OldManLure

Update?

I agree with your point that tournament fishing alone is not going to cause the collapse of a fishery. I think that most states have wildlife management services that are skilled at making the adjustments to regulations necessary to maintain a fishery’s health (size restrictions, daily limits, length of season, etc.). But that is irrelevant to the point I think that is woven throughout this thread…that there has been a significant growth in the number of organized gatherings that are being called tournaments, and that many of these ‘tournaments’ are irresponsible by not utilizing steps that are known to effectively minimize the unnecessary mortality of caught fish. I know for a fact that some of these so-called tournaments, which are little more than fishing rodeos, view their dead fish as collateral damage. This is unacceptable. If a group, whether it be B.A.S.S. or Uncle Joe’s Rod and Reel Club, wants to conduct a tournament on our public waters and enjoy the benefits and perks afforded these events, they should be required, and more importantly willing, to employ the steps necessary to ensure the protection of a publicly ‘owned’ resource. If they aren’t willing, then instead of tournaments they should probably look at hosting boat and tackle shows, tackle raffles or boat washes for fund raising.

Take a look at bed extension racks that fit in hitch receiver. Much less wear and tear on yak, truck and your body. A couple buddies have them, and swear by them.

If after weighing the pros and cons one were to consider snaps, how would they be sized? Is it based on line size, bait size, or some other factor?

In early 2020, I attended a talk about river health, focused primarily on the Potomac, that I believe was sponsored by the Maryland DNR. A biologist who spoke stated that depending on the time of year, a significant high water event could destroy as much as 30% of river life…fish, crustaceans, insects, amphibians, reptiles, plants, etc. He stated further that it could take 3-4 years to see signs of recovery. In 2018, the Potomac, Shenandoah and nearby rivers, and I suspect the Susquehanna, experienced 3 distinct high water events in a matter of just a few months. Devastating! And the fishing in 2019 and 2020 proved it. But I can say without reservation that if the successes I and some buddies experienced in 2021 are any indication, the health of these rivers is definitely improving!

The steps to take to avoid self harm when you realize that you are catching no more fish with the $500 rod and reel combo than you did with the $49.99 combo you started with. The steps to take to avoid self harm when you realize that you are catching no more fish with the $500 rod and reel combo than you did with the $49.99 combo you started with. Oops.?

I agree that there should be more scrutiny of the way fish are handled in a tournament. I also think that there should be a minimum $ amount of total winnings available before a tournament could qualify for exemptions.

I fish rivers almost exclusively, and spend a lot of time on Upper Potomac and the Shenandoah. There are frequent periods throughout year I’m faced with water levels that can get pretty low. I’ve caught a lot of smallies in deeper water on a couple different crankbait patterns that run 6-8’ (and one that runs to 11’). So I’ll buy duplicates, trim, file and buff lips and turn them into baits that run 2’-3’. It has always resulted in catching fish. Some have been incredibly effective.

Ha! My dad would do that back in the 60’s. I don’t remember the lures, but I do remember their scorched chins. They did catch fish, though.

I’ve read numerous posters talk about things they do to modify lures. Many have talked about shortening arms, changing the angle of upper arm, or changing blades on spinnerbaits; changing size of trebles on hardbaits; drilling holes into cranks to fill with glue to silence rattles; adding rattles to baits; adding weights to diving baits, etc. Years ago I repaired a favorite crankbait’s chipped lip by lightly trimming and buffing it. Caught a nice fish with it on its first cast. Coincidence I know, but it granted me permission to play with lips if I think they need tweaking. Since then, I’ve frequently trimmed and/or reshaped lips usually to create a shallower presentation, but sometimes to decrease wobble, less often (because it’s a little more difficult) to increase wobble, and in a few cases to reduce hang ups. I showed a couple of my crankbaits with modified lips to a couple fishing buddies, and they acted as if I had committed some sort of sin. Did I?

It is reckless to spread unsubstantiated rumors based on something you “heard”. It is irresponsible to spread unsubstantiated drivel you saw on Facebook. It is criminal to call it a “Tackle Warehouse scam”. Can we expect an apology to Tackle Warehouse?

Rapala Rippin Rap Rapala Rattlin Rap and the ubiquitous RES

You don’t say which Ugly Stik you had, but the carbon version is pretty darn nice, and I see they have dropped $20 in price.

I’m with you! I purchased a 6” spring clamp at Lowe’s that I often use to clamp to tree limbs, exposed roots or branches of submerged trees that stick out above surface. It’s attached to a 6’ length of paracord that I secure behind my seat or, on occasion, at the front or my cockpit. Works great! Easy on, easy off.

Welcome to fishing a river or creek from a kayak! An anchor is a more reliable and much less expensive solution. There are considerations for safely using an anchor, mostly regarding flow rate. And my experience has been if a river or creek is flowing too strongly for safely anchoring, a trolling motor won’t be of much use either. In fact, an argument could be made that if a river or creek is flowing too strongly to safely anchor, it may be flowing too strongly to fish effectively (unless there is an abundance of structure that creates a lot of eddy water).

You have an overwhelming urge to by a Buick.

It appears your standup bar was installed with offset toward bow. I believe it is designed to offset toward seat to keep body more centered in yak when standing while also making it more convenient to grasp to assist in getting up from seat. Are you experimenting?

There is a technique to paddling a kayak. If your abs and arms are taking a beating, it sounds like you are relying on only your arms to paddle. There are plenty of videos demonstrating paddling a kayak and how to engage more of your body to efficiently move the kayak and prevent muscle fatigue. Your abs and arms will thank you. (You might also check the length of your paddle and make sure it is the recommended length for your body size)

I would send the pic to your local DNR. Their website should have contact info for a biologist, and may even have a dedicated portal for reporting.

Anything by John Grisham. An incredible story teller that provides a peek behind the curtain at some of the things going on around us. Watership Down Still Waters

I haven’t done detailed planning, but I’m leaning toward the State Park. They say it’s two miles from ramp, but rates are very reasonable. I have no idea how quickly or far in advance people start making reservations, so I’ll start checking website in January to gauge availability in April. I imagine it is a popular place.

I hear you. I have 2 plans. TVA lakes then Dale Hollow, and save Chickamauga for a long weekend; or Chickamauga then TVA lakes, and save Dale Hollow for a long weekend. Either way, I will be on Chickamauga in the Spring!

I’d drill a 1/2” hole through flagpole about 10-12” up from top of pvc and slip a piece of all-thread through so that it extends 6-8” on either side. You can use the all thread as handles to spin/loosen pole. Then using a lever and fulcrum, I’d use all thread for purchase to lift flagpole. For lever, I’d consider 2-2x4s nailed to a spacer slightly larger than pole diameter. You could then get equal force on both ends of all thread. Or, you could use 2 small bottle jacks under all thread to lift it.

Take another look at Rapala’s Countdown series, Flat Raps and Xrap Subwalk.

Day 1 - Guntersville Lake at Scottsboro, Alabama Day 2 - Guntersville Lake at Guntersville, Alabama for largemouth; Day 3 and 4 - Pickwick Lake near Florence, Alabama for smallmouth; Coincidentally, this is a trip I am making in late April with a couple additional days so I can fish Dale Hollow Lake on the way back home to Maryland.