Great Lakes Kayak Fishing Series: Walleye

After the purchase of my new kayak, +BrookField Angler, suggested to me that I join the Great Lakes Kayak Fishing Series.

The 3 part series is as follows:

May 3 - Walleye @ Fox Chain of Lakes

June 14 - Largemouth Bass @ Illinois River at Heritage Harbor Ottawa

September 6 - King Salmon @ Lake Michigan out of Manitowoc Marina

Yesterday was the first tournament for walleye. I have almost zero experience with walleye. I have never went out and targeted them in my fishing career. The only time they were ever caught by me, I was bass fishing.

The day had it's ups and downs, but overall it was a good day. The sun was out, but the wind was howling. It made it extremely difficult to paddle, but I managed. I toyed the idea of using my fly rod, but to decided to dust off my baitcasting and spinning rods. I casted crank baits, and dead drifted a 3" gulp leach all day. I ended the day catching 2 fish on my dead drifting leech, but none of them were walleye. At least I wasn't skunked!

I am not the fish you are looking for.

The guys who organized the event did a stellar job. There were a ton of giveaways on top of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes. They were even nice enough to start the grill and treat everyone to bugers and brats when everyone returned. So, a big "THANK YOU" goes out to them.

I believe there were 15 people in the field (just a guess). Only 2 fishermen hooked up with walleye. The guy who won first place caught 3 walleye (12, 14, and 23 inches). Second place went to an 8.5 in walleye. Since there were no other walleye caught, everyone else name was thrown into a pot, and the third place winner was randomly selected.

Looking forward to the next installment on June 14th. It's my birthday, so, I have to win, right? Haha. The fly rod will definitely be joining me on that one.

DIY - Scupper Plugs

So, I didn't get scupper plugs with my kayak. (The seller forgot about them, and I forgot to ask at the time. He doesn't know where they are.)

Had to make due. +BrookField Angler told me to go to the pet store and purchase foam balls found in the cat toy section. I went, but did not like the sponginess of those balls. (I just laughed.)

Today when I was walking around  Walmart, I seen the answer to my scupper plug dilemma, in the form of foam/spongy yellow practice golf balls. They were not as squishy as the cat balls, so, I think they will do a better job, and for $2, how could you go wrong. Worse comes to worse, I could make a floating key chain for any small tools, or keys with those foam golf balls.

4 Pack Foam Practice Golf Balls - My local Walmart had a 6 pack for $2....I have 6 scupper holes. It was destiny.

I also, scored a milk crate at work. Slowly but surly I am modifying this yak to my liking, and on the cheap!

Next project...sealing those 2 hatches to make them water tight. There was some water that came in with the rain we had the past 2 days. Not much, but it's supposed to be a dry hull....not a wet one.

New toy!

Pulled the trigger on a new (used) toy.

I am no longer anchored to the shore!

It's an Ascend FS12T. It's a 12 foot, sit on top kayak, with 2 flush mount rod holders, a terrible placed forward rod holder.

I took it out this morning an hour after picking it up. It was a very windy day, so, I left my fly rod in the truck, and brought my spinning and bait casting set ups.

No fish were caught, but it was a treat to be out on the water in my own vessel. I am very excited that I now have the capability to explore the places I like to fish, without, the restrictions of the shoreline.

After my first short outing, I have 2 issues...
1. The 2 hatches do not seal water tight, and a little water gets is able to get into the hull. They do not have any lining to them. I have been told marine goop will fix that no problem.

2. Some forgetfulness on both my part, and the guy who sold the yak to me (used)....No scupper plugs. I sat in water the entire time. Didn't even notice until I got up and out of the yak. Anyone have any suggestions on some good scupper plugs?

All advice, tips, tricks, websites, and knowledge are always welcome, and appreciated!
Thank you, all, in advance!!