J Francho

Invent a lure that fishes using conventional bass tackle, catches fish, but doesn't require traditional hooks, yet holds fish better than traditional hooks.

People invent new tools all the time.

My HIT has never gone off without being submerged. I test it each time I change the arming kit, which is usually once per year. My other two, both the pill style, have gone off if I just dropped them in the water. I bring them in each time, so they don't sit in a damp locker. None have gone off if worn in the rain.

Not necessarily. I can buy any number of gift cards using credit.

My goal with a split shot rig is simply to present the bait on a slow, gliding fall. I might add a swivel to reduce twist, especially in current, or if I intentionally put a kink in the bait. As to what bait, I use pretty much whatever plastic fits on the hook.

I'd think you could definitely make something innovative in the plastics department. Crazy looking new baits come out every year.

Sounds like you need to return it for a replacement or refund.

You want to get an auto inflate with hydrostatic activation. They aren't cheap, but they're reliable, and won't go off accidentally in the rain. I have a Mustang HIT.

Anything up to around 5/8 oz is fine. I like it for spoons, too. You'll know when you've over loaded it with a bait that's too heavy. Even then, it's do-able.

The AVC70MM and AVC70MHM are both graphite and will cover 95% of your cranking needs, from peanut sized cranks on up to the one ounce deep divers. They feature that good deflection of a moderate action without sacrificing sensitivity and weight loss graphite offers.

Power and taper are two completely different attributes. My AVC70MM has LESS power than my AVC70HF. As far as fishing from a kayak, shore, or boat, you would use the power and taper that matches the cover, bait weight, bait style, and technique. If I'm pitching a 1 oz. punch rig into heavy milfoil, I'll be using my heavy cover rod, not one shade lighter because I'm in my kayak.

That's why I went with the Stradic, 35 IPT. Helps when they rocket to the surface. Probably not, there's too many categories as it is. There's plenty of kayak action in here: https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/forum/10-bass-boats-canoes-kayaks-and-more/

Here you go: http://confidencebaits.net/index.html

A lot of people like the longer rods. I just don't feel the added length is necessary at all. I mean, look at those stubby deep drop rods saltwater anglers use. They're like 5' long and all handle, lol. But they're catching 100+ lb. fish. Learn drop shotting from the master: http://www.richz.com/fishing/articles/dropshot.html

Here's the other view: And the "magic bait"

@A-Jay has me beat. The on on top is my PB, a 5-12 from Lake Erie. My partner boated a six shortly after snapping that picture. Thanks, I keep shooting for that 6# mark, as I am also shooting for an 8 lb. NY large mouth.

I have no less than 8 drop shot rods, lol. My favorites are Saint Croix Avid AVS63MLXF and AVS63MXF. I have two copies of each, all saddled with OG Stradic CI4 2500 reels and Seaguar Finesse 7.2#, Invisx 6#, or Tatsu 6# line. Works great on deep structure smallies and "video game" fishing.

I use two 20# micro swivels in my terminal rig float fishing for trout. Yes, you can safely reel them through the guides, but not under load. I don't use them for bass fishing because I rarely use a leader, and when I do, an Alberto knot is less fussy, and the line we use for bass is much thicker, making these very difficult to thread. They are that small. One thing to note, I have never broken a micro swivel. You can get them here: https://raventackle.com/

I can't do that either. I use a free hand to rip off a couple flicks of the fins. I should probably make a video of this, since I don't hear too much about people doing this. A couple, but when fishing vertically. It's easier to get the bait in cone when using a narrow beam on the graph. You get better leverage when fighting a fish, as well. The other application I like a shorter rod for is top water/jerk baits. It's easier to do the tip down twitch thing with a shorter rod. You can even do it sitting, with the tip up, and get a rhythm that gets a spook to walk. It's practice and experimentation, and finding what works. I've been fishing from a kayak since 2005. I have also had a couple bass boats, and even a deep-v. Kayak is probably my favorite way to fish. I feel way more connected fishing this way.

Unless you're dealing with trees or low bridges, I'm still not sure why many prefer a shorter rod in a kayak. To me, length doesn't matter the boat. I do typically fish off shore. "Shallow" to me is 10 FOW. I like a shorter rod for vertical stuff, though. Not really, it's all the in the hull design. Any kayak I get, it's a requirement to be able to stand comfortably. My first kayak, an OK PBG. Funny you bring up frog rods. Here's an article about my search. https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/primmus-reel-dhc-7-rod-review.html I ended up using a pretty expensive jig/worm rod for it, lol. Still use this combo pretty regularly. It's a perfect rod for pitch skipping jigs under docks.

I pitch with pretty much all of my rods, spinning included. It's just a type of cast for me, so I use it when I need a low trajectory. I'm in a kayak too, but I'm usually standing. I'll move along using my free hand to give the Mirage Drive on my Hobie Compass a couple of kicks. If you think you want a certain rod that will aid in your style, I'd say go for it.I like my 7-11 TCS Mat Daddy quite a bit. Here's my review of it: https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/mat-daddy-helios-review.html

Should be prespawn, maybe even spawn if it gets warm early. Fishing should be great.

Toby is the person you want to get on the phone. Really good guy.

4, and that's just for the cameo by a sweet late 60s Cougar.

Heck yeah! Five minutes with Dark Sky and I’m all over it! Well worth the $4. Thanks!