Susky River Rat

Get an aluminum one. If you don’t have to get out of your yak to get to somewhere that has a boat ramp there’s a very very high chance I can get there as well.

As much as I joke about not having a prop the same issues arise in the jet world. With impellers and anything else you can think of to try to gain top speed.

Great detailed read! It sounded like you had a rough go with it but, stayed positive. Thank god you were not in that accident. It all comes down to fishing it small and fishing your strengths. A lot of tournament fishing is camping out on areas. You should know the fish are there and try to beat them into submission. Even the elites don’t make 10 30-60 minute runs in a day. They usually will make one big one and have secondary options near by. The only time they usually make multiple big rubs is if they get in their own head or have a spot they think will turn on later in the day. you are correct ALWAYS get a limit first then worry about upgrading. Good luck on your next one! It seems like you learned a lot.

Update?!?

What’s a prop?

@ol'crickety it’s the simple things in life.

5/19: My dad, dog and I were out. The river was running 5.6 it was sunny high around 80 the bite was pretty steady. It was a dink fest but, a good amount of action. Fished about 3.5 hours. I had a musky hit and shake off boat side. Might have been 30 inches at most. 3 catfish were boated. I had to start trying different areas then where I have been getting them. 5/20: My dog and I went out. the river dropped a little bit. Running 5.3. Started out very cloud and almost misty. Got sunny as i was ready to head out. The bite was slower. None on ned rigs just cranks and had one follow a wake bait. The size was much improved overall from yesterday. The fish are starting to spread themsleves out. The pictures are a combination of both days.

Trackers will do just about anything a nitro can do. Might not be as flashy but, I think you’d be happy with it. Always go with the bigger boat if you can. I had a tracker 160 before my current boat. I had no complaints. I just wanted something bigger and more specific to where I fish.

I leave mine on. I’d be more worried about not having my TM locked down while on plane. Last thing I want to do is be running skinny and have it deploy. I think that could do some major damage.

A river which water fluctuates a lot they will move a lot. Some areas they are in during high water there isn’t even access during low water. Miles are very possible in a river/creek system.

The one thing I am noticing is you do not feel confident in anything you are doing. Second guessing yourself means you aren’t 100% focusing on catching fish. You have to fish LOOSE. I would also be willing to bet you are making a lot off target casts or bird nesting. remember fish small. You can’t and won’t be able to cover water. You’re in a kayak. Go fish a deeper transition spot near where the spawn could be happening or did already happen. Use FFS to pick off those fish. Work your way to spawn and away from spawning areas but, so not try to cover huge amounts of water. Or do it the old fashion way of being hung over out on the water l. Kidding I do not recommend this.

@Dwight Hottle I was actually going to add that but figured the none musky heads wouldn’t get it

3/8 mushroom head with a TRD isn’t Ned rigging by some standards. I need the 3/8 to fish the current out of the necessity.

Musky fishing anything but a musky is a skunk. fishing for anything else and not catching the target isn’t a skunk. I still did not meet the goal. Any fish does away with the smell.

Sounds like a challenging day. My advice is fish the way YOU fish. Keep it simple. You are there enjoy it even though it’s a tournament. Kristine I hear is very nice. It’s not just an act she puts on. She also is fishing to put food in her table. She would be foolish to not have a poker face. grind it out. Have fun and good luck!

I like 10lb braid. Ned rigs, tubes, cranks, spinners are always great to throw. I am not sure of the area you’re fishing so I can’t comment what is next there. As far as specific brands? I don’t really think into it all that much with baits. As long as it’s doing what you want it to there is no magic fish catcher.

$5 a bait plus a free hat. I did well.

@ol'cricketythat is just most of the boat ramps I use.

@ol'crickety damage to your boat. Extremely shallow inches at spots and very narrow channels to run.

@ol'crickety that bridge you can see from a major interstate. However unless you have some local knowledge and even if you do it can be sketchy to get to.

@casts_by_fly the 11th I wasn’t up that way I was at another area.

@Koz no worries! I just don’t want anyone to think just because my opinion is different that I won’t associate myself with someone.

@Jig Man Most times I wipe the boat off with a damp cloth and reapply BTS keeps the boat looking fresh. I’ve also notice how easy it is to get any kind of dirt off after starting using BTS.

There is no way I could safely navigate the river without them. fishing thr river really depends on the day. I like to know depth temp and let my instinct or lack of it do the rest. lakes around here are man made. They are mote or less featureless so I rely heavy on electronics