A couple years ago, I painfully sold my Lund Pro-V Bass 1875 because we were moving out of Minnesota and had 2-3 moves coming over the next 2 years. We had limited garage space and I wasn't too excited about either storing the boat off-site, or transporting it thousands of miles several times cross country. I contemplated buying another bass boat eventually, and using an Autopilot kayak temporarily down South until we settled.

 

I don't know if I have another bass boat entirely out of my system, but have made some decisions about the present. I still lack storage, but we are moving from South Carolina to Florida this month and establishing state residency there again. We will also be renting in Minnesota where my 2 sons live for at least 3 months next summer. Maybe a month in South Carolina in the Fall where my daughter is getting married soon. 

 

So, what to do about fishing? Well, I've decided to semi-retire my 4 year old Old Town Autopilot 120 and will trailer it to Minnesota to fish out of it there next Summer. Second, I just bought a new Bonafide XTR 130 - for Florida, South Carolina and a few Bassmaster Kayak events in 2026.  It will be on a high quality FTK trailer built for longer distance trips. It is the absolute largest boat/trailer of any kind I can fit in our new garage.  

 

The outfit doing my rigging on the Bonafide is Muddy Bay Outfitters in South Carolina. They just posted the 4 minute video below of the equipment and rigging process on their web site. I'm looking forward to the new ride... 

 

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1509157443745720/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

 

Dude - that's a hellava rig.

40 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1509157443745720/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

 

🤯 Holy Cow that’s one killer kayak. Looking forward to reading about your adventures in it.

24 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

🤯 Holy Cow that’s one killer kayak. Looking forward to reading about your adventures in it.

Will see how the break-in goes, I definitely have some things to learn.  But the top speed for me on the Autopilot was 3.6 mph, and reportedly the high on the XTR with the Power Pole motor is 6.3 mph. Doesn't sound like much to the average bass boat guy, but in the kayak world that should really increase the range on any given day/tournament.

Sweet rig, Fry!

FM

Wowza, can’t wait to see the on water report. Awesome build!

Will you have it the weekend of the 21st? It looks like I will be in Keowee that weekend.

5 hours ago, Kayak Koz said:

Will you have it the weekend of the 21st? It looks like I will be in Keowee that weekend.

The kayak should be all rigged by then, but still waiting on the trailer. FTK is quite backed up. I just hope it gets here before I relocate, or I have to come back and make a second trip. 

On 11/13/2025 at 5:43 AM, FryDog62 said:

The kayak should be all rigged by then, but still waiting on the trailer. FTK is quite backed up. I just hope it gets here before I relocate, or I have to come back and make a second trip. 

I'm up to a 95% chance that I will be up there next week. If you're available, we could meet at Keowee or Hartwell in the 22nd. Your new Kistler will be delivered to me this weekend.

 

If you can't meet I'll send it off to you.

Let’s shoot for 11/21. I vote Hartwell this time if that’s ok. I was out yesterday and picked up 8 Spots off of points with jerkbaits. Fun! 

Your seat looks soooo comfy! Is that red light on the port bow built into the hull?

32 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

Your seat looks soooo comfy! Is that red light on the port bow built into the hull?

The seat sealed the deal for me... true story ~

 

I fished the Bassmaster-Kayak tournament on Dale Hollow last April - 3 days of pre-fishing then 2 days of the tournament. That's a long time sitting, and I didn't have a seat cushion of any kind. The last day, one of the other competitors asked me how I was doing? I said, "Fishing is good, but I think my crack is 5 inches longer than a week ago!" 

 

That's when I heard about the new XTR and Tempress seat. I had those seats on my Yar-Craft 10 years ago and they were the bomb! 

11 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

That's when I heard about the new XTR and Tempress seat.

 

Tempress seat, huh? Clever name. I wonder if I could mount it on my Old Town Predator 13 kayak. I too want a comfy bum!

30 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

 

Tempress seat, huh? Clever name. I wonder if I could mount it on my Old Town Predator 13 kayak. I too want a comfy bum!

I think if there’s your standard Springfield or Atwood style seat base it would likely work..

On 11/14/2025 at 9:21 AM, FryDog62 said:

Let’s shoot for 11/21. I vote Hartwell this time if that’s ok. I was out yesterday and picked up 8 Spots off of points with jerkbaits. Fun! 

 

Hartwell it is. Let me know the ramp location.

 

Your new Kistler is here. Bring a spare reel for it.

On 11/14/2025 at 11:09 AM, FryDog62 said:

That's a long time sitting, and I didn't have a seat cushion of any kind.

 

I have a gel cushion attached underneath the seat with zip ties in my AP120. This way it doesn't slide off.