Topic: Kayakers

[PapawBob]

Any other kayak bass fishermen or women in the group?

[nicknight]

I have a kayak/boat: Hobie Pro Angler

[ITGEEK]

Hey kayakers and canoeists:
I'd like to educate you on boat ramps.
Boat ramps are for launching, and loading.
They are to be kept clear, for the next person.
They are not for sponge baths, socializing, nature loving, or for bird watching.
Kayaks are light weight, and you can pull your vehicle up, place them on the
side of the ramp, move your vehicle, and boats can still launch and be retrieved.
Boats don't have a choice, they must use the ramp.
Kayaks can launch from the side of the ramp, or from many areas of the water.
I once saw a kayaking business with about 30 clients.
All the kayaks were placed right on the boat ramp, blocking every foot of it.
Nobody else could launch or retrieve anything.
I understand that some people don't know about boat ramp etiquette.
It's never too late to learn.
Please spread the word.

Also, you don't need to have everything perfectly secure down at the boat ramp.
Secure things well enough to pull your vehicle up into the parking lot, then you
can take all day (if you wish), to secure things for the road.
Thanks.

[PapawBob]

This is great info but should not be addressed only to kayakers but to all boaters. I bass boated for over 40 years and was always stupefied how many boaters chose to back into position on the ramp and start loading their boat with the equipment for the day. So many boaters have no idea how to get their boat back onto the trailer also. As a group, bass boaters, were seldom the problem and here on Guntersville lake  bass boats far out number other types of boats. Many kayakers came to fishing from kayaking and not from boat fishing. Most kayak fishermen seldom launch from ramps and those who do, I believe, know the ramp etiquette, we don't like to be around the glitter rockets anyhow. There is no defense for stupid behavior on the ramp but ignorance should be forgiven and advice offered. While we are on etiquette, bass boaters need to treat kayak fishermen with respect while on the water. We are often buzzed by laughing drivers and fished over while on a spot fishing.

[ITGEEK]

I'm sorry to hear of the bad behavior of some boaters.
Yes, it is true, there are boaters out there with bad behavior.
Some people don't know, some people know and just don't care, and
some people are just assholes.
I don't have a Bass boat, but a utility boat.
I prided myself with how fast I could launch and retrieve my boat.
I made extra efforts to not have people waiting on me.
I got tired of talking to people about blocking the ramps.
It just gets old, and all it takes is one person.
I haven't taken my boat out in 1.5 years.
Now, whenever I fish, I fish from shore.
Hopefully when I retire, I'll take my boat out again, but NEVER again on a weekend.

[nicknight]

I updated a few things for you.

Hey whiners of kayakers and canoeists using the boat ramp:
I'd like to educate you on boat ramps.
Boat ramps are for launching, and loading of water vehicles.  They are there for ease of access, people like to unload from the car and be close to the water as opposed to parking far away and walking with their water vehicle.
They are not and excuse to whine about people you don't think should be using them.
Kayaks and canoes are sometimes in excess of 100lbs  or have a bunch of gear on them, and they can't be placed on the roof of the car but can be put on the trailer they were brought on.
Boat users have to share the ramp with other users of the ramp
Kayaks can launch from the side of the ramp, or from many areas of the water but it is sometimes far easier to launch from the ramp.
Boats can often be launched from many other areas but they tend to launch easiest from ramps.
I am often at the boat launch where boaters powerload their boats erode the ramp away.
I am often around boats have have to smell the stench of their dirty exhaust, listen to their noisy engines and deal with inconsiderate wake
I understand that some people don't know about boat ramp etiquette and those people use all sorts of water vehicles including boats.
It's never too late to learn that the ramp is just not for boats.
Please spread the word.

Also, you don't need to have everything perfectly secure down at the boat ramp.
Secure things well enough to pull your vehicle up into the parking lot, then you
can take all day (if you wish), to secure things for the road.
Thanks.


Oh yeah. 
1)This forum's subject is Humminbird fishfinders, is it not?
2) I like my kayak for fishing much more than my 16 foot motorized fishing boat.  If you like peace, less hassle and exercise fishing from a kayak might be for you.  It is great!

[ITGEEK]

I haven't seen a kayaker or a canoeist yet that makes any effort at all
at trying to be quick at the boat ramp.
They all take their sweet time, and are inconsiderate for the next person
trying to launch.

1)This forum's subject is Humminbird fishfinders, is it not?

Didn't a kayaker start this thread?

[nicknight]

It is not a race there sparky.  I have witnessed plenty (most) that were not dragging their heels.  You need to get out more.
As far as the kayaker starting the thread I am giving them the benefit of the doubt that they wanted to ask about using a FF from their yak, that is why I replied to them.

[ITGEEK]

It is a race sparky.
You are racing against yourself to be as efficient as possible at the ramp.
At least that's what I do, or I used to do.
The less time at the ramp, the more time for fishing, and the less time the next
person has to wait on you.

The kayaker who made the initial post was not asking about fish finders.
PawpawBob was asking if there were any other kayakers on this forum.
From your way of thinking, that post was extremely inappropriate on a fish finder forum.

[Airliner9]

I just got back to the house after doing some fishing out of my kayak this morning.  Lake like glass and nobody else out yet.  Thought about taking my Lund using the trolling motor, but decided to use my Old Town Loon tandem.  The extra large cockpit of the tandem unit makes fishing pretty easy.  I even made up a rod holder that spans the front of the cockpit so I can troll.
 My "boat ramp"is just an aluminum ladder so I can slide the kayak up and down the bank....so I don't have to deal with anybody else.

Nothing like hooking a 5 pound small mouth from a kayak.....but not even a nibble this morning...wasn't trying real hard anyway.  Just watching the resident eagle try to get a loon to cough up it's catch.

[ITGEEK]

Yea,
I'm sure there's nothing quite like the spacious room in a kayak.
Plenty of room to walk around and stretch your legs.
Can stand up safely and stretch your back really good.
I'm sure it's also very hard to lose anything out of a kayak, since there is so much room.
Also, if your feet get warm, you can put them in the water.
Some guy did that, and had his foot bitten off by a Shark.
He bled to death.
Yea, a kayak seems to be the ultimate fishing machine.

[nicknight]

ITGEEK sounds like a lousy fisherman.  No patience or respect for others need not to go at top speed.
I have my FF hooked up on the back and get great images.  Sneaking up on the fish is easy too, they are not afraid of my kayak.
I can cast, and flyfish while standing in my kayak.  I can bring my kid as well.
I also can go into areas boats can't

I don't have to worry about stretching my legs or back.  My arms and legs get a leisurely exercise while I am active moving my kayak.  My vantage seat is super comfortable.  I keep 6 rods on board and NEVER bump into them.
I have been in my 16 foot flat floored piece of tin only once since I got the kayak, that is how good the kayak is.
No worries about motors or gas or gas fumes and all that leg stretching exercise I do while kayaking (peddle drives are great) helps me feel good and live longer.  8 hours on my kayak is no problem.

I do wish someone would come up with better way to keep the weeds off my FF though, it took some thinking and work to start solving that issue.

I don't know why you are such a hater ITGEEK.  Maybe video games are more your thing.

[ITGEEK]

I'm not a hater.
I've actually got nothing against kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards.
As long as they keep the boat ramps clear (like I tried to do), then it's all good.

[nicknight]

You definitely are a condescending, bullying hater.  Sharks biting off feet.  Singling out kayers and canoeist for your 1st world problem. 
Really?  Tone it down sparky, you will live longer.
If you don't oh well, I have had enough of your tantrum.

[ITGEEK]

The shark story is true, here it is:
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/12/03/man-killed-in-hawaii-shark-attack/