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The 'New Guy' at the Fishing Tourney

At 63-years old, I could not imagine being the new guy at anything. Well, here I am…63-years old being the ‘New Guy’ in the community of kayak fishing. In the Summer of 2015, I stumbled across an article that sparked my interest and curiosity in kayak fishing. Although I have fished all my life, most of it was restricted to the shore. My father had a little 16.5-foot bass boat that I’d go on, but that was my extent of on-the-water fishing, not counting a few fishing charters. When out on the boat with my Dad, I would let him decide fishing spots, so we never seemed to hit all the places I wanted to try out or stay in one spot and fish long enough that I was ready to move on. That was OK, though, because being out with Dad is all about him doing what he wants…you know what I mean? Not many are blessed enough to fish with their father when he is in his 80’s, so I’ll happily take it!

Back to that kayak article... Before we go any further, you also should know that I had never been in a canoe or a kayak in my life! So when I came across that kayak fishing article in 2015, the thoughts of me fishing in a kayak made me laugh! I didn’t think it would be a possibility for me and seemed more like a recipe for disaster…considering I had both my knees and one of my hips replaced, so my mobility wasn’t as fluent as it used to be. Of course, as I envisioned myself kayak fishing, I started thinking of squeezing into one of those kayaks that looked like a little cigar-shaped boat (queue the self-laughter)… but the thought of having the ability to paddle off by myself to explore places few shiny boats could reach, plus stay as long as I like, fueled my curiosity. As I researched more into kayak fishing, I quickly discovered what fishing kayaks were actually like (contrary to my cigar-shaped twig I envisioned having to squeeze into earlier), and I became a bit obsessed. I found myself always searching for all I could on the subject and browsing manufacturer's sites to find the perfect kayak to meet my needs.

By the Spring of 2016, I decided to get serious about trying kayak fishing and decided to pull the plug on purchasing my first kayak. In general, I was still nervous about the thought of getting into a kayak, no matter how stable all the manufacturers said their kayaks were. When trying to narrow down to a specific kayak that would suit me, I kept searching for kayaks that were labeled ‘most stable.’ My searches kept bringing me back to the Jackson Big Rig, so I figured this was a sign. Now, on to find one locally that I could try out…

Through my Jackson Kayak searches, I came across The Rivers Edge Canoe and Kayak as the closest dealer near me that would have a Big Rig. My daughter happened to be living in Lower Burrell at the time, so I figured next time we made the trip to visit, I would make a side trip to check out a Big Rig. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do once I saw it. Taking this road trip was just my first step towards getting involved with kayak fishing, and I didn’t know what to expect. I had never heard the two words ‘kayak’ and ‘demo’ put together before, so I was in for a real treat when I got to the River’s Edge.

As I stood next to ‘the beast,’ I recall Neill, owner of The River’s Edge, asking me if I wanted to try it out. To say I panicked a bit is an understatement. Now before we go any further, you must remember I had never been in a canoe or kayak before. I had to explain this to Neill embarrassingly, and he assured me I would do fine. So off we went to the river with Big Rig in tow. So, there I was, like a kid with his first new bike! Putting all my nerves aside, I got on the water and started to paddle, …and the more I paddled, the longer I wanted to stay out! When all was said and done, I was handing over a deposit check for the Big Rig and making plans to come back and pick it up.

That Summer, I spent much of my time in my new Jackson Big Rig just paddling and getting comfortable out on the water. I did some fishing from it towards the end of Summer, and it quickly became my preferred method of fishing! With some on-the-water fishing knowledge under my belt, I now started to check out additional accessories that I could add to my kayak. While the storefront was not yet open, Fishing Online became my go-to online store for kayak accessories. I soon acquired all the kayak fishing essentials, from a new paddle and a PFD to rod holders to a fish finder!

With the arrival of 2017, I learned about the Kayak-Anglers Fishing Club and decided to join, although I was still intimidated and a bit gun-shy of the idea of fishing tournaments. You see, I fished some small bass tournaments with my Dad, and they were way too cutthroat for my liking! It seemed like it was a life or death deal to a lot of the guys, which took the fun out of it for me because I just wanted to enjoy fishing! Although I was a member of the Kayak-Anglers Club that year, I didn’t get too involved with the club, and I spent most of my time fishing by myself, and I still had a blast! Every time I got out on the water with my Big Rig, I always thought about how thankful and happy I was that I dared to try out kayak fishing. I continued to add accessories and other items that would enhance my kayaking experience. (queue my wife’s irritated glare).

As 2017 came and went in a blur, 2018 arrived, and I decided to renew my membership with the Kayak-Anglers Fishing Club. In the meantime, the Fishing Online storefront opened, and considering it’s only five from my house, it was awesome! During their first month of opening the storefront doors, it’s genuinely a tossup to think if I spent most of my time there, at work or home... (queue my wife’s irritated glare, again). I met a ton of new people at Fishing Online and was able to talk to them about the sport of kayak fishing, and with their encouragement, I decided it was time to try my hand at a fishing tournament.

I decided to start with a tourney that was hosted at Moraine State Park since I was very familiar and comfortable with that lake. With hindsight being 20/20, I was thankful I finally gave it a try. Not only did I enjoy myself, but I was genuinely amazed at how helpful and friendly everyone was!...unlike the bass boat tournaments that I was a part of with my Dad. I had such a great experience during that tourney and with the KA organization, that there was nothing else for me to do but try another. But this brought a new set of challenges and fears. The next KA club event that fit into my schedule was on the Kiski River, which is moving water, not a lake! I’ve never fished running water before, let alone in my kayak! To say that I was a little intimidated is an understatement. However, the more people I talked to, the more I was assured that I’d be fine, so I decided to give it a try. Again, I’m glad I did! The water conditions that day were perfect for a first-time moving water guy like myself, and I couldn’t have enjoyed myself more. That was it for tournaments that year. I did a lot of Fall fishing and even started to consider a second kayak, something a little smaller, maybe a bit more maneuverable on moving water.

Well, 2019 arrived and man, I had big plans! I started the year by purchasing a Bonafide SS107 from Fishing Online! Not only do I now have a second kayak to choose from, but I now have one to share with family and friends. I marked my calendar with about 10-12 KA club tournaments that I was going to fish. I was a little anxious about the first tourney I planned to fish, because I never fished Presque Isle Bay before, let alone on a kayak! Again, I was surprised by my experience. I’m not sure how someone could not instantly be addicted to that place after landing a Presque Isle 18-inch smallie for the first time! All I can say is WOW. I did the Shriners Team Challenge a couple of weeks later and then on to Pymatuning State Park for that tournament in early June. But that is where my 2019 tournament fishing ended. Unfortunately, I was laid up for the rest of the season with shoulder replacement surgery and wasn’t given a doctor’s clearance to paddle until that October. It was a long Summer!

But a New Year is here, and I am looking forward to the 2020 season! I even have a new toy (Que the wife’s glare, again). At the end of 2019, I invested in a Power-Pole Micro Anchor System, and I’m excited to try it out. With that being said, my long, drawn-out point is this: while I was the ‘New Guy’ these past couple of years in the kayak fishing world, I never really felt that way! The kayak fishing community is pretty much a fraternity of amazing men and women. Not only the fellow anglers, but businesses like Fishing Online and The Rivers Edge Canoe and Kayak are a fantastic source of support and information! Everyone is always so willing to help and extend a hand whenever and wherever it’s needed. So, if you are reading this with intentions of wanting to try this kayaking thing out, but you’re a bit anxious and nervous (just like I was), don’t be! The kayak fishing world is full of welcoming anglers that will surround you with support and point you towards the right resources! Honestly, there are dozens of folks out there that would even meet up with you and let you try their kayak out! Don’t let the fear of the unknown, or your age, hold you back! Give it a shot. At the very least, stop into Fishing Online or Rivers Edge and look around and ask some questions. You may be surprised how much you’re going to enjoy this!

-Gary Henzler

How to Fish the Rapala Rippin' Rap

You asked for a more in-depth look at the techniques used on Erie Extreme TV, so we've partnered with Dave Lefebre and the rest of the crew to bring you a new segment called In-Depth Look! We're breaking down on the main products and techniques featured in each segment to help diehard fishing fanatics like yourself learn tips and tricks straight from the pros!

Check out this week's In-Depth Look at fishing the Rapala Rippin' Rap!

When the water is really cold in the Spring, Fall, and Winter, you can't beat the results of the Rippin' Rap! It comes in many different sizes, but in this segment of Erie Extreme, Dave utilizes the 1/2 oz. A 1/4 oz is also a great go-to size, as long as your not fishing in 60 mph winds. Here's a look at the set-up Dave uses when fishing the Rippin' Rap:

Rod:  13 Fishing Defy Black - 7'1" M
Reel:  13 Fishing Concept Z, or any high gear ratio reel 7.3:1 or more
Line:  Sufix Invisiline 12 lb test
Other Tackle:  Small #1 size snap for a quick change in color of the Rippin' Rap

The biggest challenge that you will face fishing the Rippin' Rap is keeping constant contact with the bottom and/or grass and keeping your hooks clean at the same time. When the water is cold, Dave's favorite retrieve style is to pull the bait off the bottom, let it sink down and repeat. If you feel some grass on your hook(s) just give the bait a sharp, little twitch and it should come clean. Give the Rippin' Rap a try and start reeling in the results!

You can utilize discount code ERIEEXTREMETV to receive 20% OFF most of the products featured in this segment. We hope you've enjoyed this week's In-Depth Look! Tight lines and as always, Fish On!

Jaxton's Journey: Fishing, Faith, Family...and High School!

Jaxton Orr is quickly becoming known as a top contender in the kayak fishing community. As the youngest member of our Fishing Online Pro Staff, we often find ourselves forgetting how young Jaxton actually is all thanks to his professionalism, devotion to helping others and love and dedication to the sport of kayak fishing. If he isn't orchestrating charity tournaments, studying, or spending time with family, no doubt you can find Jaxton on the water! But how in the world does he balance his devotion to his fishing career, family, faith, and life as a high school junior? Below, Jaxton gives us a small glimpse into his life as an aspiring professional angler all while balancing life as a teenager, Christian, and high school student:

"Walt Disney once said, “All of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” As a 17-year-old, that specific quote continually inspires me to chase my dreams fearlessly and do everything in my ability to achieve them. For me, my dream is to travel, fish, and compete in kayak fishing tournaments across the country. In my ongoing “kayak fishing career”, I have been extremely blessed to have many friends, family, and sponsors that support me and help me transform my dreams into reality.

I am currently a junior at Homestead High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana and it makes it difficult and frequently stressful to miss two to sometimes five days of school in a row as I am traveling and competing in different states across the country. To that point, I do my absolute best to prioritize my time and take school very seriously so I can pursue my dream with relentless passion and do what I love to do. During 2018 and 2019, I was unable to travel to a lot of the larger events that I absolutely wanted to compete in, but I MORE than understand and have learned that sometimes that is just how life works.

As the years have progressed, I have gotten much closer to the man upstairs, and none of my experiences and accomplishments would be a reality without him. That is something I am extremely grateful for. I have spent a lot of time trying to walk through my 2020 schedule and how it is going to look with school and all of the national level tournament opportunities. I have come to the conclusion that school will always come first, (after the family of course). In my opinion, dreams do not come true without hard work, sacrifices, diligence, and invaluable help from my peers. That being said, I am going to do my absolute best in school so I am able to travel and pursue many incredible opportunities in order to chase my dream of becoming a fulltime professional angler.

Something that I learned about myself during my first year of competition in 2017 is that I was a “dreamer” and not a “doer”. In other words, I had numerous dreams and goals, but I would never put in all of the energy, effort, and time to achieve those dreams and goals. I learned that in 2018 while competing as a 15-year-old. With my 2019 season in the books, I can now conclude that “anything is possible with hard work, diligence, time, with a positive attitude, and help from peers”.

Over the course of my three years of competing in kayak fishing tournaments, I have been incredibly grateful to be able to improve my mental positivity and learned what it takes to be successful. Not only that, but every outing on the water is a new opportunity for a learning experience. No matter if it is during a tournament or fun fishing, I always learn something new whether it's mentally or physically. Now, with the 2020 season starting, all I can say is that I am going to give it my ALL and put everything I have learned over the past three years, mentally and physically, into motion. At the end of the day, whether I succeed or don’t succeed, catch fish or not, it is truly a blessing to even have the opportunity to be on the water and in the company of such elite and nationally recognized anglers. With a positive attitude and mindset, the ability to learn from past experiences (good or bad), persistence, and time; any dream can be made possible."

Thank you for reading our blog; we hope you enjoyed it! Don't forget to check out Jaxton's tips & tricks on how to successfully fish Picasso Lures all season long in our 'Four-Season Bass Fishing Secrets from Jaxton Orr' article.

Z-Man Jack Hammer Fishing Tips

The Z-Man Jack Hammer Chatterbait is quickly gaining a reputation as a bait that produces tournament-winning results! Jody Queen, the 2019 Tournament of Champions winner, admits that you get what you pay for when it comes to the Jack Hammer. So far, it has helped him win $40,000 in tournament payouts!...talk about putting your money where your mouth is! Jody's go-to bait hasn't always been the Jack Hammer though. After he started using it, he realized the results that it produces and has since become a must-have in his fishing arsenal. One of his favorite characteristics of the Jack Hammer, besides the fact that it puts a nice chunk of change in his pocket, is that it is so versatile! If the standard 'throw it out and reel it in' chatterbait technique isn't producing bites, you can slow down your retrieve for modified action, speed up for a 'hunting' action, or even fish it like a jig! The Jack Hammer's capabilities are endless.

So, what's the big deal? Just like countless other anglers out there, you're probably wondering what makes the Jack Hammer so special compared to other lower-priced chatterbaits on the market. One substantial difference between the Jack Hammer and other chatterbaits is its responsiveness. Once you cast it out and begin to retrieve, the Jack Hammer immediately begins vibrating, whereas other $5-6 chatterbaits take a couple of cranks before you'll start to feel the action kick in. The Jack Hammer is ready for action the moment it hits the water, instead of needing a little warm-up like other chatterbaits need to get going. There are plenty of other characteristical differences, however, Jody seems to sum it up best with a short fishing story:

"I started off using some different chatterbaits...and a buddy of mine was sitting next to me on the Susquehanna River last year and I was murdering them. And he pulled up to me and was like 'Man, what are you using?' I showed him the Jack Hammer I was using and he was using a different [chatterbait] and we sat in the same hole side by side and were casting across each other and all around each other, we were fishing the same hole, and I outfished him 3-1 with that. I gave him a Jack Hammer, he tied it on, and he started catching them. So that was the start of  answering that question (referencing to what makes the Jack Hammer different)."

The proof is clearly in the pudding! Now that you know a little more about why the Jack Hammer is worth your investment, let us look into some of Jody's equipment recommendations...
Recommended Rod:  Medium/heavy 7'3" fast/extra fast tip
Recommended Line:  14-17# Flurocarbon
Recommend Reel:  7.3:1-8.3:1 gear ratio

Jody admits that you don't need a 'fancy chatterbait' rod because a good 'ol 7'3" will do. Tie your chatterbait on with 100% Flurocarbon 14-17 pound test line for river and lake fishing. Also, Jody prefers to use an 8.3:1 reel when fishing the Jack Hammer in a lot of cover, because he can start his retrieve really fast and get the bait up and out quickly. Now that we're talking applications, let's look at Jody's recommendations as to where to fish the Jack Hammer...
Recommended Applications:  used for both smallmouth and largemouth bass in any type of grass cover, hydrilla pockets, rocky rivers, and shallow waters (5 feet or less)

Jody's biggest piece of advance is to not be afraid to chuck it in the grass. If you're nervous about the price you paid for the Jack Hammer, just take the leap and practice in shallow waters until you get comfortable. It's not the hook that usually gets hung up, it's the head of the bait, so if you do get hung up it shouldn't be too difficult to retrieve back if you're in shallow waters. If you find a pocket back in the hydrillas, cast it back and just let the Jack Hammer sink down. Then, just keep yanking it through the grass and inevitably, if the bass are in there, they'll bite it! If you're fishing a rocky river, such as the New River in West Virginia, you'll notice that the Jack Hammer will just hop over the rocks, creating enhanced motion and vibration that will call the fish in for dinner!

The Jack Hammer produces results in lakes, rivers, and creeks (or cricks if you prefer). The only thing that you'll need to be mindful of is your Jack Hammer and trailer color selection based upon the conditions and areas that you're fishing. Here are some of Jody's recommendations...
Smallmouth Rocky River Fishing - use a green pumpkin Jack Hammer and a green pumpkin trailer. If you're fishing fast, Jody recommends using a RaZor ShadZ trailer, or if you're fishing slow use a DieZel MinnowZ.

Dark Lake Water Fishing- use a black and blue Jack Hammer with a black and blue trailer. The recommended trailer is again a RaZor ShadZ or DieZel MinnowZ based on the desired speed and targeted area in the water column.

Cold, Muddy Water Fishing- use a black and blue Jack Hammer with a black and blue trailer. Jody recommends using a large grub-like trailer to slow the chatterbait down, such as a Havoc Twin Tail or a Gary Yamamoto Hula Grub.
Florida Fishing- use a golden shiner Jack Hammer with any type of iridescent-colored RaZor ShadZ trailer.
Shad Spawn Fishing- use a green pumpkin or white Jack Hammer with a pearl RaZor ShadZ. Jody even recommends customizing your shad-imitation trailer by using a black marker and making a strip down the side and using a red marker to make small gill plates near the head.

Now that you've got the basics down and have tips from Jody Queen himself, you are ready to hit the water and give the Jack Hammer a go! Here's one last piece of advice from Jody:  "Have patience, a positive attitude, and never give up!" Never get out there and Fish On!

Southern Hospitality

Ah, Florida...a true fisherman's paradise. There's enough fishing to go around to fill all 365 days a year, and that's exactly why Pro Staff Teammate Bill Sikora took the plunge and headed South for good! Originally a Northerner, Bill used to do what most anglers do during the winter...meticulously organize your tackle, shine up the rods and reels, catch a case of Cabin Fever and countdown the days until Spring. But he said 'heck with that!' and ventured South and never looked back. Here's Bill's insight into the Southern Hospitality that the Sun Shine State serves up all year long:

"I can remember when I first got into Bass fishing...I was just some kid who loved to fish for Largemouth Bass, Crappie, and Bream from the banks of many South Jersey lakes. Winter was a time that put that passion on hold, and as soon as Spring started to show signs of life, I was back at it. Fast forward 35 years, I no longer have to wait to get my "Catch" on! I relocated to South Florida back in 2003, and after spending a year or so learning how to fish the local waters, I soon realized I was hooked! Then one day while reading a magazine on the toilet...an ad for a kayak changed everything I thought I knew about fishing!

Fast-forwarding through all the details of the events that transpired in my life to fuel my passion for kayak fishing, I sometimes don't realize how fortunate I am to live in South Florida...nor do I realize how bad my friends in the North have it while waiting out the winter. South Florida is an absolute fisherman's dream...you can fish 12 months a year and catch a wide variety of species. Florida's waters are packed with Largemouth Bass to Exotics, such as Blue Tilapia and "GIANT" Snakeheads, to inshore beasts, such as Snook and Redfish, to offshore species such as Kingfish, Dorado, and Sailfish. With the right equipment, anything is possible down here in South Florida, and I am proud to say I have accomplished catching fish in all types of water.

Don't get me wrong, our winter...all two to four days of it...can get cold, sometimes even hitting the 40-degree mark. However, certain bodies of water can stay relatively warm in the lower water columns. A slight tweak in your approach and presentation during weather changes is all you need to catch fish. For example, when we have our colder days, using finesse techniques such as the "Wacky Rig" or the "Drop-Shot" can yield decent fish. But when the temperatures drop for only a few days and then warm back up, the shallow areas near drop-offs warm quickly and the fish are now cruising the shallows once again. It might sound crazy to some, but basically what worked in the Summer will also work in December as well.

Just the other day the temperature was 55-degrees when I launched, so I immediately went to some areas where there were deeper drop-offs. I utilized a lipless crankbait to grab a few Bass close to the bottom. As the day progressed, the temperature rose to 80-degrees (this is why South Floridians are always sick in December). The sun was out and I hit the shallow areas with a 6" swimbait and started to catch the Exotics which had moved into those areas to warm themselves. The success of Florida fishing really comes down to these basics...know what the weather will be in the morning, rig for it, then have warmer weather set-up ready to go as well for the afternoon.

We have been very fortunate in Florida to have the Winters as we do. I can remember back in 2010 when we actually had a Winter! We had several days which reached freezing temperatures that got down into the low 20's, which really put a strain on exotics such as the Peacock Bass. That Winter freeze here in Florida killed many of the exotic and Peacock Bass species and it has taken several years for them to rebound. They are truly great fighters, so it's no doubt that they've come back strong!

You can find Peacock Bass and other exotics from Miami all the way to West Palm Beach. Snakeheads are also making their way into Northern Florida and are steadily becoming a sought after game fish. Some others are the Clown Knife Fish, Blue Tilapia, and the Sunshine Bass...Florida's version of the Striped Bass (this is a cross of a female white bass and a male striped bass).

It seems like a lifetime ago when I'd catch the 'fishermen's blues' and have to hang up the rods for the Winter, and would spend countless days organizing my tackle boxes, followed by reorganizing over and over again just to pass the time until Spring came. But thankfully that was a long time ago, and I'll never look back! So perhaps if you're one of those anglers with the 'fishermen's blues' who is doing what I used to do, perhaps it's time for a vacation! Grab your rods, head on down to South Florida, and come let Florida's Southern Hospitality serve you up one of your "Bucket-List" fish! Trust me, you won't be disappointed."

 Thank you for reading our blog; we hope you enjoyed it!

How to fish for Winter Hybrids and Striped Bass

Kurt Smits, the winner of the 2017 Kayak Bass Fishing National Championship, has been hooked on chasing Hybrids and Striped Bass for a decade! Known for being unpredictable, finding new patterns, and understanding these specie's behaviors is one of the many thrills when chasing these fish. Still, nothing tops the charts like the adrenaline running through you when you sink a razor-sharp hook into the lip of a Stripe! Some kayak anglers stop chasing Stripes after the early Fall feed is over, so Kurt held a seminar to educate kayak anglers on how to identify their patterns and different techniques to use to reel in success all Fall and Winter long in the Ohio River! We're highlighting and summarizing all of Kurt's recommended tactics in this article!

The number one element to understand before you hit the water in the Fall and Winter is angler safety! During the Winter months, Kurt admits that he fears the water. You must respect all elements of Mother Nature and be prepared! Gloves will keep your hands protected from the elements and will help keep them warm, but if you don't stay moving, your hands will inevitably get cold. Kurt uses angler neoprene gloves that have finger compartments that fold back. This makes it convenient when you need to make a line tie. He also keeps a cheap pair of fleece gloves on standby. Most importantly, make sure that you are outfitted with a drysuit and noninflatable PFD, and have backup clothes on standby in a dry bag. Here's a look at what Kurt wears as a drysuit underlayer and overlayer as temperatures approach freezing:

Drysuit Underlayer-thermal underwear/long-johns, fleece pants and a fleece top, regular pants, and long sleeve shirt.
Drysuit Outterlayer- fleece jacket and fleece vest.

NRS and Striker have great options for drysuits. Kurt states that you can have the best drysuit in the world, but the minute that you hit the water, your safety is in jeopardy. That leads us to the next non-apparel safety tip: no horsing around! Yes, fishing should always be fun, but Winter fishing is no time for horseplay. It's recommended to always fish with a buddy during cold weather, and you can enjoy each other's company, but save the horseplay for the summertime.

The last safety tip is to hit the water with the right tools. Kurt even recommends having a fire-starter stored in your dry bag at all times, because you never know what situation when may find yourself in, and being prepared is critical. When you hit the cold water, make sure you're in a reliable kayak and have the right rods and reels to get the job done. Stripes are hard fighting fish, so don't show up to the fight with 6-8 lb line. Kurt uses a minimum of 12 lb test line. When water temperatures are 40-degree+, try using 12 lb fluorocarbon. When the water drops below 40-degrees, switch to a 10-12 lb monofilament, and avoid the braided line at all costs! To help keep your line guides from freezing, Kurt recommends giving the guides a small coating of car wax. It's not very messy, and you can buy spray wax from most local retailers. This practice is not a permanent solution for freezing guides, and only lasts 4-5 casts, but helps increase your time on the water. Also, make sure to treat your lines with a line conditioner to help maintain line fray.

Now that we've got the safety covered let's dive right into late Summer/early Fall Stripe targeting. When the water is warmer (around 70-degrees), these species of fish will congregate in and around oxygenated waters. You're going to find them around dams, up in the tributaries, and the riffles. During this time, you can also find them out in the Ohio River at about 30-35 feet deep where the water is substantially colder. Use large lipless crankbaits and big swimbaits. And when Kurt says big, he means 12-inch swimbait kind-of big! Don't be afraid of those large baits; large bait equals large fish!


Once the river gets around 50-60-degrees, the large schools of Hybrids and Striped Bass are going to break up into smaller schools. Kurt believes that this is by far the best time to target these species because they're most aggressive! Right now, the only thing on their mind is food, and because baitfish are very sensitive to temperature fluctuations, they start to migrate down the tributary. The tributary cools down quicker than the river, which drives out the bait, and Stripes are just following suit. The hungry Stripes will come out of the riffles and down towards the mouth of the tributary, and linger on that line between the cold tributary water and the warmer river water. When you find conditions like this, start to downside your crankbaits and swimbaits.

The Ohio River is highly susceptible to flooding during the Fall and Winter months, but don't let this deter you from hitting the water! Kurt notes that flooding and blown-out river conditions help position the fish for you and make them easy to find. When river conditions rise 8-10 feet and get muddy, the fish are pushed out of the river's mouth and into creeks and tributaries. When the water is flowing quickly past a tributary and creek openings, the current splits and pushes some water up into the tributary at an angle, and the Hybrids and Striped Bass will follow that split current and hide in the banks near the opening of the tributary. They start to act a bit like Largemouth Bass and protect themselves around larger debris. During these conditions, they aren't chasing minnows or shad but waiting patiently on the edge of the bank for something to come by that they can eat, because they don't want to venture out into the river and expose themselves to the high current and debris that it brings. Kurt has caught some of his biggest fishing during blown-out, milkshake water conditions. Use a light, lipless crankbait or hard bait that puts off a lot of vibration with a 3/0 hook. Vibration is vital over color because when you've got milkshake-colored water, fish rely solely on their lateral line to detect their food source.


You have to change up your tactics a bit when the river floods in the Winter and water temperatures drop around 40-degrees and below. At this time in the season, the water temperatures in the river and tributaries balance out and only fluctuate a couple of degrees from one another. Unfortunately, this means the hot creek mouth bite is over. To find the Stripes, you'll need to find a tributary that is roughly 10-feet+ deep, and that has flowing water. You can find them in shallower branches, such as long drain out ditches, but you'll have the best luck when you find flowing water. These waters that have movement attract more baitfish and more life, and that's where you'll find the Stripes! Remember, at this point, they live to eat, so if you find the shad and minnows, you'll find the Hybrids and Striped Bass.

Once river temperatures drop to 40-degrees and below, the fish stop moving fast and tend to stay in one place for longer. Unlike warmer temperatures, during the Winter, the fish don't school by species but in a large co-species group. That means you'll find Hybrids, Striped Bass, Largemouth, Drum, Carp, and Catfish all assembled together. Sometimes this can be very frustrating because the Drum bite will be crazy, but stay patient and be persistent and you'll land that Stripe you're hunting! If the Winter river water levels are up, the fish will be right by the mouth of the tributary. Don't fish the ledge and creek openings, though; move into the tributary. Just like in blown-out rivers, the fish start to act like Largemouth Bass and will congregate around debris found up in the tributaries. When it comes to lures, you can use any small bait that you won't get snagged. Kurt loves to us a 3-inch paddle tail or minnow-style bait in silver colors on a small 1/4 oz jighead, because now with the water colder, the fish don't want to have to work hard to get their meal. The fish want a helpless, injured baitfish, so try a slow-rolling retrieve right through and around the school of fish.


When a slow-retrieve action is not working, Kurt switches to a Finesse Troll. Are you wondering what the heck 'Finesse Trolling' is? It's only a tactic that can be utilized by a kayak angler because if you try it out in a bass boat, you're going to spook the fish. Here's what you do: let your line out about 50 yards with a minnow-like soft-plastic tied on and slowly roll your bait, no more than 1.5 MPH, straight through the school of fish. With 50 yards of line out, you'll be far enough away in your kayak, so you don't 'tip them off,' and a slow roll with less tail action makes your bait wobble. This allows your bait to perfectly mimick a wounded shad and an easy meal. The Stripes won't hit hard when using the Finesse Troll method; they'll load up your line, and once you set the hook, the battle will begin. Stealth is critical for this approach to work, so as a kayak angler, you have a huge advantage!

On a Winter afternoon, when the sun is high, you can always look for a sun-saturated bank to target Hybrids and Striped Bass. Even though the water might only fluctuate 4-degrees in these areas, the fish are sure to find it and relax there. When you see them, start running stuff past them. Kurt likes to approach them with a 1/4 oz lipless, rattling crankbait. When the bite is hard, switch to a smaller crankbait without a rattle. He also likes to utilize small swimbaits and blade baits, because everyone knows you can't beat the results of a small SteelShade blade bait when they're hanging out towards the bottom!


Winter will inevitably press on and make the rivers and tributaries unfishable with ice; however, once the ice float breaks, you can resume targeting the Stripes and Hybrids. Icey waters are some of the most dangerous conditions on the water, so safety can't be stressed enough! Dress appropriately, wear your PFD, and never hit the water alone. According to Kurt, you don't even have to sacrifice, leaving your Crocs at home, just as long as you layer appropriately.


When water temperatures are 35-degrees and below, the fish will change their locations week to week, because they're continually looking for somewhere to eat and wait out the Winter. At this point, they're not searching for shad, but they'll happily accept easy prey that happens to swim past. The fish will more than likely be hiding right inside of the tributaries on the sides, but sometimes you can catch them right behind the ice float. The first thing Kurt does is throws a small, lipless crankbait. Let it drop to the bottom, allow it to rise with a very slow retrieve, and repeat. If that's not working, switch to the tried-and-true Finesse Troll with a skinny swimbait. Run it above, below, and through the schools no faster than 1.5 MPH. There's no denying that fishing in these Winter conditions can be trying and discouraging. Still, with a little bit of knowledge and understanding of the species, you can have fantastic success, even your personal best!

We hope that Kurt Smit's insight on how to target Hybrids and Striped Bass will help fuel your Winter adventures on the water. Remember, safety is vital, so never compromise it! Tight lines and Fish On!