J Francho

I see them for $400 to $800.

I'd sell it. I don't want a lead sled, new or used. I'd easily be able to afford a brand new Stroker or Bullet, and have a hand made boat instead of a chopper gun boat.

A Stradic would be a great reel. In fact, I was going to recommend a Stradic CI4 Micro, but it would bust your budget.

I also find I have more control over the fish when it's on a short leash as well. There's less "shock absorber" and more "backbone" to put a green fish in the net. More like wrestling than playing or fighting a fish, if you get my meaning.

I have a 6-8" G. Loomis jig rod that I love in close quarters. It's definitely a tool I thought I'd never need, but I use it as much as any of my longer jig rods.

I keep the Toadz in my boat for just in case moments. They work great, and store easily. When I know it's gonna rain, I have some proper Marmot rain gear.

Saint Croix Avid AVS70ULF, $180. Shimano Symetre 1000, $100. The Avids come in several lengths, 4'6" to 7'.

Let's get some basics down first. Brush piles and laydowns are cover. The shape and contour of what's under water is the structure. Rocks, sand, mud, muck, and clay are all bottom composition. If you have permission from the owner, I do suggest some form of artificial cover. Brush piles are a good start. Another suggestion, more related to how you fish, is to NOT cast straight out to the middle. Many times the bass are along or near shore. You spook them as you walk. Get into position, and cast parallel to shore. This is why cover is important, as it makes the fish feel safer and less vulnerable, offering an ambush point as well. It also gives you a casting target.

I've had some experience teaching kayak fishing to people that had never fished before. Yes, Senkos do get bit, but you want to use them wacky rigged with an exposed hook. That can hang up pretty easy. I also encountered lots of deeply hooked fish. Circle hooks did not solve the issue, as hookups were few. I like to use a moving bait, like spinnerbait or shallow crankbait. Something they don't need to detect the bite and set the hook. Once they are used to that, then we graduate to feel baits, and learn to feel the bite and make a proper hookset. For equipment, it really depends on the person. For some, they'll never get used to a spinning reel, and a quality spincaster is the right way to go. I recommend Daiwa Goldcast reels, spooled with 6# CXX. Any medium/fast rod will do.

I would go heavier than 15 on the MH rig. Tatsu is a little on the thin side, so you might want to step up simply for better abrasion resistance. I'm using 20# on my contact rigs, and 15# for moving baits.

Three Rivers in Phoenix is another spot You could launch the yak.

Those look good. I'd prefer using a hook with a welded ring, though. I like a Rage Craw on this rig, too. The skinny weight really drives the bait through cover.

Prefishing and practice are two entirely different things. You go and prefish a lake long before your tournament. You learn how the lake fishes, and try to unlock it's secrets. Practice is done the day before. You make a plan, check your spots for bites, map out logistics like running time, gas, and develop backup plans.

Plenty of kayak fishing around Oneida Shores park. Some shore and wade spots as well.

Welcome aboard!

Another shot of the rockie, and some shots my GF took of me fishing.

Just keep a light colored wacky rigged senko or nose hooked super fluke rigged and ready to cast. That usually seals the deal. They are slapping at the bait in an attempt to injure it. Throw some plastic that resembles an injured bait fish and you'll get them.

There's a rod holder, anchor, numerous tools, and a '67 Chevy pickup out there as well, lol. Heck, I graphed a half of a sailboat or something yesterday.

Those little foam practice golf balls make great scupper plugs.

This is the best way. Hard to be disciplined, though. Takes some practice, and that takes some bites.

I just hope I can find five like the fish above for a Tx on July 14th. Even though my PB NY largemouth comes from there, that place owns me too.

Nice, but where are the pics!

Here you go...ask clayton86 about the ride.

That's about what I'm asking for my Xpress. I'd buy the Xpress you described ten times over before I bought the Tracker. Go up to them, and knock on the hulls. If that doesn't make up your mind, I don't what will. There's other things that you discover down the road, like rewiring and attaching a new trolling motor. Pretty straight forward on the Xpress. The Trackers I've helped buddies with, this was a pain.

Pretty much what he said. For the record, my 18' Xpress hull weighs over 1400 lbs. my 22' Bullet weighs 1300. They both can be rough, but the Xpress can take the beating. The Bullet is a racing hull, and while it doesn't like rough water, it's better in slight chop. (null)