FryDog62

As a fellow yakker, I have a core of 3-4 rods that I always pack and one is a dedicated jerkbait rod. Versatility with limited rod storage is important, so that rod also serves dual purpose for small/mid cranks, squarebills, flat siders, etc. I think a jerkbait rod has to be just the right one, more than most other rods. The ability to impart just the right action - and parabolic enough to keep them on and well-pinned all the way back to the boat is key. Those small hooks can be great when setting the hook, but real heart-breakers when the fish jumps or makes a hard run boat side. Gotta have a rod with just the right “give.” I personally have used the graphite Dobyns crankbait rods for years as a jerkbait rod. The Champ XP in either 685cb or 705cb, same rod just different lengths. I like the shorter length in a kayak.

So far that’s the best set up I’ve found, single hook…

Wondering if anyone has experience using their mapping and waypoint SD cards? They say they extensively map well known, large bodies of water - with waypoints, structure, humps, brush piles, etc. The question is how accurate are they, anyone used it? Not cheap at $144. But when you are in a slow moving kayak and trying to learn a couple 50,000 acre reservoirs, it could help. If it’s accurate …

Sounds like you’ll have a good chunk of time off to participate in a tournament or two next year. The Bass Elite schedule for boaters just came out, would be nice if the Kayak trail would be released soon too. Last year it wasn’t published until late December.

Interested to see the 2025 Bassmaster Kayak series schedule. Last year they didn’t release it until late December.

I can still hear my dad - “Adapt”

I’ve started taking extra precautions too… fishing alone more now since I relocated. Fall is here, water is cold and hypothermia is a real possibility if you fall in. Thinking of getting a “dry suit” I can layer and stay warm on the deck or if I end up in the drink..

If there is any stained or muddy water, I like compact Indiana/Colorado bladed spinnerbaits like this that really thump:

Probably 12-15 lb Sniper... I much prefer 12 lb if I can get away with it.

My wife’s Aunt lives in Fort Myers and was completely flooded out and lost her home for both hurricanes Irma and Ian. After going through it twice and now at 79 years old she has given up. No longer has insurance and Milton is bearing down on her, expecting the worst. She’s not alone, many like her…

Slayed ‘em !!

These are all personal preference things, but since you are a Daiwa guy, consider the Tatula Elite. A couple years ago, I had 2 reels I used for jerk baits and buzzbaits. One was a Curado 70 and the other was an Alphas SV. I grew to really dislike them because it was so difficult to cast lighter, high profile lures like a jerkbait a buzzer far or smoothly. I had elbow tendinitis at the time and it got to the point where I didn’t even use a jerkbait or topwater at all. So I tested 5 different potential replacement reels to see which I could get best casting performance. I tried out 3 different Shimano MGL spool reels, a Daiwa Zillion and a Tatula Elite. The worst was the SV spool followed by the MGL’s. The Tatula Elite easily out-distanced them all. And it was a smooth, easy casting motion. The Tatula Elite may or may not fit your palm, but I have big hands too and I never think about the ergonomics of it, which means it must be a pretty good fit for my hands at least.

ALX Zolo Dream is a great all round rod.

I’m just old enough to remember the days that people would cough to cover up the sound of their own farts in public… then, during COVID, people would fart to cover up their coughs..

I skip Nekos under docks and overhangs. The lead is buried so if you hit anything it doesn’t make any noise and spook the fish or tick off the homeowner. I get a lot of reaction bites on the fall, if not, I use worms with floating tails that stick straight up versus a wacky worm that just rests on the bottom. If there is a bass there that sees the vertical Neko tail they will usually slurp it up. It's kind of like flippin' the bird at the bully on the playground... the bigger alpha bass can't be passive when provoked.

I guess if you’re 10 feet under water nothing will probably work. If your home or garage is dry/damp then the solar generator works great. I think I remember when I bought it that they are somewhat water resistant but not waterproof. Same with the lithium batteries in my kayak.

Actually the solar generators have lithium batteries that you charge up 2 times per year to a full charge. Ready to go when the power goes out. They will run several appliances (refrigerator, washer dryer, etc) a full day. As soon as the generator is started you connect the 3’ x 2’ solar panel in the yard and it keeps the charge topped off. Best of all, the generator sits inside with no emission or noise…. Unlike my neighbors gas generator that sounds like a diesel engine and stinks up the entire complex since we all have our windows open because the AC doesn’t work. I didn’t realize it until this disaster, but the patriot/solar generators are way beyond better than the other gasoline options available. And of course then there is the shortage of gas issue you don't have to deal with. Solar generators are a slick deal - I’m a believer…

A lot of people I know laughed at the whole doomsday food/water supply and solar generator packages available on the market from the various “Patriot” marketers. But they work and buy time until help and the digging out process begins.

I have a client that is in the wrap business (but not kayaks at least yet). They said to do a quality job takes a skilled person with a lot of experience. I decided I was skilled enough to wrap the PVC rod tubes on my trailer and it was an absolute bee-yotch. I got it done, but if I did anything extensive like a car, boat or kayak with irregular curves, I’d have a professional do it. You may be handier than I, so your results may vary. Let me know how it turns out. I also have never liked Old Town’s colors… although I do like the Ghost camo (sans the orange accents).

We are Day 5 without power in Greenville SC. We moved here a month ago and the locals already don’t like us… We came from Florida where hurricanes are common and they are not here in the elevation of the upstate region. They insist we go back lol… I’m making instant coffee again on the gas grill. It tastes suspiciously like the cheeseburgers we had last night. First world problems for us for sure compared to others just north of us in Asheville that are devastated.. If the dam breaks on Lake Lure, we might be surfing all the way back to Florida anyway…

Been there…

Funny thing, I went out early this morning and on my third cast hooked another rod on my backswing. Totally spooled the new braid I just put on… hadn’t had a birds nest like that in years..!

I have 8 vertical rod holders on my BlackPak Pro. It took me the first season to get used to casting around them at certain angles, but now I don’t even think about it. I had a bass boat up until a year ago. A couple years before that, I made the conscious decision to always hook my lures to the keeper on the rod when not in use and lay them on my front deck. Before that, If I was in a hurry I would just let lures dangle. More often than not, they would get tangled and weren’t ready when I needed to switch rods out quickly and grab one for a cast. I decided it was worth the extra 5-10 seconds each time to do it right. That transferred over to my kayak 3 years ago as well. Can it be a pain sometimes to hook everything to the keeper sure, but better than the complete PIA of having 2-3 rods in a tangled mess and 5 minutes to pull them all apart.

Nice hardware - be sure to double up on good leader material to ward off the toothy Scud Rockets!

Have had great luck with this spinnerbait - and no need for a trailer…