LootyDjibouti

Nice I'm in NJ also (south jersey), gonna get out for my first trip of '24 hopefully this weekend. I'll test out that Falcon lowrider lizard dragger rod for frogging and report back but I know I'm not gonna catch a lick on it haha. Still fun tho. I'm a little worried this mild end to winter is gonna make the weeds horrible down here again this year.

Thread resurrection, I just picked up the Lizard Dragger in the Lowrider series (LFC-7H). But I actually intend to use it for light cover frogging. Initially I tried the Head Turner (Expert) for this purpose but I found the longer handle to be a bit cumbersome for me on the kayak. I still love that rod tho so I use it now for buzzbaits and swim jigs. The LFC-7H has a shorter handle at 13.5" (TW measurement) vs. 14.75" in the Expert line. Very lightweight, only 4.1oz. Excited to take it out to the lake and test it out, think it could be the ticket.

Really neat mission from NOAA, they created descending devices for barotrauma fish to help sustain reef fish populations. They're distributing them for free along w/ how-to's for anglers all along the Gulf coast. Clip the device on, it brings the fish down to depth, releases automatically, and you just reel the device back up. I know it's salt but thought it interesting. https://returnemright.org/

50% off Daiwa J-Braid. I don't even need more braid but it's simply too good to pass up!

Got absolutely spoiled on my bday by family who support my obsession. Kistler Helium "Texas-Carolina Rig, Jig" rod (7'0") Daiwa Tatula SV TW103 7.1 FINN Fishing Gloves My first Kistler rod. Can't wait to try it out with the Daiwa.

I'm thinking about one of those exact models for texas rigs and jigs. Never owned a Kistler rod and the closest thing I have would probably be a Falcon Expert. The "semi-conventional size" rings within the guides... I'm assuming that's like an in-between micro and standard? Ok for leader knots?

Yea that sounds pretty annoying. That said, no way I'm making them give me a new reel because of a cosmetic scratch. Kinda ridiculous imo. I might take it up with a manager and preface I'm not trying to get the dude fired, but is there anything you can do, yadda yadda, and probably walk away with a gift card.

I've managed to keep all my terminal thus far in one 3600-size box in the old town but I'm really starting to push it now, combining different hooks into one compartment telling myself they're kinda the same (they aren't)

Just picked up this rod (the now "previous gen", heavily discounted) for frogging on yours and others recommendation. Very happy so far.

Bumping this old thread to see if anyone else has tried out Buzbe boxes. Kinda stuck on this vs a Plano Edge Flex. I think there are pros and cons to each. Modular systems for both have me intrigued as I kayak fish and customization and efficiency is king. Buzbe seems to be better material, more reliable latches, floats, and they have a ton of options now. Plano doesn't make you buy additional little boxes which is great when they're otherwise priced the same.

Timely post, I just 20 mins ago scooped up the Tactical Elite 6’10” topwater rod for 50% off on midwayUSA. TFO is certainly not new to making rods in general and I’ve heard good things so I figured why not give it a shot at that kind of discount. My other topwater rod is a 6’7” M/F fate v3 from 13 so I’m interested to see how I like a moderate vs fast action.

FeelFree makes several fishing-specific models that one could potentially describe as "beginner". I'd say they are all a step above the Lifetime's/Ascend's of the world. My first fishing kayak was a Moken 10 V2. Comes with four accessory rails, a very comfortable seat, front and rear storage, two flush-mounted rod holders, adjustable foot pegs, storage console, and an integrated "wheel in the keel" so you don't need a cart. Only 65 lbs, I car-topped it on a coupe. Does it track better, or is it as fast as my 10' PDL Old Town I now use? No. But for fishing-specific, paddle kayaks under $1k it served me extremely well and got me super into kayak fishing. Retails at $799 it looks like now. If you want possibly the most comfortable seat in kayak fishing you can look at the Lure as well. But I'll say the Moken seat is very comfortable in its own right.

Yes but I primarily use it for a leader when fishing braid, so this is actually pretty welcome insight. Still get the usual benefits of fluoro vs mono? And by saying have you fished it recently... are you suggesting they've made changes like more stretch?

Just ordered a rod for the first time from Amazon. Packaged in a carboard box. Broken tip. Was sold by "Amazon.com Services LLC" so they better replace it. I typically buy from my local tackle shop, and if not that then ALF or TW. And this reinforces those decisions.

You can't go wrong here. I'd feel both in hand before making a decision. Very common reels so hopefully you can do so. That said, they're both known to be quite comfortable but that is again, subjective. Some of the Daiwas for instance are pretty bulky and thus I can't stand them.

I just got that Ark Lancer Pro on sale as well. Something around $60 on TW seemed like a great deal. Never used any Daiwa spinning reels, only have used Shimano Saharas. Sounds like you're a fan. Which gear ratio did you go with? Honestly never really thought about gear ratios on spinning much.

What’s up y’all. I moved here about a year ago from Atlanta. I’m in south jersey, which I learned is pork roll territory. Washington Township. If anyone is down this way and wants to head out I’m always looking for people to go with. I usually fish from my Old Town kayak but down to bank fish also. Trying to find some lakes down here without a scum-filled bottom but it’s tough!

I’m looking for my first Daiwa and thinking of taking advantage of that Tat 100. I’ve got smaller hands (wife still loves me!) and wanna see what these Magforce brakes are all about since I only own Shimanos, without making a huge purchase.

Nice I'm in South Jersey. Bout 25 mins outside Philly. Moved here from Atlanta this year.

I personally don't think they're worth the hassle but that's just one man's opinion. I have relatively young eyes and I still can't stand trying to line through micro guides on my kayak. It seems like more folks are using braid to leader than ever (maybe that's only perception). If that's true though, I imagine micro-guides will be on the way out or become more of a secondary option rather than a standard feature on a given line of rods. Manufacturers will have all the consumer trend data that's for sure.

I definitely understand one person's experience can vary from the next. Certainly. And one person might think Rod "A" is better, the next person could disagree. That said, you can sometimes find patterns based on multiple responses all saying the same thing. Also since there's no industry standard in power or action all we have to go off is lure rating and personal anecdotes. And a lure rating really only tells part of the story. Oftentimes folks will share their customer service experiences as well, and that's not something manufacturers can just list on a spec sheet. Mostly I just like talking rods and reels with folks and like to be thorough before making any purchase. Some people like to impulse buy, others like me dig through the interwebz.

Thanks I’ll check those out. Not very familiar with iRod. Do falcons fish relatively light? Noticed the H power but 1/4oz - 3/4oz weight and obviously your recommendation. The Head Turner seems to get a lot of love. Interesting the Expert line includes a blurb on “delivering bladed baits” but not on the LowRider. I saw they’re different blanks.

Thanks for the detailed feedback, and to your point that's mostly why I listed TFO's in M and also the MBR in F listed... Those 705's are listed as Spinnerbait rods but if the TFO Fast is more of other companies MF's then I'll need to consider it. Great to hear you've enjoyed them, sounds like I wouldn't go wrong either way. Might give them a call.

Nice. Interesting it's an XF. I still struggle a bit landing fish near the kayak allowing slack in the line so I was scoping mostly MF's thinking that might help a bit. Sewell. I just moved up here in Jan. from Georgia. The relative lack of structure is killing me on these lakes. I haven't hit Union yet though, really need to. I've done Sunset, Alcyon, and Parvin. Let me know if you wanna get out there sometime. Thanks for that info also. I have a FR705 CB and a FR735C. Really love that 705CB for shallow cranking... that said I'm also am struggling to find my usual places to throw shallow cranks round here. Appreciate the rec. I know some folks fish 7'6"+ rods with zero issues on a kayak, but not me. My kayak is 10'6" and maybe I'm just terrible at handling it, but adding in the fact I'll re-tie leaders and I prefer a 7'0".