Master Bait'r

It's been tough lately for me too. Oh well. I guess that's why they don't call it "catching". At at least the view is nice, the beer is cold, the seats are comfy and I get to mess with fishing gear in peace haha

Wouldn't be my first choice but if it's what you've got use it! People got by for centuries on a stick with a string tied to it. We all love to nitpick but definitely don't stop fishing it because it isn't ideal. Maybe come up with a plan to upgrade, but if it's worked for you then I'd say "keep calm and fish on" haha

Get a slide swimmer 250 and just hand line that bad boy.

Could have been a lack of power running it off of a running truck battery. Sounds like it didn't have enough juice to satisfy the power threshold on the higher gears to me but I could be wrong. Try it with a full battery when the vehicle isn't drawing on the current and see if that works.

Makes me wonder what the shear threshold is on those brass gears ?... Or that bail wire for that matter. Kind if like pairing tires that detread at 75 with a motor that does 200. In providing a 45# drag you've built a tool right into the reel to destroy itself. Like a self destruct button if you will. That's why it doesn't make sense.

Well that makes absolutely no sense to have. Might as well throw in like 30 more redundant bearings too while you're at it.

It happens. There are people here who have had to make the choice to cut off a $400 swimbait before though, so I'd say you're in good company. Don't beat yourself up though, now you can replace all that stuff with better stuff.

Seriously. Jedi bait monkey mind tricks? I would have just paid- Now it's bad luck in your boat dude!!

I kinda like keeping the water on the outside of the foot area. It just ends up getting it muddy with the plugs out with the sketchy portages I like. I'd open them up for a river or the ocean but that's how I normally keep them. Agreed! The more I use it the more I dial the organization. I can't stand having clutter and I can make just about anything I can dream up so it's just a matter of coming up with a clean design. As pictured this is actually the second version. 1.0 was all sheetmetal and although it would have worked, it was lacking in the sexiness department. I like the rounded lines and minimalist framing of this style much better and it's very strong.

I drink beer and play some Marley and just concentrate on enjoying the moment. Even if you're having a crappy fishing day chances are it's still better than work!

Don't like putting my stuff on the floor, and I wasn't a fan of the ball-mount workspaces either so I made myself one that's a little more aesthetically pleasing. I used mesh so it would drain and kept it minimal using only 1/4" rod and a few rivet pads. I made it from carbon steel as well so I can use magnetic trays. Also this is the Lure 11.5 with the removable electronics console in the middle so it had to allow that. What do you think? Might mount a couple little holders under it for pliers and such when I get some time but she's pretty much good to go after a few rivets. If it looks crooked, it's the angle. I spent a stupid amount of time satisfying my alignment OCD lol. Raw Painted Cheers to another random custom thingamabobber in the books.

This is exactly how I feel about it. It's a whole different speed and style of fishing. Much more quiet and reflective. I really enjoy it and I'm always surprised by the size of fish that live in small bodies of water that are inaccessible to big boats.

I can just see 'ol Blue getting towed around by the big girls, smile ear to ear. Kayak fishing is fun even if they don't have a dancefloor up front.

My favorite punching setup is probably a half ounce Mendota rig and the big Savage craws On the lighter side, a Neko rigged Slug-Go SS is also a certified killer too.

Thinking about you OP, and sending extra love to the Sam's mom. We lost my little brother almost exactly a year ago and Moms need extra love so close to Mother's Day.

There are two DSG stores within a out a half hour from me. One is a much bigger store which strangely enough always has crap gear on sale. Camo reels and such seems to be their specialty. The other one is smaller but has a much better selection, great people that work there and although they are working with every disadvantage on paper they continue to be my preferred location. Every good DSG sale/clearance killer buy I've scored was there. Kind of funny the way that works.

No way to tell from the pics, but I'm an expert. Send me directions on how to get to this place and I'll gladly assess the population for you.

There have been several and I've worked very hard to suppress those painful memories, thank you very much.

Sunday mornings are dangerous!

You guys should all just send those LH frogs to me. I know just what to do with 'em ?

I pictured a bass saying this instead of a person and it was funny.

I love how so many people are just powerless against the Pop Max's sexiness. Even people who don't get down with expensive baits can't help but admit they want 3. After all, you need a light a dark and a sexy. Everybody knows that!

I want to be happy for you but I'm so jealous all I feel is pain inside haha

Depends on the speed of the day. Usually a Neko rigged Lunker City Slug-Go SS, but if it's a slow day a wacky Xinkerz is usually a good call too.

I choose from 4 combos, depending on where I'm going. 7'1" MLXF Spinning rod w/ 8# Gliss. I use this for all kinds of open water finesse stuff, and right along the edges of the veg. It's a great light jerkbait rod and also excels at finesse t-rigs like minnows and small worms, finesse jigs, NED rigs, drop shot and a bunch more. I almost always bring this rod for clear water spots and places with less veg. 7' MXF JWR casting rod w/ 15# Smackdown braid. I use this mostly for mid sized weightless t-rigs and small to medium jigs. Mostly plastics though, I'm a big finesse worm guy and you can really work it in the vegetation with the braid. If it's under a half ounce and with a single hook, it goes on this. 6'10" MHF casting combo w/ 8# CXX. Mostly for big jerkbaits, bladed jigs, glide baits, swimbaits, blade baits, diving cranks/jerks, spinners and topwaters up to 1oz. Another staple combo here due to sheer versatility. 7'3" HXF casting rig w/ beefy drag and 40# Smackdown braid. This is mostly for heavy cover- frogs and punching. Also big jigs, huge t-rigs, c-rigs and top hook swimbaits. If I'm going somewhere with lots of lily pads or emergent cover, this combo is a must. I dont even even know what I'd change someday. I love them all and they work together near seamlessly with how I fish. *maybe* someday add a MF setup for mid sized jerkbaits and cranks if anything but I'm not in a rush for that.