First thing, I can't put into polite words how great I'm feeling about ordering the St. Croix Legend Elite 6'10" Medium Fast.  Between PayPal and my credit card making interest free payments irresistable, Christmas came early. Apparently Fall is squarebill time (by the way - there seems to be a disagreement as to whether square bill (squarebill) is one word or two.)  Whatever, none of my rods seemed to really fit nicely the more shallow squarebill weights.  Ran across an article on Bass Resource that described the St. Croix.  Had to have it. NOW.

Reels:  interesting process collecting reels when you don't know what you're doing.  I know a little more now, and I wish I hadn't ordered a second Daiwa Tatula 200.  Much better to have gone for a second a Chronarch or a Bantam (angels singing).  But I do have one Chronarch, so I feel covered.  I don't have either the Tranx or the Curado K.  What is it about the Tranx, anyway??  Is it the saltwater capability?  I'll save for the Bantam.  Gotta have one. 

Actual fishing....  I wanted to go today, but commitments and other priorities got in the way.  Want to go tomorrow, but weather sounds severe for a kayak (without power), and more commitments.  Always something.  Hope springs eternal.

Oh, Fall shallow fishing (creeks, shallow rivers).  Does it work.  The small stuff is what I want to go for.   

 

PS: the reason I'm asking about shallow fall fishing is because I can do that without worrying so much about wind on the water in a kayak.  Thanks!   

I don't have much input on gear (don't have those rods or reels). I do have a handful of St. Croix Premiers that I absolutely love, and I'd imagine your new setup will be even nicer.

 

As far as shallow fall fishing, yes, the squarebill can work great. Biggest thing is to match the depth your squarebill runs with the depth of the water (and weeds) you're fishing. Up in NY (which I'm sure is similar to NJ) shallow water means weeds. Squarebills don't play nice with weeds, so you need to run it over or around the weeds. 

 

Do that, and you'll catch fish. 

4 hours ago, Masaccio said:

 (by the way - there seems to be a disagreement as to whether square bill (squarebill) is one word or two.)

 

If you're talking about the bill shape, it's a square bill. But if you're talking about a crankbait with a square bill, that's a squarebill. And I will die on this hill. ?

The Social Security bump for next year (published today) just paid for the rod.  And many of those in-the-know seem to think that inflation has hit it's high, or almost, and will be decreasing next year.  Things are looking better, barring nuclear Armegeddon.  I might even be able to upgrade my sit-in kayak.  

20 hours ago, JackstrawIII said:

I don't have much input on gear (don't have those rods or reels). I do have a handful of St. Croix Premiers that I absolutely love, and I'd imagine your new setup will be even nicer.

 

As far as shallow fall fishing, yes, the squarebill can work great. Biggest thing is to match the depth your squarebill runs with the depth of the water (and weeds) you're fishing. Up in NY (which I'm sure is similar to NJ) shallow water means weeds. Squarebills don't play nice with weeds, so you need to run it over or around the weeds. 

 

Do that, and you'll catch fish. 

Thanks.  My only other St. Croix is the two-piece 5'6" ultralite.  I think I'm going to love this one too.  Haven't been out with it yet.  

 

Try a Bandit 200  and Red Eye Shad.

 

My set-up is a G.Loomis PR844C/ Aldebaran/ #11 Sunline Armilo.