TNBankFishing

Covering my entire body exposed to the sun with sunscreen every two hours is tedious and I’m going to miss spots. Saying “Sunscreen works” is like saying brakes work on cars so who needs to worry about seatbelts. Yes, I know it’s a bit extreme but all of us spend a lot of time in the sun. I want everyone who enjoys fishing to be able to do so for their entire lives. I hound my fishing club members, my friends and anyone willing to listen. Save your skin and get more years of catching big ones.

I fish multiple times a week, every week, all year round. I fish the salt 3-5 times a year as well as my native TN waters. I’m 36 and have had two pre-cancerous spots removed from my back. Starting about 3 years ago I began to wear full sun protection including shoes. When Matt Allen came out with his cancer spot removal from his face it made me glad. More people need to understand the straight destruction the sun plays with our bodies. I totally agree a pair of old sketchers or crocs does the job but I prefer being comfortable those 15-20 hours I’m on the water each week.

I have the keens and a pair of astrals and I always go back to the boundaries simply because my feet stay dry. If conditions are perfect and my feet don’t stay wet for 8 hours I’ll wear the shoes. I can’t stand blisters or my feet feeling destroyed from being soaked all day.

https://www.rei.com/product/170297/nrs-boundary-wetshoes-mens

St. Croix Victory. The 6’8” to 7’4” ML and MLXF rods are utterly fantastic. Great actions, stellar warranty and American made. I owned a ML and still own MLXF of the Legend X lines. I’ve never been super impressed with the Zodias and after the reboot I wasn’t drawn enough to try one. Shimano makes a decent rod, I just can’t justify the Zodias when you can get other brands which are just as good for less. Daiwa makes a good stick in the rebellion and tatula elite lines. If you’re ok waiting till Memorial Day you might be able to snag a Megabass whipsnake on sale, and I would go that route if it was me.

Japan tackle. I haven’t picked up anything from anywhere else and won’t recommend a shop I’ve not used.

Jrob is correct, one other point is they are made in Japan. This matters to some people because few reels these days are manufactured there.

It is.

I'm not sure I'd be able to do it off of my truck. If I had a shorter vehicle I could swing the tail down first and leave the bulk of the weight against the car. With the truck and a 12.5 kayak the angles are just too steep. Still give you guys credit, I'm not remotely over the hill but after 8 hours on the water I'd dread putting that beast back on top.

You sir are significantly more daring than me. While I'm not worried about the kayak being damaged, if a 90lb yak destroyed my tibia and fibia while I'm alone at a launch at 5:30am....

Counterintuitively you'll have less control over the fish during the fight, and won't be able to wrench them out of cover if it comes too it. Often you think a much longer rod means you're getting better hooksets and more power, but its not the case. The power of the blank and action determine that power much more.

Weight on a spinning setup isn’t as critical to me personally. If it’s half an oz heavier I don’t mind. The styling in the Orochi is just so nice I tend to lean towards it. Blank material might be better Levante to Levante but the Orochis I’ve owned have been sensitive enough for their price. Im more interested if a 5” Texas rigged senko, or 1/4oz - 5/16th drop shot plus bait wear it out. I’ve got two sticks now the new Steez ML and St. Croix MLXF and I’d like to have one which covers the bases.

Hi Logan, thanks for sharing. It’s been at least a week since I fell off the wagon and the bait monkey stole my wallet. Stick to the steps and you’ll be just fine. Good luck out there and I hope the boat comes sooner rather than later!

I have a Steez ML and Legend X MLXF, the XF is great for senkos, shakyheads, and Ned’s. It’s also slightly more stout than the Steez so I tend to use it when there is more cover like grass or wood. Extra length won’t make too much difference unless you’re casting aerodynamic baits on super light line.

My experience is with a Native Watercraft Titan 12.5. You will not car top a kayak over 70lbs, I tried with mine a total of two times and it’s just unwieldy. Got a bed extender, and I’m all good. In you’re budget I would strongly suggest two options. Native Titan 10, and Bonafide SS117. Hobie makes a good yak, but the price is outrageous. The native has a pedal drive and is built like a tank. Easy to stand in and ultra stable. The SS117 is a fantastic platform that lets you build it how you’d like. Accessories are a spend as much as you want gig. I’d suggest to start really small and go out bare bones to see what you really need. Took me a year to dial in my setup. As a side note most rivers are super simple to navigate Id not worry about them.

$250 gets you into JDM Metaniums and Steez As. $350 starts Anteras and Calcutta conquests. You 100% can get into high end gear for $300. No one should ever pay retail for fishing equipment, and with global shipping JDM gear is easier than ever to buy reliably. Is that the graphite framed reel? Do you own one? I’ve been intrigued but wary of graphite frames.

Asianfishingportal, and digitaka are my go to sites as their prices are usually lower, and they both do free shipping. Secondary sites are japanlureshop and plat.co.jp Ive ordered multiple items over years from these 4 and trust them completely. They also accept PayPal if you’re wary which covers you if something doesn’t show up as described. DISCLAIMER: Don’t blame me if you start buying JDM gear or get hooked on trying new brands. The bait monkey needs no encouragement.

Yes, every year shops do something. Not usually as big as the classic but the best you’ll find till the holidays.

I would expect at minimum 20% off the Zillion or ~$280 shipped. Another option is JDM Metaniums. The reels are the exact same US vs. JDM except the spool is a 100 size vs. 150 and the JDM handles are 86mm on the 6/7 ratios. I own 3 different JDM Mets and they are fantastic reels. If you’re a Shimano guy I’d say they are an option. Right now with exchange they are ~250. If the primary use is jerkbaits and shallow to mid cranks, there are a couple I could suggest. St. Croix Legend Glass MH. Pick the length that works for you and get chucking. I own a number of the Legend elite/x rods and they are fantastic. This one can throw 3/8th jackhammers but I’d not go above it. Also will be on sale, again I’d shoot for %20 off. Megabass Flatside special or Jerkbait special. Choose the one which matches the more primary use. Throwing jerks more? Jerkbait special is perfect and works well as a cranking stick. Flatside is the baby brother to my discontinued Otomat and I’ll die before I sell it. Amazing cranking, topwater rod and throws a decent jerk. These two really won’t throw a jackhammer at all, too soft. Megabass EMTF - this is the rod I’d choose hands down. I have the big brother in the Javelin and the only thing it’s not going to do well is jerks. It’s too long. But shallow, mid, lipless, jackhammers, spinnerbaits, and football jigs are all 100% in its wheelhouse. I’ve fished an EMTF and it feels very close to the Jav. Getting discounts on Megabass stuff is hard, but doable. Tackle trap has codes year round and don’t charge tax to my state. A less talked about line I have found absolutely stunning has been the Daiwa BLX. I own the 7’4” MH limber graphite and it pulls deep divers, big spinners, and is ultra light for its size. There is a 7’1” M version which I’ve been eyeing in case my Otomat bites the dust. The issue with this stick is you’re going to want to get more than 20% off, as it’s $400 retail. It can be done, I picked up mine for 225 shipped.

Just my two cents, but I’d not use that rod to cover all of those techniques. The blades jig really should be thrown on a slightly more stout rod. Jerks need a more crisp tip to not drag the bait after the pop. If you’re set and comfortable with the rod, I’d save $100 and get the Curado MGL. If you’re willing to branch out, and can wait two weeks for the reel grab a Zillion when the Memorial Day sales kick off. Hands down the best reel for the dollar I’ve used in the last two years. I run Metaniums, Bantams, Tatula Elites, and Zillion. The Zillion is on par with the Met.

Is there any chance we could add ditch pickle or scupper fish to the size rankings? Short fish is ok, but I know I’m really the size that gets slipped through the scuppers on my yak

Cranking sticks seem to be in the eye of the caster. Everyone can get behind an NRX or Steez for bottom contact, but man when you find the cranking stick for you it turns into a gem. Until I had the Otomat I used one of the glass Zodias rods and I still take it with me when I’m beating the bank because it just feels right.

Id second the BassX as a solid option, and might recommend give it a couple weeks and snag something a bit nicer on sale.

I’m most interested in the applications for the whipsnake. Is it limited to only drop shot, or can it handle niko and wacky rigged senkos? Why is the Orochi heavier and less sensitive? I was looking at the whipsnake and just went Steez instead. I actually don’t mind using two spinning combos as it lets me roll with a drop shot and secondary technique.

You and I sir need to have a conversation about this. At first you had my attention, now you have my interest.