Choporoz

I had an eight inch long baby bass swim off my port quarter while I worked a shoreline for over half a mile. Stayed about three feet from the boat the entire time....occasionally swimming up to check out my retrieving lure...and then returning to his place off the back corner of the boat....crazy....guess he was drafting

From the article that @MassYak85 linked: Doesn't 'settle' any potential disagreements, but seems to be a good enough explanation for me... "Regarding level-wind components, some folks use grease, some use oil, and some use a mixture of oil and grease. Tried it all, at one time or another. If you use grease, or very heavy oil, grit will stick to it, and cause some undue wear. If you use light oil it will wash out easily and cause undue wear. There is no secret solution to this problem. This part of the reel demands frequent attention, that’s all. Use whatever you’re comfortable using, and pay particular attention, looking for signs of contamination or loss of lube. If it gets to the point you can feel the level-wind dragging, it is probably too late. You’re going to be replacing parts soon."

Thanks, T9! Perfect -- two pages....in English....with pictures!

I'd love a sticky with description of most basic DIY4Dummies baitcast reel 'maintenance'. I did a few BR searches and some googles, but I'm still a bit unsure..... I am comfortable with basic cleaning and oiling of my spinning reels. And I am VERY comfortable sending my baitcast reels to DVT every couple years, or as needed. But, what about 'periodic' stuff? Beyond loosening the drag, I'm a little confused.....what sort of oil on the levelwind? where/how applied? oil the handle? grips? and once I take the side plate off, its pretty much over for me...I can barely change a lightbulb....no way do I intend to ever start tearing down a reel. But, I would like to take care of some basic cleaning/oiling/lubing....if it helps and I don't have to actually take anything apart.

Bass Assassin Tapout on a shakey head

Don't think I've ever used swivels on baitcast gear, except when carolina rigging. Seems like 18" leader to a swivel would be a pain to cast. Swivel through the top guides? I understand why you'd do it on the Stradic, but I still find it necessary with braid, since it doesn't have the tendency to go all slinky on ya. I think you're good with the braid choices, but I don't know about the same rod for cranks and jigs; but if it works for you, I think you're ok. Some here don't like braid with cranks, but some do.

Watch the vid when you get home...something about how water makes olive oil all tingly and the evoo molecules get up on their toes and tell the wind to bug off

do you have a degree in chem or physics? "From the attenuation data at frequencies between 251 and 551Hz, we conclude that the calming effect of oil on surface waves is principally due to the dissipation of wave energy caused by the Gibbs surface elasticity of the monolayer, with only a secondary contribution from the reduction in surface tension. Our data also indicate that the surface-dilational viscosity of the oil monolayer is negligible and plays an insignificant role in calming the waves. " -Behroozi

Bingo. Aliens aside, digital scales are 'easier' to read for most....for a couple/few reasons -- no parallax, digital numerals will 'fix' on most after a period of 'stillness'; while springs will continue to move as long as your hand/arm and/or the fish move...at all

and....the frog is dead

I don't know how practical it would be, but the dude seems to be legit: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/blogs/physics/author/greg-kestin/ http://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/202213/pouring-oil-on-choppy-water-to-calm-it-does-it-work-and-if-so-how For you geeks and engineers....

I roll them into the backyard on carts leave them strapped to carts, loosen the straps a little, lock them to a post and throw a tarp over the top.

It's been a while since I look through them, but there used to be a lot of great pics of yak upgrades on pinterest. Other than suggesting you look at pics and videos, it is hard to suggest. Kayak accessorizing can be a pretty personal thing. Aside from basics such as crate, trolley, rod holders......it can get mind numbing what you can put on. Depends on what you've found you're lacking. I used a trolley kit from Yak-Gear, but it would likely be cheaper to buy the pulleys, cleats, line and DIY.

Barlow's appears to have some. I don't know about their selection or prices for flashabou, as I've never used it. But I have bought other stuff from Barlow's several times and I recommend them.

Agree. The mobile version may need a little tweaking. Found the notification, but it was pretty far out there

I thought my browser or firewall was corrupting the view...lol I feel like I'm getting squeezed from the right, just a bit

I had out and check my calendar after reading the OP....I'm still surprised to have learned that today isn't the first of April...

I have not been hunting in quite a few years. However, I don't think my wife and I could possibly eat more than one deer in a year, so I wouldn't shoot more than that.

No....it's all right there....perhaps a couple re-readings might be illuminative

Charlie Brewer -- Get yourself a pack of slider heads and worms - maybe two packs of his worms....one straight...the other curly....you can fish them as slow as you want....or you can swim and hop them and cover water.

Ran into a guy slaying crappies the other day....he was jigging with an ice fishing rod. But under 12 ft, however

I, too, understand the aversion to fishing for bass that are clearly spawning. My feeling is a little more complicated. There is something that makes me uncomfortable about spending 10, 20, 30 minutes trying to get a clearly uninterested bass to pick up your lure and hope you can hook it....I can't really explain why it doesn't appeal to me. But, if I were going to target them, why not use a spear gun or a cast net? I know that is an extreme question, but it just doesn't feel like 'bass fishing' to me. Now, the hypocrite in me will sheepishly tell you that when I cannot see them, I might just target areas around where I think there may be beds....watching Powroznik video at Toledo Bend a couple years ago, I was struck by how important that was to him for that tournament, but that I wouldn't do it.....but if in a tournament, don't hold me to that

fishing