Rudy1922

A few days ago I caught my first Bass using a Kayak. I was on a Jackson Cuda 12 and I'm happy to say I didn't fall in the lake. It performed great, I think, it's the only kayak I've ever been on. I did take the Cuda 12 to my friend's pool before I went to the lake for a little practice. Sitting in the high position does take a little getting use to and I even stood on it a fews times with no problems. I only did that in the pool but I'm sure I'll get brave enough to do it on the lake real soon. While in the pool, I did fall off twice, once while I was learning how to paddle backwards and another time while I was sitting "side saddle" and paddling. I found out that I can't re-enter the kayak from the water but it was my first time trying, so I bought a paddle float. I'll practice some more in the pool with the paddle float, so I can be a little more relaxed on the lake. Before I caught my fist Bass, I was a little worried of falling off the kayak while setting the hook but it wasn't bad at all. I was using braid so it doesn't take much effort to set the hook. I'm glad I brought a net, it made things a lot easier. It was so cool to see the Bass swim under the Kayak. Some didn't mind it but some got spooked but that could've been from my paddling. Anyway, I start my vacation tomorrow and I plan on using the Cuda 12 almost everyday.

Before I begin I want to let people know that I've only been using Bait casters for only 4-5 months, so my opinions probably don't mean much. I have a Chronarch CI4+ (30 lbs braid with 10 lbs leader) on a DX744c and on a DX745c. I've been using jigs and Jika rigs with them. So far this season I've caught about 15 bass using those 2 rods. I haven't caught anything big with them (3.34 pounds) but the reels are very smooth while pulling the fish in and cast great. I think the casting distance comes from the outside dial. Sometimes while using my chronarch 201e7 I wish I could somehow use "2 1/2" brakes instead of 3. I know you guys will say use your thumb but the CI4+ solves that problem with the outside dial. I use 2 brakes, I have the spool tension set so there is just a little side to side movement, and the outside dial is set anywhere between 2 - 4 just depends on the wind and lure weight. I've taken the bearings out on both reels and flushed them. I think the reels are great, I love how far I can cast with them and will buy more of them. Here's what I don't like and please remember these are just my personal opinions. The bearings come packed with grease. Taking the bearing out under the casting control knob is a pain in the A**!!!! I have no problem with the chronarch 201e7. I don't know why but screwing the casting control knob back on is difficult for me. I have no problem with the chronarch 201e7. I make sure I don't get any water or dirt under the outside dial, I'm not sure if it will cause problems but I don't want to take a chance. I also don't like the color LOL. I like the Star Wars black and white look of the Chronarch 201e7.

I think you're right. Thanks so much for the help

Thanks and here's a pic.

I took all the foam blocks out of my Cuda 12 except the one that sits under the seat. I thought they were for shipping but then I read they are for support. I replaced the "T" shaped foam block but I can't remember where the 3 small foam blocks go? Could somebody tell me where they are suppose to go? Thanks

I own a couple different jig styles from Siebert but all I buy now is the Dredge Football Jig. I love that hook!! Caught 4 today using the 3/8 oz Sweet Craw.

The Bass here are targeting Crawdads right now but that could change tomorrow!! LOL. I'm stuck on the bank until the water warms up and then I can try out my new Kayak. I really like the hook on the Dredge Jig and it's the only jig I use now. I'm just hopping the jigs along the rocky bottom.They didn't like the Baby Brush hog on this day but they started hitting it when I switched to a Rage Craw. I was using a PB & J jig with a Falcon Lake Craw Rage Craw and a Blue Craw jig with a Blue Craw Rage Craw. On this day they liked the Jika Rig with a Green Pumpkin Rage Craw.

It was a nice 66 degree day here in Ca. so I went fishing after work, I'm glad I did. I threw my Dobyns DX744C with a Shimano Chronarch CI4+ (30 lbs braid with 10 lbs leader) in the back of my truck and drove to the lake. I was using a Siebert Outdoors Dredge Football 3/8 oz jig (Whisky Craw) with a Watermelon Seed Baby Brush Hog trailer that had some Mega Strike on it. I didn't catch anything big but what I did catch the CI4+ handled with ease. The Dredge Jig has a great hook!!! When you hook a bass they stay hooked. Anyway, here's some pics. First Bass of the year!! 2.9 lbs. Small one 1.5 lbs. 2.46 lbs. another small one 1.45 lbs

I'm a Psych Tech at a State Hospital. I take care of the "Clients" that are unfit to stand trial for their crimes.

Thanks for the advice. I stood the kayak on it's end and maneuvered it thru the rafters. What a pain that was! I don't want to do that all the time, so I hung it from the rafters instead. The car port is attached to the back of the house. This is just a quick fix, I'll find something better later on.

A co-worker told me how much he loves Kayak fishing and after doing some research I bought one. I read you can store a kayak on it's end (the stern) but can you do that outside in a car port? Will the heat during summer effect the Kayak? How long can I store it on the stern? Thanks for the help

I used the reel all day yesterday and I might have gained a couple yards in casting distance...maybe. The only time I really noticed any extra distance is when I started to slowly creep the dial from 3 to 1 but that controls the brakes and not the bearings. No backlashes the whole day but that has to do with the weight & aerodynamics of the bait I was using. So did I gain anything? I don't know...but It was fun messing with the reel.

I flushed the stock bearings on my Chronarch CI4+, lots of grease in those bearings, and timed it. No breaks, dial set to 1 and just a little side to side spool movement. It had 15 yrds of Mono and the rest was 30 lbs braid. I flicked the reel handle really hard to get it going and then hit the casting button. My best time was 2 minutes but the average was around 1minute 56 seconds and I thought to myself "Wow I like this". Then I timed it the way I normally would use it. 2 brakes on and dial set to 3 and timed it. 25 - 30 seconds was my average time and I thought to myself "Wow I don't like this". So what good does it do me to have a reel that can spin for 1:56 minutes in "5th gear" if I can only control it in "2nd gear"? The only problem the Chronarch CI4+ has with casting distance is ME.

Somebody told me the 733 would load better but I wanted another opinion. Thanks

I was using a Keitech Swing Impact Fat 4.8 with a 1/8 oz weighted hook with a Dobyns 734C today. It worked ok but I was wondering if the 733c would load better? or is it too weight for the 733c? I was using 30 lb braid with a leader but I'm going to drop down to 20 lb braid with a leader. There is no cover where i fish, just open water.

Thanks. I just got the bearing out. I had to use 2 q-tips at the same time, one to push and one to pull the bearing out.

I'm new to Crank baits but i really like my Dobyns 704 Glass rod. You can really sling those KVD 1.5 really far and I think it's better than my Dobyns 705 Glass for throwing 3/8 oz. cranks but the only fish I've caught on it has been a trout.

I tried removing the bearing underneath the Cast Control Cap but it wouldn't come out. I've flushed the bearings on 4 Shimano Chronarchs without any problems but I can't do it on the CI4+. I cut a Q-tip in half and tried taking out the bearing but it won't move.

Thanks a lot. I'll make sure to try those out.

Thanks for the help. I've been using a Shimano Chronarch 200e7 and now I know why people use a 200e5. It's time to buy a new reel!

Hi everybody, I'm new to deep cranks. I've just started using the Bandit Ledge 250 cb and like them but a lot of people talk about the DD22 CB. So I want to try them out but only have room in my "Deep Crank Box" for 4 more cranks. I fish in stained water and there really isn't any cover, just some rocks on the bottom. I fish from the bank so I need a CB that I can really cast far. I like the distance I get with the ledge 250 CB using my Dobyns 705 glass but I have no idea if i can get the same distance with the DD22 CB. How do they compare in casting distance? There are so many DD22 colors to choose from I don't know which 4 to get. Thanks for the help

Thanks. The way things are going I'm happy to catch anything. I'm going back to jigs tomorrow, Siebert Outdoors of course, I don't think the trout will hit that. Lol

I was so excited because I thought I caught my first winter bass. I was using my Dobyns 704 glass rod with a Bandit 300. I was so disappointed when it turned out to be a trout!!

The last Bass I caught was on Nov. 3, then somebody flipped a switch and the Bass were gone. I have tried everything but the Bass aren't buying what I'm selling. According to my Iphone, Friday thru Monday is going to be 70-72! I'm going fishing everyday after work. I'm going to use Senkos, Spinnerbaits, Jerk baits, Jigs, Crank baits, Jika rigged Baby Brush Hogs & worms, C-rigs and whatever else I can find. If I catch something I'll let you know what I used.

I just got off the phone with somebody from Dobyns. He basically said get the DX742 if you are fishing the 5" Senko whacky style but get the DX 743 if you are T-rigging it for better hook penetration. The DX743 will also be more versatile.