J Francho

Same here.

Also, don't unrealistic with your expectations. I'd say I may lose one in five northerns on a topwater. This is one case where I let them take the bait underwater before setting the hooks. It goes against my usual advice for bass, but sometime pike just snap at the bait, then move it in their mouth to swallow. For me, that hookset is reel tight to the fish, and giving a couple tugs to drive the hooks deep. It's not exactly the same process as with bass, where I just pop them.

I've been fishing from a kayak for over a decade. Not once have I found this to be true. Probably one the biggest misconceptions about kayak fishing. To the OP: Before you make a cast, consider your boat position and bearing, and think about how you are going to set the hook. I don't feel like there's anything wrong with the gear you're using, though a medium spinning rod with a 4/0 hook seems a little under powered. You didn't say what line, but braid might actually help here, regardless of fishing on shore, boat, or kayak. You'll get it put together. Here's my PB kayak bass:

Spro Swivels are about the toughest I've found.

Pretty much this. I've caught my fair share of northerns from a kayak. In fact, one of my best spots is only accessible by kayak or canoe. Fish Grips help. I never use a net, I get all tangle up in them. Here's some shots of landing pike:

Jackall Crosstail Shad in Ayu.

Use heavier line and reel faster, or buy a lighter chatterbait.

I start near shore, on top, and work my way down the water column, and down the point. There's no right or wrong, just my method.

Yes. But seriously, let depth, cover, and speed dictate your bait choice. Those parameters work anywhere you're fishing.

That is from line twist. Despite all the hype that braid doesn't twist, it does. What you're seeing is often referred to as a "wind knot." The solution is to clip off the terminal rig or lure, and let out a cast or so worth of line. Troll for a couple hundred yards or so, and reel back in under tension.

Looks like a Freedomhawk. Way too many moving parts.

I keep my paddle close, too. It also helps that I have a custom bent, "ergo" shaft. The bend keeps it from rolling away.

We're done here.

I'm using a fused line for topwater - 20# Supercast. It's like the stuff was made for topwater.

I like that idea - weedless!

It's not too bad for me, but there's a lot of hops to you. Pretty sure it's hosted in Canada.

Torqeedo has lithium powered outboards that have the equivalent thrust as a 150 hp in development. It's coming for sure. I think they will step over the complicated hybrid technology, though. On a side note, my girlfriend works at lithium battery manufacturer. They do cell phones, cars, and other stuff. Pretty wild technology. http://www.torqeedo.com/us/en-us/products/outboards/deep-blue

I don't recall EVER having to oil the brakes on any of my Shimano reels after "every couple of trips." Maybe once a every couple of months, a drop on the spool bearings. The brakes are part of yearly maintenance. Something is defective on that reel, take it back.

It looks like the issue has been resolved. Pages and postbacks are working much smoother now.

We are aware of the issue, and working on a resolution. Sorry for any inconvenience.

So, is this a contest about what reel manu drops the ball, or is this about Quantum making claims about "fixing" something that was never an issue in the first place? The only company I know of that doesn't feature an entirely steel engagement mechanism is Abu. And despite my reservations, after a many years, they do not wear out. In other words, this is marketing, not innovation.

Joining a club is a good idea. You could hire a guide, too. That's going to give less about fishing and more about how to fish their lake. I used to teach kayak fishing classes, but it became too time consuming for me. We did classroom study, and then hands on in the creek, sort of a guided trip, where applied classroom concepts to the water. There might be something like that, but your best bet would to travel to a camp. There's also seminars by local talent and pros alike at most Bass Pro Shops locations. Lastly, there's a ton of good books on the topic. I know there was a recent thread of people's favorite books.

SHows fine here.

Pretty sure, coming from Michigan, he knows a thing or two about locating smallies. Yes, spybaiting is new, but smallmouth fishing is about locating fish that don't stay in one spot. What bait you actually throw, meh...that's the easy part.

Meanwhile, Daiwa and Shimano have been steel all along.