2-3 months left since my USA fishing trip. I have been trying to decide on a schedule and route for my trip.
I will be in NY on the first of the June. I will rent a car there and i plan to go up to Indiana, to meet Esshup(if he is available by that time). Bob-O also invited me to his place in NE Indiana.
When i asked "where should i go?" to folks in another discussion board they all insisted me to go up to Michigan for fishing. They told me it was a paradise. What do you think? I am not really a trout guy . I am not a good fly fisher. I am more interested in muskies.
After Northern regions i will drive down to NC(to see my host family for a couple days) and then down to Florida for Southern Fishing. Now, i don't know if Florida is a very good choice for fishing(especially freshwater) . And i don't know where in Florida to go , as well.
I plan to buy in inflatable kayak. So i will be free to fish where ever i like without having to go on an expensive fishing charter. Good idea?
As to my fishing purposes, i just want to catch a lot of fish(any species) in a clean and heavily green environment, in fair weather conditions(well... not always) .
So guys, i need to hear some suggestions from you now, to firm up my schedule and purchase car rentals and flight tickets.
FWIW Inflatable kayak sounds like a leak and problem waiting to happen and perhaps ruin your trip. Just a thought, as it sounds like you will be driving everywhere, rent a small SUV. You then have space to carry all your gear and can rent or buy an inexpensive canoe you can carry around on top of the SUV.
Edit: Don't forget to buy a fishing license for every state you plan on fishing in public waters. Another thought, if you are planning on heading to Indiana first thing, you might want to consider flying into Chicago instead of New York.
Hey buddy, sent ya pm. I will be back in Indiana by June for sure. Lucky7s invite sounds too good to pass up. For southern fishing, you don't need to go clear down to Fl. If you're going to be in the Carolinas area I'll bet ya get some offers from some of those good ol boys out that way. Very good fishin in the eastern mnts. If the Mich guys don't chime in, there is some pretty good Musky fishin right around Cecils place at Lake Webster and Loon lake. My son has a place on Loon and if ya don't mind tents you would be welcome there for a few days. Scott and Cecil should be able to suggest other nearby places. Keep us all posted as you finalize your plans. Hope to meet you. Bob
Do nature a favor, spay/neuter your pets and any weird friends or relatives.
Fishing with ESSHUP will be a lot of fun even if you don't catch any fish! Unless conditions are really bad, he will make sure you catch some great fish. He is just a really wonderful down-to-earth person, and one of the best of the best, especially when it comes to fishing, hunting, and cooking. You couldn't find a better person have as a friend.
Going down to Florida should also be a fantastic experience. Florida has it all -- except maybe for muskies. They've got lots of fresh water, brackish water, and saltwater fishing. Fishing Florida is really exciting because you never know what might be on the end of your line.
Perhaps a stop in GA might be of interest. We've got some great bass fishing.
Regarding inflatable kayaks, I've taken one around the world because it is a heck of a lot easier to transport than a fiberglass yak. As well as repair. Consider researching Advanced Elements inflatable yaks. Specifically;
The Angler is designed for fishing with a nice wide open leg area and rod holders, while the AE1012-R is more sporty better tracking and you can use the top over legs for work area. Check 'em out.
If you come to the Washington, DC area let me know. I'll be glad to give you a tour of the city and show some great fishing on the adjacent Potomac River.
Fatih, please keep us all in the loop, and document, document, document. This could be an epic trip that many of us dream about. No boundaries of any kind is a vary rare thing these days.
LukkySeven and CJBS2003, thanks so much for your offers. It looks like Maryland and DC are not on my route, but if it changes i will definitely stop by.
Rainman and Pat... Haha . Is it really dangerous?
Bill, i don't know man. 35$ / day for a canoe sounds insane for me. And i might not be able to find canoe every place i go. I will get licences for sure. My flight is to NY. It is not a modifiable ticket. I will need to buy another ticket to probably Detroit.
Bob, you are amazing, man. How to refuse all the offers you have been making. No, i wouldn't mind staying in a tent as long as there is good fishing. Where is Loon? When i Google it , i see it is in the very southern part of IN. Webster seems to be full of lakes and ponds. Would love to be around there. I guess i will get in touch with Cecil, when the time comes Bob. I don't want to bother him 3 months in advance .
Ken , i thought that Florida had hundreds of species as you said but no one agreed with me . I will see... I have been corresponding with Scott for more than a year now. He is like a Pond Father to me. He is helping me so much with my impossible pond project in Turkey .
basslover , i always wanted to go fishing in GA. But never had a chance. I guess i will definitely stop by(can i have your email adress for further contact). Thanks so much for your kind offer. If i will pay more than 200-250 dollars for a kayak i want to take it back home. Not just leave it. How much space do they cover? Can i fit one in a large luggage? A luggage = 200 dollars extra on the airplane. So, i am kinda confused. Maybe i should look for smaller kayaks. Something like that would be great http://www.bicsport.com/images/YAKKAir1-Bag_Website.jpg . I guess you are experienced on kayaks. I might send you a message, before picking one.
FireIsHot , when i see someone excited for my trip, i get even more excited. When i saw people wanted to know how my trip would go, i decided to film a little documentary. I will bring some GoPro camera with me and film it. USA is a fishing paradise for Turkish People. Because there is nearly no fish here. I want my people to feel the excitement i will have with every cast. It is like a virgin left in 50 ladies , ready to jump on your lure . Ehehe.
A great place to fish in NY is on the St. Lawrence river in Alexandria bay. Some of the best Muskie and Pike fishing that I know of is done there, and a very beautiful and unique area. However it is vary far Upstate NY so probably out of your way.
Please keep in mind that this country is enormous. I'd hate for you to spend the whole trip in the car. If you look at the driving times on a map you'll get the idea, for example NYC to Southern Indiana is at least 12 hours.
If you will spend most of your time in the middle of the country, I might suggest taking an additional flight to Chicago or Indianapolis and then renting a car there. You could then make a big loop through the midwest and south and fly out again from Chicago or take another one-way flight from some destination down the road and return the car there.
Something like this (http://bit.ly/17Rdsy6) would allow you to see a lot of PondBossers.
Just stretching it a little on the gators... You won't believe how large Texas is if you planning to come here. Sounds like you really gonna have a great time fishing your way across the USA that is a trip of a lifetime. Heck most here would love to do that!
Please keep in mind that this country is enormous. I'd hate for you to spend the whole trip in the car. If you look at the driving times on a map you'll get the idea, for example NYC to Southern Indiana is at least 12 hours.
If you will spend most of your time in the middle of the country, I might suggest taking an additional flight to Chicago or Indianapolis and then renting a car there. You could then make a big loop through the midwest and south and fly out again from Chicago or take another one-way flight from some destination down the road and return the car there.
Something like this (http://bit.ly/17Rdsy6) would allow you to see a lot of PondBossers.
Wow, Bocomo how cool is that! If it were warmer I'd already have my bags packed!
Fatih, just think, all you'd have to do is program addresses into your GPS and put your car on auto-pilot while you're setting up your tackle for the next stop! Just thinking of all the Pondmeister's along that route, the pond knowledge you would gain, the fish you would catch, and most importantly, the memories and friendships created. That truly could would be the trip of a lifetime!
Come to think of it, what if you had a driver licensed in the U.S. to drive you around? You wouldn't need to obtain a driver's license OR insurance? Hmmmmm, now we're talking the trip of a lifetime for two!
Please keep in mind that this country is enormous. I'd hate for you to spend the whole trip in the car. If you look at the driving times on a map you'll get the idea, for example NYC to Southern Indiana is at least 12 hours.
If you will spend most of your time in the middle of the country, I might suggest taking an additional flight to Chicago or Indianapolis and then renting a car there. You could then make a big loop through the midwest and south and fly out again from Chicago or take another one-way flight from some destination down the road and return the car there.
Something like this (http://bit.ly/17Rdsy6) would allow you to see a lot of PondBossers.
Wow, Bocomo how cool is that! If it were warmer I'd already have my bags packed!
Fatih, just think, all you'd have to do is program addresses into your GPS and put your car on auto-pilot while you're setting up your tackle for the next stop! Just thinking of all the Pondmeister's along that route, the pond knowledge you would gain, the fish you would catch, and most importantly, the memories and friendships created. That truly could would be the trip of a lifetime!
Come to think of it, what if you had a driver licensed in the U.S. to drive you around? You wouldn't need to obtain a driver's license OR insurance? Hmmmmm, now we're talking the trip of a lifetime for two!
Sounds like you have your mind set on a kayak. If you are not experienced with a kayak, I suggest you get one where your legs are not enclosed for when it rolls upside down.
I have never priced an inflateable kayak but $250 seems low for a good one.
basslover , i always wanted to go fishing in GA. But never had a chance. I guess i will definitely stop by(can i have your email adress for further contact). Thanks so much for your kind offer. If i will pay more than 200-250 dollars for a kayak i want to take it back home. Not just leave it. How much space do they cover? Can i fit one in a large luggage? A luggage = 200 dollars extra on the airplane. So, i am kinda confused. Maybe i should look for smaller kayaks. Something like that would be great http://www.bicsport.com/images/YAKKAir1-Bag_Website.jpg . I guess you are experienced on kayaks. I might send you a message, before picking one.
Fishing in GA rocks. The coastal areas have a variety of offerings and N GA is loaded with trout and the Piedmont (think middle to North GA) area is great for bass (largemouth, smallies, stripers and spotted). I've got a pond of course and access to another pond that I call "The Pen" because there are so many 5+ pound largemouth bass it's silly.
I will PM you on this forum so we can exchange email addresses and learn dates you are starting and ending your trip. To get an idea when you may be in the GA area.
With respect to KAYAKS if your funds can afford it do research into inflatables in the $400-700 range. You CAN pick up a much less expensive inflatable, but it is likely to be less stable, terrible tracking, less room, less durable, etc. To avoid losing yourself and or your gear in the drink I recommend looking at this YAK for your first inflatable YAK: The Straight Edge Angler http://www.amazon.com/Advance-Elements-A...ight+edge+kayak
It weighs 41 pounds and so it fits within the 50LB baggage limit?
It folds down into its own carry bag and the folded dimensions are: 30 inches by 17 inches by 10 inches. So that totals 57 inches which is less than the 62 inches suitcase check baggage limit. So in theory it fits dimensions and weight limits.
This yak is also an open yak allowing you the easiest and fastest means to escape for any reason. You can and will get wet(ter) in the open design, but for a newbie safety and stability are paramount so I think it is a serious contender for you.
Bill, get used to it from JerKB. If misery likes misery, figure it out. Hopefully Fatif is savy enough to not let one negative person(?) ruin this thread.
Do nature a favor, spay/neuter your pets and any weird friends or relatives.
First of all guys. I will be charged extra 1000 dollars , only for being 24(under 25) . Anybody can help me with that?(Maybe you know someone to help me?)
BobbyRice , thank you. PM sent.
Liquid i will be landing to JFK. The place you mentioned is real far away from me.
Bocomo, thanks. It will really be the trip of a lifetime . I should use my chance very well. I will be flying to either MI or IN. No worries.
Bocomo, Keith, Pat and Dave please don't try to seduce me to be on your route . But danggggg... That's sounds delicious. Meeting all of you and casting to all your ponds. I wouldn't probably need to pay for hotels too. Hehe.
Let's make a little calculation: 7 days in MI and IN + 1 day driving + 7 days in NC + 1 day driving + 3-4 days in GA and SC + 1 day driving + 7 days in FL = Less than 30 days. I tell you what... I don't know if everything goes like this but unless i love a place and stay there much longer , i might have a good shot to be in Texas. I just don't know how to drive there? Too far away... Should be 3 days of driving for my sleepy eyes. Leaving the car in FL and flying to TX and rent another one there, will be little too costy for me but let's see...
Keith , would you seriously like to join me?
Bill and Basslover , if i will leave the kayak in the USA why pay 500 dollars? Extra baggage prices are just so sick. Guess i should find someone to sell it before leaving. Sure i would like to buy a decent one.
Basslover i know GA is very good for fishing. Can't wait to fish together. I definitely want to go with advanced elements. My researches say it is the best for this price range. I might consider leaving the pump and paddles in the USA, to get the weight down a little.