Kayak Trip Report, Swoope Pond

[Ditch Basser]

I ran down to Courtland and gave Swoope Pond a try for a few hours. Kept 6, released about as many short fish spider rigging again. Best bait was a 1/16oz, white Marabou jig 8 to 10 feet deep in 19 to 20 feet of water. I'm still working the bugs out of the new setup, need to make a few more changes.

The water was very muddy for Swoope with visibility of about a foot and 84 degrees at 8AM.

[flintcreek]

Nice job, Swoops is hard for me to fish. Ditch, what type of Kayak are you fishing out of now? I have been off the water for the last 2 weeks trying to get some projects done around the house before the weather turns right for fall fishing. I want to try out my spider rig for my kayak in the next few weeks.

[Blackhawk19]

Nice report, I need to go fishing bad!

[Ditch Basser]

I'm fishing from a Native Ultimate 12. I picked it up on the used market about three years ago for $600, about half of what the price would have been new. I've used it mostly when I catfish a couple times a year since the open design worked better for jugging. You know how it is in a kayak, trying to getting everything in arms reach, while not in the way.


By the way, Swoope is a monster to find Crappie in. I've fished it enough to know where a few hang out, but still a good day is a dozen nice ones.

[flintcreek]

I have been looking for a drier ride for the colder weather and the Native Ultimate 12, Wilderness Commander 120 or 140, Nucanoe, and Ascend H12 are on the list right now. If you hear of a good deal on one of these let me know. I think I want the hybrid design and know I need at least a 400 lb. capacity. Post pictures of your Native when you get it rigged out like you want.

[Ditch Basser]

One negative to the Ultimate 12 I've discovered. It's not as fast as my old kayak (Old Town Dirigo 12 foot) and doesn't track as easy. Not the end of the world, but I do notice the difference.