[vman01]

Enjoy keeping up with everyone on here and owed a fishing post myself.

After all the panfish posts over the winter months I had the bug early this year and got out 3 times fishing this spring. 2 great trips for panfish WITH a random bass and then a skunk day which included me jumping in t-bag deep to salvage a prized lure at the cost of some old boots only to lose it again about 15 minutes later. Oh well that's how it goes.
That brings me to fishing last week on the DPR out of my kayak. Only tried the yak out once last year and it felt like every time I twitched it was going to roll. Could be due to the fact it is rated for 275lbs and with the mods an anchor, the seat I added and me well you get it, were close. So last week Thursday I give it a go. Mostly just paddling and getting comfortable with the whole set-up and a feel for the fish finder. I installed the transducer inside the front keel area depression surrounded it with electrical putty to hold it in place and it seems to be working great including the side-view. As a bonus I did not fall out and caught 2 bass. Both fish hit a blue/black chatterbait in 3-4ft of water

This week I went out Tuesday and hooked into 2 northern but lost 1 after a good fight and leap next to the yak. I forgot my camera so no pictures on Tuesday but at least I didn't forget the paddle. Friday I went out again and as Rambler mentioned in another thread the weather has been great. Caught 1 Northern on a baby bass worm presented on a football jig, also hooked into 2 bass that were both able to spit the hook after some brief runs (slow and soft on the hookset, shame on me).

 

[joetrain]

Welcome to yak fishing. The bass looks like a nice chunker. Here's my 2 cents even though you didn't ask for it. Minimal tackle and gear and leash everything to your boat, including the electronics and your seat unless you are absolutely sure it won't fall out if you tip over.
~JOE~

 

[vman01]

Solid advice Joe, I just bring 2 poles, a few baits, a water bottle and the seat clips in and requires removal of a cotterpin. I probably should leash at least 1 or both poles though. You got me thinking.

 

[Rambler]

Joe knows of what he speaks. I tie down everything except me & my fishing rods. You never know when you might take a dunking.

 

[threeats407]

and small pelican type waterproof case for phone

 

[vman01]

More good stuff. Been putting my phone and wallet in a freezer zip-lock bag ( I can be frugal at times too) and storing in the front hatch that has a water resistant bag to keep it from sliding along the hull.

Joe had mentioned in another post some time back about carrying extra clothes in a bag for the colder weather incase you get wet so I will put that on my list. I bet most have some experience tipping over so I'm sure to get a turn.

 

[Aux Pleins]

Well done. Nice new ride.

 

[Busse Jim]

Nice report ,picts, chunky dpr bass and pike
Black and blue chatter :thumbup:

 

[HEDDONFROG]

Good stuff V. I hope you and your yak have many an adventure together

 

[badger75]

The tippy feeling you are experiencing may be due to the seat you installed. You raised your center of mass (albeit slightly) and that raised the center of gravity of the entire rig. Physics says if the center of gravity is too high, you will have stability issues.
I speak about this from experience. I found my SOT yak seat to be a real butt buster. Tried using a seat cushion PFD which was about 1.5" thick. Butt still got sore but it took longer. Noticed it was a bit less stable, but still manageable.
"Lightbulb"
If one cushion is good, 2 would be better! NOT! Tried this - thankfully was in 6" of water right by shore. When I sat down, boat was totally unstable, and I rolled it within 20 seconds. Had a good laugh at myself.
I now use only one cushion. When I get sore, I head to shore, stand up, walk around, shore fish for a few minutes, then resume my float.

 

[Woohoodude11]

The whole COG thing is what makes me wanna do a sit in instead of a sit on for fishing. I understand the reason most do a sit on for fishing but I don't think I'd be able to concentrate on the task at hand when I'm worried of tipping the whole time. Seems stupid given the hobby, but I've got a fairly intense fear of deep water :lol: when I night fish with Dave on a windy day and he takes us to that 50'+ section, I take multiple breaks trying not to panic!

 

[vman01]

Went out 8-8-19 with no real expectations after the rain we had the night before. Water was up slightly with about 6" visibility and the weather was great. Not sure if it is just me but I have yet to be bitten by a skeeter on the DPR this year.

Started with the blue/black chatter and switched to the baby bass worm rigged on a football. Caught 2 bass on the worm and 1 northern then switched back to the chatter and picked up another northern before calling it a day. Had a couple paddle by in a colorful tandem air-filled kayak that made it safely back to the launch and talked with a young man while I was loading out that was targeting carp with a bow out of his yak.

You raised your center of mass

I agree and expected there would be some field testing and trade off but it is not that bad considering I am pushing the capacity as well. I think I just needed more time to get used to it, after all there are some folks standing up on them and I have yet to tip out knock on wood.

I don't think I'd be able to concentrate on the task at hand when I'm worried of tipping the whole time

You adapt quickly to understand your limits and then you start multitasking, granted I have only been out a few times on the DPR which is 1.5-5 feet where I am fishing but I would not be heading out on big water solo yet either.