That was something new I tried after someone told me I had been more grumpy recently at the ramp after tournaments. I think the biggest thing is exhaustion from never having enough sleep at these weekends, something I need to fix. But it is so hard to get away from the community fire circle to get to my tent early enough to get a good night's sleep when the alarm is set for 3am for tournament day. Interesting that in tournament life some of the biggest things to learn for success don't actually have anything to do with the fishing part!
My CKF trail allows 8" and over to be more beginner friendly... some of the guys refuse to submit them that small but I'm all "measure that minnow!". 🤣🐳🎣
Yeah fishing is not easy, but keeping positive is the key, so is moving and casting better than movin and groovin, glad you are enjoying your yak, good luck on your next adventure🎣👊👍
Was sharing a lunch with Larry Nixon and George Cochran 30 years ago at a BASS Techniques seminar in Dayton. Tip of the day, if it starts raining, throw a white spinner bait. I'd add a top water too. Thanks for sharing the experience.
@@GirlGoneFishing I believe it was Charlie Champbell who suggested the same for a Spook. " if you can't catch the when it's raining, you can't catch them" :) Fun video, thanks for sharing.
@@GirlGoneFishing It's a rabbit hole. You might be surprised at how little you need to fish. Look past the marketing. Wanted to stop up at Cowan to watch the event and see what folks are actually using but day was high jacked by grand kids. Have to have a Strictly Sail meet and greet (way closer) grill out some time to promote the sport and league. Good luck this year.
I am so glad you went out there and tried your best I love to see you trying to get the catch until your time is up. My question is have you done any practicing before the tournament or now that you have your new vehicle will you test and practice more on these lakes to get more familiar with them? Will you add a graph or two in your boat to help you locate and read the bottom of these lakes? Thanks for sharing take care and God Bless!❤❤❤❤
Thanks for the kind words! I have a Garmin fishfinder and an over-the-side transducer, but I have never-ending power issues with them that I just can't solve. I think it is because my boat doesn't have any "in hull" compartments where the wiring would be safe and dry so things go bad all the time. I am going to figure it out, though! As for pre-fishing, there is never enough time! I tend to pick the shallow areas to fish since those are "visual targets" that I can find with my naked eye, but if I had a day or two to scout a lake with a fishfinder and locate offshore rocks or other cool stuff I would be in heaven. Just not enough time!
Good job on self talk, we always second guess ourselves after the fact. You just do the best you can and enjoy the day fishing. As far as netting goes,Try to keep the fish in the water with tension until you get your net ready for landing it. But no matter what, don’t focus on what you lose.
Thanks! When I watch the videos I am so horrified that I am dangling those fish in the air trying to net... I am amazed I don't lose every fish that way! Got to get serious about learning the proper way to net a fish!
Looks like you did great on a lousy bite day! I know no one really wants to admit using them, but when I just can’t catch a fish, I put on a Ned Rig. It will catch at least a couple of small fish every time.
Looked like a grind. Its amazing though what the first fish can do for confidence, even if it takes hours to get that bite. Great job continuing to persevere!
Crazy windy! Do you ever head up the main creek? I've got a flat bottom with a mud motor for super shallow water. I was thinking about cruising up the creek just for some sightseeing with my kids
Thanks for your wonderful videos that show the down to earth fishing in your wonderful country. I bass fish here in Australia with a similar setup but with no sounder ;-)
I fish from a Hobie Lynx. It is perfect for me because of the light weight so I can lift it onto my car-top roof rack. The Hobie Outback is a really great choice as well if you either have a trailer or are stronger than I am for lifting it up on the car! Here is my Lynx: strictlysailinc.com/products/2023-hobie-mirage-lynx?_pos=1&_sid=1e14d7795&_ss=r
They were actually everywhere I went but I never saw or caught any bass near them. I think the bluegill had moved off the beds and the bass had lost interest in the area. But it is a good thing to learn for next year in early June!
Oh man, I have so much trouble with netting... all user error I am sure... but people have suggested trying a straight-handle net instead of the folded YakAttack net might work better for me, so I tried. It is a great net and it is slightly easier to store on my Lynx, but the actual netting process is about the same and the actual net "bowl" on the YakAttack is deeper than the biggest one I could get on this straight net, and therefor holds the fish more securely when I am trying to get my stuff ready for a photo. Basically my issues are all in my execution and not the net's fault!
I haven't had a chance to do that video yet, sorry! I basically love the St Croix AvidX series that they unfortunately discontinued this year and I have no idea what to replace those with as I break them (for the last 5 years I have been doing the St Croix rod replacement guarantee thing with those rods). I wish I had known they were going away, I would have stocked up! I have 3 AvidX casting rods total and 1 AvidX spinning rod. I also have 2 St Croix Mojo Bass spinning rods that I love. I acquired a frog rod from an Australian company, Millerods, at a great price on the Tackle Warehouse BlackFriday sale last year (their SwitchFreak rod which probably isn't an actual frog rod but that is the closest thing I own and works great for me!). Last year I started demoing rods from Little Miami Outfitters, a local company that designs rods, so from them I am currently using a Proteus casting rod that I really enjoy as my chatterbait rod, and recently their new Nereus casting rod to try (haven't gotten that one set up yet though). This past weekend I won a Diawa Tatula Elite casting rod at the Kayak Anglers of Northeast Ohio charity raffle at Fishermen's Central up by Port Clinton, OH, which I haven't had a chance to set up yet but it feels great in the hand and really lightweight...and very pretty shiny silver! Basically I have been a devoted St Croix fan since I settled on those rods about 5 years ago, and while I try other rods to expand my product knowledge and support local small business, I always come back to St Croix for quality and the awesome customer service in backing their product.
Good job! That squirrel, tho, wow!😂
He was so cute!
Wow!!! So glad I found this channel! Love your videos and your complete down-to-Earth attitude. Love your channel!
Thank you so much! :)
When the wind picked up, you were just like Superman dressing down, but in reverse... and no phone booth! Go go gadget!
I thought guys liked videos where girls put on lots of layers of clothing? 🤣
Love your positive self talk! Some days are just tough on the water. Tight lines!
That was something new I tried after someone told me I had been more grumpy recently at the ramp after tournaments. I think the biggest thing is exhaustion from never having enough sleep at these weekends, something I need to fix. But it is so hard to get away from the community fire circle to get to my tent early enough to get a good night's sleep when the alarm is set for 3am for tournament day. Interesting that in tournament life some of the biggest things to learn for success don't actually have anything to do with the fishing part!
Great video Melissa!!! Those overcast rainy days are great for a black buzz bait ;)
Good idea, thanks! :)
That excitement when you land one!! No better feeling
Even for a 12-inch dink! 🤣
@@GirlGoneFishing hey, those of us who tournament fish Ohio know how exciting a 12in fish can be 😅
My CKF trail allows 8" and over to be more beginner friendly... some of the guys refuse to submit them that small but I'm all "measure that minnow!". 🤣🐳🎣
That squirrel was crazy! I’d never seen anything like that.
I know, right?! And it is pretty sad that the squirrel was the highlight of my tournament. 🤣
Yeah fishing is not easy, but keeping positive is the key, so is moving and casting better than movin and groovin, glad you are enjoying your yak, good luck on your next adventure🎣👊👍
Thank you! :)
Was sharing a lunch with Larry Nixon and George Cochran 30 years ago at a BASS Techniques seminar in Dayton. Tip of the day, if it starts raining, throw a white spinner bait. I'd add a top water too. Thanks for sharing the experience.
Interesting, I'll try that next time! Thanks!
@@GirlGoneFishing I believe it was Charlie Champbell who suggested the same for a Spook. " if you can't catch the when it's raining, you can't catch them" :) Fun video, thanks for sharing.
The more I fish, the less I feel like I can catch fish! This sport is going to drive me batty!
@@GirlGoneFishing It's a rabbit hole. You might be surprised at how little you need to fish. Look past the marketing. Wanted to stop up at Cowan to watch the event and see what folks are actually using but day was high jacked by grand kids. Have to have a Strictly Sail meet and greet (way closer) grill out some time to promote the sport and league. Good luck this year.
Albino Squirrel😮That was the best catch of the day.
Hahaha it really was!
Love the squirrel!!
I felt the pain of that fish getting lost at the net lol. Good job staying positive on a tough lake 😎
Can't be making mistakes like that on a lake like Cowan!
@@GirlGoneFishing it happens!
Early season and pressured fish love them ! Think tiny on tough days!
I am so glad you went out there and tried your best I love to see you trying to get the catch until your time is up. My question is have you done any practicing before the tournament or now that you have your new vehicle will you test and practice more on these lakes to get more familiar with them? Will you add a graph or two in your boat to help you locate and read the bottom of these lakes? Thanks for sharing take care and God Bless!❤❤❤❤
Thanks for the kind words! I have a Garmin fishfinder and an over-the-side transducer, but I have never-ending power issues with them that I just can't solve. I think it is because my boat doesn't have any "in hull" compartments where the wiring would be safe and dry so things go bad all the time. I am going to figure it out, though! As for pre-fishing, there is never enough time! I tend to pick the shallow areas to fish since those are "visual targets" that I can find with my naked eye, but if I had a day or two to scout a lake with a fishfinder and locate offshore rocks or other cool stuff I would be in heaven. Just not enough time!
Good job on self talk, we always second guess ourselves after the fact. You just do the best you can and enjoy the day fishing. As far as netting goes,Try to keep the fish in the water with tension until you get your
net ready for landing it. But no matter what, don’t focus on what you lose.
Thanks! When I watch the videos I am so horrified that I am dangling those fish in the air trying to net... I am amazed I don't lose every fish that way! Got to get serious about learning the proper way to net a fish!
Looks like you did great on a lousy bite day!
I know no one really wants to admit using them, but when I just can’t catch a fish, I put on a Ned Rig. It will catch at least a couple of small fish every time.
I always have a ned rig with a TRD on in rotation, but it hasn't worked for me this year as well as it has in the past. Probably user error! 🤣
Looked like a grind. Its amazing though what the first fish can do for confidence, even if it takes hours to get that bite. Great job continuing to persevere!
Thanks! Sometimes that one little fish makes it feel like the world is all wonderful again!
Seems I lost your video from this morning? Guess it'll show back up again
I haven't posted anything yet today, but I'm getting close to putting one up!
@@GirlGoneFishing my bell went off. It was there then it disappeared
I used to be stuck on fishing big baits for big fish. Not anymore!!
It is amazing what you can catch on a ned rig!
Thanks for the tip have to try it
Putting out a video soon on that. My son is the master at it
Awesome!
Crazy windy! Do you ever head up the main creek? I've got a flat bottom with a mud motor for super shallow water. I was thinking about cruising up the creek just for some sightseeing with my kids
I've gone up every creek I can find up there, my Hobie Lynx is perfect for getting shallow! It is super fun to explore!
Thanks for your wonderful videos that show the down to earth fishing in your wonderful country. I bass fish here in Australia with a similar setup but with no sounder ;-)
Thanks! I went to your channel excited to see some Australian fishing and there are no videos yet, hope you will share some soon!
Tiny baits when fishing is tough can getter done 👍
I always learn something for you whit your videos.
Im looking for for a pedal kayak as my first kayak, which one is that one hobie outback ??
I fish from a Hobie Lynx. It is perfect for me because of the light weight so I can lift it onto my car-top roof rack. The Hobie Outback is a really great choice as well if you either have a trailer or are stronger than I am for lifting it up on the car! Here is my Lynx: strictlysailinc.com/products/2023-hobie-mirage-lynx?_pos=1&_sid=1e14d7795&_ss=r
I fished 7 tournaments on Toledo Bend, one of the best lakes in the country- only caught 1 fish
😂
But how fun to fish a great lake like that where every cast could be a GIANT! I would LOVE to get to Toledo Bend!
@@GirlGoneFishing for sure! 3 days of nothing but fishing and camping each year. I loved it
Sounds awesome! I'll get down there someday!
Your awesome and funny, fish a shakey head 6 inch pumpkin with chartreuse tail, 1/8 or up to a 1/4
Thanks!
Did you spend much time around those bluegill beds?
They were actually everywhere I went but I never saw or caught any bass near them. I think the bluegill had moved off the beds and the bass had lost interest in the area. But it is a good thing to learn for next year in early June!
Swim some little crappie spinner baits through those pads! You'll be amazed?
Hook them directly to braid so you can them out of there !
Is see you ditched the yak attack net? Why?
Oh man, I have so much trouble with netting... all user error I am sure... but people have suggested trying a straight-handle net instead of the folded YakAttack net might work better for me, so I tried. It is a great net and it is slightly easier to store on my Lynx, but the actual netting process is about the same and the actual net "bowl" on the YakAttack is deeper than the biggest one I could get on this straight net, and therefor holds the fish more securely when I am trying to get my stuff ready for a photo. Basically my issues are all in my execution and not the net's fault!
Have you gone over the rods and reels you use?
I haven't had a chance to do that video yet, sorry! I basically love the St Croix AvidX series that they unfortunately discontinued this year and I have no idea what to replace those with as I break them (for the last 5 years I have been doing the St Croix rod replacement guarantee thing with those rods). I wish I had known they were going away, I would have stocked up! I have 3 AvidX casting rods total and 1 AvidX spinning rod. I also have 2 St Croix Mojo Bass spinning rods that I love. I acquired a frog rod from an Australian company, Millerods, at a great price on the Tackle Warehouse BlackFriday sale last year (their SwitchFreak rod which probably isn't an actual frog rod but that is the closest thing I own and works great for me!). Last year I started demoing rods from Little Miami Outfitters, a local company that designs rods, so from them I am currently using a Proteus casting rod that I really enjoy as my chatterbait rod, and recently their new Nereus casting rod to try (haven't gotten that one set up yet though). This past weekend I won a Diawa Tatula Elite casting rod at the Kayak Anglers of Northeast Ohio charity raffle at Fishermen's Central up by Port Clinton, OH, which I haven't had a chance to set up yet but it feels great in the hand and really lightweight...and very pretty shiny silver! Basically I have been a devoted St Croix fan since I settled on those rods about 5 years ago, and while I try other rods to expand my product knowledge and support local small business, I always come back to St Croix for quality and the awesome customer service in backing their product.
You should put that little saying in a shirt . Keep moving keep casting
🤣🐳🎣