2016 Year in Review and Lessons Learned

By far, the most popular post of in the short history of the ANGLR Blog was the 2015 Year in Review post.

Before I focus on my New Years Resolutions, it's time to take a look back at the 2016 tournament season - the successes, failures and lessons learned.

I have already published a separate post on the first tournament I participated in for 2016, the River Bassin' season opener in the Florida Panhandle, as it turned into a longer adventure.

So we'll start the official year-in-review with the KBF National Championship.

Tackle Warehouse Unboxing

My first unboxing video!

How I Keep My Phone Dry and Afloat

Last summer during a Tennessee Valley Kayak Anglers tournament on Chickamauga Lake, I caught a nice smallmouth to fill my limit in the tournament.  The fish would have secured 3rd place and a cash payout.  Instead, I fumbled my phone over the side of the kayak and had to start over.  Here's a little tip that will prevent that from ever happening again!


 

On Visibility and Contrast

Last week, I went fishing on Lake Burton with Jim Ware and Greg Wood, both of Rome.  At one point in the early afternoon, Jim and Greg fished about halfway back into a creek, then headed back out toward point off a large island.  I had caught my first fish of the day while making my way into the creek, and wanted to explore the creek further back, so I continued to pick it apart dock-by-dock.  Not exactly a winter pattern, but it was the only thing that had worked so far.  When I came out of the creek about 45 minutes later, I began to look for the others.

Off in the distance, I faintly spotted two sets of yellow paddle blades churning.  Jim was wearing a bright orange PFD, and Greg's was bright blue.  But the only signs of the two kayakers I could see were the four blades.  Using my Navionics app, I figured them to be about 530 yards away.  That doesn't seem like all that much distance, but it was a windy day with a lot of chop on the water, and it was tough to discern what was taking place on the surface.

Me, Jim, Greg, and our yellow paddles on Lake Burton

The boat traffic on Lake Burton was about what one would expect for a Thursday afternoon in mid-December.  There were a handful of other fishermen running around, but rarely would we feel that all-familiar rock of a boat wake across our bows.  It was quite peaceful and the fishing was slow.

Soon enough, though, spring will be here.  The winter solstice has passed, and the days are already getting longer.  We'll get a couple of late February warm fronts, and the bass will snap out of the winter doldrums and strap on the feedbag for mating season.  And the mass exodus of fishermen will descend on lakes across the South looking for big prespawn bass.

From this point, all through the summer and well past Labor Day, kayakers will have their head on a swivel.  After the spawn, the pleasure boaters and PWC's come out to play as well.  The lakes will be full of people.  Usually, this is when I head to the rivers, but I still like to get in some practice on the lake every now and then.  Visibility becomes more important than ever during the summer.  Most serious kayak fishermen are familiar with products like the VisiCarbon Pro, and other 360º lighting products.  Some anglers have LED strips mounted on their hull.  Both of these are great for visibility in low light situations.  

But the observation I made on Lake Burton the other day, is that if you want to be seen in broad daylight, the name of the game is CONTRAST. 

There's a reason why most states' DNRs require deer hunters using rifles to wear blaze orange for safety.  If you see something moving in that color, there's no reason to shoot. Other than on a particularly brilliant maple tree in the fall, blaze orange is one of the most unnatural colors you'll find outside.  In the photo above, Jim's orange PFD contrasts well against the water, but may not always contrast well against Georgia red clay or fall foliage.  Greg's blue PFD does not contrast well on the water, but would be quite visible against a dark tree-lined bluff. And his dark clothing provides a stark silhouette in the morning light. However, those yellow paddles we have contrast well against everything, and they are moving a lot.  There's no need to go out on the water in your coat of many colors, but several different colors ranging from light to dark on your rig, paddle, and body should provide enough of a contrast to keep you visible throughout the day.

Stay safe out there, and tight lines, y'all.

NiteIze - Discover Your Solution

For years, NiteIze has been making it easier to illuminate, attach and secure things.  Kayak anglers are rigging and gadget junkies, so I was thrilled to be invited to the Nite Ize Field Staff in March of 2016.  I was asked to send a testimonial to be published to the NiteIze website, and below is the link to the page.  I have used their products for a long time.

Nite Ize User Testimonials

Here are a few photos of products I use in action. The first photo is perhaps the most important, and I think is something that helps me out in tournament situations dealing with unpredictable fish on measuring boards.  I don't have to worry about fumbling around with my identifier this way.  Additional photos after the jump.

Gear Ties being used to hold tournament ID badge, S-Biner securing dry box.

KBF Magazine Article - Fall 2016 Issue

A couple of months ago I was able to pen an article about kayak fishing in rivers for Chris Payne's publication, Kayak Bass Fishing Magazine. It's a quarterly online magazine that is free to the public. It was a fun article to write, because I love river fishing.  I am posting the original transcript of my article below, but please click the following link to see the other valuable information in the issue.

Kayak Bass Fishing Magazine - Fall 2016

Transcript after the jump - I hope this proves valuable when you hit the river. Enjoy!

What sound does a peacock make, anyway?

I've got a lot of catching up to do on trip and tournament reports, but for some reason I just can't let this go, and I want to get this out while it's still fresh.  I was scrolling through Facebook a couple of days ago, and found a repost from Chris Payne (Kayak Fishing Blog).

The repost was a link to an opinion article posted on a website called Wide Open Spaces.  It's a well built site with lots of contributor content from various outdoorsmen and women.

As reluctant as I am to post a link, it would probably be beneficial to read it before you read my response. So, here it is.  It's a piece of work.

Amateur Anglers in Jerseys are Peacocks

OK, then.  If that's how you feel, here's a selfie for you.

It should be noted that the author Brent Cannon does make some valid points, especially about the state of the "Pro Staff" game.  I have seen it first hand, especially with younger anglers.  They accept a pro staff position with a company for which they've never used that equipment.  It's really not fair to the company nor the angler when you think about it.  The company gets nearly free advertising, but it comes from anglers who know very little about the product they are repping.  And, yes, the angler gets to say he or she is on pro staff, but what is the benefit?  To me, being on a pro staff should be mutually beneficial.  And I believe the author is coming from the same school of thought in that regard.  That is a common school of thought among many in the kayak fishing community.  Chris Payne has warned us of such pitfalls in the Kayak Fishing Blog, and it has been preached on various other outlets within our community.  Kayak fishing is a rapidly growing niche within the fishing industry, and many companies see that.  We as anglers (kayak or bass boat) need to be smart in the decisions we make as to whom and where we associate ourselves. Good points made, but that is a soapbox for another day.

Here is the excerpt that has me scratching my head and ruffling my feathers, so to speak -

"Better yet, do they even know you are sporting their logo while acting like an absolute douche to everyone you meet?

I get it. You probably didn’t win enough trophies as a kid, your mom always told you that you could be anything you wanted, and the best way for people to THINK you’re an awesome angler isn’t to show them on the water, it’s to slap 1,326 logos on a jersey you had to pay $125 for.

Oh, too harsh? Really?

You can’t manage to qualify for a regional tournament, can’t beat the local guys on a regular basis on “your water” and have more excuses than a Dalmatian has spots. You do however know everything about everything in the fishing industry and will tell anyone who will listen.

While you run your mouth at the bait shop, the oldtimer in the blue jeans and original trucker hat from Mann’s Bait Company in 1979 is grinning behind his cup of coffee. You know why? He’s going to take your money again this weekend.

I remember a day when patches were earned, jerseys were for the elite anglers, and humility still ruled the day. Maybe I’m an old fart too, longing for a better community of fishermen. Maybe I wish these 20 and 30 something anglers would chill out spending so much money on jerseys and boat wraps when they can’t win a tournament.

Earn something! Win something!

Amateur anglers in pros clothing sends all the wrong messages. It’s pride. It’s vanity. It’s wanting to be seen as special. What the rest of us see is an insecure peacock who needs to preen and prance.

You want to be seen as above average or special. Newsflash Einstein! Clothes don’t catch fish. Boat wraps don’t mean crap if you are the one paying to have it done.

What you really need to do is spend time working on your craft. Learn new skills, learn the waters you’ll be fishing and stop parading around as if the anglers not in jerseys should bow to your greatness."

Let's get some things straight, Brent.  I know sarcasm and hyperbole when I see it.  But I'm also pretty good at sniffing out a good old fashioned hater.  They're getting easier and easier to spot because there are way too many around these days, meddling in everyone else's business rather than tending to their own.  I'm sorry you're worried about what I'm wearing when I'm paying my hard earned money to enter a tournament.  I didn't know my wardrobe was a microaggression.  You reminisce about the old days but hate like a millennial.

Yes sir, I'm wearing a jersey to my tournaments this year.  Please, tell me again how that makes me "act like an absolute douche to everyone I meet."  I have to know this so I can go apologize to all my fishing buddies. 

Yes sir, I got enough trophies as a kid - actually, some were even awarded for more than just  participation.  

Yes sir, my mother encouraged my hobbies and passions, and because of my Papaw I became a pretty doggone good fisherman.  I listen to those old timers in the Wranglers and Mann's hats - they can teach more than just fishing.  Those same influences like my parents and grandparents, and baseball coaches, teachers, etc also taught me things like integrity, good sportsmanship, and financial responsibility.   Fishing is certainly not my day job, but you bet your ass I'll be working some 12 hour days so I can save up some extra time for "working on my craft." I don't mind doing it. I do that so I can show up confident for a tournament. I fish all types of water.  I research constantly.  I read.  I watch the Elite Series Pros. I'm a sponge.  I admittedly neglect quality time I could be spending with my wife by studying lake maps and archiving 15 years worth of fishing reports. That's the only thing I regret.

While I show up on tournament day with a goal to win, I also try to be an ambassador for the sport and build friendly relationships with my fellow anglers - that's one of the draws of kayak fishing.  I've never been one to keep information to myself - I enjoy others' successes and try to both help them and learn from them, and generally they treat me the same. That whole golden rule thing actually works when applied properly.  

Furthermore, it's my business if I want to spend the money for a jersey to rep the companies I have worked to build actual relationships with.  I have a handful of pro staff/field team deals, and they are mutually beneficial.  I don't make the discounts, etc public knowledge because I don't think it's professional, but I'll say I'm quite comfortable with them.  The fact that they have not sent me a custom made jersey does not offend me.  The fact that I've spent money on those products in the past, so that now I'm comfortable representing them does not upset me. It makes me a more valuable asset for their brand, and gives me credibility. Those logos are on my jersey, along with a family business who supports me, and the products of personal friends that I actually use.  The KBF logo is on my jersey because that organization gives me the chance to fish from a kayak for $30k+ each year (as long as I qualify).  And I don't think I'm a sellout.  That's my opinion.  You are entitled to yours. My bills are paid and I have some money saved for a rainy day.  I'm fortunate enough that I could afford my peacock outfit, so I think I'm going to look the part whether you think I'm prancing around like an insecure douche or not.  

Indeed, clothes don't catch fish.  But my NaPo Custom Rod and Chattahoochee Jigs do.