Hanover_Yakker

If at all possible, get some seat time on the water in the kayak you are interested in. Check around your area for some kayak forums or kayak outfitters/specialty shops. You might be able to find someone that has the model you are interested in. Don't overlook comfort, even when you are sitting in the kayak in the store. If the kayak doesn't feel comfortable after you adjust the seat and foot placement, then thank the attendant/clerk politely and either choose another model or just walk away. Don't forget the second part of the purchase - a class III PFD and a paddle. You need to budget anywhere from $100-400 in addition to the cost of the kayak itself. Many newcomers overlook that part. When selecting kayak lengths, here are some "general" guidelines.... *8-10' hulls are normally wider and more stable, but are easily affected by wind and can be difficult to maintain a straight track *11-12'' hulls are considered a good small water hull with better tracking and paddling behavior/manners. *13' hulls are generall accepted as the most flexible in how you can use them (small waters and big waters) *15-16' hulls are considered to be the quickest of them all but are also the least stable (traditionally a big water boat like major reservoirs and off shore salt) Many newcomers pick a short hull just from a transport and toting perspective - these same folks often times end up selling their first hull and end up buying or at least wishing they had opted for a longer hull. Remember, the shorter the hull, the less usable space you have for items you will need whne you try to fish. Just something to keep in mind. With that said, the F&S, Future Beach and Ascend options are decent but can all run a tad heavy. You may also want to consider the Perception Sports line (also available at DSG) and don't forget West Marine. They carry a line named the Pompano 120. It is actually the pre-2008 Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 mold and is one of the most popular hulls on the market. You can sometimes find the Pompano 120 around holiday time for a steal at $379 , but it currently retails for $429 and can be drop shipped to any West Marine at no additional charge. Here's a link and pic: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=1000321&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=50596&subdeptNum=50620&classNum=50621

First girl, second child - plus three dogs. Sleep? What is this thing called sleep you refer to?

If we're talking soft plastics, then it would be the PowerTeam Lures 5" Sick Sticks or the 5"/7" Finicky Ticklers - they are neutrally bouyant and are killer.

The preparation for this day was long and stressful at times. I had thought of everything in my mind....... 1. Proper technique.........practice practice practice - CHECK. 2. Proper equipment........action, power and sensitivity - CHECK. 3. Weather conditions......check the radar, no storms - CHECK. 4. Timing........always a consideration - CHECK. 5. Patience and persistence......more critical than you can ever imagine - CHECK. 6. Tidal influence..........slack is not preferred for this method - CHECK. 7. Presentation..........can't be forced - CHECK. With preparation complete, now it came down to when. Countless hours spent coordinating schedules, re-arranging appointments, checking, double-checking and ensuring everything was ready. The scheduled window was fast approaching. The anticipation was overwhelming and almost numbing at times. Mentally reviewing the preparation I had done - checking, re-checking, doubting, questioning..............the seeds of doubt firmly taking root in the soil of my mind. Did I do everything I could? Only time will tell. I made it home after work a couple Wednesdays ago and settled in for the evening when I learned that the water conditions had changed for the better and my plans were suddenly rushed into almost a state of hyper slow motion. I had missed my chance a few times inthe past few years, but I was not going to miss this one. I forced myself to breathe and stay calm. Now was not the time to forget anything or rush and mess something up. I made my way to the prime location and waited..........the hours passed by ever so slowly......... ......6pm ......7pm ......8pm ......9pm .....10pm .....11pm ....midnight and the first signs of activity ....1 am comes and I find myself in prime position. ....a short while later and the moment finally arrives. A subtle sweep of the arms to the right then a little to the left. No time for slack now.......a steady pull and BAM!!!! A 7lb. 12 oz WHOPPER and she's a beauty. She was citation quality and definitely keeper material in my opinion!!!!!!

Mirrolure - 17, 18 and 27MR series for larger profile and the 9 & 19MR series for thinner profile baitfish.

Why venture into unfamiliar waters? Use the lake you know and trust - namely the BassResource Flea Market!!

In all honesty, it sounds like you need to budget a little more than you want - $200-300 is not realistic. You still need to budget for a decent class III pfd and a decent paddle. Those two items alone can run you anywhere from $100 - 400 depending upon what your wallet can afford. There are plenty of ways to cut costs by building (DIY) items like a stake out pole, an anchor, the anchor trolley, etc. etc. You cannot sacrifice your safety. You should probably start saving a little mor money and look at spending around $500-600 in total. Not saying you can't find a good deal on C/L or another classifieds site. Just be wary of anyone that will not allow you to test paddle the kayak you choose. Last thing you need is to find out while half way out in the middle of a lake or a tidal bay is that your $200 steal of a kayak actually has a crack or hole in it! Don't laugh - happened to a buddy of mine.

Using a kayak has many advantages. The pullage of a big fish and the subsequent "sleigh ride" is the part I look forward to the most. The thing to remember though when fighting the fish is that you have the leverage advantage when the fish is on either side. When the fish is fore or aft of you, they have the leverage. Even if they get hung up, you can get to them easier thaan a boat could. Best part about a kayak is that you don't need a manufactured launch or boat ramp. The key is to find one that is both comfortable and fits your budget. That means real seat time on the water and try as many different ones as possible. Get yourself the best paddle you can afford and a class III pfd that is comfortable.

I actually have three and will be making a fourth.....like flyfisher said, it depends on where you are anchoring and what your fishing technique is..... My three types are: An old window weight (8lb), a 2lb wreck anchor (flexible tines) and a 1.5lb grapnel anchor (small ponds with no cover to get hung up on) Each of these can be removed and secured to my two anchor lines - one is 50' and the other is approx. 20' in length. Both are wound onto cord wrap holders. The next anchor I am going to make is a drag chain. Less likely to get snagged and super cheap to build. Other than that, I use my 6' or 8' stakeout poles.

Linesiders are on my bucket list of fish to target if I ever get to Florida one day. Sounds like you hada great couple of nights on the water!

True, but I am not making excessively long casts or pitches over 30 feet, so for me that amount of IPT is really not a viable option. Not to say that someone wouldn't have a use for it, but unless they are making the Revo Inshore in that model or at least a salt water rated reel, then I have no interest. I also have the advantage of going to the fish if it gets hung up which most boat-based anglers would be able to do as well right? Unless you are working some heavy cover in which I would question why would you be making long casts that you could potentially not be able to get to if you get hung up. I guess I prefer to remain in contact with the bait regardless of technique. Even fishing worms and plastics, there is hardly ever any excessive slack in the line. In my experience, that is how you end up with gut hooked fish.

And once I hear that type of hansds on breakdown feedback and analysis on the new reels like this one and the new Morrum and the like will dictate whether I even think of grabbing one in the future!

In my experience (albeit rather minimal compared to some of you veteran anglers), the only realistic application I can see for a reel with that kind of IPT rating is one where the predator is fast moving and you need a lure that is moving super fast. To my knowledge, that formula equates to a saltwater reel throwing spoons or sling silvers chasing after fast movers like Spanish Mackerel where the boat needs to be moving at a 5-8mph clip and the lure moving just as fast. Sorry - not a real necessity in my book - just marketing hype for a Revo Premier variant from the looks of it.

Here's a picture of the differences between the stock SK Rocket Shad and the ones I have had altered.

A personal favorite of mine is the Strike King Rocket Shad. The one negative about the lure is that a toothy encounter may shred the skirt. I had it happen on three different ones, so I just had a friend who is a fly tier wrap a custom pattern for me. I'll post up some photos when I get a chance.

Normally, SML is really clear, so hopefully all these storms will not cloud it up too horribly. Lots of main lake points and structure changes over in that area. Sam might be a good one to tap into on this one though. The area I fish is further down lake. In fact, there's two citation LMBs waiting for me when I head back. I spooked one last time in a shallow creek finger and lost another when she wrapped me on a sumberged stump on a secondary point.

Nice fish John - looking forward to your long range feedback on the rod and the reel. Especially when it comes time to service it.

The Quest 13 retails for around $999 and includes the paddle. The tracking trueness is by design. Once you start it on a line, it holds that track which is a good thing. I've paddled other hulls that don't track as well and let me tell you it is a pain in the rear to have to constantly correct your drift. All SOTs (Sit On Tops) are wet because of how low to the water you are. Some more so that others. For example, the Ocean Kayak Trident series is probably one of the most popular 13' kayaks out there, but the main complaint people have is that it is a very wet ride in the seat area. So much so that Ocean Kayak engineered a new scupper valve system to evacuate water from the seat scuppers when you paddle. My fix for that was a $7 inflatable doughnut ring from CVS/Walmart/Walgreens, etc. that I placed underneath of me. Served two purposes - one, elevates your rear out of the wet area; and, two, it alleves pressure on your lower back and spine over the course of the day on the water. Like I said before in your other post - seat time seat time seat time!!!

Too bad you can't make it to Farmville tomorrow - the Hobie booth will have a Quest, an Outback, the Revo 11 & 13, the Pro Angler 12 & 14 and the Tandem Island.......

The OK BGP is a great yak for stability and will handle some big waters fairly well. Our resident BR moderator JFrancho had one that he sold to another BR member. He can give you firsthand knowledge of its pros/cons and its best use.

Most people have a quickie mart or local grocery store where if you ask one of the workers, they might give you one. My first was a gift from a fellow kayak angler, but the one I have for my son was one from a local gas station. I just asked the manager when I saw one sitting on the floor near the front door of the store. No charge at all.

And if you are unsure of how to service your reel proerly, don't hesitate to contact someone that knows how to do it and have them done in your off season. I don't have the tools, patience, nor the workspace for it, so I send a couple of mine out each fall and rotate through every one of my reels in both fresh and salt.

Sort of, Backyard Boats near Annapolis is one I know of and have a friend named Matt that works there. You can also try the ones listed here: http://www.paddling.net/dealers/VA/

That's a monster for certain, but I know for a fact where there is one over 40" that scared the be-j3$u$ out of me last summer in that area that would swallow that one whole and not even bat an eye or alter its swim path. All I know is I was working a jerk shad targeting a small school of Potomac River Specials (that's a 17" LMB for the unaware and uninitiated ) and was so focused on the bass that I completely missed the monster snakehead lurking in the shadows near a laydown. When that sucker fired out of the shadows and lunged at my lure creating a huge swelling wake, I nearly jumped out of my Revo 13. After a few mild expletives and a racing heartbeat, I managed to calm down and try to cast at it, but she was nowhere to be found nor enticed. I'll be back!!!

Kyle, Do yourself a favor and make the trip to Farmville, VA on Saturday June 8th like flyfisher said and get some real seat time in as many kayaks as you can like I said. I'll be there in the Hobie booth, but I have several friends I fish with that that are pro staffers and will be in the Wilderness Systems, Native Watercraft, Ocean Kayak/Old Town, Jackson, Hurricane, Elie, Perception, Feel Free, Necky, Heritage, etc. ARC typically offers an awesome deal on this weekend where you can get an entire setup at a nice combo price and within your price range. Something to take into consideration is the fact that the companies listed above have been in the business of designing, testing and producing kayaks for years. The folks at Ascend (Bass Pro) and F& S (Dicks) have only been in the business of selling kayaks for a handful of years. In all honesty, they aren't even the manufacturers of those kayaks, they simply sell them, so the staff on hand at those stores typically does not have the real experience to place you in the proper kayak. Not saying that they do not make a quality product nor am I saying that one of theirs wouldn't work for you. All I am saying is that reputation and a loyal customer base speak volumes of how good a product is.