J Francho

The mag brakes are bulky and aren't the greatest. I think spool tension, and a good thumb are a better setup. 6:1 gears, now that sounds yummy, lol.

Killing apps is more cumbersome than it used to be. It's a little slow to respond to the home button, but that's more a function of their "fade in/out" look. Otherwise, It's same old same old. Works fine.

I'd still be sneaking the lunkers back in, lol. "Um Mr. Farmer, you still have some fish I need to remove." Heh.

I have 20# 832 on a spinning rig. It works fine. It may be "more modern" with gore and 8 strand carrier braid, but I don't find it performs any better than Power Pro I've been using for years. I do like the bright yellow/green for line watching.

Make sure you wear a wading belt. Breathables are deadly if they fill with water.

Alright guys, that's enough....nice fish, Jay. You might want to consider releasing the big ones: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/catch_and_release.html

I wear a semi dry suit, and keep a ditch bag with a spare set of clothes and a towel.

Standing mostly. I do like to sit "side saddle" on a drift, with my feet in the water on a hot day.

I really like the "daily driver" looks of your reel. Reminds me of an old 2500c I souped up for a member here, a few years ago. Fun reels to work on, with TONS of upgrade/gearing options. I added higher speed gears, and a clicking drag - meaning the when the drag slipped, there was an audible click.

How about Pinnacle? This would really dress up an Opitma LTE nicely.

If they have one handle that fits a Shimano, then they pretty much have them all covered. Th differences lie in the cap nut, and whether you reuse it or substitute something else.

I used a Moken 13 back when I taught kayak fishing classes. It felt tippy when standing at first, due to the hull design, but there was a ton of secondary stability. You just had to keep the hull "cocked," much like the original Ride 135. It had a few cool features, like little rod rests on the front hatch, and tracked really well.

Still the biggest. It's like a lawn chair, lol.

Vapor thin layer of grease. Oil the post. Very cool reel, Goose.

Out of those two, I'd pick Gamakatsu. I use VMC, Owner, Gamakatsu, and Daiichi.

It's probably one of the biggest seats in the industry.

That handle is sweet.

I don't wear crocs. I'm a penny loafer man.

Yesterday it was an umbrella rig on Oneida.

Actually, last time I saw you, you were shrinking. I hope you're feeling well, dude.

Only if you show me your fashion police badge! Obviously, I was kidding. I don't carry a purse or a fanny pack, lol.

As it's gotten a little colder, the T-rig is coming back into play. Something about the fall with a sliding sinker seems to be enticing them better.

Yesterday, it was a heavy rod, 65# braid, and a Yumbrella rig. Anyone that says heavy line takes the fight out of them is nuts.

Not necessarily. This is the smallmouth forum, and that's a smallmouth bass. Carry on.

I fished a tournament on Oneida yesterday. I fished two bridge pilings in the river all day, using two umbrella rigs, spinnerbait, and rattletrap. Came in 2nd. Now that's fishing slow.