snake95

@J Francho this might be a laughable question but... you've said that you get your kayak going fast enough for SI to work; do you have to be cooking along with the peddles, or can you paddle fast enough? I tried out my new Garmin SI unit on a paddle-only kayak for the first time on the weekend and no SI readings. Maybe this is just a total noob mistake? (I took a chance and got a unit with SI, it didn't cost much more and hope to add a peddle/motor kayak before too long).

I love the Ocho, T-rigged weightless. Cast and let them hit it on the fall. 90 degree spring days in south Florida ponds, cast onto flats and get ready to set the hook. Have sight fished with them and the bass glide over and inhale on the fall. Done well with Honey Candy and Green Pumpkin Purple Gold, because that's what was on sale. Only downside: fairly fragile.

As a true crankin rap aficionado, I will hoist a cold one in honor of your heroic deed today.

Thanks @Lead Head. I thought the SI would be valuable based on comments from others on the forum. The price difference for the latest 7" Striker Plus vs the latest Echomap 7" with SI is about $500 vs $800. The Humminbird of course is an attractive competitor. I decided to go with the Striker over the Echomap and the Helix but it was a tough choice. $300 means different things to different anglers. Once you start sinking money into kayak rigging you can kind of justify the extra expense by the rationale "heck, at this point, what is another few hundred." Ultimately my rationale was that I can view maps for most major lakes using Garmin's app or other sources to get the lay of the land regarding bottom contours. Many places I will fish are smaller waters that will not have maps. I may decide this was not the right way to think about it. At this point in the season, there are no discounts on the latest units anywhere though as I think you are pointing out, some models that are aging are not going to cost as much yet still have all the technology and functions. I haven't rigged it up yet, but intend to contribute to the forum about my experience with it after I get it on the water. To add to this: Navionics boating app provides mapping on mobile phone for about $25 per year.

Its been three years and I swear they are among the best . Bass fishing has been tough the past three days of my vacation . I tied on the CR5 and had to dig the hooks out of a couple of keepers . They got throated . Awesome resurrection of this thread from the dead. They are about $11 each + shipping on Amazon and ebay at this point.

Thanks guys, I bought a new Bonafide RS 117 (11'-7") at 72 lb. My 12 yo. son and I found it to be very easy to pick up and handle together including with the seat and paddle, bringing it to about 80 lb. My intent is to use this for quick trips and small waters. I am sure I can handle it by myself with C-tug and my trailer.

Thanks @Boomstick I managed to see them side by side in a store and that was my initial impression (also get that from Garmin's website setup too). I can see them both being great units. As I get older I gravitate to simplicity over most other factors, including customization.

This is the older rev 3 model. The rev 4's came out in 2017.

@Sprocket @Boomstick @RSmall @Bankc Thanks all. I ordered a Striker Plus 7sv. Members with opinions I respect also make excellent cases on the board for the Garmin Echomap series, the Humminbird Helix, and Lowrance models. I am still debating possibly going with an Echomap or Helix with maps. They are quite a bit more expensive than the striker plus. I learned that the Garmin can be used in conjunction with their Active Captain mapping app, which downloads maps uploaded by other Garmin users. You can also download maps, but they sure aren't cheap! When you look at the price of the maps for the App, the combo of Striker + App is not cheaper than just buying an Echomap. I will update once I figure out which route I am going to go.

I have had success in these types of ponds with rattling crankbaits, including red eye shads and discontinued fat bodied ratting Rapala crankin raps. My understanding is the prevailing wisdom is to go to flat-sided cranks as the water cools, but I've done just fine with the Rapala cranks. Maybe this applies more to truly cool water, e.g. where topwaters are really ineffective. I have had good success with blade baits in ponds like this late in the fall once the water gets really cool. I've used silver buddies.

There may be a lot of places you CAN catch bass in February but as for where I’d WANT to catch them I would say south Florida where you will have them in all stages pre through post spawn.

Good information. I can imagine that I will be able to justify multiple kayaks in time, and a similar combination as you described. First I’ll start with this 11-7 paddle only, 70-ish lb kayak, and then perhaps add a larger boat in about a year when I’ve had time to decide on one and think more about what I want in that type of yak.

Reading this summary, does this mean that the Opens AOY rankings only matter if someone wins an event and can't use the classic qualification, then they go down the list? Otherwise, what relevance do the AOY rankings have to the classic? As I read this, none. https://www.bassmaster.com/sites/default/files/attachments/2019/09/2020_final_fact_sheet.pdf 2021 GEICO Bassmaster Classic berth to the Pro Division winner of each Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens tournament (*must COMPETE as a pro angler in all four tournaments in division and fish all days eligible to qualify, unless approved by Tournament Director. If a winner is unqualified or double qualified the additional spot will go the Bassmaster Elite Series AOY list)

@txchaserand @Smalls which models did you go with and how did you mount them?

Looking at a number of fishfinders for a kayak including the Garmin Striker Plus 7sv. These don't seem to have built-in maps. However, they look like great units with extensive features for the price. Anyone have experience with these? How important is it to have maps built in?

@J Francho thanks for this. I am seriously considering ordering the 7 with just Mega DI and CHIRP thanks to your post. I am wondering how portable the Humminbird is. I have no real experience with fishfinders. My ideal situation would be if the fishfinder can be moved from boat to boat.

Thanks, guys. The replies helped me a lot. I am going to spilt the difference to a degree, going with the Bonafide RS 117, just a little heavier than the Sea Ghost, but with a more open deck. This seems like a versatile length and weight, balancing the weight and length considerations mentioned (not 100% perfect at all, but close enough). I think I will also look to get a heavier peddle power kayak at some point, but at the price of the RS 117, it should not be too painful to add to the fleet in the future. Having kids that are interested in paddling and fishing, it isn't hard to justify. The next thing I will be looking at is outfitting this baby...

Thank you this is exactly what I was hoping to hear about. I am really torn about which is more important to me: small pond fishing or bigger lake fishing. Last week the trailer got me to a big lake with ease and I enjoyed the bigger water. Obviously, nobody on the board is going to figure that one out for me. I am on my own there. Standing is where the Academy yak really doesn’t cut it and the primary motivation to look at a better boat.

Fair point @Smalls. To clarify I’m really looking to learn if the jump up from an 11 ft 62 lb yak to a 12.5 ft x 75 lb boat takes me from easy handling for pond fishing to noticeably more difficult handling and I might regret going bigger. You answered my question. Also to clarify the academy kayak is a basic sit on top fishing kayak but doesn’t have the width, quality seat, and gizmos of the Sea Ghost. I would say it is also about 10 lb lighter. I guess my point of mentioning it is that the small weight difference is a noticeable difference, so I thought the additional 13 lb might also be noticeable.

This might be in the category of “help me split hairs” but here goes... I have a basic Academy Sports fishing kayak 11 ft long and recently tried my buddies nicer Vibe Sea Ghost approximately 11 ft long. I am considering Vibe’s Shearwater in the 12.5 range (yes I know about the availability issues). What I am looking for is opinions and experience regarding SIZE - length and weight - in this general size range. Background: not a super fit guy (working on that), like to fish ponds, have now done some lake kayak fishing. I have a trailer with low bunks and set of wheels (C-tug). I like the 11 ft boats because they are easy enough to handle and put in small ponds. We are talking sub 70 lb. The small academy boat is a piece of cake for my 12 year old and I to sling around. The Sea Ghost was a noticeable increase in work level for us two guys, but not impossible. The Shearwater adds around 10 lb over the Sea Ghost, without accessories. I like the idea that I could get the foot power system for it. What have been your experiences with jumping up in size from about 11 to about 12.5 ft, with the increase in weight. Specifically, does this size jump add a level of being “unwieldy” for smaller ponds and one-man handling to load and launch? Not looking to get into the 100 lb+ boats at this point. Maybe will consider getting boats in both sizes at some point, but not yet.

Absolutely worth checking but don't get hopes too high. They are in the final stage of clearance at this point, and many have packed up whatever wasn't wiped out and sent it to the great Walmart tackle pile.* The good news is if you happen to find any stuff remaining, it is likely to be at truly rock bottom prices at this point in the process. *I don't know where it goes but some stores do send it.... somewhere. In some stores, it simply languishes in boxes or on shelves... forever. Sometimes I believe the sale stuff actually sits around so long it eventually goes right back up to the regular price.

Interesting post. Recently while organizing gear it dawned on me: after a few years of really collecting - the stuff I now prize the most is good terminal tackle.

Good advice, the big sales like this are nationwide.

I wonder how @Sam and @roadwarriorand @.ghoti. feel about them now, 13 years later? Sometimes I guess it is good to resurect a thread from the grave...

I hate to be the guy that says this first but man, you're going to be the one who answers this for the rest of us.... When I trapped crayfish I got a full range of sizes. Would think it is very situation dependent. Kudos for posting about your first results. So many guys ask questions then there is never any follow up. Also... hate to be that guy but if you were getting 10 of the size you want in 10 minutes, and you have the time to do that, why don't you just keep on doing that? Seems hard to beat.