ISSUE #12 · APRIL 7, 2026

🎣 HOOKSET WEEKLY

Your Weekly Kayak Fishing Fix · Bearded Dad Fishing

SPRING 2026 · KAYAK FISHING DADS

Spring is here and the fish are waking up. Short one this week — field report, a few gear picks worth looking at, and a quick poll. Let's get into it.

😂 DAD JOKE OF THE DAY

Why don't fish like basketball?

Because they're afraid of the net.

Trout season is rolling across the country right now. Whether you're on a stocked river or a local lake, the next few weeks are prime time to be on the water. Get out this weekend.

📍 FIELD REPORT

What's biting: Trout are the move right now — stocked rainbows and browns are showing up in rivers and lakes all over the country. Water temps are in the sweet spot and fish are feeding. Smallmouth bass are also waking up as temps climb, so if trout aren't your thing, bass are right there too.

Tip for this weekend: Stay mobile. During stocking season the crowds pile up on obvious access points. Paddle past the first pool you see and find water nobody else is fishing. That's where your kayak wins every time.

🎯 ON THE RADAR

Trout season is open. Here are four things worth having on the kayak right now:

YakAttack Leverage Landing Net — $90

Landing trout from a kayak without a net is how you lose fish. Foam handle floats if you drop it overboard. Non-negotiable during trout season.

Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv — $199.99

Don't guess where fish are holding. Find the deep pools and structure before your first cast. This is how I set up before every float.

YakAttack Omega Rod Holder — $29.95

Run two rods — one with a spinner, one under a float. Best $30 upgrade on the kayak this spring.

Feelfree Camo Series Angler Paddle — $99

Still using the stock paddle that came with your kayak? Spring is the time to fix that. Lighter, better grip, better blade angle for river work.

📅 COMING UP

Leaser Lake meetup is April 18 — two weeks out. Get in the Kayak Fishing Dads Facebook group and lock it in. It's a great lake and the KFD crew always shows up strong.

Tag your first trout of the season in the Kayak Fishing Dads group — use #BragBoard. See you out there. 🎣

What are you fishing for this weekend?

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Tight lines — Jay

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