Smalls

I thought I was the only one. I've got a 705cb for fishing rock, grass, etc. But if I'm around wood, it gets benched for my mh/f Christie rod. It's still got enough bend to not rip trebles out, but fast enough to let me keep em out of the cover.

Don't know if it helps or not, but some places like Austin Kayak deliver pretty cheap, like $99. And a few also have financing options. I know buying local can really limit your options depending on where you live. And financing some of it definitely helped me get into a little nicer of a kayak.

Definitely keep an eye out on your local used market. There are steals to be had. If you have to buy new, I'd stay away from the Ascends, though. They suck to paddle, the deck flexes, the seats are terrible, etc.

Anchor trolley on the opposite side you land fish on.

Because of the way bass feed, most fisherman cast into the wind. So having a kayak that weathercocks into the wind is usually how they design them.

You need to buy the kit, because it comes with the part that dissolves, which sets the cartridge off

Interesting. Maybe for once my insurance will do something besides shaft me.

I've got an all gold War Eagle in 3/8 with a white/gold skirt and huuge gold Colorado blade that's done great in dirty water for me.

I won't use anything but neoprene for mine. I go a step further and shove a rod tip protector down them. If you've ever bought a Dobyn's, it's the ones they send on their rods.

Depending on the bait, a snap may give it more action, but I rarely do this. In my opinion, never. I'll use a snap before a loop knot. One of the weakest knots out there.

I know that seadek will send you a sample, see if the other company will, too. Easy to compare, then.

7.4 for an all around reel. 6 if you planned on putting it on a cranking rod.

He's looking for something easy to move around, that's definitely not the way. Yeah, I'm not advocating buying one. I'd cut a hole in my kayak and jam a Hobie drive in there before doing that. Just thought I'd throw some sort of positive about the company while I threw them under the bus. I'm nice like that, sometimes. If you're gonna sell junk, you should at least have good customer service

I've heard nothing but problems from guys who own them, too. But they also say Pelican has no issues sending them a whole new drive everytime theirs fails.

It really depends on the fish. I've had luck gliding a walker super slow, and working a popper as fast as I could. I'll start out working it slow, and speed it up til I get bit. Seems like the natural progression of my irritability of not getting bit.

I think your only other option on the new market is the Hobie passport.

I put a top limit of $60 for a bait after losing a Pizz to a pike. I didn't even know the pond I was fishing had pike. I'd fished it like 3 times before and never saw any, but I caught a 6 pound bass and figured I'd toss some swimbaits around. I definitely cried a little.

You can't adjust scroll speed for SI on the hook2, but still works pretty well at slower speeds from what I understand. I haven't gotten a chance to use mine, yet.

Why not just buy an extra transducer/mount/power cable for your Helix's and swap em from your boat to your canoe?

While there's plenty of options around $50-75 that are mass produced, the more expensive options are usually hand made by small companies. I think Mike Bucca (owner of Bullshad) only has like 2-3 guys working for him, and everything is made in house. There's no Chinese manufacturer making them for $0.50 a unit. These aren't baits you're gonna find at Dick's, Cabela's, etc. Most only make a limited quantity. I won't even get started on JDM stuff.

Stick it on your bow underneath your cover

Put some rod holders on your crate, then you don't have to limit yourself so much. Your bait monkey will thank you

Those chrome baits are siiiiiiiiick. I don't like to spend much on swimbaits anymore, but I'd pay good money for one of those. OP, the baby bullshad is a good intro to see swimbaits, and gets bit. But if $14 is too much for you to spend, I suggest leaving swimbaits in general alone. Even quality soft baits are often going to run you more than that.

I bring whatever the season dictates, but I'll throw a couple extra Planos of "it's not really the time of year for this, but it's close, and if I leave it at home I know it's what they're gonna be biting on" It all fits in the crate, so it's not really any more of a hassle to bring. I'll only start admitting I bring too much tackle when I have to figure out how to fit 2 crates on the boat

They're a pretty well known scam. They started with a monthly tackle subscription box that no one received, and took months to stop getting charged for. They've got some serious balls to disappear for a few months, keep the same name, and do it all over again