19 minutes ago, gim said:

Yes, I'm ready to go.  All the time. 

yea.  I just felt you didnt have all the info.  even the biggest bass is never out of the water longer than 30 seconds with me.  the leash is a huge part of it.  it why I rarely weigh fish.   I got the leash because I do occasionally weigh the fish.  I dont have my scale in my hands at all times.  

The only thing I wish my kayak had was a pedal drive. Biggest upgrade for me was adding a basic garmin unit with suction mount transducer and anchor trolley for an anchor/drift sock. I haven’t been out in it recently, but there is nothing like being that close to the water. 
 

I think it’s been a year or two since I’ve been in it, but am taking it out tomorrow for a little. What a feeling it was taking some tackle out of the boat, throwing it in a bag, packing a few rods, life jacket, etc. And Im ready to go. 

16 hours ago, gim said:

How about you get that stuff ready BEFORE you start casting.  Then this so called leash to a fish wouldn't even be necessary.  Why are people so unprepared to catch a fish.  I can't figure it out.

 

I would also question whether its even legal if state law requires "immediate release."

Speaking for myself when I used to do the kayak fishing, there's not enough room in your yak to have all of that stuff immediately ready. My phone was in a pocket or stored somewhere so I wouldn't lose it if I flipped. Often times if you wanted (or had to) take the photo in the app, it would take some time for the app to load. My bump board was longer than the interior width of my yak, so I had to store it behind the seat until I needed it or it would be in the way. I'd also set the net up in front of the end of the bump board in case the fish tried to flop out- can't have that set up if I need to use the net to land the fish. Courteous anglers make it a point to wet their bump boards before they set a fish on it- can't have that wet every second you're fishing. I didn't have a Donkey Leash but used a pair of fish grips tied to my yak. I don't see how having a fish restrained in the water boat side for 30 seconds is any worse than fighting a fish for an extra 30 seconds or keeping it out of the water for 30 seconds or in a livewell. 

On 4/1/2025 at 2:17 PM, JHoss said:

 my logic was fishing my way there at 1.5 for 45 was more productive than 15 minutes of no fishing followed by 30 minutes fishing in the next spot that may or may not have fish. 

 

Some good logic there! I have the same mindset and the fish i would’ve missed (if I had been wide open) just boggles my mind. It’s not all about the destination and the speed it takes to get there. Some fine scenery along the way to slow down and look at…or catch! 

@Koz I always appreciate reading your posts and the thought process that has gone into everything you’ve done. I know I jokingly give you hard times about buying a boat but, it has always been very clear you truly love the kayak experience. 

40 minutes ago, Susky River Rat said:

@Koz I always appreciate reading your posts and the thought process that has gone into everything you’ve done. I know I jokingly give you hard times about buying a boat but, it has always been very clear you truly love the kayak experience. 

I’m still not buying that boat or pickup truck😀

 

The truth here is that in my opinion I wasted money on my kayak adventure. The reason for that is either not doing the research, not knowing what I wanted, or not planning ahead.

 

I’m hoping that posting about this will help others avoid those mistakes.

I researched for over a year and a half before I pulled the trigger on my autopilot 120...i realized that I did not want to pedal or paddle too much so when the autopilot was introduced.. It was a no brainer that was the only kayak I wanted... It's the only kayak I've ever been on.. 

I slowly collected and bought all my modifications even before I got the actual kayak... My only regrets after having it for 2 seasons now are getting guardian angel navigation lights (they are pricey and battery life is terrible.. I went with button style nav lights and a custom led lite flag pole after a few outings) and getting a 10 foot manual shallow anchor pole (its cumbersome to transport and I've only ever used it once)... Every other upgrade has ah fast made my kayak fishing experience much better than I could have ever expected after coming from being a back boater guy for many years... Best decision I ever made was to get it and finally have the freedom to go fishing whenever I wanted to.. 

13 hours ago, Koz said:

I’m still not buying that boat or pickup truck😀

You’ll come to the dark side sometime 😂

The priorities I have are obviously floatation, then speed, then comfy seat. I’ve paddle a few sit on top barges that were slow as molasses, didn’t enjoy that even though I could  do jumping jacks on them. I’ll fish out of a small swift sit-in kayak with a mediocre seat rather than a stable comfortable slow sit on top. If I start to get uncomfortable in the small boats, I just hit the bank and walk around a while 

On 4/11/2025 at 8:10 AM, JHoss said:

Speaking for myself when I used to do the kayak fishing, there's not enough room in your yak to have all of that stuff immediately ready. My phone was in a pocket or stored somewhere so I wouldn't lose it if I flipped. Often times if you wanted (or had to) take the photo in the app, it would take some time for the app to load. My bump board was longer than the interior width of my yak, so I had to store it behind the seat until I needed it or it would be in the way. I'd also set the net up in front of the end of the bump board in case the fish tried to flop out- can't have that set up if I need to use the net to land the fish. Courteous anglers make it a point to wet their bump boards before they set a fish on it- can't have that wet every second you're fishing. I didn't have a Donkey Leash but used a pair of fish grips tied to my yak. I don't see how having a fish restrained in the water boat side for 30 seconds is any worse than fighting a fish for an extra 30 seconds or keeping it out of the water for 30 seconds or in a livewell. 

There is an old saying: "People mock that which they do not understand".  Who would have thought that would have come around to something like a Donkey Leash?  LOL!  I like them so much, I have TWO of them- the older short length one when I'm around shallow snags where I want the fish close by, and then the new version with the longer length.  Organization is everything on a kayak, and having things at your feet (and 'ready') when you stand to fish is stupid hazardous and a trip hazard.  BTW, I also own two "Rod Mules".  Now people can ask what they are instead of looking it up themselves!  LOL!

21 hours ago, Cuivre said:

Organization is everything on a kayak, and having things at your feet (and 'ready') when you stand to fish is stupid hazardous and a trip hazard. 

I don't stand but regardless, standing or sitting, organization is everything. Everything is within easy reach and in it's assigned position and anything that is worth something is leashed.

On 4/19/2025 at 2:42 PM, Crow Horse said:

I don't stand but regardless, standing or sitting, organization is everything. Everything is within easy reach and in it's assigned position and anything that is worth something is leashed.

i can pour marbles at my feet and string a wad of electrical cord down there.  standing, i am not tripping on anything because i am not walking around.  my feet are planted.    tripping hazards is not a thing on my kayak.  i'll squat down to pick things up at my feet.  

On 4/10/2025 at 2:39 PM, gim said:

 

The heck is a donkey leash?

It's a military term for the spout that goes into a jerry can.  Donkey something or other.