What’s up guys,
If you’re reading this on Christmas Eve, there’s a good chance the house is loud, the kitchen is already a disaster, and someone just asked you to “help real quick.”
And somehow… your brain is still thinking about the water.
If that’s you, you’re in the right place.
Today’s issue is for the guys who find peace on the water, even when everything else feels chaotic.
Dad joke of the day: Why did the fisherman bring a rod to Christmas dinner?
Let's dive in!
🏕️ Community Update
Buying your first kayak is exciting. Posting it in the group is where the real fun starts.
New anglers show up every week, and the community never disappoints with advice, encouragement, and a few warnings about how fast this hobby takes over your garage.
Main Post:
Mike L:
Got my first Kayak today! Pretty stoked!
Top Responses:
Russ K: I have same rig. Slow but stable and comfortable!
Robby T: Congratulations! Your gonna have a blast in it.
Tim F: That’s also MY first yak…picked up a few months ago. Really enjoying it. Congrats! Now the fun really starts…outfitting and enjoying it!
Jeff S: Welcome to paradise.
Roy P: There's no turning back now. I must warn you it's very addicting I started off with one and now I have 10 in the garage
George L: Congrats enjoy and be safe the most important purchase you can make for your Kayak and one that should be made before you hit the water is your PFD
Featured : 🎣 Top 5 Beginner-Friendly Fishing Techniques To Try In 2026
If you’re still building confidence or just want a few go-to setups you can lean on, start here. These work, period.
Wacky Worm
Simple, effective, and deadly from spring through fall. Great for calm water and clear conditions. Cast near docks, grass lines, or laydowns and let it sink on slack line. Give it a slow pull, let it sink again. Easy as that.
Drop Shot
Slow, controlled, and reliable almost any time of year. Perfect for deeper water or when fish are hugging the bottom. Try it when nothing else is working, especially in clear lakes.
Texas Rig
Your best friend around grass, wood, and junky cover. Weedless and confidence-boosting. Pitch it into the thick stuff and give it little hops. Don’t be afraid to get snaggy.
A-Rig
Cold water confidence bait when fish group up and get picky. Best in late fall through early spring. Toss it near creek mouths, on main lake points, or on any structure that might hold fish, then hold on.
Frog
Late spring and summer fun. Explosive bites, zero subtlety. Look for lily pads, mats, or shoreline slop. Early morning and evening are prime time. Just keep that rod tip high and don’t set the hook too soon.
You don’t need 20 techniques. Master a few and fish them well.
🎄 Why We Fish (Even When It Makes No Sense)
Let’s be honest.
Fishing isn’t really about fish.
If it was, most of us would’ve quit a long time ago. Especially on the cold, slow days when your hands hurt, the bites are few, and everyone else is home warm.
So why do we keep going?
Because fishing is one of the only places dads get to disappear without actually leaving.
It’s quiet.
No noise. No expectations.
Just you, the water, and whatever’s been rattling around in your head, finally slowing down.
Cold days matter because they force you to be present.
There’s no rushing. No shortcut.
You earn every cast. Every bite. Every minute.
And that time doesn’t feel wasted… it feels deserved.
Fishing is where we reset.
Where we remember who we are outside of work, bills, schedules, and obligations.
Where being alone doesn’t feel lonely, it feels necessary.
That’s why we sneak out when it’s inconvenient.
That’s why we fish when it’s slow.
That’s why we keep going back, even when it makes no sense on paper.
Because the water gives us something that nothing else does.
And for a lot of us… That’s enough.
What does fishing give you that nothing else does?
Let me know, I read every response.
🐟 Brag Board - Weekly Catch
Samuel Brewer
This one stopped the scroll.
That’s a monster of a fish and a cool reminder that every once in a while, the water hands you something you don’t forget.
What do you think — prego or freak genetics?
Got a fish that made people do a double take?
Send it in. Weird fish welcome. 🔥
🎁 Still Need a Kayak Fishing Gift? You’ll Be Late… But Better Late Than Never 🎄
If Christmas snuck up on you (again), relax.
You might miss the tree by a day or two, but these are all legit gifts that actually get used on the water.
Rogue Phone Tether – Because gravity hates phones
Kayak Cup Holder – Coffee, water, or “hydration”
KastKing Fishing Pliers – One of those tools you grab every trip
Hat Lamp – Early mornings, late launches, rigging in the dark
Dry Bag – Keeps phones, keys, and sanity intact
Kayak Cooler – Food cold, drinks cold, morale high
Blackpak Pro – Pricey, but a serious upgrade
📺 Latest from Bearded Dad Fishing
Been busy and missed a few videos? Here’s what I’ve dropped lately ⬇️
Best Fishing Kayak EVER? Bonafide XTR130 Review & Test
I put the new Bonafide XTR130 through real on-the-water testing, breaking down stability, storage, speed, and rigging. If you want a big, confident kayak built for serious fishing, this one’s worth a look.
▶️ Watch Here
From Lake to Frying Pan – Catch & Cook Crappie Feast
A full day on the water chasing crappie from a kayak, followed by a simple, classic fish fry. Fishing, learning LiveScope, and turning fresh fillets into dinner. It doesn’t get more real than this.
▶️ Watch Here
Know a fishing buddy who needs these tips? Forward this to them so they stop asking you the same questions on the water.
🔗 Connect With the Community
YouTube: Weekly videos with reviews, tips, and occasional chaos.
Facebook Group: 46,500+ kayak anglers arguing about gear and helping each other out daily.
Thanks for reading The Hookset Weekly by Bearded Dad Fishing! Got questions or suggestions for future issues? Hit reply - I read every email.
That’s it for this week. Stay warm, fish slow, and enjoy the grind.
Peace and God bless!
- Jay