BrianMDTX

New boat arrived Thursday evening. I sweated my patoot off yesterday swapping positions of the seat pedestal and seat on the plywood floor, as well as inflating it. It takes a LOT longer to inflate than the Packfish 7. And it is definitely constructed of stronger materials. It has a ton more room and some nifty front and rear storage bags, as well as a stripping apron with a scale up to 16” (as well as a 36” scale on the hull). My existing rod holders are not usable as they will interfere with operating the motor (after I get the boat titled and registered), so I order two Scotty rod holders and mounts that are due tomorrow. I plan to take it early tomorrow to the local pond to test it out. I have a EZ Cart (wheels for transport) on the way as well as the motor mount. Minn Kota confirmed that my 35W motor was manufactured 1985-1986. I would have sworn it was older. They said there’s not much to look at if it’s working. So a battery and a charger and soon I’ll be doing more fishing and less rowing lol.

“Look at the lure, that I bought at the store Did it catch bass? I will buy more and more Did I lose it? On a log? Did I lose it? In a bog? Will I buy another lure? Stupid question. I’ll buy more!!!”

The times they are a changin’ A month ago my answer would be different. But right now it’s: Swim Jig Texas Rig Chatterbair

@Flushdraw I often fish weightless Texas rigs with Senkos, Fat IKA’s and Neko Machos from a baitcaster. But normally from a MF or MHF. Might be a bit of a challenge from a HF, as far as casting is concerned.

True. I used to hear the same thing about upper echelon bows from Mathews, Hoyt and Bowtech in the bowhunting world. When the average bowhunter was using an inexpensive PSE or Bear bow from a big box store. I bet 75% of anglers use combos that cost less than $100.00 for the rod, reel and line. I look at folks fishing when I can, and I do not see all the St. Croix, Dobyns, Loomis, et al rods that we all own and fish with.

Or the worst. Don’t get me wrong, I love it. But it can make it hard to acclimate to hot weather going in and out from 72° to 97° all day long. Nah. It’s the best! 😂

It’s still an anchor. It’s just not your anchor!

They all pale in comparison to spilling doe estrus urine on your clothes. Trust me on that. But Gulp! baits are kinda stanky.

I find it absurd (even though I do it) that spools hold enough line that we use backing to save from spooling on $$$ line. Wouldn’t shallower spools simply solve that?

Tom, have you tried their Super Natural mono?

@RobiB I already ordered the motor mount. And the EZ cart lol. I was going to try and make my own but just bit the bullet and ordered one. I already have a 7” pedestal and a folding seat (looks just like the one they sell) and the floorboard with two attached rod holders installed behind the seat. With the Scotty holders, I’m likely to add another rod holder and the anchor lock with deck mount. After use a few times (and checking that my trolling motor is reliable),I’ll get a battery and charger.

Man, I haven’t seen those in so long I forgot about them. But in a similar vein, I tried the Yamamoto Slinko, which is also ribbed. But they are fragile. I caught two bass and lost both baits on one bite. After they’re used up, I won’t be buying any more. The concept is good, but the material used must lose a lot of durability (which has never been a strength of a Senko lol) compared to a standard Senko.

@ol'crickety I was going to suggest outriggers. But they may nullify your speed , which seems to be a necessity.

Sunken adult diapers. Nothing else comes close. Nothing.

I wonder why the change? Too many product types? Decrease in sales?

I bought a Sea Eagle Packfish 7 inflatable boat in 2020. I debated getting this or a yak but due to space, weight and getting older, I decided on this. Although I have used it many times and caught a lot of bass, I’ve had some issues with seams coming apart. It’s been replaced a few times (last time in November) and it happened again. I contacted Sea Eagle via e-mail and a representative called me earlier this week. Their solution is to send me a Sea Eagle 285fpb pontoon boat in lieu of a Packfish 7. It’s about 2’ longer and a little heavier, but it’s manufactured much stronger and is even rated for up to a 70 lb. trolling motor or a 3.5 hp gas outboard. It will still fit in my garage and utilizes the same floorboard and seat from my old boat. Now, when I was a lad, my buddy and I each bought a Minn Kota 17 lb. trolling motor. We could rent a boat, motor and battery from the Fishing Center at Loch Raven reservoir in Maryland (Baltimore area) and we’d get spare batteries. Three motors pushed those heavy, wood rowboats a lot faster than one. I probably haven’t used it in 45 years. I cleaned it off, removed some minor rust off the clamps and tested it on my truck’s battery. Holy cow, it still works! Needless to say, I will do a thorough cleaning and ops check before I would rely on it, but it seems fine. Just need a battery and a charger. I did reach out to Minn Kota to see if they can verify the date of manufacture and any advice or concerns. Regardless, the boat has shipped and I’ll be back on the water soon. The top pic is a stock pick of the boat model from Sea Eagle’s website. The other is the motor that’s likely older than 70% of BR posters lol.

It is (was) great mono. I see they have Super Natural mono in Clear, Jungle Green, Hi-Vis Yellow and Orange, but I have no idea how it compares to Defier.

Having said that, it appears to be discontinued as well. Ugh.

Well, had you asked me this in April a jig would be nowhere on this list. But, things change. Sometimes for the worst and sometimes for the better. So right now, I’d put a 1/4 oz. blue/black jig with a Rage Craw or Bug on that list Others would be a 7” watermelon red Zoom Trick, a 5” #956 and #297 Senko and a #956 or #021 Neko Macho. I certainly fish other lures, but there’re my go-to’s.

@MediumMouthBass I have two Revros and a Sienna as my spinning rigs. I like them all but I’d take the Revros hands down. I also have two Black Max’s. While I prefer my Fuegos and Tatula, the fact is, neither of them can cast as far as the Black Max. Both are paired on Aird-X rods (a MF and a MHF). I still use them both.

Aird-X rods are darned good for the price. $49.99.

@WRB You made me a convert when you recommended Sunline Shooter Defier mono, with 15 lb. line have essentially the same diameter as 12 lb. Big Game. It’s great mono for one thing. But stronger line at the same diameter is a big plus.

It’s an interesting topic. I’ve never seen anyone surf casting with a baitcaster lol. Big spinning reels and stout rods are capable of landing some huge fish. But that’s not really practical for bass fishing. I want to say I’d have more confidence with a MH or H baitcasting rig in my hands. And yet I’ve caught my two biggest LMB on spinning rigs lol.

I don’t have a yak, but I fish from an inflatable (always sitting) that’s about as low in the water as a fishing kayak. I use braid-to-leader on all my spinning rigs, but all my baitcasters (except my 100% braid frog rig) are 100% mono. I don’t feel that I have much of an issue with hooksets on single-hook baits, of which most are Gamakatsu 4/0 or 5/0 EWG’s or (lately) jigs. I make sure I reel in slack quickly and snap the rod tip vs. pulling it up. My reels are 8.1:1 so I can eliminate slack quickly when fishing Texas rigs or jigs. I’ve been using Sunline Shooter Defier mono as of late. Smaller diameter than Big Game for the same lb. line. I couldn’t tell you if it stretches less, but it is good mono.

I have one but it’s too darned hot for me. With a hood, a hat and sunscreen on my face, I’m comfortable and protected without sweating my patoot off.