YaknBassn

Just curious.

I figure the majority guys on this site fish from bass boats. I'm curious to know how they REALLY feel about kayak anglers on the water, especially on the main lake. I went from fishing from a boat to strictly kayak fishing. Kayak fishing has exploded in popularity since I made the jump. I feel like coming from a boat first and understanding the laws on the water was very useful. With kayaks being as cheap as $200, you get people on the lakes that have no clue.

I'm not experienced with the Sniper series, but I've got a pair of Invokers and a Tharp series rod and they're pretty spot on with their lure ratings.

I've got a couple of rods from the Invoker lineup. Nice looking rods. The deal with Ark is they use no name components in favor of a higher end blank at a lower cost. I like them.

#1. Went on a river fishing trip with a few buddies. Caught a few fish and a buzz. Late in the day, I was bragging to one of them about how stable this kayak was. I was tilting it side to side and over it went. I lost a cell phone, a pair of Costas, a 3700 Plano box full of jigs, and two rods. One of which was a brand new custom rod I had built specifically for river bassin'. I was a bungee away from losing my truck keys. I did have the custom rod eventually returned to me by a guy that dives that particular river. #2. Fishing in backwaters, snakes are expected. Most swim away, but there was one guy that wouldn't. I intended to scoop him with my paddle and sling him the other direction. It didnt work. Landed right on the deck of my kayak. #3. Fishing was slow, so I figured I would pick up trash from the water. I picked up a styrofoam worm container floating upside down. Turned in over and the biggest spider I've ever seen jumps out of the container . I fell right off the boat into the lake.

I'm trying to spend the winter season better educating myself and learn to efficiently fish. I'm trying to learn to eliminate water and fish where the fish may be. I've attached a picture of a lake that I'd like to fish soon, probably early spring. This is Lewis Smith Lake in Alabama. Im interested to know what route you guys would go during early spring. I'd probably launch from the park, which I've circled on the picture.

I like my gear to match up in color. Most of my rods are matte black with red trim (Ark Invoker & Shimano Zodias). My reels match. I struggle in finding reels to match with these new Dobyns Fury and Colt rods I've got. I refuse to buy those gaudy Lews reels.

Any suggestions? I do 99% of my fishing on lakes and large sloughs. I do occasionally do a river trip, but not often enough to base a decision off of. I really leaning towards a Jackson Cuda HD. While primarily being geared towards inshore waters, I think it would suit well in lakes. Any of you guys have one? Or have paddled one? I haven't had the chance to demo yet. I think standability is taking a back seat to speed and tracking this go around.

Same location, same problems. They just seem to be scattered all over. Fished all day on Sunday and caught two. One on a 3/8oz spinnerbait and one on a wacky rigged Senko. Both were in the same general area, right along a grass line.

I'm currently using a 7'2" MH Zodias as my jig/worm rod. I live the feel of it, but I've noticed it isn't as sensitive as I would like for bottom contact lures. I think it would serve better elsewhere. I'm looking for a rod to use strictly for jigs and worms. I'm really looking at ALX, Tatula Elite, and iRod. My budget is $200. A little more or little less doesn't matter. I'm waiting for Black Friday before ordering anyways.

I learned to start fishing with my gut feeling. Fished a small tourney yesterday. Winner caught his stringer and big bass in the exact area I started the day fishing. Could've been me. But no, I just HAD to go fish deep. And I hate fishing deep.

I had a rough day as well. Caught what was for sure my PB and got zero pictures of it. Caught it from the bank. Phone was in my left pocket, was holding the fish with my left hand, tried to swap hands, and dropped the fish. It flopped it's way right back into the lake. Total bummer. Still better than the day I dumped my kayak and lost a Cara and Tatula Elite rod. Disgusting feeling.

Were you fishing a pond? There are gators in North Alabama. River otters have a tendency to make a ton of noise.

Paid $120 for the rod. Got it at a local place here in North Alabama. Originally wanted a Zillion ($150), but there wasn't an action I wanted in stock. so I settled.

Memorial Day thru Labor Day, just stay home or fish Wheeler Lake. Tournament pressure is constant in the summer and the pleasure boaters get dumber as the summer drags on. If you like plenty of distance between you and other anglers, forget about fishing ledges. They stack on ledges within a few yards of each other. And if you think you'll be slick and fish the creeks from your kayak, don't do it. There will be a guy in a $100k Phoenix that pushes his luck in your shallow creek. God help you if you catch a fish within eyesight of another fisherman. The bent rod technique is king here. Late September thru October, it's safe to go out on weekends again. October thru November, tie on a frog and leave it on. Especially on cloudy, breezy days.

I do it pretty often. I also use a Keitech Noisy Flapper as a punch bait.

Got myself a $300+ combo for less than $200. Brand new.

I LOVE shallow water fishing. Flipping and pitching into cover and feeling those violent hits is just flat out fun. Something satisfying about dissecting a lay down or punching thru a grass mat and wrenching that fish thru it. Frogging is a close second. Those blowups are nasty.

I think it's a right of passage with any watercraft. I've had it happen with a boat and a kayak. Leaving it out of the boat was pretty uneventful, but the kayak was very eventful. I treat the kayak just like I would a boat. I was it after every trip and drain any water in the hull, especially before going to a different lake. I guess I forgot to put the drain plug back in and failed to check before launching. I decided to move along and notice that it seems EXTREMELY hard to paddle, then I realize that I'm actually sinking. Of course, I'm in in 20+ feet of water when this is happening. Ever tried to swim a 100+ pound kayak full of water back to shore? Not easy, especially in 55° water. I was fortunate enough to have some guys fishing a boat tournament nearby see my dilemma and help me out. Was super embarrassing until they shared their drain plug failure story.

I'm trying to put together a new worm/jig combo. I just picked up a Tatula CT and now need a rod to pair it with. I've handled the Zillion and Tatula Elite rod in store and loved the feel of them both. I would've left with the Zillion but they didn't have a Fast action in stock. I've been eyeing the Cronos on TW and was wondering how it stacks up with the Elitle and Zillion rods.

I'm trying to put together a new worm/jig combo. I just picked up a Tatula CT and now need a rod to pair it with. I've handled the Zillion and Tatula Elite rod in store and loved the feel of them both. I would've left with the Zillion but they didn't have a Fast action in stock. I've been eyeing the Cronos on TW and was wondering how it stacks up with the Elitle and Zillion rods.

What was the line rating on the rod? Was your drag locked down? Almost sounds like your rod was already high, with a tight line, and you delivered a monster hookset and snapped the tip. When you feel the fish, reel down and pull up. It's been my experience that a monster hookset isn't necessary while flipping with heavy braid.

U.y Flipping is my favorite way to fish. I try to keep tension on the line and FEEL the fish, much like when frog fishing. Reel down a couple of times and pull. Not the bone jarring hook set that you see all the youtubers do, but a hard, straight up pull. When I've got one hooked, I tend to keep the rod tip low. I rarely lose a fish when I get a good hookset. Heavy cover requires heavy gear. If you have the right equipment, there's nothing to fear.

But when they fall into my basket every week, it starts to get expensive. These tackle shops should really invest in better racks.

I actually needed some hooks, so I figured I would just go ahead and upgrade. The plastics just fell into the basket. Accidentally.