Choporoz

New low price and Austin 10% sale convinced me that I have to have one....will report back in a few weeks

True. No such thing as perfect alignment - there will always be some measurable misalignment, even if 'un-noticeable'. I guess for some of us, the expectations for a $60 rod might include this amount of 'error'. For others, it doesn't meet expectations. I don't think either camp is wrong.

40 years ago on some lakes in Northern Wisconsin.....two weeks ago in NW Ontario.... never around here. I do have a strong constitution and would not hesitate long most anywhere if it were truly a 'time of need', as you say

I don't follow the tour, but it seems that a Sabine River tourny run out of Orange Texas probably should have the geography limits defined so as not to include Houston.....seems crazy to me....but then, I didn't understand allowing the St Clair competitors to fish Ohio islands in Lake Erie, either. I just can't get beyond a fundamental mental hurdle that part of the competition, in my mind, means that competitors are fishing the 'same waters'

I don't use a net, but I can admit there are a few times when it would have been nice....mostly on cats and snakeheads, but I also admit to having lost what surely would have been a PB when she broke off at the boat while I tried to lip her...in my feeble defense, it was pitch dark at the time I do use Fishgrips for cats, snakeheads and treble hooks, however.

I agree that it shouldn't be. But I went from 15+ hours per charge down to 4-5 hours. Don't know yet if it's my batteries, my chargers or my process, but I want to get back to at least 8 hours, if possible. Running just a Lowrance Hook4X. Losing sonar before the end of an outing is maddening....but at least it affords me another excuse

Got my first spinnerbaits cat Sunday. Chatterbaits frequently, but for some reason, hadn't hooked one on a spinnerbait before.

I went down to explore and try to launch a couple years ago. Private community waterfront folks weren't too welcoming. I've heard rumors that Widewater Park is finally being developed. It was just woods and a long overgrown path when I was last there. Looking forward to see what they do with it.

3-5 feet, generally. I avoid having the knot reach the spool. Knots through guides, even micro guides hasn't been an issue for me.

Thanks, @Scott F. Been a few years since I have been in local Batteries Plus. Customer experience was terrible and I never went back. May give them another chance. Also appreciate the volt meter suggestion. Never thought to check because I didn't know what I was looking for.

What batteries and charger(s) are you using? Good? Bad? Lessons learned? I've had some challenges with my batteries and charger(s.) I originally bought two SLA's from Cabelas (8ha, maybe?) They came with a simple charger - a plug in with two alligator clips - no lights, indicators....etc. Instructions were to plug in for 24 hours each charge -- longer being bad. They lasted maybe 18 months or so before starting to decline --- I then got a couple from Amazon (ExpertPower 9AH) which are showing signs of decline after just a year; using same Cabelas charger. I am sure my charger isn't best for these batteries, but I tried my Noco Genius smart charger that I use for my full size batteries, but it didn't seem to charge them much at all before showing 'green'. Just wondering what others' experience has been with types of batteries, charger and battery life. Oh..and if you have suggestions about how connectors, I'm all ears...my success with crimping female connectors on to FF leads has been poor.

Thanks for the report. Wish I'd gone up to Pohick. I put the yak in at ORP. Never seen so many trailers there early. Must have been a tourny - surprised many didn't get up into Gunston. The river was busy, but not too bad - I assume most boats went looking for grass. I had a pretty slow morning. Nothing from docks, two from laydowns - couple on ledges and near grass, but had to work for them.

I had no idea there was such a thing. Though, I'm not surprised. I learned much from watching Andy Montgomery videos. There's a number of them, but this one has most of what he teaches -

I'm intrigued, if not excited. As @WIGuidesaid, they generally bring quality to market. I don't much care how long a rod is, but I do care quite a bit about handle length. (I do tend to favor 7'+ rods generally, but that isn't impacted by whether I'm fishing from a kayak.) I've looked at Manley's rods quite a bit, just for that reason; although, I haven't pulled the trigger on one. When I'm shopping for a new rod, I absolutely base a part of my decision on handle length. My favorite jig rod in a boat (DX 744C F/H) isn't in my top two kayak jig rods, purely because of the butt length.

Vast majority of the time, I will make the move away from shore first to yeild. There has been a rare occasion where I may already be picking apart a laydown or ledge, so I have simply stopped and graciously thank the other boat as they make the move outside.

Rage Tail Anaconda and 10" Thumper

+1...I think the chrome lip is hot

Like @Gundog, I use the same things that I use during the day.....with one big exception: all trebles get stowed from 1/2 hour past sunset until first light.

Yes. I typically throw 110's on baitcasting and smaller on spinning, but not always. I do like longer jerkbait rods for the distance, generally.

Welcome...and beautiful walleye. As to your gear...I agree that MHF is a great sweet spot - "which one"...unfortunately, there's probably a hundred different ones out there worth recommending. I think in your price range, you'll be fine with whatever you decide. Oh...and I agree with everything you said about the yellow spinning rod - I got one from DSG years ago -- strange bird....pretty whippy, surprisingly sensitive, stoopid hook keeper; unfortunately, I paid a couple more bucks and got one with a WM reel that didn't last three outings....but I still use the rod for throwing micro spoons and Mepps spinners.

Man....I could do this stuff....put a spinner on an existing bait...or take skirt off and put a soft paddle tail on a buzz.....re-shape a hollow frog into the shape of a fish and add some plastic trailer trash to the back.....lots of new stuff ....much of it looks like Frankenstein stuff that a 12 year old made in his basement....whoa...but that clacker on a buzz bait! Revolutionary

No kidding there - I haven't seen it on Pfluegers, but some Daiwas and I think Mitchells have small plastic pieces attached to a shaft on the cap opposite the handle - pieces that can splinter and cause internal issues - trust me on this one

If noticeably not smooth, I'd go back to the store before you do anything to it. I have reels smoother than my President, but you describe a reel that may not be quite right. Store should have others you can compare it to.

Six hours. Almost always.... sometimes more if I take an opportunity to stand for ten or fifteen minutes after a few hours