schplurg

Alcohol and boating does not mix. I've known this since I was ten years old. Rule #1: The most dangerous thing on the water is people, including you. Been around boats waaaay too long. You (whomever) may think the beer isn't affecting you, but the couple you almost (or did) ran over in the kayak may disagree. I see it constantly and it hasn't changed in 50 years. Boater never even sees the skier/kayak/family they almost killed. And this happens frequently even without alcohol! You need to be aware 360 degrees in a boat. They think they're just A-okay because they're too drunk to know they almost killed someone. "What kayak?" The drunk idiot is the last person to know he's being a drunk idiot. That is what alcohol does. The drunk idiot is the last person I would listen to when describing their alcohol tolerance. Now combining this thread with the one where people say they carry guns in their PFD when they fish - wow. And I thought fishing was mostly hazardous to the fish!

I'm still figuring it out, but I went yesterday and will go again today to my local lake knowing I will most likely strike out. I do care and it bums me out, but I go anyways. I fished 5 hours yesterday with no bites, but a guy down by the dam caught two so at least I know there are fish nearby. However, if I absolutely knew I would not catch fish I would not go. I like nature and all that but I am there to catch fish. If I want to just enjoy nature I'll leave the gear at home.

I could see having a gun on the banks for animals in certain situations, but on a fishing boat? Not on mine. If I felt I needed to carry a gun to protect myself from other people I'd go somewhere else to fish. What is this, Deliverance? Someone pages ago said they carry one in their life vest in California. Got a permit for that? Unless you're fishing in gang-banger-downtown L.A. I just can't understand that in this state. I own a gun and I would never see a need to do that. Maybe in another thread, but somewhere here a guy talked about brandishing his weapon because some yokels were driving a boat up and down "his" cove disturbing the fishing. Pathetic and criminal behavior. Are there drive-bys on Castaic? Boat jackings on Don Pedro? Grow up and stay away from me.

If you're looking for something simple and not a full-on fishing backpack, try Walmart and stores like that. I use a book backpack for my truck kit. Only thing it doesn't have that you mentioned is an insulated separate pouch. Was $11. My main backpack is nothing special either. Has the separate pouch if you wanna take home fish or whatever. Not sure where it came from though. I suggest staying away from webbing/mesh as much as possible because they like to eat fish hooks. Not sure about mounting a rod to it but you could rig something up.

I went fishing during this years Super Bowl and my home team was in it. I tried to watch, but as soon as I saw the irritatingly long National Anthem begin I said, "Oh screw this" and grabbed my gear. I'd never survive the half-time show. Super Bowl is the worst offender. Jay-Lo and Shakira? Hey I could see true football fans wanting to see them together onstage - but not singing! I don't miss pro sports at all.

I recommend you do to the dog what I do to myself - get the electric trimmers and shear it off! Saves a lot of money.

These have been mentioned before, I think I mentioned them once, but it doesn't hurt to do again. Rarely see or hear of anyone using these, probably because most people don't know they exist. I haven't bought the trolling motor yet but I will be using one of these when I do. Just connect it between the motor and the battery. Very cool, especially for a yak I think.

Okay then I'm not really doing a backhand. I cast the BC left handed but over my right shoulder a lot of the time. I'm not left handed but I have tendinitis so cast left handed on BC and righty usually on a spinner just to give my arm a break. I guess I'm weird. I can cast the BC over the left shoulder though, but the spinner not so well yet. All my rods crank with the right hand. Edit: Then again, if I can cast from my "off" side, whether or not it is a true backhand makes no difference. I can cast from either side to avoid trees or another angler, so I guess that's what matters.

Further notes: I didn't change anything with the reel. And it's nothing special - an older Shimano Caenan. My friend got it and a rod for $2 at a garage sale and gave it to me. It's my first and only BC. I have the tension so the bait falls at a moderate speed (still a rookie with the BC). I didn't fool with the brakes, I just said screw it, let's get us some backlashes and see if those BR guys know what they're talkin' about! They do! I got many small tangles but easily fixed. I'm certainly not good at it yet. Some casts were too low, some too high or crooked. I just casted from the bank to open water. At least I know I can figure it out now. Two days ago, after reading this thread, I figured I'd never even try it, but I'm glad I did. I am fairly good with coordination but I feel like anyone can do it. One question - I cast left handed with a BC but when skipping I swung it from the right side with both hands, still thumbing with the left hand. Is that considered a backhand? If so I don't know if I can do a forehand lefty skip!

I needed some new underwear and while I was at Amazon I tacked on a pack of Zoom Super Speed Craws to try, and a pack of VMC Neko hooks to try wacky rigs on. Actually I think the underwear was last - had to spend more get the free shipping! Bait Monkey reminds me about the fish finder I want but I don't want to buy it until I can actually use it in case I need to return it. Can't use the yak yet.

I can't believe it but I actually had success skipping a baitcaster today! Mainly due to this thread. I caught no fish so I started screwing around. Had a Super Fluke with split-shot on it (forgot the bullet weight duh) and started skipping it. I can skip a spinner "okay" but my accuracy and consistency needs a lot of work. Thanks to everyone here with good advice, mainly raising the rod tip - that for me was THE key! It made sense when I read it here a few days ago, raising the tip will keep line peeling off the spool rather than the spool overrunning the line. You can delay the thumb a little that way too and let it skip. Sometimes after a normal cast I raise the rod tip to peel line off to give me more slack. So when I read about doing that while skipping it was easy to visualize how that would work. I'm not even good with a baitcaster so I was shocked how well I did. I got a few minor bird nests but overall it was a success. Great advice guys and thanks again! To repeat - raise that rod tip!

I know little about the hardware but that sure is pretty. And I didn't know what a pistol grip was until just now, so thanks for that

Someone in the other thread about this box mentioned their hooks getting stuck in the little peg thingies and being difficult to remove. Kinda looks like hairbrushes back when I had hair. Also the photo in the OP shows them arranged in the box vertically. The website doesn't mention the dimensions of the box but I know it isn't 4 inches tall. Their photos show the cranks laying down. It's a different idea at least but I predict this never catches on. And I'm being nice

I'm no expert, but it seems like if the fish are hitting topwater they'll hit just about any popper that floats. I reach for whatever popper is on top in my tacklebox most of the time. My first dozen bass caught were on poppers over a series of weekends. It was dusk and even dark half the time and it seemed like any color or design worked. If it splashes and has a few hooks on it the fish will notice it and say hello, my opinion. I have a lot of confidence in the little guys. One of my favorite things is tugging and watching a popper and anticipating a strike. Edge of your seat suspense! If I miss a strike I know a recast has a high percentage of scoring. I freakin' love that.

Yep. In my area I stumbled upon reports of all the lakes. They shock the fish then do a count and analyze the data. These online documents listed all the fish species found and how many of each one, age, size, and the location in the lake for each test. Maybe you can find information like that, or like Tom said, just call.

Great, I was gonna ask you where the bass were because I haven't seen any yet this year!

Every day we compromise our own safety and take risks for financial reasons or convenience. Every time I drive my car without a helmet I am at a significantly greater risk of dying should I be involved in a car crash. Every time I drive it is a risk to others as well as myself. How many car fatalities per day? Lives could be saved if all cars had roll cages and 5 point harnesses too, but they don't. Why? Acceptable risk. There is a point where safety takes a back seat to financial considerations and convenience. We, as a society, are okay with this, otherwise we would wear helmets and drive 15 mph. Driving 70 mph with no helmet is not exactly safe. I read recently that if you want to really be safe from Covid that 6 feet isn't nearly enough distance. But we aren't going to keep 27 feet apart from each other (as per an MIT study), and we aren't walking around in bubble suits. Given all this, I do not feel that it is ridiculous for someone to fish if they can do so safely. Perspective is important. People go to Walmart still - now THAT is worrisome to me.

Doesn't sound like it from the description, plus Coyote Creek is closed for fishing every year from November until the last Saturday in April. I just double-checked the sign yesterday. It's because of the "Steelhead Restoration Project". Haha, ya sure - steelhead! I caught my PB at Coyote Creek in Morgan Hill. If they open it at all this year (Covid) it will be a mad house. Anderson Lake is supposed to be completely drained this year as well, which I'd guess will dry up Coyote Creek. Not a good time to be an angler in the South Bay, not at all.

I tie them like I do my shoes. Super easy to untie too with those big loops. I actually tied my first braid-to-hook knot a few days ago and I used an improved clinch. I just started using braid and had a mono leader, but the double uni was hanging up in the guides and gave me a nice "wind" knot, so I cut the leader off. Using a different knot next time for leader.

Going to work still and fishing when I can. Only thing that's changed is that I'm stuck at my local "fisheries" which are not productive, and I'm worried about the parents. Main stress has been keeping my parents safe and from doing things they shouldn't. They've been good and careful for the most part. Everybody and their mother (literally mothers, entire families) are at the lakes and it's busier than I've ever seen. To all you guys who want to make fishing more popular and get kids all over the world into fishing, be careful what you wish for.

They rust hooks, warp Plano boxes and melt other plastics? Just get a haz-mat suit and a geiger counter and Z-Man baits should be perfectly safe Here in California you need a special license to use them around or in water. Seriously though, are they more toxic than other plastics? To people, fish or water? Not concerned but kinda curious, I've never used them.

I caught a 19.2 pounder last week, but it was in a video game - Bass Pro Shops: The Strike. I finally got bored enough to play, and I catch a monster in the first 15 minutes. Was actually kinda bummed. I stopped playing. No fish in real life yet this year. Unfortunately my local lakes suck on the best day and my best spots haven't opened yet, or are closed due to Covid. I have tried many times, but just a big fat skunk so far. Prediction: I will catch my first 2020 bass at the same spot I caught my first last year. I'm going there next. Edit: Maybe I'll play it again now. I mean geez I'm going crazy! And I'm one of the lucky ones who can still go to work every day. Without fishing, I may as well be at work. Nothing much else to do. Bait Monkey is looking at me.

Gators shmators! Try fishing off the Delta banks near Stockton, CA - it's crackhead central.

What is? All I see is "index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=383929"

That's about all I have in mine. I guess a fish finder or trolling motor could be in the future depending on your needs. - Cameras if you want to record your trips. - Lights - Subwoofer