FishTank

I say fish it. If you don't like the reel, put it back in the box.

Nice. I will definitely get some on my next order.

If you have the 12, it should be the same. Nice thing about the PA, it's super stable. I slid off the front of the kayak and it didn't even come close to tipping it. Getting back in was a little awkward but I think I couldn't have done any of that in a different kayak.

Ya. My last tournament, the top two finishers fished off shore in about 25 feet of water. They basically fished a 50 yard area all day. Not the same guys but the spot that they fished. The hard part is the guy I fish with refuses to be believe that the bass can be located some place besides the bank.

Electronics have won more tournaments this year than anything else.

Going alone was one the first things that came to mind. The Garmin might a good idea moving forward. I have some NRS dry bibs but the weather was 45 degrees in the morning and almost 80 in the afternoon. I would have cooked in the bibs.

15lb FC. My personal favorite is Tatsu. Pricey but great line.

I like the San Diego jam knot for FC. For more noise, like stated above, a glass bead works great.

One of the several reasons I like it for jerkbaits.

Definitely getting a whistle and a horn. My problem was thinking that this was going to be no big deal. I would just get in the water, knock it loose and swim about 100 or so feet to shore.

I have the new BB1 and I also use it for jerkbaits. No complaints so far. It's fairly small and easy to palm but would I recommend it over something else, not really. Don't get me wrong. I like it, it's solid and it brings fish in but I wouldn't pay full price for it. If you like the Metanium you have, I would consider another one but order the JDM version from Digitaka or Asian Portal Fishing. With that said, I would highly recommend the Daiwa Zillion SV, JDM version again. Best reel for the money I have ever used.

I had my cell phone but the small cove I was in was like a dead zone. I thought about trying to call but the water felt fine to me. When I was younger I use to swim in a lake with cold water all the time. It never bothered me but that was 30 years ago. I also got certified for a deep water dive in cold water (40-50 degrees) when I was 20 so I was familiar with acclimating and the feel of being in cold water. If there is a next time, I might rethink getting in. It scared me pretty good. I am not sure but I think my heart stopped for real. It felt like my blood was being pushed to my extremities faster than my heart could pump it. It's a pretty weird feeling. Also, I when I got out I didn't really feel cold, no shivers or anything like that. I was really sore all over though, like I worked out for hours.

Ever heard of Steve Hedake Smith from Arizona State. Threw an NBA career away.

So I was debating on whether or not to share this story but I decided it was necessary to get it off my chest.... I was at one my favorite lakes and had been fishing all day. The wind started to go from 15mph sustained to about 25mph and I was having a hard time getting back in. I decided to go into a cove to rest when a pontoon came by going at idle speed. With wind and wake from the pontoon, I was pushed up on to a tree stump. The stump perfectly hit the transducer mount and pushed it aside, allowing the stump to go into the kayak at least 5in. I was stuck and there was no getting off of it. Also, the pontoon was the only other boat left on the lake but was clear on the other side. I tried for 45min to get off the stump but had no luck. I realized I wasn't going to get any help so I knew I had go into the water. I took my shoes and shirt off, put my life jacket on, checked the water temp (67 degrees), put my feet for a few minutes in the water to get acclimated, and jumped in. I didn't realize that only the top one foot of the water was 67. The water below that was around 50. I was in the water 10 seconds, stopped breathing and passed out. I woke up floating looking at the sky, holding the bungie cord to the kayak and my heart was pounding like nothing I have ever experienced. I swam about 100 feet to shore and thought I was going to die. I had experienced a cold water shock response. I realized later that my body temp must have been high from getting the kayak back and the water was warm at the surface from all the silt stirred up by the wind. I was lucky. So everyone think twice before you decide to get in the water for anything.

Mostly slow but the fast ones are always the most fun. The bass just seem to hit harder on a quick retrieve.

These cheaters are trash but the memes are fantastic.

I use a 6.x:1 Curado G or Calcutta 5.x:1 for it. The Calcutta I have handles the heavier weight better. The BB1 you have should be just fine though but a fully rigged setup that is over two ounces might be pushing the limits of the brakes on that real. Not a 100% for sure but the Super Duty in the Lews line up might be a better choice.

This is sort of my issue with it. On some lakes it's great but in a deep reservoir where I am running points and bank cover spots, it's not as effective for me as a single fluke. Also, wind can be a factor, which its pretty windy at all the lakes I fish.

Zillion, Metanium, Antares, Steez, Aldebaran BFS..... You name it. It is a great time to be a fisherman that likes JDM stuff or a bargain for that matter. Also, baits. I picked up 5 new Vision 110's for $13 a piece, Owner hooks for $2 a bag, OSP Dolive Beavers for $5, and so on.

For main line, I have had Invizx, Abrazx, Shooter and Assassin last about 2 years and I use to use what was left over on a spool for leader. Tatsu I have had last about 4 years and only replaced it because it was running low on a spool. For leader, I have tried Blue Label, went to Premier, and now I am on Gold Label. It will be my go to going forward. I never really had an issue with any of these three. With Blue Label, it lasted OK. I used it with 40lb braid for topwater. It wasn't the best match. Not sure why but I would miss fish on topwater but for everything else, it worked great. Pulled this guy in on 6lb Sniper Invisible on BFS gear using a San Diego Jam knot. I use Suffix Siege for mono. It's good stuff but for me, it doesn't last as long as FC. I change it about twice a year. Knot strength is ok but not great (using 10lb for cranks and jerkbaits though). My lines of choice below for most treble hook baits.

So I have always been on the side of storing softplastic in their original packages but out convince and lack of room, I needed to move my bladed jigs into their own box. I also found myself always looking for the correct trailer. I have mixed a collection of Zakos, Spunk Shads, some Keitechs, and one color a Rage Menace together. What do you guys think? Good idea or bad?

I have a Curado K and a DC. The K is not the best for flipping but the DC is pretty good. In the Shimano line up, I like the Metanium the best for jigs but I dont know about the A-rig. In Daiwa's line up. I just received the Zillion HD and out their reels, I think this would suit the OP's purpose the best. It's small, powerful, has a bigger spool, and it's really smooth.

Not bad but I would caution on one thing and it's just my opinion..... Not a fan of braid to leader or straight braid with jerkbaits. For me, I either like straight FC or Mono depending on where on the lake I am fishing, what water temp/conditions and what bait I am using.

Ya you are right. I should have mentioned it was probably the best choice of the three for the OP. For the stuff I fish, I have been happy with 10lb Gold Label on spinning gear and now 6lb for my BFS set up but I have been using it primarily for soft plastic. I have yet to try anything heavier in it. I use to use 15lb Blue Label for my all around kayak set up, which had 40lb braid. I fished everything from crankbaits to jigs on this setup and never had an issue until I would get hung up. The 15lb was hard to break off.

I like Blue Label. Haven't used it in a long time but I do remember it pretty stretchy and tough. I found Premier to just as stretchy but softer and less abrasion resistant. So far, Gold Label has been a great in-between and has also become my favorite.