schplurg

I set my GoPro here for a minute. This guy stood alllllllmost motionless the whole time - I think he thought he was invisible. They got dinosaurs out here!

I'm not afraid of mountain lions. Respect, yes. I have spray with me but it's a gel pepper spray. No bears here. The lion attacks are super rare (see below). There are Mt Lions all over this area. If I fish the creek, local lakes or do any local hiking trails I am in Mt Lion country. Even paved bike paths next to golf courses. I'm more likely to die driving down any California freeway (or simply living here) than hiking in the hills. People are more dangerous in my opinion. In fact I was more concerned with someone stealing my gear than any animal messing with me. I would be more nervous though in a more isolated spot, and in bear country. There was a picnic table here and outhouse and I'm sure that took a lot of the edge off, which was fine for my first trip. If I had to just pop up my tent at some random location I would have been a little less relaxed probably. But then again, I wasn't worried hiking to the place. I saw a coyote running around in a park I hiked up to last week. A park where people can picnic and all that. It was running around yipping, agitated about something (maybe a dog), but it kept its distance. First I'd seen one in daylight. Other people said it's common there. Respect the animals, meaning know what animals are in the area, know/learn their behavior, don't sneak up on them (I make noise as I approach certain areas), and learn how to act if you encounter one. These cats don't stalk people, they will run if they know you are approaching. There are rare cases but as I said, I feel more worried walking down the sidewalk sometimes. And finally, if I'm gonna die I'd rather it be out there than in a car accident or robbery. Unlike humans, most animals attack for good reason. I don't think I mentioned a lake. Maybe the map looks like a lake contour map? It's a small mountain Otherwise....big wave! https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd614410.pdf Not worried EDIT: I think there have been a few more attacks than this, but maybe they aren't "verified"? At any rate they are still extremely rare. Again, know your territory and research before going out there.

Add me to the "I wanted a kayak and not a boat" crowd. If I did get a boat it would be one like in the OP and I could easily afford it. My reasons: Easier to launch, therefore I will use it more. No maintenance, it always runs. Therefore I will use it more Blasphemous maybe, but I don't like bass fishing enough to spend 120k on a truck and boat (or even 1/4 of that). I just don't, especially since this year started (don't know why). I may not be into it enough in later years to want a jon boat either. Guy has a bass boat parked in the street around the corner from me and I've never seen it move. That would be me.

Grease is the only musical I can sit through (the movie). Other than that I detest musicals. As soon as a song starts I'm gone. Most of the movies I see listed above are not musicals, but I may be misreading as I didn't read the whole thread (I hate musicals that much) 9 to 5, Spinal Tap and Blues Brothers are not musicals. Even Pink Floyd The Wall is not a musical, and it's all music.

I hope it comes with ear plugs. Thanks for the tip!

Just found out the place me and my cousin were going to trout fish is ON FIRE! Happened over Fourth of July, so no I'm not happy one bit. His favorite fishing spot that I was finally going to get to see...on fire still. Message to rural towns and counties in my state: ya think maybe you knuckle draggers could stop selling fireworks in an area that is suffering from extreme drought and is comprised entirely of dry grass and trees? Hello? McFly? The large cities outlaw them (far as I know) but not the rural areas with all the fire danger. I guess that's where the dum dums live. As if I didn't already know that. My dad's town had a stand or two, complete idiocy. He was angry too, saying the town/county claims "The schools need the money". Then again, education is obviously lacking in these areas. Case in point: I watched a huge fire start while fishing from my kayak last year while fishing on my Dad's lake. It's even in my video. But ya, let's sell fireworks IN THE SAME TOWN A YEAR LATER! Rant over. Sort of.

Haven't been around the forum lately but figured I'd post this. I learned a lot from this first trip. Long video.

Minivan, hear me out. Cheaper than SUV, usually a bigger interior with a lower floor, especially with seats removed. More practical than my old Tacoma pickup (storage security). Can go in a store without worrying my gear will get stolen out of my truck bed. Put yak on top or trailer it, put rods and gear in the van. Two sliding side doors are so awesome. Took out the seats, made a rod rack for the ceiling. I built a removable bed with drawers for it (camping kit). And I never ever get pulled over. I specifically chose a minivan when my truck died for camping and fishing. Best vehicle I have ever owned, you just have to be okay with driving a minivan. I couldn't care less what people think about that. I laugh at them in their station wagons....I mean SUVs.

Reality check: gas prices have gone up all over the world, not just here in the USA. But no, it couldn't be that one of the world's largest oil suppliers just invaded a sovereign nation, oh no, it must be a conspiracy!!! Ya sure, a second shooter on the shadowy knoll!

Finished my overnight trip! Day 1 was a very difficult hike for me and the "trail" was really steep. Kicked my butt big-time, especially where the sun was on me. It was hard and doubt tried to creep into my mind in a few bad sections. Pushed through it though. My pack was 30 pounds and I'd only practiced with up to 20. Doh! My legs felt the difference big time. I tried to lighten it but no joy. Now that I finished my first trip I learned some valuable lessons - one of them is don't bring so much food! I could have stayed two extra days! Also, for anyone interested in this type of thing - I have a "bad back". Lower back issues here and there, and now some upper back stuff. Nothing really serious. The thing is your legs take almost all the weight, not your back. A proper fitted pack puts most of the weight on your hips. I had back issues last week and I still made the hike with no issues. I'm probably stronger because of it. My doctor says hiking is good for the back. Not sure about a backpack, but like I said, my legs got the brunt of it. This was at Henry Coe Park, I hiked to Frog Lake and I took the longest steepest trail to get there. Coe Park is notorious for tough hikes. Got bites, lost a fish after it jumped, but no landed fish. Large pond with mostly small fish. Beautiful though. I was almost too tired to enjoy it. But it was great! First time in the new tent, first time using new stove etc. I made a pillow with bags and stuff and it sucked. Didn't sleep a lot. Will buy an inflatable pillow. According to my hiking app (AllTrails) I did 5 miles day 1 and burned over 2,100 calories. Don't know how accurate calories are, but they take into account your age, weight, height and the trail itself. My legs were toast after day 1. Could barely hike 0.1 miles to the lake from my camp (uphill one way). Day 2 I got my legs back thankfully. Was an easy and pleasant 3.5 miles through wooded areas with a lot of shade and light elevation changes. Was so quiet up there. Really peaceful. I'll post a vid in a few days. Maybe I should start another thread? Here are some photos (screenshots from video) My first real rest (taking off the pack) Me laying down on the trail, exhausted. My legs were done. Trail was steep and hot. Laid here for maybe 15 minutes. Better views will be in the video Filtering water at a spring. The water here at Coe is safe to filter and drink. The website lists all the springs and water sources, and visitors can comment on their status, leave reviews. I knew this spring was dripping before I left on my trip. If it wasn't I'd have to use Frog lake, and that wouldn't taste so good. This water was excellent! Just scooped it out of the tub and filtered it. Approaching Frog Lake. I looked up and there it was! So tired by now. The reason for all of this.....fishing in solitude! You want a good workout while fishing? Here ya go! I'm still tired today (got back yesterday).

I don't take photos I just use the GoPro mounted to my hat and take them from the video. They're lower resolution that way but I'm more interested in the video anyways. If I get a better camera one day then I'll do photos maybe too. Pet peeve - people who record videos in portrait mode. "Hey look how long this fish is! Well at least the middle part, can't see the head or tail!"

Tomorrow night I'll be sleeping next to a tiny lake that I am hiking out to. Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and nobody else around for miles.

Oh ya, I also start to doubt that strikes were actually strikes at all. At first it's like "Oh I got bit there, dang!" But unless it was undoubtedly a fish, my doubt that it was a bite grows a little more with every minute that passes. "Probably a weed. Did it tug or was that just the weight?" Am I the only one that doubts bites more as time passes? I'm weird.

Exactly. I probably don't detect many of my strikes, according to the experts here, and I believe them. I feel like I have a good ratio for detected bites but hard to say without keeping track. Most people who play the lottery don't keep track, yet most think they are ahead overall (nobody I know loses!) which would be mathematically impossible, so....?

It is. Interference is a different matter. Faster? Your unit will either run or it won't. Battery power will not affect performance or screen brightness or image quality.

I bought some micro Rebel cranks and some Creme brand Fishing Favorites - tiny jerks and cranks. They are fun in small water with small fish. Also, without changing rigs though I've exposed the hook on T-rigs when I was missing bites. Missed like 5 bites in a row until I did this and caught one on the next cast.

Without blue cones can a bass even see blue as blue? Seems like it would be in greyscale. If so black should catch anything junebug will catch. Since Berkley was referenced here recently discussing scent, here is an article discussing color. https://www.berkley-fishing.com/pages/berkley-ae-color-do-bass-have-a-favorite#:~:text=A bass sees all shades,purple or dark red lures.

I use barbless sometimes, can't say it's ever lost me a fish. Caught my PB with one, and the runner up. I hear they are easier to remove from people as well

Never done it but maybe clamp the frog down and hook the box end of a small wrench around the hook and pry them. Hard to explain.

I thought he was a Krazy Glue guy? Looking at the photo - how do you get the worm above the swivel? Looks like the swivel attaches at both ends. Does he use the tag end to hold it?

I have to bring food when I fish or I'll go home when I get hungry. Also when I'm not catching it's nice to have a snack. I can take a break and then fish more instead of leaving. My mood changes rapidly as I run out of energy. Should be going on my first solo overnighter on Tuesday. If you guys don't hear from me by Thursday assume a polar bear or maybe an elephant got me. If I do survive I should have a cool video to share.

I actually like that better than black, at least in that setting. Looks cool.

There are a whole lot of things going on right now, all at once. War (Putin) causing the oil issues, supply line problems across many industries due to Covid, Covid itself, plus uncertainty of many things in our country. I have never lived in more uncertain times. Someone mentioned returning $2.50 gas. LOL never heard of it. I pay $6.09 right now. This forum is not the place for me to get into it any further, rules don't allow it here (which I like) so I don't see any point in trying, or returning to this thread.

Kind of but not totally giving up locally. I'm tired of the south bay area for fishing, even with the yak (especially with the yak, not worth the trouble to me). I haven't fished much at all locally this year. My favorite creek dried up so it's a big bummer. Sure I fish to relax but I do care if I catch. Let's be honest: if we knew there were no fish in the water we would not go fishing, right? So screw relaxing This is one reason I took up hiking. I can hike into low pressured lakes or river areas. I will do more trout fishing too. I think it will be a lot of fun scouring riverbanks for trout. Seems more challenging too. And if I don't catch I still gained a lot from the trip.

I'm curious how anyone could put a hole in a rigid plastic kayak with a bass fishing hook, especially enough to have to bail water out of it. I think it would be pretty tough to puncture an inflatable with one too, but obviously easier. I wouldn't worry about it on ponds and smaller waters.