onefinalcast

That is what I have heard from many others as well, and is why I chose that particular rod. I couldn't really find any other spinning rods that I really liked. I don't recall ever handling an Elite Tech before but I have felt the HMG and Aetos in stores and they felt really good. I love spinning rods because I grew up using them and to me they are my most versatile setup. I currently use a St. Croix Triumph. It's nothing special, but I've had it for a long time now and it gets the job done!

I too do not like very stiff rods at all. Every time I am in a store looking at rods and pick up a heavy rod, I always think to myself this is ridiculously stiff, why would anyone want to fish with this? That was also my mentality when first getting into bass fishing, so right now my cheaper gear consists of only medium power rods. But after a good amount of research and asking around I concluded that I would need the extra power for fishing 1/2 football jigs in deeper water for example. Also, in selecting the heavy power rods, I wanted to make sure they would still have a good amount of sensitivity and not feel like a broom. I feel as though the Endurance 714 would be the best option here for me. Do you think I could get away with using a Medium Heavy for heavier jigs in deeper water? Like I said I am all for lighter rods, but am only choosing these based on my findings from articles and inputs from other people.

The reason I chose the Phenix M1 was because from what research I could find on it, the Heavy action rod is more like a Medium Heavy. I also looked at the Phenix Bass Recon 2 rods as well, however, of all the rods I have selected, this is the one that I am most unsure/flexible about changing. What it came down to was I couldn't really find any other rods that might fit the bill of using bladed baits within this price range. Certainly I could have threw in another Dobyns, but I figured this option could save a little cost. I am open to any suggestions thought that you feel might fit this bill well. Any rod in particular come to mind?

I generally like, and don't mind, a faster tip. Although I haven't ever used a Heavy-Ex Fast. I didn't even really think twice about the fact that there were 3 ex-fast rods I selected, but I think it was more coincidence than me intentionally looking for ex-fast tip rods. Thanks for pointing this out, this will give me something more to think about.

This year I am getting a little more serious with bass fishing, and feel the need to upgrade my current setup of rods and reels. They were mostly cheaper gear that got me into bass fishing, but I am looking to get a little higher quality gear. I have spent a ton of time doing research on what might best fit my fishing style and situations. I feel as though I am starting fresh on a clean slate, and will be building from here on out. At this point, I should also state that 100% of my fishing will be done from shore or in my new kayak. This means that space will be at a premium, so I don't plan to have any more than four rods with me at any given time. Three being baitcasters, and one spinning setup. So here goes. Baitcasters Powell Endurance 714 Heavy-Ex Fast : Lews Tournament Pro 7.1 Jigs as well as similar techniques Phenix M1 7'2 Heavy-Ex Fast : Abu Garcia Revo SX 6.4 Spinnerbaits/Chatterbaits/Bladebaits Texas Rigs Dobyns Champion 703C Medium Heavy-Fast : Shimano Curado/Chronarch I/E 7.x Flukes Senkos All around / General purpose Dobyns Champion 705CB Glass Medium Heavy-Fast : Lews BB1 5.1 Crankbaits Treble-hook type lures Spinning Fenwick Elite Tech 6'9" Medium-Ex Fast : Pflueger Supreme MGX 6.2 Jerkbaits Dropshot All around / General purpose spinning What do you guys think? Does this sound like a good starting point? Did I overlook something? My main goal is to be covered in most situations that I will encounter. And just in case it matters, I live and fish mostly in Wisconsin.

This is great. I just bought a kayak and need a milk crate as well. Are these sturdy? I want the industrial grade/heavy duty milk crates and not the cheap plastic ones from Walmart.

What size braid? Could be a dug in line at that particular point which could explain the sudden stopping. You could try to peel off the line to where it keeps getting stuck and check.

BPS has all right handed models In Stock on their website as of this post. Left hand models are backordered.

Just got my tracking number today for my jigs and couldn't help but notice it was shipped priority 2 Day AND had $50 of insurance on it. Now that is awesome and doesn't happen often. They'll be here Monday and are my first jigs from him. Can't wait! Thanks Mike!

Thanks for reply about trailers. In light of the previous post regarding trailers, I too have wondered how far out people leave their trailers. Which also leads me to ask whether you guys like to trim the skirts up to the end of the hook? Or do you guys leave the skirts long(er)?

I too am still waiting for a review/word from him to see how he liked it. Hope he remembers to chime in.

I believe they have automatic ones and manual ones. Not sure how the automatic ones work but the manual ones have a handle you pull on when you need to and it will inflate. I'd get one too except that I am not keen of the refills.

Very nice kayak! Just got myself a yak last week too and also cannot wait for spring either!

Currently deciding on this myself as which one to purchase. I am a big guy also. Has anyone used the NRS Clearwater? How does it compare to the Chinook? It looks like it's basically the same thing with less pockets in the front which results in a cheaper price. http://www.nrs.com/product/21501/nrs-chinook-mesh-back-fishing-pfd http://www.nrs.com/product/21511/nrs-clearwater-mesh-back-pfd

Can't seem to find where the longer bottom piece is on my kayak, but the two shorter ones are under the black plastic rod tip cover (hood) at the very front. Supposedly you can put your rod tips into there when paddling so they don't get caught and snap but I can't seem to get my 7' rod to fit nicely into the darn thing while sitting correctly in the grooves near the seat. Also I'm not 100% sure if that is where they are supposed to go originally. The guy that sold it to me had them there and said it was supposed to support the hood during transport or from deforming. Not sure where else such small blocks would go anyway. Probably wasn't much help but GL!

Greetings. Never made an introduction post and don't mean to jack thread from OP but, hello fellow Wisconsinite! I just joined last month too.

Just put in an order of jigs from Siebert Outdoors. Finally decided to commit to learning to fish the jig this year. In the very limited amount of jig fishing I have done previously, I only used the small Netbait Paca Craw trailers. Any recommendations for another basic/staple trailer in the jig world? Otherwise I'll just buy a bunch more of the Paca Craws since it's all I know. Thanks.

Just bought me a Cuda 12. If you have pictures of the small blocks maybe I can help figure out where they go. I haven't taken a really good look inside of it yet but could possibly do it.

Please do. I am very close to buying the Mark 4 HDI!

The ram mount in the center console is just a plain old 1 or 1.5 inch Ram ball. I'm not sure if its the 1 or 1.5" size but it's there. I would need to buy the appropriate adapter plate and mount from RAM for the fishfinder I choose. It also has a little hole above the Ram ball where he routed the wires through from the transducer that is gooped on inside. I may end up removing that transducer/wires since I do not know if it will be compatible with the unit I plan to get. Also, at that point I would probably install the new transducer using the through-scupper-hole method. Also I have found that the high seat position is also much more comfortable for me since I am a bigger guy. They say it makes a stability difference in the water but I am don't feel like it would make a huge difference since I am not that tall so my center of gravity is lower. I'll have to see what works for me, but the high seating is definitely more comfortable. As for the NRS Chinook. It looks like a really sweet PFD. However I want to find one in-store and try it on compared to the Clearwater version first seeing as I don't think I'll need all the extra pockets the Chinook comes with. The Clearwater is a bit cheaper.

Good tips guys. As for PFD, I am looking at the NRS Chinook or Clearwater. I like the high clearance in the back for where the kayak seat would go. And I would like to get in some practice in deep water re-entry, but don't have access to a pool. Maybe when the water warms up I will go out with a buddy in a small pond or something and dedicate some time to learning those techniques. I may also take some time to just paddle around a few ponds or lakes without doing any fishing, just to get a feel for the kayak. I have been staring at my Cuda everyday before bed and in the morning when I wake up since it's stored in my bedroom. lol can't shake off how excited I am to finally be done with shore fishing!

I am not sure if both models come with the 3-pane splitscreen. I think only the Elite-4 HDI, not the Mark-4 HDI. You are probably right that it would be hard to view anyway. Also, that seems to be the only difference between the Elite and the Mark, the Elite has color and the 3 pane splitscreen.

Has anyone used Lowrance's new Mark/Elite 4 series with HDI? I know it was just announced in December and just released last month in January. I've been looking for a fishfinder and was going to go with a Mark 4 with just sonar and gps, but I did really want down imaging as well. Then I stumbled upon the new HDI series and it seems like quite a bit of technology for a decent price ($229/$299). It has all three features that I want but was wondering if anyone had hands on experience yet? Also, while I'm on the topic and don't want to create a separate thread, can anyone tell me if this is the type of battery I would need to use for a fishfinder? It is from BPS (the 12V/7.5 Amp version). This is my first time installing/using one and it will be installed on my new kayak so I just want to be sure I am getting the right items. http://www.basspro.com/RedHead-Rechargeable-Batteries/product/49382/ Thanks guys.

Thanks for all the input guys. I do plan on using it a few times before doing any drilling or major modifications. However, the previous owner did do a few mods already like putting in an extra ram ball mount on the center console and also has a transducer mounted with goop to the hull. The only thing I plan on adding at this point is a fishfinder and milk crate for tackle boxes like you mentioned. Also, as far as PFD's go, which style do you guys prefer? The traditional style? Or the inflatable ones? http://www.basspro.com/Ascend-Paddling-Fishing-Life-Jacket/product/10225851/?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Auto/Manual-Inflatable-Life-Vest/product/11090805012133/?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT

I was going to spend a good chunk of money this spring for some new rods, reels, and tackle, and a cheap kayak. But then I stumbled upon a great deal on a barely used Jackson Cuda 12. The price was so good I almost couldn't believe it! So I called the guy up and met up with him. Instantly fell in love with the thing when I saw it and once I sat in it I knew I was sold. Purchased it the next day and brought it home! Anyway, this is my first kayak ever so I am extremely excited. In fact, I've never even sat in/been in a kayak before trying this one out but it just felt so comfortable and right. Also, I think I made a good choice by not skimping out and going with a cheaper (sit-in style) kayak. Came with a lot of stuff that I originally planned to put on the cheaper kayak I was planning to buy anyway like rod holders, ram mounts etc. Hoping to get a fish finder and be on my way to a great season of open water fishing! p.s. Any ideas on what I should consider adding is welcome. Or if there is anything I'm missing that is critical for kayak fishing.