Skunkd

Having paddled a rudderless kayak for years (Heritage Redfish 14) and now owning a Hobie Outback I wouldn't want to go without one. The OB is a heavy boat also (99lbs rigged w/o gear) but I'm loading it into the bed of my pickup with the aid of a cart. You didn't mention if you're using a cart? I wouldn't want to lift a boat that size for any distance so a cart might make sense. I assume you're car topping ? Again a cart will help get the boat into position to easily lift the bow onto the rack and then the stern. Lots of clever DIY cart ideas on YT to custom fit your hull for short $$. Two pretty easy fixes it seems since you've said you otherwise like the boat.

To paint or not paint probably doesn't matter but...I paint mine using powder paint and a heat gun. Simple process, paint is super durable and its cheap to do. Think I paid less than $20 for the heat gun and a jar of powder paint is less than $7.00. Heat jig approx 15 seconds, dip in paint, clear any excess paint from hook eye with toothpick, set aside. I'd make striper bucktail jigs a dozen or so at a time. After they're "dipped, I bake them in an old toaster oven 30 min to really bake the paint on and smooth out any clumps. Not for everyone but its fun to do in the winter to keep my head in the game.

Another vote for Shimano Zodias 6'10" MH. As a matter of fact, I like my Zodias / Curado K setup so much I'm getting a 2nd exact same set up soon.

I've become a big fan of fishing a swinging jig head in rocky areas. Currently using the Dirty Jigs Pivot Point Football and it works great. I like the idea of being able to change hooks, weights, and shape with the Fastach Heads but wonder how strong they are? Thx T

Just picked up a Dobyns Sierra 705c and put a Curado K XG as a ( mostly) dedicated frog rod for the kayak. Total price $350.00 Loving the combo. Its my first Dobyns rod and from what I've read the Sierra series fishes a little slower than the other series. For me, its got the perfect balance of power and tip. About 80% - 20%. Enough tip to chuck frogs deep into the junk and work the frog and plenty of backbone to horse em out of there. The Curado is rock solid, smooth with plenty of drag. Haven't thrown anything but frogs yet but plan to see how it handles jigs, swimbaits. Good luck with the search

Looking at this rod as a squarebill / chatterbait rod for the kayak. I like the 6'9" length for casting in close and the shorter handle. Interested to hear what folks think of this rod or suggestions for a sub 7' rod under $150 for chatters and squarebills. Thanks T

Another vote for the OT. Tried the Topwater Pdl and it’s pretty sweet. Haven’t paddled the Bonafide but know people who own them and they all love em.

Truck bed extender. Lots of good kayak specific ones available as long as you have a receiver

For just a little more $$ you could get into an Old Town Topwater 106 or 120 Angler. These are great little boats that are loaded with features, comfortable and best of all, have a lifetime warranty on the hull. My buddy and I recently exchanged boats for a day, he in my Hobie Outback and me in his OT Topwater PDL 120. I'm a Hobie guy and I have to say I was impressed. The PDL is obviously a different animal than the regular Topwater but the platform is the same. I'm 6'5" and 225lbs and standing to cast was no problem. Very comfortable seat, tracked well and has lots of rigging options. Buying new obviously entitles you to whatever warranty that boat has but Craigslist is usually loaded with good to very good deals on kayaks. Buy the best boat you can afford and don't skimp on safety gear. Best T

Something else to think about when making your choice is how will you be transporting your new yak. Will you be car topping or do you own a pickup? Some fishing kayaks ( especially wider ones built for standing ) can exceed 100lbs. Lots of good vids on YT on how to car top heavy boats. Also, a good cart can be a life saver if you need to carry your boat any distance to the water. Another thing is, if possible try to paddle your boat before buying. Most retailers, boat houses, yak shops have on the water demo days scheduled where you can try a variety on boats to help make your choice. Good Luck T

I have a bunch of 1.5 squarebills I’d like to swap out the stock hooks on. Not really sure where to begin in terms of size, bend, strength, manufacturer. What do you use ? Thanks T

Looking for a shorter, less parabolic rod to throw 1.5’s and lipless cranks in close quarters around wood and grass from a kayak. Never really had a dedicated small crank/ lipless rod but want something right around 6’8” for accuracy and shorter rod handle for the kayak. Looking at the Dobyns Sierra 683c and 684c as they’re right where I want to be price wise $150ish and are a bit slower in action than the Champs and Fury’s in spite of being graphite. Does this make sense or should I be thinking more about a glass rod? Thanks for any input. T

Looking for a heavy action rod to throw ( mostly) hollow body frogs/ jigs from a kayak. Budget is $150-$200. Would prefer a rod no longer than 7'. I'm making a big push to get back into freshwater fishing as most of my fishing time has been spent chasing stripers on the Ma North Shore. A bit overwhelmed with all the choices and how technique specific gear has become. This will be one of 4 combos I bring with me. The others are a medium spinning outfit and 2 MH baitcast combos that cover most situations. BTW I'll be putting a Shimano Curado K XG on the frog rod. I'm considering a Dobyns Sierra 705C but am unfamiliar with Dobyns rods and their actions. Thanks for any input or suggestions. T