By Louie Stout
One of the problems with growing old as fishermen is we get narrow minded and reluctant to try new things.
It often takes a persistent friend to convince us to let go of preconceived notions and try something a little radical.
Dave Mull is one of those friends who wouldnt take no for answer.
Mull, a fellow outdoors writer and the kayak columnist for Bassmaster Magazine, has badgered me for two years to try fishing from a kayak. Ive resisted, primarily because the notion of being cramped in plastic bugg so close to the water sounds risky. My agility isnt what it used to be.
But the dude wouldnt give up.
Ive got a new method of fishing that catches an incredible number of bass, he told me. If you go with me in a kayak, Ill show you.
He found my weak spot. I gave in.
We met at Cory Lake west of Three Rivers, Mich. one weekday morning in April and launched Daves pair of kayaks. He put me in his Cadillac model, a 14-foot Hobie Pro Angler powered by Mirage Drive while he fished from a smaller version.
Getting in this thing was tricky, and it took a few minutes to get the hang of it, especially the pedaling aspect that serves as manpower. After adjusting, it proved to be far more comfortable than anticipated, and being that close to the water offered a whole new perspective to fishing.
The fact I didnt flip the darn thing over speaks volumes as to how stable the Hobie is.
The bass catching technique he shared was equally impressive. Its called a Ned Rig, a stubby soft-plastic bait fashioned on a 1/16th ounce jig head.
His bait is a 2.75-inch Z-Man T.R.D. (The Real Deal), made of stretchy Elaz-Tech, a durable yet soft-plastic plastic material.
I had early doubts; the bait has essentially no action until it hits the water. Its fished on spinning tackle and light line and can be either wound slowly back to the boat or dragged on bottom. Either way, it resembles a minnow or a small bottom creature, something that bass apparently cant resist.
We only fished for a few hours but the Ned Rigs produced a couple dozen small bass and a few pike. And while the fish werent huge, playing them on light tackle and at eye level was a lot of fun.
I havent been back in kayak, but I have been playing with the Ned Rig and it certainly catches fish of all types. In addition to bass and pike, the little morsel attracts incidental catches of crappies and bluegills as well.
Although the Z-Man version is long lasting and durable, you can make your own by cutting a stick worm (like a Senko) in half and gluing it onto the mushroom jig head. The lighter the jig the better, but you can adjust the weight based upon the depth of water youre fishing.
Were not ready to add a kayak to our fishing flotilla at the Stout residence, but it sure piqued my interest.
And the Ned Rig? Its one of those nifty tricks Ive added to the tackle box when my favorites arent getting the job done.
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