OldManLure

Just curious…do you believe you could you lose confidence in a bait you had so much experience with? And if so, what would it take to lose your confidence?

I completely agree. I have thrown baits I lacked confidence in, but the conditions seemed to call for them and I was certainly comfortable using them. And even catching fish didn’t increase my confidence in using them, but my comfort level did spike a little.

With time to kill during another of the incessant storm systems moving through Maryland, I did a very brief search revealing that 7 state records were caught in February, and 11 state records caught between Nov and April. Several state records were caught during summer months. I wasn’t being graded so I didn’t compare ‘cold states’ to ‘warm states’ and did not research all 50 states, but I suspect the trend favors the colder months. Smaller bass are more affected by cold water than larger bass. Larger bass have higher energy needs while at same time are able to function better in colder temps. Their increased energy demands and the ability to meet them increase the likelihood they are the ones that get caught while the smaller ones remain less active.

A round head of similar diameter creates less turbulence than the flat ned head. The flat of the ned head also increases the likelihood it will ‘stand up’ when it reaches the bottom. VMC does exactly what you’re describing with their stand up Shaky Head. Comparing prices, it is definitely cheaper to grind them yourself (especially if you already own a belt sander or grinding wheel).

Ditto x 50…years.

While a kayak’s weight is a factor in calculating it’s weight capacity, it does not count against it. If an 85lb kayak is rated for a weight capacity of 425lb, it means it can handle a 425lb load. Exceeding it will adversely affect its designed performance.

If one decides to carry a sculling paddle, one with a telescoping handle is the best option. Based on your size and the height above water when you’re seated, the handle can be adjusted to a length that is comfortable and stress free to use one-handed. At it’s full length, it can be used for canoe style two-handed paddling (I have witnessed several kayakers lose their paddle. It ruined their day).

Or, when you have a fish on and wind or current is taking you where you don’t want to go. If you fish from a kayak long enough, you will learn to paddle one-handed.

Having fished from kayaks since before they became popular and morphed into glorified rafts, my recommendation is to fish from it more than a few times to discover and determine what would be helpful to you. Your style of fishing, the types of water you fish, personalized needs, etc. will pretty much guide you to useful accessories and customizations. The biggest mistake I see people make is to rush out, buy and install a variety of available accessories only to discover you don’t use them or have installed them in an undesirable location. The Outlaw is nice, and can be fitted out to be comfortable and fun But what is comfortable, practical, and functional can be very different from one person to another. At 77lbs., you won’t go wrong if the first thing you do is buy a cart to get that sucker to the water.

Nice report and, hmmm, very interesting. I have been able to get on the Upper Potomac in my kayak only a few times this month due to seemingly endless high water events. On those trips, I too caught nearly all on a shallow crank in front of current breaks, points and submerged weed beds. Notwithstanding the challenges to ‘park’ or anchor in what passed for eddies or slower water and cast over or ‘around’ the structure or cover, it was productive and tons of fun. And while it has produced in the past, it does not seem to be a frequent pattern, at least at the depth and flow I typically fish. Whether or not it’s justified, I do find it very interesting that this pattern produced on the different rivers, 80 miles apart, within the same time period.

Wow, 50°. It must be all that extra ice out there.

This is a pattern that has provided me some memorable catches of river smallies. Last year I caught my personal best in the first weeks of August on top water. One on top water from the Shenandoah River in the 1st week of August was 21” and 10 days later a 21 1/4” on a spinnerbait from the Potomac. Both in eddies near the bank, and both in less than 12” of water.

I agree 100% with your conclusion.

Labels on inside of lid so when it is open they correspond to compartments. Easy to read and easy to change if you rearrange compartments.

So how much rain did you actually get yesterday?

Or after each day of use, retie 12” further up the line. This will move the area of the line subjected to the days’ repeated rubbing on the tip closer to the lure and out of harm’s way.

A theory based on a couple assumptions. You tend to cast the same distance, and then repeat a rhythm of retrieve. In fact, you said “…jerk, jerk, jerk”. It sounds like you’re initial jerks may occur with line near the tip, and the tip is imparting friction on this localized area of the line on every cast. I think we know that friction and flouro are not fond of each other. This may be why it eventually broke off near the rod tip or as you said “…somewhere in the guides”.

I used to do something similar until a few years ago when I ran across small plastic boxes (they are for bar soap) in Walmart’s ‘travel’ section next to it’s personal care aisles. They are about $1 each. I place several similar baits in a box, and can carry 3-4 in my hip bag for wading/fishing from bank. Very tidy. Soft plastics still go in zip lock bags.

If so, it won’t work in Maryland. The geese here crap only on golf courses.

Weatherbug’s network of lightning sensors is second to none. In addition to weather stations, their network includes schools across the US that have installed them to provide safety for outdoor sporting events and other activities.

This is why the Rebel craw lures are so effective.

After trying most, I’ve relied solely on Weatherbug for the past 10 years. Very accurate forecasts, very useful wind map, and the lightning strike map could be a lifesaver.

I admire your honesty. Too many of those I fish around would have called it 20” and fished on. Welcome to the warren.

It has been 5-6 years since I fished that stretch…Paw Paw to Bonds Landing on two occasions and Bonds Landing to Little Orleans (Fifteen Mile Creek) on a different occasion. So no camping. Based on my experience, I don’t think I would characterize this stretch as one for either quantity or quality. We averaged 1 fish about every 3/4 mi., and managed to catch a couple 16”-17”, but most were 11”-14”. It was an enjoyable float, but Paw Paw is a two hour drive for me so it dropped off my list of preferred trips. I will say that we did seem to fish that stretch when the river was higher than we would have liked, and not being familiar with it was a disadvantage. If it was closer, I would fish it again…those 16”-17” could be 19” and 20” now. We did not catch any walleye or muskie. I know walleye are there, but I don’t know enough about muskie to guess (I do know they are in the Potomac, though). I can recommend a stretch of similar length near PawPaw that offers both quantity and quality with the very real possibility of a citation fish. It is so worth the 2 hour drive, I do it at least once a month. If you are interested, message me.