JayMac89

Well i was pretty much sold on a kayak when some luck struck. Well, maybe luck. I guess we will find out. Got a jon boat, plus trailer. For free. Needs some work. Doesn't appear to be anything major. Have one small leak to fix, new tires on the trailer, trailer lights need all new wiring and lights. But hey, for free I'll put the work in. If it dosent fit my needs i flip it for a profit after fixing it up to fund a kayak. If it does work out, I'm off the bank and on the water. Win win if you ask me.

I had totally forgot you had mentioned this before, and didn't consider it of course. Thank you again. Think my mind is pretty much made up. Yak it is. I do really think a pond prowler is a great option. But a yak seems easier. And let's not forget I'm a surfer. Standing in a yak should not be a problem at all. I think i found a place. Little bit of a drive but next free weekend i get in going to try and get my hands on some and see what's in stock

I'm new but have been having some recent success on a lipless on a certain lake. There isn't any grass or lilys or anything. Just a little sand bottom lake. Iv been throwing and running then parallel with with the shore line, about 10-15 feet off the shore right where the bottom starts dropping off and gets deeper. I swear it's the only way i can catch fish in that specific lake.

What's this auto pilot you speak of? Are talking about a trolling motor on a yak? I'm in NY, long island. I could be wrong, but i don't think there's any dealers near me. At least not that sell these higher end kayaks. The only place iv seen any kayak or pond prowler type boat is dicks sporting goods. The nearest bass pro shops is CT or PA. I thought i had my mind made up but you guys got me on the fence again. A kayak does seem easier and would fit the bill of what i need it to do. I might prefer more space, but I'm not a complicated guy. If it works, it works, and id be cool with that.

That's a sweet set up! Honestly I keep things real simple. One because I'm on the bank, and two because I'm new. I carry two rods and a back pack with all my lures and soft plastics, a scale, and pliers. If i were in a kayak or boat id add a net to that. I keep extra line and extra tackle in my truck just in case but i tend to travel really light. Those old towns do look really nice. Much nicer than a pond prowler. Just seat and add ons and all that. Id have to rig a pond prowler. Which is fine. Just an observation. Id really love to try a kayak but i don't know where I'd even go to test one out.

Thanks for the responses guys. Definitely alot to consider. As far as the kayaks go, I'm not opposed to that idea. And was looking at the old Town pedal drives. If I'm remembering correctly i saw price tags in the 2-4 grand range. Which is fine with me. My only concern would be spending that money then wishing i had more room. And the size, i know its my own problem in my head, but a 12 for yak hanging out the back of my bed i don't feel great about. The job boat option is most likley my best option on the water. Unfortunately i didn't see many used ones for sale by me. The ones that i did find were pretty beat up looking. And being heavier, I'd need to drag that thing a fair distance at some lakes, others I'd be able to back it right into the water The pond prowler seems like the best of both worlds. Im not worried about chop or waves, these lakes don't get much of that. Storage at home would be the struggle with this option. I feel there is a solution somewhere, just need to figure it out. I could maybe build a small "garage" for it in the backyard. I do need to clean up my workshop that i call a garage, i have scrap wood everywhere. Might actually have enough room if i organize in there. And hanging out from the ceiling i do think could work. Most kayaks are about 100 pounds right? So is the pond prowler. Every option has its drawbacks. No right or wrong answer. Just a matter of where in willing to sacrifice. This is why iv gone back and forth in my head so many times. Would like to make a decision this winter so I'm ready by spring.

Hey guys. Iv been going back and forth in my head about what i should do and was looking for some input. Although i think iv pretty much made up my mind. Worth noting i changed my mind a few times already. Hadn't been bass fishing long. At least not seriously. But im hooked. Currently fishing from the bank. I have about 5 lakes within 20 min drive from my house that i can take a electric water craft or kayak in, one being literally down the road less than a minute away. To some of you guys, these are ponds. They are not big. And i do fish in wind and rain. My two options are kayak or a pond prowler from BPS and throw a trolling motor on. I was looking at used jon boats but hadn't seen much. And they look heavy. If there's any other options you guys can think of, please let me know. So here's my criteria/ thought process. First, i drive a silverado. So i want to be able to throw it in the bed. So size and weight matter. I could get a trailer but honestly, i don't want to. Lazy i suppose. Obviously tailgate would be down, bed is 8 ft. Im not a fan of having things over hang out the bed. So 10ft is max, 8ft preferred. Second is price, I'm not cheap, but I'm not made of money. Price needs to make sense. Third is storage. I have a garage, but it's pretty packed out with surfboards and i built my own little work shop in there. I do have a large back yard and will be adding a little shed for extra storage. But I'll need a place to keep this thing. My first thought was kayak. But after looking around i decided i would want pedal drive. And the prices are pretty steep compared to standard yaks. I also feel like i might feel cramped in one of those, and wound want to be able to stand. I did however like the idea of adding some exercise while fishing. Which brought me to the pond prowler. I'm looking at the 8 mainly for the transport side of things but I'm not opposed to getting the 10. I only fish alone. My wife may want to come once in a blue moon but she wouldnt even fish. Obviously would need to add battery and trolling motor. Get an oar. And register. But they seem stable enough to stand in and just look less cramped. More options to customize. I like that it comes in an 8, would fit in my truck bed like a glove. Being bulkier, storage will be somthing i have to figure out. The pond prowler seems to make more sense size and my wants/needs. But i have no experience so i may be missing things. I hadn't did the math but it's looking cheaper or at least similar to a pedal drive kayak. The cheap ones were over a grand. My only concern would be storage, keep it outside with a tarp over it? I could come up with a pulley system for the garage. Do they hold up over time? What say you guys? Anything im missing or things i hadn't considered? I know kayaks are a great option. Don't think iv seen any pond prowler type boats. Maybe i have but didn't notice. Any reason for that?

So little bit of a story time, but it relates to lure selection. All comments and advice appreciated. Hit one of the lakes this morning and went in with a plan. Moderate south wind. Going to start at the north end and focus on cover or structure. Sounds simple but this lake really confuses me. There's essentially a path around the whole thing, then a sort of wall/curb type deal as the waters edge. So not a conventional bank. Not much cover that i see. The wall obviously. And some over hanging trees, some rocks in spots. But in open water i see and feel nothing. No depth changes that i can feel. Anyway my plan was to throw the chatterbait along the wall and slowly make my way to the other end where there is more cover. Thought being, the wind would be pushing forage north. Made my way around the lake with no luck, had one more spot to hit then i was going to slow it down and hit all the same spots heading back. Then i saw some big fish jumping out of the water out 20-30 feet from the bank. They didn't want the chatterbait. Had a popper on the other rod, nothing. Have it about 15 min then moved on. Tied on the baby structure jig. Now it's about 5 minutes late and im at the south end where there's a little spillway. So moving water. Some rocks. But in my head I'm thinking deeper water because of those fish i saw. This is why this lake messes with my head. The fish seem to distract me from the cover i should be focusing on. Anyway i started throwing the jig out, swimming it back, then stopping and working the bottom once i got to the rocks. Right on the drop a big boy picked it up. Didn't even feel it. 3lb 12oz. Had one other a few weeks ago about the same size, but didn't have a scale so it dosent count. This is now my PB. Anyway, probably not interesting for you guys, but I'm stoked. Not just on the fish, but i am feeling more prepared. Thanks a bunch to this forum. No where near things clicking, but I'm progressing and attacking things more logically. I think at least. I'm guessing the chatterbait was to aggressive and they wanted somthing more subtle. Also realizing i can kill two birds with one stone by swimming the jig then working the bottom when i get to cover. So just wanted to thank every one who's part of this forum for sharing knowledge and share that little success story about switching lures and using the right tool for the job.

Yeah iv been heading to a few newer lakes. Actually took some advice from guys on here and have been having decent success. I would target structure or cover then move on if no luck then just fish randomly. I stopped that and would change tactics still focusing on the same structure or cover. What a game changer. I'll still hit the south end of "G" on my way home but not much luck there yet. Been meaning to start there but always talk myself out of it.

I do think my system is working. I have bad days, i have good days. But that's fishing right? With my limited knowledge i think my system makes sense. Im sure it'll evolve as i progress as well. I'm trying to mix up learning new techniques while still being somewhat strategic and successful. And I'll 100% do as you do, switch it up even if I'm having success. I need practice with a arkie style jig on the bottom. If iv caught a few I'll start throwing that around to get the reps in if the day has already been a success. This is actually why i thought about this topic, you mentioned you start on the surface. I see ALOT of guys doing this. Even if there doesn't seem to be much action on the surface at first glance. Where as I'll start on the surface only if i see bait fish being pushed up. Reality is (i belive) that neither is right or wrong. Just got me curious about how others think. I find that kind of stuff interesting. I geek out on this kind of stuff. I'm primarily a surfer. I can talk/listen to guys about the subtle changes in board design based off of subtle changes in conditions all day. Difference is i have 20+ years experience in that field.

Hey guys, for those of you who didn't see my first few posts a few weeks ago. I'm new. Been having a blast and trying to absorb as much info as possible. Did a search for this topic but didn't really find anything. I'm not really asking a question here, just want to hear the thought process. Let's start by saying i understand there isn't a right or wrong answer, i realize there is a ton of variables, i realize the bass will indicate what's working or not. But im the type of guy that likes to get into the head of those more experienced, see how they think. Thought this could be an interesting topic if it hasn't already been done. So how do you guys choose your lures? Or i guess how do you choose between "similar" lures. When do you change? Do you keep it simple with only a few or do you have somthing for every specific situation? Do you go with what you have confidence in or do you go with what "should" work regardless of previous success. Pick at random? I don't have enough experience to have a method. But at the moment i generally start with a swim jig or chatterbait (based on the wind/chop) if I'm fishing around grass. Lipless crank if there's not much grass and more of an open water situation. If/when i find fish ill keep at it, slowing down to a ned rig or t-rig worm if the moving lures aren't getting it done. If I'm throwing at heavy cover I'll throw a arkie jig. But I'm almost always starting with a moving horizontal lure. If I'm seeing alot of action on the waters surface I'll throw top water. Popper or spook. If I'm having no luck I'll throw somthing new to try out. I see alot of guys throwing top water immediately. Pretty rarely see guys doing what i do with the moving lures around here. Hence my curiosity about all your thought processes. But hey, it's kind of working for me and I'm figuring things out so I'm not complaining.

I am also new. Started with texas rigged worm, got bit by the bug and went crazy. You'd think i was a vet looking at all my tackle. But the easiest to learn and what has given me the most success is chatterbaits and swimjigs with a paddle tail trailer. Lipless cranks not as much success but some. Iv been throwing jigs and spooks and jerkbaits as well trying to learn to fish them, but they are difficult. The chatterbait, swimbait, and lipless crank are beginner friendly in my opinion, as a beginner myself.

We had rainy and cloudy weather here earlier in the week. I had success on a chatterbait and a swim jig. Right next to where the lake dumps into a little creek. Theres a word for this that's escaping me at the moment. But point is moving water. Right on the edge of submerged grass where i always see forage about, but never caught a bass there until this week. But I'm still new and learning so this is just what worked for me, not advice.

HunterPRO1, that makes alot of sense. In lake 1 my gut is telling me the fish are deeper. I think I'm going to go to lake 3 tomorrow morning and I'll keep this thought in mind. Iv been casting along the wall there, which i think is a good idea. But i also sort of cast randomly based off of a bite i got in open water in the past. Which i think is slowing me down and taking away time from where i should be fishing. I'm going to take this advice and focus on the structure tomorrow until i find somthing. Try and fish the lake smart and with a plan. And once again PhishLI, thank you. Did not expect someone with local knowledge to be found here but your insight is extremely helpful. I was looking at those exact waders, and I'll definitely ask around in the kayak forum. Somthing short and wide sounds great. And once i do get floating i know there's a ton of opportunity in west lake. Very excited about that.

We may be right on top of each other PhishLI. Your good man. The patchogue lakes and upper lake are the lakes i was including in Lake 2. Artist was lake 1. I actually live a 1 minute drive from west lake. But again, spot on advice about pulling the drive. Again didn't think of this. I think I'm going to get a pair of waders in the mean time. Just to get some better angles and slightly deeper. I was leaning jon boat, now I'm leaning kayak. This is all new to me so I'm really digging in and doing my research. Those pedal kayaks are pricey. Not that i mind spending money. Don't want to throw money away. I'm seeing Old Town is a pretty popular brand. Brooklyn kayak company (or somthing like that) seems less expensive but don't look as nice. And Hobbie look like the rolls royce of kayaks. Any other brands worth looking at?

That is the plan. Was thinking Jon boat. Most of these lakes allow hand launched boats. But i actually just started looking into pedal kayaks. Weighing out my options. Think I'd like a jon boat better. But would also most likley use it less due to having to trailer it. Kayak i can just toss in the back of my truck and go. Plans to do my research, see what's out there, and pull the trigger by end of winter so I'm all set once spring comes around.

That is insane. You know, I'm the type of guy who gets into somthing and I'm all in. I have very few hobbies but the ones i do have im all about. And i quickly fell in love with bass fishing. Had some success in the beginning. Then started to struggle. Then had another blip of success. Then started struggling. And in my head it was me doing somthing wrong. Which i sure i am, I'm new and am 100% making mistakes. Got a ton to learn. But my point was that iv heard/read that summer could be tough and good. Iv heard the warm water ups activity and heard the exact opposite. Because of my blips of success i figured its an ok time to fish. But man, the lack of rain, vegetation growth or lack of, the effect that has on O2 levels, i never thought of as a factor. I was just thinking heat and sun. Very eye opening and somthing that will now be ingrained in my brain moving forward. This is somthing i hadn't heard anyone talk about, and would of taken me years upon years upon years to figure out. So thank you for sharing that knowledge. I'm primarily a surfer, i know how sacred some of that knowledge that took years to figure out is. I appreciate it very much. I got stuck going to the same places because i know there's fish, artist being one of those spots. But i have a whole list of spots i want to explore. I guess now would be a good time to hit new spots and get a lay of the land. Iv seen some bassy looking spots driving around.

Thank you all, and thank you PhishLI for that local insight. That makes complete sense about the algae bloom blocking sunlight. I was under the impression spots like artist just didn't have grass since im new. This was the key to me understanding what i was experiencing. Seems so obvious now that the thought was put in my head haha. Thanks again to everyone for the input

Ok so these lakes are 20-30 acres in NY, long island to be specific. And I'm getting the depth from contour maps that iv found. As far as cover, I'm getting that from feel. I can drag a jig across the bottom and feel nothing. As far as forage, bluegill and little baitfish. I'm assuming shad and minnows. Iv seen them, just don't know the species. By the way, thanks for the responses. But that's sort of what I'm getting at. Take lake 3 for example. Id had some success there casting along the wall/bank. I get why and how. But when i target those heavy cover spots on that lake, i get nothing. Throw a random cast a few feet off that wall and im getting bites. I should mention this lake is dark. Tannic? Like tea. The others are clear. As for lake 1. I do target those lilys. Again that i get. But i suppose that's my question. If i strike out on the lilies, do i just head to another lake? Or is fan casting into open water the right play? I hear guys talking about ledges. Like i said lake 1 is a gradual slope. No hard drop. Do bass hold tight to a gradual slope like that?

Hey guys, been reading alot here behind the scenes and have learned a ton. Recently got into bass fishing and have dove in head first. Learning a ton from places like this and YouTube. And ofcourse fishing 3-4 times a week. But there's somthing i wanted to run by you guys. I understand i need more experience. But I'm experiencing something contradictory. This will get wordy, so I apologize. But bear with me. I have a few lakes by me. Lake 1 is shaped like a 3 leaf clover. There's some lily pads in one corner but that's it. Sand bottom. Real gradual slope into deeper water. No grass, rocks, docks. Nothing. Very little shade as well. The middle gets 6-8 feet deep but it's mostly 4 ft deep. Iv caught a few bass here and it's known as one of the better spots. Lake 2 is actually a number of similar lakes. Tons of cover. Grass, docks, rocks, pads. But the problem is access is very limited so there's only a handful of spots to fish from the bank. They look like they hold bass, but i have not caught a single fish at any of these lakes. Lake 3 is similar to Lake 1. Some shore line cover in spots. 2-4 feet deep all around. And it's in a state park, a good amount of the bank is actually a little wall. But for the most part the lake is just open water. Iv caught my biggest and most fish here along the wall and in open water. Never in the cover. So my question is this. How do you guys attack spots with limited structure or cover? I know there are fish, iv had my most success here. But it's almost counterintuitive. And second, would you guys go to lakes with limited access, but good cover? What i have been doing is looking at wind forecasts and heading to the lakes that allow me to fish where i think bait fish will be blown into. Sorry for the long post. Just wanted to pick the brains of the more experienced. Although iv had success in these open lakes over the others, i feel like im randomly casting or guessing. And the spots that have areas to target i feel confident in, but can never get a bite. Iv had success with moving baits in these open lakes. But when things get slow and i move to bottom contact lures, i get lost. Does it make sense to throw bottom contact in open water with no structure or grass? So how would you guys go about things in my situation?