Choporoz

Wish I were still down that way. Waller Mill holds a special place in my heart. An 'old' Chief Petty Officer took me bass fishing for the first time on Waller Mill. I never caught a lot there, but I recall some special fish. I learned a lot from him on that water over the next couple months. I'll be on Cheatham for a few days later this month; most of the time there I stick to the base, but I just might make a run over there for nostalgia's sake.

I've retired my Brush Hogs and Baby Brush Hogs since I started using Rage Tails. Never encountered a time when my hogs weren't out-performed by RT Structure Bugs or Craws. On rare occasions when minimal flapping is desired, I will drag a Pit Boss which, for me, also bested Brush Hogs.

I can't speak for the others @MIbassyaker, @Yudo1 and @d-camarena), but I can tell you that I recommended them because they suck Do you want a good rod? Or do you want a $100 combo? What would be a good rod to you...that you would get in a $100 combo? For example? Maybe if we understand more about your expectations, we can recommend more stuff that we think isn't any good.

I got a gently used Lowrance Elite 4x for $100, a mount for another $25, some duct seal ($5), and a pair of batteries with charger for $50. I am a sonar beginner and I'm very happy with it. If I was going to blow a few more bucks, the only thing I might do different is get one with GPS/charting. I gotta think that for five bills, it'd be hard to get something for a kayak that'd disappoint.

Optimum Baby Line Thru

I suppose it depends on which species you're targeting and what weight lures you might use. I haven't been in a Cabelas for years, but I bought a Cabelas spinning rod/Pflueger President reel combo online a couple years ago for about $80 and it was a steal.

I must be getting old....I don't know a dab from a dap from a plank. I could argue both sides....keep it (and yourself) 'respectable'.....or fun and memorable...as long as it isn't insulting or disrespectful..... I guess if pressed, I'd come down on @iabass8side. If not, you have to start asking where's the line going to be? Humility rarely is the wrong choice.

I could have written same....I've always said I'm 'left-handed', but 'right-armed'.....I throw, bat, golf, bowl, etc rightie...but write and eat with left hand. All my reels, baitcasting and spinning, have handles on right side.

You should get some good advice on Hunting Run. There's a few members on here that know it much better than I. I haven't been there this year, but was down there a dozen times the last couple years. I like the lake, but the bigguns elude me. Never caught anything over 3 there. Plenty of days of 20+ one-pounders, though. Finesse-y plastics - either drop shotted or weightless will produce little bass all day most days. Those a little more respectable, I found cranking steeper drop-offs....and by chasing baitfish boils. Good luck. Good reservoir....I need to get back down there one of these days

If you're still on the fence...50/50, then I suggest getting a yak. I think the barriers to entry are lower (cost, transport, storage, etc.) You will find out pretty quickly whether you like it or not. Resale value is very good and you can get a jon if you don't like the kayak.

I don't like 'em. Not just on the lake, but anywhere, really. We've got a couple in the neighborhood where I live and if it was a little more rural, I'd be standing by with a 12 gauge.

and SK Swimn shad

Used to use spinning, but it turns out my Fenwick casting 6'9"MXF is perfect. I don't get the distance I used to, but I can drop them on a quarter. If fan casting across points with, say, a 1/16 mojo weight, I will still, at times use a spinning rod.

I lost one yesterday that I never saw. I don't know how much it weighed, but it was the fastest fish I've ever hooked. Slammed a lipless the second it hit the water, dove and traveled nearly 40 yards left to right across my bow in a matter of seconds before spitting my lure. Was taking drag the last 10 yards. I have to think it was a striper, as I've never had a cheetah LMB like that. But, I will tell you it was no less than 5 pounds. probably closer to 25

Good thing the zebra didn't trample you from behind

If you haven't realized already, you can try light braking with a paddle blade - dipped into the same side as the direction you want to turn. As you're drifting into 'the spot', and you start getting a little 'crooked', say going a little left, dip and hold your paddle on the right side and your bow will turn to the right, with the added benefit of slowing your drift. Current and wind are still going to do crazy things to you, but just think of how adept you're going to become at casting back over your left (and right) shoulders One thing that I'm considering is a rudder. I watch yakkers with rudders around me glide into position with deadly accuracy and can start casting much sooner instead of adjusting drift with paddle and waiting to cast. I'm not so much interested for maneuvering while moving as I am in using a rudder to fine tune drifting into position.

Agreed. My wife and I had a great shad year for almost three weeks. Once I got it dialed in, it was on. We killed them - dozens per day. Started just throwing darts on light rods, but the darts were too late to get the depth and speed that the shad wanted. Tried small 1/8 or 3/16 oz spoons - no more than a quarter and tied a dart about 14-18 inches above. The extra weight of the spoon allowed us to cast farther let it drop to about 6-9 feet and retrieve it fairly fast. With just a dart, you can get the depth or just the speed, but not the right combo. For spoons, we used mostly krocs and little cleos, but Mepps and Panther spinners worked, too. The thrill of catching doubles was bonus. I think the catch ratio was nearly 50/50 on spoons or darts. They are fighters and a LOT of fun to catch. By the way, it really didn't matter what color darts we used. There was one day when I think some pink made a difference, but by and large, the shad really didn't care if it was pink, orange, yellow, chart..... One more note: the shad tend to school in 'lanes'...IDK why...maybe drafting At any rate, once you find the lane, remember it...they'll use that path the whole spawn. Certainly, its easier in narrows, where they get squeezed, but in wider portions, you might find really hot lanes and dead zones. There was a weekend in the Occoquan when there were so many it really didn't matter where you were, however...there were so many.

only when you want to see it?

No. Sorry. If you fit it in you checked luggage, you should be fine.

In that range of gear, why don't you just buy it there and give it to a kid on your way to the airport coming home? Would probably cost less than the airline is going to charge you to check it.

What are you planning to fish for?

So....I spent about 2 1/2 hours practicing SDJ while watching TV with the wife last night. I can do it with my eyes closed...maybe even in a pitching kayak. I love it - screwed it up only once and at no other time could I break it, or make it slip with bare hands (8#YZ). It's my new terminal knot for certain. (Note: I have no idea why 5&6 turn improved clinch was slipping with newer spools of YZ. Never had that problem in the past. I can only guess that it is a little slicker than it used to be...or there's a newer (or thicker?) coating. The line is still great, but just needed a new knot.

I assume you've got it in a hard plastic tube, right? I doubt they'd let you carry it on. Prob north of $50 to check it. I've traveled using three different options: -2 piece rods in hard plastic Plano carriers -I have mailed rods ahead -Simply bought gear at destination and mailed it home before flying back

I can't help much, but I am curious as to why it is really important

I lived in Milwaukee for two decades.....I've been trying to muster up some sympathy....still trying..... What are you gonna do?.....You can move out here to DC. This pic was taken on a Sunday at 1:50 PM. You should see what happens on this street at 2:01. The meter maid has tickets on every one of these cars by 2:04. Apparently they're supposed to all come out and switch to parallel between 2 and 2:01.