FryDog62

Cabelas was the pinnacle of fishing stores in our area (Minnesota) until about 5-10 years ago when the online retailers made their presence known. It used to be you would go into Cabelas to see the rods, bend them, etc. to make decision. But between the online retailers selection becoming very broad over time, while Cabelas/BPS narrowed to just their brands and a few others - it just became easier to order online elsewhere. Now I order 3 rods online, fondle them, keep one and send two back. Free shipping and I can get most any brand I want. As long as you're at it, throw in a reel and some tackle with the package along with the free shipping. Never have to leave my house... (And that was a bigger deal back when I lived there then because it was freezing cold half the year)!

I agree the Expride is a great series of rods, I have 2 other models. My primary frustration with them is handle length. They are quite long throughout the line up. Not a factor for many models, but those techniques where you walk the dog (like a frog) or a jerkbait, the extra handle length gets in the way. The slapping against your forearm/side is fatiguing/frustrating when fishing long periods of time IMO.

Unless I’m in the heaviest of slop, 90% of my froggin’ is done with an ALX Toadface. Versatile rod for other things too at 7’2”

Good luck with the move… I went from Minnesota to Florida to South Carolina last year alone so it can be done. Kayaks are easier to transport long distances than bass boats!

Where to?

I started using the Megabass SV-3 spinnerbait a lot and it kind of has a trailer, or at least that profile built-in... So, yes?

I’m a Trilene XT or Big Game fan for the little that I use mono.

The Dobyns “CB” line up stands for crankbait, so it does have some parabolic action to it. It just seems to balance out with the jerks and the right action. But that’s for me, it helps to try a few different rods out if you can 👍

Yes I have heard that, many Expride fans out there. I have two Expride rods but not the jerk bait rod. I tried a friend of mine who had one - but I didn’t like it because the handle was too long and would bang off my side or forearm all day. I found it awkward to consistently get the right action without fatigue. If you look at the TW web site, they list handle length and the Expride is 15 inches which I find is too long. Those with a 13-14 inch handle are much more comfortable for jerkbaiting and less fatiguing IMO. I have a Dobyns 685 CB which has a 13 inch handle. So even if it is a slightly shorter rod than the Expride, the casting length is the same because the Expride’s additional length is behind the reel. A lot of us feel the Dobyns is one of the best regarded jerkbait rods in addition to the Expride. Other rods with a 13 inch handle include the 6’11” Levante and the 6’9” ALX Zolo jerkbait rod. I also have the Dobyns 705 CB and is 7’0” but still has only a 13.5 handle. That’s a good one if you prefer a longer jerkbait rod.

I’ve either broken or had to repair 3 rods in 50 years of fishing. Two of those repairs were to replace broken AGS guides.

Zero tension in the line... semi-slack is key to get the right back and forth snap action of a jerk bait. Rod manufacturers vary - but a Fast or sometimes even a extra fast action tip will keep the dog a walkin' A parabolic bend would not work and be a PIA to fish all day and try to impart the right action. A guy named Kevin did a video on this awhile back... slack in the line is key and all his signature rods are fast action:

I too have been intrigued by the XTR 130. Chad Hoover was going to experiment putting a new bow mount trolling motor from Power Pole called “Move.” This is estimated to propel the boat as fast as the best stern mount electric motors out there (about twice as fast as the Autopilot 120). And yes - it also has the equivalent of Spot Lock. It costs a pretty penny, but eliminates the need for a motor at both the stern and bow. I keep looking for an update from Chad, and will reach out to him to see if there is any kind of update.

I had the same question about which to get. Someone I know at Omnia said another solid tip rod that is right in between those two Exprides is the Evergreen International Brett Hite Combat Stick Spinning Rods “Gizmo Special.” He does a video on it and says you can throw the really light stuff, but the 4-5 inch minnows too. https://www.omniafishing.com/omnia-videos/hover-mid-strolling-101-rods

Fill in the blank … If there is Elf on a Shelf, then here’s ___________________

It was and might be again someday… but living/transporting over 3 states across the country in 2-3 years with limited garage/storage, the flexibility of a yak is hard to beat 👍

I agree, one of the biggest drawbacks for me in kayak fishing is the amount of time it takes to set up at the ramp and tear down at the end of the day. I’m coming from the bass boat world where I get to the launch and am on the water in 5 minutes or less. So I spent time really thinking about how to become more efficient. First thing I did was to get an interstate quality trailer so I could more quickly wet launch at the ramp. Second was a solid Captains Bridge made out of thick aluminum. I now keep my 2 graphs affixed when trailering. I don’t think the graphs bounce any more than they did when they were permanently affixed to the bow of my bass boat. I do always remove the motor and that straps down in my vehicle. Lastly, I added a travel cover to keep everything inside the hull when trailering. That way I don’t have to remove all the things that might fly out like - the seat, net, pliers, transducer mounts, pliers, scissors, plastics, etc. I’d say I got the set up and tear down process to approx 10-12 minutes each way. Not a huge time savings but it helps… What else do you do to save time/hassle? Always looking to learn…

I felt the same jumping into kayak fishing three years ago, I wanted to keep it simple and didn’t want to be the guy with all the extra “stuff” and gadgets. But I obviously changed my mind. I like being on the water in a kayak and the simplicity - but I found efficiency is much more important when you are in a slow moving vessel with limited space. Within a year, I added a second graph and Livescope. It makes me so much more efficient in reading the water in the limited areas that I’m able to fish. I have a Fishing Specialties mount for the Livescope transducer and it doesn’t get in the way while fishing. I have the black box in the compartment under the seat. Lithium battery in the bow hatch. Year three, I went a little overboard and added 360 Imaging. I was moving to an area where reading rock piles and bottom structure was key. I bought the Foretex size 360 shaft which is the shortest length offered. Works great on a yak. I added a Dugout Bait and Tackle transducer mount. It works for 360 or Livescope transducers. I do like it a bit better than the Fishing Specialties mount because it stows cleanly on the side of the hull, but it is twice the price. If I had to have one of the above technologies over the other on a kayak, it would be Livescope. I wouldn’t fish in a kayak again without it.

I prefer my jigs to be 2 colors - usually either Blue/purple and Green Pumpkin. Then, depending on water clarity and what the fish prefer - I put either a green or blue plastic trailer on. So in the end I buy only one jig and 2 plastics.

I’ve loaded up my AP120 with all the electronic toys (Captain's bridge, 2 units, Livescope, 360 Imaging) Plus a loaded Blackpak Pro with 8 rods. Has dropped me from 4.1 mph to 3.7 but I wouldn’t fish without any of the stuff above. My alternative is a bigger kayak/motor system, but not something I think about … at least very often

That’s a good price, probably $80 less than I paid for it a few years ago…

I think you give up distance with any SV reel. Which when you’re casting light weights that can cause you to over throw and backlash. I have 3 reels that all cast well/effortlessly - Aldebaran BFS, Daiwa Air TW, and Curado BFS. I like them about in that order. But they’re all really good 👍

I try to go with 100% fluorocarbon whenever I can. A uniform sink rate for anything finesse is highly underrated IMO.

Yes - The Booyah Bait Company Boo "Alpine Rig." I see it now, good call. Although looks discontinued everywhere except a few on eBay. May pick some up, but good catch Deleted Account!

I agree, I think the large reservoirs like Hartwell and Jocassee the big rigs probably work. But the only thing I found here in the smaller puddles are the mini finesse types.

FYI it worked fairly well on Lake Cooley the other day until I got the Scrounger head snagged. I somehow got the rig back without the Scrounger… and decided I better order another umbrella before I lose it entirely the next time 👍