Went out for my first time today, loved it

[dan]

Cabela's ran a sale on the Emotion Spitfire. Well, actually the sale starts tomorrow, but I got so excited by the flyer they mailed me that I stayed up till 6 in the morning working on getting my tackle into working order. When I got up later, I ran out and Cabela's was nice enough to give me the sale price a day early.

I also ran into several workers there who were super excited about kayak fishing. The one I was looking at was the same one some young guy had bought his mother. One grumpy dude there tolerated all of my newby questions gruffly and then I headed to the lake.

Heading to the lake was probably a bit silly of an idea as I didn't have any rod holders set up or rod leashes, etc. But I was just too excited to not go get in the water. I didn't catch a thing or even get a nibble. But I had a really good time.

I used a lot of information in the forums here to figure out the things I needed to pick up as a starter set up. Overall, I spent around $640 today. That included:

Emotion Spitfire 8' kayak - $200, regularly $250
Lowrance Portable Fish Finder - $129
Free Motion Life Vest - $69
Sandals - $12(had to get these at Wally World. Cabelas has nutty sandal prices)
1oz spoon - $7(promptly lost an older one of them today)
bunch of other stuff
anchor - $32
Watertight Box - $18
various tackle
season boat permit for my preferred lake - $26
ruler sticker for measuring fish
county fishing permit - $16
milk crate and license holder

The only things I was a bit bummed out about is that I'm not supposed to launch except for 3 places on the river. But I probably need the extra exercise.

Things I need to buy still

An otterbox for my ipod. I like fishing with tunes some days.
Handles for the side so I can carry the boat instead of dragging it
PVC rod holders(plan on mounting outside milk crate)
rod leashes
book called Kayaking Kansas
some way to secure my paddle

Anyhow, I'm glad I found your website and super excited to get back into fishing. The last time I kayaked was in the Pacific with an Army buddy and a couple girls. At one point a dolphin just swimmed up to us for a bit. I've been dying to get back into one for a long time but kept holding back. But at $200, I just couldn't resist. That said, that 8' kayak is small. I am going to have to really organize my rigging very well. And I'm not sure how you guys are managing to use those rod holders attached behind the seat. Maybe I'm just too fat, but it's pretty hard to put them back there.

[Tim]

Welcome to the addiction, Now go get it slimmed!!!

[dan]

Thanks for the hello! And of course, I screwed up and posted my intro post in the wrong section like a goof ball.

[Plasticpirogue]

Dan, I certainly hope you got lots of free time, because you just jumped off in the deep end! Welcome to the addiction. Any questions about rigging, tackle, techniques...just ask in an open forum and you will get lots of answers.

[ArcticCat500]

sounds like your on your way, theres no turning back now.....this in one addiction you wont havta quit Good Luck, be safe and most of all get'r out there and get'r on the water and "Hook M Up"

[vakayakangler]

Guess we could say you are "hooked?"
Welcome to the addiction and the kbf family.
don't jump into rigging too quickly, and just fish for a while. While you are out fishing.... keep an eye on your yak and THINK about where you will put stuff and how it would work there. Will a rod holder "here" interfere with the paddle stroke. If I put a paddle holder there, can I reach the paddle quickly if I need to correct a drift or back off a current real quick?

Easier to wait and get it right... you can't take back those big holes a flush mount requires...

[Ripn Lips]

Another falls into the addiction. Staying up until six will become a habit when you start hitting this site in the evening to check out the new posts. Kayak fishing is an activity that gives you a ton a benefits. Fishing, exercise and stress relief just to name a few. Everyone on this site is super helpful and I have learned a lot by browsing the site and asking questions. Good luck!

[BlueDaksi]

Welcome to Kayak Bass Fishing!

[WhiskeyWrangler]

Wow! You seem so organized... I could learn a thing or two from you.

Welcome to the addiction! Soon your dreams will be filled with big bass and awesome fishing trips.

[Ruffells]

Welcome! Do what Vakayakangler said because if you dont wait and get opioions from eveyone than you may screw up and put something somewhere you dont like or may not even have wanted, then your stuck with a big hole and a lower sale back price for the kayak when you want an upgrade (And really, who wants a big hole in a kayak that could have been avioded?)