Fish the Mitt

What did you use to weigh that? 8lbs seems like a stretch IMHO

That top LM looks straight beat up, man. Also looks like it emerged from the super deep. Nice fish though!!

Well, share with the class! Coming from MI, we don't have the bass you guys do down in FL. I mean, we have 8lbers+ on occasion but as you can tell by my PB, I ain't ever landed one.

See, you just have to put in the time. With that time, you will figure out what they want and how they want it. Also, slow is key with pads. You don't want your lure barrel rolling over or through the pads/stems which might cause it to snag or get caught up. BTW: 8lber, nice!! Take any pics?

If you're constantly losing lures, something needs adjusted (knot, line, technique, etc..). There are anglers here that fish pads everyday and have figured it out. Exposed hooks are problems in heavy pad areas. Keep that in mind. So it all depends on how you're rigging these worms - if done right, there shouldn't be much snagging going on. So with that said, what I've gathered is this: 1. This is a heavily padded area 2. You have access (if done right) to shallow AND deeper water 3. You're using straight braid (with no leader). 4. There are gators around. NOTE: I am unsure of bottom composition. Taking all of this into account, I would suggest learning all you can about rigging soft plastics (Texas Rig, Carolina Rig, Ned-Rig, wacky rig, etc) in a weedless fashion as well as learning as much as you can about topwater and jigging/punching. Those are my options for the setup in question. As well as possibly using a Fluoro leader (unless you only night fish). Again, exposed hooks; for the majority of the water, is off limits due to the heavy pads so you have to stick with presentations that get to where the fish are and won't snag on the pad stems or pads themselves. My two cents anyways.

........ sounds painful.

Congrats man! I've yet to dive off my yak but the time will come...one day.

Definitely a one-eye!!

Did some night fishing on Five lakes out of Clare, MI Sunday night (made for a tired day at work Monday). Had a helluva night!! Over 15 bass hit my lure(s), landed 10-12 (I forgot). Biggest was just over 4lbs and a handful in the 3lb range. Fantastic night. Fishing 0-12ft of water. FYI: This was 90mins of fishing. Biggest of the night (below). Also, my PB for this year so far.

...and I'm most certainly looking forward to it. It's an absolute thrill.

The biggest thing is understanding. Understanding that we aren't born the best but rather, it's something we have to work toward. Every day is a step in that direction - but only if you allow it to be. Never stop listening, never stop learning, never stop growing.

Very true. I was super familiar with the lake I chose so perhaps I chose it subconsciously knowing that fact. Eitherway, that's a good #5!

@RMcDuffee726 has one he has sent out to members. You might want to PM him and ask for a copy. It's a pretty solid template.

As for the intricacies, I am still learning but the most important thing is information and safety.

1. PFD the entire time 2. Ensure you're aware of where things are at in your kayak before launching - and make sure you'er comfortable with it. The last place you want to adjust things and mess around is on the water. 3. Headlamp - Helps a ton 4. Start on a small body of water to get your feet wet (pun not intended)

As the sun begins to set, the hustle and bustle of day life begins to wind down. The infrequency of traffic and Amish horse-drawn carriages suggests that most everyone, to include my family, have retreated inside their homes in preparation of bedtime. Bathtime has come and passed and my freshly scrubbed daughter crawls under her blankets as I quickly tidy up her room before grabbing the 'go to' bedtime book - "Curious George's 8 Adventures". Upon finishing, I leave the book with her; to let her read a story herself before bed (our secret), as I stand to close her window. Standing by the window, the illumination of our porch lamp coupled with the grey darkness looming, creates a soft glow on the window sill. The aroma of grilling and freshly cut hay squeaks through the final crack as I shut the pane and lock it - which only adds to the ambiance in the room. Relaxation. Happiness. With a kiss goodnight, and a quick explanation as to why she can't stay awake all night, I'm off to my own room. But not to sleep. After tucking the ol' lady in and going over some safety details, I'm off to fish! The fishing There's been a lot of posting about night fishing recently and after reading @A-Jay's last post, I decided I would give it a go. I spent the evening relining by reels and re-organizing my tackleboxes (to include creating a new 'night box'). I got to the lake around 10:30pm. Sunset was 9:22pm so I didn't quite make it out as quickly as I'd hoped but it was ok. Once I launched my kayak, I decided to stay in that general area as it was close to the deepest part of the lake (and to the launch). My Abu baitcaster just so happened to be in my front rod holder so that's what I started with. Throwing a 3/8oz Z-Man chatterbait (in Dark Green Pumpkin) with a Fishog Shadow swimbait (in Houdini color) as a trailer, it took all of 3 casts to land my first LMB. I knew the night was going to be good because the first bass was not a dink. It wasn't huge but definitely a decent fish. After releasing him and getting my bearings; as I've never done this so it's all new to me, I continued on. Now, trying to think of an easy way to describe my fishing pattern has led me to create my own visual reference. Imagine lake depth as a number, 0-10. With 0 being the shallowest and 10 being the deepest. I was fishing around a 3 so I could cast to a 0 and also reach a 4/5 (small enough lake to do so with litlle movement). Keeping to this pattern, I worked the outside NorthEastern edge and literally kept within a 100yds of the same spot my entire duration out there. After working some pontoons and docks pretty heavily, I back up a bit back to a 3 and began fan casting out in all directions. In the 90-120mins I was out there, I landed 10-12 bass (lost count) and lost 5ish (losing vision does take a toll on hook set and retrieve - there's no line to watch). Most importantly, they were ALL quality bass except one dink. My previous best for this year was a 3.25Lb LM. I landed a 3.5Lb lastnight as well as one just over 4lb. No matter where I turned, or what I threw (also threw a single blade spinnerbait with Big Ol Bait Co paddle ail trailer), I was landing quality fish. The entire thing was exciting. I was legitimately like a small kid in a candy store. As stated, i did have around 5 get off due to getting used to everything and one....one felt like I hooked a horse. I set the hook and it felt like it didn't even move. Overall, it was a fantastic night!! Conclusion I don't know if it was luck, perfect timing, a little skill, or what but I will most definitely be going out again very soon as it almost felt like I couldn't NOT land one every cast. It's an absolute rush and I highly recommend other's try it if you've been thinking about it. Taking something as naturalistic as bass fishing, and removing your most highly relied on sense, amplifies everything you feel when day fishing. However, safety truly is paramount so take the proper precautions if this is something you decide to embark on. Because again, I highly recommend it.

That's exactly what I use.

This won't be a bedding story but a story of learning coupled with a little humor. My work schedule puts me on the water during the evening hours and doesn't leave much time to fish. However, anytime is time I'll take. So this particular evening, the ol' lady and I take my daughter (5) fishing. It was early prespawn, during the evening, so it wasn't a suprise that when we walked out on the long dock, we saw a few bass up on the shallows looking to eat. They all darted off in opposite directions with one particular one going straight for a submerged log. So keeping that in mind, I rig up my daughters 5ft Lady Zebco with a drop shot - SK Green Pumpkin Dream Shot. She's all excited and can barely control herself. She's not quite capable of casting so I threw it out toward the log a few times for her. Guiding her through what to do but with no luck. After awhile, she (my daughter) loses interest. I cast it out there by the log and go to hand the rod to her but she'd off playing with something else. Well, I'm forced to reel it in right?! BAM. Caught a small LM. My daughter was half stoked and half disappointed she didn't catch it. Funny part is that was the first bass I've ever caught on a drop shot rig. With a 5ft pink, right-handed (I'm left), Lady Zebco w/ 6lb purple mono.

All I've got to say, is that if that is what gets your blood boiling, be grateful - because that's a pretty good fricken life!

Yea, dude. I'm not into singing praise for anything other than hard work - but this flat out caught me a few bass in an hour when I was bassless for the previous 6. I also don't consider myself a noob. Not a pro, but not a noob. So keep it in the back of your mind the next time the bite gets tough. It'll always be there for me now.

So I've never been one for jumping on every new lure or technique out there. I can barely keep track of the tackle I do have, I don't need to worry about adding more. However, I ran into a situation the other day that no matter what I threw.... no takers. In over 6hours of fishing, I was well on my way to getting skunked. Now usually, I would just move to some guaranteed spots I have to salvage the day...and my pride - but NO LUCK!! The entire lake/river was tight lipped. Chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, jigs, T-Rigged soft baits (weighted and none), etc.. nothing worked. So there I was, pondering, and I decided to try; for the first time,.............a wacky rigged Senko (weightless). BOOM! That's all I'll say to that.

I don't know him personally but him and Travis fish all the tournaments around here they can. I see their names quite abit anyways.

99.9% of the Kayak tourneys I've seen are CPR as well. However, we have a local Chamber of Commerce tourney that 'may' allow kayaks to enter. This is a CDR w/ a weigh-in. I sold my bass boat so my only option would be shore fishing (not doing that on Budd Lake). SO essentially, in case I am allowed to fish with my yak, I wanted some options as I am not liking the stringer off the side of my kayak idea. Seems like it'd work. Functionality over fashion, am I right ?!

Out of curiosity, and because I might be needing something of the sort, is there an livewell or hold tank/cage you guys have found that can actually hold a limit of 5 bass for a kayak? I've seen the baitfish ones but nothing of any size. I've also seen the DIY drag behinds but unsure if anyone has any experience with them. Will that slow you way down? Essentially, just seeing if there are any Kayakers out there that fish tournaments or derbys that have a need to keep fish alive for a weigh-in. If so, how do you hold your bass? One thing I saw was: http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/attachment.php?attachmentid=256583&d=1246838095

Well...being honest, I'd cast it back out like that. Nature's free fishing lure. In all honesty, that things a toad (pun intended).