GaterB

Thanks everybody!

Any opinions on the St. Croix Rage Rods? Looking at the 6'10" Medium Extra Fast

Yes medium power, with a fast action tip. Thanks for the clarification, I was mistaken. Just checked it out on TW. Looks great! Thanks!

Okay, I have a gap in my rod arsenal that I'm looking to fill. I need a rod that will throw square bills and medium diving crankbaits, along with weightless plastics and topwater baits such as spooks and poppers. I'm not too concerned about price, because I'll be saving up for the rod and can make do for the time being. The new rod will be paired with a Lew's BB1 baitcaster. I am looking for a medium action rod with a faster tip so I can make casts into the tight places I get into in the kayak. For this purpose I'm leaning more towards a rod 7' or shorter. If you guys could provide suggestions as to what brands make the type of rod I'm describing I'd appreciate it. I've looked around the net and found some that interest me, but I haven't had the chance to actually handle a lot of different rods in person, so I'm hoping you guys have some hands on experience. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

I agree. I'd love to be able to skip some docks in the spring for those spawners i've never been able to reach. I've heard it works to practice by skipping just a lead weight across flat concrete but I haven't tried it yet. That may be what I do to practice once it gets really cold.

Okay cool I'll try to focus on that when I get back out on the water later this week. Thanks!

Could somebody explain exactly when they thumb the spool? Every video or explanation says nothing about when to apply pressure. I was actually practicing skipping today with a fluke, and had a few successes, but mostly a lot of backlash. When I did do it right, the bait made that nice flickering sound across the water and went sailing under the small dock I was practicing on with no loops in my line. Problem is I didn't exactly know how I did it. Another question I have is where most proficient skipper's lure first makes contact with the water. Is it close to the target area or further back? Today I accidentally did both, but wasn't consistent with my point of impact so I couldn't tell what worked better.

What mkfriedrich said above is spot on. The Shimano warranty is the best I've heard of.

No problem. I've never used a Veritas but i've heard a lot of good things about them. I've talked to multiple people who have whole arsenals of them for tournament fishing. I would get the reel first, and then take it to a store and mount it on the rod. See how you like the balance, and decide from there. It's got to feel right in your hands. The pflueger is my first choice, but I also like the Okuma Trio reels, which can be had for around the same price.

Can't beat the pflueger president reel. Workhorse reel for around $60. That leaves you some room to get a higher quality rod. With spinning gear and finesse fishing in general, sensitivity is key. So spending a little more on the rod is worth it IMO. There are a lot of great offerings out there with what you'll have left, and you'll have yourself an awesome spinning setup.

Thank you sir! Definitely be checking that out this weekend!

Gotcha. You can't go wrong with any of what you listed above IMO. I just gave some general ideas of the stuff I've had experience with. Good prices on Revos are out there as well if you don't want to pay retail. I'm always looking for a deal!

I love my *** rod, and the Bucoo rods are overrated in terms of power (MH is more of a Medium). They are super light though and I've wanted to try one out. That being said, I have a Revo SX that I love, and many people love the S as well. The Veritas MH is going to be stiffer, and closer to what most companies call a Heavy, but if you're in thicker grass or heavy cover that would be ideal. They are quality rods as well and I know that many people love Veritas rods. Have you considered Lew's reels? They offer some great products that can be had for a steal on here in the flea market or on ebay. In the end, i'd say pick what YOU like and what feels good. Everyone's taste is a little different, and fishing is all about comfort (for me anyway). If you like how a setup feels, you'll fish it. If you don't, you won't. I have bought combos that I thought I'd love, and they don't feel like I thought they would on the water, so they don't get used.

I'm new to kayak bassin and the Gastonia, NC area. I want to hit the water tomorrow morning but don't know many places. Any recommendations for some good spots to kayak fish? Don't really want to hit the bigger lakes (Wylie, Norman) alone--I just got into kayak fishing and want to get more comfortable first.

Gonna be pretty good probably especially down there where the water will just be cooling off for the fall

Thanks everybody! I just went out for the first time today. First off, I LOVE kayak bassin!! Secondly, my 135 is basically stock as far as rod storage. I took four combos, with two behind me in the bungees and two underneath me up front. Worked decently well and the rods were either 6'7 or 7'. I will definitely want to install some rod holders soon, but until then I'm just enjoying the benefits of finally getting off the bank! Caught 10 on a lake I've never had more than two in a trip. You guys definitely helped me feel confident in not needing to shorten up my arsenal, and now having been out on the water, I'm amazed at how well fishing kayaks are engineered. Never thought I'd be able to stand and catch fish on a kayak. Amazing.

Just wondering what a lot of kayak anglers prefer to take with them on the yak. I just got a WS Ride 135, and want to know how other guys set up their fishing combos. I want to know not so much brands, but more so the lengths and actions of the rods, and the gear ratios of the reels. Thanks!

I appreciate it! I really wish I could take one or two of those off your hands, but I just purchased a kayak and I'm pretty tapped out right now on my fishing budget

Thanks guys! Def helps me make a decision--in all honesty I'll probably just go with the tourney pro. I have one already and love it, and can get it cheaper than the super duty!

Anybody have thoughts on why Lew's has two "workhorse" reels? I'm looking to pick one of these up, and I'm wondering which one is better. They seem really similar. Price doesn't really concern me, i'm mainly wondering why Lew's has two reels so similar, and which one you guys would recommend.

I'd go with the M in either the 7'1 OR the 6'7". Lighter stuff is going to be easier to toss with a M power. The MH Omens have really good backbone while maintaining accurately rated actions.

Okay. I don't know how I missed it for this long, but I just saw the new Daiwa Tatula reels, and I'm head over heels with desire. Does anyone have one that can give feedback? Are they all that I think they are, or have I been suckered in by those sexy cosmetics and Daiwa's excellent marketing?

Thanks everybody. Makes me feel better that I'm not the only one who has noticed this. Hopefully soon I'll be able to give a Shimano a try, and find out why so many people won't use anything else!

I appreciate it but at the moment I can't buy any more gear--gotta save as much as possible for gas and books. I hope you don't but if you still have it in a month or so you'll probably hear from me!

Why does it seem that every brand EXCEPT Shimano seems to offer specials, discounts, or price reduction for used or older models of gear? As a young angler just beginning to get serious about bass fishing, I have been trying out different brands of baitcasters for the past couple of years now. I use or have used Lew's, Abu, Quantum, BPS, and Daiwa reels. Most of these I was able to acquire used or during a discount/sale. I do not like buying baitcasters at retail cost, because so many of them can be had for less if one takes the time to look around. I just graduated from college, so money is a concern for me at this point in my life. It has taken time to acquire my equipment, and I do not make a purchase carelessly. All of that being said, I have searched high and low for a Shimano Chronarch for around the $150-$160 mark. I got my Lew's Tournament Pro, and Quantum Smoke in that range, and a member here gave me a great deal on my Revo SX. The Chronarch was actually going to be my first higher end baitcaster when I started my collection, but I never was satisfied with a price. Part of that is my fault, because I just don't want to shell out the cash. However, I would think that EVENTUALLY a deal would come along that I could act on. One hasn't. So, this is a question to all: Does the bargain Chronarch exist, and if so where do I find it? I know that there are a lot of Shimano fans on this site, so I'm hoping someone will have an answer. P.S. I am speaking about the E series Chronarchs that replaced the older Curados. I never was a fan of the green machine even though I always hear about how great they were/are.