Blue Raider Bob

Wow, that's so much more info than I was ready to digest.....thanks so much to everyone for their response. I'm sorry I did not give proper info at the beginning. I'll be 66 this year but can still walk with 100lb short distances if I have to. The canoe and kayak carts will be part of my kit. I will be in a pick up and possibly even pulling my 16' Alumacraft, so the canoe/kayak can piggyback. My weight is 195 and I'm I'm over six feet if that needs to be considered. Budget is not a big concern although I do not want top end as I may not use the craft often after I return to Tennessee. I would really like to stand to fish but that may be a pipe dream at my age and the cold water environments I will visit. If I can get lucky in the used market, (which is where I plan to be), a canoe and kayak could be a possibility. Katie, I'm really listening to you about the portage issue as this is a huge concern as I plan the Ontario adventure. Thanks again BR Family!

I have never owned a kayak and I'm deciding between a short one man canoe or a kayak for a trip to the far north after retirement this year. My canoe experience is limited but my canoe mentor has given great advice as to what to look for. My hesitation is I want my hands free while I fish. What are ya'lls opinions about a fin drive pedal kayak? Does it really give more convenience to the angler as opposed to a paddle kayak that paddles must be put down to use hands? Is there a budget kayak that receives good marks from users? I'm 66 so weight is beginning to become a concern. Is there a canoe or kayak terrain cart that is recommended? I like the idea of a pedal kayak with rudder steering but I'm open to what you experts view as a good way to experience new waters. thanks Bob

OMG! those are not the smallmouths that I tangle with! Maybe someday...it could happen! Gim, what is the forage? Are these the results of Gobies, or have your smallies always been this way? Looks like several trips to the buffet. My only smallies come from rivers but the rivers I fish have an abundance of Shad. My rare twenty inchers would barely make 4 lbs.

My wife used to refer to us with that verse......I wasn't the diamond.

I was fortunate enough to get to fish Katie's Lake (I'm Sorry Katie, I refuse to call a 165 acre body of water a pond!) I have a pond, you have an inland sea! What I observed is the Smallmouth are shorter than the largemouth but they are more robust. A 16" Smallie is shaped thicker and rounder than a 16" largemouth. I did not have a great sample size as I only caught a couple smallies, and I'm not sure if this is caused by the forage used/available, regional genetics, depths frequented, or some other factor that I did not consider. The largies, on the other hand, are long and lean but have very healthy shoulders, and often extended bellies which leads me to believe the body of water is a very healthy, and balanced ecosystem. My knowledge of smallies is limited but the ones I have caught in my latitude are usually the same body type as the largies I catch. I've never caught any of the "Footballs" that AJ, and Dwight catch. And NorcalBassin! FOOTBALLS!

I'm sure that was what she meant! Mine did the same, I was just messing with ya. Glad you've got a great one!

Sounds like you're getting on somebody's nerves! Been there done that! 😁

Well said!

Glad you got the hook out of that bass! Sounds like you're excited to be heading home but reluctant to leave. Sure wish you the best in retirement, I'm taking that step in four months. From all the pictures you've posted of Texas bass, them Maryland Bass are in deep trouble!

Alex, I can tell you from experience, five experiences.......Katie's Pond is the most beautiful place on earth! Water clarity is good, and we shared the pond and little rivers with beaver, loons, Kingbirds, Osprey, and nobody else! You pull up to her turnaround in the oaks and maples, walk a short way through the forest, walk out on duckboards made of the following.......large split logs flat side up.......pallets sitting on top of the logs which are pushed into the bog......rough sawn boards nailed to the top of pallets. This extends several yards over the bog until you arrive at the tiny inlet creek (just wide enough for a canoe). The inlet has a large enough platform to safely load, unload, and store materials. From there it is a short backstroke out into the pond but we caught bass in the little inlet. The whole pond is premium bass habitat. It doesn't really matter where you fish, these aggressive bass will find you!

Al, I see pure joy! Thanks for taking me along! I'm afraid to ask what is an upper plate....at our age it might be something we need!

Katie, I've fished with you five times. If you had anymore energy, you could power the eastern seaboard! Every time we quit it was because of me! You paddle constantly, toss between paddles, unhook bass between paddles, then paddle! Your upperbody could stand in the paint with Shaq and Barkley! ☺️ If we arm wrestled, I'd need another surgery. You fast walked me through miles of harbor towns until my legs turned to jelly. Katie, you having more energy is a scary thought! 😝

Those are brutes! Glad you went and shared!

Dang what a Wife!!

Those steps have a mysterious and enchanting look to them. I'm expecting to see trolls, fairies, and other netherworld entities at any moment. What an interesting spot!