J Francho

I've learned this is why I don't like the boat. I rarely fish the waters it was intended for. It's a terrible flat water boat.

I have a demo Avid, built around 2000. It doesn't have all the normal labels, handwritten specs, and can assure you it's legit because St. Croix verified it when they repaired the reel seat. It's not out of the realm of possibility that it's legit. That place has a good reputation, and would not likely sully that by selling fakes.

You can flutter the the fins with half strokes into about 6" of water. This works over pads and all but the gnarliest of slop. There's always the paddle as well. Here is the Compass, with the Mirage Drive deployed, and beached. https://photos.smugmug.com/Family/Fishing-Journal/i-nw7vt3s/0/80963f73/X2/IMG_1037-X2.jpg

I though this too, until I got into some better boats. My OG Ocean Kayak PBG was like paddling a sheet of plywood. My Wilderness Systems Commander 140 is a fast boat, and I could stand on the gunwales and fish in still water. My current Hobie Compass, while pedal driven, can be paddled and is no dog when running paddles. I have a Jackson Coosa, and while standable, not as stable, has lesser tracking ability, and is pretty slow. It's really meant for bouncing down shallow rivers, in tight quarters, and excels in that area.

Try it in the cold, pouring rain. With thunder and lightening crashing around you. Even getting my Hobie Compass into the bed of my truck is an ordeal.

Car topping a PA12 seems optimistic. Not a fan of outriggers on a kayak, though. Pretty sure an Outback would suit you best.

Yuck!

Keep fighting brother!

Back in the 90s, I picked up a sweet worm rod by Fenwick. It was designated for walleye rip baits.

Half a decade is 5 years. I'm not even 50 yet, lol. I have a few rods from sponsors, but it's been awhile since I've been sent one to review. When I bought my rods, I bought Avid, Legend, GLX, Champ Extreme, so no real reason to replace anything.

Is it you don't care for the larger hook, or are you actually losing baits in cover? I use the same trailers, and don't have an issue. Sounds like you aren't losing baits, but that you don't like the looks of it. I haven't had too many issues losing them in wood. The blade bumps the wood and deflects the bait. On a retrieve, the hook is oriented upwards. As said earlier, the bigger hooks aid in better hook up ratios.

I used to do this, but haven't in years. In fact, I'm not sure I've bought a new rod in at least half a decade. I have so many reels, I can mix and match to get the "starters" for my trips.

I fish my baits at depths where bass are actively feeding.

I've brought them all the way to the boat on a hookless crankbait. You just have to be a bit gentler with them.

Yellow perch, white perch, alewife, gobies, crawfish, leeches.

@Crestliner2008 Good to hear back from you!

I can't imagine permanently mounting a break my window sign in my truck. Use your smart phone. They make cheap dash mounts.

I always start with moving baits.

Get well soon, buddy!

That boat is WAY cool!

My dad used spinning exclusively, and loved pike fishing. He had a DAM Quick 5000 size reel, and used 12# mono. Rod was a 7-6 MH Garcia rod. Caught 'em fine.

Next time try being born with webbed toes!

You'll get a range of opinions on this. The trailer I use is a trailer hook.

Each kid has their own personality, too. My oldest was all business on the water. My youngest was a delinquent. He took a little longer to learn to follow the rules.

This is highly variable based on how much weight is in the boat. This includes people, gear, motor, batteries, etc.