Shown above, the original rendering of the Lure 11.5 V1 with the Gravity Seat concept.
In 2014, the Lure 10 and 11.5 kayaks were launched with massive success. At one point, the Lure series was the number one selling kayak for one of the world’s largest kayak retailers, one that I formerly worked for and I could attest to us not being able to keep up with demand. In fact, the popularity of the kayak was enough for the team to quickly launch a longer version for the more serious angler, the Lure 13.5, complete with an integrated cooler, cutting board, and a whopping 500lb capacity.
Shown above, the original Lure 13.5 with the cooler and cutting board.
Just a few short years later the concept of sharing the same experience with your friends and family was introduced with the Lure II Tandem. This kayak offered the same features and functionality as the rest of the series but for two. It was also during this time that the Lure series continued to be refined with several small but significant upgrades including the removable sonar pod.
Shown above, the introduction of the tandem with new features including the removable Sonar Pod.
It didn't end there. In 2009, the idea of pedal kayaks seemed strange, sometimes ridiculed as cheating or even "gimmicky," but fast forward to more recent years, it was the next big thing, and Feelfree wasn’t going to be left behind.
The Feelfree team along with designer Peter Murphy were at it again. He didn’t just want to launch another pedal system but challenged himself to design a drive that was not only retrofittable on older Lure Kayaks but also featured something that nobody else was successfully capable of doing at the time — a true all-in-one pedal/powered system.
In 2018, Feelfree launched the Overdrive, a patented one-of-a-kind system that allowed you to convert your pedal kayak into a power kayak with the simple insertion of the Motordrive, making it convenient for you to go the extra mile. It was the first true Paddle > Pedal > Power system in the industry where you don’t have to remove any elements of your drive and continues to maintain that designation today.
Shown above, the most recent iteration of the Lure 13.5 V2 with high back seat, new storage console and the Overdrive.
Over the years, the entire series saw a variety of upgrades and while the Lure kayak may be 10 years old (Happy Birthday!), it is still holding its own as one of the top selling kayaks in the industry.
Now, on to the big question: will the Lure continue to evolve? Absolutely. In fact, our PRO team is diligently at work, taking the best of our best and always thinking ahead of what’s next.
You’re not going to want to miss this, so be sure to stay tuned!
Written by Roland Jimenez, Feelfree US
]]>So after a long drive of around 1900Kilometers, with my Dorado V2 strapped down on my trailer, I finally get to Cookeville, Tennessee. I meet up with the other members of Team Canada and we hang out and develop a nice chemistry. Then we have 2 days of practice on beautiful Center Hill Lake. This place is honestly beautiful, but looks like the fishing will be tough for everyone. After two days of pre-fishing, no one seems to find a pattern and it looks like just getting a limit will be challenging! Anyhow, we are all enjoying ourselves and having a good time meeting other anglers from different countries! The tournament organisers are top notch and we even get to do a parade in the heart of Cookeville which is pretty cool!
DAY 1- On June 9th, the Championship starts. With 3 days to determine the winners, this will be an absolute battle, in scorching hot weather. Going into day 1, I’m not feeling super confident and my goal is just to get 5 fish, even as small as 8inches, the minimum keeper length for this event. As everyone launches at the same time, after the USA National Anthem, my heart starts racing like crazy and I decide to start fishing right in front of the official boat launch, an area that I thought was overlooked by everyone. It was a good decision! Catching 1 keeper spotted bass and a nice Smallmouth in the first 2 hours, was actually a hot start, considering how tough the bite was. I kept grinding all day and ended up with only 4 keepers, but was good enough for a 2nd place / 44 in the individual category! My teammates also did alright so we were sitting in 2nd for the Team category as well, behind team USA ! Going back to our Airbnb, we started to discuss strategies for Day 2.
DAY 2- Weather is still nice and warm, with no signs of rain. All the nations are getting ready to launch at this big boat ramp. Oh did I mention how steep that ramp was? One of the steepest boat ramps I have ever seen, some guys were struggling to get down or up hill! Meanwhile, guys from Team Mexico and Italy could not believe how easy I made it look with the wheel in the keel of my Dorado. Getting down to the water was in walk in the park. However, I had a tough start on day 2, struggling to catch fish. I decided to make a long move and get my legs moving. This tournament was human powered only, so no motors. My overdrive System did a great job as always, moving me around Center Hill Lake. Around noon, I found a sandy flat, probably one of the very few on the lake, and started to catch quality Smallmouth, including a 50 centimeter, which was leading the big fish category after 2 days! I ended up Day 2 in 3rd place in the individual and as a team, we were still in 2nd !
DAY 3 Final Day – Going into Day 3, I was a bit nervous I have to admit! With a good chance to get an individual top 3 and Team top 3, I was fired up! Weather was more windy and cloudy for the first time of the week so it was a bit more work to keep control and stay In position. Anyhow, being so close to my goals, competing against some of the best kayak anglers in the world, I was leaving every bit of energy I had left out there. Day 3 was frustrating, with only 2 keeper fish around 1pm, I was starting to see my medal goals slip away I was a bit discouraged. I knew my individual ranking was in jeopardy, as some of Team USA top anglers passed on me. However, with only 30 min left to the tournament, the wind picked up and something told me to do one last ‘drift’ on the flat I was fishing. I told myself this is my last chance to help my country get a medal, hopefully a Silver as team England were pushing hard and almost passed us in the standings! Exhausted, I kept fishing hard and in the last 10 minutes of the championship, I miraculously caught 2 keepers that solidified our Team Silver Medal! What a thrill! I ended up in 4th place in the individual category, only 1 fish away from a top 3. The top guys were all from team USA! My big Smallmouth caught on day 2, also got beat by only 1 centimeter, one of team England’s guys, to win the Big Fish award.
Overall, this was an amazing experience and I was proud of what we accomplished as a team. Everyone knew Team USA had an edge on this one, but the way the lake was setting up, we felt like every country had a chance of getting silver or Bronze, and I’m proud of my teammates, we had a special group of guys for sure! The communication part and different team approach to each day of competition made all the difference in our success. As an individual, I was the only competitor from the province of Quebec and I thought I represented my territory well. The patience, perseverance and hard work were required to fish this championship, but also using a quality Kayak i trust, was also key. With no motors allowed, I proved that our Dorado V2 can compete against any other fishing Kayak on the market.
Despise the tough fishing, this was an experience I’ll never forget and I hope you enjoyed this blog! Stay tuned!
Written by Antoine Derochers-Gagnon, Feelfree Competitive Team Member
Edited by Jake Smith, FeelFree Marketing Assistant
]]>We all know that it takes a couple days to recover from a hectic weekend. And the cycle perpetuates. We start the week tired. Low productivity means longer hours and higher stress. We act like we are robots. Constant output no maintenance required. But if we’re honest, we don’t feel this way on the inside. We know better. We need to recharge in ways that we often don’t allow ourselves. If we don’t, we wind up like a car that is not maintained. Things start slowly falling apart and before you know it, the wheels come off or the engine seizes up. None of us want to get there.
For me, I know I routinely need solitude. This is where my Lure 11.5 V2 with Overdrive comes in clutch. I can get out on my kayak and be by myself. I hit the water and there is no one to demand anything of me. I put my phone on Do Not Disturb and I am offline. Just me and nature. In that moment, I am not a leader, creator, producer, trouble shooter, advisor, or helper. I am alone with my thoughts and I have time to process life in ways I don’t at any other time. Life slows down and so can my mind. I have time to think through things like hard conversations that I need to have, look at problems from different angles and ponder how to better parent my kids. Sometimes I listen to a challenging or thought provoking podcast. Sometimes I just sit in silence. I enjoy the peace of the water and the still of the morning.
Your silence and solitude doesn’t have to look like mine, but here are some basic guidelines.
Turn off distractions. For most of us, this step is almost always connected to our phones. If you have a certain app that sucks you in and you lose 20-30 minutes at a time, that is a great one to stay away from during this time. If you have a certain relationship that can eat up time or drain your soul, don’t answer the phone or text back. Just mute the conversation or turn on Do Not Disturb. They can wait. You can wait. You can get back to them later.
Spend time just being still. Feel the gentle rock of the water, and the simple mechanics of pedaling or paddling. Find enjoyment in the simple things. The sun rise, a sip of hot coffee, the beauty and order of nature. As a person of faith, I take time to pray.
Take time to think deeply about something that is not related to work. How to be a good neighbor, how to encourage someone who needs it, or how to show kindness to someone you wouldn’t naturally.
End well. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get back to the launch, load up and get back to reality in a way that isn’t rushed. Please learn from my mistakes. I have (more than once) completely undone any benefits of a solitary trip by not giving myself enough time to get home in a reasonable fashion. Give yourself an extra 15-30 minutes. You’ll be grateful you did.
I try to have a small time (3-4 hours) of solitude at least once a month and a longer time of solitude (a full day) once a quarter. I’m not a great scheduler, but I make sure to put it on my calendar. If I don’t, it doesn’t happen.
I hope this can help you get into some rhythms of solitude and a more healthy way of life. Tight lines!
Written by Andy Ulrich, Feelfree US Pro Staff Team Member
Edited by Bobby Ulrich, Feelfree US Pro Staff Team Member
]]>Time is of a premium on tournament day. You need five fish for a limit and you haven’t even put one on the board yet. You pick up your favorite square bill and give it a fling, bouncing it off every limb coming down that laydown. Nothing! Maybe she’s on the other side? You cast a second time down the other side in the shade, deflecting off branches, nothing. Ten, fifteen more casts. Nothin! Spin around and grab the jig rod. Maybe she’s tight on the cover. Pitch that black and blue jig in the middle of that laydown and work it all the way back to the boat. Again, both sides. Multiple casts. Nothin! Surely a white fluke will bring her out to eat? Multiple casts again. Nothin!
You’ve just used 30-40 minutes of time picking apart that “fishy” spot, but no “fishies”!
Therein lies the dilemma. Is FFS (Forward Facing Sonar) really worth it? You just used premium time on a spot that you were certain would hold at least one fish and came up empty. If you had FFS would you have spent that much time in that spot? Or any other spot for that matter? That grassy main lake point? The flat running back to that feeder creek?
Electronics have come a long way over the years. From flasher in dash units to the most sophisticated live action units that provide real time info. And that question remains. “Is it for you?”
There really is no (in my humble opinion) correct answer to that question. Is the investment worth the return? Who says there even has to be a return? Regardless it’s a huge topic in todays fishing world, and has caused many a discussion, sometimes heated. Is it “cheating?” Should it be banned? Lets take a look at those two questions.
The recent BASSMASTER Elite series on Lake Fork Texas left a lot of guys “scratching their collective heads” and some of those were seasoned veterans only to watch a 19 year old young man get the job done. He and a host of other young guns put FFS to work and put up big bags on all 4 days, with the eventual winner Trey McKinney coming ever so close to putting up another tournament record for weight to go along with being the youngest to ever win an event.
So, is FFS for you? I’ll admit. I took the bait. I have GARMIN’S Livescope on my FeelFree Dorado kayak. I have the 12” graph. I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t been a blast since I finally got it all hooked up and working correctly. But, (there’s always a but) I’d also be lying if I said it wasn’t frustrating. My tournament last week case in point. I was locating fish, but not getting a consistent bite. Its a great tool to have to save time on empty holes like mentioned above, but watching multiple fish follow baits and turn around and go back the other way will make you wanna kick it in the water. Haha!
So, in closing, here’s to everyone who has decided for or against FFS. I wish you tight lines, and heavy bags for you big boat guys and gals. Til next time.
Jerry Spradling
]]>Deep winter fishing is my new favorite.
I’m not just saying that to write a blog either. Of course, I love fishing in the spring. Who doesn’t? Summer is a blast and in my opinion the hardest season to fish. Fall is peaceful, and can be very productive. But in my opinion, nothing beats deep winter fishing in a kayak.
I don’t know where you live, but just a couple hours from Canada, along the Washington / Idaho border lies Spokane, Washington, a city with four seasons; one of them being winter. Not just put on a jacket, winter, but bone-chillingly, brutally cold, winter. The kind of cold that will make even the most hardened fisherman think twice about a trip. Just this week it was -35° with wind chill. That's cold. But in the heart of the winter good things are happening below the surface.
So if it’s so cold, why get the kayak out? Why endure the cold and harsh conditions? Because your PB is out there. I just caught mine last week, and you can too.
So here are my four best tips for catching bass in cold water.
Know your target
If you intend to catch fish in the dead of winter you need to know your fish and your local fisheries. If you are in the northern half of the country (where it gets really cold) your best option is to target smallmouth. They tend to relate to the bottom more than largemouth do, meaning, in general, you will find them near the bottom. Smallmouth are more active in the winter than largemouth, so they are easier to catch. So if you live in the north, look for large reservoirs that don’t freeze, most of those will have smallmouth. Your winter target is smallmouth.
If you are in the southern part of the country, look for lakes that have spotted bass. Spots also tend to relate to the bottom more than largemouth. While largemouth will, more often than not, be suspended, the spotted bass will be closer to the bottom. Look for lakes and reservoirs with spotted bass. If you live in the south, your winter target is spotted bass.
Change your depth
During the spring and summer, bass tend to spread out in lakes. They seem to be anywhere from 6” to 20’ deep. You might get fish on topwater, and you might get them on a deep diving crankbait.
In the winter, both up north and down south, when the water temps are in the 30’s and 40’s, the bass tend to congregate deeper. Instead of a 20’ band of depth to fish, you can key in on a band of only 15’-20’. We want to be looking for both smallmouth and spotted bass near the bottom in 20’-40’ of water. They won’t be near the surface. And they won’t be in 60’. They will be near the bottom in 20’-40’ of water.
Find your structure
In the winter the bass like to stay relatively close to structure to both preserve tiny amounts of heat and have something to relate to. You may be able to pick off wanderers, but the majority of the fish in your local cold water fishery will be at a depth of 20’-40’ and near structure.
My local winter fishing spot is a dammed-up highland reservoir. It has a sandy bottom and a 100’ deep creek channel in the middle. One side is a very rapid transition to that creek channel, and the other is more gradual. The gradual side is pretty barren, except for a 40-yard wide by 150-yard long boulder field that runs from 15’ deep to 60’ deep. That is my main target every time I go out in the heart of winter.
Change your lures
As fall gives way to winter around the country and the water temperatures drop, so does the metabolism of bass. They eat less, and they move less. Our presentations have to slow down as well.
When water temps are in the 50’s, a slower presentation like a jerkbait works really well. But as those same waters drop into the 40’s and 30’s, you have to go even slower.
While some fishermen will turn to a hair jig in these temps, my favorite lure in very cold water is the blade bait. I don’t understand the reasons why it works so well, and when I first bought one I thought I was wasting my money. But the thing just produces. My two favorites are the Damiki Vault, and the blade bait made by Norisada Custom Tackle.
To use these lures, just cast them and let them hit the bottom. Let your line go slack, and then just pop them off the bottom 6”-8” until you feel a tiny bit of vibration. Then let the lure pendulum back to the bottom slowly. Let it sit there for 3-5 seconds and then pop it again.
Winter fishing can not only be incredibly peaceful and tranquil but also very productive. In fact, on average I catch more and better quality bass per hour out of 36° water in January than out of 78° water in August.
Winter is such a great time for fishing. You generally have the lake to yourself; it is peaceful and quiet. It’s a great time to reflect. But it’s also a great time to catch some huge fish. So know your target, change your depth, find your structure, and change your lures. And if you do, it will open up a whole new season of productivity on the water.
Written and edited by Bobby Ulrich, Feelfree US Pro Staff
]]>This exercise can be done without any weight, but if you choose to use weights, I encourage you to keep it light. We aren’t going for personal records, we are simply trying to build up your muscle’s endurance over repetitive movements. I typically stick with a 10-pound dumbbell and sets of 3x10 or 3x15 per session. If you also experience “tennis elbow” which is pain on the outside of your elbow, you can repeat the exercise but with your palm facing down.
Lower back pain is the bane of many kayak anglers and is the next common issue we will try to address in this article. Even with an array of stand-up fishing kayaks, we spend many hours sitting and even more sitting in our vehicles traveling. This issue is compounded for those who sit for work. Some simple changes can be made for temporary relief, such as periodic standing at your desk or in your kayak, or stopping at a rest area to “stretch your legs”. However, these don’t address the main issue, a lack of back and abdominal strength. These muscles help keep the hips and back aligned in a way that reduces soreness. To target the back specifically, I like to specifically use the “Good Morning” exercise. This involves standing straight up with feet in a natural position, then proceeding to bend at the hips and slightly at the knees to try to achieve a 45-degree angle with your torso, then raising back up to a straight and relaxed position.
Just like many other exercises in this article, slow controlled motions with no to minimal weight is important to prevent further injury. I prefer to do these with no weight but holding a small weight in your hands is okay or a barbell on your back will work if you’re a little more advanced in your recovery. Again, I like to do sets of 3x10 or 3x15.
To help build abdominal strength, I like to use the goofy looking yet very effective “Deadbug” technique. This consists of laying on the floor on your back and bringing your knees up towards you to make a 45-degree angle at your hips as if you were sitting on a chair but facing the ceiling. Your arms should be completely extended towards the ceiling as well. Simultaneously lower one of your legs slowly while lowering the opposite side’s arm above your head (left leg down, right arm down). Return them to the starting position and do the same with the opposite limbs. During this exercise, you will feel your back arching away from the ground, be mindful of this and make sure your back remains in contact with the ground. This can be a deceptively difficult exercise, especially if you are using slow and controlled movements. I try to aim for sets of 3x10, but if you can only do 1 or 2 sets, that’s perfectly normal and gives you a barometer of where your core strength currently lies.
Finally, we will tackle shoulder pain. For kayakers who paddle, shoulder pain can be a big barrier to enjoying your time on the water. A paddling fisherman should be able to paddle one handed, which oft leads to awkward body positioning and the potential for muscle strains. Shoulder strength is not just for paddlers though, they are essential for loading/unloading your kayak, supporting your casting technique, and lifting heavy fish out of the water. There are a plethora of techniques to target your shoulder muscles, but I’m going to focus on just two here: The “Lateral Raise”, and the “Front Raise”. Both can be performed from the standing or the sitting position, however I prefer to stand for these. For the “Lateral Raise”, start with a light weight in both hands positioned on the side of your body in a natural position. Begin by slowly raising the back of your hands towards the ceiling, with arms outstretched (a small bend in your elbow is okay) until your arms are parallel with the floor, your body resembling a T, and then slowly returning back to the starting position.
The “Front Raise” is very similar with the main difference being that your hands will now be in front of you with the backs of your hands facing the direction you are looking. Begin by lifting your hands up so that the back of your hands are facing the ceiling, until your arms are parallel with the floor and the weights are out in front of your face, then slowly return them to the starting position. You may want to alternate arms in this exercise to allow space for your dumbbell or weight.
Once again, I keep the sets to 3x10 or 3x12 for these exercises and I suggest you start out with light weights, but this is an exercise that over time you may benefit from significant increases in weights as long as you maintain good form. You can most definitely cause a shoulder strain from grabbing a 45lb dumbbell and attempting to jerk it up to parallel (ask me how I know).
To wrap up our conversation on physical rehab, I’d also encourage you to consider adding some basic yoga routines into your day. The combination of stretching, body balance, and strengthening muscles you forgot about can be very useful in your rehab and your ability to stand in your kayak. On top of that, yoga by its nature requires you to be mindful of your body, which can translate to awareness of how your body feels on the water, and with enough practice, how cognitively sharp you are during your day of fishing. Our next section will touch more on these mental aspects of your fishing rehabilitation with the goal of making you the most complete angler you can be for the coming season.
Written by Kyle Strother, Feelfree US Pro Staff Team Member
Edited by Bobby Ulrich, Feelfree US Pro Staff Team Member
This Fall, I had the opportunity to travel and camp in the Northwoods and along the Mississippi River, photographing nature - both flora and fauna - from my kayak: Feelfree Moken 12.5 v2. In September, I purchased a new kayak, the Feelfree Moken 12.5 pdl, to allow for quick travel on the water. I have not used the pedal drive system as much as I anticipated, but being able to paddle or pedal allows for a more versatile experience on the water.
I took thousands of photos this fall. This blog showcases a few captioned images highlighting Fall while on the water. If you are not out paddling during the Fall season, you are missing out on some of the best wildlife activities of the year!
The Feelfree Moken 12.5 PDL. A lightweight, stable, fast, spacious, and maneuverable kayak very suitable for wildlife photographing from the kayak. I trust this kayak with my gear and its reliability to get me from point A to point B. The flat deck allows me to shoot and lay low while being comfortable with the EZ Rider seat. I am just overall impressed with Feelfree Kayaks' product and innovation. I'll be sticking with the Moken 12.5 pdl for a few years and look forward to the adventures next year.
The eagles of the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River is well known for its abundance of eagle sightings from Lake Itasca in MN to the Gulf of Mexico, a 2,350-mile stretch. The eagle congregation in the hundreds typically doesn't occur until the wintertime. During the fall, the juvenile bald eagles will start their migration journey. You will see many more mature bald eagles compared to juveniles for this reason. With the leaves withering, being able to spot the white head of the bald eagle becomes simple and allows for a great photo op.
The American White Pelican congregation. Fall is my favorite time of year to view the pelicans. They will gather in the thousands feeding until it is time to fly south. They are gentle giants but of course, I wouldn't dare get within their feeding grounds. Amazing birds to watch from afar, though!
The waterfowl migration. The abundant waterfowl provide a great food source for birds of prey, such as eagles. Many will live to migrate south and return to breed in the springtime. The waterfowl congregation is a must-see for any wildlife enthusiasts!
Green herons fledged and ready to migrate from their nesting ground. But not until they feed as much as they can before the fish starts to go deep! That's exactly what these green herons did. The fish will still hang out around the shallow water providing a food source for the herons. When the food becomes scarce, the green herons will start to migrate south to hopefully return to their breeding/nesting grounds to birth the next generation.
Ring-necked gull feeding on shad. Gulls are often viewed as pests due to their aggression towards food. Contrarily, they should be viewed as one of the most opportune bird species due to their versatility and success in attaining food. During the Fall at the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, gulls can be seen soaring 30' in the sky scouring the water for fish. When the fish becomes entrapped in the vegetation, the gulls would swoop down for a meal. It is a sight to see! Many gulls hang around in Wisconsin as long as there's open water. Certain stretches of the Mississippi River are open water so there viewing can be common.
The breathtaking Fall foliage. Amidst all the wildlife activity, we should not forget the everchanging nature scene all around us. Whether you're in the Northwoods or on the Mississippi River shoreline, there's ample opportunity to view the Fall foliage and palette.
Additional Fall photo highlights. Please enjoy the few more highlights this Fall. You can view the rest of my wildlife gallery at my site here: https://changlorwildlife.smugmug.com/
Written by Chang Lor, Feelfree Pros Staff Team Member
Edited by Bobby Ulrich, Feelfree Pro Staff Team Member
]]>I'm excited to share with you how I go about figuring out how to fish new sections of a lake or river that I haven't had a chance to fish before. This is my actual pre fish breakdown for a lake In my area I want to fish, but haven’t had the chance to yet. I’ll walk you through step by step, so you can see how I approach new water.
Ask around
I know this sounds overly basic, but it often yields results, or clues that I can use to figure out a game plan. In my pre fish of a new lake, I like to look online on a variety of platforms like Fishbrain, and various regional Facebook fishing groups. It’s pretty apparent that nobody is going to give up all of the juice, but getting one piece of the puzzle from multiple sources can give some insight into how to formulate a game plan. Many lakes have popular areas for water sports that you may just want to avoid altogether, a tip like this can save the heartache and frustration of fighting the wakes of water skiers.
In all honesty, I think that my well outfitted kayak gets people talking. Most of the time people ask about one function or another and I always love the chance to help people learn about kayaks; what to look for when you buy and I love to talk about why I bought a Feelfree. I love my Lure 11.5 V2 with Overdrive. I could talk about it long past what most people could tolerate, so I just hit the highlights like stability, comfort, the ability to stand up, and the fact that I can pedal and fish at the same time. I usually ask people, “Do you fish out here much?” Or I’ll ask, “what’s the biggest fish you’ve seen come out of this lake?” Those questions alway get people talking and usually encourage people to talk about more than they intend to. I usually share pretty openly about what lures have been bringing me success or failure on the water. Most people love to talk, and a friendly exchange usually makes the information flow more freely.
One Bite At A Time
Let’s be honest, the one downside to a kayak is that you can’t fire up your outboard and zip a dozen miles down the lake to your next spot in 10 minutes. On a lake of any size, we have to be realistic about how much water we can cover in a day. One great way to do this is by breaking down your lake into smaller “zones” and choosing which ones to fish. On the lake pictured, I have broken it down into 4 zones.
In this demonstration, I am going to choose to fish the Northeast zone. It has 2 main lake points, a few minor secondary points, flats, as well as two creek arms and a public launch. Also, I think it has the most varied options for structure and cover, as we will see in the next section. It is a section that I think I can cover in 3-4 hours, plus the return trip. Don’t try to fish the whole lake in one day. Plan another trip for another zone. Pro tip: don’t plan to cut across big water, especially if you’re solo. Your kayak will technically make the trip, but the chance of an incident with a boat or having to deal with large wakes is just a recipe for trouble.
Google Earth
One secret of many pros is Google Earth. It is super helpful in finding structure and cover before you ever hit the water. For this technique, you need to download Google Earth Pro on a laptop or desktop (it will not work on a phone). Once you find your body of water, cycle back through the timeline function to find a historical image with low water levels. You can then see in full color the bottom and hidden cover that so often is out of sight. Once you find your low water pictures, it is easy to find the hidden targets such as stumps, rock piles, river channels and sunken objects. This is a great way for those that don’t use a fish finder to get a look at the bottom topography without an investment in technology. For those who are deeply invested in tech, your graph is likely to be able to take GPS waypoint inputs from the bottom right of the Google Earth screen.
Fish Finders
A good fish finder is worth every penny. I have the Garmin Striker 9SV, and love it. In my experience, a graph with sideview and downscan are indispensable for understanding what is going on around your kayak. Without the help of technology, you can’t see fish, baitfish, bottom composition, deep vegetation and where it tops out. This feedback is invaluable when you are on the water.
I live in an area where ponds are everywhere and big lakes are an hour’s drive away. Unfortunately, none of my local bodies of water are large enough to have Navionics maps, so the ability to plot my own charts is a must. This feature has given me the ability to chart all of my favorite ponds and small lakes in my area. Like anything in life, the more options you add, the more it will cost you. But if you can afford it, spring for side view and a bigger screen. If you keep your eye out, you can usually shave a few bucks off on a Black Friday or Christmas Sale. Having My own charts, water temps and waypoints are critical to putting together a pattern when I’m on the water. Additionally, this lets me go back and analyze when I’m off the water. There have been many times where I have reviewed my charts and noticed small nuances in structure and points of interest that have led to fish catches on my next trip.
I hope that these tips will give you an edge in planning your next trip and add up to a few more fish next time you are out on the water.
Read Tips from the Pros: Breaking Down New Water Part 1 Here
Written by Andy Ulrich, Feelfree US Pro Staff Team Member
Edited by Bobby Ulrich, Feelfree US Pro Staff Team Member
With the festive season just around the corner, there's a frosty nip in the air, signaling the perfect time for both gift-giving and outdoor adventures. If you have a kayak fishing enthusiast in your life (or if you’re one yourself), the holidays are an opportune moment to upgrade that fishing experience. The fusion of kayaking's serenity with the adrenaline rush of fishing is unparalleled, and the right accessories can elevate that experience manifold. Here are the top five must-have kayak fishing accessories to gift this holiday season.
1. Anchor Trolley System: Hold Your Ground While many might underestimate its importance, a good anchor trolley system is a game-changer for kayak fishing. It allows anglers to adjust their kayak's positioning relative to the wind and current. This ensures that the kayak remains stable, enabling a more effective and safe fishing experience, especially when the water gets a bit choppy. It's like gifting the power of staying grounded – both literally and metaphorically – amidst the flowing currents of life (and rivers).
Staff Pick: The Kayak Anchor W/ Trolley Kit is a favorite among many kayak fishing aficionados. It boasts a low-profile design and offers easy installation, making it an ideal gift for both kayak fishing rookies and seasoned pros.
2. Fish Finder: Dive Deeper into the Waters An essential tool for those serious about their catch, a fish finder uses sonar to paint a picture of what's happening beneath your kayak. From identifying schools of fish to mapping underwater terrains, it significantly boosts the chances of a successful fishing trip. It's not just about making fishing easier but also about understanding the mysterious world beneath those wavy surfaces.
Prospect's Pick: Garmin Striker 4 with Transducer is a popular choice. It's user-friendly, provides clear imagery, and, best of all, it's portable, making it perfect for kayaks. Be sure to stock up on UNI-Track Accessory Plates or Bars to mount this accessory to your Feelfree Kayak.
3. Waterproof Storage: Keep the Essentials Dry When you're out on the water, keeping your gear dry is paramount. Waterproof storage solutions, like dry bags or deck bags, ensure that essentials like mobile phones, first-aid kits, or even snacks remain dry and safe from accidental splashes or an unexpected flip.
Staff Pick: Feelfree Gear Dry Tubes comes as a complete 100% waterproof dry bag for keeping your gear organized and safe. Available in various sizes and colors, it's both functional and stylish and can be used for any on or off the water adventure.
4. Rod Holders: Hands-Free Convenience A rod holder might seem like a basic accessory, but it’s indispensable. It allows the angler to paddle freely, set their rod down when tending to a catch, or even manage multiple rods at once. For a kayak fisher, this is akin to an extra pair of hands, making their expedition smoother and more enjoyable.
Staff Pick: Yak Attack Baitcaster/Spinning Rod Holder is versatile and durable. Its design caters to both baitcaster and spinning reels, making it a thoughtful gift for any kayak fishing enthusiast. Be sure to stock up on UNI-Track Accessory Plates or Bars to mount this accessory to your Feelfree Kayak.
5. Safety Gear: Safety First, Always While the holiday season is a time for joy and celebration, safety should never take a backseat. Gifting safety gear might not seem very 'festive', but it's perhaps the most thoughtful gift of all, showing you genuinely care about the person's well-being. PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices), whistles, and visibility flags are crucial for any kayak fishing trip.
Staff Pick: Astral Sturgeon PFD is adjustable, comfortable, and ensures that the wearer remains buoyant in the water.
Wrapping It Up (Literally and Figuratively) This holiday season, as you think about gifting, remember that the best gifts are those that add value to the recipient's life. For a kayak fishing enthusiast, accessories that enhance their experience, keep them safe, and make their adventures memorable are treasures beyond measure. We hope you enjoy these are 5 great ideas but be sure to check out our full line up of accessories for any paddling or kayak angler here. Happy Holidays and tight lines to all the anglers out there! 🎄🎣🛶
]]>Today we asked Rick Garavaglia to walk us through his latest Moken 12.5 V2 build.
“What ‘must-have’ modifications does this need to turn this into even more of a fishing machine?”
“What mods do I want to try that I have thought about in the past?”
“What mods do I need to skip?”
“Do I skip some mods permanently or do I need to wait and see how this works without them?”
“What ideas do others have who own Mokens?”
“How do I want to build it?”
“Should I go to the Facebook owners groups and search for ‘Moken upgrades’?”
These were some of the questions going through my head.
I knew that I wanted a trolling motor on my Moken. I use this Moken for tournaments, so I need to get from place to place in a hurry. I also wanted good rod storage, an anchor system, and a camera mount. Those were my main objectives going in. This is my build, and how I put it all together.
I’ve included a list of these items that I installed and that I use on my kayak. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me on any of my social media platforms. I’d love to interact with you and help in any way that I can.
Enjoy
1.Trolling Motor
I installed a Torqeedo 1103AC which required me to add a 4” aluminum YakAttack track for the Torqeedo throttle install.
After installing the Torqeedo, I needed to run cables for foot steering and the cord for the reverse lock. I have read a lot of comments over the years expressing the frustration with this aspect of installing a Beavertail Rudder and in my case the steering cables for my Torqeedo. My first word of advice is to take a deep breath and know that this could be a challenge. Patience is a virtue, just like being patient while fishing. My second piece of advice is to make sure the cables have a clean cut and really focus on making sure that each strand of the cable stays wound up as tight and bundled up the best you can manage. The cables need to go through the tubes and can catch on both ends. It only takes one strand to catch to put a halt to the entire process. They also need to feed through whatever you are using to secure them on each end. I use small aluminum sleeves that crimp and lock the wire in place. I also use some shrink wrap to help cover the ends of the cable to prevent them from catching anything from fishing line to a leg of your pants. This is where I had to work a little to get the wires through the sleeve twice so that I could crimp them. I installed my Sea-Lect Designs footbraces with rudder control and did my best to adjust the cable length properly.
The reverse lock rope that I use is the same rope that is used to stow and deploy the Beavertail Rudder. This black rope has been the source of frustration for nearly everyone who has attempted to install them. I have two tricks that I use and both have worked great so far. First, straighten out a crappie jig and then slightly bend the point of the hook. I’ve used this once the rope has been run through the tube but won’t come out the other end. Just use the tip of the crappie jig to fish the rope out the last ¼” where it catches the hard plastic plug. The other thing you can do is prep the tip of the rope by pinching a piece of the white core and sliding the black cover of the rope away from it a few inches. Trim the white core and then starting a few feet down the rope pinch the black rope and slide your fingers back toward the end. This should slide the black cover over the white core by a few inches. Using a lighter, heat the black cover until is shrinks a little and then melt the tip of the rope slightly to seal it. I used a sharp pair of scissors to trim up the excess so that it would fit in the tube. The rope went through on the first try. I chose not to install the cleat for my application. I only use this feature to lock the motor when I need to move in reverse quickly. If the motor is locked it can be damaged by submerged rocks and stumps because it can’t kick up.
I installed my stow and deploy rope for the Torqeedo on the right side using Yak Attack tie-down eyelet in the gear track and two snagless slotted padeyes to direct the rope away from my camera boom base, my flush mounted rod holders, and the throttle base. I added a Yak Attack short aluminum gear track on the right side of my seat for my throttle control. These projects went really quick.
Trolling Motor Mount M125 (email: ideawerksllc@gmail.com or Facebook: IdeaWerksLLC)
Torqeedo Throttle Mount with Track Mounted LockNLoad Mounting System (https://www.yakattack.us/torqeedo-throttle-mount-with-track-mounted-locknload-mounting-system/)
Torqeedo 1103 AC
Yak-Power Products:
Yak-Power (https://yak-power.com)
I added two extra rod holders (Feelfree Large Round Flush Mount) next to the existing rod holders on each side of my rear tankwell. There appears to be room for another set, but I’m resisting the temptation to add this third set. I did add a rod holder (Feelfree Rectangle Flush Mount) next to my seat to stage my rod for measuring fish, and retying lures or leaders. I also have a YakGadget Low Pro Crate with five rod holders which brings the total rod holder count for this river kayak to nine rods behind the seat.
Fishing Rod Holder- Flush Round- Large (x2) (https://www.feelfreeus.com/collections/parts-hardware/products/fishing?variant=31999315738763)
Fishing Rod Holders- Flush Rectangular- Medium (Pair) (https://www.feelfreeus.com/collections/parts-hardware/products/fishing-rod-holders-flush-rectangular?variant=31999314919563)
LoPro Crate System (https://yakgadget.com/collections/storage-accesories/products/lowpro-crate-system)
I installed an Anchor Wizard utilizing the front handle of kayak as the chute to guide and control my round ball 8 pound anchor. I utilize YakAttack Snagless Padeyes to direct any ropes that were not able to be ran inside the kayak. Specifically, I used two pad eyes and a Tie-Down Eyelet to guide the stow and deploy rope for the Torqeedo on the right side of my kayak, and two Padeyes to guide the rope for my anchor toward the front of my kayak.
Anchor Wizard Products:
Anchor Wizard Low-Profile Anchoring System (https://www.fishusa.com/YakAttack-Anchor-Wizard-Kayak-Anchoring-System/?sku=159715)
Snagless Slotted Padeye Kit, 6 pack (https://www.yakattack.us/snagless-slotted-padeye-kit-6-pack/)
I installed the YakAttack Mighty mount with Fullback for my front camera. This install was simple. I lined up the mount and used it as a template to drill the holes. I drilled the first hole and installed the screw so that I could better drill the second hole. Once the second bolt was installed the last two installed super easy. The first time I installed one of these mounts I drilled all four holes before installing any of the screws. The slightest difference made it difficult to install some of the bolts.
I utilize a RailBlaza MiniPort TracMount Base and Camera Boom 600 R-Lock for the rear camera. These two angles provide a majority of my video content on Flynfish Outdoors on YouTube.
Camera Boom 600 R-Lock (https://www.railblaza.com/products/camera-boom-600-r-lock/)
MiniPort TracMount Base (https://www.railblaza.com/products/miniport-tracmount-base/)
Camera Mount Adaptor (https://www.railblaza.com/products/camera-mount-adaptor/)
MightyMount II with Fullback (https://www.yakattack.us/mightymount-ii-with-fullback/)
The registration numbers for the kayak were ordered from a local print company. Be sure to double-check your states boating regulations for size, spacing, and other important regulations and laws regarding all things boating. And always wear your personal flotation device (PFD) when on the water.
I utilize a YakAttack Double Header to hold my KetchX board which keeps it out of the way and readily available to measure any fish that I catch. I use an elevated YakAttack Roto Grip Paddle Holder to stage my net on the right side. This set-up keeps my limited space clear and managed well.
Tie-Down Eyelet, Track Mount (2-pack) (https://www.yakattack.us/product_p/aap-1016.htm)
DoubleHeader with dual ParkNPole RotoGrips (https://www.yakattack.us/doubleheader-with-dual-parknpole-rotogrips-black/)
RotoGrip Paddle Holder (https://www.yakattack.us/YakAttack_Paddle_Holder_p/grp-1001.htm)
Feelfree Unitrack Adapter- 6 Pack (https://www.yakattack.us/yakattack-feelfree-unitrack-adapter-6-pack-adapter-plate-only/)
GT175 Gen II GearTrac 4” (https://www.yakattack.us/GT175G2_04_p/gt175g2-04.htm)
TowNStow BarCart Kayak Cart (https://www.yakattack.us/townstow-barcart-kayak-cart/)
I would love to add a YakPower power management system to my Moken, and if I ever use this kayak on a lake or large river I would want to have the navigation lights for added safety in areas where boat traffic is a consideration. I am also considering trying out the Feelfree Uni-bar for when I need electronics and more track space. For now I am pleased with this Feelfree Moken 12.5 build with one exception… when using the Torqeedo do NOT use the paddle holder built in to this Moken kayak. On three different occasions the wake created has caught the paddle and pulled one end underwater, which pushes the other end upward. Once I nearly lost a couple rods, a camera boom, and the hat off my head. The other two times weren’t as bad, but the most recent incident did break the bungee that held the paddle in place in the holder.
I recently took the maiden voyage on my new Feelfree Moken 12.5. It was a great first trip! Everything worked perfectly and I was rewarded with this 20.75” monster smallmouth bass. This solo river trip fit the primary purpose for this new kayak. I enjoy going on long float trips. However, by adding a Torqeedo I was able to single launch and fish my way upstream, which is the reason I was able to catch this big fish. This also allows me to fish a river without the need to organize a shuttle and relying on other people to be on time at the end of the day. This comes in handy in a tournament where every minute on the water can make a difference.
Written by Rick Garavaglia, Feelfree US Competitive Team Member
Edited by Bobby Ulrich, Feelfree Pro Staff Team Member
]]>Kayak fishing has surged in popularity over the last few years. It combines the serene tranquility of kayaking with the thrill of fishing. With advancements in technology, anglers are now turning to fish finders to enhance their kayak fishing experience. If you've recently purchased a fish finder but are unsure about the installation process, fear not! Here's a comprehensive guide on how to install a fish finder on your kayak.
Why Install a Fish Finder on Your Kayak?
Before we dive into the installation process, let's touch upon why having a fish finder on a kayak is a game-changer. These electronic devices detect the underwater reflections of fish, helping anglers to:
What You'll Need:
Before starting the installation process, ensure you have the following:
We recently opted for the Garmin 73SV as we find that Side View is a must-have for how we fish. Side view allows you to see structure on both sides of you. Side view lets you see and cast to structures such as lay downs, weed lines, rocks, and ledges.
Transducer Placement: This is the part of the fish finder that sends and receives sonar waves. The placement is crucial for accurate readings.
Display Screen Placement: Ensure it's within arm's reach and where you can easily view the screen without straining.
Installation Steps:Step 1: Mounting the Transducer
Step 2: Mounting the Display Screen
Step 3: Running the Cables
Step 4: Setting up the Battery
Having a fish finder on your kayak is a revolutionary way to improve your fishing game. It provides real-time insights into the underwater world, ensuring you're always in the best position to catch fish. While the installation may seem daunting, following this guide will ensure a smooth and efficient process. Remember, the key is to plan your installation, take your time, and ensure all components are securely fastened. Happy fishing!
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Jake's Kayak Fishing Setup:
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All these photos were shot from my kayak: Feelfree Moken 12.5 v2; a workhorse of a kayak that combines speed, stability, and tracking.
Common Carp
I had an unfortunate - but spectacular - encounter with hundreds of spawning common carp. From the moment I launched my kayak to the moment I returned to shore, the carp were surfacing around the refuge nonstop, which made for a great photo op to showcase their size and fearlessness. There were moments while spawning that the carp would smack the side of my kayak, rocking me. They are tough!
While paddling along the marsh, I came face to face with a young raccoon foraging the grassy shoreline. Although the encounter was short, the curious woodland critter didn't shy away from seeing who was on the other side of the grass. I don't know if it was my camouflage attire or Moken, but the raccoon took a few seconds to register what I was.
Bald Eagle
A mature bald eagle and her young nest. I’ve frequently visited this county park over the past three years since moving to my new home. This is the first year I've seen this nest. Both eagles were continually adding wooded materials onto their nests in preparation for the incubation of their eggs.
Turkey Vulture
Imagine floating down the river and passing by a group of turkey vultures perched along the shoreline and nearby trees. That's what happened while I took this shot and continued my float. They were sheltering from the high winds. Although they spotted me, all I had were motionless glares; spooky, but surprising!
Eastern Kingbird
The return of the kingbird also brought back with him a hungry appetite for emerging flies along the river. I had a memorable time photographing kingbirds flying from branch to branch eating flies along the riverbank. As I continue to see them more frequent going into the summer, I'm reminded of how aggressive they actually are because of their appetite and intolerance for birds of prey. I have seen kingbirds chase away eagles within their nesting ground.
Yellow Warbler
The warblers have also returned with a hungry appetite. The flies are abundant, giving these birds and others great opportunity to feed in preparation for nesting season. Their vibrant plumage makes them easy to catch, but not the easiest to photograph as they dart back and forth seeking flies.
Painted Turtle
The ease in getting into tight waterways is an absolute advantage of owning a kayak. This photo was made possible due to just that, captured in a windless bay surrounded by the songs of warblers and orioles.
Groundhog
One of the most memorable encounters I've had on any of my kayaking trips was this moment. What I thought was a squirrel turned out to be a groundhog scurrying the woody shoreline. It spotted me while hiding behind a tree in the most cliché-spying way. 30 seconds later, the groundhog scattered off into a giant log, presumably its den.
Common Snapping Turtle
A yearling basking in the sun after months of hibernating. I floated motionlessly, allowing the wind to track me towards the turtle that produced this image. It's amazing that these guys can live up to 40 years!
Forster's Tern
I encountered a flock of about a dozen terns hunting - or fishing - for baitfish throughout the marsh. Their tolerance to people allowed for close capturing of these majestic birds. I learned they are endangered in Wisconsin due to loss of habitat from deforestation and flooding, but making a recovery due to the efforts of artificial nesting grounds for them.
Thank you for viewing and reading this series! If you are interested in viewing my entire wildlife gallery and/or ordering my work, please visit https://changlorwildlife.smugmug.com/.
Thank you!
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Thanks for reading and viewing!
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Written by Chang Lor, Feelfree Pros Staff Team Member
Edited by Bobby Ulrich, Feelfree Pro Staff Team Member
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]]>Step 1: Looking at Nautical Charts
First order of business is to open up Google Maps as well as a secondary mapping software if you have access to one. i Boating: GPS Nautical Charts is free. I tend to gravitate more towards Navionics for this particular type of research. This should be what you are looking at when you first dive in.
The first thing i like to look at is the satellite view and i start to break the body of water down into smaller more manageable areas like so.
What I have effectively done is break this large body of water down into three separate sections based on the natural geography of the lake. Next we are going to zoom into the section I circled in yellow and take a closer look at both satellite and Navionics to start pinpointing areas that look like they could be productive. Upon zooming in closer I noticed the yellow section can actually be broken up further into additional areas. I would treat the area to the northeast of “Rattlesnake Island” as its own separate entity. Here is a closer look. Now let’s begin to break this area down.
Looking at this particular area we can see that there is a very large residential area with a lot of docks. There are also a-lot of great looking vegetation covered banks in the body of water NE of Rattlesnake Island with several small submerged islands and some good looking ledges, all sitting in less than 30 feet of water.
Step 2: Develop a float plan
From here I would start to develop my float plan and figure out where to start and end the day. Large bodies of water can never be fully fished in a single day, therefore you will have to pick and choose the areas that look the most promising for fish to find cover, all while considering where you will get into and off of the body of water. Utilizing Google Maps can really help you get an idea of how to access a body of water. Find a launch point that will allow you to fish the area you’d like without spending your entire day paddling or pedaling.
I absolutely love fishing docks, so this residential area would most likely be a focus for me for at least one day if not several. You could probably spend an entire day just picking apart these docks and never hit the more open section outside of it.
One hazard of larger bodies of water is that they tend to get very windy and the water can get choppy. When that happens I tend to steer clear of very large open areas like I circled in RED. Those areas will be a nightmare to try and fish in a kayak and will be dangerous when water starts to produce whitecaps that big water is prone to do. Keep that in mind, wear your life jacket and stay safe!
Doing research on the water you will be fishing is paramount to being successful whether you are a tournament angler or just someone who is doing it for the love of the sport. So get on your computer, tablet or phone and start breaking water down and zooming into areas to find those spots that will be productive throughout the day.
Written by Kyle Matlock, Feelfree Pros Staff Team Member
Edited by Bobby Ulrich, Feelfree Pro Staff Team Member
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]]>Saturday, 4/15 – The first official weekend where our surrounding lakes are ice-free! Wisconsin saw record-high temps the past few days, which really helped to melt any remaining ice on the water. I put on my drysuit, loaded my Feelfree Moken 12.5″ and headed out to a local lake to do some wildlife watching. This is my favorite time of the year: migratory waterfowls returning, courting, and bringing new life into the world. I was also excited to just be back on the water enjoying a good paddle while observing the environment. Spring has not sprung here in Wisconsin yet, but I am optimistic that April showers will bring May flowers and with it, new life.
The six outings I was able to do for the month of April were dreary conditions with low light and snow flurries and/or light rain (or both…). Thankfully, I had weatherproof camera gear to allow me to continue shooting and take on the opportunity of shooting in “creative” lighting environment.
The Feelfree Moken 12.5 remained as reliable as ever while paddling and photographing wildlife. The combination of stability and tracking allowed for simple maneuvering through the marsh.
Please enjoy the following wildlife highlights of my trip this month!
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Thanks for reading and viewing!
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Written by Chang Lor, Feelfree Pros Staff Team Member
Edited by Bobby Ulrich, Feelfree Pro Staff Team Member
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Question 1. “What kind of fish finder is right for me?”
If you only fish the local lakes and ponds in the summertime and rarely branch out from there, you may be in luck. Just a simple down imaging fish finder may be all you need. It will tell you everything that you need to know, including water temp, water depth, and bottom conditions. That may be all you want to put more fish in the kayak.
If you tend to venture out to new bodies of water, fish larger reservoirs, or fish northern waters in the winter, you may want to pay a few extra dollars and get side imaging. This will allow you to learn more about what lies around your kayak, and let you see more potential staging areas for fish in the summer, but also in the winter.
Question 2. “How big of a display do I need?”
While much of this comes down to personal preference, anything from a 4” screen to a 9” screen should do the trick. If you only need down imaging, a smaller screen will work just fine. A large screen might be a better option if you need to see side imaging in detail.
Also take into consideration where you would like your display to be. If you want it just to the side of you, so that you can change settings and add waypoints on the water, then a smaller screen might be perfect. I knew that I didn’t need to have mine at arms reach, so I mounted it in the center of my Lure 11.5, just behind the Overdrive, and I bought a 9” screen so that I can see the screen easier from my seat.
Question 3. “How do I power it?”
Again, this comes down to personal preference. Some guys will buy a larger traditional battery because they want to also power a trolling motor. I opted for a lithium battery from Nocqua. A 10ah battery will power a 9” display with side imaging for around 8 hours, while being small enough to fit in your pocket.
You will probably need to have some simple tools on hand including a heat gun and wire crimpers. But let’s not connect the wires just yet.
Question 4: “Where will I mount it?”
Really there are limitless options for this. But Feelfree makes it pretty simple to mount a fish finder to their kayaks.
Option 1: The pod mount
If you are mounting your fish finder to a kayak that has a Sonar Pod, simply purchase a mount that will allow you to hard mount the screen to the top of the sonar pod, and then do the same for the transducer. Ram Mounts makes some of my favorite brand specific mounts for fish finders and transducers.
Option 2: The rail mount
The second option is to do a rail mount. If you have a pedal driven kayak, this might be your best option. Our friends at Yakattack and Railblaza make great rail mounts for your display.
Option 3: The hard mount
Many Feelfree kayaks have four circular pads that are slightly raised on the bow of the boat. These are mounting pads that are designed to allow you to mount any number of accessories directly to the hull. I utilized these pads to mount, not just my graph, but also a mount for my phone.
Often people are apprehensive about drilling holes into their hull to mount something like a fish finder. Let me reassure you that drilling into your kayak for normal mounting purposes (fish finder, anchor trolly, phone holder, through hull wiring kit or similar) will not void the warranty on your kayak.
If you are worried about reselling your boat in the future, just leave the ball joint screwed into the mounting pad, and purchase another ball joint for your new kayak. That modification actually then becomes a selling feature for any prospective buyer. Your kayak is pre rigged for a fish finder. When mounting anything to the hull that will support more than a few pounds of weight, be sure to add washers to the inside of the hull to better distribute the stress on the body of the kayak.
Question 5: “What do I do with the wires?”
If you are doing a Sonar Pod mount, just contain both the battery and the wires in the pod itself. The Sonar Pod was designed to be an all in one mounting solution for Feelfree Kayaks.
If you are utilizing a rail mount or hard mount, you have two options. You can either purchase a through hull wiring kit from Yakattack, and route all of the cables through the inside of the kayak, or you can just leave all the wires on the outside of the hull.
The benefits of running them through the hull is that it provides a clean, finished look to your kayak. If you choose this option, be sure to route all of the cables before connecting the power cable to the battery cable. On the battery side of the cables, there is probably a fuse box. You don’t want to have to feed this fuse box through the hull. It would require a much larger hole.
The benefits of just routing the cables outside the hull is that you can easily move your fish finder between kayaks.
Question 6: “What do I do with the transducer?”
If you are doing a pod mount, simply attach your transducer to the bottom of the pod with the hardware that came with your fish finder. If you aren’t using the Sonar Pod, you have a couple options based on the type of transducer you have.
If you just have downscan your transducer should be pretty small. Purchase some plumber’s putty at your local hardware store. Take a handful of putty and warm it by massaging it in your hands. Work the putty into a hot dog shape that is just longer than your transducer, and press it into the hull of your kayak, just in front of the hole for the Overdrive. Press the transducer down firmly into the putty. Press it hard enough that the transducer makes contact with the hull of the kayak.
If your fish finder has a side scan transducer, you will need to purchase a transducer arm. A side scan transducer must be in the water. It cannot be inside the hull of the kayak. Some companies make generic mounts that will fit most transducers, and some make special brand specific mounts. Be sure that you purchase an arm that will work with your transducer.
Question 7: “Anything else I should know?”
Just be sure to pay special attention to your transducer when beaching your kayak. You don’t want to have to replace it because you damage it on rocks. Most transducers are pretty resilient, but just be cautious.
If you use an Overdrive, pull up your transducer when you pull up your pedals as you come into shore. If you have a Sonar Pod, just pop the latch that holds it in place. This will allow the transducer to float up a bit if it contacts anything under the surface.
Adding a fish finder has the potential to change your fishing game in significant ways. For more great mounting ideas, check out the Feelfree groups on Facebook, and we’ll see you on the water!
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Bobby's Kayak Gear List
Yakgear Backwater Assassin paddle
Lowrance 9” Ti2 with Ram Mounts
Railblaza C-Tug with Sandtrakz
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Written by Bobby Ulrich, Feelfree US Pro Staff Team Member
Club Championship for the WVKA in Jackson County….
A few years ago the WVKA(West Virgina Kayak Anglers) made the change from a on- day to a two-day format for our club championship. Since I’m a pastor and Sundays are my busiest day of the week I haven’t been able to participate in Sunday tournaments. On average I can take two Sundays a year for vacation. So, this year I chose to take a couple vacation days so that I could participate in this year’s championship. The club championship is our only two-day each year for our club and it offers double points. So, if an angler doesn’t compete or doesn’t do well their AOY standings take a big hit. For me, two years ago I dropped out of the top 10 all the way to 20th place in AOY because I couldn’t fish the championship. Last year I was in Top 10 again before the Championship, and was even near had the lead in the tournament after day one (maybe in 3rd?), but couldn’t fish the second day. I ended the year 15th in AOY points. To say this tournament was important to me is an understatement because I haven’t had a solid finish this season.
Preparation:
I spooled my six new “Arrival” reels from Sixgill prior to this tournament and paired them with my favorite casting rods. I charged my Torqeedo battery and all my Zpro Lithium batteries that power my other electronics. I also packed my clothes, jerseys, and all my gear and then left Friday morning for my practice day. As I was getting ready to put my truck in gear, I made the choice to practice on Woodrum Lake since it was the closest of the three that we were competing on for this tournament. I arrived at the lake about 7 a.m. and began setting my kayak up for the day. I tied new leaders on my rods and finished some other things before hitting the water. This was my first day out in about two months due to coaching soccer for my son’s high school team. So, I had a lot to finishing preparing.
Pre-fishing: (Friday)
My goal was to explore the lake and find some fish for the first day of the tournament. Woodrum Lake is known for having good numbers of fish, but not many opportunities for big fish. I had heard the other lakes had been highly pressured and that fishing was tough. I also was hoping that if I got limits both days of this tournament that I may have a chance to qualify for the State Championship that the best anglers from each of the three state clubs would compete for the title of the best of the best. So, I decided to be safe and fish for a solid limit and relocate to a different lake to try to upgrade if time allowed.
While pre-fishing I caught my first fish in the back of a pocket on a Pop-R, but couldn’t reproduce that bite to develop a pattern. I explored a few other places on the lake looking at the various cover and structure that was available. I decided to throw a chatterbait as a search bait and see what happened. I managed to catch two more fish. I did get a few other strikes that helped me start keying in on grass edges. I left the lake feeling that I could find fish here the next day.
Day 1 Competition: (Saturday)
I returned to Woodrum Lake after deciding to focus on getting a limit. I started on the point at the edge of a pocket that I caught my first fish in during practice. I fished into the pocket with a Pop-R and then returned to the point and started flipping a jig that teammate Jerry Spradling gave me the night before. I worked through the standing timber on the point and eventually got to a branch on the edge of some grass and got first bite of the day. The fish came off though when I lost tension on the rod while reaching for my net. I moved to the next set of cover and landed my first fish of the day after raising another fish in the same treetop. I managed to reproduce this bite several more times to get a small limit. I also lost a few key fish that would have made my day a lot better. I did manage to upgrade throughout the day, but still left about 9” on the lake to end Day One in 17th place with 57.50”.
Day 2 Competition: (Sunday)
After a lot of debate on the way to the interstate, I decided to go to O’brien Lake. Overall, I felt that this lake fished more to my style of fishing, and if I could grind out a limit then it would be worth the extra opportunity for much bigger fish.
After launching my Feelfree Lure 13.5, I made the long run toward the dam to try to get further away from most of the pressure of the other competitors. I eventually got to the spot that I wanted to start on. I caught my first fish about 100 yards into that section after losing a small 11” fish in a bush. I actually believe that I caught it later in the day when I returned to that bush to give it a second try. I worked that area of the lake thoroughly managing a small limit. Fish #1 was on a Payne Outdoors “That Stick Bait” and my second fish was running a Texas rigged Payne Outdoors Riblet over some mats. My next three was caught on the jig Jerry Spradling gave me with a Zoom Ultravibe Craw trailer. Now it was time to look for some monsters.
I was focused on two types of cover up to this point. I was flipping a jig into grass and under bushes and wood on the bank. I later found out that was the winning pattern that Jody Queen was doing. I would follow it up with a Payne Plastics “That Stick Bait” plastic in my own custom color when needed. Then came a little clue. I flipped my jig to my left into some standing timber in about 6’ of water. On my second cast I caught my biggest fish so far for the day that measured 12.50” which was really cool and an important upgrade. I worked my way up the lake looking for more things similar to this, but everywhere I went there were other anglers near the same kind of cover. I made the decision to head back down the lake. I could find the timber that fit what I was looking for and it was now after 1:30 p.m. I decided to head back to the small cove beside the one where I had caught my last fish. I had not flipped any of the timber in that cove. Anyway, again on my second cast I got a bite and set the hook on my biggest fish of the tournament that measured 17.75” for a really good upgrade. I finished the day with 63.50” and a total of 121” which was good enough for 10th place.
This tournament was a grind. I never found a flurry of big fish like I had hoped. My body also wasn’t acclimated to being in the kayak and putting in long days on the water. I’m thankful for the Feelfree Gravity seat. Since I did not get to fish since July 23 I had to overcome other issues simply from a set-up perspective. I was popping leader knots in practice. They simply weren’t tied well enough and simple snags that I can usually recover lead to lost lures. I was out of practice with tackle management and I brought too much tackle out on the water with me. Although, having water and sandwiches helps a lot, but there isn’t much that can be done to be ready for the physical and mental challenge of being in a kayak for 8.5 hours or more for three straight days other than being able to put in time out on the water. I also stood up in my kayak while out on the water to stretch and change a little perspective and pick apart cover better.
I was surprised with a 10th place finish in this tournament. From the time I got out of the water until the awards ceremony started I hadn’t thought one time that a top 10 was even possible for me. When they said, “10th Place with 121”, I thought is it me? I am truly blessed by God with this finish that allowed me to finish the year in 12th place in the AOY race, and qualifies me for the State Championship! I’m thankful that I’m blessed with great partners that have encouraged me and helped me by sponsoring me and supporting me in this fishing endeavor!
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Rick's Kayak Fishing List:
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Rick's Fishing Gear:
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Rick's Fishing Apparel
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Written by Rick Garavaglia, Feelfree US Competitive Team Member
Edited by Bobby Ulrich, Feelfree Pro Staff Team Member
]]>Feelfree US Director of Marketing, Roland Jimenez added, “Our Diamond Spring distribution center will allow dealers to take advantage of a broader range of merchandise, lower shipping costs, immediate restocking capabilities and a general increase in brand awareness as we increase our presence on the west coast.”
This will be Feelfree’s fourth distribution center. Feelfree maintains its national headquarters and distribution center in Asheville, North Carolina with two additional micro-distribution centers in Texas and Florida. Combined with the new Diamond Springs warehouse, Feelfree US has increased its total warehouse space to over 40,000 square feet.
For more information, visit www.FeelfreeUS.com
Company Overview
Feelfree US, LLC is owned and operated out of Swannanoa, North Carolina and distributes boats, kayaks and accessories designed for recreational use, which have redefined the paddling and fishing industries with unique and innovative features and designs throughout North America. Feelfree US is part of a world-wide team distributing multiple product brands to over 40 countries around the globe. Feelfree Kayaks is one of several brands including 3 Waters Kayaks, Seastream Kayaks, Jonny Boats, Feelfree Gear, Nav8 and Chilart, manufactured by Joy Sports Co. Ltd, based in Bangkok Thailand.
If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please contact Roland Jimenez, at roland@feelfreeus.com.
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While some people eat, breathe and sleep tournaments, some of us are more reluctant to get involved. After all, fishing a tournament seems to carry with it pressure that isn't present on a normal day on the water.
So to give us some perspective on how to rig out our kayaks for a successful tournament, we brought some of our top tournament anglers together to help us out a bit! Today we are joined by Rick Garavaglia, John Rapp, Joshua Boothe and Jerry Spradling.
Thanks so much for joining us today guys! I’m really looking forward to hearing some of your best tournament rigging ideas! Let’s jump right in.
Preparing your kayak for a tournament is much different that preparing for your favorite day at your local lake. What general categories are you thinking through when you are rigging your kayak for a tournament?
Rick: This is my fifth season fishing in tournaments and a lot has changed for my preparation the last four years. First, I have discovered things that work for me. I will not change those things. I’m going to use the same kayak as last season. I’m going to use the same electronics, rods, lures, and line. I’ve switched before and struggled. Those things I want to keep consistent for muscle memory and consistency. Second, I am double checking electronics. I’m making sure my batteries are taking charges and that they work with my YakPower system and fish finders. I won’t assume they are going to work and launch the first day of the tournament and find out a wire is loose. Third, I’m also looking over little things that bugged me last season and try to make those things better with minor adjustments. For example, I need to add a pulley and replace a rope that needs to be just a few inches longer for my Torqeedo. I keep reminding myself that any major adjustments can also create unintended issues. Finally, I’m building lists of things I need to pack so I don’t forget a paddle again, or forget my pole for my Micro anchor.
John: I agree with what Rick stated. Plus, It's all about research or your familiarity with the locations of the upcoming event. Take the appropriate kayak setup for river floating or cruising a lake, and prep your fishing equipment for the use of baits in deep water versus moving water. Switch out rods and reels with the appropriate fishing line, whether it's fluorocarbon or braid, based on water type and clarity. Always have those packed boxes of tools, additional terminal tackle and lures for those last minute emergencies. You never know when you’ll have a broken prop, busted rod tip, or stripped reel. Also bring a plastic welder and spare batteries.
Jerry: Man, you guys think through so many things! I keep it pretty simple. I just think through what gear I may need for a particular fishery in the way of baits and such. And whether to take my anchor or not. Plus, I have two kayaks. One is strictly a lake boat (unless the river has plenty of depth) and the other I use in swifter waters such as the New River and Greenbrier here in West Virginia.
Joshua: The others covered it pretty well but don’t forget snacks and water! Staying hydrated is important when you're on the water for 8 hours straight. Plus I like snacks.
John: Yes! Snacks! How did I forget those?
Rick: I gotta put snacks on my list that I’m making. They might even be listed above my micro power pole. Haha!
That’s great guys. When you think back at all the tournaments that you have competed in, what was the one time where you were like, “I wish I would have rigged my kayak differently than I did today”?
John: I learned early that if you aren’t familiar with the tournament water that you need to research it. I fished a very swift and rough river (South Branch of the Potomac RIver) once without several tools that could have helped me tremendously: (1) My kayak was not equipped with a rudder (I had yet to install it). That would have assisted nicely in getting me positioned to run rapids and help when I was pushing hard with my paddle to steer the kayak. (2) the other was a drag chain… it would have also helped keep me straight when hitting those bigger class two and three rapids. Luckily I made it through without a spill or loosing any equipment.
Jerry: One year in Florida I would have loved to have had a push pole to get back into the mats a little better. Paddling around in them was impossible.
Rick: I fished Florida for the first time in 2022. I was wishing the entire trip that I had saved more money and purchased a Torqeedo, or other motor that was designed for a kayak. I had a DIY set-up that worked great in the lakes and rivers at home in WV. However, the vegetation was so thick in Florida that I fought all week with my trolling motor. I was running a 50 or 55 lb thrust Minnkota on the back of my kayak as well as a Micro Power Pole mounted on a thick piece of aluminum. It was really difficult to clear the grass, lily pad roots, and other things off my prop. And to top everything off the wind on day one of the tournament made everything more difficult!
Joshua: Rick, I’ve never had a problem with my trolling motor.
Rick: Really?
Joshua: My first tournament on Lake Guntersville I was having a hard time fishing the grass beds because of the prop on my motor. Getting through thick slop with any kind of prop is tricky and usually leads to a big mess.
Rick: So you made the same mistake I did! Haha!
Joshua: Yep!
Thanks for sharing that guys. For the tournaments that you have fished, are there any unique things that you do to rig your kayak that you don’t see a lot of other people doing?
Jerry: I’ve added a couple storage pouches to both the Dorados I have owned. They’ve come in handy for keeping wrenches, soft plastics, and scents as well as keeping the small 360° light I use during predawn launches.
John: I have been fortunate to be part of a team with another company where I get to use some prototype mounts. One currently is a side rail mount that is four sided that extends from the front track to the rear track on the sides of my kayak… I can then add horizontal rod stagers, my motor throttle and other accessories… Last Summer I was fortunate to get the first rear mounted plate for my Moken 12.5 and rigged up a New Port Vessels NK180. You could basically ski behind that thing.
Rick: A lot of what I do I think are pretty well industry standard for most tournament fishermen. I do keep two (2) Tackle Workz Donkey leashes in my kayak to attach fish to and place them back in the water to let them calm down prior to measuring or while I double check my photos prior to release. The reason I carry two Donkey leashes is to have one for back-up if one breaks, and in the unlikely event that I land two fish on one lure like a crankbait or jerkbait. Last year I started placing my net in a way that would help prevent fish from flipping off the Ketch board and directly into the water. It has saved a couple smaller fish. I also use two smaller 7” Garmin Echomap graphs. I typically have one screen on maps to see my waypoints and the other I have split between sideview and a couple different downview images. Eventually I hope to have Livescope. Both of these are mounted on my Feelfree Sonar Pod for easy removal and safe storage in my truck.
Joshua: For my Lure 13.5 I made my own stern mounted motor and a hands free steering system for a trolling motor. I can just cruise down a bank while fishing and never put down my rod.
Great. In closing, if you could leave people with one piece of advice to rig their kayaks well this tournament season, what would it be?
Rick: My best advice is to try to update things when you have time to try it out and practice with it prior to tournaments. Do not try a new kayak on the first day of a tournament. And do not make major changes to your kayak prior to a tournament if you cannot try them out. If you change anything before a tournament, be sure to make minor adjustments or replace things exactly as they were. At least make sure any changes are things that you know will work and that will not create other problems/issues while out on the water. So, my advice for rigging your kayak this tournament season would be to get as much time on the water prior to competition with your set-up and figure out what needs done well before tournament day.
John: Everyone here has made great suggestions, but no matter what kayak you are using, getting the rudder kit should be your very first add on. It makes life so much easier on the water.
Jerry: Well, not necessarily rigging, but the old adage, buy your second kayak first. Meaning, go ahead and save the extra money to get the good one you think you’ll want later and save the money of rigging one that you’re just gonna get rid of a year down the road.
Joshua: My advice is to get a lot of tethers and tie your tools down. I keep my pliers and scissors and all that tethered to my seat. You don’t want to drop something and it sinks to the bottom of the lake. I even keep my phone tethered. There are several great companies out there that build a product just for kayakers so we can keep our gear safe. If you drop your pliers or phone into the water, your tournament is over.
Rick: If I dropped my phone in the water, I’d just draw pictures of my fish on my board.
Jerry: I’m not sure those would be accepted.
Rick: I’m not sure you have seen my drawing skills.
John: Haha! You guys are great.
I agree! You guys are great. Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and share with us some of your best practices. Hopefully we can all learn from your time in tournaments. I’m going to go and add snacks to my tournament list right now.
Good luck everyone on this tournament season! From what I’ve seen so far, it’s going to be a great one!
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Bobby's Kayak Gear List
Yakgear Backwater Assassin paddle
Lowrance 9” Ti2 with Ram Mounts
Railblaza C-Tug with Sandtrakz
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Written by Bobby Ulrich, Feelfree US Pro Staff Team Member with help from Rick Garavaglia, John Rapp, Joshua Boothe and Jerry Spradling, all Feelfree US Competitive Team Members
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Rapp has been helping manage the team as an advisor for several years and was influential in the launch of the FeelFree SummerSlam, an annual customer appreciation event. More recently, Rapp initiated the Feelfree Fishing Team Monthly Podcast, taking on the role of host.
The Team Manager position has been established under the direction of Director of Marketing, Roland Jimenez, positioning Rapp as the primary point of contact for all of the Feelfree family of brands teams which include Feelfree Kayaks, 3 Waters Kayaks, Seastream Kayaks and Jonny Boats. He will also be assisting with managing and monitoring a variety of related owner's groups and the team's social profiles.
“John has earned his role as Team Manager for a variety of reasons but mostly due to his proven passion for the sport and dedication to Feelfree as a highly active and one of the longest established team members.” said Roland Jimenez, Director of Marketing for Feelfree US.
John Rapp was raised in West Virginia, where he developed a passion for bass fishing at an early age with his Grandmother and Father through high school. After a seven year stint in the US Army, Rapp returned to West Virginia and casually fished up until 2013 turning his sights on kayak fishing. In 2014 Rapp's passion for kayak fishing began with Feelfree as a pro staff member eventually evolving into a kayak tournament angler.
Rapp says he is looking forward to all aspects of his new role. “I am highly focused on continuing to assist new and current customers of Feelfree with the knowledge they need to enjoy the sport of kayak fishing. I am also excited to start working with our team at a higher level to grow our brand presence at kayak fishing tournaments both locally and nationally."
This position will also play a key role in working with organizations and companies that want to be involved with the fishing team to provide members the tools they need to be more competitive than ever.
For more information, visit www.Feelfreeus.com/team.
The Feelfree Fishing Team (F3) was established in 2013 as means to help promote the sport of kayak fishing through a group of individuals who have a mutual passion for kayak fishing. Members of the team represent Feelfree Kayaks, 3 Waters Kayaks, Seastream Kayaks and Jonny Boats.
]]>Knowing we couldn't do this alone, I went scoured our FeelFree Instagram account and started researching places and people we could link up with while we were in Florida. The main objective was to fish and connect with some of the faces that represent FeelFree Kayaks. A few messages later and the trip would soon be in the works.
We loaded up and began our journey from North Carolina. Fast forward 24 hours, we arrived at our first boat ramp before sunrise in Central Florida for our fishing session. We quickly pulled down to the boat ramp and hid one of the kayaks on our trailer out of sight (more on this later). We were greeted by Kevin (better known as 863 Bassin) and his son Bradley. Kevin is an Instagram phenomenon, inspiring anglers of all generations to enjoy the grind.
Kevin's son, Bradley soon noticed a random kayak (the one we kept hidden) down by the boat ramp as we met up. We walked down there with cameras and keyed Bradley in on the surprise. Eight-year-old Bradley was the proud new owner of a Moken 10 Lite v2. Bradley loved to fish but had found that his current kayak hindered his small stature. So we opted to get him in the Feel Free Moken 10 Lite V2 as it is small enough for him to handle but still offers everything he needs to have some fun fishing.
We fished from sun up to sun down that day and have sunburns, photos, and exiting memories to enjoy. We did manage to catch a few fish but ultimately laughed and smiled a lot more.
The following day, we loaded the Feelfree van and were on our way to South Florida. This region has been a bucket list item for Colby and me, intending to target Peacock Bass and Snakehead.
We soon met with Corey Nowakowski, your current World Record Holder for Snakehead and Local Guide. Corey showed us where these fish lived, and I found it funny that we were fishing in canals next to golf courses and only a few feet behind people's houses. Corey ran us through the drill of catching Snakehead, and soon we were off chasing them.
First up would be the Peacock Bass and me. I saw a few under a bridge and made a cast in that direction. A few rod jerks, then a flash, and I was on with my first Peacock Bass. Next would be Colby with a Snakehead, which would conclude his goal of catching all three species of Snakehead. The day would go on, and the heat was brutal. A few casts along the bank, and I saw what appeared to be a Snakehead eat my frog. A few moments of yelling and then silence as the fish got away. Yes, I had hooked up and lost my first Snakehead. However, we would end the day on a high note by caching a few more Peacock Bass.
The drive back to North Carolina would begin later that afternoon. Smiles and memories filled the car ride home as we laughed about the fish we caught and the ones we missed. We would like to thank everyone who made the trip possible and showed us around their areas. While this trip is in the rearview, the memories will live with us for many years.
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Follow 863 Bassin Here: @863bassin
Book your Snake Head Hunt Here: Captain Corey Nowakowski
Written by Jake Smith
Photography by West Ashe
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Lure 11.5 Adventure Build
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Dorado V2 Adventure Build
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Despite its shorter length at 10' 4”, the Moken 10 PDL is not only designed for skinny waters and smaller people, but also just as capable taking on bigger lakes and bays with larger loads. Its 35" width paired with a massive capacity of over 400lbs provides ample stability so anglers can pedal, fish and even stand and spot cast with confidence while adventure seekers will appreciate its ability to carry all of their gear. The kayak's length also makes it easier to store and transport while getting it to the water from a vehicle is a breeze thanks to the integrated Wheel in the Keel and the molded in handles.
“We are opening the door to pedal kayaking for those with limited space and transportation capabilities without sacrificing the experience of a full-size pedal kayak,” said Roland Jimenez, the Director of Marketing for Feelfree US. “Our designers made it a priority to expand the deck area and incorporate the multi-position seat functionality to accommodate both taller individuals while also feeling compact and comfortable for smaller pedalers.”
In addition to the integrated pedal system and multi-position suspended seat, the Moken 10 PDL offers a variety of features designed for all-day fun or fishing including the UNI-Track rail accessory mounting system, two fishing rod holders with leashes and multiple storage areas.
The launch of the Moken 10 PDL initiates the Moken Series pedal series and is now available worldwide through authorized dealers. For availability, dealer inquiries and other information, visit www.FeelfreeUS.com
Product Specifications:
Here, you will learn how to not only install, and adjust, but disassemble and reassemble your 8 Ball Steering should you need to.
Tip #1: Installation
Quick Tip: Before beginning the installation, be sure not to rotate the handle of your 8 Ball Steering.
First lay out all the components included with your 8 Ball Steering. You will also need to grab a phillips head screwdriver, and the allen wrench that came with your 8 Ball Steering
Step No. 1: Without rotating the handle of the 8 Ball Steering, mount the steering unit using the two included phillips screws to the stainless steel mounting plate to the left of the Gravity Seat. Do not over tighten the screws.
Step No. 2: Using the included allen wrench, loosen the allen bolt in the elbow of the 8 Ball Steering arm. This will allow the arm to move from front to back
Step No. 3: Slowly rotate the 8 Ball handle so that the shaft that connects that 8 ball to the elbow points straight up into the air (like a rocket on a launchpad). See figure 1. This is what we will refer to as the “neutral position” for the steering handle.
Figure 1
Step No. 4: With the handle in the neutral position, use the allen wrench to tighten the allen screw in the elbow of the 8 Ball Steering. Next tighten the black tensioner knob on the front of the 8 Ball Steering. This will lock the handle into the neutral position.
Step No. 5: Run both cables through the cable tubes to the rear of the kayak. The left cable goes in the left tube, and the right cable in the right. If they have difficulty emerging from the end of the tube, simply twist the cable and work it gently in the tube.
Step No. 6: Once you have both cables through the cable tubes, move the rudder to the center position (the position the rudder is in to move the kayak straight through the water). This is what we will refer to as the “neutral position” for the rudder.
Quick Tip: The neutral position of the 8 Ball Steering handle must correspond to the neutral position of the rudder.
Step No. 7: Attach each of the two rudder cables, one at a time, to the rudder using the included hardware. Take as much slack out of the cables as possible without putting permanent tension into the system. The system works best when both of the cables are nearly tight but not quite.
Step No. 8: Screw down the set screws securing each of the two rudder cables into position. Make sure that once secure, the rudder cable termination nuts can spin freely on the rudder.
Step No. 9: If desired, trim the ends of the cables and crimp the included wire caps on each wire.
Step No. 10: Run the black pull up cord to the rudder. Ensure the cable runs over the first metal roller (in the rear of the rudder), and under the second metal roller (in the front of the rudder). Insert the cord into the only remaining cable tube, and gently twist it until it emerges from the tube. With the rudder in the down (deployed) position, tie the pull up knob 1” from the black pull up cord cleat. Trim the end of the cord.
Step No. 11: Loosen the black tensioner knob on the front of the 8 Ball Steering, and slowly move the 8 Ball Steering handle from the left to the right to ensure that your system has a full, smooth range of motion (note that if your rudder is in the up position, it will affect the range of motion due to the tension from the pull up cord). If desired, use the allen wrench to adjust the 8 Ball Steering handle forward or back to suit your needs.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed your 8 Ball Steering.
Tip #2 Rebuilding your Steering System
If for some reason you need to disassemble the 8 Ball Steering, don’t be discouraged. It is a simple system that a person without mechanical knowledge can tackle in about an hour or so.
Before you begin you will need to grab a phillips head screwdriver, a permanent marker, and a set of allen wrenches (or the ones that came with your 8 ball steering).
Step No.1: Begin by removing the two phillips head screws that attach the 8 Ball Steering to the stainless steel mounting bracket.
Step No. 2: In order, remove 1. the black tensioner knob, 2. the plastic collar, 3. the 8 ball handle, 4. the small pin, and 5. the through bolt.
See figure 2.
Figure 2
Step No. 3: Remove the seven bolts holding the outer housing in place. Remove the outer housing.
Quick Tip: Note that if the rudder cables are attached to the rudder it will be difficult to adjust the rudder cable disc inside the 8 Ball Steering. To work freely inside the steering unit, be sure to disconnect the rudder cables from the rudder if they are attached.
The rudder cable disc inside the housing contains either 2 or 3 slots that hold the stub ends of the rudder cables. If your disc has three slots, use the two that are nearest to each other to hold the stubs on the rudder cables.
The two stub ends of the cables must terminate at the front end of the 8 Ball Steering unit (there must be equal amounts of each of the two cables inside the housing, with the stub ends nearest where the handle and tensioner cable will be reassembled). This is the neutral position for the rudder cable disc. See figure 3.
Figure 3
Quick Tip: When reassembling your 8 Ball Steering, the neutral position of the rudder cable disc must correspond to the neutral position of the handle, and the neutral position of the rudder. If all 3 neutral positions do not correspond with each other, the steering will not have full range of motion.
Once you have the rudder cable disc in the neutral position, use a permanent marker to mark each of the rudder cables where they emerge from the housing of the 8 Ball Steering. This will allow you to know the orientation of the rudder cable disc, once you reassemble the housing.
To reassemble your 8 Ball Steering ensure your rudder cable disc is in the neutral position (see above) and follow the steps below.
Step No. 1: Place the outer housing back into place, and screw in all 7 allen screws holding the housing in place.
Step No. 2: Reattach the 8 Ball Steering to the kayak using the mounting bracket and the two phillips screws.
Step No. 3: Using the marks you made on the rudder cables, ensure that the rudder disc cable is in the neutral position (see above).
Step No. 4: Replace the through bolt with the hole for the pin aligned horizontally. Slide the pin through the side of the through bolt.
Step No. 5: Without moving the cables, reattach the 8 Ball handle into its neutral position (see above). Ensure that the pin slides through the slot in the handle.
You have now aligned the neutral position of the rudder cable disc with the neutral position of the 8 Ball Steering handle.
Quick Tip: In this order, reassemble 1. the plastic collar, and 2. the tensioner knob.
Before attaching the rudder, be sure that you tighten the tensioner knob to ensure the 8 Ball Steering handle does not move from the neutral position.
Attach the rudder cables to the rudder, ensuring that the neutral position of the rudder corresponds to the neutral position of the handle (see above). Remove any slack from the lines, but also keep the cables from being tight and putting constant tension on the system. Tighten the allen screws on the rudder to lock the rudder cables into place. You have now aligned the neutral position of the rudder cable disc with the neutral position of the 8 Ball Steering handle and the neutral position of the rudder.
Loosen the black tensioner knob on the 8 Ball Steering, and slowly move the 8 Ball Steering handle from the left to the right to ensure that your system has a full, smooth range of motion (note that if your rudder is in the up position, it will affect the range of motion due to the
Bobby's Cold Water Adventure Gear List
Yakgear Backwater Assassin paddle
Lowrance 9” Ti2 with Ram Mounts
Railblaza C-Tug with Sandtrakz
Written and edited by Bobby Ulrich, Feelfree US Pro Staff Team Member
]]>My first couple of experiences with the 36 degree water I’m talking about came just this last winter, as I wanted to try out my new kayak build, and get some time discovering the ins and outs of my new fish finder. I didn’t think that I would actually do any fishing. But as fate would have it, one cast turned into 100 casts, which turned into 500 casts, which turned into me landing a couple of nice smallmouth. You can read more about that adventure here.
After the realization that I could catch bass year round, regardless of water temperature, my eyes were opened to the simple fact that my passion was now a year round sport. It had no off season. But, with that understanding also came the recognition that this hobby could quickly become my undoing if I wasn’t careful.
So to help all of you that are just getting into cold water fishing, or those of you that just wonder what this obsession looks like, read on, where I hope to give you the three dangers of cold water fishing, and the three best practices this time of year.
What is cold water fishing?
To start out, let’s define what cold water fishing is. Cold water fishing is any combination of factors that take submersion from a wet afternoon to a life and death experience. Technically speaking, this can be determined with the 120 rule. If the water temperature + air temperature is less than 120, you are in a survival situation, should you fall in. So in the fall, if your air temperature is 50 degrees, and your water temperature is still 70 degrees, it classifies as cold water. In the spring, if your air temperature is 70 degrees, but your water temperature is still 50 degrees, it classifies as cold water. In fact, cold water shock is at its most extreme when the water temperatures are between 50 degrees and 60 degrees.
And if you are desperate enough, like some of us up north, to go fishing when the water temperature is 36 degrees, and the air temperature is 12 degrees, and you can watch the water freezing all around you, yep, that’s a cold water condition.
What makes cold water so dangerous?
Your natural reaction when falling into cold water is to inhale deeply. This is more true the colder the water is. Cold water shock produces an involuntary gasp, which can fill your lungs with water. This is even true while wearing a life jacket. In fact people have drowned even while wearing a PFDt due to gasping as they enter the water.
If you find yourself in the water, the gasp is not the only involuntary thing that happens to your body. The second response that your body has is that your heart reacts to the cold by going into overdrive. It realizes that you are in a survival situation and responds accordingly. Even if you are young and fit, you can go into cardiac arrest in a cold water situation.
As a result of cold water shock, most people will begin to hyperventilate. Your body responds to the sudden cold with rapid breathing. Rapid breathing not only raises your heart rate, but can also lead you to pass out.
What can you do to prevent the dangers of cold water immersion?
There is absolutely no reason not to wear your personal flotation device year round. The most important thing that you can do in a cold water situation is to keep your head above water. The PFD does this for you. Even when experiencing the disorientation and panic of cold water shock, the PFD allows you to breathe, and regain your composure.
If and when you find yourself in a cold water shock situation, having someone that is not disoriented and panicking is invaluable. Always paddle with a friend, and if possible, be within earshot of someone on shore. Never kayak alone in cold water. Your friend’s calm thinking is probably your best chance of survival.
Our partners at NRS make some of the best cold water submersion dry gear available. They suggest a full dry suit where only your head and hands would be exposed in a cold water submersion situation. While the gear may be spendy, it could also save your life. If you cannot afford a full dry suit, they suggest at least wearing dry pants with a gasket at the waist to keep water out. Never wear waders, as they will fill with water, and make it nearly impossible to get back onto your kayak.
What do I do if I suddenly find myself in the water?
The first minute of cold water submersion is by far the worst, and it is the most critical minute for your own survival. Start by getting your head above the surface of the water, and get your breathing under control. Tell your body that you are okay. Orient yourself to your surroundings, and come up with a plan.
You have 10 minutes to get out of a cold water situation before you lose the use of your hands, arms and legs. Don’t worry about your gear. This is the time to save your life. Let people around you know that you are in trouble. Call for help. If you cannot get back onto your kayak, swim for shore. The clock is ticking.
Always pack extra clothes that you can change into to get dry. You have 30 minutes before hypothermia sets in, and one hour to begin to warm up before you lose consciousness. Get indoors and out of your wet clothes. If you are unable to get indoors, get to a protected place and call for help.
Whenever you are kayaking you always have to realize that you are only in between submersions. Even the best kayakers take the plunge from time to time. Every time you go out, there is a chance of going into the water. So instead of being surprised by it, prepare for it. Be ready in any conditions. And if you are, you can extend the sport you love long past when others pack their kayak away for the winter.
Bobby's Cold Water Adventure Gear List
Yakgear Backwater Assassin paddle
Lowrance 9” Ti2 with Ram Mounts
Railblaza C-Tug with Sandtrakz
Written and edited by Bobby Ulrich, Feelfree US Pro Staff Team Member
]]>Bobby: What people need to know about my brother Andy and I is that we grew up fishing together, but now we are separated by about 600 miles, so sadly, we only get to go fishing together a couple of times per year. It’s usually a quicker trip, but we’ve had some fun experiences together. We really enjoy trying new places together, and new techniques, all of them involving a kayak.
Andy: Every spring break we make the annual trip back home to visit family. My main objective is to get in a day of fishing with my brother, Bobby. Now the term “spring break” is a rather generous term that implies warm weather, but in the Northwest it just means that spring is still a month away. Fishing during this time means looking for water that isn’t iced over, and praying that we don’t go home skunked.
Bobby: Yeah, there really aren’t a ton of places to get a kayak into the water in early March. Everyone is still ice fishing, and the water temps fluctuate between the upper 30’s and low 40’s. All of my normal spots were frozen solid, so we found a place to put kayaks into the Spokane River near Tumtum, Washington, about an hour north of where I live. It is a larger body of water than either of us are used to, but literally, in the winter, it is our only option for open water.
Andy: The hardest thing for me was leaving my kayak behind in Oregon and fishing in somebody else’s set up. Honestly, one of my favorite things about Kayak Fishing is customizing my kayak to make it suited for the way I want to fish. Luckily, you have a spare Lure 11.5 with Overdrive that I could use, which is the same model I fish out of at home. I managed to bring a few rods and a tackle bag, but truth be told, I didn’t even know what to prepare for, besides sitting in a kayak in water that was barely above freezing. Nevertheless, there we were, shivering in the dark at 5:45 AM, loading up our gear and heading out to a new body of water.
Bobby: It was a really nice drive, through vast pine tree forests. We slid our kayaks down a 45 degree bank and into the icy water. We watched my fish finder, hunting for any sort of underwater structure for quite a while. We must have fished for over an hour with no luck.
What all did we try, Andy?
Andy: I tried a whole spread of different baits. Crank baits, dropshots, jigs, and a spinnerbait, to name a few. Each lure change felt like a move of desperation, as what little confidence I had drained from my heart, along with my heat. I was so happy to be out on the water, but that sinking feeling of an impending skunk was setting in.
Bobby: I remember my hands and feet feeling pretty cold, and the ice in the guides on our rods. About an hour in, we decided to make a run to that large rock pile that I had marked on my side scan in January. It was about a two mile pedal. But once we got there, our luck really started to change.
Andy: Can I just interrupt and say that I can’t imagine fishing in those conditions without having sidescan. I have grown to rely on my fish finder and it felt crippling fishing blind. We were both dependent on your Lowrance unit to find some of the rock piles in 30’-60’ of water that you had tagged previously. I remember making that run to that large rock outcropping. Cutting across the main river channel and watching the water depth drop from 30’ to 110’ was a little eerie. That rock pile seemed like our last hope that day. Not having my down imaging or side scan I just had to triangulate with your clues and landmarks.
We found that rock pile. It was probably 30’ long by 15’ wide and stretched from 25’ of water to nearly 60’. I remember when you handed me a blade bait. As someone who had never fished one before I felt like I was tying on a soup can lid with a hook on it. I don’t think I have ever had less confidence in a lure when I first tied it on.
Bobby: (Laughing) A soup can lid. That’s funny. It literally is the most archaic lure I’ve ever used. And until that trip, I’d never caught anything on one of them.
Andy: You were the first to catch a fish on the blade bait. It was a decent smallmouth which came as a surprise after all of our conversation about fearing all we would catch were pikeminnow. My opinion of the soup can lure started to change.
Bobby: As I let that first smallie go, I remember just sitting there, staring at you and saying, “Are you kidding me?!” over and over again. We both ended up catching some decent fish in that spot.
Andy: I’m glad we’re both here for this story, my recollection is a little different. You caught the first one or two and then I did a lot of catching and you had a hard time keeping up. I think I caught 7 and you caught 3, but let’s not turn this into a contest. There was no contest.
Bobby: (Again, laughing) There was no contest. But I lost.
Andy: All in all it was a great day. We tried out a new spot, and learned a few things along the way about winter bass fishing. My biggest take away was to pay attention to what the exact thing was that I was doing when I got bit. We had the overall technique for a while before we dialed in the exact presentation they were biting on. It was the slow, steady yo-yo, with no sharp rod snaps or slack line that was really getting the consistent bite.
Bobby: It really was such a great trip. Planning an outing with a buddy, trying some new things, catching some fish, laughing a lot and in the end grabbing some food on the way home. That all adds us to a great day. I can’t wait to come fish in Oregon with you this spring. I’m so excited!
To read about our last spring outing in the middle of Salem, Oregon, check out our previous blog here.
In retrospect, I will also say that this trip introduced us to some new thoughts in the realm of safety in cold water. We have talked at length about what we could do better on our next cold water trip. But that will be the subject of a future blog. Cold water really is no joke. While catching fish is a blast, safety really should be our top priority year round. So we’ll cover how to keep yourself safe during the cold water months in a couple weeks.
Andy's Adventure Gear List
Bobby's Adventure Gear List
Yakgear Backwater Assassin paddle
Lowrance 9” Ti2 with Ram Mounts
Railblaza C-Tug with Sandtrakz
Written by Bobby and Andy Ulrich, Feelfree US Pro Staff Team Member
Edited by Bobby Ulrich, Feelfree US Pro Staff Team Member
]]>The Moken 10 Lite has been one of Feelfree’s most popular fishing kayaks for those who had a need for something that was more manageable both in and out of the water. With the integrated Wheel in the Keel, molded in handles and lower weight, consumers have enjoyed the ability to easily transport it to and from the shoreline. Additionally, the kayak’s narrower width and volume have made it easier to maneuver while on the water or into tighter storage spaces.
The new Moken 10 Lite V2 continues to provide the portability V1 users love while now integrating the EZ Rider Seat for greater comfort on the water. This new seat is larger in size and offers additional back support for all day paddling comfort. It is also suspended over the deck so paddlers don’t have to worry about sitting in water. In addition to the seat upgrade, the molded-in foot rests have been replaced with adjustable foot rests for additional comfort while simultaneously opening up the deck for more usable space. These new features expand on an already tried and true design to provide a kayak desirable to both anglers and recreational paddlers alike.
“Here at Feelfree Kayaks, it is our mission to leave no paddler behind. The launch of the Moken 10 Lite V2 is testament to that,” said Roland Jimenez, the Director of Marketing for Feelfree US. “Our primary objective was to relaunch the kayak with all of the same features Feelfree is known for, ensuring that our smaller paddlers enjoy the same experience as those who use our larger kayaks.”
In addition to the new seat and footrests, the Moken 10 Lite V2 offers a variety of features designed for fishing such as the UNI-Track rail accessory mounting system, two fishing rod holders with leashes and multiple storage areas for tackle, coolers and other fishing gear.
The launch of the Moken 10 Lite V2 completes the Moken Series paddling series and is now available worldwide through authorized dealers. For availability, dealer inquiries and other information, visit www.FeelfreeUS.com
Product Specifications:
New for 2023 Product Features & Upgrades:
Standard Features:
Company Overview
Feelfree US, LLC is owned and operated out of Swannanoa, North Carolina and distributes boats, kayaks and accessories designed for recreational use, which have redefined the paddling and fishing industries with unique and innovative features and designs throughout North America. Feelfree US is part of a world-wide team distributing multiple product brands to over 40 countries around the globe. Feelfree Kayaks is one of several brands including 3 Waters Kayaks, Seastream Kayaks, Jonny Boats, Feelfree Gear, Nav8 and Chilart, manufactured by Joy Sports Co. Ltd, based in Bangkok Thailand.
Roland Jimenez, Director of Marketing
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1 - Do online research about the specific body of water. Read articles, fishing reports, watch YouTube videos and use tools like Google Maps or Google Earth to make yourself familiar with the area. You’ll be more ready and comfortable once you get there.
2 - Preparation/organisation. Make sure you are ready for any situation, especially when the tournament is far away from your home. That includes things like clothing, food, fishing rods and tackle, camping gear etc… Also, be ready for the unexpected. If something breaks while you're away, it’s good to have a backup.
3 - Get out of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to travel far from home to explore the unknown. Without exception, exploring new areas and new bodies of water makes you a better angler! Just go out there and try to learn every time. Talk to people and learn from them too! Every lake or river is different, that’s what makes fishing so exciting all the time.
4 - Pre-fishing or practice, makes a big difference in my opinion. You don’t necessarily need to practice to do well in a tournament, but you put yourself at a disadvantage if you don’t. You’ll want to cover a lot of water in practice. Scout different areas and try as many different launches if possible. Go out with an open mind. Try a lot of different techniques and fish different types of cover. Pay attention to every bite you get. If you don’t get any bites and notice an area that seems dead, no worries, you can then eliminate this area and focus on another one.
5 - Ideally, if you can, try to fish your practice the same hours as the tournament will be. If the derby runs from 7am to 3pm, try to practice at the same time. That way, if you find a pattern in pre-fishing, you’ll have a game plan coming in the tournament. BUT, always have a plan B if possible. That way if weather changes and your pattern dies, you won’t panic and you’ll know what to do.
6 - Have confidence in yourself and fish your strengths. Once the tournament starts, you’ll find yourself on the water with a lot of other people. That means someone might hit one spot before you. It can be frustrating, but that doesn’t mean the person was fishing the right way or caught something. So many times I have fished a spot after someone else and still caught quality fish. Just stay focused on the next cast and what you can do better to get more bites. Pay attention to where others go, but don’t let them fool you, you can do better than them.
7 - It’s all about decisions making. Learn how to adjust and learn when to make a move to another spot. Time management is also very important in a kayak as you can’t run to another area at 40mph! This comes with practice.
8 - Have a routine when taking pictures of the fish. Personally, I always have my measuring board, my phone and my net in the same places. That way, I don’t waste any time or worse, lose a fish off the board! Again, this is something you learn over time. Oh and, always double check your photos before releasing your fish.
9 - Never give up! I know this sounds cliché, but it’s never over until it really is. Every cast counts. Fish hard until the very last minute, especially if you are in the race! I have a few personal experiences that show the importance of never giving up.
10 - Have fun! Keep a positive mindset even when things don’t go your way. Enjoy your time on the water! If you enjoy yourself, usually you will fish better!
I hope these tips help you out! Tournament fishing is about challenging yourself and pushing your limits. It’s often difficult but it can be so rewarding. You also get to meet some cool people and make new friends along the way! I love it!
Thanks for reading!
You can find me on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube @easternkayakangling
Stay safe and tight lines!
Written by Antoine Desrochers-Gagnon, Feelfree Competitive Fishing Team Member
Edited by Bobby Ulrich, Feelfree US Pro Staff Team Member
]]>Growing up in the Northwest, bass fishing was not the hot pastime that it is in other parts of the country. I didn’t have access to famous fisheries, but what I did have access to, I knew how to fish. When I was younger, every spare dime was spent on bass fishing. I had an absurd amount of tackle compared to my friends and I consistently out fished everyone I fished with. This time around however, things are different. All at once it hit me. I’m starting over.
My goal in this article is not to bore you with my struggle, but to equip you with four tools that I have used, to help you navigate the frustration of starting from scratch. Whether you are new to the sport or made a regional shift like I did, there is a steep learning curve. Here are my hard earned lessons from the past two years re-learning how to bass fish in a new location.
Tool No.1: YouTube is your friend. Unlike any other time in history, we have access to incredible information on the internet (don’t get me started on the alternative). Many bass fishing pros today make a better living off of YouTube than in actual tournament fishing. I can’t imagine what an on the water lesson would cost from one of these top tier guys, but on YouTube you can get their tips and tricks from the comfort of your couch and completely free of charge. If you want to learn a new technique, you are a few clicks away from how-to’s and common mistakes to avoid. You have to wade through the haters, rant-masters and personality based channels with little meat on the bone, but it’s not hard to find good nuts and bolts practical channels like Fish The Moment, Tactical Bassin’ and Matt Stefan Fishing.
Tool No. 2: A good fish finder is worth every penny. Last year I picked up a Garmin Striker Vivid 9SV and it changed everything. All of a sudden I had new, unseen areas to fish that I was unaware of before, because I just couldn’t see them. Additionally, I cut out unproductive areas that look promising above the waterline. Once I have charted my local bodies of water it helps me be strategic and use my time on the water more wisely. I can cut out entire sections of lake and help me be strategic about what bait I’m fishing and what depth to fish at. My side view helps me see fish and structure that I was completely unaware of before. Most recently this equated to a 3lb. smallmouth in the middle of the channel, that wasn’t associated with any structure or cover. Why didn’t I do this sooner???
Tool No. 3: Set realistic expectations. You are learning. Every trip out is a learning experience, boom or bust. Truth be told, I have had quite a few “I’ll never go there again” experiences in the last year. But, as I sit back and look at them objectively I realize it was a weather issue, a depth issue or the wrong time of day. Desire does not equate to skill and experience, and as such you won’t go out and slay hawgs all day just because you want to. I live in the Northwest and am far from any sizable lakes, so I’m just going to catch bass like I’m in Florida. This is the deceptive side to YouTube. I have yet to see a video where a guy goes out and struggles all day and only lands a few dinks. Guys that are making those videos leave that on the cutting room floor, but they have those days, too.
Tool No. 4: Fishing is better with friends. We all need the occasional day to decompress from life and have some solitude, but it’s just not as fun to key in on a school of fish or celebrate a big fish by yourself. Make friends with someone who is a local and learn from them. Like most things in life the best way to get good at something is to learn from someone better than you. No one is going to give up their spots or tips to a stranger. So, don’t be a stranger, be a friend.
Andy's Adventure Gear List
Written by Andy Ulrich, Feelfree Competitive Fishing Team Member
Edited by Bobby Ulrich, Feelfree US Pro Staff Team Member
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