Darren.

I'm with the "not sure they're bass" votes. just don't look right to my eye.

Gamakatsu fan here! I prefer them for most of my soft plastics presentations. But I do experiment and try other brands like BPS's XPS series (don't hold point as well, IMO). Have used Owner hooks for wacky, they're good, but not fav. However, I got several packs of the Owner Wacky Jig Heads, I like them, though they're a little soft. Love the Buckeye Flick-It wacky jig heads. Just bought some Daiichi offset worm hooks to try them out. Liked Haybusa Spin Muscle hooks, but one broke on me and that kinda soured the experience so haven't gone back.

Just when you thought winter couldn't get any more depressing...

Dadgum! Man that's gotta hurt. Geeeeez.

LOL, I said Aladdin, and Robin Williams, meant the Genie. Dang.

Welcome aboard, Therman!

I love how everything is perfectly organized... I always laugh at the pix. Once I pick it up and put it in a bag, the perfect organization is gone. Forever. I know the pic is for information and sales. Just saying. Personally, I'm using this right now: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Plano-Medium-Double-Sided-Organizer/16351085 Haven't concluded it's the best for what I do yet, but it was cheap enough to give a try. A tad on the small size, but I put my jika rigs, wacky hooks, TX/Mojo hooks in it with ease. Plenty of weights for various techniques. Think I'd like the exact same thing only maybe 1 or 2 compartments longer. The width is great for sticking it in small places for travel, but I think I could use a couple more slots for extra weights, etc.

Before I jumped from canoe to kayak, I strongly considered a square stern. I did use a trolling motor, mounted on a 2x2" square aluminum "tube" at the stern, it was easy enough to use, but using stabilizers greatly increased (obviously) the stability of the unit with such weight on the side. I'd imagine the trolling motor at the back would be a bit less tippy, but I don't know since I didn't take that route. Good luck with your search.

You'll probably love it. I, too, started out on a Pelican. One year later, maybe it wasn't even a full year, I upgraded to a Native Ultimate 12. Been extremely happy with it since. Native, Wilderness Systems both make some splendid yaks. I'd even consider looking at the Native Slayer if you're looking at the Ride. But that's me. Do you have a budget that stops around the price of the Ride? I ask only because there are Hobie Pro Anglers out there I'd love to have one myself, but they're rather far out of my range. Perhaps after my 4 boys have gone off to college...

Genie in Aladdin fav character, by far. Robin Williams was awesome. Also love Robin Hood. Classic.

Welcome aboard!

Atta boy. Apologize after the fact LOL. It'll work for a few purchases, then she'll get smart, you'll get married, and the charade will end. Heh.

Mine isn't a Castaway, but I believe it is nearly identical, just a color difference. A good choice for little money. Be forewarned, if she loves it, she'll want a better yak!!

Used to do a heck of a lot more than I do now. Soccer, mountain biking, tennis were my primary sports. Today, sadly, I'm more of a couch potato. Well, computer desk potato, actually. Kayaking these days is what gets me outdoors. As for soccer, it's coaching on occasion. I watch ESPN all the time, though. That's gotta count for something!

Hit your local BJ's (if you have one). They carry a Pelican fishing kayak (my first one) for around $300. Decent kayak for the money, and saves you a few bucks just-in-case.

Welcome aboard, Mike!

Not too big a deal, IMO. Like the others, caught plenty in the shallows despite the squeaky sounds created by my crocs on the yak floor.

We all differ here. I have used 10lb on a BC, in fact, my PB was on a BC with 10lb Fireline + 10lb leader. But 10lb PowerPro was a different story, a bit too thin. I like 20lb the best. That's me, it fits my style.

If it gets ya to where the fish are, and doesn't leak, it's good-to-go! Well, the motor's gotta pass the test though. Heh. Take my words for what they're worth, I paddle a kayak, LOL.

Welcome aboard, Daniel!

Good quality rod! Great warranty, to boot!! I like the previous models even more, though. The slim cork grips were (are) my favs.

Yeah, this is true. And I know of that rigging, failed to mention it. Good point. Still for me, and this is just how I run with it, I prefer shrink wrap, if I use it at all. Probably need to grab some O rings at a hardware store to try them out.

Those are fine hooks, I have quite a few of them, but I don't use them that much as I prefer to snell my hooks and the straight shank plus straight eye make that a little less than my cup-o-tea. Although I still do it. And you can use the same size with O rings. As well, a size 1 is FINE! I use all the way from a size 4 up to a 2/0, with size 1 being my primary go-to these days. Everyone has their opinion on hook sizes, and this is mine. People use tiny hooks for huge salmon all the time. Vast majority of my fish are caught (when wacky) in the top of the lip, more times than down in the fish body. Either way your line, whether using a 2/0 or a size 4, is subject to the abrasive teeth if the bass inhales the worm. I caught my personal best of 7.5 lbs in thick slop with a size 1 Gammy Wide Gap Finesse. Other thing I have to say about the Owner hooks, is the hook makes a beak to the point. In other words, the point is slightly turned in to the rest of the hook body. Now that hasn't hurt me much at all - that I know of - but I personally found the Gammy brand to be better as there's no beak. That's a personal preference, but when I had questions on the subject, I googled it and found quite a few hits and detailed pix about how the beak is a problem. Your mileage may vary with it. BTW, I've never broken a Gammy or Owner off on a fish. Just sayin'.

I built my own hoist for my Native Ultimate, works fantastically. Total of 10 pulleys, some ½" or maybe it's ¾" rope and some straps, couple eyes for bolting/screwing into the ceiling of the car port, another two for another spot, and a 6" cleat. We have other kayaks that are stored in a rack (also homemade) out in the back. You can see a little bit from this picture (which has a 4" cleat along the wall - that broke so I went heavier duty to a 6")

Just be patient as the worm sinks. Don't fish too fast, and don't fish as if it were a crank or such. Do your VMC hooks have the metal weed guard? If so, I tried them and dumped them almost immediately after missing two hook sets. I found the metal way too stiff. Much prefer Gamakatsu Wide Gap Finesse hooks.