J-Doc

So..........how did you fare?

BAZINGA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is one crappie I'll never ever forget. And neither will you. LOL!! LEGAL NOTICE No measurements were made in the making of this photo. All bragging rights belong to J-Doc and solely to his descretion and his only. The golden rule of fishermen of embelishment implies and all of those rights here within shall be affiliated as is the right of the angler known as J-Doc. There was definately harm in to the fish as it was filleted later and cooked for dinner as it was the anglers legal right and choice. All opinions about catch and release are just that, opinions and will be disgarded as "I'm right adn you're wrong".

Couldn't agree more. I fished for reds in south Florida. Think of the biggest smallmouth you've ever caught. Then multiply that times about 15. When you get really serious, go catch a 80lb class or bigger Tarpon! They make redfish feel like a catfish. I'm not kidding. Best way to describe it is cast to your buddy's pickup and hook up to his bumper. Tell him to floor it and watch your drag go crazy. That's a tarpon. Runs about 100yrds away, you get him to the boat and then he takes off again. Repeats about 3-4 times. Took me about 15mins to land this little guy. Yes, I said little guy. At 80lbs, he's half grown. My guide said you only want a 150lb class once in your life and then never again. LOL! Good photos man. Thanks for sharing. Everyone should go fish for reds. And you're right.......saltwater will make you want to sell all your freshwater gear and head to the beach and become a sand bum and chase saltwater fish.

I highly doubt it. Due to cold front. Then again, I could be wrong and the fish are in a major feed mode. If you're brave enough and have warm gear, go for it if weather is clear. If chance of snow, be carefully and plan ahead.

Probably but my batteries stay over 3/4 charge even after a long day of fishing. Quite amazing really. The standard Interstate batteries have impressed me so far. I keep thinking that Ranger will add more gizmos and improvements like what you have to the aluminum lineup but if they did that........they wouldn't sell enough fiberglass boats. The aluminum line is already probably outselling the glass models (especially the Z118 and Z119) currently with (3) aluminum production lines vs. (1-2) fiberglass production lines with Ranger, Triton, Champion and Stratos all produced in one line. It's created a huge growth in the aluminum boat market (which was very needed). That and the downturned economy has lots of folks looking at slightly smaller, less expensive rigs. Sorry, totally off topic and raving alum. rigs. LOL! Can't help myself.

That's really slick.

Lol!!! True

Ouch. That's way more expensive than a starter. Terrible news.

Glad you got it all worked out. Good news.

Fish finder is a must have item. Especially for what you're wanting to do. Otherwise, its like taking Stevie Wonder to a lake and saying, "See that lay down over there, pitch it between those two limbs that hang just 12" above the water". Seriously. That's a good anaology. :-) Taking a blind man fishing and asking that is completely hopeless. They make very affordable fish finders now that have structure scan and sonar as well as GPS for around $300 price range. That is an invaluable resource for a kayak on a body of water. You can mark brushpiles, locate fish, etc. As for time of year and tips, I defer to others. They should be moving up near channel swings and places of transition. That's very broad but basically you need to look for spots where fish can move vertically quickly without going far. I can't say it clearer than that but even then, that's not nearly enough explanation. I'm a graphic guy. I need pictures. Lol

Striper bite was really strong before this cold front. Should push them towards Cliffty somewhere by now.

Lol!! That's a pretty accurate analogy.

Cool report. Glad to see the bite pick up. I figure it will shut off today though since the front has settled. Could be wrong though, might be the water temp drop that makes them bite anyway. It's windy enough out there today. Might be a blade kind of day.

The one about the lady picking up her husband's brains after the Union soldiers murdered him in cold blood. Man that is just sad and terrible. I can only imagine some of the many many travesties of that time I'm out history and none hit home until you read about a true event. I know there were needless killings on both sides and not within a "battle". My Grandfather used to tell me stories about my great great grandfather who fought in the war. Lots of sadness, death, and near death experiences. This is an excellent find on the bridge and the added serving on the side of tales of woe and history was just icing on the cake.

Ok I'll have to check this out. If he is half as funny as Fat Cat Newton, it should be very interesting. Fat Cat is hysterical. :-)

If any locals are interested in a great deal on an almost new 21p Laser II stainless steel 3-blade prop without a mark on it, PM me. I need a 20p to get a few more rpms out of my ProXS. It's about 200-300 shy of where it needs to be. Really don't want to sell it but, it's best for my motor to downsize a bit. I can send photos if needed.

THIS is my kind of spoon wiseguys... http://cdn.themetapicture.com/media/funny-spoon-coffee-vitamin.jpg

What was it that Mississippi (James Caan) said to John Wayne and Robert Mitchum in the old cowboy movie "El Dorado"? Oh yeah....he smiled smuggly and with sarcasm as he walked out the door and said. "A host of friends. I have a host of friends" Comedians.....

I saw Gman fish that bluff during Bassmaster event. Didn't work for him either. Lol! Poor G. (Gerald Swindle)

Well.....it's no secret now....

Now I have to make a trip to Table Rock to use my HDS..... Neat stuff.

That's cool. Thanks for sharing. If you have a smart phone, you can save the coordinates. It you can guess the general location on Google Earth and post the coordinates here. Anyone with downscan will find it. And side scan....well there is no hiding from it. :-)

All good information and what I've been telling people for a few years now. Now if I could only master my own theory and put it in practice! Lol. I have high quality graphs now so it shouldn't be a problem. I have been chasing food so much these last few months that it's time to get back to chasing bass for the fun of it again. I've got a few areas on Beaver that I know hold fish most of the year but not all year. This time of year, they all but disappear on me everywhere I look. This year I'm determined to figure it out. Finding them is one thing. Catching them is a whole lot harder. But like Champ said.....k owing they are there and you just haven't gotten them to bite is better than casting to water and hoping to stumble onto something. I hate that as much as knowing there are tons of fish below me that refuse to bite.

Kudos to you for stumbling on to a pattern. Never my strong point. Maybe I need Champ to show me "The Rock". I've only fished it once and it was brutal to me. I just don't have patience for the Ned. Lol

That's a good point Champ. I forget about those guys but I too have heard they are great. And they are just up the road from my house too.