Can't Catch Bass

I have one. It's a great little boat. I'm constantly being asked about it, so if you get one be ready to field some questions. As far as speed... You will cap out at around 3.5 mph. You can comfortably pedal at around 2.75-3mph for long stretches. It comes with scupper plugs. I mainly fish small lakes and ponds. Most the time mine are left in. It is stable. I can stand in it, but I honestly don't stand very often. This is more a confidence thing for me than anything, I haven't had the boat too long and I haven't practiced much to grow my confidence. As far as fish finders go mounting it is the real obstacle. I have a Garmin striker 4cv that I tried mounting the transducer inside the hull, but I could never get it to work, so I ended up getting a ram mount arm. You'll want to pick up a spare prop and shear pins. Also, the clips which hold the propel unit in. These can all break if you hit something. There is a prop indexer upgrade that you can install that will help you quickly align the prop with the slot in the hull, so you can tilt the propel unit up easily. Are you planning on purchasing the boat online or through a local dealer? If you are purchasing it online I would recommend you pick up the tools and grease to service the drive unit. There's videos online that go into detail about servicing the unit. I would go with the stock rudder for now. If you feel tracking straight is an issue for you I would get the berley pro rudder. If the turning radius is an issue they have a steering upgrade that will help with that. A much cheaper, but less effective way to improve both of these is to purchase the boonedox rudder upgrade. You'll probably want a cart. Boonedox landing gear is great. A cheaper option if you don't mind tinkering a little bit is the c-tug cart. The awesome part about this one is it breaks down quickly and fits in the front hatch. The kayak comes with a small tool caddy which will hold 3 sets of pliers. I'd recommend getting the under and behind the seat organizers, those are extremely handy.

I just picked up a brand new curado 71hg with free shipping for $139 from Kames in OH. Those are excellent reels.

Do you all think a Dobyns FR734C would be good for spinnerbaits and chatterbaits? I know the technique is listed for that rod, but I'm looking for someone with first hand experience with it. I primarily throw 3/8oz spinnerbaits/chatterbaits with sk rage craw/menace grub trailers. Thanks

I already own this one. For me topwater is pretty much frogs and Whopper plopper. Once in a while I'll throw a buzzbait, but that's really about it. I appreciate the recommendation, but I rarely throw cranks anymore. Most of the lakes I go to are so choked with weeds it makes them, or anything with a treble hook, an impossibility.

This is a work in progress, but I see myself going this way... I'm not much for sight fishing. I fish from a kayak. Standing is something I am working on being more comfortable with, but I'm just not there yet. I'm a Shimano guy BTW Pole #1 - Baitcaster... Curado 71hg St Croix Mojo Bass 7'1MH/F - I use this exclusively for jigs Pole #2 - Spinning... Sedona 2500 7'1 St Croix Mojo Bass M/F - I use this for primarily for worms. I also use this for Ned Rig when things are going south. This also doubles as a back up for all my baitcasters in very windy conditions. Pole #3 Baitcaster... Curado 71XG Dobyns DF735C - I'm thinking this will be my dedicated topwater rod and maybe grow into my pitching/flipping rod. Pole #4 Baitcaster... Spinnerbaits. Here's where I start to become more open. I do not have a dedicated rod or reel for this. I'm thinking a chronarch 51 would be optimal as far as a reel goes... I like the smaller form, but I am open. As far as rods, I'm not really sure... Maybe another DF735C? Pole #5...

This... Plano Double Cover Tackle Organizer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001ECQPV6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_U8AYzbY97E1AN The best part about it is the top cover interlocks with the bottom, so it keeps smaller things from migrating from one compartment to another. I used this box all the time when I was shore fishing.

I've been thinking about purchasing a setup for large swimbaits and muskie. I've been doing some research and I have read in some other posts/forums that a Cardiff and a Calcutta are basically both the same frame (in terms of dimensions), the only difference is the quality of the bearings and drag washers. So, by upgrading a Cardiff to abec5 bearings and Carbontex drag washers you can outperform a Calcutta at a cheaper cost. I was wondering if someone out there can verify if there is any truth to this.

I had that same thing happen to one of my reels. It wasn't until I was at the lake that I noticed something was up with my casts. Once I spotted the nick I just used a rock to polish it out. It worked great, no problems since.

I completely agree with what you're saying. I'm not planning on going out when it's cold. If I find myself wanting to fish when it's colder I'll definitely consider purchasing one. I just need something for the fall and spring where my sandals, convertible pants and huk shirts won't cut it. Honestly, I don't know how you all do it when it's really cold. I mean, I can keep my body warm, but my hands are a serious problem. I did get some pretty nice glacier gloves, but I don't foresee those being the be all end all.

Thanks all for the suggestions. I actually went with something very similar to what I was originally considering. I figure if it doesn't work out then I'm really not out anything. I can still use the base layer along with the boots with a pair of dry pants/waders if needed. Thanks again. If anyone wants to know how they work out just let me know. Once I get the chance to use them I'll answer any questions you may have.

Hello all. I have a pedal kayak and I was curious, what do you guys wear in terms of footwear and pants when it starts to get cooler out? I fish mostly smaller sized lakes and I don't plan on going out if the high for the day is any cooler than the high 40's. I generally don't wade in anything much deeper than mid calf, so I was thinking something like this might work... https://www.nrs.com/product/2308/nrs-boundary-shoe Along with that...Smart wool socks and base layer pants.I have some lightweight nylon water resistant quick dry pants and insulated waterproof snow pants that I'll use for my outer layer depending on how cold it is. Please let me know if you all think this might work.Thanks in advance for all the help.

I've had good luck with roadrunners and a powerbait 2" curly tail grub trailer.

Hello all. I'm from Brookfield, IL. I started fishing after a long hiatus a year ago and since then I purchased a kayak. I'm looking for people to connect with and find some new fishing spots not much more than 1hr away. Lately I've been hitting lake Shabbona and having moderate success. My other stomping ground is Blackwell. Nice to meet you all and best of luck.

I stay within the specifications on the rod. I'm just concerned of the long term effect of pulling heavy baits, or large spinners that I could overexert my reel and shorten it's life. I was wondering if there is a specification or general guideline for this.

Hello, I tried searching for this, but I didn't find an answer. How can you tell if your bait/lure is too heavy for the reel you are using?

Hello, I was just curious if anyone owned this tool and if you feel this is something worthwhile to pick up.

I see a lot of people recommending the strike backs. Do they truly have a better hook up ratio and that's where the recommendation comes from, and/or is it because of the added action the jointed section gives to your trailer?

Any fish over 5lbs... Sadly, my best catch to date has been a shopping cart on a beetle spin.

Have you tried coloring a normal piece of flourocarbon every 30", like your other line, with a Sharpie?

Here's what I went with... Mega Strike Fish Attractant: Original 4 Fogy Weight Size: 3/8 Collar: Wire tie Skirt Color: Bama Craw 10 Morel Jig Head Weight Size: 1/16 Head Color: Watermelon Red Flake 4 Dredge Custom Brush Jig Weight Size: 3/8 Collar: Wire Tie Head Color: Match skirt Skirt Color: Black Blue 10 Morel Jig Head Weight Size: 1/16 Head Color: Black & Blue Flake 1 Rage Menace Color: Bluegill 4 Fogy Weight Size: 3/8 Collar: Wire Tie Skirt Color: Black Blue 4 Dredge Custom Brush Jig Weight Size: 3/8 Collar: Wire Tie Head Color: Match skirt Skirt Color: Bama Craw 4 Fogy Weight Size: 3/8 Collar: Wire Tie Skirt Color: Sexy Shad

Hello, I'm putting together my first Seibert order. I'm upgrading my jigs to 3/8 dredge brush, chatterbaits to 3/8 fogy and ned shroomz heads to morel xl 1/16oz. I was wondering a few things. Are there other items you typically order from them that I should be considering to take advantage of the free shipping? Do any of you all use rage lobsters as trailers for jigs? In your opinion should I be looking to switch from the craws to them? Also, the morel jig heads... I was going to go with the xl heads in 1/16. I like the fall of the 1/16, but does anyone have experience with using a size 1 vs a 1/0 with a ned rig? Do you see a decrease in action and bites with the bigger hook?

I own a Native SP10 and I'm very satisfied with it. The biggest reason I chose this kayak was weight. I use it for fishing small lakes, which it is perfect for.

I think one of the biggest things you should consider is weight. If you have something which is a complete pain in the rear to load and unload you're not going to end up using it much.

I had a rough day of fishing today. I went out twice to this lake earlier this week. I was fishing from the shore and I got skunked on both occasions. I was fishing mostly jigs and spinners. I try to do my fair share of research. And one rig I saw over and over suggested for the late summer bluebird days I've been experiencing is the Ned Rig. Well, me and the Ned Rig had our ***** handed to us today. That got me to thinking... Which usually ends with some hair-brained scheme, but hear me out... I ran across an article... https://www.bassresource.com/hank-parker-fishing/tracking-bass-movements.html Which is an excellent read by the way. Here's some of the things it's states... When you get to late summer Bass movements become hard to track. They're no longer holding near the shore where you can see them. They might be on structure in deeper areas, but that's not for sure and even if they were they don't always bite. It's stated within the article that knowing the movement of the bass is key. It's theorized they find their way via landmarks/waypoints. While they are moving/transitioning from shallows to their "sanctuary" in the depths is when they're most likely to bite. Here's my crazy thought (and let me preface this by saying I'm not sure of the legality of this, nor am I sure how ethical this may be), but I'm thinking we have a way of tracking this movement to a certain extent. I'm thinking of taking a small hook, hooking the webbed portion of the dorsal fin (so it doesn't impede movement) and attaching a cotton string with an attached float. This would allow me (the angler) to track the fish after it's been caught. I'm assuming the fish, once it's been caught, retreats to it's "sanctuary" where other fish are also gathered. It would allow me to fish the waypoints and hopefully increase the rate of strikes. Thoughts?

I have a Shimano 71XG, I'm looking for something with a similar profile that has a lower gear ratio for large spinners and chatterbaits. I'm thinking a 71HG or maybe a CH51E would be my best best.