J Francho

I target northerns. Braid, without some leader is a huge no-no. My best guess with people that don't have issues with braid is they are using moving baits. Often, I don't need a leader when tossing a spinnerbait or large crank/plug. Throw a jig or worm, and your done. A moving bait, they pursue and grab, then move the bait in their mouth to swallow. By then, you've set the hook, and aside from the facial and gill cover scales, it's little risk. A jig or worm on the other hand, they slurp and engulf, like a bass. Your line is definitely at risk with the teeth. For leaders, I use titanium, steel wire, or 100# fluoro. Get a crimping tool for the big line. Here's a nice fish I caught from a kayak on 8# CXX, and relatively light cranking stick. I was glad to get my Lucky Craft Flat Mini MR, lol.

Timer is intermittent.

Oh sure, but the meat and potatoes is the hitch and the cooler. On my truck there is also different brakes, rear strut upgrade, heavier leaf springs, and beefier anti sway bar up front. I also get a nice outlet for lights, on a separate circuit with it's own fuse. I wouldn't call an Explorer a "smaller SUV" either.

So, 22 lbs. 7 oz., correct?

I fish team tournaments with my girlfriend, occasionally. I take a training potty for that. Correct, it's a 72" beam. A 60" base would mean you'd have a boat nearly as wide as it is long. It would drive like a pig. You have move up to an 18' boat for a 60" bottom. And not all the rest are 48". Alweld are 44", G3 are 42", to name two. The boat I linked would be a sweet platform for a utility jon. Not much to do to it.

There you go, @HeavyDluxe!

That works. Some of the kayak guys I fish with even go so far to use a tethered, floating net, basically a landing net with no handle, and pool noodle floaties around the rim.

To swing this back to "features" you might want, I'll offer a different perspective. While I do some tournament fishing, I probably would not in a jon, though I would want a livewell to hold a caught fish to prepare for a picture or film footage. It's one thing to say, "Always be prepared," but it's really easy to clip a cull tag on her, put her in the well, get everything set up for weight and measure, or a photograph if you have a livewell. I also fish for other species, like jack perch, that I do keep for eating. So, a livewell may be a consideration in those circumstances. Just like you said @Scott F, "set her up your way." Also, this is a route I'm considering, which is why I'm watching these threads. Gives me a clear picture of what I'd like. Starting look like I want a 22' tunnel hull with a 250 jet, lmao.

Because Tracker makes one that is 72" wide. http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/?boat=3938

That's how those ADK lakes are. In fact, divers remove any EU Milfoil by hand! Very few weeds. Over here, most eutrophic lakes and bays are a slop fest.

He won't have any problem stopping that rig with that vehicle. I towed a similar rig with a bit smaller Cherokee without any issue. The Patriot he originally envisioned, now that might not be too safe.

Never really thought of it. Always considered GBH as my fishing friends. I've caught a ton off bass of all sizes fishing right next to them.

Then you might not even need it. I tow through rolling hills, long distance. It's a must have.

Man, I wish there was more of that structure around here. I only see it in lakes in the Adirondacks, and don't get up there but once a year.

Do you ever wonder why no one puts pontoons on them? Get a wider boat. Personally, I would just deck and carpet the bottom, so it was comfortable to stand in the boat, and leave it at that. Retro fitting things to add stability isn't nearly as cost efficient or effective as just getting a stable platform to begin with.

You can add a transmission cooler. They aren't horribly expensive. I highly recommend you do it.

"Jigging" a grub is something usually referred to when fishing vertical. It's a standard walleye and perch technique, but it'll work for bass too. Swimming and hopping are more horizontal, and were one of the primary techniques we used for smallies back in the day. It still works, but the drop shot is more effective. And yes, like Felix says, these work on a ds, hooked exactly the way he pictured.

So, do you end with two personal records?

Never seen it done on a kayak.

Opposite up here, lol. I think maybe you're right, and ours (like the bottom) are hybrids, or another race. Where is Paul Roberts when you need him. I'll have to check my college reference on these guys, there's a key to follow for ID'ing these guys. Rarely do I care - they tast good battered and deep fried!

That may be true in some cases, but if you read closely, many of the responses are based on years, sometimes decades of experience, and many, many spools worth of line. I've tested and reviewed so many brands and types of lines it's dizzying, and yet I really only use three lines - mostly the same three for many years, save Tatsu, which replaced Invisx for fluoro use. The "best of" threads really are "what's your favorite...," so, play along - what's your favorite?

Not at all. I buy a bottle every time I'm in bass pro. I have four or five everywhere. It's a must have for me. It's one of those products that's cheap, says what it does, and does what it says. They used to be a site sponsor, but I don't recall ever getting a free bottle. Which is fine, it's worth it.

I'm gonna pile on the accolades for YZ, too. It's not my line of choice, but I think you'll find it to be best for what you want. Izorline would be pretty close, as would Silverthread. As with any post about line I make, obligatory recommendation for some KVD L&L conditioner. Pretreat, and use after every trip. Only take a couple squirts.

ugh....hard cider.....

Middle might be a hybrid. That opercular (ear on the gill cover) flap is weird. Not uncommon for them mix. Just isn't the right shape for a blue gill. Could just be immature, too. The first definitely a longear.