KayakKid

How close are you to the outflow? I have fished dams where the surface water was flowing fast, but the water nearest to the bottom had almost like an undertow to it. If I recall right the water would drag my bottom baits up to the dam, and then push them back out in almost like a circle pattern. Now I think if the bass were suspended closer to the bottom, they were probably where these two areas meet therefor in slower moving water. I think if you would be able to run like a spinnerbait or crankbait in that zone you would have no problem. Also it might be time to break out the 4lb braid to try and manage light lures better. Just a thought.

I too think I would get a new prop. You could try balancing it yourself, but I think you would end up with a chip chop prop, better suited to be an anchor.

I think I would get down there and see how the fishing is from shore first. Panama city has some great fishing from shore for Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, sea trout, red fish, and off the jetty there are always pompano, sheepshead and other species. This also really depends on where you are going though so don't think it's going to be like that everywhere. I'm not an good saltwater fisherman by any means yet somehow the fish always seem to be there and biting. Hope this helps.

This is something I was wondering about too. Just posted to follow the feed.

Imagine the kind of doughnuts you could do with an outboard strapped on the back! -or would that be the front?

I think you will be fine. Five battery's seems like to much though, I would just get two at the max. I have an 8 year old size 24 deep cycle battery in my 1448 mv that powers a 55lb thrust trolling motor, and I would be struggling to run it dry in a day running constantly at 1/4 speed. It doesn't charge from the motor and I have spent days traveling around the whole lake with no sign of it getting low. As for your deck, I think you will fine too. Boat ratings are always on the overrated side IMO, and as far as i'm concerned wardens and officers don't give a hoot about weight and hp ratings.

I don't know if this is relevant, but looking back, I would have bought a boat sooner and built my tackle from there. I was mostly bank fishing (with the exception of vacations) a couple years back, and when I bought a kayak the possibilitys became endlessly greater. Last year I upgraded from my kayak to my current 1448 Jon boat and again I wish I had done it sooner just because fishing from a boat is more productive for me and is such a convienience. If you already have a boat then you are set, and if not it's just something to think about too.

No, you will be fine rod and reel wise as long as you clean them before and after. Tackle is a little different though, I have had the split rings and hooks be totally fine, and others corrode and rust to hell, so I wouldn't want to be takeing any mega-bass lures or anything expensive like that. How well bass lures work in salt water isn't my expertise as for I fish live bait almost exclusively; however I have caught redfish and trout on flukes, and have caught mackerel and bluefish on spoons, cranks, and topwater. I have only fished a small canal a handful of times so I don't know about there, but on the ocean some stuff will work. Hope this is helpfull have a nice trip!

If you choose to go with power pro I would go to farm and fleet and look there first. Here in Janesville it was on sale today at 12.99 for 150yds, but regular price is still the cheapest I have found.

Welcome!

I thought the same thing. They're nice don't get me wrong, but I never use them just because there are better options.

Weight isn't an issue, simply reverse the leads of the bilge pump on the battery and pump like 500 pounds of water backwards into the boat. Hahahahahaha

As fleshy as their mouths are, they are tough like human skin. As far as hooks go, I would suggest something like the size of a nickel and extremely heavy duty (their mouths are like the size of a half dollor). I have snapped off countless of those cheap eagle claw hooks with the bait holders on monster carp, that It makes sence to buy the more expensive hooks in turn for they last longer. Hope this helps and best of luck

I bought a 7 foot ML spinning rod about two years ago and I love it. I've used it for bass since and it's been great. I would buy one again especially for 40 bucks.