KSanford33

I went out today on Sacandaga Lake since it’s the only lake still open (some coves are frozen over, but the main lake is fine). However, there was a lot of fog today. I learned the hard way that you can’t paddle a kayak in a straight line with no point of reference. The area I usually fish in is about a half hour paddle from the launch area and I never made it there. I spent 3 hours quite literally going in circles trying to figure out where I was. Finally I downloaded a compass app on my phone and made it back to shore. Lesson learned…

That must be why I can't catch any...

@casts_by_fly @bigspirit Thank you both!

Correct.

I had an issue today with one of my spinning rods. The line was spinning on the spool. So if there was even a little pressure reeling in, the line was spinning. Not the spool, not like drag, just the line on the spool itself. Anyone else have this happen?

I'll be fishing Seneca Lake in NY this weekend and just want to get on some fish. I haven't wet a line in a few months due to some personal issues I've been working through, so I'm excited just to get out. That being said, what would you recommend going after with a 40* water temperature?

I'll be fishing a tournament in this area the first week of August. Does anyone have any advice?

The only body of water I find it doesn't work very well for me is when there's a mucky bottom or the bottom has that green slime on it. But any kind of sandy or rocky bottom, 100% the Ned rig has been successful for me. But like others have said, I catch quantity but not always quality on it.

Unfortunately I don't. I only assisted on the build. It wasn't my car and it was ~25 years ago, so any pictures I had have been lost to history. Most of the kit car builds I've seen where it was built off the existing chassis of a different car haven't been great to drive. I'm sure some are great, but it's mildly disappointing to see a spectacular exterior only to see the interior from an '85 Fiero inside. However, kit cars like Factory Five and other custom cars can be spectacular. I've been fortunate enough to drive a Factory Five GTM and it was on par with any other ultra-high end cars.

I've helped build one before, but never done one on my own. I helped do a stretched Pontiac Fiero into a Ferrari 355 build. As others have said, do your homework. I'd also add, it helps very much if you have other people to bounce questions off of. I'm going off of the assumption that you're pretty capable with auto work and fabrication, because kit car builds can test you occasionally. All in all, it's great fun. Just make sure you take your estimated timeline and double it. 🤣

Assuming you're going out to catch bass, which species (or more than one) are you not upset to catch instead of bass?

No chance. Not even close. I've fished in tournaments with legit hammers (this guy named Nick Audi from just over the border in PA) and it made me realize that if they're the hammers, I'm the nail.

You won't regret it. I love catching smallies more than largemouth, they're just so much more difficult to find (for me at least. @A-Jay might say differently).

I have never regretted time on the water. I’ve had work things blow up while I was on the water; I’ve frozen my butt off sitting in a kayak in sleet, and I’ve gotten skunked more often than I’d like to admit, but I’ve never ever regretted getting out there.

Like @Bazoo said, I'm a minimalist. I primarily use flukes, jigs, t-rigs, and ned rigs.

Done and done. 🙂

Once again, you've outdone yourself. This is an amazing palette. I still have 50+ of your jigs, but it looks like I need more... 🤣

So I've been away for a few months because I'm going through a divorce. I won't get into the specifics, but I'm happy to be in a place where I can now distract myself with fishing. Although at this point in the year, it's more about distracting myself on this forum. I'll probably post something in the flea market to buy some flukes, but other than that, I'm happy to be back.

My back seat experiences have rarely been great. I'm 6'0", so depending how big the girl was, it's usually pretty cramped back there. Oh... you mean the back seat in a boat...? Oh, well this is awkward... ?

Welcome @jminer79 I grew up in Elmira, so I fish in that area every so often still. If you ever want to fish Whitney Point let me know.

These are so much fun to read. I'm really rooting for you to make the regionals. Keep working hard!

I had a great day on Iroquois Lake in Schenectady on Saturday. I spent the majority of the day working on house projects, but then freed up some time in the afternoon and went over there. The weeds are about a foot below the surface in most places, so it seemed like an excellent time to throw a fluke. As it was darting through the weeds, this ol' girl decided to get it. This is my 2nd largest bass ever (by length), so I'm hoping it's a sign on things to come this season.

Hey @Koz, As you know, I bought the same kayak based on your review, and don't regret a minute of it. However, I sold mine over the off-season for many of the same reasons you mentioned. I agree with what a lot of other members have said about the AutoPilot being just as heavy to lug around as the SeaStream is. What I've done is bought a Lifetime Teton and added a DIY trolling motor bracket in the existing rod holders. This kept the cost down, and along with the trolling motor and battery (LiPO), the weight is manageable. Using a kayak cart makes it much easier. It's not perfect -the trolling motor torque steers on high pretty badly- but now I don't feel like I'm competing in the Tour de Mohawk from all the pedaling. Also, I'm sure you know this, but I wanted to bring it to your attention. As a previous Bronco Sport owner, it's based on the same platform as the Ford Escape, so unless you absolutely have your heart set on the Bronco Sport, you can save yourself a ton of money and just get an Escape. Like you said, there's no easy answer to it.

I've seen a bunch of younger people walking around wearing something similar. And to be honest, I'm very proud of the people who wear these. They obviously threw themselves on a grenade and are wearing the jeans as a reminder of their bravery... ?

Good luck tomorrow! I'll be getting out later this week, but I'll happily share my reports. Thanks for putting this together.