Dogmatic

Thomas obviously has never fished the Lehigh. ?

Cruising Mattlures gills is where it's at with spawning bluegills!

Giving pond, across from Frenchtown in PA isn't bad, best if you have a boat. Another is Lake Towhee, but a boat is also best here. Just two off the top of my head, I live Perkasie, so they're a little south of you, but not too far. If I think of any more, I'll let you know. My suggestion is Google Earth, and don't be afraid to ask for permission.

The "cons" of tandems are mentioned above. The Big Tuna is a tandem that can be used as a solo efficiently, but they're beasts, and like Clayton says, maxing out the roof rack on a civic. They dont meet all that you want, like propulsion, but that can be remedied with a DIY/aftermarket motor mount. contradictions in your requirements are that you want a good fishing yak, but it needs to carry two adults, you want pedal propulsion, but also a motor, all this needs, not only to fish freshwater, but salt also, and it needs to fit (safely) on top of a Honda Civic. There are a lot of great yaks out there, some come close, but NONE are going to fit all those "requirements". I would have suggested a hybrid like Clayton, Native Ultimate would be my suggestion, but you want to take it in some "big water", and personally, I just don't have confidence in a yak that doesn't "self-bail"(aka, have scuppers). Like I said, my advice, get two yaks. Get yourself a fishing machine, get your girl an easier cruiser(use the inflatable in the mean time, but that could be a divorce too, when you leave her behind ?).

Diablo builds a hybrid, but not the typical canoe/yak, but a SUP/yak, might fit your needs. Traditional hybrids do fit your requirements also. Native Ultimate, Wildy Commander, Ascend H12, above all else you should try to demo, the only sure fire way to make an informed decision. There's a saying in the yak world, much like your "buy once, cry once", "buy your second kayak, first". Almost everyone jumps in and buys a yak before they know what they really want, only to "upgrade" a season later. Good luck, and let us know what you decide on.

What a great post! Lots of good advice above. Many of your "requirements" are contradictory, but hey, that's what we're here for. Before I suggest anything, my first bit of advice is get your girlfriend her own yak, tandems suck(although that Hobie from CL is awesome! 1st time I've seen a tandem PA, only the Outfitter). But to try and give you what you want, I suggest you check out a Jackson Big Tuna, a tandem that is Also a respectable solo handling yak, although it doesn't fulfill all your needs. As for pedal drive, you're looking at Hobie or Native, (Santa Cruz has capability too w/the new Raptor G2, but doesn't make much sense), and only Hobie has any real capability to carry two adults. DIY is really big in the yak world and that is always an option for propulsion. The ATAK and OT Predator MX have factory motor options,(but aren't really built for two.). Storage that's up to you, plenty of easy DIY options. Try to demo, and good luck! Let us know what you decide on.

Lots of "conventional" picks, I'll add some bigger options for y'all who really like getting selective. MS Slammer (either 7" or my preferred 9"), I use a white, or light one for when the sun is up, or black or purple for nighttime. It's unique swim action, profile, and noise draws big fish(although l've caught a few middlings on it too). Add just a few others I throw on a regular basis that are consistent fish catchers. 3:16 Wake Jr(and baby wake), Black Dog Lunker Punker (wood), and new to my arsenal R2S Whopper Plopper(190). I usually throw these baits over deeper water to shallow transition areas, weedlines, and edges of steep drop offs, like rock walls, and lay downs in deeper water.

Both, Hudd 68, Mattlures hardgill.

Unfortunately, here in PA that egg laden trout eater is rare, and she is highly likely to be "harvested" thanks to our antiquated "big bass" regulations. As is trout stocking in warm waterways where those big bass live.

Have you seen the BB vid from a few days ago fishing Pyramid with the 250. Not a long vid, but I learned a lot from it. ?

Very excited about the big three(four) coming from Savage Gear, and also the Optimum thumper tail.

Having moderate success with my swimbaits, nothing huge, lots of 3's, few 4's, and a couple 5's (one was really 6). But haven't been able to really put the time in.

Old Bethlehem rd. (Point), you can go either direction, east to the bluff and coves that are on the north side. Or north to the "high bridge", and the Tohickon cliffs. Second place (north side), Haycock area, there's an old road (past Tohickon launch before the Haycock launch), just pull off to park, that leads down to the Dam point (main lake point), from there head west to the northside bluffs. Southside, park in the lot off Mink rd. From there you can head down towards the dam and spillway, or head west (there's a trail) that heads to the south side point and bluffs. The one thing these spots all have in common, easy access to deep water. Btw, the pier is not bad, very close to the main lake channel and some deeper water close to some nice flats. Tight lines.

If you're on FB, I suggest the Ascend owners group. Congrats! And, no, as is, that rod holder will not fit on your rack, but they do make rail adapters.

With water temps near or 60° and the first full moon, some fish will definitely be in spawning mode.

You would be correct, SOT is a colder wetter ride. Hybrids protect you from the wind, and because of confined cockpit, you stay warmer. Choice is really about the ability to "self bail", or having scuppers or not, and if due to the type of fishing you're doing you need that ability. Important note though, when fishing in cold temps, or cold water situations, you NEED to wear appropriate gear, and always wear a PFD, no matter which yak style you choose. Tight lines, good luck, and have fun.

Screw the jigs, let's see the Hinkle!(nice blade btw).

Hehehe..."2-3 bites max" I go days with nothing, a follow or two, if I have a single bite in a day, that was a successful day! But it's addicting, especially after seeing a big girl follow your bait in, my heart gets pumping. Good advice above, only thing I would add, like any type of fishing, when selecting your baits, cover the water column.

Out today, negative. But the last time I was out the water temp ranged from high 40's to mid 50's. Want to get out Friday before the cold front moves in. Fish should be biting.

Tick tick the water is getting warmer!

Anyone hit the lake up yet?

Perkasie here, The Nock, and other impoundments, local private farm ponds, and the Big D. Just gearing up, now, new line, organizing, ect...hope to hit the water in the next few days.

Good advice here. My only suggestion, might want to try a deadstick or twitch technique. Stockers are notoriously "fragile" fish. With that much stocking going on, bound to be some damaged fish, that make for easy meals.

Go big or go home, 1/2 oz. is standard for me, sometimes 3/4 up, depends on situation and fish.

1.) Finding the time to fish 2.) Topwater explosion.