Darth-Baiter

I never make it through her videos. But she is pretty great looking.

I was thinking. The drive to my spot is when I’m the most nervous. Anxious. I play scenarios in my head, I run thru lures and presentation that I think will work. It’s a fun time. I picture success and worry about a skunk. Haha. I’m a hot mess. you? Willie Nelson blaring and lip sync show?

Great worm. I grabbed a pack on a whim. Mine might be watermelon red. Saved my butt, one winter day. if I had to pick one. Zoom lizard.

Once. Only once. I was dodging boats with my kayak and found a wide open spot. As I went by some (guy #1) guy in a boat says loudly,” that guy has no idea what he’s doing, he’s just zigzagging around”. I started getting into them. The fish got bigger and bigger. Another boater (guy #2) eased up next to me and asked if he could fish nearby. “ hell yes!” Him and his co angler and I started hauling them in. Guy #1 was so annoyed. I landed the biggest fish of that session with a 4.5. It was fun being amongst all the nicer boat guys. I seriously didn’t know what I was doing. I only fished that spot because it was open.

Took a rare break from fishing this weekend. This darn wildfire smoke is too much. I watch PurpleAir like a hawk. Woke up at 4 am to check and it was 4x the recommended dose of smoke. Went back to sleep. Now conditions are better, I tiny bit better. at least where I live it’s good. My target lake - not so much. I was all rigged up last night. Fresh FG knots on new leaders, new hopeful reaction baits…..:(

I fish Clearlake often. Last year it seemed like there was a tournament everyday. That lake sees a crushing amount of anglers, but it never feels like it slows down. This year the drought slowed things down but it still fishes well. I hear others say that despite the pressure, fishing is not that affected.

Show off.

As i Make trash line, I cut it and stuff it into my PFD pocket. At the end of day, most of our lakes have cylinder containers marked for “ fishing line disposal only”. I dump it there. Not sure what happens from there.

That “time on the water” discussion got me thinking. I’m an alright fisherman. If I had to shine a light on one of my more lacking abilities- it would be my casting. I cast okay. Skipping? Eerrrr where did I put my spinning reel? In my excitement I can’t count how many times I’ve sent a frog wide or into the weeds. watching fishing YouTubers I know I need to up my casting game. Yup. Yes I do.

I think most bites on that type of bait is surprisingly similar. Similar as in no set rules. You just know. topwater and swimbaits. It’s more “in yo face”. but that’s all about the expectations.

Jigs are effective here in the colder months. Summer I’ve gone with other choices. but in solidarity, I’ll toss one out this weekend.

That thing was a b____ to glue on. It kept wanted to squirt off. I know how to do it next time. Have the kayak right side up, put the Hobie wheels on and let the kayak rest on the nose. The weight of the yak would clamp the guard on while it cures.

Stay at it!!! And well done. My hike in lake is dry.

I think it’s information you’ve gathered over the years. Like you know in the fall in the rain, you remember one particular cove that held dumber fish. It may be subconsciously remembered. my intuition kinda sucks. I bet I’ll be a awesome fisherman if I kept a notebook but I’m also not a great note keeper.

Bank covered it. my 5” screen is perfect. I can still slide back on board if I fall out. A bigger unit would get in the way.

I fit a Garmin previously in my Hobie Compass. It took some work making a bracket but it was easy. when I upgraded to the Lowrance the transducer fit so beautifully. It was almost shocking and so easy. I don’t regret the Lowrance Ready option.

^^daaaaaannnnngggg!

I’ve never caught a pike. they are a nuisance? Or they just cut your lines?

I have the bare minimum number of rods/reels. A few need upgrades but it’s not urgent. Someday.

So very very cool.

Will Cabelas exchange it? Mine (2500) is ghost silent. Makes my Daiwa Procyon sound like an old jalopy.

I do not recall ever taking a picture of my rig. Here it is. I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to upgrade (to the pro angler in the back). But I’m addicted to how fast my kayak is. I’m faster than my friends 10 foot Nucanoe with a 30lb thrust motor. (I’m tired tho, he isn’t). I can stand and cast. It’s fast. It’s fun.

Here is my tape version. Works well, until it starts to come apart. Then it will cut your line. The best part. It pulls off clean. d**n near zero glue residue here I added a minimalist version until I get the glue for my burlyPro. I don’t worry about gentle scratches. Love marks

I kicked my kayak out into the empty lake. I was waiting for my friend that I left at the launch. I figured I’ll toss out a bait while I wait. TICTIC! What? I fought and landed a nice fat 2lb fish. oh-o! I ignored the possible jinks. Haha. Nothing for an hour. But I never let that sinking feeling take hold. I looked at a distant island and we went there. It was insane! I think I got 25 bass in the five hours I fished. It was nuts.after my 4th, I raced around until I found my friend and asked him to follow me. I found a bowl loaded with fish. I told him to slow way down and the fishing turned on. I fought a mysterious giant that had my line zinging thru the water until my line snapped with a report. I got over it because the fish were on I would catch one, put it on my donkey-leash, cast back out and then try to take a pic, only to be interrupted by another bite. I did manage a decent one that almost got me to 5lbs. (4.5) I loosened my drag after losing that one. I didn’t take chances. I really played the fish. and my very last cast? Yup. A 3lb. Right where I got the first bite on the first cast. the wildfire smoke was too much. My eyes burn. Still burn. I’ll sleep tonight clutching my asthma inhaler.

Suh- weet!