ArcticCat500

thas a long ars winding road your on there my friend, good luck and hope it ends soon and you 2 find yourselves a good 1.

Well I fished Gama's for years and still do on some minor occasions , but the Owner is by far the better hook for me, I've increased my hook-set ratio and fish in the boat when I made the switch, is it in my head, maybe but they work for me..I like the stiffer wire and after I switched to braid I dont feel any flex or hook bend, its like setting the hook ona wall, one solid hit.

Thats a very nice job you did, I'd hate to be the bubble breaker, but, you will run into serious weight issues, if you and your fishing partner are both over 200lbs, well you just overloaded that lil rig right there, let alone a battery, tm, seats, and all the decking and carpet you added. Most 10's are rated for about #275lbs. That front deck is way to high for a 10ftr, you dont have the stability, then add the high rise seat puts more weight above the gunwales and creates even less stability. Like I said, its a great job, just way to much for this little boat. What makes me think Im a know it all, I did the same thing to the same boat, that lil 10ftr, wasnt made for that. But if you do decide to fish from it, Please wear your PFD's, you may not go over the first time, but they'll be a time when before you know it, oh sh*$, over you go, gear and all. Been there and done that, it sux. Be Safe

I guess at nearly $30bux, I dont have the stones to even buy it, but the Owner Cultiva Gobo Popper for a 1/3rd the price is very good, it just lacks color choices, the XCalibur Zell-Pop has worked well for me also.

Allison XB-21 BasSport Pro, if money were no object. Seeing that it is a 10 Sears Gamefisher Jonboat will do for now....oh yeah, my new Wilderness Systems Ride 135 kayak

PM sent, take a look.

each finder is unique in its own way but some offer many more features in your range. You can find the Garmin 400c for right around that price, packed with decent features, Take a look at some of Humminbirds units, the 581i is a click over your looking price but features a built in GPS unit, which is very helpful for marking spots and trails and track...they also doit in a 365i unit. Goto a local dealer and mess around with them, see what you like and dont like about the units in question, I feel the Garmin is a little more user friendly but thats just me(slo perhaps). Im doing the same as you, looking looking and looking, I need a unit for my kayak, more to see structure then to find fish. Good Luck

The BCR854 is a great rod, I own the BCR864 in Mossyback, and BCR803. The 854 can handle everything the 864 can, I throw big frogs, jigs, swimbaits and also heavy T-Rigs with it too. I have yet to find where it excels, but I feel it performs flawlessly in every bait I've thrown. If you throw alot of spinnerbaits, look into Loomis's Spinnerbait series, I had one and my biggest regret, well was when I had to sell it. Dont hesitate on grabbing one if you can, you wont be disappointed.

Not sure I'd want to carry rods and the carrier with the top rod as handle

While this is a very informative site and you'll gather loads of info on various rods, reels, gear and so on and so on. What your really looking for is this, click the link and welcome home http://www.kayakbassfishing.com/

Lost a brand new Revo STX and a Kistler Helium LTA 69MH the day the jonboat capsized, along with my tackle bag, cell phone and camera..and nearly my life cuz I was to stubbern n stupid to have a PFD on, or in the boat for that matter. That was nearly a $1000 day, not to mention the new line and swimbait :-[

Most of their lower end rods are made overseas or in Mexico now. I believe that it starts @ the Avid they're made in the US. (As well, some of the lower end Glass rods are still US made to my understanding.) Just walked over and checked my Premier Glass and it's made in the USA. That very well may be the difference, glass and graphite, I know he has the graphite. I own one StC rod, its a Premier, but is also easily 20yrs old, perhaps better. Its a lil UL rod I use to trout fish with.

Correct me if I'm wrong but the last time I picked up a StCroix Premier, the tiny label on the end cap read "Made in China" a friend has 2 of them, and remember him peeling off the sticker.

not to step on any toes but, Red, if your pulling 6lbers and such out of cover like that with a 6.6, then why feel the need for change? Years ago all we ever fished were 6's n 6'6's.....if your gear is putting pigs like that in the boat then I see no need to go longer. I have one rod thats over 7ft, GLoomis BCR864 I bought soley for the use with big frogs off my kayak, I learned having a little longer rod on the kayak is benificial, but everything else is under that. Its your choice.

save some extra cash and go as big as you can afford, never have to much power, I have a 55lb on a 10ft jonboat,

=Matt 5.0= you're a tin welder, hmm. next time I see you slacking at the DD in E.G I'm comming in.

I jus threw up in mouth..

Take this lierally. That 10ftr your thinking bout pimpen out, better check the weights, #275 at best for most lil crafts that size.....you go adding seats, motors, a battery, and then try to deck it...your asking for trouble. keep it simple and fish it for what it is, a small boat. Trust me, I own one.

lets start here first, congrats on your kayak, take a swing by sometime and talk with the real deal kayak fishermen http://www.kayakbassfishing.com/ This is the Premier Kayak Fishing site without a doubt. Look at what your needs are and look at your budget. A PFD and your paddle are 2 very very important factors in your day...the paddle is what motors your boat, so the lighter the better, no need to spend a mint but a very nice paddle can be had under $250, and some under $200. Not sure if you have one but look at Bending Branches Slice Angler, a great paddle at a great price. Your PFD, well it may save your life someday. I have a Mustang inflatable. Look at seats, anchor trolleys like mentioned above, anchor kits, leashes, the list goes on. heres a place to shop, one of theeee best I've found. http://www.austinkayak.com/ you can find the BB paddle there also. Good Luck

I see a little comming

Your really going to need to give us a price range, while there are a ton of builders out there, theres also a ton of price ranges, blanks, guides, reel seats, it all comes down to how much you want spend. Im going to second the G Blanks Custom rods, I currently own 3 and with more to come. George can fit you with the rod of your choice and doit in your price range. Well worth a look. Call and ask for Larry. http://www.imaginationbassin.com/gblanksproducts.htm

I think they make a patch for that RW. It might help you keep to your new years resolution. ;D They make a patch for alcohol? Were can I get one? ;D

I will say this, Daiwa's are incredible reels, I went from Curado's, to Revo STX's and to Daiwa, Zillions and Fuegos, and in the market for an Sol. My NIB Zillion had a whirling sound to it, instead of sending it back I went one step further and sent it to JFrancho owner of Reel Smooth Reels, he tore into her, cleaned her up and polished the gears. This thing SCREEEMS performance. If you have any questions, look him up, you'll be satisfied I really did like my Curados over the Revos but the Daiwa for me is a different breed.

a well rounded rod in my eyes is a MHF action, a very good rod also can be an XF tip, the XF is a great for spinnerbaits, and will double as a top water rod if you cant swing the cash for every application. Look into the Loomis Spinnerbait rod, they can be found here and on the bay for a decent price. Also there's a fellow member "bcody" selling a G.Loomis Mossyback rod in here, worth a look. Its a great rod that will fit in well with some the techniques your looking for. It be on its way to my house but I have a couple XF tips and need a new froggin rod. Take a look. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1264477115