Crankin4Bass

Thanks! Do you wrap it around the handle near the cab or just slide it though?

What's the best way to tie down a kayak in the bed of a truck with the tailgate open? If anyone has pics or video that would be great!

La Barbecue is pretty tasty.

I've seen people use ski racks around here in MA. Thule used to make a holder for rods called the 885 Castaway. You might be able to find one of those used.

I order two rods and from Dick's. They shipped them with no protection, just loose in one box. One side of the box was actually open and I am shocked the rods even arrived. Even more surprising was the rods made it with no damage. Only problem was one was the wrong model rod! I took to my local store it back and they gave me a refund. I have had good luck with TW and Cabela's. Both shipped rods wrapped in a plastic sleeve, suspended in a hard tube. The rod from Cabela's also had foam on the tip and butt.

Is there an option of reusing the reel from the rod that snapped and spend all $200 on the new rod?

I use the same with a Paca Chunk. Keitech makes great quality products.

Maybe a Loomis MBR 783 c or 843c. I have the GLX but you can get a E6X for under $200.

I agree you don’t always need high dollar rods for some techniques. I have some expensive rods like a Loomis GLX but I also have that same Rick Clunn 6’8” square bill rod and love it too. I got it and the deep cranking model for $25 each on close out at Dicks. I also searched for the Lipless rod but never could find one. I only wish the square bill rod was a little lighter. I have tried a few other Crankbait rods but haven’t found one I like better. I don't do much crankbait fishing out here in MA anymore because all the ponds I fish are so full of weeds that I can barely fish a texas rig without pulling in weeds on every cast. I also have an Academy H20 Xpress Ethos HD Crankbait rod I got on sale but I don't like it as much as the Clunn rod. I have been eyeing a St. Croix Avid X 7” MM, but I can’t get past the micro guides. I also think I will always keep the Rick Clunn Square Bill rod. There is something about it that feels great. I think it’s the heavy(slow) action and the way it vibrates when winding a square bill back in.

I prefer the older Shimano 6 pin VBS braking system on my Chronarch E series and Calcutta D reels than the new systems on my Shimano Chronarch G and Curado 70. I am not a fan of the little fine adjustment dial on the newer reels. On the older reels I just turned 2 brakes on the Chronarch's and 3 brakes on the Calcutta's on and never have needed to adjust them. I also prefer the way the Chronarch E's open and that the side plates are attached.

That looks nice. Are you using a bent or straight shaft paddle? If it's bent, do you think that is a big upgrade if you already have a straight carbon fiber paddle?

I have a Werner Camano. I got it on sale for $220. It’s super lightweight and felt the most comfortable of any of the paddles I looked at. I started with a cheap paddle and this was such a huge upgrade.

I have a small Simms Headwaters Sling Pack. I bought it 4 years ago. Unfortunately, they don’t make it anymore. I haven’t seen the new model which is called the Freestone. Orvis makes a similar pack called the Safe Passage. I bought the Simms over the Orvis pack because I liked that the water bottle holder was inside. Other than that my Simms model and Orvis one are very similar. Since I bought my Simms pack sling packs have become more popular and there are some good cheaper options. Two other good options I’ve seen at Dick’s are an Ugly Stick pack for $30 and a Spiderwire pack for $40. I carry a couple packs of plastics, 1 small 5 compartment Plano box with lures, 1 small open fly box with hooks in their packages, bug spray, sunscreen, first aid kit, Dr Slicks forceps with scissors, side cutter, and a towel with grommet hooked to the pack. I also keep fish grips in a sheath on my belt with a coiled lanyard. The fish grips are great when I use trebles or if i catch a fish with teeth. Which model do you have?

I use a small Simms sling back. It's been great and forces me not to take too much.

Columbia, Cabelas or Simms with sun protection.

Nicer racks are made by Thule and Yakima. You can get a set of cross bars with mounting feet and just put the kayak upside down straight on the cross bars. You can look up what parts you will need for your car on their websites. Probably around $400-$500.

Maybe you can return it and get the Lifetime Teton from Dick’s Sporting Goods instead? The Teton has a mesh frame seat which should be more comfortable. They frequently are on sale for $300.

I have a couple of the previous generation Berkeley Lighting Shock Rods for the same purpose. (Not sure about the new ones.) I like the short handles as they don't snag my PFD. I use a Pflueger President with the spinning rod and a Diawa Fuego CT with the bait casting rod.

I have a 4runner too. How do you like the Showdown? Is it noisy? What cross bars are you running?

Glad to hear everything is ok now. Hooked my thumb once. I use Fish Grips and pliers now.

I have a KastKing 24 rod rack.

That's pretty cool. Does it hook under the back crossbar?

Thanks for the info. I have read good reviews of the Pelican Catch series. If some pics of your load bar that would be great.

2018 4runner. I love it but it's really a pain to load the kayak on top. Thinking about trading it in for truck so I can just toss the kayak in the back and go. Where do you guys that have a truck and a kayak in the bed load your rods? That's a nice trailer. What model kayaks are on the trailer?