Crow Horse

I like this Rx. Prescription strength, correct?

Although not directed to me, I would say that once is too many times....😀

Lots of great advice given. One item I'd add to the list is to get or make a hand paddle. It makes positioning or repositioning the yak more convenient than using your paddle. This cannot be overstated. Part of the preparation is knowing how your yak behaves in all conditions and how you need to respond to mitigate the negative conditions (primarily wind). With practice it will become second nature.

This is what I'm afraid of.... I'll usually go fishing in less than ideal conditions. Now, I'll scrub a trip if the conditions will exacerbate the thumb/wrist pain. I ordered one. I'll see if it helps. Thanks for the suggestion.

No numbness at all. Just pain and swelling at the base of the thumb.

How do you deal with tendonitis or De Quervain's tenosynovitis? "De Quervain's tenosynovitis is a painful condition affecting the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. Swelling and thickening of the tendon sheath make it hard to move the thumb or grip objects." I believe I'm dealing with this now and it really impairs paddling, fishing, and virtually anything else that requires gripping and or lifting. I'm currently wearing a brace/splint which does help to a degree. Other than a visit to my orthopedist, I was curious to see if anyone else has suffered from this and how it affected all aspects of their fishing? Having to paddle against strong winds was a real killer for me and now I'd seriously consider scrubbing a trip if the winds are strong. Being that I'm niot a doctor, maybe it's just early onset rigor mortis.....😃

Here's what I've done so far. I'll be on the water tomorrow and I'll see if there's any improvement. At face value everything seems to be in order I'm grasping at straws. I replaced the rod with the same model (never been used). I had replaced the tip top on the rod I was using several years ago with a tip top that had a ring significantly smaller than the original. It was the only one I could find to fit the blank. Admittedly, this is a long shot and I'll carefully inspect the the tip top and post photos if possible. The line roller functions properly and I've tied on a new 20-30' mono leader. I can't rule out the possibility that this might be user issue (casting technique) and not a hardware problem. I'm not dismissing anything at this point. I keep coming back to this although I don't believe my lure is helicoptering but rather spinning on it's long axis (like a drill bit). When I lift the lure out of the water after a retrieve the lure will spin a great deal. I'll wait till it stops spinning and then make another cast.

I did check the line roller. It's tough to see if it's really turning so I marked it with a sharpie and it's turning unfettered.

I think you're onto something. My line twist issue seems to correlate with the time I began using jerkbaits almost exclusively. It could very well be that the lures are spinning in the cast. I have a carryover habit from my surf fishing days to launch my lures into the next area code. That could compound the airborne spinning of the lures if that is indeed the root cause. As stated, I never reel against the drag.

I've been fighting line twist for the past 2 seasons to no avail. I'm using a 3000 spinner with 10# 832 with a 20-30 foot 10# mono leader. I can clearly see that the braid is getting twisted but the braid tolerates it really well. The mono on the other hand isn't so forgiving. After 4 or 5 hours of constant casting, if any tension is released on the mono it will twist up on itself really badly. I use a KastKing Kalibrate to spool my line according to the directions. Every trip out I replace the mono leader and use an FG knot for the connection to braid. The line roller spins freely and I never try to reel when a fish is taking drag. If it matters, I primarily fish jerkbaits and sometimes crank baits. I always close the bail manually. Any ideas as to what's causing the twist?

Another element of concern for those fishing in a yak, getting a bass who's still has her afterburners lit presents a real safety concern for me. A last minute launch that splashes down in my lap is a real hazard that I've had some close calls with, especially with toothy pickerel. Sharp teeth and treble hooks have no business being anywhere near my lower chassis. Either way, having a fish dance in my lap flailing treble hooks around is nothing I want to experience. I try to "boat" them so they are controllable for their safety as well as mine.

Do you surf them in trying to break speed record ..... OR.... Do you play them until they are tired and ready to give it up? I play them and enjoy the fight. I use relatively light line (10# braid with a long 10# mono leader). I let them take their runs if they feel so inclined and wear themselves out. I just try to control the chaos and try to keep them from making any jumps. If it makes a difference, I fish with crushed barbs, for their benefit and my safety.

I'm a zero zero minus one (00-1). One rod, fish jerk baits almost exclusively and sometimes topwater.

Heck, I'm old and tired.....😄

Sweet! I paid $200 for the OT Vapor 12XT although the former owner rode it hard and put it away wet. With a lot of TLC it was brought back to life and I could not be happier. I'm really thankful I found this old girl.