Smallmouth Fix And Kayak Ride.

[MOPanfisher]

yesterday my boss offered to take me on a short kayak trip. Now not ever really have been in a kayak and having badmouthed them for years I was basically shamed into it. He put me in a 13'6" Wilderness sit on top kayak. Dang it was more stable than my canoe, and a lot of fun. As a prize I caught my first smallmouth since last fall. Caught a few little ones, a couple 12" plus then a 17.5" that thought he owned the river, put up a great fight and was released with a thank you kiss "jimmy Houston style".

Now for the questions. 1. Many many times I have caught smallmouth well in middle of the day only to have them quit completely as the sun gets behind the hills and put the whole river in the shade. Were to they go?

2. What "ballpark" would my Old Town Discovery 169 canoe be worth. Bought new in 2002 and been on the water maybe 6 times. thinking maybe I can sell it to finance a kayak?

[jdmidwest]

Odd, my best fishing is during the afternoons after 5 in the summers. That is when they go topwater in the middle of the holes around cover.

As far as the canoe, probably around 3 to 400 depending on what shape it is in.

[Al Agnew]

Heck, no wonder you found the kayak fun, if you've been paddling that barge of a canoe solo.

[Gavin]

He hasn't paddled that boat at all...bought new, 6 trips in 11 years...That's darn near brand new..I'd start at 70% of retail.

[Wayne SW/MO]

The Disco's are great trippers, but barges to fish out of. I would start it at $500 and see where it goes because it really depends on what it's worth to you. They are common and the "Like new" doesn't last long in the Ozarks.

I know there are a million opinions on smallies where and when, but I've found them to cooperate all day to some extent, but you have to find them. They often act more like trout then bass and will seek of better water, cooler and/or oxygenated, at will. They like the flow.

[Gavin]

Think that they behave differently depending on water clarity. In murky water...they feed during the day for the most part. In clear water they can feed anytime, sometimes at night if its a heavily pressured stretch of water.