Everything posted by michaelb
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Old Town NEXT review
Cool boat. I want a solo canoe. Do you use a single or double paddle?
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Crankbait Circle Hook
I hate trebles; on my kayak I can’t be dealing with hooks flailing around. I avoid buying stuff with 3 sets. I replace the tail with an inline single. But you can leave on the front treble since most hookups are there and if you do hookup with the rear single you can control the lure still and release is easy.
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Who uses Tornado HH knot?
How heavy is your flouro? Is this on a leader? I have been using the sd jam knot because i can tie that pretty well in 20-40lb flouro + as a jam knot it wastes much less leader vs the palomer knot. i have never seen this knot before but it seems complicated and for light lines.
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removing trebles from hardbaits, and going with regular hooks?
I swap trebles for inline singles. I’m on a kayak and dont want to deal with trebles swinging around. I often leave the front treble on and just swap the rear; I avoid buying hard baits with 3 trebles but if i do I would remove the middle too.
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More durable senko
I also use screwlocks and do think they hold better.
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Braid to fluorocarbon leader
On lighter lines like this, try the lefty kreh leader knot. Very easy to tie, something you can do on the boat if you break off. I use the FG knot for heavier flouro (40-50 lb).
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i can tie a beautiful FG knot. i just cant finish the knot neatly every time.
I carefully melt the tag end of the braid with a lighter. That seems easier and better than glue or tying a fancy finish. Seems to work some of my leader knots have lasted months
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Weight capacity of kayaks
Yes look at capacity but there is no standard. More important is the size and shape. So 12’ long and 35+ wide. Nucanoe does have excellent options. Its 11.5 long but the perception outlaw should be / is the benchmark big guy kayak. You can spend lots more too. Any dealers around that would have demos? The jackson bite is also reasonably priced.
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Best Beginner's Kayak
One of the best choices. Probably not going to win races but for fishing should be great.
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Suggest some starter lures for Musky
I fish for pike on my kayak and there is a chance for musky. I switch trebles for inline singles (i may leave the front treble). I bring gloves and lots of release tools. for the net practice the technique of putting the handle under your leg so you can unhook the fish on the side in the water. I find long handles get in the way and decided to get an xl sized net. Ego nets lets you buy the parts separately so i have a floating 18” handle on the xl net head. the muskyfool site looks interesting and now i am worried i am going to spend some money.
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Picasso Smart Mouth
Why pick that one over the all terrain version with a skirt? I love paddletails and spinnerbaits and this is an interesting combo
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Best Beginner's Kayak
I think the jackson bite is the best beginner kayak out there and all most folks may need for a long time. Excellent compromise of design/ quality / stability/ price.
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Bonafide RVR 119
I think it looks pretty cool. If you paddle moving water with drops and rifts. There may not be many other river boats. Jackson has one at least but i like the yupik. I would want space for camping gear and float trips and prefer the seat to really be able to move back and forth.
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Using a paddle board for bass fishing
My paddleboards are large and stable but not enough for fishing. Paddleboards do paddle pretty well sitting with a kayak paddle. I paddle my kayak frequently standing up too. in addition to crescent sup+, look at kaku’s voodoo or even better the zulu. I want one.
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Waterproof footwear options that are easy on the back
I like crosskix. To me they are definitely more comfortable than crocs and more protective. I like the 2.0s better because i can slip them on and off and they fit much wider. But the apx are a water ready sneaker if they fit and you want laces. https://crosskix.com/collections/shop
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Solarflex shirt/apparel
I was gifted a sims hoody with bug protection and yes i think it is very nice
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which floro leader line to defend against pike?
Not sure i have all the answers but i have tried and use several flouro options. i make leaders with 80 abrazx using crimps. Those have a coastlock snap on one end and a swivel on the other. I haven’t had one fail and they hold up well; i worry about hooking a musky since most folks go heavier there. I really like being able to grab the heavy leader when landing a fish. This is my pike rig for trolling and spinnerbaits; i have caught tons of bass too. i also have 40 sunline leader with an fg knot (it took lots of practice). That is 4-5’ long and i connect with a sd jam knot. The sunline handles much softer then seagar blue and ties nicely. This my main rig for bass and pike and haven’t had a pike go through this yet. I retie after each pike because i can feel nicks in the line. i also have seagar blue in 40 and now 50. I could never tie it reliably and so use crimps. I will add a 10” leader section to a hook, like for a paddle tail and then tie that to my main line. Mastering the fg makes this less useful but it works too.
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Picken cotton
Not sure if i am spending more time picking or fishing this week.
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Smallest Fishing Kayak
Yes a 10 foot kayak can fit in some suvs particularly if can also put the passenger front seat down or leave the rear open. I have an element that does work. the most important thing about putting a kayak inside, is after you have everything packed, don’t push on the back of the kayak to squeeze it in. Because that extra inch you got in the back may now be sticking through your windshield.
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Best practices for fishing senkos in heavy milfoil?
Others have mentioned this, but a paddle tail on a weighted swimbait hook may be better than a senko in terms of ripping through weeds. For the senko, trigged weight less and the key will be that initial drop (so casting into spots). You can swim the senko back.
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stake-out pole, drift sock, anchor and/or trolley for a canoe?
I would not drill holes in that beautiful boat. The main purpose of a trolly is to 1) move the anchor point to one end but letting you clip in from the middle and 2) switching ends. I don’t think you need #2; you want to anchor off the far rear most of the time and if you want to switch to the front you can do that manually. if you run a line in the boat from your seat to that cross brace at the rear you can clip the anchor line to that line. The clip will get pulled to the back and to release the anchor you can back paddle and pick up the anchor line, put a float on it. You could also do a half trolly in the rear with pullies and a ring. i don’t think on a canoe you will want to anchor off the side much; but if so a half trolley gets u most of that usefulness.
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Smallest Fishing Kayak
If you have to carry it to the water a pack canoe that you can double paddle is the lightest fastest best option
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Footwear for a kayak
One aspect not mentioned so far is are you paddling peddling or standing? For paddling anything can work and you can kick them off if you want. I assume for peddling you need them to be comfortable enough for the trip. But many of these water shoes are not very comfortable to stand in for hours. I stand as much as possible. I upgraded to the crosskix over crocs and sandals and various cheap watershoe variations because your shoes need to be great in and out of water, without sand and rocks stuck inside, and comfortable to stand in for hours. Keens were great for example at everything except they always got rocks inside.
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sometimes I feel my FG knot unravels a bit grinding thru my guides.
I have been very carefully melting the braid tag end. That stops it from getting fuzzy and may also stop any unraveling. Seemed easier than the rizzuto.
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Confused fishing etiquette
If he was in a kayak paddling across the lake and fishing is normal and may be necessary based on wind or other reasons. I would not cut someone in a bass boat off as a general matter, but if i need to go somewhere or paddle a line say tight to shore, i will do that. Under navigation rules, doesn’t the kayak have the right of way?