Kayak Angling Book Club

I've recently come into possession of numerous angling-related books, and now feel the need to flagrantly yammer on about them.  I also noticed that we didn't have a designated book nook on here.  Maybe we do.  Most lazy searcher.

First up is a tome that I acquired as the scientific force behind my quest to join the ranks of Bass'merica.



This was written by the lead scientist at Berkley's (bait not hippie) Fish Research Center.  There's your intro and disclaimer. 

In short, this book provided everything that I asked of it, and did so without dumbing down the topics or pasting them to the page with utter dryness.  Granted, there are a few sections that call forth the yawns, but, for a Textbook Light, this was a fairly easy read.  The author explains the various sensory systems of a bass, and makes clear through citations of his and other's studies what sensations the fish can and cannot experience.  The discussion of seasonality was a little short, but the material was dense.  A fair compromise.  The book culminates with the conceptual discussion of a Super Lure, an object theoretically based on the previous chapters' teachings.  For me, this really tied together the vast territory of the book.

I entered into the read with fluctuating feelings of hopelessness; the author is honest about the fickle habits of these creatures, and makes no illusion to the fact that great bass fishermen must be great thinkers.  By halfway through, however, those feelings were replaced by somewhat concrete mental references to the author's lessons.  I'm not sure if I'm now a better fisherman, but I can certainly talk like I am.

Recommended:  4/5 fish tacos.  I would have given 5, but one section did make me fall asleep on the train.

I like to collect vintage fishing books especially NW related and look forward to sharing.  Great Idea. Currently on the hunt for a book called Recollections of a sportsman by Ira Yeager.

Scott

I picked this book up last fall hoping to get to use what I learned from it on some Columbia River Walleye.  It is very informative and goes through how to fish the various seasons relative to what kind of water you are fishing (lake, reservoir, river, etc...). 


I would have to rate it at 4.5/5 fish tacos.  The information was good, but even though it mentions the NW, it seems a little more applicable to the mid-west.  But, I expected that.  If anyone wants to borrow it, let me know. 

can I just say that I don't feel like such a dork now... i have been eyeing these types of books but have been afraid to admit it openly.

Rev, embrace the dork.  I'm already deep into another tome.  Review to come soon .

Craig - thanks for the review.  I'll have to check that one out sometime.  Good stuff.  And thanks for propagating the fish taco scale.

Rev, embrace the dork.  I'm already deep into another tome.  Review to come soon .

Craig - thanks for the review.  I'll have to check that one out sometime.  Good stuff.  And thanks for propagating the fish taco scale.

I thought the fish taco scale was a mandatory metric.    I was just following your lead.

Not sure if this is on your radar, but a sporadic and cheap book source is goodwillbooks.com. A keyword query of "fishing" or "angling" yields lots of books under a buck. I've found a lot of stuff here, and shipping and delivery time and sweet deals. I got a literal crate of books for under thirty bucks. Worth checking out...

Not sure if this is on your radar, but a sporadic and cheap book source is goodwillbooks.com.

It is now! Sahwheat!
I've often found gems in the books at the Goodwill, but that required a fair bit of time and effort going from store to store.

Thank you Mister Jade!

 Ive got a few books that are applicable and Im now realizing that some of my favorites are still out on loan. Need to track those down.
Anyway, Im in.

Why does Hydrospider make me feel inadequate with everything I do?  Swet collection!  And hey!  You have the bass book?  Love to hear your opinions on it.  Your house sure does seem fun...

 There is no doubt that "Knowing Bass" has had a influence on my practices and philosophy.
I thought it was a great read, from the clinical point of view, and I recommend it without reservation.
After stating that, it's still just a small piece in solving the riddles of the bucketmouth.

Thanks for this thread AJ.
Im a big believer in education and its one of the primary reasons I choose to spend my time on this site.
My apologies for those feelings of inadequacy.
I have no doubt this comes from your attempt to follow the way of the Dork.
This is my realm and I have few rivals.

Back up the landspeeder, dorkbot.  YOU'RE the dude in the mini-vader pic?  You own the internets, sir.  Much respect. 

Currently reading Chad Hoover's Kayak Bass Fishing, and hoping it fills in some gaps left by Dr. Jones.  Thanks for hopping on the thread.  We should all coordinate a simultaneous read and get this book club into official status.

Wait a minute -- you guys actually read and discuss the book in your book club? My book club is merely an excuse to dine lavishly and drink expensive wine while sounding erudite. I think I've missed something here.... I'm intrigued, as always.

We didn't say that we don't drink wine.

There is no doubt that "Knowing Bass" has had a influence on my practices and philosophy.
I thought it was a great read, from the clinical point of view, and I recommend it without reservation.
After stating that, it's still just a small piece in solving the riddles of the bucketmouth.

Thanks for this thread AJ.
Im a big believer in education and its one of the primary reasons I choose to spend my time on this site.

I'm new here, but this site has impressed me with the content.  Y'all rock!

My apologies for those feelings of inadequacy.
I have no doubt this comes from your attempt to follow the way of the Dork.
This is my realm and I have few rivals.

I can't compete in that realm, for sure. LOL.  I do have a few books, and generally try to become a sponge on hobbies...of which fishing is by far in the lead.  Of course, I have to mix in good short stories like "The Old Man and the Boy" and books by my favorite author Patrick F. McManus; I have more by him, thought one would do for this pic.