casts_by_fly

A 4-6” shiner if you’re talking largemouth. Smallies in a creek? Crayfish (soft shell if you can get them) or small minnows.

Yes and no. You can mount a lot of things back there. It is drilled for a powerpole and the holes are brass backed. Its certainly possible to mount things there. You can also put something like a bixby or other brushless electric motor on it. A few guys have done it. You then need to add another battery as well as whatever you want to use to control the motor. that said, you won't get a ton more speed out of it. The hull design is the main limiting factor for the autopilot. What makes it stable (wide, twin hull style) is what makes it plow in the water. I think the couple I saw on the group that did it were seeing an extra MPH. That's nice and all, but its going to cost you $2k to do it I think it was. These guys already had the motors from other boats and wanted to try it. If you really want to push an autopilot, the better option is the same mounting location/bracket but get a 2 hp gas motor with the built in tank. They will get you up to nearly 7 mph and you can pick them up lightly used for cheap. I am still considering this option. That said, you're then going to have a $4500 kayak with a gas motor. At that point a jon boat is probably just as good of an option.

I'd fish a big black buzzbait until my arm fell off if I just wanted a big fish. That's perfect conditions, the perfect time of year, and a lake that has them (and largely unpressured). My go to in that is a black with chartreuse tips swinging sugar buzz in 3/8 or 1/2oz with a black split tail. Keep the rod tip high and reel it as slow as it will still plop while bringing it through everything. With single hooks you can fish it through slop, pads, and wood most of the time so long as you can cast it into an open spot and get it onto the surface as its hitting the water. There is something about a big slow buzzbait that makes big bass go nuts.

we've hit high 40's here at night so the water temps are starting to drop a little quicker. I see high 30's a couple days in the future too. still 65-70 during the day for now but that's dropping too. I'm thinking the afternoon largemouth bite should be decent so I think I'll do that friday. A different local lake is just a big grass flat (I've posted about it before). With the grass dying off and the sun up high, the fish should be pulling back into whatever thicker grass is left. If I can find a good edge, I think I can pull a few out with a texas rig, something I haven't really done enough of there. Saturday is just going to have to be an all day trip and looking for a few smallies.

are you just slow reeling them up the points like a slow crankbait? The first one either rocketed up or was in fairly shallow water based on how quick it was from hookset to him jumping. edit: I guess like in my other thread I should read/watch everything first since you answered the second thought about 3 minutes later into the video.

Hi All, I've never targeted smallmouth in the fall really. This time of year I'll fish largemouth until early October and then start bowhunting. Since I already filled my fall buck tag, I'm going to get a few more days on the water before I start hunting hard again around the end of the month. Our water temps are 60-65 depending on the lake. The weeds are dying back so opening up a lot of options for baits. I'm thinking to treat it like April pre-spawn when the bass are in staging areas and following baitfish (minus any thoughts of spawning). Right baseline of thinking? The other thing I've never really done is late in the day smallmouth. I've always targeted them first thing in the morning up to mid day. Usually its topwaters to start if they are hitting them, spinnerbaits if its cloudy/dirty water/breezy, jighead swimbaits if they are tighter to cover, and the occasional crankbaits. I know smallies go on and off the feed during the day. Is there a late afternoon bite window usually? I ask because I'm debating between Friday afternoon and Saturday all day this coming weekend. I'm fishing both days. Friday afternoon looks clear, stable, minimal wind, (and will have been 4 days of that). I can get out for the last couple hours and was thinking of hitting a local lake that has some smallies. With the weeds dying back and the clear sky and water, I thought it could be a good topwater and/or jerkbait afternoon. Its not a deep lake and the lake is mostly soft bottom, so the couple hard bottom/rock areas are where the smallies concentrate and it is a good afternoon sized lake (200 acres or so). Bright sun and no wind just screams topwater to me. But if a late afternoon bite isn't a thing then I could just hit another lake (or fish this one for largemouth). thanks gents. edi: Guess I should have looked in the reports page first

I'm generally there with you on the Boondox, but the Lynx only weighs 65 lb fully rigged with a seat and drive. Add 50# for gear and you're just barely over 100#. At that rate, I wouldn't worry too much as long as he used backing plates. I've seen autopilots rigged with Boondox with backing plates and while I'd never do it myself (I think they will fail eventually), that's 200# rigged. I've also got a wilderness systems cart for my autopilot. I don't use it much (most of my lakes I can back right to the water), but every now and then I need it and it works well.

My rod for that setup is a Falcon Amistad. I have been using the Expert series ($200) for the past two seasons. I just broke it and have a Cara on the way ($250). Very good sensitivity, perfect size for 1/2-3/4oz jigs plus a trailer. I fished the expert down to 3/8 tungsten plus a beaver and that was about as light as I like on it. A half or 3/4 plus plastic is great. A half ounce jig fishes great on it. I don't really throw jigs heavier than that on it, though I was also using it for A-rigs and big spinnerbaits around an ounce. I also threw 7" keitechs on it. Versatile rod.

I don't know the lynx, so this is a little more general. - If you're sticking with that kayak then the boondox would be the better cart type setup. Secure it properly with backing plates and you shouldn't have any problems. It will do everything you're wanting. fi you're going to swap to the autopilot, you can't use a boondox. - Scupper carts always scare me. A scupper hole is one of the weakest parts of the boat. I'd never use one. - You could replace the rudder with a motor. It takes some DIY to modify cables but if you have foot pedal steering with your rudder you're most of the way there already. - The other option is a next to the seat mount. A pair of 2x4's mounted securely behind the seat with a 1/2" plywood sticking up is enough for a transom mount trolling motor. Clamp it on and start fishing. If you have rod holders behind the seat than you can use PVC down the tubes instead of mounting 2x4's to the plastic.

My first setup was a pair of mighty mounts next to the seat with a pair of yak attack omega rod holders there tipped down. It works pretty well, but its limiting to 3 rods in total. That's why the mounts are there in the first place. I've repurposed them for a net holder and a rod holder as you see above. I considered track mounting for both rod mounts, but the span is too far. You'd only have about 2-4" of the rod outside of the mounts at each end. I didn't like that so I didn't bother doing it. The other thing I considered (and you should too if you go this way) is that the rear rod holder is currently mounted almost directly above the rudder lever. I can't flip the rudder with the holder swung out. If I swing the holder forward as far as 4 rods will allow it (about 45 degrees) I can top the rudder up enough to clear weeds, but that's about it. I have to flip the lever back before I load the rods at the dock and after I clear the rods while loading up. Slightly annoying if its a shallow launch. If I were to do it again I'd probably put the mighty mount on the flat behind the rear built in rod holder. That would let the rudder lever flip between two rods. I also considered moving it all backwards 12" or so and swapping the front built in rod holder for a cap and a mighty mount. Then I'd have more space on the port side to land fish or do whatever. If I sat to fish I would probably do that. That said, I really like where they are when I'm standing (which I stand to fish 100% of the time) because I just bend down and grab the foregrip on the rod. The Yak atack 4-rod setup didn't exist when I did this or I probably would have considered it. At the time it was only the 2-rod + paddle holder. It looks a little heavier built than the mariner sails and it is adjustable for how far it hangs over the boat. I'd probably be inclined to order it instead of the mariner sails. The Yak attach is $8 more expensive, but I added two upgraded knobs for about that much from the hardware store.

White or black on a topwater. Green pumpkin under the water. Shad finishes if you have a bunch of shad around

I'd ditch the palomar first. Having swapped to the double pitzen now its a better knot. Ties faster and more reliably. Stronger. Only downside is that you lose more line per knot tied, though not much different to a palomar. If you want to go all braid, then just use the sharpie as noted above.

My standing fish goals for the year are a 5 lb largemouth and a 4 lb smallmouth. I didn't get to fish anywhere near as much this year as last (maybe half) and I didn't get to fish my usual big fish time/place of early mornings in late august. The smallmouth bite timing this year was horrible relative to the times I could get out to fish. All that said, I lost a largemouth that would have pushed 6 and another that would have pushed 5 back in the spring. I caught a bunch of 4# fish, probably more than last year in total. I'm getting close, but still not boating that magical 5. I think I maybe caught 3 smallmouth all year? Its been an off one for me. Still not done entirely (going to make a weekend of it this coming one) but not super high hopes for big fish right now. From a knowledge perspective, I've gotten a lot more proficient with a texas rig. In the past it was a pitching lure. This year I've boated a bunch of fish on it. Different plastics, different lakes, different reasons why but I've now got a confidence in throwing it to cover water that I didn't have before. Given our waters here, I think that's a big asset. I started fishing jerkbaits this year. I picked up a couple over the winter and caught a few on them this spring. The big one I lost was on a jerkbait. Now that I've got a taste for them, I'll be fishing them more this coming spring. I think the March/April time period before the grass grows up could give a few good ones in a couple spots. Lastly, I've slowed down (or at least learned when I need to). My default is cover water to find active fish. That works some times in some places and will usually pick a couple fish, but recognizing when that's not the best option was something to work on this year. Lastly, getting to fish with my dad 3 separate times this year was a bonus. We usually get 1-2 so I'll chalk that up as the big win.

same. And pickerel are pretty rare too depending what you’re fishing. This was 10 lb fluoro.

Sounds like a good solution for all. Glad it’s worked out for her.

both are big boats. You can truck bed both depending on the the size of the truck and if you want an extender. I have a 120 in a 5’7” ram bed. I use an extender, but only to load it. It’s easier to stand between the tailgate and extender, lift the boat vertically, and take a shuffle step left or right to be on top of the extender. Loading straight into the bed means you have to twist your body while lifting the boat. It’s a lot harder. if I were to do it again I’d get the 136. It’s 4# heavier (so nothing) but you get an extra 12” legroom in front and 6” load room in the back. Same speed, same everything else. don’t use a boondox. As fry dog said, lots of reasons why. I nominally carry 5 rods. I lay down 4 in the rack (see below) and have one in my hands. I can throw in a 6th rod in a track mounted single rod holder in the back easily enough and I’ll do that a couple times a year. I don’t find I need more than that but if I did, they would have to go vertical. yes, you use the remote to steer. Before you stand up, make sure the rubber is pretty straight and then just use the remote to steer you around. If you’re going down the bank set the navigation direction where you want to go, set the cruise control to the pace you want, and just fish. If you’re going down a straight rip rap bank throwing a buzz bait for instance just set it to 0.7 mph or so and cruise. Super handy. If it’s windy you’ll want to plan to fish into the wind for better boat control. the weedless prop is the minn kota mmp-6. Also get the ninja weed blade. Together you’ll get through so much more grass and pads than you will without them. Pads are still tough because the stems wrap around the nose of the motor and you have to clean them off occasionally. otherwise, I suggest the same every time- get the boat first and fish it. Figure out what works for you and what you need. Then ask for a suggestion to fill that need. I love my horizontal rod holders but not everyone does for instance. this is more or less my setup. Mariner sails horizontal rod holder and I added upgraded knobs.

I’m late to the party but I’ve had mine for three full seasons now. I’m around 100-120 trips on it and around 800-1000 hours in it. I stand to fish 100% of the time. I motor down the bank at up to 1.2 mph while fishing. That’s about as fast as you can burn a fast bait like a big spinnerbait or buzzbait. I’ll cross the mouth of coves at full speed while standing. It’s not as stable as a 7’ wide bass boat. It just can’t be. But as a kayak it’s as stable as you can be. mine is laid out in a similar style to a bass boat. Trolling motor in the front, rods laid down on the side, fish finder below and in front of me. There just isn’t much space beyond that. No hidden compartments. No dry storage. It’s not a 70 mph boat. Know all of that going in. that said, I love mine. For <400 acre places it’s great. For places with lots of slowly moving around and banging the bank it’s perfect.

walleye and sauger aren't bad. They don't inhale lures the same way the bigger ones do and don't seem to tear up lures the same way a pickerel does. We have walleye in a couple of the lakes around and when I was fishing those lakes I'd catch a couple a year. I caught two in 4 casts one dark morning on a choppo of all things. I caught a big one rolling a big spinnerbait through standing timber at another. Like the other skinny fish, fun as bycatch.

First call is the manufacturer of the rod. They can advise on the specific guide manufacturer. They might even send you one. They should be able to tell you the size needed. if they give you info but no guide, then mudhole tackle is a good place to get the tip top. Tip tops are commonly glued on with either epoxy or hot melt glue. They don’t need any more than that structurally. There’s usually a thread wrap for aesthetics. if the manufacturer is less helpful, then you can check the rod specs and then compare what you have to the pictures on mudhole. If you have a ruler you can measure the ring size (measure the ID of the metal that holds the ceramic ring) and then approximate the tube ID that goes over the blank.

at my in-laws in western pa they had stink bugs for years really bad. They live in an old converted hunting cabin that’s wood construction and not exactly air tight. They would get dozens in the house every day. just remember- don’t crush them m they are called stink bugs for a reason. we’ve had them for the past 3 years. Last year was the worst. This year was far better, maybe because we didn’t have the long heat like last year, maybe because we had that really hard freeze in December. In the past two weeks I’ve had a bunch pop up here, but still nothing like last year.

A 20 AH is a good choice for that one. I stand to fish also. On the helix 7 I added an extra arm length for standing and could push the buttons by just barely bending down.

all of the above. That's a pretty bad one. I've fished in them that bad and it can be tough at times. If the water is otherwise clear/clean and its just the bloom then you can still catch fish. It takes them a couple days to a week to reacclimate to it (kinda like a bad storm that muddies the water bad). See the thread from NJtristatebassin about lures for green water. That water looks milky too, not just surface, so that's going to be hard going for a little bit. You'll need some lures with a thump or else have to put it right on their nose. Dark baits will be your friend in that color of water.

Helix 7, G3 or G4 MSI. great imaging. The boat is designed for the Humminbird transducers and they tuck up tight to the hull (if you flip the mount upside down). If you have no plans for live imaging, then the 7 is great. The next biggest unit that has side imaging is the 9 which runs nearer $1500 retail (though there are specials and rebates to get that down). The 9 has even better side imaging because the transducer is twice as powerful (but also twice as big and twice as power hungry). The G4 vs the G4N is a $200 swing and you won't need the N. $949 vs $749 Add a zero lines card for custom mapping. The built in will map about 150 acres. The zero lines will do all of the lakes in your area. The zero lines is $100 for an empty SD card which sucks, but that's the only way. I used the yak attach quick lock mount for easy release. I take mine off the boat every time I load it into the truck bed. The yak attack mount is great for that. If you sit to fish then you'll have no problems there. It track mounts and is sturdy enough as it comes from the factory. If you plan to leave the FF mounted while you drive then a ram mount is the way to go. $50 I fished the G3 helix 7 MSI for the first two years I had the autopilot and it was great. I upgraded to the 9 MSI with mega live this season and its also great. Much bigger, power hungry, more to think about, but a significant step up in every way. You shouldn't need any extra wiring unless you're mounting the battery in the very front or back. Mine is under the seat and I ran the wires from the FF through the thru-hull mounts and back through the hull. I added an inline fuse at the time which is recommended.

As a followup to the broken rod, Falcon is taking care of me. I just mailed them the label section of the rod with some info, receipt, and return shipping. they even let me upgrde to the next line up for retail difference in cost. I'll take advantage of that to try a new rod. Separately, I ordered some big game last night. Free shipping and same price as anywhere else, Amazon will have it to me tomorrow. If Falcon turn the rod around quickly then maybe I'm fishing them next week.

I don’t have enough to spool a full reel, just leader level spools. I have fished it with 50# braid the past 18 months on this setup. The initial plan was as a light punching rod and and frog rod for the summer and the occasional use for an a-rig or big 7” keitech other times. I’ve since added a better frog rod and I find that I don’t like throwing a-rigs and big keitechs. So that leaves it (with braid) as a light punching and pitching rod. I don’t prefer how braids casts with this setup and with braid this rod is just a bit much to fish much of anything else. With mono it’s a quite different rod. I also prefer the handling of mono overall. Fishing it this weekend as I have in the past but with 17 mono it is quite a different rod. I can see with mono it could be a good heavy wire bait rod. I bet it makes for a great big buzz bait rod. I just don’t like heavy braid for all of that casting.