J Francho

Me too. 3/4 shorty in silver and gold. On Erie and Ontario, I find that ripping the spoon back up almost as soon as it hits bottom is key. Often, I dont't feel the strike until the next lift. Big fish feel like a hang up or snag. Use sharp hooks, and they generally set themselves on the rip, though I usually give them a couple more pumps to ensure they are hooked up well. Those lake smallies have very strong jaws, and I want to be sure, I've moved the bait and gotten hooks in them.

Just that you can put a really high end spool in those reels, if you like. The TD-Z, Steez spools can be very light, and there's lots of aftermarket options.

Can't wait to try out the new hot rod!

The whole banana thing started because they often have spiders hiding in the bunches. Bad thing on a ship. My uncle ran a salmon charter, and he would throw you off the boat if you brought one on. I'm a granola bar guy. Easy to mow down, and keep fishing.

OMG, LMAO!

Distance would have more to do with using the right rod for each. I could probably cast both equally as far. Too far to set the hook. Distance is a rookie's game. Location is where you get bit. Or, you could just get both, and see which YOU can fling farther. I doubt it matters which you use to make the bait.

I think I could stand in the Lure 10, but I can't remember. Is that true? I definitely paddled it, and it was a decent boat. Feelfree makes some interesting boats with cool features.

I was fishing with @Maico1 that day. A year later, that event organizer, @Wild Bill [NY] passed away of a heart attack while fishing the night after the tournament. We didn't find out until I got home a few days later. I went back a couple times (Upper Saranac Lake), but haven't been in a couple years. It's a fantastic place, but there are some sad memories there. Coincidentally, the birthlpace listed on my BC says "Saranac Lake."

Absolutely, yes. Love throwing 1/4 swimmers like that. Great in fall when smallies start coming up shallow again.

The answer is always Carbontex from Smooth Drags. Call Dawn, she'll figure out how to get it across the pond, I'm sure.

Siebert Outdoors Dredge Starter Pack. Get the brush head style, and start fishing. That head is pretty much gonna work in most any situation. http://www.siebertoutdoors.com/Dredge-Jig-Pack-455.htm

It'll probably take some mock up time, and time working with the salespeople at a brick and mortar, but I bet you can find an aftermarket, or other brand's seat that will work. Just not too high, as to make your boat unstabe. Very nicely executed mod, @Darren.

I'd be more concerned with how the bait behaves than how far you can cast it.

Spend the bucks on LL Beans. Lifetime replacement. Guys up here typically replace them every two years. Korkers are good wading boots. I have an old pair.

Not on purpose. You just need to have the big ones around, and tease them like you would a cat.

Yeah, I'm with you on the GPS thing. Not always on the DI/SI. I have the Helix 5 SI/DI GPS with a Navionics chip. Even for small bodies that I know well, I have way points for fish. So many, in some spots that the catches actually help define the spot. SO, in that aspect, I'm not using GPS to navigate, but to map out the catching.

Helix 5 Sonor only model is $199.

I'd like to merge this into the "Latest Sale" thread. More people will see it there. There's a ton of followers on that thread.

There is a Wildy owners' group on FB, and I know more than a few guys have rigged seat upgrades on a few different models. Take a spin around there, you might find some help. Here's Jeff Little ina C140, seat removed, and using the perch: You may actually want to contact Jeff, as I know he has used Tarpons in the past, and probably has some tips on seats.

The Tarpon is indeed an angling kayak, and is a preferred boat by many for it's speed. It isn't designed to be a stand up boat. If that's not on your criteria, then it's a very good option.

Commander 140. Removed the seat! I sit on the perch instead.

The mlxf from SC is a really special taper. My reference as well. Though I go shorter, with the 6-3.

I believe it's becoming a space issue. There restrictions on how many you can upload. I use a 3rd party storage site, SmugMug. It's got a little more features, and is only $30/yr.

Technically, a steelhead is a rainbow trout. It's just gone into the lake or ocean and lived a pelagic lifestyle, eating fish, and getting huge. @everythingthatswims, nice job! They have barely started running up here. Need rain, badly.

Not sure, but in the future, this may be an easier place: https://postimages.org/