Felix77

At the beginning of the winter I began a quest to sell my canoe and buy a fishing kayak for this spring. I narrowed it down pretty quickly to a top 3 with the help of this forum Wilderness System Ride 115 or 115x Old Town Predator Moken 10 I got a chance to sit in each and get a feel for what it would be like to fish out of them. I didn't get any water time but as a rookie kayaker I knew 3 things that were a must ... 1 - sitting inside a cockpit was too constricting. I wanted more freedom. 2 - I needed a great back support system for long days on the water. 3 - I wanted something that would allow me to grow with it. Fishfinder, various mounts etc. I figured the rest would work itself out with time on the water. So the winner for me is the Ride 115x Advanced Put the down payment on it today in the Dusk color. Picture is NOT mine but depicts what I am getting. http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t405/mikepaddle/Ride1154_zps3c990878.jpg Can't wait for spring.

I was at Chautauqua in bad weather last season ... so close yet so far away

To be more specific I use the Gitzit tube jig heads with their finesse tubes. I thought the "sell" on these flat heads was the action on the fall. That is why I stuck to such a light head. The others drop straight down for the most part. I look forward to experimenting some more with this. It's a fun way to fish.

Yup ... braid to FC.

I really do wish more rod builders would show their stuff. I just got the MudHole catalog in the mail a few weeks ago and I have been contemplating doing a build of my own to pass the time over the winter. How did you learn? DId you take a class?

Question for the BR crew ... Last season I struggled to catch fish on a finesse tube. I struggle to feel the tube on the bottom. I watch the line more than "feel" the weight dragging if you know what I mean. Not sure if it has to do with the plastic muting the "feel" because it's inside the jig or if I just plain don't have enough weight on. I generally fish a 1/8oz tube jig head in less than 20 FOW. Thoughts?

One is coming to CT soon. This is less than an hour from my parents. Guess I will be visiting there more often once this opens. HAHA! http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPageC?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&appID=94&storeID=80&tab=3

I began using PowerPro and switched one spinning setup to slick. I also didn't care for the waxy coating. I also found my knots would give with the slick. I switched back to regular.

Mine did too. I bought the sinking minnow ones. Even trying to crank slow it didn't seem to run like I was expecting it to. My setup was a 7' MF Spinning outfit with 8lb FC. I am confident the setup was right ... the lures just plain did not meet my expectations.

Already mentioned ... it's all about timing ... I fish a pond that the only time to get them to bite on topwater is when the shadows start forming on the pond in the PM. Any other time (even the AM) doesn't seem to work. Try experimenting with different times of day if possible.

I have NEVER EVER bought a lure because I saw it on TV and it caught fish! Besides red isn't my color.

Here's the video posted on Bassmaster. You be the judge.

I have original, garlic and pike. Never tried the craw. Need to pick up some. Original/Garlic - used interchangeably. No preference between the two. Pike - For my pike tournaments. I won the last two ... Not sure if this was the culprit but it doesn't hurt. Shh ...

Neither have I ... seems like it was one good one after another. I only dream to have a day like this.

You weren't the only one ... When Aaron said all that I was pretty sure that Howell had won it. It was still fun to see it play out. You guys do know I was kidding about the dog competition. It was pretty bad ... LOL

All, Thought I would share. This was posted to the Bassmaster YouTube page. GoPro video of Howell's morning. It was truly a classic. Fun to watch!

This is my second year watching the coverage. I think they are getting better with it in time. I particularly LOVED the dog jumping competition. Had me at the edge of my seat ... LMAO

No kidding that my initial frog setup was a 7'MH Rapsody Rod with a Silver Max. It worked just fine with me. I upgraded to the Pro Max for a faster gear ratio. Paired with a heavy braid and you should be ok.

The RW trio is spot on! ... Here is my "base" set #1 6 1/2' MH baitcaster for jigs, spinnerbaits, walk to the dog baits, flippin and pitchin moderate cover etc. #2 7' MM baitcaster for treble hook lures (square bills, jerkbaits, lipless CB's, poppers) #3 6'9" MF spinning rod (weightless senko, drop shot, mojo rig, lighter lures like the KVD 1.0 Squares)

Same one I have. Love it.

x2 ... not a big fan. Won't be investing in these.

A ton! I work in front of a computer 8-10 hours per day from home. I tend to wander here in between meetings and things I need to do for work.

Can't add any more than has already been said. The only thing I will add is if you enjoy the process everything else will come to you.

Another vote for Seaguar InvizX

Flippin and Pitchin setup.