain lately from the north and west, creek was WAY up and running hard. Decided to stay awhile, some peace and quiet. No action today. The big'uns are moving up in the local lakes...good reports of 5-8# fish being caught in the past few days. Hurry up weekend! I am ready.

nice lunker

hahaha. My pup stands their at attention when we grill out on the back porch. Like one of those statue dogs. Funny.

That is awesome! Good for you.

Could not agree more. Drop the coin on a guide, you will not regret it, before you get back to the dock, you will be planning your next trip down.

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