Darren.

Condolences to you and his family. Sad to lose one to cancer.

Welcome aboard! I'll let the others "decide" though based on Google Images, it may be a ... rock bass

It's good to know the "testing" you're doing. In terms of using anchors, I've done that so much, and much prefer using my TM and anchor stick. Obviously, we make do with what we have. I'm know I'd make due if I had the Compass or Pelican with only FW drive. When spoiled with a TM, it is a little hard to consider going "backwards", so-to-speak . When I'm again in the market for a new yak, the Compass and Pelican will likely be on my radar. Until then, I've gotta make due with what I've got or my wife will give me a permanent bed in the dog crate in the utility room!! LOL.

This is what I do for most tip breaks. Have repaired a few myself, but with those that are somewhere in between, best to let the pro do it...IMHO.

Well...there's that!

Likewise. France will be tough, though.

Whoo, timely post. 4 weeks ago I bent over to take the keys out of my wife's car (after she got home from night shift and I had to take my youngest to school)...and BAM, could barely move, let alone straighten up. Managed to get in the house, take some advil, etc... Doc visit after 2.5 weeks and got some Flexeril and Meloxicam to combat the pain. I also found some awesome exercises from a guy online that helped. Has kept me out of my kayak and out of fishing for the entire 4 weeks. Almost out of the woods. For me it was lower back, so don't know if this'll really help your situation. But I also get pain when loading the dishwasher/doing dishes.

Welcome aboard!

Fantastic size - where, may I ask did you catch her? Virginia Beach?

Have to agree, reverse is a big deal for me, too. My Ultimate is set up with a trolling motor (BassYaks style), steered via foot pedals (awesome stuff). Countless times I've had to use reverse when I've caught a fish and needed to back up due to wind blowing me into structure...

Here's another video: Available at Dick's?

Scroll down a very short ways, ~8hrs ago he went live from ICAST in the new Pelican, and in video and comments confirms MSRP of $1499... https://www.facebook.com/lovekayak.fishing/?hc_ref=ARRdy1bzTwgt9HC27y3wLYgjpk5_c6ia9DPMc4Z4vClxq7otjJC5pdLWjxUY4ffu72I

As well, you could have gotten an open box model. I know at Bass Pro, the fishing manager let me try several models as the first Stradic I tried was not smooth...this was years ago. Still, point is, sometimes floor models get put back in boxes and, returns can be resold if "nothing wrong with reel"... Agree with @Choporoz, see if you can return for another.

Welcome aboard!

I get out when I can, sometimes 1.5 hours, sometimes over 5... For under $500, best bet is to check local Craigslist for used yaks from Native, Wilderness Systems, Jackson, Feelfree, Ocean Kayak, among many others. Or you can hit up a big box store like BJ's, Costco, Sam's Club. My first yak came from BJ's and I got it for about $299. Not a stand and fish yak, but it helped me "fall in love" with kayak fishing. I was able to upgrade to a "better" model (Native Ultimate 12) a couple of years later. Been using that ever since.

Tough question for me as I like a few almost equally. I gave the nod to Ned, tho, since it is the newest finesse rig I've tried, and enjoyed.

Definitely a sweet ride. Earlier this year I was eye shopping and watching vids on this boat. Stable, fun, quick, "light" on the water. All good things. Compelling ride.

As for Pelican durability, actually, the model I started with, is still going strong, bought it in what, 04, 05 or 6? My 4 sons have beat the crap out of it (so-to-speak) in fresh and salt, dragging to and from docks, etc. Actually, I've instilled in them to take care of the gear so it'll last. Point being, it's been used hard and often and is leak/crack free up to now. From the looks of the drive area in this new one, it appears to be reinforced with a separate molded housing. But yeah, time will tell its durability. I know some Hobies have had issue in the Mirage Drive area with cracking...but they seem to be on that and taking care of issues reported. As Hobie's patents expire, others will join the fray if it's easier to wait and let Hobie front the engineering builds/expenditure. I imagine Hobie has several patents on 180 varieties, though I have not done the searching in the patent dbs on the matter.

Well, of course that's the case. I assumed everyone would understand in the context of the discussion I wasn't referring to the act of "going in reverse" ....

That's my thought, too. I'm sure there's a way around it, but exactly how many patents for reverse does Hobie own? My guess is they have a few patents on the matter.

Welcome aboard! Sounds to me like you ought to try varying up what you're showing the fish. Try some "finesse" presentations like Ned, mojo with a tiny fluke, wacky rigs, etc. And as mentioned already, slow down your retrieve.

Unconfirmed, but some hearing it will be priced around $1500. Putting in range of Perception Pescador Pilot.

Hmm. Interesting post. @rejesterd, you're not the guy he happened to come across are you?! @The Dread Pirate Fisherman, welcome to the forums! As for confronting someone on the water, you probably did the right thing ultimately by just walking away. My wife is a nurse who's worked in the psych field for over 20 years. She warns me (especially when driving in traffic), to relax and not go nuts on a dumb driver who cut me off or whatever. She says many of the people who come into the psych ER look like "normal" everyday people, but they forgot to take their meds, etc. These are the people who may have a gun, or are in the news for road rage and all that crap. There are also a lot of people out there who *should* be on meds! Best to call the local DNR rangers and let them decide what to do/how to handle. They've got pretty extensive rights, even search & seizure w/o a warrant. Edit: I'm not saying the guy was off his meds or crazy, just to be careful because you never know.

I was closer to the pin a few years ago. Really nice lake. Am no expert by any means, but there were a number of folks who chimed in when I asked. You should get some hits with a search of the forums.