SchlottyD

The latest haul. Lucky Craft baits are the best part. Was going to list what everything is but it would take quite a while.

I can tell you from my experience as an auto tech that midsize suv type vehicles don't do well towing. The suspension usually sags causing weight to come off the front end effecting steering ability, and the brakes are usually not up to the task either. You could go that way and probably get by but I personally wouldn't. There wouldn't be enough of a difference in fuel mileage to justify it either. If you want an suv go with a Tahoe or Yukon or Suburban, or maybe an Expedition or Excursion, or Durango also. Those are all based on a 1/2 or 3/4 ton platform. A 1/2 ton truck with a topper is a nice way to go, gives you a place to stow gear and keep it out of the weather. A full size van makes a good tow rig as well.

This type of operation would get you run out of town where I'm from. That is why I will encourage catch and release and would limit myself to a few people per trip. A pontoon boat full of tourists would be madness.

Small coves, cut backs in the bank, anywhere water flows in bringing food sources with it. Areas that indicate changes in depth can be good as well. Where are you from and what weather and water conditions were or are you fishing?

I'll have to check DSG next week, maybe sooner if I get some extra cash. Gander Mountain has been a bust lately and haven't seen much at Academy either.

Had to feed the bait monkey a little. 15 pack of Gander Mountain 5" Senkos in pumpkin with chartreusse tail, Strike King Series 3 pro model crankbait in tennessee shad, Strike King Red Eye Shad lipless 1/4oz crank in orange belly craw, Worden's Rooster Tail 1/6oz black, and a Cavitron 3/8oz Buzz Bait in Black with red blade and hook.

If there are any areas of inflow still that would be your best bet if the bass have moved in search of food. If not fish near cover in the flooded areas near where the fish usually are. A square bill crank in natural darker colors bounced off of and worked around cover might have good results or a large plastic of your preference, also in a darker color around that same cover. Hard to offer good solid advice for water I've never fished.

Native has the Slayer 10 and Slayer 13 wich are pedal driven with a propeller and can be pedaled forward and reverse.

Good advice. As for me fishing while guiding that would depend entirely on the customer and the situation. My priority would be to get them on the fish and catching because it would satisfy me more to see a client catching fish and having a good time. I would hopefully know the pattern and some of the favored lures/baits leading up to the trip and not have to fish during to figure that out.

Appreciate all of the responses and comments so far. I'm kind of surprised to be getting this much response. Some good ideas and information that I had not though of has come up which is awesome.

This sounds like a great idea as well as a good excuse for a vacation. Booking with a kayak guide would be a great way to get an idea of what I'm getting in to. Definitely won't be the primary source of income. Don't expect to break the bank starting out, just breaking even would be nice. I have spoken to a lot of people in my lifetime who could have traveled to many places to fish but chose Kansas, you might be surprised. Yes it will definitely be part time, weekends, days off, after work during the evening or night if that's what the customer wants.

I have an Abu Black Maxx 2 on a Gander Vortex medium heavy rod that I'm pretty happy with. So out of those I would choose the Abu combo, step up to a promax if you can swing it though.

I always look for sales and clearance for things I want but if I need it or think I need it then it gets bought no matter the price if I have the money. I have been known to walk shorelines when lakes or ponds are low and gather lures, even shimmied up a tree or two for nice ones. I also tend to use plastics until they are destroyed, won't stay hooked, or fish just flat won't touch them. Once in a while I grab a rod or reel from thrift stores, yard sales, or pawnshops, have even pulled some from trash cans and out of the water and repaired.

Would rate my 2015 as unsatisfying. That was largely due to not getting as much time on quality water as I used to. Will be changing that in 2016 though. I have my priorities straightened out and the wife on the same page and the approval of some other important family members. Moving closer to good fishing again so that will equal less driving, less fuel expenses, and more time on the water.

If you are running a good sized trailer then try running a trailer hook if you aren't fishing areas with lots of stuff to get snagged on. May not help with how aggressive the fish are but should help your hookup rate.

I do have people skills although that is hard to convey by keyboard. I'm not sure what the market is yet either but I have been researching it and believe it could be an unfilled niche since there is more and more interest in kayaking and kayak fishing.

That would be a bad deal but with a comprehensive coverage rider on my insurance I would be able to replace anything lost and not be out the money. Most equipment would be strapped in and secured and rods could be leashed to the yak while they are not in use. So at most I would probably lose the rod or rods the customer was using and a little tackle if it was open and not secured.

Yes, gear has been on my mind but I' m a bit of a tackle and gear junkkie so I have a bunch of extra already and have some wholesale connections I have made over time. Completely understand that and a boat isn't entirely out of the question for me but I couldn't compete with most guides as far as high end boats and equipment on them go. I can also get people into places most boats could not navigate as there are shallows and riffles on the rivers I would be guiding. And of course less expense and overhead for me equals lower prices for customers which could lead to more return customers in the long run. I'm not going to be jumping in neck deep from the start and if I can make back my initial ivestment and grow from that I would be happy. I am sure it will be hit and miss starting out so it will likely be a part time endeavor for a while.I now all about jerk customers as I have ran my on small business in the past successfully just got burnt out on working in the auto repair industry. If I have boats and gear and tackle for clients then out of town or not wouldn't matter. As far as return business goes it will depend on the customer I suppose but if I keep overhead low and prices reasonable while providing good srvice and an excellent experiene that should help.

@flyfisher I will have to check more into that aspect of it. It's always good to be able to expand I'm just concerned with having too much cash outlay at once and too many "irons in the fire". Buying more than 2 or 3 yaks would be a hard pill to swallow and a big gamble to make right off the bat unless i sacrificed some quality for quantity.

It seems like that would involve a whole different service involving teaching people how to kayak, good idea considering how few people there are that would already know unless they had their own yak. For now though I would target those who do already kayak to some extent but may not fish from one or those who do fish from one but aren't familiar with the waters and species.

Way to figure out the pattern. Some good looking fish. Good luck getting on them after the cold snap.

Very nice fish! Ice on the water around here, waiting for another warm spell.

That little Crappie was HUNGRY!

My ultra light spinnerbaits in blood red, black, and white have done well and in cooler water temps allow for a slower retrieve. Ive used many different tubes meant for panfish but generally only for white bass.

I haven't bought since late summer or early fall but the December-January issue of Bass magazine has me itching pretty bad. Ive been resisting the urge to buy tackle to further "justify" a new kayak purchase in February or March.