Chris at Tech

Just find some pics of the Plank Hydroflow on the internet and drill a similar pattern.

If I'm grabbing one rod for the salt, it's gonna be my St. a Croix Tidemaster 7' M/F with a Stradic 4000, 20lb braid

Bass Pro makes the Bionic Blade in a 2-piece 7' MH/F and it's currently on sale for $60.

I hear that a shot of JJs Magic will clear all that right up.

Nice -- it's a decent paddle but try to fish the island on the other side of the bridge. That area was good for me when I fished Kedron a few years back. Some good depth variety back there too

What lake?

Ya know, if you want I could go check on her for your buddies.

Using a saw blade to move around on ice... Nope, I can't think of a single way THAT would end badly

True but I've had good luck with quick turnaround. And in the event parts need updating, they're a pretty sure bet. Which Stradic model is it? As Shimano models approach 5 years of no longer being sold, I try to send them to the factory. Reason is a Shimano parts seem to sometimes get rare so I try to get them freshened up at the source before the parts become impossible to fund.

Based on the use you mention above, the 705 is a better choice IMO

I'd send to Shimano for a factory servicing.

Dude -- custom build on an MHX blank TR-846-3 is rated 3/4 - 2 1/2 in mod/fast action, but I'm sure you can throw heavier weights with no issue. The rods I had built on the MHX blanks for Baccarac could ALL handle more than the labeled specs. And of course you could have it cut down to whatever length you want.

Agree with Sam. Find a way to upgrade to 24v, or at least have another spare battery on board. 500 acres doesn't sound like much, but it's quite a bit for one battery in a 12v system -- especially if you've got any other parts on your boat running off it as well. My boat was built to only fish electric only, and I have three 80lb motors and 6 batteries. You're not exactly in the same position as you're boat isn't 100% dedicated to electric only, but I also raise this comment to stress that you can definitely find a way to install a 2nd battery on a 17-foot boat

Look into St Croix Avids and Kistler KLXs

I dunno...in my experience, threads like this tend to lead to a follow-up "I hate fluoro" thread... I've had good luck with Bass Pro, Invisx and Berkley 100% fluoro. None of those are $12 a spool (except maybe Bass Pro when they put theirs on sale) but they're still in the moderately priced range. Remember that you can make fluoro "cheaper" by using mono backing. One 200-yard spool of fluoro can give you three ~65 yard spools worth of line (with the rest filled by backing).

They're only $5-7 bucks a pop at TW so now really sure how much cheaper you're going to get them anywhere else.

Coming from a guy who's boat is propelled solely by trolling motors (80 up front, 2x 80 in the rear), you can never have enough trolling motor power.

Looking at this video more... I may have to slit a Super Fluke open right down the length of the bait and see what happens. I'm sure there are more differences in the bait but I guess we're unlikely to be able to tell until someone gets some in hand.

Just remember -- not everyone will have the coin to drop on Stella's and Loomis

Yeah, that looks like it'll catch a fish or two, and looks like a good choice to have on the deck in case a school of bass, stripers or hybrids show themselves. I'm curious to see the weight of the included jighead and to see just how slow it can be reeled and still get that action.

In the past, Bass Pro would put their Crankin' Sticks on sale for $49.99 occassionally. Can't say I recall it lately, but then again I don't shop much at Bass Pro anymore.

Just curious since generally you and I have both very much liked the Avid 66MF. For me, this rod gets equal duty for jerkbaits and topwaters (walking and poppers). Any reason you go with a different rod for topwater?

This sounds familiar...and yet my PB byline didn't change. I keed, I keed... Still not a bad place to wet a line....Hehe...

Be REALLY careful with your best friend working with/for you. Might not be a bad idea to see if he can join one of the other guys's crews rather than working for you.

Use it to reinforce jig and spinnerbait skirts. The rubber bands that most companies use tend to wear out.