Bass Pro Visit

[Chikikajimo Katarukuari]

Thinking of passing by Bass Pro this afternoon to check out their fish finders and lures.

I've got a bunch of Rapala double-jointed lures, and a few Mepps Aglia spinners. I've come across reading about how many of you use jitterbugs and jigs, neither of which I have yet to use and am not even really familiar of.

What would you guys recommend I get? I often fish small lakes, like Sturgeon Lake, going to try out Belwood Lake, Pigeon Lake, Scugog Lake, and may try a few rivers.


Also, would you be able to recommend me a cheaper fish finder I will be using on my kayak that actually works? Originally thinking of picking up a Lowrance X4 Pro, something under $200.

Thanks

 

[christotheashto]

lowrance elite 4x, great finder and under $200
got mine at canadian tire a couple weeks ago on sale for $179.99 not sure if that deal is still going.
radioworld has them for around the same price.

 

[Chikikajimo Katarukuari]

lowrance elite 4x, great finder and under $200
got mine at canadian tire a couple weeks ago on sale for $179.99 not sure if that deal is still going.
radioworld has them for around the same price.

On sale for $179.99? I thought they had them for $129.99 regular.. Going to double check now.

 

[Chikikajimo Katarukuari]

On sale for $179.99? I thought they had them for $129.99 regular.. Going to double check now.

Yup, $129.99 regular price at CT.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/5/SportsRec/Marine/FishFinders/PRD~0793989P/Lowrance+X-4+Pro+Fishfinder.jsp?locale=en

 

[alwayscatching]

I am not too familiar with fish finders as I dont use them too much believe it or not. I mainly fish Rice Lake for bass and walleye so I know where to look and when. As for lures, what types of fishing you doing? If your going to pigeon lake I know that there is plenty of bass there for people to enjoy. If it is bass fishing your looking at I got a few tips and tricks. Also for pike I have a good few tips as well.

 

[Chikikajimo Katarukuari]

I am not too familiar with fish finders as I dont use them too much believe it or not. I mainly fish Rice Lake for bass and walleye so I know where to look and when. As for lures, what types of fishing you doing? If your going to pigeon lake I know that there is plenty of bass there for people to enjoy. If it is bass fishing your looking at I got a few tips and tricks. Also for pike I have a good few tips as well.

Would love to catch a Bass. I've caught Pike, Muskie, and lots of unfortunate Perch, Sunfish and Rockbass, but never a SMB or LMB. Fishing off a kayak, so even for that reason the Bass would be a smoother catch, not to mention they have no teeth like Pike/Muskie, and they look nicer.

Walleye also, have never caught one either.

 

[alwayscatching]

Would love to catch a Bass. I've caught Pike, Muskie, and lots of unfortunate Perch, Sunfish and Rockbass, but never a SMB or LMB. Fishing off a kayak, so even for that reason the Bass would be a smoother catch, not to mention they have no teeth like Pike/Muskie, and they look nicer.

Walleye also, have never caught one either.

I have never done any kayak fishing so I dont know how well my techniques will work for you. PM me.

 

[Chikikajimo Katarukuari]

Yup, $129.99 regular price at CT.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/5/SportsRec/Marine/FishFinders/PRD~0793989P/Lowrance+X-4+Pro+Fishfinder.jsp?locale=en

Ah,, you're thinking of the Lowrance Elite 4X, would they Lowrance X4 Pro be alright?

 

[christotheashto]

Ah,, you're thinking of the Lowrance Elite 4X, would they Lowrance X4 Pro be alright?

yes i was talking about the elite4x not the x4 pro. have not used the x4 pro so can't comment on it sorry

 

[christotheashto]

yes i was talking about the elite4x not the x4 pro. have not used the x4 pro so can't comment on it sorry

also worth mentioning that i use the elite4x exclusively on my kayak. good for really shallow water and just as good for deep stuff when fishing simcoe for lakers, etc.

 

[Chikikajimo Katarukuari]

also worth mentioning that i use the elite4x exclusively on my kayak. good for really shallow water and just as good for deep stuff when fishing simcoe for lakers, etc.

Do you have a photo of where yours is mounted?

I like the idea of using the Scotty Triple Rod Holder to mount the FF in the centre, and the ability to attach two other accessories on either side, only problem is I transport my kayak upside down on my roof rack, with the Scotty mounted on, it may hit the roof and stick up, so maybe I'll just mount it dead center on the kayak itself, where the rod holder is (Ascend FS10)

 

[Chikikajimo Katarukuari]

Do you have a photo of where yours is mounted?

I like the idea of using the Scotty Triple Rod Holder to mount the FF in the centre, and the ability to attach two other accessories on either side, only problem is I transport my kayak upside down on my roof rack, with the Scotty mounted on, it may hit the roof and stick up, so maybe I'll just mount it dead center on the kayak itself, where the rod holder is (Ascend FS10)

Christ, is this the one you have?
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/5/SportsRec/Marine/FishFinders/PRD~0793982P/Lowrance+Elite+4X+Colour+Fish+Finder.jsp?locale=en


If so, $199.99 is not bad

 

[christotheashto]

yes that is the one i've got tiago.

i just posted a couple pics in the "kayak fishing" thread.... http://www.ontariofishingforums.com/forum/topic/21376-kayak-fishing/#entry274186

In the pic with the two yaks mine is on the right hand side. I did exactly what you want to do, i mounted a scotty triple mount at the front of my boat and use it to mount my gopro in the middle, scotty powerlock rod holder on the left side, and the elite 4x on the right hand side. I also purchased a MadFrogGear “Liberator” transducer arm from HOOK1. This allows me to fold up the arm when not in use, and also made it possible for me to make the entire mount unit entirely removable. I have the battery for the fishfinder in a waterproof box that simply gets bungeed to the back of the triple mount, and i can literally fold up the arm of the liberator and remove the entire triple mount (everything is mounted to the triple mount). This way the kayak is not JUST a fishing kayak. I can lend it to family/friends/girlfriend and they don’t have to worry about all the expensive gear mounted up front.

It also allows me to unload my boat at a launch, drive back to parking, then i just carry the triple mount and my rods down with me. I wouldn’t be too worried about someone picking up a 60lb kayak and trying to run lol but it would be easy enough for them to scoop the mount with all that gear attached and disappear.

Let me know if you need any rigging help or have any questions. Im pretty new to the sport as well but have gleaned alot of great knowledge from others.

 

[Firemonkey]

I'd pick up a Lipless Crank and Chugger/Popper as well. Both are easy to fish.

http://www.basspro.com/Arbogast-Hula-Popper-5/8-oz-Frog/product/15534/
http://www.basspro.com/Rapala-Skitter-Pop-Shad-1/4-oz/product/15519/
http://www.basspro.com/Cotton-Cordell-Super-Spot-Lipless-Crankbaits/product/44610/

Nothing like doing some night time fishing with a top water. Just a simple twitch and pause technique really drives the bass nuts. Here is a link to a good video demonstrating top water mid-day in the summer:
http://blip.tv/backwoodsanglertv/topwater-bass-fishing-5711270

 

[rich_ace_G]

what exactly are you going to target? If you're going after walleye. Strikeking has some good crawler harness and lindy as well. If you're plugging away. deep diving or sinking plugs work well.

 

[Chikikajimo Katarukuari]

yes that is the one i've got tiago.

i just posted a couple pics in the "kayak fishing" thread.... http://www.ontariofishingforums.com/forum/topic/21376-kayak-fishing/#entry274186

In the pic with the two yaks mine is on the right hand side. I did exactly what you want to do, i mounted a scotty triple mount at the front of my boat and use it to mount my gopro in the middle, scotty powerlock rod holder on the left side, and the elite 4x on the right hand side. I also purchased a MadFrogGear “Liberator” transducer arm from HOOK1. This allows me to fold up the arm when not in use, and also made it possible for me to make the entire mount unit entirely removable. I have the battery for the fishfinder in a waterproof box that simply gets bungeed to the back of the triple mount, and i can literally fold up the arm of the liberator and remove the entire triple mount (everything is mounted to the triple mount). This way the kayak is not JUST a fishing kayak. I can lend it to family/friends/girlfriend and they don’t have to worry about all the expensive gear mounted up front.

It also allows me to unload my boat at a launch, drive back to parking, then i just carry the triple mount and my rods down with me. I wouldn’t be too worried about someone picking up a 60lb kayak and trying to run lol but it would be easy enough for them to scoop the mount with all that gear attached and disappear.

Let me know if you need any rigging help or have any questions. Im pretty new to the sport as well but have gleaned alot of great knowledge from others.

That's an awesome set-up! Pretty much what I had in mind. Also gives the Yak a sweet technical look while not making it look too busy. You pick up the Scotty from Bass Pro? I'm hoping they have them, I'm guessing they're going for about $59.99

You got any lights on yours? I was thinking of adding one or two, nothing too tacky like the long arms, just a small light, visible enough for safety reasons, perhaps one at the front and one at the rear.

I'm still amazed at how much you can do with and to something this size. Really neat.

 

[Chikikajimo Katarukuari]

I'd pick up a Lipless Crank and Chugger/Popper as well. Both are easy to fish.

http://www.basspro.com/Arbogast-Hula-Popper-5/8-oz-Frog/product/15534/
http://www.basspro.com/Rapala-Skitter-Pop-Shad-1/4-oz/product/15519/
http://www.basspro.com/Cotton-Cordell-Super-Spot-Lipless-Crankbaits/product/44610/

Nothing like doing some night time fishing with a top water. Just a simple twitch and pause technique really drives the bass nuts. Here is a link to a good video demonstrating top water mid-day in the summer:
http://blip.tv/backwoodsanglertv/topwater-bass-fishing-5711270

Thanks man. I've heard a lot about the Hula Popper, never tried one, same goes for crankbaits. Want to grab some so I can test them out and see what works best for me.

Also looking into Senkos plastic worms, what are your thoughts? Reviews on Bass Pro look pretty epic.

 

[Chikikajimo Katarukuari]

what exactly are you going to target? If you're going after walleye. Strikeking has some good crawler harness and lindy as well. If you're plugging away. deep diving or sinking plugs work well.

Pike, Muskie, Walleye and Bass

Have not yet caught a Walleye or Bass, so priority would go to those.

 

[christotheashto]

That's an awesome set-up! Pretty much what I had in mind. Also gives the Yak a sweet technical look while not making it look too busy. You pick up the Scotty from Bass Pro? I'm hoping they have them, I'm guessing they're going for about $59.99

You got any lights on yours? I was thinking of adding one or two, nothing too tacky like the long arms, just a small light, visible enough for safety reasons, perhaps one at the front and one at the rear.

I'm still amazed at how much you can do with and to something this size. Really neat.

thanks man! i really love it. i honestly cant believe i waited so long to even think about getting one. quite frankly it changed my life lol as i've never owned a boat and dont really plan on buying one any time soon.
I actually picked up all of the scotty mounts at CT, i drove all the way down to sail one day to pick up the triple mount, and the gopro mount, and they had neither. they had the triple mount there but it was the one with the three powerlock rod holders already installed... $129.99!!! lol

so back in barrie they had the triple mount and gopro mounts at CT for $59.99 and $24.99 respectively (if i remember correctly).

i don't currently have any lights installed and don't plan on it. i fish mostly early mornings so if i feel like it might be a bit dark to start the day i just bring my black diamond headlamp and wear it for a little bit. its not the best solution because it doesn't emit light from the back, but like i said im not really doing any night fishing.

check out HOOK1 or Jenda Paddlesports they both have some solutions for onboard lighting im pretty sure. both stores have TONS of kayak rigging gear. just don't hate me when your wallet is empty lol.

 

[Chikikajimo Katarukuari]

thanks man! i really love it. i honestly cant believe i waited so long to even think about getting one. quite frankly it changed my life lol as i've never owned a boat and dont really plan on buying one any time soon.
I actually picked up all of the scotty mounts at CT, i drove all the way down to sail one day to pick up the triple mount, and the gopro mount, and they had neither. they had the triple mount there but it was the one with the three powerlock rod holders already installed... $129.99!!! lol

so back in barrie they had the triple mount and gopro mounts at CT for $59.99 and $24.99 respectively (if i remember correctly).

i don't currently have any lights installed and don't plan on it. i fish mostly early mornings so if i feel like it might be a bit dark to start the day i just bring my black diamond headlamp and wear it for a little bit. its not the best solution because it doesn't emit light from the back, but like i said im not really doing any night fishing.

check out HOOK1 or Jenda Paddlesports they both have some solutions for onboard lighting im pretty sure. both stores have TONS of kayak rigging gear. just don't hate me when your wallet is empty lol.

lol I hear you. For some time now I've really wanted a boat. Nothing huge or fancy. A simple 10' or 12' aluminium boat. CT has the Coleman for $1799.99, gtfo, Bass Pro has one for $750 or so. But when you take in the price of a motor, even a half decent one, and then the trailer, and what else you need to get it going, not to mention transportation and storage, give me a break. So I gave up on the idea. NEVER thought I'd buy a Kayak. Heck, I didn't even want a Canoe because of how unstable they are.

Then came the day (2 weeks ago) I discovered fishing kayaks. Spend all night looking into them, narrowed my search down to the FS10, and boy am I ever glad I went with a Kayak over a boat.

MUCH cheaper. Easier to transport, easy to store. VERY sturdy/stable. So much fun. If I can get my girlfriend into it, I'll grab her one too. I don't remember ever being so at peace and relaxed as when I was out on the kayak last week fishing by myself.


I'll try my CT for the mount if I pass by it before Bass Pro, doubt they'll have it but website shows it is a product they carry.

Can't wait to set everything up and head out on it again tomorrow evening should the weather be fine. It rained a bunch on my first launch last week but I didn't care, didn't stop me from enjoying it. But I'd rather not be stuck in the rain again.