Flywatersmallie

I usually take 4 on my kayak 2 MHF casting rods, one with 6.4:1 reel and one 7.1:1, a MF spinning rod and a MLF spinning rod. Unless I plan to fish frogs or something else where a heavier rod is required. I prefer slightly shorter rods than most in the kayak, 6'6" to 6'9" only because I can reach the tip while sitting if I need to.

It fits my needs well....

Field and Stream Eagle Talon from Dick's. Was on sale for $400 last week, not sure if it still is. 400lb weight capacity, comes fully rigged though you will want a new seat. Aside from extending the anchor trolley and adding a fish finder that's about all I did with mine. And you can stand in it. I fished yesterday standing in it.

Might want to contact the manufacturer directly or at least check their site if you are looking for specific brands. I normally only wear the Columbia PFG stuff when fishing so if that's the kind of stuff you are looking for, that's easy. That said I have a closet full of shirts and hats and whatnot from Booyah, Daiwa and others. Most were free with orders, given to me at trade shows and the like.

X2... Plus those Bombers are cheap. $3 a pop, less if you find them on sale.

In my old kayak, where space was more of a concern than it is now, I used to take a couple of these http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Plano-Guide-Series-Two-Tier-StowAway-Utility-Box-4700&i=441785 they worked pretty well. Now I usually just take a soft tackle bag with whatever 3700 boxes I want for the day. The bag I throw in the tank well holds 8 of the boxes, I normally take 4-5 and stow my anchor and other odds and ends right in there and leash it. That way if I do flip I don't lose a ton of stuff. I don't really downsize much at all, in fact I take more stuff on the yak with me than I normally carry. I am a river smallmouth fisherman where I usually carry 2 3600 size boxes in a small backpack and one rod.

I have the Eagle Talon. Its a good platform, stable enough to stand in. Replace the seat though. that seat stinks. I bought a new one before I even got the boat wet. Sitting in it in the driveway was enough to know.

I used duct seal in mine. Works great and as was said, its not permanent so there isn't any issues if you want to take it out. Only beef with that is that it takes a little time for the water temp to be accurate. Otherwise, DSI and everything works perfectly

Right you are, Korea I believe. I am very loyal to Orvis. Those that know me, know why. That said, I fish an 8 weight for smallies (Orvis Helios 2). They get big up here but more importantly we throw big flies for them. Some of those flies would be about impossible to cast on anything lighter. I've got a 7 in the same line and use that earlier in the year but when they food gets big, the rod gets bigger too. I have a 7 weight switch rod as well, got it over the winter, can not wait for the water levels to go down. Something awfully appealing about throwing a whole line with no back cast to those river smallies!

It happens. I went through a spell that just so happened to end today. I fish every day and had one 12" largemouth to show for it on water that is known for smallies over the last several days. Today I had 29 legal (14"+) smallmouths in 2 hours. Sometimes you just gotta wait them out, sometimes there is a magical temp that once you pass that, everything just turns on. Remember water temperature is very important in the spring.

2" senko and sometimes musky baits for night time smallies

I started to do that... Then the kayak version of the bait monkey got a hold of me and I spent way too much on a made for kayak seat. Very comfortable though

I have the same boat. I like it. Had it for a couple weeks now. I sold my WS Tarpon last fall and wanted to get back out away from shore. Honestly, I like it better than I liked my Tarpon. Its more stable, more room and aside from not being able to fit a crate in the tankwell, its a solid competitor to some boats costing twice as much. Is it a Hobie? No but it isn't $3000 either. I paid $399 for mine and they let me use my points right away so $20 off a paddle. My original plan was to get a Native Redfish for $400 more. I saw this, liked the platform, the seat sucks! So, for $400, I got the boat, then upgraded the seat, added a fish finder (Lowrance Elite 4 HDI that came with the free lakemaster chip), paid for my paddle and have $100 left for the bait monkey. Sweet deal to me. After having it out a couple times, I think I made the right choice and would recommend to anyone looking to get off the bank for cheap. Like I said, the seat sucks, replace that and be happy. I can stand in mine so its a stable, well suited fishing platform. Tough to beat for the current sale price!

Should there be a Loomis $10 Wally World special? That's another price range, lots of people won't spend $100 for a rod either

If you are looking for a quality, solid unit for a good price, Garmin is your brand. If side/down imaging and linking multiple units, wifi and the like is important to you, you may have to look to the big 2 and bring your checkbook. I've got Garmin units on both my kayaks and am happy with both

I've got the Smoke spinning reel. It's a nice reel and really light for its size, especially considering they aren't using carbon fiber or any of the fancy graphite composites out there. The Exo is real similar with some more weight shaved away. I'd also look at the new Daiwa offerings. In particular, the Ballistic and the Lexa. The Pflueger Purist is also nice. I just don't see a need to spend $300 on a spinning reel, there are some truly great ones out there for a lot less. You own one in the Pflueger Supreme XT

Smallmouth fishing is fairly broad. Lake situations, you will be fine with any boat you like. River fishing, what I primarily do, you're better off with a kayak, canoe or other manual powered craft, or a jet boat. All depends on what you want to do with it

Thanks! I just may do that! Got a couple reels that I'm not real fond of the knobs, those look pretty promising

That about says it. I've seen some real QC issues looking at Skeet rods in store with misaligned guides and one with a reel seat that spun around. None were that bad and have never seen issues on Abu stuff. That's just horrendous

The Purist is the new President XT. On paper, they are identical, price point is the same and in hand they feel the same. Same reel, different name/paint job. J Francho, those are good looking knobs! What's the price point on those?

I don't know what it is bud... It isn't the light weight. I own a Ballistic that weighs roughly the same and like it a lot. I don't like the round knob but that's a minor fix and wouldn't be a deal killer. I'm not sure what it is

Well... I have fished a couple of Ci4's pretty extensively and I honestly felt there was something missing. I can't put my finger on what it was but one shouldn't feel that way with a $200 spinning reel. Lots of people are big fans of them and there is something to that, just not for me. I'll stick by my original statement that if I was going to pick up a Shimano reel, I'd save the few bucks and get one of the original Stradics. They are workhorse reels that just last forever. That said, almost all my spinning reels are Daiwa now and I'm very impressed with the new models out

Yozuri 3d flat cranks

Assuming your budget is $200 going by the Ci4 you are considering, I'd say look at the Daiwa Ballistic. A lot of reel for the same price, comparable weight but a smoother reel as far as I can tell. If weight isn't a huge issue, the regular model Stradic is a better reel in my opinion. Or save some money and look at the Daiwa Lexa or Pflueger Supreme XT. Lots of good spinning reels under $200. Personally I'm not that impressed with the Ci4 though a lot of folks love them

Dobyns Savvy 703 or 704 depending on your intended techniques. If you want a general purpose rod, go with the 704, the 703 is a little soft for jigs etc. as far as a reel, Lews Tournament in your choice of retrieve speed. You will have a nice, well balanced rig with enough money left for line and perhaps a lure or 2.