Darren.

If I buy at BPS or a local store, I like to have the clerk open the box and I will test out the reel first. I've handed back one and asked him to open another as I wasn't satisfied at the feel/sound/etc. I'm dropping some hard earned $$ and I want to walk out with one that is primo. Hope everything is okay between you and your wife.

But I secretly wish I owned a Hobie PA 12. Don't tell anyone.

Totally understand that, but it does matter to me. I have to credit the right dude!! Native owners are nowhere's near the lunatics WS and Jackson owners are, LOL

Plenty of great brands. I grabbed one several years ago at Costco, been using it ever since. Costco's policy has been good to us for auto and marine batteries, so I tend to return there. I've also considered (since I power a light kayak) a smaller battery like a Werker wheelchair battery via batteriesplus.com. However, they tend to be quite a bit more expensive if you want higher AH rating, and then the weight savings start to dry up. But they are sealed and won't spill acid if it tips over.

DOH! I sure did. I'll edit the post.

Welcome aboard, Pavo!

I hear you. I'd suggest that after a number of times on the water you may feel differently. Why? Well, once you get out in a kayak, you begin to think (at least I do) that this would go better here, or I wish that wasn't there. Or you may feel you need a less-is-more approach whereby you won't value the extra storage of the Kilroy as much as you thought you would. My Ultimate 12 was not the Angler model (pre-rigged for fishing). I preferred to find out for myself how best to rig my kayak. I have never installed rod holders. For a while, I used a crate with rod holders, but found myself (too many times) catching a rod behind me on a cast. So when I saw how Drew Gregory helped design the Coosa with "rod stagers" in front of him, I thought something like that may work better. So I now lay my rods in front of me. That's an evolution of my fishing methodology. It will likely change again. I always like trying new things. I often stare at my kayak and just think about what I can do to make things better. That's where things like raised seating (on top of U12's gunnels) came into play. I put a sliding box under my seat with tackle. I've got a trolling motor setup, anchor trolley, anchor pin, etc., all arranged to be accessible, but out of the way at the same time. You just have to fish for a while out of whichever yak you buy. You'll have a lot of fun making it work for how YOU fish, not how an engineer thinks you fish. And Hanover has great suggestions on looking for one of your models. I can speak to Appomattox River Company's stellar reputation. I bought through their Hampton, VA location. Vick (mgr) and his staff are top-notch people. If you buy through ARC, they'll take great care of you.

Mike, thanks for the info. I might even be willing to part with my Lexa 100 for a short spell if you need to borrow one to "measure" and whatever. Need to get permission from the BOSS of the checkbook before I take the plunge, but I'm VERY much ready to upgrade to your swept handle on my Lexa first, then my Chronarch 50e.

Agree with Wayne. If you have a small craft, a 24 will be just fine. I use one on my kayak and it sometimes lasts me a couple trips. But I normally recharge fully following every outing. And I have experience with a BPS Pond Prowler (basically a Motorcraft) with a metal shaft - it moved me big time (55lb thrust) but was super heavy, compared to a MinnKota. I now have a MinnKota Endura C2 30lb thrust. Doesn't move me as fast, but is a much lighter unit on my kayak. I can pretty much troll around my reservoirs for an entire day of fishing.

Congrats! Always a great day when a lunker is landed, let alone a PB!

I do both sitting and standing. I can paddle either way, but when my trolling motor is hooked up I sit. If I'm sitting and hook a bass, I like to stand and fight it. I have my Native Ultimate seat modded to sit on the gunnels, so I'm up quite high. Never a fear of tipping. Enjoy it so much more than being down lower. Have you checked out the new Native Slayer? Beast.

Would be interested in a handle for the Lexa 100, too. I imagine there'd be quite a savings in weight?

Welcome aboard!

Kayaker as well. I am normally a huge Harwood's Mill fan, but this year it has been tough, and I've actually not bothered going over the past few months (but once or twice). I have caught fish each of those times, but just haven't put in my yak since then. The weed growth has been tremendous, clogging a lot of productive areas. If that doesn't bother you, then rock on. There are HUGE bass there, and I may try to hit some of those grassy areas before long, because they hold a lot of bass. My PB came out of HWM last year. Largest bass I know caught at HWM was an 11.2 pounder (small side of res) in about 2 feet of water. Plenty of 4+ pounders there. Caught a lot myself. It has always been a fantastic fishery. You may kill it! There are a number of areas to hit. On the big side, hit the power lines down toward the dam. There are coves aplenty with downed trees that provide a lot of fishing fun. On the smaller side (heavy grass), there are groves of cedar trees in the middle of the lake, past the power lines, that have been super-productive for a lot of guys I've spoken with. I'd also recommend Newport News Park (Lee Hall Reservoir). 6.6 lber in my avatar (22 1/4" citation) was caught by yours truly on Saturday at NNPK.

For me, balance is very important. I also don't use a lot of techniques like other guys, primarily worm fishing, TX, wacky, split shot. Some jigging. I want a tip light rod for everything I do. Lifting that extra weight when jigging a worm, etc., over and over and over = more pain. So one of the ways to manage that for me is lighter equipment, light tipped rods. I'm currently using a balancer from BPS on my St. Croix Premier. It adds weight overall, but makes it tip manageable. Prefer a lighter setup when I can afford one.

I run a MinnKota Endura C30 on the back of my Native Ultimate and have a 56 lb battery that sits behind me. Mine is similar to a BassYaks system, but was much less expensive. Before I went to kayaking, I used a trolling motor on my 16' aluminum Grumman. The Endura pushes me along just fine, saves my arms/elbows from repetitive stress on the joints for one thing. And I can move around keeping hands free to fish, not hold a paddle. I don't use it all the time, but enough to tool around to areas I don't fish often.

If I may suggest, go for the 5s if you can. The technology, A7 chip benchmarks are rather amazing. Don't have one myself, just got a 5 this summer. But the 5s is much more prepared for the future with 64 bit chip, the M7 motion processor, etc.

Very cool!

Indeed. That and the new T-wing system. Plus they make it in a sup'd up Type R model. I never paid much attention to Daiwa until I saw the Lexa (spinning and casting). Become a real fan of both since then. Very good quality, easy on the wallet, Daiwa durability. Huge Shimano fan, as well. Have a Chronarch 50e, and two Stradic FI reels. Have 2 Quantum Accurists. Lexa utterly blows both out of the water.

I'd look long and hard at the Tatula... I've got experience with the Lexa, which I *really* like, and am very impressed by the Tat's specs.

I'll chime in with the Shimano guys, but add to it Daiwa Lexa, Procyon, Ballistic. While I've got experiences with the Stradic FI (love 'em), and Lexa (super impressed, love it as well), I don't with the Procyon and Ballistic. But as I've grown to appreciate some of Daiwa's features, I'd love to try a higher-end model. I definitely like Daiwa's bail system over Shimano's at this point. More positive feel to the Daiwa. But I'll know in another year if that holds up. One of my Stradic's bail system has gotten a bit wonky, needs to be serviced. Before I bought my Stradics, I did look into the Quantums, but Shimano won the day then. Not sure they'd win over Daiwa today.

I don't own a Jackson, but if I were looking for one, of the two you mention, Cuda all the way. Personally, I prefer Sit On Tops, or wide open hybrids like my Ultimate 12. As far as stability, Cuda is supposed to be plenty fine to stand in. Once you get used to the secondary stability of whatever kayak you buy, you'll have a *feel* for how it balances for you.

Would agree it is in the 4+ range.

Black works for me often with Zoom Finesse and Trick worms. Can be deadly on certain days. I have not gone straight black for Senkos/knock-offs, but have had limited success with black + blue flake, and black + red. Limited on those. I simply haven't bought black stick worms. I might just try it soon enough, though.

Could be smaller bass, sunnies, perch, etc. Sometimes I've casted to an area numerous times and finally landed the fish I think was nibbling. Its been all the above. Short strikes can be annoying, but are part of the game.