J Francho

Those are cool.

It looks like it would work with ANY soft plastic. Thanks @Ronnieh

We fish A LOT deeper, but remember, it's all relative. I'm not ever going to rule out 15-20', but I pretty much have ignored 30' or less the past decade or so. I'll consider that 30' line on my maps "shoreline" and look at structure from there. LSC isn't all that deep, so, I'd say you're good at that 15' level. I'm talking dead of summer and that point where they hit their wintering spots. Fall and spring, you just never know, but if you run into them, it's game on.

Which Ike in the Shop is it? Shouldn't be any problem posting a YT vid.

Without a little memory on either, you're going to have bigger issues. The big advantage I see with Tasu/L&L is I don't get the tight coils like I do with lines CXX, Trilene XL/XT, or Big Game, if the reel sits unused for a few weeks. Of course, if you get the line wet, and stretch it on a couple nice fish, problem goes away.

Really good question, and I'll use Erie and Ontario as my example. If I find bait, and by bait, I mean the bottom is carpeted with bait on the graph, I'm confident something that I can get down there will get bit. It's usually either on a Hopkin's Shorty spoon (1 oz.) or some plastic on a DS. Occasionally, I'll throw a football and craw jig, or a tube on a 3/4-1 oz. tube head, but that's rare anymore.

I've something similar to lock my kayak to the rack or truck to prevent theft, but wouldn't recommend it for securing the boat to a vehicle. But hey, until it doesn't, it works for now.

Then you are fishing them wrong. I fish these baits, from shore, in some of the weediest slop. They are designed for fishing exactly this situation. Learn to finesse them through the weeds, and you'll get bit. The heavier the cover, the heavier the tackle. This is not a DS situation.

I wouldn't count anything out. That lake is loaded with big fish. To limit yourself to a 3' range is asking for trouble. Tie on a drop shot, and try 15-20' ledges. Go shallow. You never know. That's what makes that place a challenge. You know there's fish everywhere, just gotta find the ones that are biting.

I have a Helix 5 and 7. Mostly use the 5 on my kayak. I got Lakemaster chips for mapping. I think either would do fine for you, I just happen to be more familiar with Humminbird menus. Link to Screenshot of Helix 5 Video of the same: https://plan-b.smugmug.com/Family/Fishing-Journal/i-sS5w2Zg/A

Welcome back!

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The beauty of a drop shot is the direct connection from the tip of your rod to the hook. Add slack into that equation, and you lose all the advantage. As Tom said, the bait will move, even when you are dead sticking. There is current in most bodies of water, even deep lakes, and the bait will orient and quiver in place. Consider a 2D graph, as it will open up all kinds of water to fish. On Erie and Ontario, I start around 17-20', often as deep as 40'. No way I'd do that fishing blind. Here's a good hook up: https://photos.smugmug.com/Family/Fishing-Journal/i-4Kv6V94/0/b087d1fb/X2/20101113-ErieWithNoel-06-X2.jpg

You learn to work with the boat you have. I used fish creeks by my house with a 14 footer without too much issue. https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13516362_10208637773274922_4679072456188058124_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_oc=AQn1upeEWPdLIcUsXyRpwwZhFtP921M6Gv8_cIETyNpBzoT8oJzjHWslzpDv0lbQzSc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=ff147020853502ddfb47fb1f2b6ff7f3&oe=5E142247

Here's a modern mooching reel: https://www.daiwa.com/us/contents/reels/m_one_utd/index.html

Looks like some kind of home made mooching reel.

I'd be worried one would snap.

https://www.ucf.edu/news/ucf-monitoring-tropical-storm-dorian/

A medium/fast spinning rod to start, maybe add in a baitcasting setup, based on his casting ability. I'd start him off with 6-8# mono for spinning, and 12-15# mono for casting. Let him discover braid a little later. Some tackle for spinning: weedless hooks, wacky hooks, 4 and 5" senkos in his favorite color, some small medium depth crankbaits, a small spook/topwater style bait, some inline spinners or the "pond" size bent shaft spinners. This will give him starting points for all types of baits. Later when he gets into casting gear, you can introduce basss jigs and Texas rigs. Lastly, have him spend some time in the beginners section of the videos here. Good luck to you both.

I sort of figured that. I think you'll like the one stop and shop better. Also, it's easier to keep just one thread at the top of the list and active than two. You'll definitely get more answers like this, combined.

The only item I would use in that list is the Garmin unit. Some better products: Anchor Trolley: https://www.yakattack.us/LeverLoc_Anchor_Trolley_p/ams-1003.htm Get a milk crate, and attach one or two of these to it: https://www.amazon.com/ISURE-MARINE-USA-Vertical-Fishing/dp/B07SH38S48?SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-ffnt-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B07SH38S48 For up front rod holders, look at RAM: https://www.rammount.com/shop-all/kayak/fishing-rod-holders I've never needed a bait board, so I have no clue what to get there.

Give it a rest guys. Useless comments removed.

I would want rod holders, tackle storage, anchor trolley, and electronics before spending money on a wrap. In that order, as well. I'm assuming you have a decent paddle and PFD.

Yep. I looked into wrapping a kayak a decade ago. Cost was prohibitive, durability suspect.

I used to do it that way, but I try to avoid too much prep work the night before. It leads to no sleep.