Choporoz

Many years ago, I said the same thing. Turns out, I didn't know then what I know now. A spool of braid (with backing and leader) will cost you far less than spooling most anything else. Because, you will be able to use that braid on that spool for many years. I know that it seems crazy to spend $15, 20 or $30 on a spool of braid when you can get a spool of Stren for $7. Fact is, that the braid will be even cheaper in the long run.

Now's the time to hit Craigslist hard. Season's about done most places (though maybe not in all of TX), and owners are looking for cash for Christmas presents. I just peeked at local CL and it is full of great fishing yak deals. For what you want to spend, I wouldn't sweat particulars too much. Just make a list of top 3-5 considerations (such as price; Sit-in vs. SOT; length/weight) and go buy one that fits your list. You aren't shopping for a dream rig at $500, so you'll probably be looking at potential upgrades in next couple years no matter what you decide on. And...if going the CL route, keep an open mind as to pricing....for example: https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/boa/5884664692.html This one is listed at $850, BUT.....it comes with a lot of 'extras' that a buyer might actually need.....if you get usable paddle, PFD, fishfinder, trolley, rod mounts, etc....you may end up spending over your $500 budget, but coming in under what you'd have spent on the kayak...and PFD,....and paddle....and .....

I may be off, OP, but I think that you were looking for this thread:

http://www.siebertoutdoors.com/ As if that wasn't good enough:

you could break your brain trying to figure that one out....sometimes I wonder if a problem stems from too many days out fishing....or not enough...lol....probably both

I've read this post four or five times now....cracks me up every time....reminds me of a memorable scene in a forgettable movie (Moving Violations)

I bought a drift sock, but haven't ever tried to use it. Sonar and anchor trolley were early, important mods.

Funny thing....I've probably thrown Rage Bug more than any other single bait the past two years....and I can't remember ever T-rigging it....I probably have, but since I first put one on a weighted hook, that's what I use most. I also use a lot on chatterbaits, shaky heads and swing-jigs, though.

No clue....many....five or six days some weeks....zero others...remaining 33 are a bit tougher, what with weather and holidays negatively impacting results

Just in case you missed the posts above by @cgolf cgolf and @Bluebasser86, I will say, once again, put these on a spider slider head. I found that when I was finesse fishing this year, I ended up using spider heads with finesse worms about twice as much as all other finesse rigging options, including ned and drop shot. So very versatile: comes through any weeds or cover; and these skinny 4-6 inch worms are perfect.

google map the lake and click the little photo at the bottom "satellite view"

Cool. Shallow, but bottom certainly isn't 'feature-less'. Lots of good looking cuts and drops around the bars, islands and especially the channels to the north.

34.028573, -80.955427 https://www.google.com/maps/place/34°01'42.9"N+80°57'19.5"W/@34.0285774,-80.9576157,656m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d34.028573!4d-80.955427 Satellite view is pretty cool. You can tell a few pretty well defined channels just from that. What's the deepest spot? Looks like it is mostly fairly shallow

200 acres isn't too small to expect that a topo map might be out there. Nor, is it too big to get a rough survey while fishing over the course of three or four outings. Maybe post the coordinates from google map and we can take a look and help you. Might depend on what type of lake it is: whether there's a dam, obvious inlets, etc. I glacially formed lake in the upper midwest might not have clear channels. A dammed impoundment like here in the mid-Atlantic might have several obvious ones.

https://lmgtfy.com/?q=indiana+fishing+citation+program I've wondered the same thing, Crusty. I think it would be less of an issue from a boat, but I fish from a kayak most of the time and have spent 20 minutes fighting flatheads more than once this year. If in a yak tourny, I'd probably break it off instead of fighting for 10-20 min.

I googled :Irod Genesis II IRG754F Fred’s Magic Stick", and the TW link is right at the top

^ Good info there, @fishnkamp I agree with all. I have 7'MH Veritas and it is on the H side of MH, if you ask me. Very good all-around MHF rod for the money. I've used it for jigs, trigs, frogs, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, etc. It is now relegated for mostly frogs and heavier spinnerbaits/chatterbaits. I tied punching with it when I first got it, but it was not up to the challenge. I got a 7'11" H Okuma TCS Mat Daddy for punching and it has been good for that. Cheap, too. Too heavy to throw frogs on all day, but I do use it for dragging heavy carolina rigs around.

Sorry - I had the MF up on my screen -- didn't realize the link was back for the selection page. I don't think you could find a better rod for the money than that 6'6" MF Aetos - at least not for weightless Senkos.

Texas Tackle

I don't, but I've considered it. I keep thousands of dollars worth of equipment in the car from St Patrick's' Day to Thanksgiving and every day that I walk out to it, I fear a loss. I've taken pictures of the interior of my car every so often, but haven't taken the correct step and gotten riders on my insurance policies.

I have no clue. But, you've piqued my interest...why do you ask? Can't say that I've ever wondered how much any of my rods weigh.....just curious...

I fish right handed baitcasters; no paddle holder (lays across my legs/lap and I never considered that to be insufficient); transducer in the hull; and I have trolley on left. That said, I'd like one on the other side at times. I do think that if I upgrade to a SI and get a transducer arm, I'd want it opposite the side of trolley...seems like swinging on the anchor could be a minor nuisance bumping the arm.

Palomar with braid/Gliss; San Diego Jam for all others.

I have one Tatula 100 and three Tatula Type R's. Eyes closed, I don't think I could tell the difference. And, while I often claim that I don't care what my fishing equipment looks like......the Type R's look pretty sharp