stratos4me

Pre covid. But my layover was only 7 hours. With a 20 hour layover, they might let you use a hotel. That's a long time for them to expect you to stay in the airport. I would call your airline.

I like a 7-2 MH fast graphite. It's just a standard MH texas rig rod. If you're a big guy you might be better off with a more moderate rod like the expride MH glass. I personally hate that rod for chatterbaits but a lot of guys love it. Any 150-200 size baitcaster will work well. The right rod is far more important than the reel for this technique.

The scorpion is going to be much harder to get repaired. It will also have no warranty. My reel guy won't touch them because it's hard to get parts. He said some JDM reels like Bantams are easier to get parts for, but he specifically singled out the scorpion as being a PITA due to parts availability.

Frog....good for an 11-8 last year. Runner up is a jackhammer.

I tried to meet up with a friend in Tokyo during a long layover on the way to PI. Security made it impossible. Hopefully, you have better results.

Yes. Many shallow spooled reels have the same or similar internal parts as the standard sizes. They are plenty strong. Capacity with heavy line is your only concern. So, forget about bomb casts with heavy line, but for short, power presentations I really like shallow spools and tiny reels. Lighter gear is just more enjoyable to fish. A big handle makes a difference.

This went dull on me pretty quickly. A small pair of stainless scissors has been a much better solution for me. I think the ones I use were designed for fingernails.

Whatever you're more accurate and efficient with.

Expride 6'10M. I recently bought a second one. Between that expride and a 7'2 MH, I can fish anything between 1/4oz and 1oz except heavy flippin and frogs.

Idioms in foreign languages are always interesting. Adrenaline is the enemy. Even the very best sticks occasionally fall victim to it.

Successfully *** has everything to do with physics. I think you nailed it.

You nailed it! Even though the line wasn't breaking at the knot, somehow the surgeon's loop was the culprit. I have no idea why. Maybe there is a physicist here who could explain because it makes no sense to me. Do you think it matters if the tag end frays?

You must be in CA. Me too. I had to register my kayak as a boat because of the TM. Then, since it was a "boat" my HOA made me insure it. What a fiasco.

I love my Metanium. I feel like the new shallow spools are better suited for true BFS rods. Frankly, considering your reel and lure needs I really think a BFS rod is your best solution. The Expride M casts great for a M but I think a BFS ML is a better choice for what you're trying to do with that reel. Medium power rods really aren't the best for something like a weightless worm.. Weightless senko yes, weightless worm not so much.

I'll add that the expride 7-2 ML+ BFS is a little longer but a better choice for the handful of single hook baits you have listed. It's considerably faster. For trebles, it's the 6-10M hands down.

The Expride is FAR more than a jerkbait rod. The characteristics that make it a good jerkbait rod make it great for many other baits. It's actually has so many uses that it is the ONLY rod that I have two of. With the right reel, it will do what you need and feel great in the hand.

Expride 7-2 ML+ BFS.

I recommend the Frontier with bow mount TM if you're looking for more of a boat replacement. Some guys will use the bow mount TM and also clamp a small outboard on the square transom. It's actually rated to 2.5HP. If you're looking for something to paddle a lot, you need something with a narrower beam and less stability for standing

If your rod action is too fast you will have a big problem keeping the rod loaded while fighting fish. The light yak just gets dragged towards the fish too much and leads to lost fish. Flippin' I flipped hundreds of fish from my kayak. I used a very wide Nucanoe Frontier with a standing bar. The only thing I was unable to do well in the kayak was bed fishing. Precise control is definately a challenge. Good luck!!

Watch out for icebergs!!!

I see a horror movie...

I test ran a "perfect" boat a couple years ago and it started sinking under me. Then the fuel system failed and I had to pump and restart 5 times to limp back to the dock. You can't fish until ice out anyway. I strongly advise waiting until you can do a sea trial. If you have a knowledgeable friend to go with you I definitely recommend doing that. Marine surveys are generally for much more expensive and complex vessels.

Any neoprene zip up booties with a good sole and some wool socks will be a great creature comfort for the yak. I think you will find that the zip up booties fit tight enough to keep water out. Small improvements in comfort while yak fishing go a very, very long way.

I had Minn Kota cut down my shaft by 1 foot for my old kayak. If you're in an area with pro tournaments sometimes the Minn Kota trailer is on site. I got lucky and ran into them at Guntersville.

I had a Nucanoe Frontier 12 with a bowmount Ipilot. Part of the reason I chose Nucanoe is that they offer a bowmount kit.