FishTank

The best advice I ever got was on this site...... Don't try to learn it all at once, figure out you equipment one set up at a time, and learn one technique at a time. And most importantly, you can learn more from your line in the water than anything else.

I know it's over your budget.... I would save a few bucks and go for a St.Croix Avid 7' MH Fast. This rod will do just about everything. I have no complaints. It's sensitive, well made, and dependable.

I too fish from a kayak from time to time. I have been using 6lb Trilene XL 100% FC or Invizx 6lb. I have not had an issue with break offs. I just make sure the drag is set correctly and try not to over set the hook. Another thing to keep in mind is when you get the fish close to the kayak, is to lift the rod up and back with one hand and grab/net the fish with the other.

New this year. So far so good.

I look at braid as a choice for a specific task...... Topwater because it floats and fishing in heavy coverage (weeds and slop). Other than that, I don't use it for anything else. On hook sets, if I pull too hard with braid, I am ripping the lips out so I guess you would pull less. I tend to use FC more than anything and have gotten accustomed to pulling just enough to get the hook in. I don't think with bass you need supper hard hook sets. If you get the lure in a fishes mouth, it will pretty much hook itself with a little help. I see these guys on TV and in videos pulling so hard, they look like they are hulling in a tree stump. If you want to see hard hook sets, go tarpon fishing.

For me I sort of look at it this way...... Middle of the road.... If I was fishing in tournaments every week I would have 5 different St. Croix Avids paired with Shimano Curados. I know what I am getting and I can depend on them like a tool to get the job done. So I guess I would start here.... $200-$250 for rod and around $200 for the reel. High End...... G. Loomis GLX or St. Croix Legend Elite on the rods..... $350- $450. Reels> Dealers Choice.... Shimano Bantam, Daiwa Zillion, etc. $300-$400 Enthusiast..... $450+ on both rods and reels. At this point, what ever I get, I am just increasing my fishing fun factor.

Thanks. The Plasma Tail has been great for me.

5in Black with Blue Flake Senko with a 1/8oz bullet weight Lucky Craft Flat CB MR in Chartreuse Shad Megabass Vision 110 any color Zoom Lizard in any dark color Owner Jigs with Zoom Chunks as a trailer Fat Ika when all else fails

Depending on how deep it is, I use 1/8oz hair jigs up to 1/4oz with a trailer. My personal favorite is a 3/16oz Owner (black and blue) with a small craw trailer.

Curado DC. Works for everything.

I see it on my drive to work as well. I have lived here most of my life and people do drive crazy here. The thing that was so weird was the guy that caused the accident got away on foot on the highway.

I was taught as a kid to think of bass as sort of an under water cat. They are smart until predictable instinct kicks in. I compare it to a cat that won't come near you but will chase a laser pointer every time you get it out.

There was an accident involving Kyle Cortiana. Never heard of the guy until this happened but it reminds me to be careful when hauling a boat around. https://www.flwfishing.com/tips/2019-06-29-cortiana-recovering-from-wreck

I have tried several and my favorite is a long sleeve button up, the Air Strip Shirt from Exofficio.

Go for the Conquest and enjoy.....

I have the St. Croix Legend Glass 7'2'' M Mod and it has so far been the best crank bait rod I have ever used. I have owned a couple different ones from Loomis, Shimano and St. Croix and this one has everything I want in a crankbait rod. For deep cranks, its pretty good but better with six foot range cranks. For heavier deeper cranks the MH may be better. On a side note, I love this rod for topwater as well. I have found it to be perfect for Whopper Ploppers.

I tried to find articles about Mike Long but I hit a snag......?

St. Croix Yak Mojo 7' M Fast. I tried one of these out a few days ago. It has a weird short grip but it works for kayaking. It is almost a sensitive as the Avid line but maybe a fuzz more than the Premier. The action is also weird and specific to kayaks. It seems stoat at the tip but flexible. It almost reminds me of an Ugly Stick but less whippy.

12lb Invizx has worked for me so far but the my favorite is 12lb Tatsu. It's pricey but last forever.

6lb Trilene FC XL.

I have both the Bantam and the Curado K and DC. For the money> the K is great, for casting> the DC is the best and for power> the Bantam (think round reel but made in a low profile). For the type of fishing you are talking about, I would get the Bantam. I would also dial the line back to 50lb. What are you going to do with 65lb that you can't do with 50lb? You will get more line on the spool and still be able to pull in a tree stump.

St. Croix Avid for the rod. As far as the side shoe debate above.... Years ago I managed a shoe store. Here is my two cents on this..... So..... If at all possible don't buy sneakers. They are designed to fail, all of them regardless of price but some do last longer than others. If you do buy sneakers, buy two pairs. They are designed to absorb your feet's sweat and break down. If you can give a shoe 24-48hrs to let it air out, it will keep it's correct shape and last potentially for years if aren't a avid runner. My final thought, buy hiking boots, again two pairs. Personal favorite, ASOLO. I have had some last 5 years or more and I beat these things up at work, fishing, hiking, and whatever.

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewdaiwasteezatw.html I was looking to buy a Steez earlier this year and I purchased the SV TWS earlier this year instead of the A because of this review. When I had a chance to hold both in hand I like the SV TWS better. It just seemed to have the correct feel I was looking for in a finesse type reel. The A was just slightly bigger and heavier. One thing odd about both is the handles. The knobs on the the A are just uncomfortable and the handle on the SV TWS is really short in length and knobs are thin. I love the SV TWS though but it does have it's quarks. Beside the handle, it flexes under load. The reel itself is sensitive and does transmit bites well in hand. The reel is so sensitive that under a heavy load (5lb+) you can feel the reel flex sightly. It's weird to get used to but after that it is awesome reel.

Sunline Natural...