OldManLure

I started fishing from boats with my father when I was 8 or 9. I’ve fished alone from a boat or canoe since I was 15. I’ve fished lakes, ponds, rivers and bays from a kayak for more than 40 years. I now fish almost exclusively rivers that have stretches of slow water interrupted by stretches of current, exposed rocks, drops and various levels of rapids. I own a 17’ Xpress jet, 2 kayaks and a kayhack. While I enjoy fishing from any of them, unless there is a compelling argument against it, like strong winds, I will always choose a kayak. Fishing from a kayak provides a number of advantages and experiences that simply aren’t possible in a boat or today’s kayhacks. Cost, maintenance, transport, storage, or the number of rods or accessories I can carry has never risen to a level worthy of concern. The advantages are with river fishing in mind. Some may not matter too much on a lake or pond, but they do remain permanently available and are never a disadvantage. -accessibility/portability… If I can see the water and there is a spot to park my truck, I can fish. I don’t need a trailer. I don’t need a ramp. And I don’t need batteries. Heck, I don’t even really need a path to the water. There are places in the rivers I fish that at times are just not accessible with pedals, a trolling motor or even a jet. And on the occasion I encounter low water or a wall of rocks or other obstacle, it is nothing to either drag or portage my 38lb or 46lb kayak over or around whatever is in the way. -maneuverability… You’re not going to sweep stroke or stern draw a boat or kayhack to miss a rock, an overhanging tree branch, or quietly eddy out to fish a current break while the current in a chute wants to rush you downriver. -It provides exciting challenges… It is especially rewarding to navigate a river’s rapids or drops to reach and fish a spot that likely only the whitewater guys have touched. Or fighting and landing a smallie while sculling one-handed to maintain position in current or to avoid rocks or to ensure going river right and not left. -It’s an eremitic experience… There is something very special about silently launching at dawn and witnessing, without interrupting it, the sights and sounds of the river (or lake) and woods come to life. Or taking out at nightfall when the growing silence is broken only by the sounds of night creatures starting their nightly ventures. I believe a kayak (and canoe) simply provides a level of communion with the water and nature that is nearly impossible to achieve with a boat. If I decide I want to go fast, I’ll take the jet. If I decide I want to stand and flyfish, I’ll take the kayhack. But 90 out of hundred times I’ll take one of the kayaks, and the experience never disappoints.

What you are implying is “human nature” is not. It is simply the nature of some humans.

It is clearly not designed for the maneuverability needed for river fishing, especially among rocks. For rivers in SE Pennsylvania, you’d be better off with a real kayak and paddle.

I guess the main point is that you were informed and if you are willing to wait, then no action is required. But if you’re not, then there is action available to you.

Laws require pre-paid orders to ship within a specific timeframe. If they don’t you’re supposed to be notified and given the option to cancel. There are provisions for some orders, including ‘custom’, for which the requirement doesn’t apply. In addition to those rod orders qualifying as for what might be considered a ‘custom’ item, providing a notice when ordering indicating the extended time frame for shipping probably satisfies the requirement. That is to say, if you didn't want to wait you could have decided not to order. If your order still has not shipped by the time period provided in the notice, that is a different situation and one the CC company can probably help you with.

You might contact BPS. I bet one of their Florida stores would be interested in displaying a FLMB of that size. You can email them at acquisitions@basspro.com

You’re right. There’s two.

Exactly! In low-vis water or low light conditions, receptors for color vision (cones) can become significantly less sensitive, even stop functioning, and bass can’t help but rely on the receptors (rods) that ‘turn on’ in those conditions and are sensitive to shapes, movement, brightness and contrast. We may catch fish on a red bait and think “that’s the ticket” when, in fact, the fish is responding more to its shape or movement or contrast than to its color. There are better choices than red to exploit this behavior and @king fisher mentioned them. I would also add blue.

For river smallmouth: Rapala Skitterprop…shad spinnerbait…willow, white/chartreuse Rapala Shadow Rap = Flat Rap silver Zoom Super Fluke…glimmer blue = houdini Rebel Middle Wee Craw…ditch brown

I would expect fish to relate to the warmer water temps, but I think the oxygen-poor water from a hot spring would certainly affect their proximity to it. I’m guessing there is a ‘sweet spot’ where the water is marginally warmer and oxygen from the lake water is available. Of course there is always the chance that the hot spring is releasing toxic dissolved gases, and it could be a dead zone.

^^I agree. Because a color (bait) is more visible is no guarantee it elicits more strikes. I could be a good starting point, though.

Thanks. I’m not familiar with the podcast, but that is what the science says.

Are they saying red is better than other colors in dirty water, or red is better in dirty water than in clear water?

I worry about the durability of frog hair skirts being dragged over rocks in the rivers I fish. Is this a legitimate concern?

https://www.amazon.com/haul/store?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=721102989279&hvpos=&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6397498592400907055&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1018587&hvtargid=kwd-2375430637135&ref=pd_sl_7j2i51i7tx_e search ‘fishing’

They probably have a ton of these and know a significant number of buyers lured in by this offer will bite and also order different weight and hook size options at regular prices. It’s a tried and true marketing tactic.

How many did you catch with it in those few months?

I’ve layered them several different ways, but best results for me so far have been surrounding the standard strands with finer ones. I trim back the standard size exiting the ring at the head to free up the finer ones. The bulk of the standard size becomes the body while the finer ones provide exaggerated movement. I particularly like them on a bladed jig.

I bought some a while back to use as ‘accent’ to standard size strands. I am pleased with the results. If I decide to put together some finesse versions, they will definitely be my choice.

Metaphor. You gotta love ‘em.

I understand the context of the question, but do not subscribe to the belief that reducing equipment is simplifying, and adding equipment is complicating. I think the answer to whether someone has simplified or complicated their fishing depends on what is going on between their ears. It is more about an uncluttered mind v. a cluttered mind than it is about an uncluttered boat v. a cluttered boat. And I think Thoreau would agree.

I fish from a kayak and went through what you are describing several years ago. I know your frustration. I gave them a fair chance, though I didn’t use them exclusively, and got fairly good with them. And I caught fish with them. But I decided a few years ago that me and baitcasters are just not a good fit. I didn’t enjoy them, and found they offered me nothing that spinning gear can’t provide. With spinning gear I can throw what I want, as far as I want, and to where I want. And I catch fish with them. So I’m back to exclusively spinning gear and loving every minute of it.

That was a bait monkey suggestion given to his cousin who works in marketing.

Get off the bottom. Fish baits that move…cranks, jerks, spinners, spinnerbaits, etc.

I just purchased one of these and cannot wait to try it!😉