Awesome content as always! What stretch of river was this? We just got back from a weekend on the upper Miss, did the Royalton to Stearns Park and then St. Cloud to Clearwater stretches.
This was the 8-10 miles below highway 91 near Blackberry. I've never done the Stearns Park area but there is some really fun water from St Cloud to Clearwater.
What’s your biggest advice for people fishing rivers with no motor? What would you say is a tool you use that’s is most important besides your motor? Power pole? Anchor wizard? I might be fishing mid section of Mississippi this year and want to be safe
Definitely do wear a life jacket. Aside from that, I'd have to say having some sort of anchor is pretty important. It makes a big difference being able to stop in the river to do various things without paddling to banks. I love my power pole but it has it's limitations and with its position being in the rear, you can rarely anchor and face upstream. It also works better on certain bottom compositions and in places where the current isn't too strong. An anchor wizard on the front makes it possible to face upstream as long as your anchor is heavy enough. As you may have seen, I'll take both on some trips and even use em at the same time. Having at least one of those gives you the option to stop in areas where you may not always be able to.
I use the NK180 mostly just to run from spot to spot. It's a little different when I'm in this kayak because I use it to steer and do a majority of the control. Pros of the NK180 are that it is light and pretty powerful. Cons are just that it isn't great for maintaining position. It all just comes down to what you want the motor to do. The bow mounted trolling motors are big and heavy, but they are going to allow you to lock on a spot in the wind which is pretty great in most situations. But for the river where I'm primarily floating or going up and then back down (alone), I'd opt for a rear mounted motor. Your preference might be a bit different if you are going to fish mostly lakes and big rivers.
Great video.
Looks like you had a blast!
A new stretch of river is always a blast!
I really thought for a second that first smallie popped the hook and you caught him in the net ! So close, least we got a good look at him
You and me both. So close it hurts 🤕
Awesome content as always! What stretch of river was this? We just got back from a weekend on the upper Miss, did the Royalton to Stearns Park and then St. Cloud to Clearwater stretches.
This was the 8-10 miles below highway 91 near Blackberry. I've never done the Stearns Park area but there is some really fun water from St Cloud to Clearwater.
What’s your biggest advice for people fishing rivers with no motor? What would you say is a tool you use that’s is most important besides your motor? Power pole? Anchor wizard? I might be fishing mid section of Mississippi this year and want to be safe
Definitely do wear a life jacket. Aside from that, I'd have to say having some sort of anchor is pretty important. It makes a big difference being able to stop in the river to do various things without paddling to banks. I love my power pole but it has it's limitations and with its position being in the rear, you can rarely anchor and face upstream. It also works better on certain bottom compositions and in places where the current isn't too strong. An anchor wizard on the front makes it possible to face upstream as long as your anchor is heavy enough. As you may have seen, I'll take both on some trips and even use em at the same time. Having at least one of those gives you the option to stop in areas where you may not always be able to.
looking to buy a trolling motor i see you use a rear one, what do think of a front one with spot lock versus the one you use an pros vs cons on that
I use the NK180 mostly just to run from spot to spot. It's a little different when I'm in this kayak because I use it to steer and do a majority of the control. Pros of the NK180 are that it is light and pretty powerful. Cons are just that it isn't great for maintaining position. It all just comes down to what you want the motor to do. The bow mounted trolling motors are big and heavy, but they are going to allow you to lock on a spot in the wind which is pretty great in most situations. But for the river where I'm primarily floating or going up and then back down (alone), I'd opt for a rear mounted motor. Your preference might be a bit different if you are going to fish mostly lakes and big rivers.
Do you use a bixby?
Newport NK-180