Alex from GA

When I started serious bass fishing the man that taught Iovino to doodle took me as a partner in a tournament. Now I fish with a young man that knows more about bass and bass fishing than anyone I know. What I'm saying is fish with the best people and watch and learn.

Hip boots with a couple pair of socks for the bottom. Large wind proof jacket with lots of layers on top. Good PFD.

If it has a speedometer disconnect the hose from the lower unit and drain it along with the other things eggroll said.

I needed the same one for my '88 Classic 50 Mercury and got it from a buddy but there's a marine junk yard near me with everything you could want for a boat/motor of that vintage. Check ebay.

I have a boat in the water, all spring, summer and fall, in probably the best spotted bass lake in the country.

IMO if the fish are on the bottom I can get them to bite 1/2 the time; if they're suspended I move on.

I went to my local DSG last week because I had some time to kill. There was no gun or hunting section but the fishing section was quite complete. As others said there weren't many people in the store or cars in the parking lot. Ocala, FL.

Is there a way to either move the seat back or build an deck extension to put the seat further back.

Exactly like Tennessee Boy said and pictured.

Looks like it reads to the front of the kayak; should be fine. Can't you grind/file the bracket to level it? In my kind of fishing I'd destroy it in the first set of rocks I ran over.

I have a 10' Perception Pescador that I fish rivers and streams with. The only add on is a chain anchor. At 55 lbs it's too heavy for me to carry/drag up hills when I'm done fishing. I had a 9' Perception Keowee sit-in that weighed 35 lbs ,that someone wanted out of the back of my truck, that was perfect for my kind of fishing. Picture of the Pescador on the left.

Put another 112 on the back.

About 18 years ago I bought a kayak to fish where I couldn't in my boat; shallow rivers and creeks mostly. For several years no one would go with me so I fished alone floating mostly N GA rivers. My wife would pick me up @ a specified time. I still use my real boat for lakes. For me each has it's place.

If you don't want to go to a 24 volt model MinnKota has a 55 lb 12 volt Edge. I'm using a 45 on my 16' Grumman Renegade and it's plenty in the lakes even in the wind. It'll go 2.5 mph. In the rivers it's just OK, it could be larger.

Personally I don't use a plug. I solder the wires together, use shrink tubing and rtv and a fuse near the battery/s. Every joint is another thing to fail.

Fishermen, especially bass fishermen are always updating their electronics so there are good used units available for much less than new. I just bought a 9" Humminbird 998 for my boat for 1/4 the price of new.

You'll probably want a unit with side finding capabilities and a good GPS for the console. A 7" is fine if you have decent eyesite. On the bow all you'll need is a fish finder with a downscan. The Helix units are good and they'll be on sale in the spring.

I'm also a minimalist. I only fish rivers/creeks in my kayak and carry all my tackle in my PFD along with one rod. I do carry another rod in the bottom of the kayak in case I break one. I have a cooler with lunch and beer and a chain anchor. Inside I have a small dry bag with my phone, wallet, Ipipen, lighter and TP. I also carry a rain poncho inside.

We were trolling for marlin off the Channel Islands in CA on my boat when I saw a fin and tail. I removed the marlin lures on the rods and tied on leaders with hooks and baited with Pacific mackrel. Trolled by the fin a couple of times until it bit. Turned out to be a 142 lb swordfish. Only 6 were caught that year in CA on rod and reel.

The upper end is much more productive, to novices, than the lower end. Use your electronics and find the bait. Read the fishing reports here for up to date reports.

I go by the weather. If it's over 55 and not blowing 15+ it's time to go fishing. I'm retired and probably fish 200 days/year.

Wrangler cargo pants in the boat. Columbia or knockoffs zip off pants in the kayak.

Several packs of worms and a gift card from BassPro from our kids. New, to me, locator. My buddy bought a new one for his boat and sold me his 998.

'94 Ford Ranger. Telescopic rod and inexpensive reel, hooks, sinkers and a bag of worms.

I use jigging spoons a lot in deep brush piles and if the spoon won't knock itself loose I use the BPS knocker. Most of the time I win.