[twade]

Went out yesterday for a bring-all-gear-and-see-what-is-biting kind of day on the kayak. I knew the fishing would be hard but I needed to get out and I didn't care what I got.

The water temp was @ 79 degrees when I started in the shallower area of the lake/creek intake. When I left it was 81 degrees. I ended in the deeper areas.

Since I haven't gotten the kayak out this year I was more into paddling and trolling around then sticking to an area and figuring it out. This practice left me with me less fish I think but I had fun, and when the wind picked up I was going against the grain - getting wet and having a blast. It was a work out.

All I got were kitties.

Some fish came in on leeches that I had slightly weighted. I was rigging my casting rod when the other one went off. I thought for sure that I snagged while drifting. Nope, fish on. The fish fought super hard and it was a blast on 4lb and 6lb test mono line - medium and ultra light gear. The other hits came casting a 4" Berkley shad on a darter. He hit it with force and again fought like hell.

The only disappointing part was that I wanted to jig or drop shot and fish deep. With the winds I could not properly attach my anchor. I had a bad knot on the anchor line and did not have enough rope, plus I would have had to side anchor and I wasn't comfortable with it with vs. the amount of line I freed. I tried to drift but the kayak moved to quickly to get lures down.

Next time I think I'll concentrate on an area and bring less.

[joelreiser]

NICE!

[keithjab]

Is that Shabbona?

[Bubbalouie]

thanks Travis-

[twade]

Yes Shabbona.

The cats came up from or were suspending in any where from 25-30 fow north end of the trees .

Saw a guy a huge catch of crappie of gills.. i think he focused on one area and was slamming them.

[Chas E.]

Looks like a fun day, kid!! Those are some chunky fish for sure!

[twade]

It is all about the fight and they fought. All fish came in around the same size. They ran for the deep when coming up and thrashed around pretty well, glad I picked up the grip. In the kayak it would be hard to manage with out.

It's a blast. One guy asked "What do you do if I lock into a ski?"... I simply replied "I go for ride."

[Willysol]

Good job. I have a clone of your yak, Plan on using in Shabona, Lower Dells , and maybe Milwakee.
Used it last season in Bussy Woods to properly set it up, had some luck on LM using top water.
Made a cart out of a dolly from Menards. cut the 2 posts, install noodle foam tubes and attach with bungy chords. Works great.