Bassyak

It's the motor kill switch. There should be a little clip that fits over the switch with a lanyard that you connect to your lifejacket. So then if you fall overboard, the motor dies. Just flip it back up and it should crank right back up.

I also have an Omega Z03. I grew up using spincasters...that's what my parents, grandparents...pretty much everyone I knew fished with. Since getting back into fishing after college about 10 years ago, I've learned how to use both baitcasting and spinning gear very well and much prefer them when I'm out on the lake. However, when I lived in South Carolina, there were several small ponds near my house that I fished from the shoreline and I loved having a spincaster to do little underhand pitches and roll casts while standing under overhanging trees along the bank. I tried doing it with casting gear and just ended up spending more time picking out backlashes.... and it was just easier for me to make the kind of casts I wanted to make with that Omega over a spinning reel. Like others have said, it's a tool and it has its place.

I used to have an Avid AV70MM, but I sold it because I didn't like the hump in the handle right behind the reel seat (it was also too whippy for my taste, thought the MH may not be). I also had the Tour KVD 7'4" MH, but sold it because I didn't really like the EVA grips and the Hardloy guides. I replaced it with the Powell 754 that Tackle Warehouse had on sale from $199 to $118....and I couldn't be happier with it. In my opinion, Powell makes the most comfortable split cork grip (at least of all the rods I've used), and I got to upgrade to Alconite guides. Paired with a Curado 200E5, it works great for my medium to deep divers, as well as small soft-bodied swimbaits. I also have a Compre 7' MH Mod-Fast that I use as my lipless crankbait rod. Even though it has the Hardloy guides as well, I've really been impressed with its action for a $100 rod.

I bought a Bass Pro Exact Fit cover made specifically for my '02 Tracker Pro Team 175 in 2003 for the specific purpose of covering it while on the road as I moved between duty stations with the navy. I've had it now for 8 years and it's still holding up pretty well. Granted, I've kept my boat in the garage whenever possible so the cover had been primarily used on the road, but it has spent about the last year and a half outside in the Texas weather after I moved and didn't have room in my garage. The fit was excellent around the gunnels, but I did have to add a 3 1/2' section of PVC pipe next to the console to "tent" the cover and keep water from pooling in it when it rained. I've been pretty well pleased with it, especially having lasted as long as it has.

I have a 6'6" M-Med Fast Compre (the older brown blank). I use it for topwaters, especially smaller spook-type walking baits. I prefer the shorter length for tip-down presentations like this and it's been a great rod. I bought it for $30 on clearance last year and it's one of my favorites to fish. Quick enough tip for working the walking baits or topwater poppers, or even smaller crankbaits, but a slower action for keeping them buttoned up on the treble hooks.

I had the 7' MH for awhile. Pretty decent rod for the money, but I had two major complaints. First, there were inconsistencies in the finish of the blank near the handle, like it didn't get properly coated or something during the manufacturing process. I called them and was told that this sometimes happens but wouldn't affect the performance of the rod and they wouldn't do anything about it. Second, the handle was too short, about 2 inches shorter than my Loomis IMX MBR843. I was using it as my jig rod (the sensitivity was pretty good), but it didn't balance very well and the shorter handle was uncomfortable to me. So I replaced it with an IMX MBR844 and sold the Outlaw. Not bad, but not impressive either. Hope that helps.

I haven't used the Loomis CBR843 but I have used a Loomis CBR781 and CBR864DF and the Avid AVC70MM. I sold the Avid mainly because of the hump in the grip right behind the reel seat. I know some folks like them (and the BPS Powerhump grips), but I have smaller hands and it wasn't comfortable for me. Other than that, it was a good rod for small to medium cranks, though I found it a little too "whippy" for the applications I was using it. I like the straight handle on the standard Loomis CBRs, but it seemed a bit short (IMO) for fishing anything other than small (~1/4oz or less), shallow running cranks. I like to be able to tuck the handle along my arm and up against my side when I'm cranking anything that dives more than about 4-5 feet. The Deep Flex rods have an extra 1 1/2 inches of handle, which led me to get the 864DF over the 845 for medium to deep runners.

Shimano Compre CPC-C70MB or CPC-C70MHB, depending on the smallest cranks you want to throw.

I have the Falcon Spinnerbait and Buzzbait boxes and haven't had any issues with them at all. Baits stay in place (even when they're standing on their edge and I'm blasting across the lake at a blistering 35mph) and no adverse effects noticed due to bending the wires down. The only complaint I had was the size, which was shorter and wider than the standard Plano sizes and wouldn't fit in my tackle bags. But it looks like Plano has solved that problem. I solved it by just leaving them in my storage locker on my boat. I carry a little plastic Flambeau case that holds 6 or so when I'm in my kayak.

I've got a little 3" hard jointed bluegill from Academy (one of the H20 series) and it looks and swims great. Nice action for an $8 bait. Haven't caught a whole lot of fish on it (mainly because I haven't used it all that much) so I can't report on durability yet.

I use two Shimano Crucials for my dropshotting...a CRS-D72ML (7'2" ML fast action) when I'm on my bass boat and a CRS-DX68M (6'8" M extra fast) when I'm in my kayak (it has to perform double or triple-duty when I'm limited in the number of rods I can carry). Both are paired with a Stradic 1000. Split-grip, Alconite guides, open hook-holder at the butt made for holding drop shot weights....very light, very sensitive. I love 'em.

I'm on my second Hobie now...had an Outback soon after they first came out in 2002 then traded it for a Sport in 2007. I haul mine in the bed of my pickup so the shorter, lighter hull was a no-brainer. Personally, I think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread as far as fishing kayaks go. I love being able to always have my rod in my hand as I move all over the lake. The only thing you can't really do in it is back up, but I keep a short handled paddle strapped to the side for when I nose into someplace I can't pedal through. The pedals fold up flush enough to the hull that I can beach when Mother Nature calls without causing any damage. I've rigged a Eagle 320C fishfinder on a RAM mount on the left side, and I've installed enough rod holders so that I can bring six rods with me if I so desire (I usually limit myself to four though). I really like the new Pro Angler, but it's even more expensive than my Sport and will require a little more saving.

I've used a CBR781 for about 3 years now and just recently bought a Deep Flex CBR864. Never had any issues with either of them...great crankbait rods. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think all the CBRs (except maybe the GLX) have Fuji Alconite guides, which are the same guides used on the Shimano Crucials. I have two Shimano Compres, too. They use Fuji Hardloy guides and are also great cranking rods, just not as sensitive as my Loomis rods...so I mainly use them for topwaters and lipless cranks.

X2...this is my rod for red eyes, rattle traps, and even big shallow cranks like a Mann's 1-. Even stout enough for small (~1oz or less) swimbaits. Mine is paired with a Curado 200E7 and 14lb Stren Magnaflex.

I use a St. Croix Mojo 6'6" M F and it works great for all my topwater hard baits. I didn't see the need to spend the extra money for the Avid or a comparable rod with more sensitivity. Also, I really like the split grip on the Mojo.

Here's my post from a couple weeks ago: "I ordered the 6'10" Heavy action thinking they would fly off the shelves pretty quick and wanted to check one out. I don't have any dealers here locally in Wa that carry the latest rods and reels so I pretty much have to rely on this website, Tackle Tour, or buying it myself without seeing it before hand. Overall, it looks like a nice rod, very similar to the Original, except for the split grip and blank-thru reel seat. Only 8 guides (including tip) vice the 10 I'm used to for a rod of this length. The tag says they're Fuji, but there's nothing else to indicate what kind or what they're made of. The blank has a matte finish, except for the first few inches above the handle around the hook keeper (which is the old, closed style), with attractive red highlights on the windings. The winding checks are black rubber vice aluminum or other metal. The EVA foam grip feels good (though more firm than that of a Carrot Stix), but has a slight bulge in it (similar to the grip on the Kislter Magnesium series) which I don't particularly care for. The butt end of the split grip has relatively sharp edges (for foam and composite cork) unlike the rounded off versions I've seen on other rods. It's pretty lightweight, at just a shade over 4oz (with the tags still on). For the record, the Falcon Heavy looks more like a Medium-Heavy from most other manufacturers. I'm still debating whether I want to keep it or return it for another Powell. I love both my Powells and think they're worth the extra $30 for the Alconite guides and better grip, but I was really looking for something in between the 6'8" and 7' models they offer." It's on its way back to TW as I type, and will soon be replaced by a Powell 705C.

Powell 704C Shimano Curado 200E7 Sufix Braid 50lb Rage Tails. Horny Toads, Spro Bronzeyes

I bought the Tour KVD 7'4", looking for a rod similar to what you are describing, and I think it fits the bill nicely. The handle is long enough to tuck under my arm when cranking the big bills without getting in my face. I paired mine with a Curado 200E5 and love the combo. Light for its size and pretty well-balanced. It works well slinging 5-6" hollow-belly swimbaits, too. I was casting a 5" Yum Money Minnow a couple weeks ago and made the mistake of connecting the hook to the stainless steel speed snap I'd been using for deep cranks. Got a good strike on the minnow and straightened that snap out. Lost the fish and the bait, but it showed that the rod had some serious power.

I used to have a 7' XH Carrot Stix for my flipping stick, but wanted a bit more length so I sold it and bought the 7'9" XH on eBay for $103. Perfect length and plenty of butt if you get a good one on. I paired it with a '09 Quantum Energy E100HPT spooled with 50lb Sufix braid, and then balanced the rod with a few lead bullet weights. You can take the butt cap off and slide the weights inside the blank. I threaded the bullet weights on a piece of plastic-coated wire and then punched the wire through a piece of a rubber stopper (to keep them from moving around) and tied a knot. Slid the whole thing inside the blank, rubber first, and left enough wire sticking out so I can remove the weights if need to. Voila! A perfectly balanced flipping combo, that didn't break the bank and is only an ounce and a half heavier than an unbalanced combo (which was pretty stinkin' light to begin with). Oh, and the rod is also rated up to 3 1/2 oz, so I can swap the reel for a Abu Garcia 5600 spooled with 20lb Trilene Big Game and toss swimbaits with it all day long. I'm all about multi-tasking.

Concur on the Accurist...as far as the Code goes, my experience was that it was not very well put together. It was not very smooth compared to other Quantums I've used and the fit and finish was not up to the same standard as the Accurists or Energies that I'd had before. And the shape was more clunky and awkward in my hand than the Accurist body style. I've owned several Quantums over the years and enjoyed them all, except for the Code. I got rid of it within a couple months of buying it.

Decided to send it back and get another Powell instead. I just can't get over the grip, the non-Concept guide spacing, and the non-lifetime warranty. Good rod, but for even less money I could get a St.Croix Mojo, which in my opinion, is a better finished and better looking rod. That is, if I could find someone that had them in stock. So I think, I'll add another $30 and get a Powell instead. Now I just have to figure out which one....

I use the Flambeau box above in my kayak crate. It works pretty well and doesn't take up much space. It's designed for six, but I can usually fit 8 or 9 without much difficulty. If I'm wading and wearing my vest, I just keep a couple in a small plastic ziploc bag so they don't poke through the pocket.

I have the Mojo 6'6" MF and I think it's just about perfect for the topwater poppers, small/medium jerkbaits or spooks, and even shallow crankbaits in a pinch. It might be a little overpowered by a rattle trap, but could probably handle them (especially the 3/8oz versions) just fine. I didn't see the need to spend the extra money for an Avid, Powell, Crucial, etc... for the sensitivity on a rod in this application, since I would see or hear the fish strike a majority of the time.

I ordered the 6'10" Heavy action thinking they would fly off the shelves pretty quick and wanted to check one out. I don't have any dealers here locally in Wa that carry the latest rods and reels so I pretty much have to rely on this website, Tackle Tour, or buying it myself without seeing it before hand. Overall, it looks like a nice rod, very similar to the Original, except for the split grip and blank-thru reel seat. Only 8 guides (including tip) vice the 10 I'm used to for a rod of this length. The tag says they're Fuji, but there's nothing else to indicate what kind or what they're made of. The blank has a matte finish, except for the first few inches above the handle around the hook keeper (which is the old, closed style), with attractive red highlights on the windings. The winding checks are black rubber vice aluminum or other metal. The EVA foam grip feels good (though more firm than that of a Carrot Stix), but has a slight bulge in it (similar to the grip on the Kislter Magnesium series) which I don't particularly care for. The butt end of the split grip has relatively sharp edges (for foam and composite cork) unlike the rounded off versions I've seen on other rods. It's pretty lightweight, at just a shade over 4oz (with the tags still on). For the record, the Falcon Heavy looks more like a Medium-Heavy from most other manufacturers. I'm still debating whether I want to keep it or return it for another Powell. I love both my Powells and think they're worth the extra $30 for the Alconite guides and better grip, but I was really looking for something in between the 6'8" and 7' models they offer.

I had a 7' XH Carrot Stix that I was using as a flipping stick, but it wasn't long enough for me. I sold it and just picked up the 7'9" XH Carrot Stix. It should be here in a couple days and I plan on trying it out this weekend. I let you know how it goes. As far as the 7 footer, the weight was one of the selling points for me. Combined with a new Quantum Energy E100HPT, it weighed in at a little over 11oz total. I expect the 7'9" will be a little heavier due to the extra length, but it will still be a very light combo for flipping all day long. Looking forward to trying it out.