DogBone_384

Pat's are down by 14 in the 1st quarter - not looking good for us up here.....

X2

Sounds like a good old fashioned AMERICAN.... didn't know him, but RIP. Prayers to his family.

I'll put it on the To Do list for Spring.....

Thanks. I'm closer to Boston, will try local waters first. Good luck.

Where's 'down the street'?

My Lure 11.5 has an integrated wheel for transport - I agree that it's much easier to move around once it's off my truck. I've got a scupper plug dolly for my 128T, a must if you have to lug a kayak alone. I installed anchor trolleys on my Lure and bought a 3 pound anchor from BPS - works great. I also learned quickly to pack light. It's easier and forces me to focus on just one or two techniques for the day.

Here are a some photos of my 'fleet': I've got Lowrance Elite-4Xs for the 128T & Lure 11.5. Easy to install if you know how to hold a screwdriver. Edit: Flipin4bass PM'd me liking the way I mounted the transducer in my 128T. I don't Facebook, so here's how I did it (easy as pie): Bring your transducer to Home-D or local plumbing supply store and find a plumbing flange it fits into. Don't forget the rubber cover. Find the flattest spot on the kayak's bottom that's below the water line. I used a hole saw to make a nice clean hole. Put the flange through the hole, secure it with a couple strips of duct tape, then drill four holes for stainless fasteners (screws or nuts/bolts, your choice). Take the flange out and drill the kayak's holes 1 size larger to accommodate your fasteners. Mount your transducer in the flange so it's just inside the hole. I painted the flange black. Mount the flange from inside the kayak using the screws and marine epoxy, ensuring a waterproof seal. Cut a small X in the rubber cover for the transducer wire. I used a stainless hose clamp. I don't get any water through it, so don't worry about sealing the X. Not much to it. I used adhesive tie wrap mounts to keep the wires neat in the hull.

Congratulations! I wish my wife had that kind of discipline when she goes shopping....

If you're in Eastern MA, since you're "massrob", I'm willing to meet you in Spring & let you test my 128T & Lure 11.5, to give you an idea of what's out there. Also, Doug Gray at Billington Sea Kayak offers test paddles for his brands. He's in Plymouth, really nice guy to deal with.

Ascend kayaks are a great value for their price. I own a 128T and FeelFree Lure 11.5, for which the 128T cost just over half of the FeelFree and delivers 80 - 90% of what my Lure does. I often take my 128T instead of my lure because it's more stable. Besides, BPS gives Military & Public Safety 10% discounts, which covers some cost for your PFD, paddle, etc. If you don't qualify, ask a friend who does to go with you and have them buy it cash.

I own both in 7' - M/F and like the Veritas better. They're both light and sensitive; the Veritas isn't as whippy and loads up better, subjectively. Like other members said already: you can't really go wrong with either. If possible, go handle both of them at your local shops.

X2

X2.

I'll 2nd the Pro-Qualifier. I own three PQ's in different gear ratios and they all cast very well, especially after they're cleansed of the factory lubrication. I just got my workhorse (you know, the one that's always in your car/truck) PQ back from Mike @ Delaware Valley Tackle. He cleaned & tuned it, as well as upgraded my drag - made it much smoother than stock. If you can clean it yourself, try that before replacing it, or give Mike a call @ DVT. You might be able to gain big improvements by having him work his magic. Best of luck.

Sounds like my fishing career, less the computer games. My daughter went with me until her teens, but I kept with it and while I can't say I have lures that cost more than my 1st setup, I can say I've spent a good chunk of cash on kayaks, kayak accessories, and alike. I definitely own more medium to medium/high priced baitcast setups than I really need, for which I just blame tackle monkey....

Yep, starting to creep in. Haven't skiied yet either - March will come quickly.

Take the reels you think you want to use on your UL rod and what light tackle you plan on throwing and go out and give them some exercise. That's what I've done over the last two seasons to figure out what setups I like best. At the very least It'll give you a good reason to go fishing.

No worries. Measure the width and depth of the stock 12T seat then call FeelFree's US office and ask for Dinver. If the width & depth match, they'll sell you a Lure seat, which is all-day comfortable. You'll likely have to mod your own mount/bracket, but FeelFree's seat is great.

Geeze, since nobody's posted it yet, I will: I GOT THE BILL! Happy New Year!

I have last year's 4X, which looks like this year's 3X, now that the new 4X has down imaging. I paid $119 for it because I didn't want to spend a lot on a kayak fish finder. I used a scupper mount in my Lure 11.5 & made my own mount for my 128T using a 3" pvc plumbing flange. It shows depth & stucture nicely. I got a Pelican case just big enough for the battery and control head so they're together & protected when not in use. For short money, it's a great unit.

Give it some time. I felt the same way when We bought our first Mac in 2007. I have a 2008 MBP that runs as well now as it did when new. What I like best about Apple's OS is when you plug a camera, printer, etc. into it, IT WORKS. We have 4 Mac computers in our home & have never caught a virus. Don't get me wrong, Mac's aren't perfect, and are expensive, but are a step above Windows machines with respect to their hardware quality and user interface. Stick with it and learn the keyboard shortcuts. ADD: We run Windows OS on our machines (almost flawlessly) through Parallels software too.

If the Ascend Deluxe seat is the same as the 128T's seat, it's a 4/5. I have one and find the seat great, especially because it swivels. The 128T's swivel base looks easy to change for a upholstered / bass boat style seat. I give it a 4/5 only because tge material it's made of faded more than I liked after only one season. I keep the seat in my shed when not in use. I also own a FeelFree Lure 11.5, whose seat is a 5/5. Good luck modding your kayak seat.

Congratulations on new PB! Great way to finish the year!

It is in MA. Lead weight under an ounce is prohibited.