Amazing Sheesh-chewing off too much

Gary, Larry, and I were off on another Porta-Bote adventure at Anderson Resevoir, happily in search of crappie and large mouth bass. We noticed some splashing in the shallows and headed over. There was a large bass essentially paralyzed on the surface with a crappie jammed in it's mouth! I was able to grab the bass and lift it in to the boat. Using pliers, I pulled the crappie out of his mouth; the crappie was at least 8 inches long (unfortunately, pulled off part of his tail too...) but he was still alive. I let the crappie go then we weighed the bass; 3 pounds and 18 inches with a big fat belly. He looked blind in one eye--maybe that's why he bit off more than he could chew. Amazingly, it swam off just fine.

Amazing Sheesh!

Yo-Zuri Floating Crystal Minnow

This lure is amazing! Caught 3 crappie and 2 bass at Anderson Resevoir in early spring (March 22 '08) with my Gary Chan and Larry Boyle.

You can buy them at Cabelas for $7-8. Expensive but worth it.

Porta-Bote

This is the amazing Porta-Bote. It is unique because it actually folds for storage to a depth of just 4 inches thick. But when assembled is extremely sea-worthy and stable. They come in a variety of sizes; 8, 10, 12, and 14 feet. I have the 10 foot model which can accomodate 3 adults with a 6hp Tohatsu motor (purchased through Porta-Bote). For $2800 with engine, it's a cost effective way to enjoy the waterways.

There are some caveats, however. Though it folds flat, it is still heavy and awkard to transport. Our model weighs 60 pounds, but it is unweildy. It's best to have 2 people to move it around. Additionally, the 3 seats and transom piece must be carried and installed prior to assembly; this takes a lot of cargo space. Assembly is also relatively simple and intuitive but is challenging for one person; you have to sort of get in to the boat and stretch out the sides. If you aren't careful, the sides can snap back and toss you over. They include an indispensible spreader bar that makes assembly easier. But having 2 people is much more preferable.

Regardless of the set up challenges, it is a true joy to boat in. It's very stable (you can move around without fear of tipping) and it has handy features such as built in cup holders. With 3 people and gear, the 6hp engine is sufficient for ~7mph top end speed. Best of all, it's an awesome way to explore the waterways. Friends and family have enjoyed truly blissful and relaxing days out on the lake. It has provided many wonderful adventures in just a few months of ownership.

The Tohatsu outboard hasn't been as satisfying; gas engine use is restricted in the SF Bay Area; many reservoirs allow only electric motors. Plus the Tohatsu is hard to start. If I could do it again, I might try to get a Torqeedo trolling motor. They use lithium-ion batteries and can provide as much as 6-hp of power.

Ultimate ... Fishing Line!

The wonders never cease.

Who knew that FISHING LINE could benefit from the wonders of technology? This stuff, called Power Pro is made from Spectra Fiber, an invention from Honeywell.

Spectra® fiber is made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene that is used in a patented gel-spinning process. Polyethylene is a remarkably durable plastic, and scientists at Spectra Technologies have captured the tremendous natural strength in the molecular backbone of this everyday plastic to create one of the world’s strongest and lightest fibers. The gel-spinning process and subsequent drawing steps allow Spectra® fiber to have a much higher melting temperature (150°C or 300°F) than standard polyethylene.

Spectra as fishing line is amazing. 15lb test line has the equivalent diameter of 4lb monofilimant line. This means you can spool up your dinky ultralight reels with line that won't snap if you sneeze too hard. Plus the line doesn't stretch so it transmits every bump back to your rod. And it's very limp and isn't prone to tangling on itself.
It's truly amazing.
The only downside is the line is too tough to cut with your teeth. You have to carry scissors or a knife. And it is more expensive than mono, though long term, you probably save money. You can buy it on Yahoo! Shopping.

Here is a review of the line from TackleTour.com, a great fishing gear site.

By the way, here is a whopper we caught using it:

The Mokai

The Mokai is a completely new idea for water adventure. It is essentially a powered and very stable kayak that lets you explore wherever there is water. It uses a 6hp jet engine -- plenty of power for one person -- that can run in extremely shallow water. Think of riding UP rapids then cruising back down. Plus it looks stable enough to stand up while casting. At 100 pounds it's even reasonably lightweight and car-toppable.

If you live near water, this seems like a great way to explore. About $3500.