Choporoz

I paddled for four years and said the same stuff you did above. In January I bought a Hobie Compass....and now, for the life of me I have to admit that I had no clue what the heck I was talking about back then. I still fish shallow and weedy ponds and bays....no less than I did before. But there is no way I'd go back to just paddling. The amount of time spent actually fishing jumped at least 50%....no exaggeration. I'm not familiar with that kayak....last I looked at Bonafides, they only had two...I think 107 and 117. If that 123 is easily adaptable to a torqueedo, then I'd consider it. Even if you don't get pedals now, I highly recommend something ready made to drop them in....or nearly trolling motor ready.

Funny, @TnRiver46...if you reverse 'swim jig' and 'spinnerbait' in each of your posts, I could have written them....lol. I can count on one hand the number of fish that I've caught on a swim jig....and not for lack of trying

No idea. Years ago, I used to get the 600 yd spools of YZH at Walmart, but can't say I ever looked for it any where else. I could theorize that that fisherman shoppers at the Dicks, Academy, Fleet, Scheels, etc....are familiar with, and shop for, braid, fluorocarbon, and monofilament. I wouldn't be too surprised if something that wasn't labeled with one of those three terms didn't sell well enough to devote shelf space....but I have no real clue

Finesse worm on Megastrike shaky head....hook was a bit mangled, but didn't straighten

I was pretty proud of myself for resisting until today's 11% email. I lucked out and the 7'2 MH FNR (that I keep putting in my cart) is now out of stock

I almost wonder if some bad 8 and 10 YZH got loose into the black/gray markets. I love YZH and still use it for cranking rods after most of 10 years. I only ever had an issue with one 'small' spool of 10# that seemed to have some QC issues. I never had any issues with the larger spools of any size. I do use KVD L&L on all non-braid lines. I read a lot of rave reviews of p-lines....I bought one spool of p-line cx 8 and couldn't tie a knot, it was so brittle...broke every time. So, I just sort of wrote off p-line all together and stick to YZH....not saying it's right or logical, but at my age it doesn't take much to get set in my ways

You know....not so much. I caught one even bigger from a kayak and that one took me up and down the river forever. This one just wanted to bury into the bottom....at 30 feet. Was using a LMHF rod with 20# braid....and I was a bit nervous about the rod; especially since I broke a favorite discontinued rod on a cat earlier this year. So, maybe I should have enjoyed it...instead, I got an attitude and was furious at the fish for cutting into my bass fishing time

Decided not to bring this flathead into the yak....but after 20 minute fight, I got it tired enough to bring to surface and lay a rod across his back before the challenging release. Something greater than 40 inches.

December comes earlier and earlier every year

I assume that you shop at TW because of the prices. If you no longer like their prices, perhaps shop elsewhere. I am guessing they are not in business to lose money. Don't get emotional....shopping for tackle should be fun. And if you're so very disappointed, why give them your business on Black Friday? The fact that they offered to price match and you don't like that choice, either....sort of makes me shake my head. You have options.....and freedom to shop where you want....I suppose you also have the freedom to rant here...have at it if it tempers the disappointment --- From here on, I'll try to stand back and let you have your rant

Mine leaves town on Friday for 4-5 days...trying not to look excited about all the fishing coming up

I was being cutesy....hoping you would rule out that you have checked the kill switch (deadman switch)

Perhaps it's dead, man

Each system is different....and all are getting better each year. I have a Hobie and was fishing heavy emergent hydrilla Sunday and didn't use a paddle once. The fins can easily be pedaled close to the hull with minimal grass interference. The prop pedal systems have improved greatly, in that most can be lifted much easier than in the past -- some, I believe can now be pedaled even when lifted up close to the hull, minimizing the grass problems.

Not too familiar with Old Town, but they certainly have some fans. I seem to frequently see 1-2 year old Vibes for sale...maybe my imagination...but seems a lot of people want to move from them in a year or two. If it were me....shopping for a new fishing yak sub $1200..... I would get a paddle yak that is pedal-ready -- or somewhat TM ready. I went for some time without thinking too much about getting pedals or motor -- however, one season in and there's no way I'd go back. If you can get something like a Slayer or Predator or Radar in your price range now....and have the option for easy propulsion upgrade in the future....seems that would be the way to go.

I don't have that rod, but one with similar characteristics. It doesn't come out much, TBH. Best use for me is small inline spinners and spoons for other species. I hoped it would be good for small jerkbaits (90 and under), but I didn't really like it for those -- however, yours might be better at that application.

I don't know why, but I found that I got better hooksets with straight(er?) shank worm hooks for stick worms. Doesn't mean you can't use ewg -- especially if you'll also be wanting to throw some beavers or flukes without re-tying. I will say that I've never wacky rigged an ewg, but no reason you can't try it. My personal solution would be to buy and find a way to carry three more rods

Look at used kayaks. I know of zero new kayaks under 500 with a seat that I would recommend for someone with 'back issues'. Please don't let her get hung up on a particular model. I know full well how easy it is, especially when new to a product class. However, the breadth of models with real differences and improvements being released every year the past few is truly amazing. You might plan on carrying just one rod, but that isn't likely to last. What, specifically, didn't work for you? Don't skip any demo opportunity just because they carry higher end boats. Demo as many as you have time and chance to do so. No good way you'll ever know how some features and design elements suit/fit you until you try them out. I absolutely think you should spend a bunch of time in a good yak shop even if you don't think you'll be able to afford to buy there. You will learn ten times more in 30 minutes than you will if you spend hours in Dicks and FleetFarm

Neither modern, nor square... But Hot 'n Tot is metal billed. No idea why they don't get mentioned much. I guess because they are walleye lures But they are pretty indestructible and the do catch bass. I have convinced myself that they are best on sunny days because of the flash off the bill, even at 10 feet.

I've been extremely pleased with AG warranty service both times that I needed them. If you haven't actually cut the rod, I'd do as @Delaware Valley Tackle suggested and replace the tip on the old one. (I'll let @MickDhandle the integrity part. I've replaced a number of tips with ease and no drop in performance.

@A-Jay's wake

I'm not familiar with any of those three. Hopefully, they have pedals or a pedal (or TM) upgrade option. I've fished from kayaks for a number of years now. Switching to pedals this year has made so much more improvement than I ever considered before I had them. Additionally, I underestimated the value of the seat for a long time. The better the seat is FOR YOU.....the better the overall kayak fishing experience will be...by some multiple

Good ideas....I've donated LOTS. There's quite a few veterans' service organizations out there with a fishing focus -- you might add those to your list Not trying to drag your post down, but a couple minor points: -I am sometimes hesitant to donate stuff that I don't feel works well -The whole tax deduction thing went out the window for the majority of us last year

I was recently going through the corner of my tackle room that has stuff that I probably will never use. I didn't do a scientific analysis, but I estimate that 80+% of it is stuff that I got either as gifts, or from subscription services like MTB, LTB, etc. Most of the other 20 is stuff I bought because I read on BR, a report that someone killed with it ....and I was checking out a cart from TW five minutes later.