DogBone_384

If you've read that it's as stable as an aircraft carrier, that its hatches need proper sealing, and that the deck warps a little in hot weather, you'd be spot on. I've now fished it for a full season against my Lure 11.5 and overall like it a little more because of its swivel seat and overall size. I'd love to see Ascend add rails, a universal transducer cut out (I made my own), and solid handles on the sides. It's a bear to load on my truck's ladder rack alone.Also, @ $750 (less 10% if you're military or public safety), it's the best value I found while shopping for my 'yaks. Best of luck with your 'yakking.

I didn't do much crank bait fishing this year, so I'm no expert, of the Abu's I own, the Vendetta feels the stiffest, followed by the Villain. The Villain is the lightest and most sensitive Abu I own. My Veritas' are the smoothest Abu rods in my collection. I own a Vengeance 2-piece that I keep in the truck 'just in case' I come across a fishing hole while traveling, which is a good rod, but not great when compared to my other, more expensive rods. Hope this helps. Best of luck.

I've yet to spend over $200 for a rod, but own 3 Veritas (2 piece 6'6" M/F, 7' M/F, and 2 piece 6'9" MH/F) a Vendetta (7' M/M), and a Villain (7'1" M/MF). I also own CarbonLite, *** *** Black, Fenwick, and Diawa rods (all of which are very good rods) and overall like my Abu's the best. My Villian is the lightest, and the Veritas load up the best. The Vendetta casts great and has the stiffest feel of the lot. I also have a 2-piece 6'6" M/F Vengeance I picked up a WallyMart for $29 that I keep in the truck for those 'just in case' times. I can't speak for the Veritas 2.0's, but of all the rods I own, my Veritas are my favorites. They're the ones I'd keep if I ever had to pare down my herd. Rod feel is a very subjective thing, so use members' feedback as guidelines and try to handle as many rods as possible and pick the one that feels best to you. Good luck with your choice.

$25 for the X-Dad - I'm not ready to cough up that for a lure. Though I've said that about rods & reels - I own two Cores now....but still haven't crossed the $200 line for a rod yet (close, twice, however). I best snag an OT shift or book a couple extra jobs, and quick....

I just checked the BPS website - CarbonLite rods & reels were charcoal, though I swear I saw them in white a week or so ago.

My best $100 combo was the Ugly Stick and BPS Tourney Special that got me into bait casting again. I tried BCs about 20 years ago but wasn't patient enough to really learn it and shelved the idea. The aforementioned setup turned out to be my training wheels that, with a lot of help from this forum, has lead to keeping the economy very strong in the way of 10 new setups (hopefully not many more this winter!), 3 kayaks, and all the 'needed' accessories. Besides spending a boat load of money.... That $100 setup 'made' me (re)learn how to fish, resulting in becoming a better at it. I gave that first setup to my friend's 1st year apprentice - a 22 YO kid who loves to fish and is saving for a house. He deserves it.

Zoom 6" U-Tail in gourd green. It's by far the best worm for me - far better than Senkos, which tells me I'm not fishing them right .

The tackle monkey bit me twice this week. A 5.3:1 Concept-A and Diawa Tatula ML/F casting rod from T/W and a couple of Pflueger spinning reels from Dick's. The 'tackle' purchase was a bag of 4" Senkos from Dick's to make the discount minimum.... I've got a bad feeling it's gonna be another expensive winter (better bag some OT!) ADD: Mike from DVT should have received my PQ's and Concept-A by now too....

Great price. I have three of them and they're my favorite rods. They load up great, are light, and very sensitive. Too bad I don't need any of what Cabela's is closing out.

Stopped by Jacobs Pond in Hanover and fished from shore. Didn't dress appropriately so I didn't last but an hour. Got nothing, though it was kind of fun to break out my 25+ YO Diawa Mini-Cast and compare it to my modern setups. Boy, what a difference. Right now I don't have any work booked for day shifts for the rest of the week, perhaps I'll hit Houghton's Pond and try some Powerbait and spinners.

I's gonna be a long winter - withdrawls are beginning to set in.

I'll pack a sandwich, couple pieces of fruit (whatever's in season), and water. If I'm only going to be out a couple hours I'll bring fruit, some type of granola bar, and water.

I like trying different brands based on this forum & feel, with a slice of great sale price thrown in: For reels: ***, Abu Garcia (spin & cast), BPS, Diawa, Pflueger (spinning), Lews, Shakespeare (25 YO spinner) and Shimano. Rods: ***, Abu Garcia, BPS, Diawa, Fenwick, and St. Croix. Plus a 25 YO Ugly Stick I keep only for sentimental reasons. It's getting to the point I can't rationalize any more setups...

Let me throw this one out there: In 2013 I bought a Abu Revo SX for $159. During the winter I sent it to Mike down @ DVT for a super tuning and, at his recommendation, a bearing upgrade. When Spring came around I took it out and was amazed at how much better it cast. I just sent out my Pro Qualifiers and *** for the same work. Long story, longer, consider contacting him and purchasing a less expensive reel that reacts to tuning in a way to get a $200+ performing reel for much less. If that doesn't work, my ***, Diawa T3, and Lews Team Pro Speed Spool are in your price range and are, IMO, great reels.

Outdoor thermometer reads 32.7. Methinks it's time to clean & stow the rods & get out my skis.

X2. If any family members are public safety or veterans, drag them along. BPS offers them 10% off on most items. Then buy them a beer, or lunch with your discount...

I had to vote for the Lews. The only Shimano's I have are Cores..... not a fair comparison.

Yep, sure is fun for some, including me. I like trying different setups based on what I read on this forum and general curiosity. Like many other members have already said, 'to each their own'.. For those of you in warmer climates, enjoy your gear, and for those that have Winter, enjoy cleaning & upgrading your gear and reading this forum! And regarding this post's title - how can your rod be better than mine? It's not in my garage and I can't fish with it!

X2 on the Revo SX. I have one and had it supertuned with upgraded bearings by DVT, making it my best casting reel, even against my Shimano Cores. I also have Lews Speed Spools, a Johnny Morris from BPS, Diawa T3 Ballistic, and a *** ***, all roughly in your price range. Right out of the box my T3 and *** are great casting reels. From my experience, all the reels I own in the price range you're looking at perform very well. Overall I think it just comes down to ergonomic/feature preference. Best of luck with your choice.

Prayer by family, friends, any my parent's Parish helped me recover very well from a TBI. You're on my nightly list. Best of luck to you & your family.

This was my first year fishing by kayak, so I fished mostly soft baits until ,june then tried crankbaits and chatter baits. Can't say a killed it with either, but the biggest bass I caught this year was on a chatter bait. I caught the 2nd rainbow trout in my life on a chrome Rapala deep diving minnow.

Make sure you take a fishing trip or two with it to warmer climates this winter.

I'm right with you NY guys. Got out today for a couple hours to Jacobs Pond in Norwell, MA. Got 1 Perch, 2 decent Crappie, and 2 unknowns that spit me. Surface temp was high 40s today. I've seen a lot of guys trout fishing at a couple of my regular spots I know were stocked in October.

I bring 2 baitcasters and a spinning setup, in whatever variety I'm in the mood for. Generally it's a M/F & M/M baitcaster and a ML spinner. One of my baitcasters generally has braid and the other mono. My spinning reels all have 2 spools, one with braid and the other with mono, which I keep in my tackle backpack.

The most expensive reels I own are Cores I got on sale in 2013. I'm not so much fearfull or nervous about using them, but I sure handle them with 'kid-gloves', especially when fishing from shore. Like other members here I've got college tuition looming and want to get my house paid off before I reach my late 50's, so I try to keep the high-end tackle monkey at an arm's reach.