kschultz76

I've got one coming to me from the Tackle Trap, but they're going to clean, lube, and tune it before shipping it. Figured I'd end up getting it done anyway and this saves shipping it around. Tried an SV103, but after test fitting it for ergonomics it just didn't fit me and I didn't want to invest that much in a real I wasn't instantly comfortable with. Having 3 Chronarch CI4s and a 13 Met I knew what I was comfortable with so we worked out an exchange the Chronarch MGL. Might be a couple weeks before they get it out.

No doubt they're fantastic boats in a class of their own. But that's really the thing, price wise and weight wise they're in a class of their own and that's why there's very little competition directly. I fished long before I started kayaking, and I started kayaking not with the intention of fishing. To me, and this is my opinion, the Hobie PA starts to blur the lines between a kayak and a small Jon boat. For me part of the kayaking experience is the go anywhere explore anything it allows, adding fishing to that lets me access things I couldn't with a larger boat. That means being able to car top it on my suv, and being able to load and maneuver it on dry land myself. I think there are several kayaks in lower price classes that still provide stability and space without the weight penalty or cost. But they won't have the bells and whistles the PA has for sure. Like J Francho said its the Bentley of the bunch. And there just isn't a lot of direct competition for a Bentley.

Welcome to the community, there are a lot of experienced members here willing and ready to share advice. IMHO you've cast a pretty wide net right now and it's going to be difficult for folks to provide constructive feedback. I'd suggest you consider searching forum on specific reels that interest you or look for old generic threads about best reels in a class, also look at reviews & articles elsewhere, and go look at the reels you're most interested in hands on. Then narrow your selection down to *** reels that you can ask some more specific questions about. I think you'll get better feedback and meaningful feedback that way.

This thread is amazing. Great work and awesome that you got to not only give your son a great rod but had a hand in making it. Hopefully he can enjoy it and treasure it for years to come. And stick with that friend who helped you be hands on with this. Well done!

Maybe the new Shimano Scorpion DC?

Doubtful you'll be able to find any rack system to safely car top one of those. The kayak with no gear weighs 125 lbs, that alone exceeds the safe roof rack limits of most factory installed or aftermarket roof rails. Then you have to add in the weight of your cross bars and any mounts required, that can be another 20-40 lbs. Even if you had a rack system that could safely support and secure the load you've got the problem of safely getting that weight up on your roof without damaging yourself or your car. Unfortunately the width and weight also exceeds the capacity of some of the assisted load devices on the market I believe. For or example the rated load limit on my old Ford Explorer for the factory rails with aftermarket cross rails was like 120lbs. My current 4Runner is a bit more robust and rated at 160lbs. Likely the the best option for that boat is a trailer.

Take a look at the Jackson Kilroy or if you want really big the Kilroy DT. I'm very pleased with my Kilroy and while on paper it's not as wide as something like the Big Rig it feels wide and roomy inside. Because it's a SINK it has lots interior storage including four integrated storage tubes that work, and a dry storage hatch, plus a flat standing platform. While the Hobie PA is certainly larger and wider, it's also significantly heavier and more expensive.

If you're talking about the round Eva foam knobs they can be replaced, at least on the Stradic CI4+ FA and the Stradic FJ that came with rubber knobs they can. You have to carefully use a screw driver to remove the red piece on the end, then remove the screw under that holds the knob on. Once you have it off you can replace it with pretty much any Shimano knob from a spinning or bait casting reel. You can order the knob and the end caps from Shimanos parts website, as well as bearings to go under the knob. I had upgraded the grips on my Met and reused the grips from my Met on a couple Stradics, and on one of my Stradics I used a power grip II knob from a Curado. Just make sure you order the proper knob for which hand you crank with, they're molded for left or right hand grip. Ive seen some cork knobs done on Stradics but I think they were custom jobs.

You got a good deal on a fantastic reel. I have 3 of them as well as 2 Curado 200i's. I'd take the Chronarchs over the Curados any day. They palm better for me and are smoother, and better casters with the smaller lighter spool and better bearings. If you want to make it even better order the longer handle for a 13 Met XG and a set of the larger power grips that come on the Curados, swap the handle and put an extra bearing under each knob, then have the reel cleaned and super tuned. Im toying with getting another one at the clearances prices. But I just got a Daiwa SV103 to see what the fuss is all about.

Theyre better then your avg bargain reel, at $50 if you're on a budget they're a solid choice. I've still got a few but have moved on to more refined options I prefer. But that was desire not need. Personally I did find the DBS finicky to dial in for varying conditions and line types.

I'm usually a Shimano guy. But in that $100-140 price range the Tatula CT is simply the best you're going to get for your money. Daiwa has really nice put out some great new products recently. Don't know where you're buying but I highly recommend The Tackle Trap, Gary and his crew are phenomal, offer great advice/support, and great prices. I just got a Tat CT from them for my Dad in fact. Ratio is sometimes personal preference. For me general purpose is a 6.x ratio, jigs/plastics and top water are 7.x.

And I thought I had a problem ?

It's a great deal for sure, thanks for sharing. I really want to justify that ML cranking stick.

It's not very nice to taunt a bunch of recovering tackle addicts! Must resist temptation....

Not true. Sellers can accept many other forms of payment. But PayPal is the only way you should pay. Appreciate all those with positive experience getting reels on eBay. I'm looking for an inexpensive reel to have for a friend to use on a spare rod and considering a good deal on a Tatula CT or a Citica on eBay.

In that price range I'd be looking at Daiwa Tatula rods on sale, Powell Diesels (on sale at TW) Powell Inferno, St Croix Bass X, or Dobyns Fury. Of course this is just my opinion based on what I've read and seen in stores. I've fished Denali rods before and was very underwhelmed. Never handled a Duckett but they don't appeal to me.

I have a 4Runner as well, had an Explorer before. Car topping solo on a tall suv is very difficult and a great to ding something. I was worried about it like you when I got my Kilroy, it is not light. I have two other kayaks that are much lighter and easier to load. I also find with the Kilroy it's not just the weight, it's how wide it is and how poorly it balances that makes if harder then weight alone. I didnt want want a trailer to store and because I wanted to be able to take it places while towing something else. I chose to spend the money on a set of Thule Hull a vators. Expensive, yes they are. But they are the only way I could load this boat by myself, and they work incredibly well. I highly recommend you budget for them if you were already going to get a rack. I'm using the Thule Aeroblade bars and they're fantastic, way quieter and way better then my old Yakima round bars. But keep an eye on your total weight because the carriers are heavy themselves and with a large boat you'll be pushing the overall limit for the 4Runners roof rails.

If its in your budget and you prefer a mod fast for jerkbaits check out the Megabass Orochi xx Jerkbsait special, Kistler KLX CRT line, or Megabass Levante Flatside or Spinnerbait Special. If you like a faster action a ST Croix in M/F or even rhe 6'8" M/XF work well for me with jerkbaits as well. Depending on what I'm fishing I use the MB Jerkbait Special, the St Croix M/XF or the KLX.

In my experience that comparison and assumption would not hold true.

See this thread similar topic.

This may not help your decision but I have a Jackson Kilroy and love it. It is a great platform for fishing with great storage. Personally I prefer a sink to a sot. Good luck and I'm sure you'll enjoy the freedom of kayak fishing which ever you decide.

Personally squarebills and 5xds are two different rod and probably line pairings for me. But if I had to use just one rod due to budget constraints I'd agree with the St Croix MHM around 7', Avid would be the sweet spot. I think they make this action in the Premier as well a bit more affordable. Another one I love for an all around great treble hook moving bait rod is the Kistler KLX Crank, Rip, Twitch line in MH power, choose the length you like best. I have a 6'9" for target casting in tighter quarters but use it in other settings as well.

I put together a fish finder setup for my kayak last year. My recommendation is read a lot before choosing a unit and go someplace local to check out the screen sizes and layouts. Then stick to your budget and factor in costs of a mount for the unit, cost for a transducer mount, some wiring, a battery, battery charger, and storage for all of it. It can add up quick. I got got a great deal on a Garmin echoMap 53dv when Garmin was running a rebate and Cabelas had them on a big clearance just before Garmin released the Chirp units. Yeah it doesn't have the latest tech but I got a better unit with a bigger screen for the budget I had. We have Lowrance on out bass boat, an Elite 5 dsi. Personally I like the Garmin better. The new HB Helix are nice as well and was a contender as well as the Raymarine units. I just got the best deal possible at the time on the Garmin. Good luck!

Specifically what make/model rod are you looking at? All manufacturers ratings vary so it's hard to generalize based just on the spec of lure weight range. I'm with WRB for those 5xds I'd want something with more power. And generally for me with 1.5 and similar squarebills I want a less moderate rod as well as well as a different line then something like a 5xd. Same for the red eyes I'd likely want a faster reel with them. Also if you're bouncing those 1.5s around wood and cover or the traps in or around grass you'll want more power to rip them. If I had to use one rod to handle all of that it would be something rated up to 3/4 or 1oz. I'd be looking at my St Croix MH/Mod or my Kistler KLX CRT MH/MF or my Megabass Orochi xx Spinnerbait Special. But I don't fish a lot of deep cranks so my preferences and experience lean towards squarebills and lipless baits.

MB Orochi XX Jerkbait Special or Flatside Special, or the Levante equivalents. Also look at the Kistler KLX Crank Rip Twitch models I think the 6'9" MH would work.