J Francho

I do not use circle hooks. I use Gamakatsu Wide Gap Finesse hooks, and wrist-flick hook set. I don't lose too many this way.

Man, that's tragic.

I'm almost always in deeper water in my kayak. I like to fish deep breaks, typically around 12-17' around here. In a most basic sense, look at a map, and pick areas that are just off the main weed line and where the depth lines are close together, near deeper water. Trust me, pick 5-6 spots, and fish these. You keep putting in this work, and you'll be rewarded.

I've never understood these products - a guard to protect something that protects the prop. I guess you could hide a badly damaged skeg with one, but if it was that bad, it's not that expensive to repair.

And what's up with the jeans? Cotton kills.

Nice chatting behind the scenes. This is good news for our northern members. Any reports on their customer service?

Just order a Screwball, RAM graph mount, and deployment arm from Yakattack. I put my battery in a small drybag. No need to make it too complicated.

I've worked on both models. I own four of the Shimano reels. They're simply a better constructed reel. That's not to say the XT is any slouch. You'd probably be happy with either.

You have to be on fish that are biting, have the right bait, depth, and speed to trigger a strike. If all that is satisfied, then short of the gear failing, or incapable of getting the fish in, I'm gonna say no, it isn't really a hindrance. That said, a more sensitive stick, matched with good line, and better reel will up your odds of detecting the strike, delivering the hook set, and landing the fish. It will also be more enjoyable. I'm not talking about really high end gear. More like that $120 rod and $150 reel price point. That's where you get the most bang for your buck.

$850 will get you a GREAT used pro level kayak. Keep your eyes peeled. As always, get some seat time to see if it suits you and is comfortable.

I'm replacing my old bag with one of these: https://www.planomolding.com/fishing/tackle-bags/guide-series-hydro-flo-tackle-bag

The skeg is sacrificial, and that small amount of wear will not affect performance. Think of it like a bumper for protecting your prop. You scrap it before your prop. Nice clean repair Jaime.

Seems the guide train is not high enough off the blank. Definitely a design flaw. I'm surprised I haven't heard about it more on here? I agree, it's SUPER annoying. Any line slap. I made the mistake of putting 10# Fluoro on a spinning rod years ago, and it slapped during the cast, drastically reducing the distance. I think you want to take you spinning reel into a shop, and try it on a new rod to test before you buy.

What is the line slapping? The blank or the guide?

Denny is an all time favorite of mine. Jigs, T-rigs, and crankbaits are what I associate him with.

Pledge Multi Surface Cleaner works for me, as well as monitors and TVs

That's awful.

Laying around is the least expensive!

If you can, set the hook earlier.

A pool thermometer works as well, and has a closer range to what we find on bass lakes.

I did just okay with my commander 140 in creeks and current. I think that it's just a length issue, being 14' long it can get in it's own way in tight waters. A 120 would probably be better for small water. My Hobie Compass is just 12', tracks well, and since it's got a rudder, maneuvers just fine in tight quarters. I bomb big baits in it as well. I think most brands' 12 models are a good mix of stability, tracking, and maneuverability. It's really a test drive situation, though.

4600 pc. Two manuals with 970 steps, so with all the other pages, probably around 1100 pages. There is also a podcast for each of the major assemblies.

That's what I like about the Hobie Compass Mirage Drive, It's only 75 lbs. and is very quick. I've gotten over 6 mph, but that was with a TON of effort. Usual speed is 4 mph.

Me too! Also, long cast spools have been around since the 80s. They seem to come in and out of marketing fashion. I've never felt they affect the cast good or bad.

FeelFree has always had stability in mind. I like fishing out of a Moken 12.