fishing Archives - Pea of Sweetness

Quality Fishing Equipment from KastKing

August 6, 2015 by Emilee Evans

I think everybody knows now that our family loves fishing and we go fishing quite a bit. We’re always trying new lures, weights, live bait and fishing line, and we’re always excited to try new fishing equipment!

Disclosure: I received complimentary products to facilitate my KastKing review. Regardless, all opinions are my own and those of my family. This post contains affiliate links.
KastKing offers a variety of fishing equipment for both fishing beginners to the experts. Their products are developed through feedback from the fishing community directly to the manufacturing floor. Their slogan is “Designed by anglers for anglers”. It’s an inverse of the manufacturer to customer formula. Input from anglers and the KastKing tackle development team delivers the fishing tackle features that anglers want and need. KastKing was formed as a brand and division within Eposeidon.
For our review we received the KastKing Royale Baitcasting Fishing Reel, Copolymer Fishing Line and Fluorocarbon Fishing Line. We got a medium action rod for the Baitcasting Reel with the Copolymer Line. Here is what my husband thought:

This really is a great baitcasting reel. I, personally, prefer a spinner, but my husband loves baitcasting reels and was having trouble with his current reel. It took a few casts to adjust everything correctly, of course, but once adjusted, it functions very well, and he’s experienced far less (almost no) nesting as compared to his current reel. Plus, it is available in a right casting, which is what my husband prefers.

This is a really sharp looking reel. It reels smoothly and isn’t at all noisy. The reel is smooth in general as well as when reeling up catches of multiple sizes. It has really done well. My husband has neuropathy, and he’s noted this reel is comfortable in his hands. It notes being smooth and consistent, and I think that is a great way to describe this reel!

Although I usually don’t prefer Fluorocarbon line (because I’ve had too many problems with it), I wanted to give it another try. I have been impressed with this Fluorocarbon line (as is my husband). We’ve been using the 5lb line on the medium action rod. This line has been sturdy but flexible. It has the perfect amount of stretch. We’ve had no issues with breaks or tangles, and have found this is an overall great Fluorocarbon line!

The Copolymer Line is an interesting line, and I was intrigued to try it. It is definitely better than mono. We have been using it on a medium action rod with a spinner. I have found it’s definitely a strong line, though it is light as well. I haven’t had any problems with breaks. It sinks slowly, which is nice, and it’s also great for top water fishing. It knots well, and has quite a bit of stretch – almost a little too much for what I personally prefer, but it is overall a good line.
Overall, we have been happy with and impressed by the KastKing reel and line! They are of high quality and reliable – exactly what we look for in our fishing equipment! The KastKing products can be purchased on Amazon.

For More Information:

Visit the KastKing Website
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Why We Got an Inflatable Boat

June 20, 2015 by Emilee Evans

It’s no secret we love fishing! In fact, if you follow me on Instagram or Facebook you’ve probably seen quite a few fishing pictures already this summer! I am even considering bringing back Fishing Fridays just for the summers. If you’d love this, be sure to let me know! I digress.
So when we got settled here in Ohio my husband wanted one thing – a boat. We were kind of spoiled in Texas having access to my grandparents’ lake house with a great pontoon boat, but now we’re here in Ohio with very little access to significant lakes without a drive, but he wanted a boat nonetheless, so our search began.

We started looking at used boats as the prices were a little easier on the budget, but we were running into one problem – the motors were too big. You see, we discovered we could do some boating (and fishing, of course) right here on the Findlay Reservoirs, but they have a 10HP limit. So the question was – do we want to spend quite a bit on a boat and then buy an additional motor just for the Reservoirs? We went back and forth on this for a while!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Regardless, I’m only sharing as this is the boat we bought, and we enjoy it, so I would share regardless.
After much research and discussion, we discovered something we surely hadn’t considered before – an inflatable boat. When I hear “inflatable boat” I think of a raft like the kind we used for white water rafting. Little did I know an inflatable boat could be just what we were needing!

Here is why:

It is budget friendly. For under $800 we have a boat that works for us plus everything else we need – the trolling motor, marine battery, etc. The boat has two bench seats, fishing pole holders, a solid bottom (you can seriously stand up in it without any issues), and oars.
It fits our family. The boat is recommended for 4 people. We do have three kids, but they are still small, so all three are able to ride on the boat with us without any problems. For bigger kids (and, of course, adults), I wouldn’t recommend having more than 4 total people in the boat.
It is flexible. We can take our boat anywhere. We can use it on the reservoirs or we can take it on bigger lakes. It’s totally flexible.
It’s great for trolling. We have been using it frequently at night for trolling, and we have caught a bunch of fish this way. We will use it for hours, and when we come home the battery is still over 50%. Not only do we catch a lot of fish at night, but it’s so peaceful on the water at night!
It’s Portable. Another reason we were iffy about buying a boat is because we’d probably have to buy a trailer, too. Not with this boat! We simply roll it up and put it in the back of our SUV! Set up and take down takes less than 30 minutes, and we always have it with us, so if we want to go out on the boat randomly, we can just go!
It’s fun! It has been so much fun taking the family out on the boat. Not only do we enjoy fishing, but now we can spend time together out on the water, and it’s so nice!

Something to note is that we did have to get the boat registered because we are using a motor, though it doesn’t require the more in depth things like a title, for example. Of course, it’s important to be sure you have required items like your PFD’s (life jackets) and, of course, a fishing license if you’ll be fishing. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option with a lot of flexibility an inflatable boat is the way to go!
Will you be doing any boating this summer? What kind of boat do you have?

Fishing Fridays – Getting ready!

February 8, 2013 by Emilee Evans

Depending on where you live you might feel like fishing weather is still far off. Of course, you can go fishing in any type of weather, but how you fish and what you can catch will vary. Because fish are cold-blooded they move more slowly in cold water, so if you prefer to fish for striker fish when it’s cold you may not have much luck! The good news is, Spring is coming! Are you ready?
Here in Central Texas it’s definitely starting to feel a lot more like Spring! We accidentally left all of our fishing gear at my Grandparents’ Lake House on Lake Livingston, though!! So although the weather is perfect, our fishing gear is 3 hours away! Otherwise, we’d already be getting ready! By getting ready I mean we’d be checking our equipment like our poles and lines, hooks, sinkers, lures, bobbers, etc. We would evaluate if there are things that need to be replaced. I already know our daughter will be getting a new pole this year! We also evaluate if there is anything else we may need such as a new cooler, fillet knives, etc. Not all of what we decide is based just on the fishing equipment but on the fishing trips as a whole. What things can make our trips easier with the kids? Do they need new buckets, shovels, nets, etc.? How our fishing goes as a whole depends greatly on what the kids are doing and if they are entertained! We can do a few of these evaluations because we at least know what we have and what we left over there. So, it’s time to start thinking about everything and getting ready!
Fishing
I’m so excited not JUST because the weather is getting nicer for fishing again but because I just love Spring in general! It’s not yet too hot (which actually does become a problem here when it comes to fishing as well!) and is not too cold. Just beautiful weather! I love spending time outdoors! What are you doing to get ready for Spring and getting ready for some Spring Fishing?

Fishing Fridays – 10 Mistakes Beginners Should Avoid

January 25, 2013 by Emilee Evans

I know it’s been a while since I made a “Fishing Fridays” post, but it’s time to bring them back! Today I have an awesome guest post with some great tips for beginners!

Fishing: 10 Mistakes Beginners Should Avoid

Fishing- 10 Mistakes Beginners Should
Fishing can decrease stress, enhance relationships, and provide a great meal for dinner. Even the best anglers in the world had to start somewhere, and nearly all of them learned their lessons the hard way. Making mistakes is only human, but there are several rookie errors that novice fishermen tend to commit early on that can be avoided.
1) Talking, moving, rocking, and remaining conspicuous. Fishing is a simplified version of hunting and in both exercises stealth is paramount. Keep as silent as possible, do not move unless necessary, and pay attention to the water and the movement of fish.
2) Guessing every time you cast. Know what fish you want to catch on your line and tailor your location, your bait, and your line to the fish you want. You will better catch a salmon on different lures than you would a trout, even if you could catch both on one lure.
3) Showing up at imprecise times. There are periods of the year when fish are less susceptible to hunger pangs or to attacking a lure with aggression. Know when your quarry’s breeding times are and when their metabolism slows down.
4) Ignoring the weather. Pressure caused by moving air currents and precipitation will affect a fish’s behavior because they can sense it from beneath the water. Changes in temperature, wind, and tides all factor into a catch.
5) Casting a meal that is not appetizing. Some fish will go out of their way to snatch bait like blood worms, while others will turn away from a meal because it is not on their desired menu.
6) Not watching the environment around you. Birds’ behaviors will tell you a lot about the best time to catch fish— resting, inactive birds are a good bet that the fish are incognito. Insects swarming around the surface suggest nobody below is hungry.
7) Not choosing power or finesse. Some anglers enjoy a challenge with jerk baits; others work best with drop lures. Choose your style that best fits your skills.
8) Keeping the plan in the face of failure. Every fisherman should constantly evaluate and re-evaluate their casts. Know different casts, different locations, and different times that could be more effective.
9) Overpaying for supplies. The clerks at fishing stores want you to pay the most for rod, reel, and bait. Saving money with second-hand gear does not result in fewer catches, provided the material is in good condition.
10) Not looking for help. Other fishermen are often eager to share their advice and secrets, even if it means having to listen to a lengthy story of failure or success with a big haul.
A little preparation can result in a better catch. For info on chartered fishing, visit www.cabofishingcharters.net