Smalls

If you hurry, like don’t hesitate and just go buy, you can get an F5 Departure for $142 shipped. I just snagged one of the last couple left. Use code DPTBLOWOUT at check out.

My wife has a Lew’s laser SG1 that she picked up for $50. She seems to really like it.

Chatterbaits are one of those things that you can throw, and almost guarantee to get bit. The key is finding how the fish want it retrieved. Experiment with it. If you know fish are there, but you’re not getting bit, try a different retrieve.

The Boonedox system is great... if you have a kayak that can support it. And honestly, it probably wouldn’t be hard for a kayak manufacturer to make them factory ready for them. But these companies are so proprietary- if it’s not their’s, or their design, they don’t want it near their kayak. Look at FeelFree and their useless track system.

I could be wrong, but I think Hobie is the only yak designed to be carried by the scuppers. And I’ve seen them fail, too. The risk just isn’t worth it for any boat.

Low gear ratios for crankbaits are more advantageous for deep diving cranks, not really so for squarebills, and other shallow cranks

My 8 yo daughter will fish a whopper plopped from ice out to full ice, and sunrise to sunset. Don’t even matter if she catches anything. Luckily, it’s an effective lure

I currently use a paddle leash, but I don’t like it because of the possible tangling issues. Thinking of putting a pool noodle on it.

While LD offers custom rods, most of what they offer is just not “pre made”. They have a few varieties of popular lengths/actions, and start the build when someone orders it. But if not going that route, I know a bunch of guys that rave over the iRod Genesis rods. I haven’t fished one, but I’ve never heard a bad thing about them. They’re priced really well, too.

Yeah, and F5 and Lowdown will occasionally have a few batches of pre made rods in stock. Not often, but a few times a year. Just have to keep an eye on their sites

90% of my cranking boxes are filled with 6th sense, DT’s and Spro. The other 10% doesn’t get thrown much.

Even the Yak Gear ones are cheaper at 3 for $12. And I can’t imagine them breaking for any reason

I agree, rod leashes are a must. But you don’t need to spend $20 on em, either ?

Besides the fact that removing one will mess up the action, bass won’t always get both hooks. I catch tons that only get one or the other. So you’re effectively cutting your possibly to catch fish by 50%

Lowdown Customs, hands down. Not something I can afford right now, but I’ve tried their 7’ 9 MH. When my change bucket gets full, I’ll be ordering one.

If money is tight, maybe check out the Lew’s laser SG1 rod. My wife bought one for large crankbaits/small swimbaits, and I’m impressed with it, for $50. Comes in a 7’4 heavy, moderate action (which you want for treble hook baits) and is good for 2 oz’s. I’ve thrown a few a little over 2 oz, and it didn’t seem to mind

It’ll probably be fine, until it’s not. That’s a lot more weight than the max for that rod. Big baits require dedicated gear.

Everyone has a point of diminishing returns. There’s a line you draw where you say “is it worth an extra $100 to save an extra 1.5 ounces on a reel?” I personally try to buy the best quality I can afford. I’d rather spend $150 on a nice reel, than buy a $75 dollar reel twice because it was junk, and broke. I’m not wealthy, and buying junk that breaks easily isn’t doing any good making me anything but even less so

Please do not use bungees. Or ratchet straps. You can get a good set of of non ratcheting straps for cheap. I think I paid $20 for 4 made by NRS.

Spro makes the exact same product, albeit more expensive. I threw a couple packs in my last TW order just to try em out. Definitely a small learning curve to get them on easily, but after that, I fell in love with em. I was a huge fan of the VMC crankbait snaps, but I’ve switched over to these. Nothing to snag grass, nothing to possibly pull open and easy on-easy off.

Where did you get your bags from? I think I like that idea better

I appreciate your insight. I usually don’t put stuff back while I’m on the water, it’s usually tossed in a “catch all” tray, and put back where it belongs before I hit the water next. I can’t stand going to look for a certain lure, hook, etc. and it not being there, so I’m pretty anal about it getting to it’s spot. This doesn’t apply to anything else in my life, just tackle. ?

It’s always a good feeling when you come up with a clever solution to your needs on the water, too. And we usually (sometimes) save a couple bucks DIY’ing, that’s always a bonus. What did did you make the mounting bracket from?

I try (try being the keyword here) to keep it all separate and as neatly organized as possible. 1/0 hooks in one compartment, 2/0 in another, etc. The exception mostly being weights. I’ve pretty much got two compartments there- >3/8, and <3/8. But yeah, both are pretty much full. I guess this post doesn’t really pertain to my bank fishing time as much as it does my time in the kayak. I don’t bring nearly as much with me, and it’s easy to throw one of each hook/weight, etc in a box and go. But if I’m taking the time to get out the kayak, I’m trying to utilize my time on the water as best I can. Time spent searching through the crate, or really anything that isn’t fishing or paddling is kept to a minimum.

But how am I going to fit 2 3600 boxes of stuff into an even smaller 3600 box?