I was reflecting last night on the last couple years of being on this site. In a very short time I've made some great friends through kayaking, and kayak fishing. Isn't it funny how just a few kayak fishing trips bring people so close?
I've been very blessed that God has put the kayak friends in my life that he has I've learned a great deal of kayak fishing from y'all in a short period of time. Compared to some of y'all old timers that have been into this great sport for many years, this next month will only be my second year in a kayak. I'm sometimes hesitant to help the complete newbies out for fear of steering them the wrong way. But then again it's working great for me and I always am opened minded enough see there are many ways to do the same thing. Thanks for the last couple of funfilled years everybody. I'm very eager for the future of kayak fishing in the north Texas area. It is growing by leaps and bounds and you my brothers, are the players that are making it happen.
Thanks..........

Did you Just call us old timers?

Cause we prefer the term "Vikings"

Shaun, I have only had a chance to meet you twice, but must say looking forward to fishing with you and all the others hopefully soon.

Like yourself, I have been blessed, been in boats for over 20 years, and never even thought about a kayak, what a mistake! Got into kayaking at first to downsize while my boys are in college. Can tell you now, my kayak is here to stay!.

If anyone ever wondered, what it would be like to kayak fish do not try it, or you will own one. And the people you meet kayaking, like Shaun, are really good people! All the others that I have meet, not even go to list their names no need to, everyone is great! Wish I had been in a kayak a long time ago, Cannot believe what I have been missing all these years

I'm with you on this! Ive been at it less than a year and like Palovic down sized because of a new addition to the family. The bass boat was gone a month after my son was born and didn't fish for almost a year and a half. It wasn't until I made a trip down to the coast that I even thought about a kayak...they were everywhere. I had to have one.

I've had some great success this past summer and fall fishing out if it. Somethings people have to realize is that these kayak are fish catching machines and you can target trophy size fish more stealth like than in any boat. Looking forward to 2012!

I've also made some great friends on a very short time and can honestly day that they are some of the closest.

Shaun, we've yet to meet, but I know what you mean. Can't wait to meet you and fish with you all. This is a great site that brings us anglers together. Look forward to seeing you soon. Oh I'm easy to recognize...I'm the old guy with a pony tail......on the front and back of my head! :-) lol you'll see when we meet.

Shaun,

Great posting and like all the above, I totally echo your sentiments. I guess this must just be exploding more than I realized as I read how many people ... like me ... have just gotten into this sport within the last year or so. Bought our first kayak last summer, and now between the wife and I ... we have 4.

Of course ... I have to blame Number 4 on Alan and Mike at MS, because I had no intention of buying another boat when I left home headed to the swap meet last weekend ... LOL

By the way ... it was nice meeting you last Saturday at MS.

Tight Lines!

Amen brother!

Hey, I resent that. LOL. Great post and I can't believe it's been a decade of kayak fishing for me now.

I've met a few cool people too...

The evolution of kayaks lately is really something, too. They're starting to draw more non-kayakers to the sport. I have to include myself in that number. I've owned a big boat of one kind or another for over 40 years, but had never had any interest in a kayak.

I can't paddle for squat, and as bad as my left shoulder is, I likely never will learn to. But I average 140 miles a week on a bicycle, so the Propel pedal drive on my Native Ultimate 14.5 was a natural for me. I don't have to paddle. (I'm sure there are kayak purists out there who would argue that a hybrid like the Ultimate with a pedal drive isn't really even a kayak.)

If I had known what a blast it was going to be to fish out of, I might have gotten a kayak long before, even when I would have had to paddle.

Shaun, Didn't I tell you..... We charge a fee for our friendship.

First years invoice is in the mail!





^^^^^^^^^^^^ Your average Kayaker gathering.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


It's been great getting to know you as well!

Hope you added my fee into that invoice!!!
I suspect I was the first bass yak fisher he met at the TBF tourney in 2009.

You aren't kidding. When I was fishing out of a bass boat I never had people around me nor did I share sharing the experience with anyone. Kayaking has brought it all back home for me. It's so cool to be able to share the experience with a few fellow kayakers while we are out fishing.


Rob, We will be doing a lot of this here in a few weeks when those big ole' females get on the beds.


Well I'll be the old guy that has nothing but skin up on top of my head. LOL....


Great to meet you too. The guys at Mariner do make it easy to add to the kayak collection don't they .



Sounds like your about like me. I've had ski boats and bass boats now for 25 yrs. I flew right by most of the fish I'm catching now. Funny how slowing down allows for better fishing isn't it.
Most of the kayak manufactures are doing a great job producing quality kayaks now. Some are producing some really neat features. We are luck to be living in this period of time for kayaking.


Let me get my check book brother. It has been worth it



I'm not sure Rev. Heck I can't remember back that far. Dang.....I totally forgot about TBF. Those were some great times .

I've only been at the yak thing since Christmas. I'm enjoying every minute of it. Matter of fact I went Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Today in my Yak. Wednesday was in my CC but when fishing by myself the yak is the only way to go. I appreciate your help in answering questions. Let me know when you get your Yak Back. We'll go chase cats on Ray Bob.

Bob I'm REALLY wanting to chase cats on Ray Bob with ya. I had a blast the other day fishing for them with ya. I wont get my kayak back till after the boat show on Feb13th though ..Dude...I'm already have the shakes from my yak being gone...

And yes. Yes I did call you a old timer. Now get your lazy rear of that couch, brush those donuts off your shirt, wash that orange off your fingers.....Is that Cheetos? And get out here to the lake with us.

I've always said the first time I went yak fishing, it was a life changing event for me and I never looked at fishing the same way again. And the camaraderie that comes from this sport is icing on the cake.