Nice Day on the Lake...

[FlyBye]

I managed to spare a little time yesterday to get the kayak out on some water. I wanted to check out a few updates that I made recently. I only fished a little under 2 hours and managed to catch 2 small bass, but didn't get a bite while spider rigging some gigs. I don't think that my 6'6" rods are going to be long enough for effective spider rigging, so I'll try my 10' or 14' rods next time out. My electronics seem to be working fine along with the other minor gear, so I think I'm ready for the extended trips/outings. All in all, it was a very pleasant day. 70 degree temps, virtually no concerns with the wind and 66 degree water temps.

[MNKK]

Hey, I've been using two 6' rods similarly to your setup, and I have had some issues, but I have a question about you using 10-14' rods. If you hook up won't it be difficult to land the fish that's 14 feet away? That was my only concern with using a longer rod in the kayak.

[FlyBye]

Hey, I've been using two 6' rods similarly to your setup, and I have had some issues, but I have a question about you using 10-14' rods. If you hook up won't it be difficult to land the fish that's 14 feet away? That was my only concern with using a longer rod in the kayak.

The two rods you see in the photo are in the cranking/pulling position. Those two rod holders will always remain there, even when I am not using them to pull crankbaits. They are used to temporarily hold the rod as a “third hand” when I am tying on new baits. The angle of the rod allows the line to fall virtually in my lap without me having to juggle the rod under my arm or something. It is very convenient. But most importantly, I prefer to have my cranking rods in front of me so I won’t have to turn around to set it in its holder or turn to see if I have anything on the line. The rod tip is directly above me plus it just makes it much easier to return the rod to its home without leaning forward or backward. A gymnast I am not! :-)



My modest “spider rigging” gear isn’t in the photo. I now am using two Hi-Tek rod holders that are attached to a Scotty male mount which attaches to my center console. The Scotty rod holders were too heavy and bulky for my taste, plus the triple mount stuck out too much for my liking. Just personal taste I suppose, but if I were to take an unexpected turn over, I didn’t want my feet/legs hung up. I didn’t want my head/face to be the first object to enter the water.



As to your question about the 10’-14’ rods. I’m limited in my current available selection of rods that I would want to use for pushing jigs, minnows or other bait. The 6.6 rods are too close to the kayak for optimum performance. The 10-14 should solve the distance from the kayak problem. The 14’ rods are B&M Pro Trolling Rods. You have to remember that you can’t “horse ‘em in” like you might do with a bass rod because the tips are not made for it and they will break sooner than later. You would use the longer crappie rods practically (not exactly) the same way you would in a boat. Let out more line and walk them closer to the kayak then either use a net or your hand. So let out the line and let the fish just slide on its side on top of the water to ya. I’m going to try my 10’ jig poles first and hopefully they will work so I won’t have to worry taking my 14’ Texas Toothpicks! Hope this helps.