J Francho

It's still an active project.

Fishing stuff? Ha! I also play drums (Michelle happens to be the singer). Look up what vintage Black Beauty snare drum runs. Sometimes things follow you home. She doesn't bat an eye on a $50 swimbait.

Yes, it does.

Like I said, if you struggle for bites, go back to other baits that worked in the past. I'd rather stick a fork in my eye than wait for a 1/5 oz. poop jig to hit bottom at 25'.

Doesn't seem to hurt Rich Zaleski's success, but yeah - that's why I recommend new anglers set up their drag properly, and rely on it. I have watched video of him doing the back reeling thing. Wat I noticed is he isn't tugging on the fish as hard as most everyone else does. It's just calm, and easy convincing the fish back to the boat. It looks a lot like how I'd play a fish when I know it's barely hooked with a treble hook bait.

A 6" set back? That's cute. Mine's 15".

The shipping weight of a 12' Talon is 60 lbs. and the bracket is less than 25 lbs.

Also, the speed thing, my Xpress with a 115 ran to around 55mph with partner and tournament load. I've been in a friend's 19' Xpress with a 200 ran well over 65. I've had my Bullet up to 84. Neither boat was particularly fun to drive at those speeds.

I realize my boats are the exception, but it shows that you can't make generalizations about either material. My aluminum (Xpress) boat was actually heavier than my glass boat (Bullet), even though the glass boat was almost 4' longer. I actually preferred the aluminum in rougher water. I bought both because I could. I liked them both.

I wouldn't want to use a Ned rig over drop shot in 30'+ water. Why is the drop shot the dominant bait? A C-rig, dragging a tube, or even a Hopkins Shorty spoon may be the better bait that day.

The few people that I know that back reel with success lock the drag down at max.

I have an Epixor and it's pretty nice for the price. Light, smooth, drag works well, does what it's supposed to.

I never go without a trailer hook.

Seems like something simple like these would work on shore instead up to the bed:

Those weeds will grow back in about a week. Cutting them back actually encourages more growth.

You would use about 1/4 to 1/3 of the weakest rated part of the combo. Whether that's line or rod rating. So if you're using 50# braid on a 12-17# rod, you'd set it at about 6#. If you're using 12# mono on a 20# rod, then set it to around 4#.

Seaguar Invisx is a good quality FC at a reasonable price. Tatsu, while expensive is the very best I've used.

14# is more than you'd ever need for bass fishing. 20# is overkill.

You should be getting some "seat time" before making a decision. Fishing kayaks started as non fishing kayaks, adapted for fishing. Now they are designed with features created from angler input. Not sure there's any value in going backwards and getting a kayak that wasn't meant for fishing.

Cool!

Most likely the seat posts.

I only fish in team format tournaments anymore, so if the co-angler is hindered, so is the team. However, I'd apply the Golden Rule, regardless of format.

I've never NOT stopped and get a lure free for a co.

Crappie are also notorious nest raiders. They are not an ideal pond resident if you are geared toward a healthy bass population.