My report: I plan to go out Saturday on Lake Athens, likely in the AM.

Where is everyone else heading?

Unless you are very secretive about a fishing spot, or just prefer to fish alone, we should start publishing our plans.

What I have noticed is we often meet up, blab a little bit, share some ideas for the day, but we often drift apart . . . then cross paths over the day. Pretty cool.

For others, us older dudes, it always is likely better planning to go out in a group.

Kayakers are almost universally really good people, share spots and ideas openly, and we don't seem to be nearly as "territorial" as boat anglers are.

Future plans for me include a trip to Purtis Creek, Mill Creek in Canton, I'd like to hit Gary Yamamoto's "pay lakes" south of Athens, Raven Lake, several more. And, farther to the south, and definitely new water for me and one I'd want some company, I'd like to fish Naconiche which would be ideal for kayakers with its overabundance of standing timber. We could get into and go places boats might shy away from.

Brad

> Kayakers are almost universally really good people, share spots and ideas openly, and we don't seem to be nearly as "territorial" as boat anglers are.

https://cdn.meme.am/cache/images/folder381/15259381.jpg

I've been kayaking for about 10 years and have found as mentioned that kayakers are a lot more friendly and willing to share information and invite a stranger to paddle along and share a fishing spot.
I've witnessed kayakers come to the rescue of another kayaker who turtled and helped get them safely back on their kayak and round up their gear that floated away.
I've offered my help while at the ramp many times as well as posting suggestions to new kayakers when I've had the chance.
I fish alone most of the time, and it's comforting to be fishing around others who you know won't ignore you if you you get into trouble, because it's a two way street, and everyone who enjoys our sport realizes it.
Back on topic, I think I'll fish a local pond this weekend as it may get a little crowded on the lake this weekend.

Since retiring, I try to use the weekends for lawn care and errand running - lakes are a lot less crowded M-F. Like Brad, I do want to expand my geography to some new water bodies. Caught some specs in West Bay in May and hope to hit Athens, Naconiche, Daingerfield and Caddo later this year. May also go to the Elk River in Missouri for smallmouth - that was a fun float last year.

JCG57 . . . I'm up for Athens whenever you make it over this way.

And, I'd really like to get a small group together to kayak fish Naconiche for the first time. It is very "fishy" out there with so much standing timber, and I think it'd likely be a good place for a small group to explore and compare notes. Safer, too, until some understanding of the lake is gained. I bet Naconiche would be great in mid-September just as the weather begins to cool and the bass want to feed up for winter.

Our kayak forum is almost always very polite; we accept others' opinions and just state our differences. If you want a glimpse of some other anglers, go read a few posts on the "Bass Fishing" forum. They can get absolutely brutal up there.

Brad

Brad R or anyone or a group would like get together let me know an we can hit any of those lake. I live in Canton an work in Athens. I fish at lunch around the Lake Athens marina. I've heard Lake Holbrook is a good lake around Grand Saline.

Doing 14 miles on the Kansas River, no fishing, just floating a new stretch.

Gear still in car and kayak still loaded since trip to Fork on Thursday. May hit Palestine, Athens, or Naconiche this afternoon or tomorrow.