DS51

Ps, I lied...found some pics from spec fishing in 2019, as well, so at least 5 days of inshore fishing using the Ketch Board.

For sure. I emailed them and was honest how I used it. I wasn't looking for a freebie, so it was more of a, "tell them my experience." I don't consider this a negative review, just an FYI. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one again, but I'd probably get the Karbonate.

I've been using the 26 inch Ketch Board since the spring of 2018 bass fishing season, and wanted to give my thoughts 3 seasons later to potentially save someone the disappointment of ruining their Ketch Board. #1, this is the best board on the market for Catch-Photo-Release tournaments; i.e., most kayak fishing tournaments. I think most kayak anglers already know this, and there are numerous positive reviews online. I wanted to make this post, not because of bass tournament usage, but because of the occasional inshore tournaments I fish in. From what I can tell from my picture archive, I used the Ketch Board for three days in an inshore tournament in the fall of 2018 to measure speckled trout. I'm pretty diligent about rinsing my gear after exposure to saltwater, but 2 years later, the paint is bubbling up on my Ketch Board in numerous places. Turns out, the Ketch Board is not indestructible...just almost indestructible. Basically, if you move back and forth between salt and freshwater, no matter how frequently, consider getting the new Karbonate Ketch board, using a different plastic board for inshore, or really scrubbing the heck out of the metal Ketch Board after inshore fishing. No one I have talked to that fishes only freshwater is having this issue, so I'm assuming the cause was the saltwater. Granted, maybe I just got a lemon, but I find that hard to believe based on the quality of the Ketch line of products. Considering Ketch Products mentions nothing about saltwater usage on their website, I thought this information might save someone from ruining their near $70 board. I would highly suggest not taking the metal boards on the ocean. I sent photos to Ketch Products to see what they thought, but they have yet to respond. Anyways, thanks for reading, and let me know if you have had a similar issue.

My experience with big tournaments and the KBF National Championship: What I always seem to forget in those big tournaments: I am not a pro, I am an average fisherman, it is impossible for me learn new techniques in a day, and with near 600 anglers (many who are very good anglers) I would have to get extremely lucky to finish in the money. What I should always remember at those big tournaments: I've caught 3x 20 inch fish in a day before, I have basic knowledge of fishing and where the fish will be, I'm pretty good at the techniques I use every week at my home lakes, and stick to what you know because you can't get lucky if you don't catch one fish. What I should always do at my home lakes in between big tournaments, but never do: Quit using the same techniques I've been using for the past 30+ years and expand my toolkit. Ultimately, I have found the KBF National Championships to be fun tournaments. You will meet a lot of great people. I think every kayak fisherman should go to at least one. However, if you don't put a concerted effort into getting better at tournament fishing (me), one of three things will happen: 1) those big tournaments become fishing vacations with some pals; 2) you will stop going; 3) you will forever remain a feeder fish whose sole purpose is to increase the winnings for the top dogs. Even being in category 3 isn't that bad, because if enough sponsorship money ever gets to the kayak fishing ranks, it will be near impossible to get into a big money tournament like the KBF National Championship for an average Joe like me that previously qualified by just registering for one trail event and catching only one fish.

Guy who won my local league last year was riding an Ascend. Whole bottom was covered in bondo. Guy won half the tournaments and never finished worse than third. Man that dude can fish. Would be scary to give him a peddle drive or motor. I need the extra casts just to finish 10 places behind him.