Back bay fluke rig preferences

[Leprechaun]

Hey roger, where did you get that yellow hook disgorger that you use in that second video? Very nice piece!

 

[ag3]

So happy seeing Lep here. A true gem poster.

 

[Leprechaun]

I KNOW, right?

 

[buddha162]

Thanks for those videos ! On You Tube, some guy named Elias had a very similar video as well. Elias swears by spinning reels. I just realized that a decade or more ago, when I was really killing the summer weaks, I was standing in the bow of my bay boat and casting a light jig tipped with a bass assassin in the direction the boat was moving (downcurrent) and got hits as soon as I started to retrieve or even before. Exactly the opposite of what makes sense. This went on for a couple of weeks, always reeling in until the jig was just a few feet below the surface on the side of the boat, with weaks often following it in. (Yes, I wish fluke were as easy to catch as weaks (when the weaks are there, that is.)
Regarding the kayaks, Hurricane seems to make the only lighter weight solid plastics (trylon) that are relatively inexpensive. An Ocean Kayak of the same size would sell for 30% less but weigh 30% more. My Phoenix 140 weighed 55 lbs without the seat and rodholders. My new Skimmer 128 is just 47 lbs WITH the seat, so just under 50 with the rodholders installed. Was hoping to go to the Dinghy Shop Friday to pick it up but had a skin cancer on my back removed just after selling the Phoenix, and the doc said NO stretching until the stitches come out on Feb 1.

Elias is a natural, I've witnessed in person his uncanny ability to locate and stay on fish under tough conditions. I like spinning for the lightest stuff, 1/8 - 3/8oz, simply because line flies off the spool better and I can get my light jigs down to the bottom faster. Anything 1/2oz and over I prefer baitcasting gear...more torque, no line twist, and to me a more natural balance for jigging.

How are you transporting your yaks now? I ask bc...once on the water, a few dozen lbs mean little, esp if you're pedaling. There are all sorts of load-assist systems out there now, and with scupper carts/balloon wheels you are never lifting more than 1/2 the weight of the kayak at a time. Personally, I would never fish out of a traditional paddle kayak anymore...being hands free, having the ability to fish and control your boat at the same time...is huge.

 

[buddha162]

Hey roger, where did you get that yellow hook disgorger that you use in that second video? Very nice piece!

It's called the "Unhookum" tool: Best fish hook remover – dehooking tool – dehooker – disgorger : The unHOOKum Hook Removal Tool

It works well when your jig is inside the jaws of a fluke, too deep to risk getting bit but not so deep that you can barely see the jig head. 90% of hook ups that require any kind of tool, the unhookum works great. Wish they made a slightly heavier duty version for saltwater!

 

[pequa1]

I KNOW, right?

Elias is a natural, I've witnessed in person his uncanny ability to locate and stay on fish under tough conditions. I like spinning for the lightest stuff, 1/8 - 3/8oz, simply because line flies off the spool better and I can get my light jigs down to the bottom faster. Anything 1/2oz and over I prefer baitcasting gear...more torque, no line twist, and to me a more natural balance for jigging.

How are you transporting your yaks now? I ask bc...once on the water, a few dozen lbs mean little, esp if you're pedaling. There are all sorts of load-assist systems out there now, and with scupper carts/balloon wheels you are never lifting more than 1/2 the weight of the kayak at a time. Personally, I would never fish out of a traditional paddle kayak anymore...being hands free, having the ability to fish and control your boat at the same time...is huge.

I have a pickup truck with a TrakRak. I don't want an SUV or a car as I like being able to throw a dead and field dressed deer in the bed and let the rain wash the blood out. It also gets our bikes up into the bed instead of hanging off the back on a rack. Can't use a station wagon like I did for the portabote I had or the canoe I still have as my truck has to be able to tow our trailerboat so no hullivator. Only use a cart when wife and I use a tandem. I store both yaks in the garage. Have to be able to carry them in and out hence don't want the weight pedals and rudder would cause. Lower body exercise we walk or bike. Upper I paddle. Kayak goes where the drift takes me. Nirvana.