Dangerfield

Obligatory pics of my new reels. My wife asked why I needed new ones, I made her do a blind test between the Fuego CT, 23 Tatula TW, 25 Tatula SV TW and 21 Zillion SV. The ergonomics on the newer models are is a good step above and the real standout is the thumb rests, much flatter and narrower especially if you like hold your line to feel bites. Click drag is chef’s kiss!

No tariffs from AliExpress, but I did get hit up $100 CDN, on $660 CDN by FedEx on my Digitaka order.

Thanks gents! I don’t love the 2pc, but I like what I’m hearing. I’ll have to see how it balances with a Zillion G.

Gomexus TPE handle and knobs came in from AliExpress, digging the extra leverage over the smaller stock knobs.

Bringing this one back from the grave. @LCG still using this rod? what applications are you using it for? I'm hoping it's stout enough for bladed jig and heavy spinnerbait duties. I found a few of them at Ellwoods Epps.

Going undercover so the “shoulda just bought a boat” guys don’t hate.

Time to put some older-stock Fuego CTs on Marketplace. Still have a couple of newer ones in case I need a different ratio in the water. Just ordered these two beauties: DAIWA 21 ZILLION SV TW 1000 DAIWA 25 TATULA SV TW 100XH The Zillion will go on my dedicated bladed jig and spinner bait rod, once I can compare the TTEL721MHRB vs TTEL741MHRB-G vs Non-Glass model. The Tatula SV TW is going on my new TTEL751MHFB. This season will be the first time using the SV spool.

Been collecting a couple of orders here and there over the last two months. Rods just came in: Berkley Nessie 9” Bone Jackall Gantarel RT Ghost Gill Jackall Gavacho White & Chart Gill SPRO 40 Rat Brown & Morning Dawn (non-BBZ models, new tail, new eyes) Nishine Lure Works DS Hook Weed Guard Daiwa Tatula Elite 23 Baitcasting Rods 7'5" MH Soft Stick Bait/Football 6’ 10” MR Jerkbait AGS Megabass Megadog-X 7" 2.5oz - Frozen Hasu BKK Feathered Spear 21-SS Black/Red & White Z-Man Gremlin 4.5" Gamechanger, Junebug, Black Blue, California Craw Gamakatsu G-Finesse Heavy Cover Worm hooks Gamakatsu G-Power Heavy Cover Worm Flip and Punch hooks Z-Man ZWG Worm Hooks Northland Smeltenator Underspins Z-Man bladed jig EVO Spot Remover Megabass Karashi 3/16oz - See Through Shad

I started out with a few combos (4) and bringing every piece of tackle from the cave. I never ended up touching 98% of my tackle and soft plastics, who needs every colour, multiple sizes of the same bait them multiply by all the different possible techniques. Then I added a 16x16 BPP and added 4 additional rod holders, so I could carry 10 for a tournament and whatever I wanted on a random outing. It became a chore to set up everything the night before, deliberate to add more in the event that “something” was missing or would be that one bait I was missing and load up the truck. This winter, I’ve sold off a bespoke technique combos, replaced them with nicer combos that can do more. As I pairing things down on the rods/reels side, I scaled down my baits massively at the beginning of last season. All my terminal and jigs fit into x2 Yak Attack short stacks, one holds all my hooks, another tray for weights, another for skirted jigs and one without. Then I narrow down the baits from my collection down one 3700. One doubled waterproof 3700 has all my tools, first aid, cement glue, reel grease etc. and spare nk300 components in case my motor breaks down. First season 2nd season July long weekend 2025 after whacking em on Three Mile Lake.

no sympathy from me, it’s two degrees out.

Best to get it on the water and explore the kayak using the pdl and paddling separately. Gives you good perspective on where an accessory might be in a bad spot or might embed your ability to paddle or even cast efficiently.

LiTimes offers huge value, I’ve got a 36v 50ah powering my NK300. Very efficient and I love trying to kill it on an 8 hour session. The Bluetooth monitoring is great. Nice Yak!

I'm looking to add a soft plastics/flipping stick to compliment my Tatula 7' 1" HF Jig rod. The 7' 1" replaced a Lew's Custom Lite 7' 3" Magnum Jig which is a dedicated bladed jig rod now. The shorter handle length is welcome as I fish from a kayak, I'm just not sure the value is their over the MHHF Elite version.

What applications are you using for this rod? Seems like a step up with cork from the Tatula Elite line up

It’s certainly a preference, it’s all in selecting the right handle length. If you have a bow mount motor, rod length might be an issue when you need to work a bait.

Daiwa Fuego MR 6' 9" Casting rod works great for topwater and jerkbaits on a budget, got mine for less than $100 CAD a piece. Having two of the same blank is handy when I want to load up on the same technique for opposite ends of the season.

where's the pics @Hook2Jaw?

The rudder system on the Natives might be exposed for hauling to and from the water but it's better if you want to add a trolling motor down the road and keep the existing rudder system. The PWR129 has really caught my attention, for it's rigability, lots of flexibility on outfitting/personalizing and the possibilities for mounting motors. Take the motor out of the AP120 and try paddling it - I bet it would be an absolute chore compared to the PWR, which is a river kayak first. AP136 would be DOA in any kind of wind or heavy current scenario. These two kayaks are wildly different, and the all-in-one solution vs. tinkerers dream is what sets them apart. Let's not forget price, you could get an Torqueedo 1103 AC, PWR, side kicks, a captain's bridge, massive battery plus fish finders and still save $$$ over the Old Town + all the accessorizing you're going to end up doing no matter which kayak you end up in. OT does have a pretty good warranty. Bonafide is made in the USA, if that's important to you. You won't be car topping an AP120 or 136 based on it's weight alone. So trailering or truck bed are a must - do you have the space? Do you have a truck?

Maybe consider building a little DIY foam platform to raise the BlackPak but not adding any weight. You could tighten the bungee cord that has the Omnihooks for the BlackPak to pin it down to the tank well. I had my rod holders in the original lower setting when I first got mine and quickly realized they were better off raised up. For easier access when turning around, keeping the rod butt out of water and the fitment was better.

I had a Salus Regatta Sailing Vest for a couple of years, it was great for paddling but not so great for storage. I upgraded to the NRS Chinook this past year and it's fantastic, the high back foam is really comfortable against my seat, plenty of pockets and a good sized phone pocket with a zipper. Like others have said, I don't feel it when I have it on, and it pairs nicely with the Champion Bibs.

Scored a new PFD for next season, enter the one and only NRS Chinook

I picked up a Rod Mule earlier this year, it has worked great so far rigging mine up with 10 rods. Quality of materials and stitching are really good, The top rod sleeve is double the thickness of a regular one. The strap and lower buckle have really good range to secure any combination of rods and reels. Well worth the money.