RichF

That Shearwater looks awesome. I actually just ordered a Big Fish 105 yesterday. I'm brand new to kayak fishing as well and spent a ton of time researching. I wanted something super stable, highly modifiable, and inexpensive. The 105 fit the bill. I just didn't want to drop $$$ on something I might not use a ton. I also found out that there is so much other crap you need, spending $1200+ on just the yak wasn't happening for me. As far as paddles, I ordered this: https://www.the-house.com/aclanai220ivo19zz-accent-kayak-paddles.html It's not a "kayak fishing paddle" but it's like 30oz and is on closeout for super cheap. It might not be great but I plan on motorizing my yak anyway so I figured I didn't need a $300 paddle. Anyway, hope you find what you're looking for. I'm anxious to hear your thoughts on the Shearwater once you demo it.

I bought a pack of the weight containers awhile back (on sale). Definitely like the idea. As for the whole box, I wouldn't pay that much and I wouldn't even be able to fit a lot of necessary terminal tackle in there anyway. I bought one of these Academy boxes for short trips when I'm not in the boat and can't bring my big terminal box.

This seems like a decent alternative to the Mafia terminal box. Good reviews and they're practically giving them away. https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-premium-terminal-tackle-utility-box#repChildCatid=7840503

I appreciate the response! Sorry it isn't the right fit. I'm brand new to kayak fishing and all the research has been overwhelming. I was actually looking at the tempest 120p but don't think I want to drop the coin since I won't be able to demo it (or really use it a ton). With all the accessories too...sheesh. I think I've decided on the 3 Waters Big Fish 105. Cheap, supposedly very stable, and highly modifiable.

I was just about to order a yak since Fountainhead is closed and I can't rent a boat at the moment. Now I'm seeing that all NOVA parks are closed to boating. I'm still relatively new to the area so I don't know of many public access points to the local waters but the ones I do know of are all closed. Madness.

Are you allowed to put a yak in at Roach's Run near Reagan??

Is the ramp still open? Are any ramps still open? Saw today that Pohick Bay is closed to boating.

My guess is he meant to say "lose."

It would definitely work for frogs and big jigs/flipping. I throw both those baits a ton and have at 6 rods rigged for them. All are 7'3 to 7'6.

Just in time for recreational fishing to be cancelled! I really hope VA doesn't follow MD's new order...

Eh, I wouldn't have to room to store that thing. I'll probably just get a Big Fish 105 and actually wear my PFD, haha.

Someone needs to turn that quarantine frown upside down. If you really hate Quantum that much there are plenty of Daiwa threads that will be glad to accept your comments (maybe). @A-Jay will continue to haul in jumbo smallies and behemoth buckets with those inferior Exos and the rest of us that don't mind using something other than Daiwa will do just fine with this POS Tour.

I agree Daiwa makes superior reels when you hit the $199 price and up. I own several Zillions, Tat SVs, Coastal SV, SS SV, and a bunch of Shimanos in the Curado to Chronarch range. I had the original Tat CT (that $120 price tag) and while it cast easily, it felt pretty much like a $120 reel so I got rid of it. Yes, the Magforce system is really nice and easy. The braking systems on every other Quantum I've had have been good too. In fact most braking systems I've had experience with have been fine too. I don't need a reel to cast for me as my thumb is pretty advanced on its own. There are several other factors that I look for when I'm deciding on what reels to buy. This reel happen to check off a lot of boxes (and was priced right): large spool in a 100 size frame, 95mm carbon fiber handle, oversize knobs, sideplate that doesn't detach, and pretty pleasing aesthetics. The Tatula that matches the line capacity of this reel is the 150, which I may have went with if it wasn't a large square platform and didn't have that stupid spider graphic on it. As far as markup goes...I imagine it's outrageous on just about anything in the fishing industry so...

Thanks for the response. Idk if this yak deal is for me. I'm a standup, casting machine when I fish. Even the "very stable" kayaks would make me nervous.

I've owned a bunch of Quantums in the past and almost all of them had some minor issues. Nothing too crazy but enough to be annoying. The gen 1 Smoke was actually pretty nice, just didn't fit my hand great. I cleared them all out and went the Shimano/Daiwa route. Well, I'm a sucker for a deal so when this came up, I was intrigued. Though I haven't gotten it on the water yet, the Tour S3 feels great. It feels really well built, it's smooth, light, and palms really nicely. The handle is big and awesome. The knobs are big, which I like. One of the biggest things that interested me was the deep spool. It seems like every reel out now (especially Shimano) has a shallowish spool. I use a lot of 15-20lb fluoro and always feel like I'm only getting 50 yds of line on my reels. This Tour hold a ton of line and the reel is still very small. If I wasn't in the market for a kayak, I would've bought a few more.

How's the stability of that little sucker? Can you stand and fish fairly easily?

I use chunk style trailers, like Zoom Big salry chunks, when I want my jig to have a big profile, fall slowly, and have subtle movement. I use them mostly in the spring and fall when the water is cooler. Craw trailers are good but there doesn't seem to be one out there that does what the chunks do.

I like the idea of the pod mount. Having the motor in front of the yak is ideal for me. I was looking at yaks with removable sonar pods and watched some vids of guys modding them to add motors. Seemed too complicated since I don't have a bunch of tools or shop space. That's why I was thinking stern mount. Thanks for the link man. Those mounts definitely open up some options! I hear you man. I was really considering it simply because of ease. The idea of just slapping the drive in and going is really appealing. Wouldn't have to worry about batteries and mounting, etc. But then I thought: I really like to stand and fish and peddle drive won't allow me to do that (since I'd have to peddle to move). So many decisions!

That was my thought, especially since I have one already. The sea ghost looks nice but I like a more open deck. Those are cool but no way I'd drop that kind of coin on a yak. That's a nice down payment on an actual boat!

I want the ability to stand and easily mount a trolling motor. I actually don't even really like kayaking if I'm being honest. If I had a little more space where I live, I'd just get a Bass Raider or something like that to fish the small lakes around me. I need to get on the water and a yak is really my only option at the moment. I was thinking about a peddle drive but I really don't want to spend the $$. And since I already have a nice electric motor, I figured this would be an economical way to get on the water.

Yep, I've seen it. My dad actually has one come to think of it. It's more expensive and holds less. The Flambeau is probably a little more sturdy but that's not a big issue for me since this is just extra stuff that stays home.

Zoom's knockoff of the Fat Impact, the Z-Swim. They look absolutely identical but were/are on sale for $3.99 a pack so I figured I'd give them a shot.

Since I haven't been able to fish yet this year, I thought I'd offer a neat solution to storing extra terminal tackle (stuff you don't take with you on a trip). This little sucker came from Michaels...that's right, the girlie craft store. Paid like $13 for it. It turned out to be pretty awesome for storing all my extra/overstock terminal tackle. The 5x7 boxes are included but the smaller ones I have inside (for shakey heads, etc) came from Amazon (maybe another $15 for a bunch). This thing could also be a neat way to store loose plastics as well.

First purchase from Cabelas in a long time...more junk I don't need (except for the sonar cable I got for Dad). The line was just too cheap to pass up. Don't even know why I got the cranks. I have a ton of the originals that I've never even used, haha. Oh well, more stuff to throw in bins and stare at later.

I know you're not asking the general BR community but here's my 2 cents for what it's worth. Bigs or limit? Depends on how long your event is. The vast majority of the tournaments I've fished have been single day events. In those, I'm looking for big ones from the start. Why spend and hr or 2 catching fish you'll need to cull anyway in order to place high or win? I do understand that having a limit in the box early is good for you mentally. You'll often make better decisions during the day knowing you'll at least be able to weigh in 5 when it's over. I guess the decision to chase bigguns off the bat would also depend on the body of water you're fishing. If it's know for small fish...probably don't pull out the big jig. Where I fish back in NY, you can't win ANY tournament with under 14lbs of largies or 20lbs of smallies. Pretty much makes the decision for me! It's a totally different mindset when you're fishing multi-day events (and even more so when you're fishing for a living). Most pros NEED to cash checks in order to keep their seasons going. In order to do that, you have to be able to catch a limit every single day. Just an educated guess, but I would wager that most pros are going to fish for limits and hope for a couple big bites later in the day.