Just 2nd time out since my oral surgery...

[pequa1]

and after two plus hours in the humid heat and light breeze had 3 shorts, a bunch of crabs, and a baby dogfish. Was about to give it up even though the incoming was at the two hour mark, and a dumb fluke of 22" took my pink and white dressed buck with a chartreuse Gulp mullet. Maybe they like gaudy ? Not sure if this old bod can do a consecutive day in this weather. Almost makes me miss the days with the stinkboats. Almost. Then I remember how it seemed I spent more time cleaning and maintaining than actually fishing from them.

 

[Hunter704]

Glad you got out, feel better and enjoy that fluke for dinner well deserved and effort put in

 

[Pangaroo]

and after two plus hours in the humid heat and light breeze had 3 shorts, a bunch of crabs, and a baby dogfish. Was about to give it up even though the incoming was at the two hour mark, and a dumb fluke of 22" took my pink and white dressed buck with a chartreuse Gulp mullet. Maybe they like gaudy ? Not sure if this old bod can do a consecutive day in this weather. Almost makes me miss the days with the stinkboats. Almost. Then I remember how it seemed I spent more time cleaning and maintaining than actually fishing from them.

You'd do much better at the Loop Bridge , there's a big body of fluke there . I caught about 50 shorts the other day fishing maybe 50 feet off the shore on the South East side of the bridge. Drifted near the bridge down to the sandbar SE of there. Have you considered buying a 14 foot Rowboat ? Put a 6 HP on the back and it would be way more comfortable than a Kayak. Maybe even one of those Portable Boats that fold up ? Saw used ones about $1500 . Kayaking is a lot of work too.

 

[pequa1]

I had a portabote back in the 90s and did put a kicker on it. It was either 12 or 14’. Then i had my SeaPro for 22 years. But in 2004 got my first kayak. It’s not just about the fish. The whole challenge of paddling to a spot sans any motor and then trying and catching a fish is what it’s all about and why it can be called a sport unlike inshore boat fishing. I liken it to surfcasters who only half jokingly will say “boat fish don’t count.” (Yes i surfcast each fall too.) Once you yak you dont go back.

 

[pequa1]

went back out this morning for just some shorts. what happened to the heat warnings? could have used a second tank top at times.

 

[Pangaroo]

went back out this morning for just some shorts. what happened to the heat warnings? could have used a second tank top at times.

Pequa, For a guy in your 70's you have tons of energy to go out on back to back days and kayak ! I'm 60 and trailering a 25 Panga is a lot of work, I'm dead tired at the end of the day. Just balancing yourself all day on the boat with each wave tires you out at the end of the day.
Re: that Portable boat, did you like it ? sounds like a good boat for lake fishing upstate, even fishing North Shore Bays that have no boat launching for non residents.
The forecast was 73 degrees at the ocean beaches with dense fog , over 90 on the North Shore., but still it must of been uncomfortable out there paddling around with the humidity.

 

[pequa1]

Portabote: Bought originally to do local lake fishing with my young sons in between having outboard motor boats. they take about 15 minutes to assemble, maybe a little less. I put rodholders on the exterior ply transom, and had an electric motor and battery as well. When I put a 4 hp on it for the bay, the sides actually flex as you are underway, a little disconcerting but perfectly normal. You definitely want to be CLOSE to where you park your vehicle and launch as you have to carry the three seats (which spread the hull out) separately from the somewhat ungainly but not overly heavy folded up "hull."

weather this morning: much cooler than yesterday, didn't even finish my second water bottle. the mist and overcast seemed to replace any humidity. If it stayed this cloudy on the north shore, no way it made the 90s.

I trailered my Sea Pro as well and found it to be more tiring in some ways than the yak, with a stiff neck and shoulders the bigger complaint on the end of a day on the motorboat. I was usually out for the day with the motorboat, while I am usually home swimming laps in our pool by noon on days I kayak. I got into fitness in college, and the Army Reserves just continued the process. Kayaking for me is more upper body than cardio, which is a good thing as while I always maxed the pushups and situps, I barely made the minimum time on the two mile run and the moment I retired I never ran again, lol. Still mow my own lawn, shovel any snow and enjoy gardening. But that can all end in a heartbeat, (or lack thereof!)

 

[Pangaroo]

Thanks Pequa, I have a brand new 3.5 HP Tohatsu that has 3 hours total I can use on one of those boats. Saw one of those boats on You Tube fishing in San Francisco Bay. Seemed pretty good. Would be nice taking that boat up to Northern Lake George and avoid all the hassle of trailering. I use to Kayak also. Launched at Levy Preserve and paddled out into the Bay. A lot of work, good exercise. Maybe if it had foot peddles it would've been more enjoyable.

 

[pequa1]

Pedal boats increase the weight. I yak alone and want no part of a trailer so i have to lift it on and off the rack on my p/u. Bare bones my Hurricane Aquasports Skimmer 128 (12’8”) weighs just 49 lbs.

 

[Engarto]

Those fluke can surprise you sometimes with what they'll go for. And yeah, the weather can really wear you down, especially in that humid heat. I hear you on missing the simplicity of stinkboats sometimes, but you're right about the maintenance

 

[pequa1]

Nothing simplistic on gas driven boats. Stuff to break, rust and replace. the only thing I miss about a motorboat is the ability to travel to some of my old time "spots" but far too often over the years we motored past the fish to fish. Except for people who have their boat docked in their own backyard, nothing easy about trailering or driving to the marina to load and unload either. Something else not missed by me. I literally load, drive and am paddling in 10 minutes with the kayaks.