Darth-Baiter

I just recently changed. I RARELY fished. I hunted plenty. Bow hunting mostly. Big game. I think I like the associated camping. I LOVE sitting around a campfire- poking at it with a stick. Love it. COVID started me fishing again. I love the frequency. I can simply load up my kayak and go fishing. Twice a week is common. And I’m home again that same day. That’s nice. nis if I can kayak fish, and poke at a campfire? My head may explode. I sat out this hunt season because of the virus. I’ll pick up my bow again for spring turkey.

I try. It’s staggering. It’s intimidating. Everything looks “bassy”. I have a yellow pad at work where I jot down potential spots. I fish the delta on a buds bass boat frequently, but he has his usual haunts. I don’t really get a say. But we do well. Hard to argue. but a kayak is different. You’re are pretty much committed once you launch. It’s slow, it takes effort. I’d rather launch relatively close to my fishing spot versus peddle miles and miles. Well, it’s the pedal BACK that usually gets me. At least I have pedals! I’m the worst paddler. any Google earth tips? For a rookie?

I tested it! Blazingly great catches. I leave my charm home and skunk- city. haha. Do you have a lucky hat or something? just a fun thread - I don’t sacrifice a chicken or anything.

Master the bait. He the master-baiter.

Where in California? So vague. in NorCal, I feel like i’m just getting started. I just rigged up a few rod/reel setups to try to find a few dumb cooperative bass tomorrow. I head out in my kayak. it’s odd. I’m new as well. I’ve been casting and trying a lot of baits and tactics. When you get a hit it’s so eye opening! Right there you’ve learned something! BAM! I watch YouTube, I read, I use google earth. Those bass are NOT going to catch themselves. just start. Dont get all hung up on one tactic. Top water. It will happen. Maybe not so much in the fall or winter.

While my fishing is nearby; it isn’t that nearby. I’m on the road at 4am in the summer. I wake up at five every days as well.

I sleep with a wrist sling now. It’s helping!

My friends iPhone 11 has the best camera!

You didn’t just go fishing with me did you? You sound just like my friend. Haha.

Not a lot of fish for me. Three to be exact and I lost one boat-side. BUT! I got my PB! By a long shot.

Of course!

I just got back from the lake. Google earth it. There is shore fishing everywhere.

Totally worth it today. I CRUSHED a new PB today. Now I’m wide awake.

Gah! Sleepy. I’ll be awake when I get to the lake, I’m sure. But dang. Brutal. Probably the reason I stopped duck-hunting.

You nailed it!

I’ll leave this here. My fishing trip in Peru. Best fish of my life. Cost me $25 and a bag of Twinkie's.

Phenix Maxim. It checked all the boxes. Not overly expensive either.

Thanks everyone. I emailed my doctor. Thanks for the push.

My doc doesn’t think I have carpal... but true, things could have changed. Hopefully my new rod mitigates the issue. my hand activity is very varied and I do stretches. Maybe I should revisit the doc. Thankfully none of my baitcast- rigs cause any numbness.

I have one of those! And it’s my most successful rod. It’s brand new and in about a month - five trips, I have about 20 good bass on it. I just got off the water. It happened again. My hand went numb. I think the rod is a bit heavy for finesse fishing. It’s a spinning rod and I would constantly need to change hand positions to try to minimize the tingle. One finger in front of reel seat, move two fingers in front, three fingers, switch hands, etc. the grip at the reel seat was to thin for me. Compounded by the heavy weight forward rod. as I was fishing I got a shipping notification. My new rod was at the house! If my wife was home I would have begged her to bring it to me. Her eye rolling would have been worth it. I just casted a lot in the front yard. No more hand numbness. The rod is much lighter. (Both are MEDIUM action). The rod seat has a hump in the back that my palm rests on. I love it already. I might need to go fishing tomorrow to slime the new rod! Bonus! The shorter handle is more comfortable in my kayak. I’m finally homing in on the type of rods I like. And understanding my own body and limitations and how I like to fish. sucks I had to buy the wrong rod (for me) to learn the lesson. Btw, my buddy has the sane rod and he loves it. I’ll turn mine into an ocean halibut and lingcod rod where it isn’t so much about finesse. the new one!

I’m home. Late start which was okay because it was cold by California standards. I was in the water at 9:30. caught a dink right off the bat, so u was happy “no skunk”. I went to a bassy spot, sent in my presentation and got a decent one. He put up a really good fight. I was honored. just got done removing leaves from my yard. 2.5lbs? Maybe close to 3. Dunno.

I’m hitting my load all golf course pond on my kayak tomorrow. Cold front came ripping thru. Curious how it changed things.

I’m hitting my local lake Saturday and then Tuesday. Been getting up to high 80’s. Starting tomorrow the high is 60’s. Low sixties with nighttime temps near freezing. bass will still be deep? I have been killing them at 15 feet with a drop shot. im hitting Clearlake with a guide Wednesday, so he better know what to do.

I just booked a guided trip to Clearlake next week. Looking for fall tips from an expert. plus my local small lake is still producing fun hits. The bass have gotten bigger! I cracked the code there for sure. I fish weekdays so I do not give up the secret.

They look awesome!