J Francho

I'm not sure the point of that rig. It isn't a jika rig. The idea is to drag the bait straight down through the weeds. It takes less weight than a traditional Texas rig to penetrate cover, and the bait moves more naturally if it's an "action" bait, like a Rage Craw. I've seen the rig you pictured, and I don't get the point. Maybe it's just a means to an end. That rig will not keep the bait off the bottom, and neither will mine. It's all about penetrating cover.

I owned an Xpress. There's zero comparison to Tracker.

The point of a jika rig is to have the weight drag the bait straight down through the weeds, leaving it free swinging from the weight. I don't see why a wire leader on the weight would offer any advantage. I make these myself, out of trolling weights and heavy punch/flipping hooks. I tie to the heavy split ring.

Those a really cool. On the pricey side, but still really cool.

General rule, use a hook with twice the gap as the thickness of the plastic you are putting on it. I keep around four or five types of weedless hooks in mostly 3/0, 4/0, and 5/0. That covers most soft plastic baits.

I like the handles better on the Eyecon spinning rods. Avid uses a slightly better blank, though, and is a little lighter and slightly more sensitive. Either choice is not a bad option.

Exactly. For the record, bass are the smallest species I catch in the kayak. I also target much, much larger species available in my diverse waters - salmon, steelhead, brown trout, northern pike, musky, and carp to name a few. I like my bigger power boats, but I prefer the kayak in most instances.

I disagree. If they run down, let them. If they run away from the boat, lock down. They'll never gain any ground on you. The boat becomes the drag, but the fish is still on a short leash. It's for this reason, I use a quick release loop and a float on my anchor line. Catch a large gamefish, just release and run with it.

Yes, totally true. I've done the same, and @Wayne P.'s avatar shows the same, with added durability of some shrink wrap. All just basic on the water problem solving.

If you have the receipt, the store you bought it from may be able to handle the exchange.

There's two things going on here. This rig solves the issue of wacky rigging any bait with an exposed hook point getting fouled with weeds. The rest of it is just the Neko rig variation on the wacky rig. So, if you fish the Neko rig, and are having issues with weeds fouling the hook, then try this.

Use a board long enough to be able to clamp it to the transom, and keep the TD submerged when level. There will be diagrams for installation in the manual directly to the transom that show positioning. Locate it the same way as shown.

Anchor pins are so much easier than actual anchors in slop and mud.

I attached my TD to a small board, and C-clamped it to the transom for jonboat rentals. Much more secure than the suction cup or magnet.

If you stand, everything will be the same. If you're sitting, the shorter rear grip might make it easier. I agree on the preference thing, and I have long arms, so that might be more of a difference maker. The only time I find being shorter is an issue with longer rods, is with topwater and jerk baits. I use a 6-2 with a short rear grip for this. It's about the same as a 6-6 rod, in front of the reel seat.

They don't have the exact same ones anymore, though this should get you started. I have a chest pack and waist pack. I don't think the chest pack style would be big enough. I basically keep shot, hooks, a few flies and beads in it. The bigger pack could hold some bass gear. http://www.basspro.com/Fishing-Fly-Fishing-Fly-Fishing-Accessories-Vests-Packs/_/N-1z0uiei

I believe those had a cast Al main frame and rotor, with stamped steel side plates. Could be wrong, though. There were so many variants of those reels, over the years - testimony to their solid design. Cool that yours are still catching.

I bought a White River (similar to Fish Ponds bags) pack at Bass Pro around 8 years ago for $40, and it's still kicking strong. Has everything that Simms bag does, except it doesn't say Simms on it. You're only going to be able to fit 2-3 small boxes.

Same here on Ontario. I have good luck on little Gulp! minnows, too.

Those are alewife. I've seen it too. Bajillions of them. You don't notice them at first, until you see the flicker - one or two randomly rub their sides on the bottom, which creates a flash, and alerts your eye to them.

Congrats!

There's plenty of "land-locked" ponds with them. They probably got there when a creek flooded. Many of our smaller waters are interconnected, as well. There's even a filled ore bed near me that has them. You can watch them in the crystal clear water, schooling on the steep bluff faces from the old mine. I first learned about them as a kid, casting off the piers on Lake Ontario for trout in spring. Ended up foul-hooking quite a few over 12". An old timer told me what they were.

A little out of your range, but I really like my Okuma Scott Martin TCS Casting Rod 7'11" Extra Hvy for $150.

All reels come ready to fish - greased and oiled.

What does height have to do with it? I'm 5-7, and have rods from 6' to 8'. The length has more to do with where and how your tossing the jigs. 7 to 7-4 is a general purpose length, and covers most casting situations and techniques. Shorter is nice for dealing with wood and dock type cover, with fish on a short leash. Longer is always nicer for pitching, though you should be able to pitch with any length.