My wrist is starting to hurt.

[Swamp Girl]

I launched at my pond and gave myself two hours and 25 minutes to fish because I wanted to return to my car with a little light left. I encountered two boys in kayaks who were fishing, which is rare, as I usually have the pond to myself. We chatted for a bit. They'd just caught a bass and were taking a photo of it. I complimented them. 

 

I caught 40 bass, but the last one was as difficult to land as they come. I was trolling a Whopper Plopper, as suggested by Dwight Hottle, while heading back to my car. She bowed my M fiberglass moderate action rod and even though I was a good twenty yards from shore, she ran to shore and wrapped my line around some wood. I was probably 20 yards in front of her, so I had to maintain tension as best as I could while paddling back to her. When I reached her, she freed herself from the wood and ran to deep water, so I had to work her back to the kayak. She's the last photo. 

 

My pond is more and more promising. Two years ago, I only caught 15 to 16.5-inchers. I am not only catching longer bass, but some fine, thick ones. Here are eight of them. My wrist is seriously hurting from fighting them.

[GreenPig]

Excellent. $14.97 on Amazoon.

[MIbassyaker]

How'd the kayak feel? 

[Swamp Girl]

4 minutes ago, MIbassyaker said:

How'd the kayak feel? 

 

It felt as stable as a pontoon boat, but it was crowded. I'm used to 15' 6" of boat. I think it was about 9'. I understand why kayak anglers are super-organized: They have to be!

 

Thanks, GP (@GreenPig)!

[PhishLI]

16 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

I think it was about 9'

Looks like a Lifetime Tamarac or Teton which is 10'. 53lbs which is why I got it. Pretty bad in the wind, and don't stand up on it, but gets the job done.

[Swamp Girl]

Just now, PhishLI said:

don't stand up on it

 

Thanks for the warning. I would have eventually stood on it, but not now, as I'll be fishing it again. It's a slow boat. My canoe is long and narrow and built for speed and to track straight. My canoe's narrow hull is why it's tippy, like a scull. 

 

However, I enjoyed the kayak. Being shorter meant it was easier to navigate the swamp maze. 

[MIbassyaker]

Yeah, not much space, so you learn quickly what's essential and what is not!

 

I don't doubt your wrist is hurting, after the workout it's been getting the last couple weeks.

[Swamp Girl]

5 minutes ago, MIbassyaker said:

Yeah, not much space, so you learn quickly what's essential and what is not!

 

I don't doubt your wrist is hurting, after the workout it's been getting the last couple weeks.

 

It actually buckled twice tonight. I was fighting two strong bass and both times, it failed me. Bass are soooo strong. 

 

I was happy to finally fish from a sit-on-top kayak. I made a major error when I was casting one rod and I hooked the other rod, which was in a rod holder behind me. I had to cut and retie both outfits. 

[Swamp Girl]

I bought the wrist brace, GP (@GreenPig). Thanks again for the suggestion. 

[A-Jay]

35 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

I bought the wrist brace, GP (@GreenPig). Thanks again for the suggestion. 

Wear it at night while you sleep.

Remaining in one position while you heal will help.

Just don't cinch it down super tight.

You'll be glad you did.

A-Jay

 

[Swamp Girl]

1 minute ago, A-Jay said:

Wear it at night while you sleep.

Remaining in one position while you heal will help.

Just don't cinch it down super tight.

You'll be glad you did.

A-Jay

 

 

Thanks, buddy. It still hurts this morning, but the wrist brace is on the way. 

[gim]

I can see why you might encounter a problem like this given how early and often you've been fishing.

 

I went twice last weekend for 5.5 hours each day in a boat and I was wiped.

 

Health is more important than fishing IMO.  My Great Grandfather once told me "if you don't have your health, you don't have much."

[Swamp Girl]

It's not just fishing. I've been gardening and walking too. I figure I'll rest when I'm dead. However, I also understand your point. It's a good one. 

[ThatZX14Fella]

12 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

I launched at my pond and gave myself two hours and 25 minutes to fish because I wanted to return to my car with a little light left. I encountered two boys in kayaks who were fishing, which is rare, as I usually have the pond to myself. We chatted for a bit. They'd just caught a bass and were taking a photo of it. I complimented them. 

 

I caught 40 bass, but the last one was as difficult to land as they come. I was trolling a Whopper Plopper, as suggested by Dwight Hottle, while heading back to my car. She bowed my M fiberglass moderate action rod and even though I was a good twenty yards from shore, she ran to shore and wrapped my line around some wood. I was probably 20 yards in front of her, so I had to maintain tension as best as I could while paddling back to her. When I reached her, she freed herself from the wood and ran to deep water, so I had to work her back to the kayak. She's the last photo. 

 

My pond is more and more promising. Two years ago, I only caught 15 to 16.5-inchers. I am not only catching longer bass, but some fine, thick ones. Here are eight of them. My wrist is seriously hurting from fighting them.

I wish I had an issue of catching so many fish that my wrists hurt. I have bad wrists, and they still feel fresh by the time I leave. Lol 

[Swamp Girl]

@ThatZX14Fella: I'm sure you have water in Alabama that is fished less. To reach two of my ponds, I have to cross private land and I'm developed relationships with the landowners. I'll bake cookies or leave cashews with a "thank you" note. Alex (@AlabamaSpothunter) did chores and even Christmas lawn decorations for the landowner at the lake where he caught so many 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8-pounders.

 

I'd use Google Earth to find some water down the less-traveled roads. Then knock on some doors, and barter, such as labor for access. I do understand that it's easier for me to develop relationships as I'm an old woman and no one is afraid of an old woman. 

[Kev-mo]

3 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

no one is afraid of an old woman. 

Unless she's got a mole on her nose, a pointy hat and is brandishing a broom.... hahaha

 

I would look into strengthening/stretching/yogaing your shoulders as much you can given any limitations you have with mobility/age etc. I occasionally have a wrist issues but it stems from a  shoulder injury.

[ThatZX14Fella]

9 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

@ThatZX14Fella: I'm sure you have water in Alabama that is fished less. To reach two of my ponds, I have to cross private land and I'm developed relationships with the landowners. I'll bake cookies or leave cashews with a "thank you" note. Alex (@AlabamaSpothunter) did chores and even Christmas lawn decorations for the landowner at the lake where he caught so many 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8-pounders.

 

I'd use Google Earth to find some water down the less-traveled roads. Then knock on some doors, and barter, such as labor for access. I do understand that it's easier for me to develop relationships as I'm an old woman and no one is afraid of an old woman. 

The only place I have access to, is where I’m the only one allowed to fish because I’m the only one that’s respected the owners rules. It’s just a bunch of dinks, and I don’t like to fish it because I don’t want the owner to think that I’m disrespecting his family (I have to cross his nephews property to get to the pond). I only fish there if I really, really need a confidence boost.

[Swamp Girl]

9 minutes ago, Kev-mo said:

Unless she's got a mole on her nose, a pointy hat and is brandishing a broom

 

I have all ^that,^ but so do many Mainers, so it's no big deal up here. 

[Skunkmaster-k]

Were the two boys poachers?

[Swamp Girl]

2 minutes ago, Skunkmaster-k said:

Were the two boys poachers?

 

Just two kids having a good time. I don't actually own the pond. All ponds over 10 acres are owned by the citizens of Maine. 

[Skunkmaster-k]

Darn. A good poaching story is always fun to read. 

[Functional]

I saw feet and the front of a kayak and had to double check you were the one who posted this 😂

 

Kayak fishing is a fun time. A different way to fish and you can really snake into some remote areas. Casting and landing fish are definitely something to adjust a bit too but very manageable once you figure out the right technique.

[TnRiver46]

“Yeah doc, it’s an old fishing injury”

[Dwight Hottle]

@ol'crickety @A-Jay My wife recently was in to see an orthopedist & he noticed something about her hands that he didn't like. He suggested she wear carpal tunnel braces only while sleeping to prevent further damage. So wearing them at night is probably a good idea.  

[Swamp Girl]

3 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

@ol'crickety @A-Jay My wife recently was in to see an orthopedist & he noticed something about her hands that he didn't like. He suggested she wear carpal tunnel braces only while sleeping to prevent further damage. So wearing them at night is probably a good idea.  

 

I'll do exactly this as soon as the brace arrives.