Super User A-Jay Posted February 2 Super User Share Posted February 2 57 minutes ago, FryDog62 said: Less range and less rods, tackle, etc. makes you really plan your trip out ahead of time and work high percentage spots more thoroughly... yet you have to know when it's time to pull up and cover more water. Sometimes just picking the ramp with best starting location in a kayak is the #1 factor, whereas in my bass boat, you just pull up and rip 50 mph across a large body of water to the next spot. Interestingly enough, these factors (along with a few others) are always part of safe & productive day on the water for me, regardless of which rig I'm fishing from or how large/small a body of water might be. To disregard them is a fundamental error IMO. A-Jay 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User FryDog62 Posted February 2 Super User Share Posted February 2 7 minutes ago, A-Jay said: Interestingly enough, these factors (along with a few others) are always part of safe & productive day on the water for me, regardless of which rig I'm fishing from or how large/small a body of water might be. To disregard them is a fundamental error IMO. A-Jay No doubt, but being in a deck-outed bass boat with extra speed and a plethora of storage for gear, lures, etc. will allow you a few more liberties and flexibility to change a plan on the fly, when the fish or the weather tell you different than you planned. I do miss my PVB, if I had to buy another bass boat today I'd be hard-pressed to get anything else... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User gimruis Posted February 2 Super User Share Posted February 2 1 hour ago, FryDog62 said: Moving from Minnesota to Florida has been a big change for me. We may end up here or likely somewhere else, so it didn't make sense to haul my bass boat 2000 miles and store it here and probably the next place. I already had a motorized kayak here in Florida, so I'm making the most of that. It does change your range and how you fish though. I will likely buy another boat eventually when we get settled someday, but I can say for certain that fishing from a kayak will make you a better angler. You are forced to become much more efficient in terms of how and where you fish. You traitor! Not only did you ditch your souped up Lund Pro V Bass for a diminutive yak, but you changed states too! Double traitor! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User ol'crickety Posted February 2 Author Super User Share Posted February 2 7 minutes ago, FryDog62 said: being in a deck-outed bass boat with extra speed and a plethora of storage for gear, lures, etc. will allow you a few more liberties and flexibility to change a plan on the fly, when the fish or the weather tell you different than you planned. I like the way you think, small boat-brother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted February 2 Super User Share Posted February 2 2 hours ago, FryDog62 said: No doubt, but being in a deck-outed bass boat with extra speed and a plethora of storage for gear, lures, etc. will allow you a few more liberties and flexibility to change a plan on the fly, when the fish or the weather tell you different than you planned. I do miss my PVB, if I had to buy another bass boat today I'd be hard-pressed to get anything else... I hear ya ~ I am still able to give myself a reality check by getting out in the Old Town Canoe a few times a year. It's where I learned 'to fish small'. IMO, an invaluable skill for any angler, especially when faced with a big motor & a big Lake. A-Jay 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User FryDog62 Posted February 2 Super User Share Posted February 2 1 minute ago, gimruis said: You traitor! Not only did you ditch your souped up Lund Pro V Bass for a diminutive yak, but you changed states too! Double traitor! Touche' but you may have to give me a triple tongue-lashing if we move again in a year to South Carolina, or somewhere else! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User casts_by_fly Posted February 2 Super User Share Posted February 2 33 minutes ago, FryDog62 said: No doubt, but being in a deck-outed bass boat with extra speed and a plethora of storage for gear, lures, etc. will allow you a few more liberties and flexibility to change a plan on the fly, when the fish or the weather tell you different than you planned. I do miss my PVB, if I had to buy another bass boat today I'd be hard-pressed to get anything else... This is where I'm at with it too. I grew up fishing out of an 18' stratus with my dad. Still fish in his tracker a couple times a year which, while slower, still gets around 5x as fast as the kayak. Getting back into it, learning how to fish for myself (dad always managed navigation and boat control) and doing it in a kayak mean a certain focus like you've laid out. I'm sure when I eventually move into a boat the focus will stick around. But it is nice to be able to call an audible and run down the lake 3 miles in a couple minutes. Can't do that in the autopilot. The fishing aspect is the same or just about the same as a rigged bass boat, but not the to and from. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User ol'crickety Posted February 2 Author Super User Share Posted February 2 9 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said: The fishing aspect is the same or just about the same as a rigged bass boat I politely disagree. A bass boat is heavy and stable, elevates you, and you stand, meaning you set the hook with your legs too. A paddled boat and especially a paddled boat like my 32-lb. canoe is spun by big bass. Sometimes I'm fighting a bass that's behind me. It's pulled into weeds too. It's like fist fighting from an office chair that spins and is on wheels. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User FryDog62 Posted February 2 Super User Share Posted February 2 38 minutes ago, ol'crickety said: I politely disagree. A bass boat is heavy and stable, elevates you, and you stand, meaning you set the hook with your legs too. A paddled boat and especially a paddled boat like my 32-lb. canoe is spun by big bass. Sometimes I'm fighting a bass that's behind me. It's pulled into weeds too. It's like fist fighting from an office chair that spins and is on wheels. I find myself (although somewhat reluctantly) converting some of my set ups from fluorocarbon to braid. Sometimes it's just harder to get a positive hook-set in a canoe or kayak when you can't use your legs, or its windy and you're just holding on, etc. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User ol'crickety Posted February 2 Author Super User Share Posted February 2 13 minutes ago, FryDog62 said: I find myself (although somewhat reluctantly) converting some of my set ups from fluorocarbon to braid. I use a lot of braid too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted February 2 Global Moderator Share Posted February 2 My range is mostly Kansas and Western Missouri but I enjoy fishing everywhere I can. A funny thing about my range, I've caught fish as far north as Ontario, as far south as Sinaloa, MX, and as far east as Hampton Island, SC. Farthest west though? Cedar Bluff Reservoir, KS. For some reason, my compass never points me that direction. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass Rutten Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 On 1/31/2024 at 9:02 PM, A-Jay said: Not sure I am best at anything but do put quite a bit of time & energy into preparation. A wise man once said "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity". I spend a fair bit my free time tinkering, preparing, and organizing which prepares you mentally through visualization and fosters a positive mindset, habits I've carried over from my days as an athlete. I spent 25+ years fishing in an around Illinois, then moved to Florida in 2022 and have since only fished monthly tournaments due to my busy work schedule. I tried learning to fish the "Florida way" at first, aka super mega power fishing, and after months of very mediocre results and getting schooled I decided to ditch that and go back to what I know and have supreme confidence in, sneaky Japanese influenced finesse fishing, and was met with immediate and resounding success which continues. And that leads to answering the crux of your question; I fish my best after getting my buttocks handed to me because those are life's learning moments. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User whitwolf Posted February 3 Super User Share Posted February 3 Great topic! I would like to give a little bit of a different answer though. I simply love to fish. It was taken from me Labor day weekend 2022.(health concerns) I fished 2 times since. 2024: I'm going to fish. I will sit in a seat. Safety first. I will fish one lake. I am blessed beyond measure that I will be able to do this. I'm going to fish exactly how I want, when I want,(retired) and treat each trip as a gift. Range: 30 minutes to chase Brown and Green fish. Strengths: many but.... not to be flippant, but I'm blessed to be able to go! Goal: to be able to go by myself. It may never happen. I simply love to fish. 7 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woody B Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 17 hours ago, FryDog62 said: No doubt, but being in a deck-outed bass boat with extra speed and a plethora of storage for gear, lures, etc. will allow you a few more liberties........................................................................ Opposite of the OP my range is lacking. My boat isn't super fast but it's fast enough. The problem is, normally I make a plan, and stick to it, even if it's not working. Mike Tyson said "everyone has a plan until someone punches them in the mouth". Too many times I just stand there like some of prize fighter taking punishment I don't even know I'm taking. I need to expand my range into knowing when, and how to adapt. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User ol'crickety Posted February 3 Author Super User Share Posted February 3 2 hours ago, Woody B said: Too many times I just stand there like some of prize fighter taking punishment I don't even know I'm taking. I need to expand my range into knowing when, and how to adapt. I'm just the opposite. I'll be landing blows and totally shift tactics. As I've shared more than once, I'll catch a bass on one lure and immediately switch to another and then another and another. I'm too curious about what they'll hit. My screen name should be Ol' Fidgety. #patternschmattern 4 hours ago, whitwolf said: I am blessed beyond measure that I will be able to do this. There's no better quality than gratitude. None. Some carry the conceit that if they simply do A, B, and C, they will be the master of their lives, but Father Time and Mother Chance are forever ready to whack us upside the head with X, Y, and Z. In the end, gratitude is our best retort. 4 hours ago, whitwolf said: I simply love to fish. Me too, brother. We too. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User casts_by_fly Posted February 3 Super User Share Posted February 3 21 hours ago, ol'crickety said: I politely disagree. A bass boat is heavy and stable, elevates you, and you stand, meaning you set the hook with your legs too. A paddled boat and especially a paddled boat like my 32-lb. canoe is spun by big bass. Sometimes I'm fighting a bass that's behind me. It's pulled into weeds too. It's like fist fighting from an office chair that spins and is on wheels. Im talking specifically about my setup. My kayak with motor and batteries is about 175 lb. I’m another 220 and I have another 30-40 lb of gear. That’s about 425lb. I stand to fish exclusively. It’s a stable boat (admittedly not as stable as a bass boat). I have a spotlock trolling motor. I might soon have a powerpole. I run a 9” fish finder with live imaging. Rods are laid down horizontally and can be picked up and swapped easily. If a fish gets behind me I just turn around. If I don’t want a big fish to pull me into the cover I’m fishing I hit the spot lock button. In terms of the act of fishing, it’s about as close to a bass boat as you can get. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User ol'crickety Posted February 3 Author Super User Share Posted February 3 2 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said: In terms of the act of fishing, it’s about as close to a bass boat as you can get. Heck, yeah, it is! It sounds great. I wish I could: A. Afford it. B. Haul it through the woods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User casts_by_fly Posted February 3 Super User Share Posted February 3 7 minutes ago, ol'crickety said: Heck, yeah, it is! It sounds great. I wish I could: A. Afford it. B. Haul it through the woods. im fortunate that all of the lakes around here that I’m fishing (except one or two) have boat ramps so I just back the truck down to the water and unload. The other downside of this kayak compared to a bass boat is that the kayak gets unloaded at the end of every trip and reloaded before I can fish. Motor, fish finder, live transducer, rods, and tackle all have to come out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User ol'crickety Posted February 3 Author Super User Share Posted February 3 @casts_by_fly: I'm glad you have such a sweet set-up. Sure, I'm a little green with jealousy. Just a little. Here's me clapping normally for you: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazoo Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 There are many lures and many water types I've not mastered yet. I do the best on ponds, or perhaps small lakes. I do not do well, at least not yet, on the water where there is no visible structure. I do best in shallow water. I do want to learn though. I want to learn river fishing, lake fishing, winter fishing. I also want to learn lures that I'm not familiar or confident in. Jigs, chatterbaits, creature baits, jerkbaits. One thing that I have taken upon myself to do though is get to thoroughly know my local lake. It's heavily pressured. I figure that will grow a fishing skillset that will directly correlate to any other situation. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaubsNU1 Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 17 hours ago, ol'crickety said: Heck, yeah, it is! It sounds great. I wish I could: A. Afford it. B. Haul it through the woods. Back in the day, was living in Northeast Missouri...buddy of mine (from Texas) had a canoe. We fished all the time. He taught me sooooo much about bass fishing, canoe positioning, and life(!). I miss those days. Recently re-connected with that buddy...he lives in Texas again, and has four daughters now. Love your signature! Tight lines!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User ol'crickety Posted February 4 Author Super User Share Posted February 4 4 hours ago, DaubsNU1 said: Back in the day, was living in Northeast Missouri...buddy of mine (from Texas) had a canoe. We fished all the time. He taught me sooooo much about bass fishing, canoe positioning, and life(!). I miss those days. Recently re-connected with that buddy...he lives in Texas again, and has four daughters now. Love your signature! Tight lines!! A fellow paddler! We are kin. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishing_Rod Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 Greetings All, Happy Lunar New Year! My “Range” for angling adventures is basically defined by Arizona. The state ranges from about 900 feet to just over 12k feet elevation so there are a number of angling opportunities within that range. I have a good time with the angling challenge presented, stream, pond, river, and lakes (in my kayak and from shore). I’m happy to go fishing and occasionally I get to call it “catching”. At various times in my life I’ve lived in Eastern, Northern, Central, and South Eastern portions of Arizona. My angling adventures have taken me all around the state. Water is a very important resource here so there are lots of reservoirs, with many that support fishing. We are fortunate to support a wide range of warm (often hot) and cold water species all around the state. I enjoy seeking the adventure of a place and the ability to get a fish to play for a bit. So while my equipment is pretty basic it is effective which suits me and makes me happy. It is easier to travel with just enough of the right equipment. Not too much or not enough. I will explore new or revisit former angling destinations within constraints of time and motivation. There are no expectations beyond exploring. If I manage to find fish that are interested then it is even more special. My angling adventures are my opportunity to be not busy. I enjoy that feeling of exploration as I did in my youth goofing off in the river bed taunting shad, carp, and catfish where ever I could find them. Fortunately all that adventure was a ten minute walk from the house growing up. In my teens my dual sport motorcycle expanded the area I could explore and fish. Nice to have a telescoping fishing pole that fit in the backpack too! I eventually upgraded to the Daiwa Minispin and Minicast kits. Those were great for travel, and backpacking. The Gila River was fun in my youth as it provided plenty of adventure with the large hungry catfish. The high alpine lakes and streams provided opportunities for cold water fish, trout, pike, walleye, and perch. The challenging terrain of Eastern AZ provides backcountry small mouth bass and sunfish when you’re able to find them. If you’ve got the motivation with equipment, it is really fun seeking those deep canyon creeks for small mouth bass. These days I’m doing less hiking and relying on my faithful old 4x4 to get me there and back. It is much more comfortable. The angling adventures are still fun, just less personal effort involved, I’m recreating, right? I am amazed with the performance of advanced traction control features. It is nice to have all four wheels working for you. The 4x4 just goes over the challenges with very little fuss and lots of control. Back in the day there was way more need for momentum to carry you through, hopefully without breaking something. There is great comfort in knowing that you can simply get there to enjoy a wonderful time taunting fish and then safely head home after it all. I am so happy to be able to travel in safe comfort. Lately I have been doing a mix of kayak (simple and light weight, under 50 pounds) angling and shore pursuits at the various lakes and ponds in Central and Southern AZ. Trout are stocked frequently in the winter months but I will occasionally find a bass or two that want to play even in the cold water. I recently refurbished (cleaning and lube job) a bait cast reel and was trying it out at one of the Tucson area lakes. Much to my surprise there was a bit of activity at the other end of the line. It turned out to be a nice 1.5 pound bass from the shore. Much like the lottery, you can’t win if you don’t play. Glad I was bestowed such good fortune, indeed a Happy New Year! My goofing off in Central AZ has includes chasing bass in the canal systems up in parts of metro Phoenix. It has been great fun. Along the canal system is an urban trail system. There are very few other anglers to deal with and I can simply enjoy the pursuit in tranquility. There is a recent trend of hostile and rude anglers that I seem to run into. They brazenly encroach or are overly aggressive with poor behavior. Sad representation of society where courtesy and consideration are limited or just not there. I was accustom to folks maintaining enough distance to avoid cast interference. Even simply a kind greeting with request can go a long way to avoid issues. Because of this I simply prefer to find places where I can be without too much company. I just don’t need the stress or bother to deal with those displaying those poor behavior. My time is valuable and I don’t care to waste it dealing with that. Angling in PHX is rather hot though. Last year there were several 115 F days, this is the air temperature in the shade, even hotter in the sunshine. Again you have to have motivation with proper gear to be safe. Also it is important to know your limits and seek safe harbor with a plausible exit strategy too. I will say the amount and size of the bass, crappie, sunfish, tilapia, and catfish make it very fun to try those very warm waters. Lastly I’ve also been exploring many of the smaller waters in different communities, away from the major metro areas. I do some satellite view studies, and figure out travel aspects to experience new angling spots. It just adds to the recreational angling that I enjoy. I figure out things such fuel, food, medial services (if needed), primary and secondary angling options. It is nice that we have so much information available to us. Back in the day it was limited to a fan fold paper map with someone’s suggestion to try a place. That only tell so much of the story. I could do without the struggles of learning how to better use a bait cast reel. I continue getting better at it. I’m doing it by paying the price in wasted fishing line. So it goes in trying to learn new things. Yes, old dogs can learn new tricks. I suppose being stubborn helps in that process of achieving goals. I am familiar with being able to toss light weight small baits using spinning and spin cast gear. Trying to do similar with a bait cast reel is my challenge. Yes, using a BFS reel helps greatly with that goal. However, I’m trying to accomplish it using my low cost traditional bait cast reel and four pound mono. I am having some limited success. It is a personal challenge to see how well I can or can’t do this. Thanks for the opportunity to add my $0.02 worth. Wishing everyone a wonderful New Year with many angling success stories. Be well, cheers! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skunkmaster-k Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 I mostly fish Texas reservoirs here and there . My super power is making excuses. In the winter it’s pretty easy to come up with one on the spot, but the Spring is a little tougher. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGF Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 While I've done other fishing what I do today is fish close to home from my 14 ft. flat bottom or a canoe. I spend most of my time on a local river for smallmouth. I fish some local lakes too but I prefer the river. I catch a lot of nice fish on the river and can generally get bit on most of the lakes around here but...I lost interest in being an anytime/anywhere angler. These days I fish when it's pleasant to be outside fishing. That means nice warm and mostly dry weather. So, no crowds, bad weather or big boats pushing me around. Any of that and I'd rather just stay home. I have some spots in easy wading distance from public access where I can catch nice brown bass by just walking into the river with one rod and a pocket full of hooks and plastics. Lots of fun and almost no work. In regard to techniques, give me a jig or some flavor of soft plastic that I can use to probe the rocks and wood...even more fun if I can find an excuse to skip it. Crank baits work in my river but their expensive, everybody throws them and the pike steal them so I don't use them much anymore. I know there's other places and techniques but I don't really care. LOL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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