MassYak85

Yup lol. I was only gonna get a couple as well, but then I figured I probably won't get this good of a price for a long time, might as well stock up.

Abu's tend to run a little heavier than their rating so I think it will be a good frog rod. I have a 7'6 HF Vendetta and it's a pool cue, which I like, but I think a MH will be more versatile and still be a great frog rod.

I'd recommend 15 or 20lb braid. No memory issues, further casting, better strength for the diameter, better sensitivity. Only downsides really are the lack of stretch (which is only a downside for some techniques), poor abrasion resistance (bad around rocks), and it's more visible.

Ya know I thought me screwing up the order last time was just the universe telling me I didn't need them... Apparently the universe was mistaken because I just ordered two more, with the correct billing address this time. I had a feeling opening this thread today was going to make my bank account a little smaller.

130 dollars of line for 40 bucks, how could I resist... I figure each will get me 3-4 spools of line, and considering I usually change braid once a year or even less often...I should be set on frog line for the next decade lol.

The whole adjustment where the lure falls slowly to the ground is a good starting point, but if you are looking to maximize casting distance you won't do it that way. You'll have to back off the spool tension a lot more than where it's at now. Honestly it just sounds like your thumb and the reel need some alone time on the water to sort things out.

Either way I would drop the snap, but you can take a tiny rubber band and go around the bend where you are supposed to attach your line and it will help with your situation.

If I could buy an arsenal strictly for kayak fishing I'd keep everything under 7'3. But I fish from kayak, bank, and boat so I usually buy rods for the technique first so I have a 7'6 and 7'11 that sometimes I bring in the kayak. My issue usually has more to do with the handle length. I HATE longer handles when kayak fishing, I always am bumping them into my chest when trying to maneuver or work the rod.

I'm not sure what the bite is like right now in the area, I'm in Virginia for the summer. But that launch is decent. To the right of the launch (literally touching the side of the ramp) is a flat rock that you could probably lift your son into his kayak without him getting wet. Obviously it's the Charles so the launch area isn't super clean at the water's edge. Above the ramp there is plenty of parking but it's right next to a rowing facility which is pretty much always busy unless you planned on going at 3am. There's usually plenty of space even during peak hours but if they host a special event it could fill up. Either way they have their own docks and don't use the launch so you don't have to worry about that. You can pull up your car and unload really close to the water there. As far as fishing goes I usually do pretty well there, especially earlier in the season. Targeting the shore structure and the first drop/weed edge from the shore usually produces for me. I've done well on spinnerbaits a lot of times but anything with a little vibration should get some bites. If you go to that launch I generally go right (towards the harbor) to fish. Cotichuate is a very deep lake and offers little for shore targets if bank beating is your thing. I've never done great there but have got some on points and weedlines. I've heard some guys nickname it "The Dead Sea" so interpret that how you want lol. I have to imagine there are some giants lurking down there but I've never encountered any. It's not very high on my list but I still go there maybe once or twice a summer hoping it will redeem itself. I'm sure some of the other guys can give you some info on some of the smaller ponds and lakes in that area. Other than those two I generally do most of my fishing west of 495

I'd go straight braid but otherwise I don't see why that wouldn't work. Definitely not ideal depending on the cover in your area but it will get you bites, hookup might not be the best but some fish is better than no fish. Have fun, it's probably one of my favorite ways to fish.

Me too, I use frogs on a PQ at least that old. I changed out the drag washers for some carbon ones over the winter and it's still going strong.

50 or 65 lb power pro, never found a reason to switch.

Well, I grabbed 4 spools of 300 yd 65lb power pro from the Academy sale. I figure I can get 3-4 spoolings out of each, and I usually change out braid about once a season if not a little longer. Should be set on frog line for the next decade lol.

Oh wow, that's too good not to jump on. Gonna grab a few 65 spools for topwater swimbaits and frogs.

Unfortunately sub $4 lures basically eliminates certain techniques altogether so I'd go with the cheaper rods and reels. 50 isn't terrible there are still some perfectly good rods and reels in that category.

For a hardbait the Gantarel (any size) gets a lot of praise. The Black Dog Baits G2 Shellcracker is also a good option. It's light enough to throw on traditional gear and small enough to not be intimidating just starting out. As for soft baits the Savage Gear 3D bluegills are really good and are very durable. The Mattlures ultimate gills are also good, but like @frosty said some mend-it is a must, they tear very easy but have great swimming action and the paint looks awesome. You can also check out Real Prey swimbaits. Joe makes a bluegill in the price range of the other swimbaits mentioned, and he makes his swimbaits out of silicon and they are going to be the most durable you'll find for a soft bait. I haven't tried the bluegill (yet) but I have a couple of his other baits and they are awesome, especially his perch. I guess I'll also throw in the S-Waver 168 even though it's not shaped like a bluegill, but it's a good budget bait. Buy it in a bluegill color, fish it where bluegill (and bass) live, I'm sure you'll still catch them.

Depending on the size I use a 2/0 - 4/0 straight shank worm hook.

Two Gantarels on their way.... *edit*, so silly old me checked my temporary summer shipping address as my billing address as well and so Dick's canceled my order right after 10pm. Gantarels are unfortunately, not on their way.

The normal Ganterel is 20 when you buy two or more as well....I might have to. I've been debating getting one for a while, and getting two for the price of one....might as well. Golden Carp was one of the colors I was considering too.

I fish the 40 size with straight 40lb braid.

I put a Conc. A on mine and it is awesome! Still my favorite setup. And yea for a heavy it is a very light rod. I fish T-rigs, jigs, C-rigs, etc on it and I love the sensitivity and how much backbone it gives you. Plus it just looks sexy.

Haha, that's hilarious. Sometimes I'll sneak up on snappers in my kayak and give them a gentle poke with my paddle. Me and my dad when I was younger used to go out in kayaks and catch turtles (mostly painted, we put them back) just for fun. Caught a few snappers over the years and let me tell you....I don't want one of those things in a canoe with me lol. They'll also destroy any net you catch them in if they're in a bad mood (basically always).

I have yet to spend big money on rods but that right there is my favorite so far

I prefer dropshotting popcorn chicken

I went through your exact same predicament like 4 years ago. I was learning a lot and wanted to expand what I had to cover all my bases, and so I did....rapidly. My first piece of advice is for each new technique, start basic. Maybe a couple colors, a couple sizes of high quality lures. You might pay more up front but if you start out searching for the diamonds in the rough you'll spend more than had you just started with the diamond. I don't mean you need to be buying 25$ jerkbaits to start but do your research and buy lures that have a good reputation. Then also if you get frustrated and have issues catching them you won't be looking to your tackle as the source of error in the equation. Also I would only try to introduce a few techniques at a time and spend some decent time learning them before expanding beyond it. Obviously be logical about your choices, don't try to learn frog fishing in the winter, but you want to avoid the mistake I made and have a bunch of new techniques available that you may not fully grasp how or when to use.