Fishingmickey

All I can say is try it and see. I'd love to hear how it works out. You could mount that 2.5" ball to the "H" rail plate and go from there. I think it will be pretty difficult to "slide" the mount without unlatching it from the H rail. In my experience once that red clip is in place even with out the latching lever engaged the H rail mount doesn't slide well at all. But you can unlatch completely then move it to where you want it and re-latch the clamp. The 1.5" ball H rail mount avoids having to use the plate and is IMHO a cleaner and more compact install. The 2.5" ball will give you much better gripping and less of a chance to have issues with the head slipping down. Now is the flat plate bracket strong enough to handle the weight of the unit? There is really only one way to find out and that's give it a go, try it and see what you think. Fishingmicky

I think you'd be better off going with the straight "H" rail 1.5" ball mount. I haven't seen any of the 2.25 Ball mounts made for the "H" rail. There is this one, but once it's mounted you would need a wrench to move it. FM

One thing I would recommend is going with the 1.5" ram ball mount. Hope that helps. FM

Here is another to add to the mix. Why do Bubble Gum, Merthiolate and White floating worms work so well at times? Does it bring out the "kill it" aspect during the spawn? FM

I've got the PA14 and the Garmin 93sv. I feel either left or right side with a "H" rail clamp is the best way to go. I'm left handed and it goes on my left side. Having the "H" rail clamp makes it easily removable for transport. In front is too far for me to reach easily. If I was to ever go to two screens I could see having one mounted up front. It would be sweet to be able to run mapping or side scan on one and Panoptix on the other. Kristine's set up is nice, but I suspect her eye sight and mobility is much better then mine. Fishingmickey

I'd suspect they are both fine rods, Chump. I don't have the Tatula and I do have a Rebellion that I really like. So I'd go Rebellion and if your planning on selling the Tat... FM

Looks interesting Txchaser. I'm curious too. FM

I'd start with all four brakes on and the brake setting to 4-5. Set spool tension to just enough so there is a very little side to side play in the spool. Like a 1/32nd of a inch. I was in the two on two off camp for a long time. But when I was throwing lighter baits it was pretty twitchy and would get small birds nests if it was a less then perfect cast. The newer Shimano's I have seem to perform much better with all of the brakes on and then adjust the dial setting to about 4 or 5. Heavier lure or windy day I'd up the dial to 10 or 12 for best performance. FM

I am in the Improved Clinch knot camp too. It's worked for me for many years. Braid gets the Palomar. FM

Honestly I use both 12# for topwaters like a popper or smallish walking baits. I use 14# for the bigger walking baits and ploppers. FM

What a waste of good cork grips. FM

Jig's It doesn't tell you the number in the pack for the Swing Impact 2.5" on the TW sight, It had the amount on the 3" was 10 per and 2" was 12 per pack. FM

Has she got a cute sister that thinks like her? FM

The other option is to purchase a pair of 50AH and add a battery switch.

I'd add a skeg off of the back. It will keep you from "wind vaning". Not sure how long your Colorado pontoon is. But I made one for my kayak out of 3/8" nylon cutting board. Also you might want to make it so you can raise it up when you want the maneuverability or when you beach the boat. FM

Try out Diawa Samurai Fluorocarbon. One thing I'll recommend is by the bigger spools (600 - 1000yrds). I use both Tatsu and Samurai. Invisx is next in line. I've tried a bunch too. but those three make the grade as far as I am concerned. To conserve that pricey Fluoro fill you reel about 1/3 - 1/2 way with a cheap mono. I use Berkley 14#XL. Then top it off with the Fluoro of your choice. You can double you re-spools or better. Regards, Fishingmickey DM

From BASS. FM

I didn't realize how old this post was. But here is a sleeper rod from Diawa that feels great throwing a 3/4 oz Chatterbait. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-DAIWAROD.html?from=basres FM P.S. Also it appears I am not the only one to think so according to the TW reviews.

And you'd have to lean over the side with both hands.... FM

I am in the same camp as Fishtank. I think your better off going with a high quality Mono or Fluoro then going braid. I'd lean towards the mono if it was me. Fluoro hates to be kinked and the knot strength (if it is not a perfectly tied knot) isn't as forgiving as mono. The baits your planning on throwing are mostly treble hooked or BIG single hooks? I have casted off into orbit big crankbaits (8XD sized) using 30 and 40# braid. Braid can be snapped when your heavy lure comes to a sudden stop from either a birds nest or backlash. That's my two cents worth. Good luck with the quest for Jumbo bronzebacks! FM

How much fishing time do you get in during that two weeks? There is a lot of what looks like good fishing lakes close by. Tough call. Is the hassle worth the fishing rewards? FM

Long time Shimano fan boy here. Just IMHO, and doing no research what so ever into justifying my opinion. I think the Curado 70 MGL is a better built, higher quality reel then the SLX. FM

They also list their line in meters (40" to a meter) to add to the confusion. FM

Run like hell.

Sounds like serious typical (I don't want to deal with it - no money in it) BS and run around to me. If they put a locking cap on it. They should have provided the key upon installation. Heck yaaah, out them in the local paper. FM