Hookn1

Unfortunately I found them two days in a row pre fishing for a tournament Saturday, I also found them Friday in new areas and left them for tourney day. When Saturday rolled around, all the deep fish I found were small. I did end up hooking on drag ripper, but ended up getting wrapped around something during the fight and broke off 50 lbs braid after about 10 seconds of back and forth with her. She was a brute based on the depth finder reading, and a heartbreaker for sure. Most fish caught in the tournament were caught on brush hogs and chatterbaits in around 8 feet of water along grass lines. I stayed deep all day and ended with 8 fish landed, but only finished 12 out of 50. Being my first trip to the area, and given my pre fishing results, I had a blast and made memories that will last a long time. Thanks again for the info. AND, if anyone knows anything about Kentucky Lake, I will be there in two weeks for my next event. Never been to it either.

I have not posted much on this site, but with everything that I have learned and picked up from here and there, I figured I would share my first Rayburn experience from this past week. Of course the weather wasn't optimal, but the fishing was good. I fished shallow below 12 and fished deep, 20 to 35 feet. I found fish in both, but it seemed the deeper fish where more willing to bite. I landed fish on Chatterbaits, drop shot, crank baits and Jigs, with the 6th Sense Crank Baits and 3/4 and 1 oz jig and pigs in watermelon and crawfish colors being the most productive. Water ranged from 49 to 51 degrees. I found most fish on structure toward the end of points, creek turns, and inside drains. I fished the Veach and 5 fingers area. I was also fishing in a kayak and was very appreciative of the sportsmanship of all the boaters around, I found everyone to be courteous and respectable in regards to proximity boundaries. Being from La, the boaters have accepted the kayak community over time for the most part, and in Tx it appeared to be the same respect. Thank you all for the information shared on this site, it has been priceless for me over the last few months. im having a little trouble getting the files small enough to upload, but here are a few. I didn't weigh any fish, caught measured, took pics and released them. They ranged from 16 inches to just over 24 inches, with a couple 22ers in the mix.

Yes sir Time Bandit....who is this anyway...send me a message

I'll be there in three weeks...looking forward to figuring something out...have done a lot of homework and am expecting all that work to be chunked in the wind once I get on the water for half a day.. feeling good with some starting points and alternative areas within my plan... I appreciate all the help from this page...I will share everything I learn before the end of the month..

And that would be me...the same hookn1...busted...

The braid I currently use on my other set ups us 20-30 lbs...sounds like I can go back to that set up with my cranking now too...I find braid has a lot further casting distance and sensitive that fc and mono and I just want to get back to that with cranking... I have always used a long leader since I made the transition to braid...doesn't sound like anyone is having issues with leader and braid or braid alone when cranking....Thanks for the responses.... as for clear water...2 foot clarity and more...would u recommend stripping the braid and going all mono or flouro...I ask because I will be fishing Florida this coming January and am not sure of the clarity around the lake george area and don't want to be disadvataged...I haven't had issues with braid and fc in the glades, but I wasn't chasing lmb either...thanx again

Being george is a fairly flat in structure, are winter holding patterns along the main channel dividing the lake or do they just hold on cover near small structural changes withing the lake itself? Thanks again...I love this site.

I am from louisiana and have fished an adventure fishing world championship down there the last two years..talk about trips of a lifetime... we did out trips in kayaks and ranged over 25 miles a day from backcountry to miles out in open water...in a boat I could only imagine how great it could be...cell phone coverage is at a minimum to none in areas... I documented my last trip in a 4 part series if ur interested in reading a lot of the donts...I did win the event so it was worth it in the long run, my buddies on the other hand would likely disagree.. http://hookn1.blogspot.com/2014/02/adventure-fishing-world-championship.html?m=0

I know this can be a controversial topic and I apologize up front in case this particular topic is on the forum somwhere...her we go. I use braid on all of my rodd except my cranking rod...I use a 7 foot leader of both flouro or mono depending on lures chosen for that rod on that day with leader weights ranging from 8 to 20 lbs.... I understand the sensitivity and streng5h drawbacks and positives on using braid, but I never see anything on how leaders effect performance....if I was to start using braid with a light leader for my cranking how would it likely effect my dive dpeth...braid is thinner yet buoyant so I would think it would cut the water cleaner, but how will the joining knot drag and boyancy affect depth and performance.... I have used this set up with cranking in the past and it's been fine, I do lighten up the drag and work the fish with a little less force to ensure I'm not pulling hooks, but lately I'm running pure flouro on my cranking rods although I'd like to get back to braid and leader.. I also run leaders with jigs..drop shots..worms..topwater..and lipless..pretty much everything but cranks. I'm trying to decide if I am handicapping myself at all...also..what about clear water...are you against braid all together or do you think a 7 foot leader is sufficient? I kind of feel like I'm rambling, I hope this makes sense...any help is greatly appreciated. . This site is absolutely amazing and has got me thinking of kinds of different styles approaches and techniques...to whom ever runs the show here...THANK YOU

Here is a link to my blog post I did a couple weeks ago. I grew up on the Tchefuncte. http://hookn1.blogspot.com/2014/11/childhood-watersbassin-on-tchefuncte.html

Priceless info and I appreciate your time sharing...looking forward to chasing lmb in Fl...I usually only fish tarpon in Sarasota and snook in the Everglades. This will be my first LMB chase in Florida...

I will be heading over to lake George this January and possibly some of the small lakes south of George off the river system. ..I've never been there and not exactly sure what to expect... so far I understand that's is a pre spawn time and the springs on the wset side have warmed water and the point on the SE side is promising...any other suggestions or advice around temps..clarity..depths..structure...holdino patterns..lures or areas to check out would be greatly appreciated. . Many thanks.

Welcome back

The best thing hands down is to demo yaks, and I mean all of them...not just the cool ones. I am a die hard hobie guy, but I see advantages and disadvantages to all of the. As far as current goes, I have fished several years in the Everglades with 4-8' tidal ranges twice a day and haven't had any problems. Although I would never suggest going up current of an 8' tidal range....it's VERY slow going...been there..it's not fun. I will say pedaling is the way to go. Not paddling, unless your main source us shallow streets, then the before mentioned Cusa by Jackson is a heck of a kayak. I have lots of stories and some videos in current that you can see at www.hookn1.blogspot.com or at www.fincrazy.net If you have any questions around any lines, pros and cons I am sure we will all help you out, but even as a Hobie team member, I can't stress the need to demo demo demo, before you buy. Good luck..

Ive spent the last couple of days reviewing endless informative information on this forum...its been almost 20 years since ive fished Toledo Bend and the thread around that lake is great... I have been an avid saltwater angler for years but grew up bass fishing and now I am getting back to what got me hooked in the first place..largemouths....just wanted to say hi...I have now joined...and thank you to everyone who shares their knowledge...and a special thanks to Catt for his TB 101 ...I sure wish this was all available back when I used to bass fish more...better late than never ...thanks again..