Crow Horse

On the water yesterday. Turned on the FF and the same issue - transponder not connected. 5 minutes later, it comes back online everything working as it should for the rest of the day. I'm still scratching my head about this. I'll have to call Garmin when time allows. In the mean time I'll clean the contacts prior to every outing.

I've checked the cable and there doesn't appear to be any damage to it. Today I cleaned the connections with electrical contact cleaner. I'll be on the water tomorrow and I'll see if that helped.

As mentioned earlier, an anchor trolley is your best bet. I use a stainless 1.5# grapnel anchor but you might need a 3# anchor. It's important to rig the anchor line to the bottom of the anchor and use a zip tie on the top. This way, if snagged, you'll be able to break the cable tie and pull the anchor out from the opposite direction. A zig zag cleat is important to have to facilitate a quick release in an emergency situation. Having a knife available to be able to cut free if all else fails is equally important. Anchor line management should be considered as well. There are a number of options available. I also have a small float on my anchor line so in the event I have to jettison the anchor I can later find it and retrieve it.

That's pretty much what I thought. New food sources would now be available to them. Previous established patterns fall by the wayside.

This year, the pond I've been fishing for 10 years now has a crazy high water level due to heavy rains and a clogged spillway. How will the high water affect the bass? My guess is that the usual high percentage spots might not be so high percentage with all the new aquatic real estate available to them.

My Garmin Vivid 7sv is giving me fits again. Started out this spring working fine and now I'm back to seeing the "transducer not connected" message. Last year it was pretty reliable until the end of the season and I got the disconnected message. This will be the third season on the transducer. I've tried all the methods to resolve this suggested by Garmin. A replacement transducer runs $250-$300, OCH! How long should transducers last without being damaged?

If you do opt for a cart, again, replace the straps with quality straps. I struggled with the included straps and my struggle was almost comical and definitely embarrassing. I replaced them and all was good. Carts vary in price wildly but it sounds like that a budget cart might suit your needs. If you're handy, you can turn a budget cart in a very functional and dependable tool. Sometimes you can find them used on Marketplace or Ebay. If security is a consideration, a cable type lock might be in order. I use a Master Lock Cobra all the time and it's additional security not only to deter theft but in transport it provides another level in keeping the yak in it's cradle in the event of a strap failure (unlikely).

Most cam buckle straps that come with the J-style carriers are really poor. (Don't use ratchet straps) Replace them with quality straps. I've used these and they work very well.

It's like having amnesia and deja vu at the same time.....

Recently I’ve noticed that this happens more frequently, usually while sharing fishing stories: “About 5 years ago ….…no, wait a second, that was yesterday.” Time now takes on a new meaning, and it has become meaningless.

To mitigate the effects of aging, I did several things. Not necessarily in order importance: 1. Replaced seat in my sit in yak. 2. Use a coccyx cushion for my boney butt. 3. Installed a handle to the dash so I can pull myself up to exit. 4. Use trekking poles to assist in launching & beaching. 5. Keep a portable urinal within easy reach. 6. I use a nylon choker strap to help lift my yak onto it’s cart.

Approaching this subject delicately, I now consider any breach of containment or depressurization as supplemental propulsion.

I finally got out on the water and did pretty well. I used the underwater camera setup I've been working on and it performed well with only minor adjustments. While doing a battery change, I noticed some water intrusion into the dive case. There was only a very small amount, maybe a half a teaspoon worth of water. I dried it all out and didn't notice any when I removed the second battery. While reviewing the video, there were some artifacts and I'm guessing that was because of water droplets forming on the lens area. I'm wondering if heat buildup plays a role. I ordered a new dive case hoping that will take care of the water issue. I'm pleased so far but with qualifications. I think I need to change how the camera is pointed, more to the surface and out away from the yak. I will also need to release fish in a more forward location instead of at my side. Some of the water was murkier than other parts. Clear water doesn't seem possible, especially as the warm weather progresses. I pieced together some clips that best showcase the issues. Still. even with the shortcomings, I think it's pretty cool to get a bass's eye view. Feel free to critique and offer any suggestions.

All mounted up and I'll be on the water tomorrow for it's first test.

If one is going to compare, one must consider the cost of travel to some of those far away places. Figure on 2K to 4K as a minimum for travel depending on the destination. Then add the cost of meals and lodging into the equation. Several thousand dollars of gear is a bargain compared to the Alone fishing trip.

I don't stand but regardless, standing or sitting, organization is everything. Everything is within easy reach and in it's assigned position and anything that is worth something is leashed.

Are you a mainstream bass fisherperson or do you spin away from the generally accepted practices and methods to experiment? I would say that my approach to bass fishing is fringe. Certainly the generally accepted methods carry serious weight but from time to time I'll spin away to experiment with an idea. Sometimes it pays of and other times it bites me in the arse. I'll also stick with one lure type and fish it hard even when conditions might dictate using another method will be more productive. When that occurs, I'll fish what I'm using even harder. I believe in doing this helps me to discover & utilize the subtle nuances of the lure. I'd like to think that you sometimes can fit a square peg into a round hole if you are creative.

Yes. Their 131 is even better but I don't believe it's available in hi viz colors. It's also about twice the price.

I'm really happy with 832. I'm using the neon green and might try the yellow.

The NRS Chinook for the win! I don't know if it's the best, but I've had mine for 10 years and love it. I would buy another one if I needed to.

I do the same. Whenever I move from one spot to another I'll drag a lure behind me. That lure might not be best suited for trolling but it's a bait in the water and it has paid off. When I'm retrieving a lure I try to be aware of everything. My radar is always sweeping the bait, the waters around it, the surrounding land and even the air. I'll vary my vision from "wide angle vision" to a more focused vision. I try to keep my head on a swivel (but probably look more like a bobblehead). I try to be as stealthy as possible, keeping movements to a minimum and paddling quietly. I want to blend in with everything and not broadcast my presence.

I picked up a couple and I'm looking forward to tossing them. Can't wait for the full line to be released.

That was an area of concern when I first got my yak. The original "seat" was token and horrible. I tried several modifications and even tried different types of seat. It took a while till I found one that met my expectations and allowed me to fish all day in comfort. Now I can fish nonstop (7-8 hours) in comfort and not be a cripple when I beach. I'm a flyweight, maybe 165 on a good day so weight capacity isn't a problem but it's an important consideration.

So true. I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum using a budget sit in kayak.My entire life fishing I was always shore bound. I was thrilled to be able to get out on the water and have the mobility that the yak provided. In the 10 years that I've owned it, the yak has gone through many modifications. Much of it's evolution was driven by me learning new and more efficient ways to fish and discovering better components. Whenever I added a modification, I always tried to think ahead about a possible change, be it making additional adjustments to it or having the option to remove it entirely. I've often thought about getting a better quality sit in yak but this one does everything I need it to do. My only regret does not even apply to the yak itself. I'm using a Gullwing paddle and wish that I had bought spare blades while they were still in business. The ones I have now are fine but I always like to have backup components.