Darth-Baiter

Did someone say they can kick pedal a kayak at 8mph?!

Truck loaded for the most part. I’ll update when I get back. Thanks you all.

Kayaking this one sir. My first gut check reaction. pb&j finesse jig drop shot with shad replica. ned rig. Purplish zoom z-drop shad colored crank shaky head. Maybe watermelon.

I’m going to do an overnight there in a few days. Beat the holiday traffic. Fish Thursday, sleep, fish Friday, slip out before pandemonium strikes. Really hoping for my first Spot. Camping at Jones. any help? Water is low, but I don’t expect to find them shoulder to shoulder in a puddle.;) tips? Jig? Drop shot? I’ve never been there ever. I have no ideas.

Interesting!!

What meds. I got a prescription nasal spray that changed my life.

Like people, we cant all be good looking. you ever catch a bass that is odd? I love them all but yesterday was the first time i got a humpback. He fought me hard. Really put his back into it. Quick pic and I slipped him back into the lake. Not sure I got the full hump in pic. Neat fish!!

I use a pencil weight. 1/8 or 3/16. I use an owner horizontal presentation hook.

Watch your line. I use yellow braid. It moves sideways. Slamma-jamma time. Set that hook. and I use a Moto-hook made for wacky. I get nice lip pins. So far.

I’m shocked actually. Heck even my rookie friend had a motor stuffed into the Hobie-hole. He had a generic motor that I was actually faster than. but all around me, kayaks motoring about. Clearlake CA. Mostly the telltale orange prop of the Torqueedo ($$$$). But I’m seeing a knockoff green prop as well ($$). I even saw a Hobie ProAngler with a nose mounted trolling motor with spotlock. im not sure I’m there. I like kicking around the water. Long runs wind me and gets my HR up, but at least I’m not lying to my doctor when I say I get “some” exercise. My boat set up takes five minutes. My Hobie Compass would take major surgery to install a motor. I don’t think it’s cheating. If you’re into it, by all means go for it. Maybe some day. But not now. But I think a motor give you tournament advantage.

I’m not bank fishing. Band I send out my drop shot anyways. Mostly blind casting

Heck yes! Today was great.

at first I hated it. it flexes much more. I paired it with a new Vanford 2500. it was odd casting it. I wasn't getting the distance I expected. but I determined it is the (probably) 20lb braid that is loaded on the reel. with more effort it got it out there. I drop shot fished like a fool way too long before I figured out, that was only going to hang up in the weeds and nothing was biting on it. I switched it over to a Ned Rig and it was like a light switch turned on. I got into them. I rushed to my rookie friend and tied one to his rod as well, and set him on the fish. he was stoked, and had a blast. I only have a Phenix Maxim rod to compare it to. its heavier than the phenix. the Dobyns handle is sweet and comfy. the rod shines when a bass latches on. it is a Med Fast. but it is a slower fast, if that makes any sense. it pins the bass nicely, and no matter how it shakes the more compliant rod just flexes. bass were performing air-show acrobatics. I felt the bottom contours, but I did lose some sensitivity. it was dulled but not to the point I didn't recognize a bass strike. one thing that surprised me. the bait hook is on the reel side of the rod. on the Maxim it is on the opposite side. the opposite side makes much more sense. not sure how I feel about the rod. ill put some more miles on it. the reel is nice very crispy. a very crispy reel. everything snaps into action on that thing. and it sounds better when fighting a fish. my Daiwa Procyon AL is no slouch, compared to it.

not easy. I got one. a dink on the swim jigs. but it was exhilarating. it was so amazing how the weeds just slipped by the lure. I am going to stay with it.

man I hope not!! Z-drop Trick worms Lizards. lemme know and I can stock up.:)

Green pumpkin.

It’s nuts! Super slender knot.

You all read my 20lb braid thread. It’s the knot (Alberto) giving me fits. It huge! I buckled down and tried the FG knot using the rod flex as the tensioner. Boom! What a tiny knot! Very cool knot. I feel li,d I accomplished something. And I’m buzzed! cant wait to try it this weekend.

7' seems to be my sweet spot, and I am clearly gravitating towards them. my spinning setups are longer by a few inches. here's why according to my own thought process. I love how a long rod scoops up more line slack due to the larger arc-length. my kayak is rarely sitting still. sometimes fish my kayak are moving towards each other and just having that bigger arc sweep will set the hook with authority. I like moving a fish to my left side of boat (aft? - sorry I am a land person) so I like the extra length to move the line around the nose of my boat. I have a bad habit of grabbing my net too early. once a net is in my hand there is no more working the reel handle. I love high-sticking the bass into my net. my least favorite rod is a 6' GLoomis I have owned several decades. its too short.

thanks. I am strung up with Power-pro. I'll go and get a bass on it for a more in depth idea on what I like and dont like. right now, it's all from the hip. not like my shop had any other options. 20lb was the lightest braid they had. I do get wind knots on the light stuff. never realized that was a thing. maybe 15lb is the middle ground. fun learning and advancing my techniques nevertheless.

True. I usually use all 8#. Trying to burn up my final stash of 10. Figured Clearlake weeds; the 10 might be good insurance. Makes total sense. Gravity; it’s the law.

Typical me. Overthinking everything.

My fishing shop is picked clean. I was hoping for 14lb braid. Hell maybe even 10. All sold out, so I filled it with high-vis 20. I just tied on my 10lb leader and I was surprised the knot is fatter. The practice plug flys fine. too heavy? Usual finesse shenanigans. Drop shot, etc. man it feels thick. My old rig is rocking 10lb, faded yellow braid. On the right side. A splice knot is easy with the thicker line. thoughts?

Just got the call. Promotion interview on Monday. My first thought wasn’t “hmmm. I should start studying ASAP” it was, “ dang, I’m fishing Clearlake Sunday!” haha. I’ll probably cut my trip short. Fishing has distorted my outlook of life a little bit. No doubt.

Thanks everyone. I got a swim jig that mimics a baby crappie.