The season is fast approaching (at lest up here in the north east). I had mine out today for some maintenance.
I have a trolling motor on my kayak (pic is mine). I troll crank baits with little success. Any advice for trolling for bass or walleye in a kayak
Also kayak fishing general
>>704490
I want to by a kayak for fishing, preferably in the 500 or less dollar range. Do you have suggestions of qhat i should be shopping for?
>>704507
My first kayak was a bass pro shops ascend fs12t sit on top. It was great. The only fault was sitting in it for 6+ hours got painful.
Mine had a seat that was molded into the kayak. The new ones have a raised seat.
They do cost about $550 though.
Hobie Outback is the best fishing kayak made.
>>704525
they do look good, pricy though. for the price you could have a nucanoe with a gps remote controlled trolling motor.
>>704523
What would you say are the most important basic features a fiahing kayak should have
>>704542
comfort! seriously . find one (read reviews, watch videos) that won't put a beating on you. All the other aspects can be DIY latter on (rod holders, motor, storage, even stability). Research research research. so many guys I know stop using the kayak because back pain.
>>704542
Sit on top.
Stability.
Hobie Adventure Islad pic related.
>>704542
sit on top w/ comfy seat (not molded into the plastic). I rarely use the sliding rod holder but i use the 2 in the back. This is 10' wilderness system. If you dont plan on fishing creeks/streams go longer. This was $750 new but can prob be had in the $500 range.
>>704523
>The new ones have a raised seat.
Which is comfy as all hell but raises center of gravity.
Paid about 12-1400 for mine. Got a Garmin and then realized I needed 12v power. It's been a fun journey.
recapthca: select all imaged with kayaks
>>704531
Look at BassYaks if you want a motor. Sat in on a seminar at RISSA show. Those things are pretty ballsy.
>>704490
For walley the key is depth and speed. Its easier to troll for them running diving crank bates that go to a known depth and hold off of reels with line counters. That way you can let out a set length of line and have a good idea of when you hit the right zone.
Also, troll over structure. Walley are very predatory, and will hang just off of structure in the depths waiting for something unwary to venture out from cover. They hit hard, and hit quick.
>>704490
Getting my gear set up for fishing tomorrow. I hardly ever catch anything but I love getting out on the river as much as possible.
>>705143
>>704507
My advice? Check out a wide selection over month or two then buy a used one.
>>704682
Off topic but mainebub is the homestead thing still going? do you have the link to the site. I think i remember your name on the site.
>>705155
More likely that MaineBub will see your question in
>>704739
>>705143
>>705144
do you even use LED technolgy
>>705328
No that anon but LEDs are my next project.
>>705328
I was high as fuck inside academy, saw the LEDs, and then obviously.
Waiting for my wetsuit to come so I can start paddling in the 40-50 degree water of late winter/early spring.
As soon as I get a day, my kayak is getting a bunch of fun mods.
>anchor trolley
>converting the built in rod holders to hold 2 rods each with pvc
>2 orange flags for visibility
>raising my seat to keep my ass from getting wet
>go pro camera mounts.
Id also like to figure out a way to make a milkcrate or something similar fit into the back so I can strap extra pvc rod holders to it and also keep my tackle bag dry-ish. The back of my kayak doesnt fit one though, and no angle is flat. Everything is curved/slanted etc, so thats gonna take some thinking.
Field and stream eagle talon 11.5' btw.
>>705446
>built in rod holders to hold 2 rods each with pvc
I like that idea, thx!
Feel free moken 10
Added a milk crate for extra rods ,
Working on an anchor setup (going to swap out rope for paracord (50 ft maybe)
And add another half galon jug filled with sand as an anchor in Rocky areas
I'd also like to get my seat up a bit just to prevent wet butt
>>705569
>>705446
It's never too cold to kayak. I fell in a while back during an ice storm. Probably shouldn't have gone out alone but whatever.
>>705569
>seat up a bit just to prevent wet butt
Feel Free Lure 13.5
LOVE it.
>>705646
looks nice af, id like to do that, but i may just curt some bed liner to put under my seat so i oont get wet
>>705618
What do you wear?
I've seen a few different outfits that look pretty decent.
a) flyweight booted waders with a dry top
b) drysuit boots, dry pants from REI (would have to look those up), dry top.
Will get name brands and post tomorrow if I remember.
>>705657
>dry top
aquaskinz or something like that.
>>705657
Layer one: standard long underwear top and bottom
Layer two: underarmour pants and top
Layer three: short sleeve shirt and gym shorts
Layer four: jeans and a long sleeve shirt
Layer five: hoodie
Layer six: old thrift store nylon plush coveralls with some sort of hydrophobic spray on them
Layer seven: carhartt coat if it's below 10 degrees f
Then usually a face mask. 2 if it's windy.
2 or 3 socks and cowboy boots.
2 layers of thin cloth gloves and some nice mitts over those with more hydrophobic spray on those too
But I still take it slow so I don't get sweaty and die of hypothermia. Also don't fuck with ice. If it's thick enough to slow you down, it's thick enough to throw your ass in the water.
>>705825
Jeez. Im just gonna get a wetsuit to wear under some light quick dry clothing and a maybe a nice rain jacket with a hoodie so I can fish in the spring and fall haha. Water is mid 40s here or so, and will be close to 50 when I get out.
I just don't want cold shock to kill me. Or my kayak to blow away from me forcing a hypothermic swim back to shore that ill never make lol. I've never dunked, but I'm not counting that ill never take that spill.
>>705319
ty
>>705877
>wetsuit
Wetsuits need water in them to properly work. The principle is trap water, heat it with body temp to build a thermal buffer around you.
Drysuit makes much more sense but is spendy.
Check out the flyweight LL Bean waders (lifetime warranty) and aquaskinz top. Top has water barrier at neck, waist, and sleeves. Spendy but more practical as it has more uses than wet/dry suits.
>>706065
Have you ever worn a wetsuit? They're hot as fuck lol. Its a 7mm farmer john + a jacket, so I can mix and match. Plus I got a rash guard for when the water starts warming up. Air temps will be 50-60+ easily. But the water stays pretty cold.
The suit is enough to keep me warm, plus I can add any jackets and extra stuff I might (not) ever need.
And then yeah, when I do fall in cold water, I wont get soaked through 5 layers of cotton and forced to freeze until (if) I make it back to my yak/shore.
But you are right, I would love a drysuit lol. We'll see how this all works out this season and in the fall first.
During the summer I just wear water resistant pants and a quick dry top. Water is 60-70 degrees and not a threat. I keep a dry bag with towels and extra clothes for any spills as well as clothes in the car.
>>705654
You can buy scupper plugs to block the holes under your seat. Drastically reduces wet butt.
>>706717
but thenany splash in cant get out
gonna be near 75 degrees here in PA today. I feel the first kayak voyage of the year happening. just need to get my fishing license first
Why does everyone like sit on tops? I prefer sit in yaks.
>>708506
easier to move around, more space, can stand up (on some of them), more storage area.
>>708519
On or off the water? In my experience it's always been easier for me to maneuver a sit in on the water. But I can see how a sit on top would be easier to move out of the water.
So I'm thinking of getting a feelfree lure. Anyone here have one? What length should I get? 10, 11.5, or 13.5? I live in the North East and I'll probably just be using it on small rivers and lakes
>>708688
>>708529
I meant to move your body around. can swing your legs over the side and things like that.
Your probably right about a sit in being more maneuverable.
>>708688
they look nice. normally the longer the kayak the better tracks (stays in a straight line while paddling). shorter kayaks are good for small streams and if you're strapped for storage space.
>>704490
I really need to invest in a proper fishing kayak. I have a regular model Heron something, and it's a pain in the dick fishing from it.
I probably could've gotten a decent fishing kayak for, what, $600 or so? I spent like $450 on the Heron, should have just paid a little more.
>>708882
Yeah those accend models form bass pro are about $550 and are pretty nice, and you can do a lot of DIY to them
>>709416
Yeah, I definitely should have looked more into it before I bought mine. My friend had two and let me use his extra a few times, it was pretty wide and there was a big spot behind the seat to store my tackle and I really liked it so I went and bought my own, and it's much thinner, practically no space behind the seat and I kinda struggle when I'm trying to tie different lures on my line. My friends wasn't a fishing kayak, but was much easier to move around in than the one I bought. I think it was made for fat people cause it's wide as hell, lol
>>709627
The only plus side to the one I bought is the storage compartment on the back of it, it's the biggest one I've seen and it actually seals and has a lock on it so no water gets in. I can fit some nice sized fish in there, or a bunch of beer and ice.
It's supposed to be 60 and sunny here tomorrow, gonna try to get out on the water. I think I might just bring one of my shorter rods cause using my 6'6" rods is kind of a pain to do in it
anybody have tackle storage tips for kayaks? I got a bunch plano boxes in a milk crate and its a real hassle digging through them for hard baits or terminal tackle. also most my soft plastics are in just thrown in a back pack which makes it real hard to find the right ones.
>>711244
Get a tackle binder for the plastics anyway.
Best multi person fishing kayak? I found this one on Amazon. Seems like a steal for the price.
>>711476
get a canoe.
Okay so this is a stupid question, but when you guys catch fish out on your kayak... What do you do with them? Like, where do you put them?
>>711575
back in the water, or in a live keep cage until im read to go home
Thinking of getting an FS10, good value or should I spend more and get the FS12?
Also any tips for really good paddles, I know there are big differences with canoe paddles, don't know if it is the same of kayaks.
>>711575
Back in the water or in a bag in my bag if I feel like eating trout or don't think it's gonna make it.
>>711575
A stringer or a large mesh bag tied to the yak. Throw it on board when paddling, stick it in the water while fishing.
>>711589
the 12 is nice but the 10 works better in small areas
>>711589
i have a buddy who has the fs10, real nice boat. if your hitting rivers get the fs10 if not get the 12. keep in mind also the 10 is obviously a little easier to transport
>>711575
usually a stringer but i have lost a few dragging them. make sure its a good one if thats the route you take. cooler is ideal but its not realistic for me because of space
Anyone have a Field and Stream Shadow Caster? I might get one. At $800 it's a steal.
>>713166
seat looks comfy. Can you stand up in it?
anyone got tips for managing wind. the slightest breeze pushes me all over the lake. I have a 3.5lbs anchor and unless it catches something the wind will make me drag it
>>716013
try a diferent anchor, and always anchor facing into the wind/currtent
>>716013
Bassyak is the ultimate for wind/current. Spendy but damn.....!!!!
Rudder?
Better anchor. I need to rig up one of these myself.
>>704507
>Dicks Sporting Goods
>Field and Stream Eagle Talon
Dont worry about the brand, its actually manufactured by Old Town. Dicks puts these kayaks on sale all the time. Plus if you get a dics card they give you 20% off your first purchase. You get a rewards card as well. Purchase of kayak will net you about $20 to use in store. I bout mine during memorial day sale couple years ago. Ended up getting kayak for $370.
>>711551
This.
Took my kayak out to a local spring yesterday, must have caught at least 20 black bass throughout the day. Whoever suggested the Mepps agila spinner a while back is a fucking god.
