clemsondds

Just curious what tackle everyone carry’s. Lots of specific technique boxes, or more multi-technique containers. Thanks

Thank you! Anything kayak wise that makes the kayak better or more resistant to problems? For example, I've heard some getting a keel guard and also curious how I should store the kayak while not in use. I have it inside a storage unit. Will prob use the kayak once a month or so. Thanks again

Thank you! Do most of you wear a full pfd or the inflatable? In NC, we either can wear an inflatable (has to be on at all times) or have a full pfd but can just be in/on the boat. I already have an inflatable but went ahead and picked up a chinook nrs just to try out. Thanks

Thanks! Well, the place I bought the kayak from said they have done quite a few boonedox setup with a ot sportsman and have never had a problem. So I guess we will see... Any brand jacket and paddle you recommend?

Just bought an OT PDL 106. Now I need to upfit it! Obviously there will be things that I will want to try the boat out before deciding on. But figured I would get your guy's thoughts and see what you would put on your boat first thing. I did get the Boonedox wheel setup for it. But I need everything...I am brand new to kayaking. So jacket, paddle.... I know I have heard that there are some great aftermarket options...just would like to get your feedback! Thank you all!

OK, so finished out the week. Air temps ranged from 35 to 63 for the rest of the week. Water temp dropped to around 57 to 60. Whoever mentioned Texas rig is the winner. I started flipping the small creature pegged, and found they were about, 5 feet off the bank under laydowns. Friday morning, I finished one Cove for about an hour and caught five, all 2.5-4lbs. I did catch a couple on squareBill later in the afternoon. it’s amazing how dialed and you can get after fishing a few days. I never get to fish more than three or four hours at a time and it’s always tough. Saturday evening I went out with my kids for a boat ride and my daughter said I could cast five times, caught a 3 pound bass on the second cast. And then next morning while taking the boat to the boat ramp, I fished for another five minutes while waiting for my wife and caught another 2.5lb. I now have a lot more confidence now in Texas rigged baits. The right rod helped as well…switched to an nrx+ 873 and it was amazing! I always used it for football jigs, but now it’s my dedicated tr rod. Thanks again everyone for your help! I tried a lot of other stuff…tried drop shot a good bit but just couldn’t get them to commit…and the 20mph+ winds didn’t help. Also tried an underpin, a-rig, lipless, chatterbait…and a few others. But the Texas rig was the deal that week.

Thank you! MB 110+1 jr...my confidence bait...my last two PB's were on a jerkbait...I wish they were on a squarebill...but the big ones just seem to prefer the jb...at least in my experience. I'm trying to fish a jig more...but still haven't gotten the results that the jb does. Here's a pic...sorry for poor image quality...max resolution for the site

Update: went out this morning. Not much luck. No top water bite. Worked a popper slow and fast but nothing. Caught a small bass on a lipless. And then caught a 35lb catfish on a lv500 lol! Went to a Texas rig slim paca craw and had a nice bass that broke me off. Not sure what happened…it was real shallow so maybe a rock cut it. Tried two different jerkbaits and a Texas rig senko but no luck with those. I pretty much only fish at first light. Rest of the day is with family. Thank you all for your tips! I will say that on the first day I caught an 8.2lb bass…soo I’m pretty happy even if I don’t catch another ha

I'm sure a lot of you are in this same situation, but I figured I would get your thoughts. I'm on vacation at a new lake. Been here for two days and it's been my 70's air temp with water temps from 59-64. Tonight the air temp is dropping and tomorrow morning at sunrise it will be 43. And then the next two days morning air temp will be mid 30's. How would you fish this? I assume up to today they were close to spawning. I'm guessing they will back off a little...maybe to docks or secondary points? I caught one this morning on a pop max and a few on a jerkbait. I know water temps won't drop as quick as air, but would you guys even mess with topwater when the air temp drops that much? Would you go straight to finesse all day when there's a 30-40 degree drop in air temp? I know how to winter fish...but when they are so close to spawn and then get a 3 day drop this drastic...not sure what they will do. Thank you all for your thoughts!

That’s a good point. Just watched a good video Jason Christie put out on bed fishing. He pretty much said the same thing. He said he will focus on a bed but mostly likes to run the bank fishing fast. what’s your favorite bait for both? Shallow fast, I tend to stick with a squarebill if water clarity is right. And flip with a small creature (paca slim craw).

This time of year, do you prefer to go down the Bank just fishing shallow with something fast and moving, or do you typically look specifically for beds? No judgement here…just curious what your favorite method is this time of year when water temps are between 62-68…can be tricky sometimes. Especially with cold fronts coming and going.

Has anyone tried out the pwr 129?

Thanks! What line do you use for jig fishing? (I feel like I’ve asked you this before lol)

I know this is an old thread but came across a Denny Brauer video where he said “the most important part of jig fishing, is letting that jig fall on a semi-slack line.” I was looking for a good definition of semi-slack line. I assume he uses fluorocarbon line? Anyone know if he means a slight bow in the line as he lets it free fall, or is he stripping off a few yards of line as it falls? My old eyes, I sometimes have a hard time seeing fluoro and so I fish mostly with braid to leader. And so while it’s easier to see, I don’t think it’s as sensitive on semi-slack line. And so either I need to go back to fluoro, or adjust my technique a little. Thoughts?

Cool thanks!

What kind of kayak do you have? And what wheel system do you use? Thanks

Thank you for your feedback! Appreciate it!

Ok so still struggling to decide which route to go. Here are a few thoughts. -All the PWR's I see online, most people that have them look like semi-pro fishermen with major buildouts. I'm just looking for a motorized kayak with decent usability. I'll probably have a HD side/down scan, a 10" graph, and maybe a powerpole anchor. I'm not really wanting a kayak that I need to pay someone to rig out. So to that point, maybe the auto 120 would be better. - Since I'll be pulling this in and out of my storage unit and putting it in the truck...I'm a little concerned about weight. I think the AP is around 175lbs with battery but could be way off. PWR says their boat, "fully rigged out" is 102lbs. -If I want to lift the motor out of the water and just paddle...which of these two is easier/better? -Do you guys with either bonafide or AP ever have difficulty reaching behind you to get to the back of the boat (ie tackle box/rods...)? I noticed that both of the seats don't swivel; whereas the native titan x does. Seems like that would come in handy. Thoughts? -Finally, I'm not looking to spend 8 hours on the lake...is the lack of storage on the AP really a concern? Looks like the Bonafide or Titan have quite a bit more hatch space. Also welcome any other thoughts you might have. Thank you all!

Ok thanks! Do you know what the differences/features are between the minnkota and the xi3? Do they both do spot lock and straight line routing? I'm pretty familiar with typical minnkota trolling motors; that's what I had on my last boat. Now I have garmin, but so far...wishing I could go back to minnkota. And that setup you have is a little $$ Looks like the kayak is $4700 and then a $2k motor, graph... I saw Old town new hybrid setup called the epdl that's pedal drive, motor, or both. I think it's around $6500. Also, have you ever tried the titan x line? Thanks again for all your help! Would you go with the autopilot again if you did it over? Did you look in to any others? Ever feel like it's not quite fast enough? I wish I could try these out but no one within 100 miles has these. So I am just trying to do the best research I can, and then make the plunge I don't think I'm going to do ffs on my kayak...I already have a love/hate with it on my boat. While it's great to find fish...it's just not as enjoyable for me. I'm going to use the kayak to mainly fish small bodies of water and will fish mainly shallow. Do you have the 12 or the 13'6"? I have a 9' bed in my truck with the tailgate layed down...would that be ok for the 13'6 or should I stick with the 12? I'm not going to do an extender. Thanks again everyone

Thank you guys! I’m leaning toward the AP. I think having the motor out reach will present more issues. Are you happy with the 120 or do you wish you had gone with the 136? I’ll be transporting it in the bed of my truck, so the 136 may not even be an option. Thanks again! Thank you for your response and sending that video! I hadn’t seen that. Near the end, where he was talking about spot lock, and the cable getting wrapped around it, reminded me of my previous boat had that same issue… makes me nervous having the motor out of reach. Have you had any issues with this? My troller motor on spot lock was notorious for spinning around 360 degrees multiple times trying to figure out its location. I could see that pull cord getting wrapped around. It’s got me thinking of going with the ot 120.

Thank you! Anyone have a bonafide with a xi3? Just curious how it does and how transport is. The bonafide is quite a bit. lighter...seems like that's one of the biggest benefits; while the OT's biggest benefit in my mind, is just the ease of getting in to motorized kayaking with just one simple purchase.

Ok great thanks! My only loose graph on my boat is a 16” lol…I should put that on the kayak…

Thank you! I don't really plan to go "all-in" since I have a boat that I mainly fish in. I'll pick up a kayak, motor, probably some sort of box that has rod olders, and then probably some sort of 10-12" graph. That will probably be it...so not really looking for a tournament rig. My biggest concern is how easy is it to transport. I'll be loading this in the truck and then back in the storage unit...so I want something pretty easy to setup and transport. Do you, or anyone, know if the XI3 is heavier than the one that's on the old town auto? How do you get yours in the water? Is there a wheel/cart that works better with one or the other? Sorry for all the questions. Finally, if you had to start over, would you still go with OT or would you switch to the bonafide? Thanks

Hey, could use some advice. I got a storage unit to put some of my boat gear...and wouldn't you know it...it's long enough to keep a kayak in lol...so thought I would pick one up. I've been thinking about it for awhile to fish some of the small city lakes near me that are too small for my boat. So looking at picking up a good motorized kayak. Have any of you tried these two out? Sounds like old town 120 has been out a little longer and comes pretty much plug and play when it comes to motor and kayak. The bonafide sounds like it might be a little more stable, but need to figure out a motor situation. I definitely want spot lock. Thanks for. your help and advice.

Yes I understand, but was just looking to get everyone's general thoughts/tips on wind. I know It's a complicated topic... Let's get your thoughts on two situations: prefrontal wind, and then also fishing offshore in sustained winds