FishTank

I have a 13 Fishing Omen Black that I have been happy with. Cast well, loads well, and gives a good hook set> To me, that's all you really need in a swimbait rod. Bass don't nip or slurp a big swimbait, they crush it.

I have used the 844 and the 783 for cranks. Its ok but not ideal. I prefer the St. Croix Legend Tournament for medium to deep crankbaits and the IMX Pro Crankbait rods for topwater, shallow crankbaits, and square bills.

I have been looking to get a new Hobie kayak and heard the same thing back in August of 2021. All prices will jump for gear, especially for companies with protective pricing.

Wow. Thanks for the heads up. I was thinking of getting the Lavante Jerkbait Special and contacted a tackle shop that I can't mention here and got it for $160 with their coupon. They, for whatever reason, let you use coupons on Megabass stuff but the Levante is the only rod they have stock on.

If your hard on you gear like me, the St Croix Avid has been my go to for kayak fishing. I tend to beat up rods and reels in a kayak far more than I do in a boat. The model that has been my do all for over ten years is the 7' MH Fast. Also, any time I get a new reel I test it on this rod. I try multiple baits with it because I know already how each one should feel and cast.

The Max Sent has worked ok for me. Maybe just slightly better than PowerBait. The only bait that did better is the Berkley 7in Power Worm. I think some of the designs in the MaxScent don't lend themselves well to the plastic material they use, ie. the Lunch Worm but others do great like the Flat Worm. I also had a few of the MaxScent bags dry out, making the bait tear easier than a Senko. I want to try some of King Tail Worms. I have seen guys kill it on this bait.

1. Stay warm and dry. Gloves, hat, waterproof gear (get wet, you'll freeze and stay that way) 2. Find the fish. They are generally not near the bank 3. No braid. 4. Patience. Fish slow, stay were the fish are. 5. Deeper diving jerkbaits and mid crankbaits 6. Drop shot 8. A-rig and mid sized swimbaits 7. Be smart and know your physical limits as well as the person you are fishing with.

Its almost a tie between jerkbaits and swimbaits. One wears out my hands and the other is mentally fatiguing.

If you are looking to try something different, I have had good luck with Sunline Xplasma. It nothing magical, it's braid. It is better than 832 and 832 is good line. The color fades but slowly. It doesn't show a lot of wear and it cast light lures well. Knot strength is just the same as other lines. I am getting ready to change mine after two years of use just because the color is faded. I do like to use leader for this line with finesse stuff but not for topwater.

I use to use the Owner Stinger hooks until they were outlawed at a tournament I fished. I really haven't gone back to them since. They do work but I guess the idea is that it can damage the fish. Not sure how that is any different from a big jerkbait with 3 treble hooks.

I have heard enough bad things about it to steer clear of it but after doing some looking on line, I would run away instead. Just one note..... It says "US Company" on the box. This is a clear BS indicator. If it was "Made in the USA", they would clearly state that instead. I would stick with Sufix, PowerPro, etc...

Nice. I have just one note on this reel..... When I received mine and first fished it, it sort of felt just like any other mid range spinning reel but it wasn't until a couple of trips and a few fish in the boat that this reel started to feel better and different from all the rest. It also is my go to when at the end of a long day of fishing a tournament, I want something that is light and easy on my hands. I have paired mine with a G. Loomis NRX+ 803S.

Ya, I noticed the handle looked big when I compared it to my Curado K. The reel it's self is slightly bigger too but if feels good. The handle is similar in size to the one on the Metanium XG. The larger handle on the BB1 feels more natural based on its larger size. Yours should be great for crankbaits but I have the 7.5:1 and plan to use it for topwater and jerkbaits. It will be heavily used this season or at leasts that's the plan.

I am looking forward to trying it out. It's 15 degrees outside in my neck of the woods. I think I am going to wait until it warms up a bit. It feels good in hand though.

I just received mine and we'll see how it goes. This thought went through my head when it showed up. ?

I have 3000XG with 16lb braid and 10lb leader and it's amazing. Smooth, light, lots of power and the drag is buttery smooth. It has more drag power than what I need for the bass I catch. I just set it accordingly. No need to tighten it all the way down.

I have tried several for crankbaits. Including > Sunline Assasin, Sunline Sniper, Seaguar Tatsu, Seaguar Invizx, Seaguar Red Label, Trilene XL and regular 100% FC, Gamma, Daiwa Samuri and P-line. For crankbaits Invizx hits the Goldilocks zone. Softer than most FC but not too soft, knot strength is on par for its diameter, and it holds up pretty well. With that said, it's not my favorite line for crankbaits. Sunline Defier mono has been go to for the past few years.

Once a year but some that get heavy use will get taken apart twice. I actually think just the opposite. Taking a spinning reel apart can be very complicated as models and designs are different between manufactures and they have also evolved over the years. Most bait casters are pretty much the same. Here would be an extreme example of the point I am trying to make.

I have found a few over the years but some more recently have been getting more use..... Quantum Tour S3 of off Ebay. I payed less than $100 for it. It has been a fine reel and so far has fished as well as reels I have payed a lot more for. St. Croix Mojo Yak 7' M Fast. Great rod for the money. It's not the most sensitive but in a kayak its perfect. Every time I use it, it surprises me. Abu Garcia Fantasista Registra 7' M Fast. I picked this up for a good price at Sierra Trading Post and its a top of the line rod with sensitivity, balance and power that can be compared to a G. Loomis GLX. Abu Garcia ALX. Not the smoothest reel but it sure is fun to fish. Shimano Vanquish spinning reel. A JDM only reel that is light and as smooth as the older Stellas.

I have two reels with cork knobs and found that I prefer the rubber septon knobs after extensive use. The cork starts to smooth out and becomes slick and hard.

A G Loomis IMX Pro 783C. This is a shorter rod, 6'6" and is great for bank fishing. It's rated as a MH but is closer to a Med. You can cast just about anything with it.

Sieberts and Dirty Jigs. Picasso would be another. Megabass has a killer swim jig as well. Best I have used.

A spy bait. Not sure that I have any confidence in it.

I had a pair of Costas many years ago. They got lost along the way. When I was looking for new glasses, I ended up with a pair of Serengeti's. Nice but not for fishing. I ended going to Smith sunglasses and so far they have been great. I now have 5 pairs. Each are specific to certain conditions. I also like their glass lenses better. I would try a pair Costas again but they seem to be not as well made as they use to be. They are still nice though.

I tried it on casting gear and was not a fan. The lakes I fish are stained and it turned the line brown in no time. In general, it just wasn't good line. There are better options at the same price.