Crankin4Bass

How about an Ugly Stik GX2 4'9" heavy? I saw a video on youtube of a guy using this with a diawa bg and 50lb braid for frogs. (sorry I can't find the video.)

I don't think your gonna win a fight with a croc with a knife unless your Crocodile Dundee, but how about a Buck 119. https://www.buckknives.com/product/119-special-knife/0119FAM01/

Are you talking about the last generation? I prefer those over the current model. Dick's has the current generation and there is a 25% off sale today! Great reel for the price. https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/pflueger-president-spinning-reel-17pfluprsdnt30spnree/17pfluprsdnt30spnree

Fish Code Studios is interesting and he has a video featuring Rick Clunn. The guy has a PhD from Harvard! Thanks for sharing that one.

No. Sorry I haven't used that reel. I just mentioned it as an option for anyone reading this thread looking for a more affordable reel. I think there probably are lot of people on here that have used them. Hopefully they can chime in with some firsthand experience.

I agree there just are not a lot of 5 speed options anymore. All the manufacturers are pushing faster reels and that's what everyone is buying. I also still like slower reels for cranking. I wish Shimano still made a 5 speed low profile reel. I also use a Calcutta 200d, but that is a round reel and out of the OP's price range. A lot of people like a 6 speed and there are tons of options available. Another slow speed reel I found was the Bass Pro Qualifier 2 in a 5.6:1 with a 23" ipt for $100. I think those are also made in Korean in the same Doyo factory where they make Abu Garcia and Lew's reels.

A lot of good info in the second video. Thanks!

Second vote for the Revo Winch. It's made for cranking. It's 5.4:1 with 22" IPT. Another reel to look at is the Lews BB1. It's 5.1:1 with 21" IPT. Some people really love it and it's only $160

If your wife likes the seat in the Perception Sunrise, you might want to look at the LL Bean Manatee 10. It's similar to the Perception sunrise 10 except it has a tank-well you can put a crate in. It's only $399. For $449 you can get a package with a basic paddle and a cockpit cover. The Manatee is made by Perception for LL Bean. I also have a bad back. I tried many kayaks and eventually decided to go with a sit on top with a frame style seat. Two years ago, when I bought my kayak there were not many options around me so I went with the Perception Pescador Pro 100. This kayak has been comfortable for me. I can fish for hours without much pain. In your price range kayaks there are not many options with frame seats. One option is the Lifetime Teton Angler which is currently $350 at Dick's. I seen it go on sale for as low as $300. Another option is the Pelican Premium Sentinel 100XR which is $470 at REI. These are not going to be the most stable kayaks and you definitely won't be able to stand, but the seats should be comfortable and they are in your price range. Most stores will let you sit in the kayak with it on the floor. Just ask. If not, you can take the frame seat out and set it on the floor to try. Many of the manufactures advertise this a feature to use the seat as a lawn chair on the shore. With a bad back you also have to give serious consideration as to how you will transport the kayak. It's not as easy to just toss the thing on the roof. Carrying it in the bed of a truck or on a trailer is easier. Hopefully other will chime with more ideas. Don't forget to get a PFD. Good Luck!

Anybody worried about EEE (Eastern equine encephalitis) in New England? I like kayak fishing in the evening but this has put a damper on that. Even with deet the mosquitos still love to bite me. The state is recommending not doing outdoor activities after dusk. Major bummer.

I like the NRS straps too. I have been using them for the last year to secure my kayak to my roof rack. I'm glad to hear they are also the way to go for a truck bed. Thanks for all the detail on securing the kayak. I appreciate the advice!

Another question. Do you tie the rear handle to one tie down in a corner near the cab or run the strap through both tie downs in the corners?

Thanks! Do you wrap it around the handle near the cab or just slide it though?

What's the best way to tie down a kayak in the bed of a truck with the tailgate open? If anyone has pics or video that would be great!

La Barbecue is pretty tasty.

I've seen people use ski racks around here in MA. Thule used to make a holder for rods called the 885 Castaway. You might be able to find one of those used.

I order two rods and from Dick's. They shipped them with no protection, just loose in one box. One side of the box was actually open and I am shocked the rods even arrived. Even more surprising was the rods made it with no damage. Only problem was one was the wrong model rod! I took to my local store it back and they gave me a refund. I have had good luck with TW and Cabela's. Both shipped rods wrapped in a plastic sleeve, suspended in a hard tube. The rod from Cabela's also had foam on the tip and butt.

Is there an option of reusing the reel from the rod that snapped and spend all $200 on the new rod?

I use the same with a Paca Chunk. Keitech makes great quality products.

Maybe a Loomis MBR 783 c or 843c. I have the GLX but you can get a E6X for under $200.

I agree you don’t always need high dollar rods for some techniques. I have some expensive rods like a Loomis GLX but I also have that same Rick Clunn 6’8” square bill rod and love it too. I got it and the deep cranking model for $25 each on close out at Dicks. I also searched for the Lipless rod but never could find one. I only wish the square bill rod was a little lighter. I have tried a few other Crankbait rods but haven’t found one I like better. I don't do much crankbait fishing out here in MA anymore because all the ponds I fish are so full of weeds that I can barely fish a texas rig without pulling in weeds on every cast. I also have an Academy H20 Xpress Ethos HD Crankbait rod I got on sale but I don't like it as much as the Clunn rod. I have been eyeing a St. Croix Avid X 7” MM, but I can’t get past the micro guides. I also think I will always keep the Rick Clunn Square Bill rod. There is something about it that feels great. I think it’s the heavy(slow) action and the way it vibrates when winding a square bill back in.

I prefer the older Shimano 6 pin VBS braking system on my Chronarch E series and Calcutta D reels than the new systems on my Shimano Chronarch G and Curado 70. I am not a fan of the little fine adjustment dial on the newer reels. On the older reels I just turned 2 brakes on the Chronarch's and 3 brakes on the Calcutta's on and never have needed to adjust them. I also prefer the way the Chronarch E's open and that the side plates are attached.

That looks nice. Are you using a bent or straight shaft paddle? If it's bent, do you think that is a big upgrade if you already have a straight carbon fiber paddle?

I have a Werner Camano. I got it on sale for $220. It’s super lightweight and felt the most comfortable of any of the paddles I looked at. I started with a cheap paddle and this was such a huge upgrade.

I have a small Simms Headwaters Sling Pack. I bought it 4 years ago. Unfortunately, they don’t make it anymore. I haven’t seen the new model which is called the Freestone. Orvis makes a similar pack called the Safe Passage. I bought the Simms over the Orvis pack because I liked that the water bottle holder was inside. Other than that my Simms model and Orvis one are very similar. Since I bought my Simms pack sling packs have become more popular and there are some good cheaper options. Two other good options I’ve seen at Dick’s are an Ugly Stick pack for $30 and a Spiderwire pack for $40. I carry a couple packs of plastics, 1 small 5 compartment Plano box with lures, 1 small open fly box with hooks in their packages, bug spray, sunscreen, first aid kit, Dr Slicks forceps with scissors, side cutter, and a towel with grommet hooked to the pack. I also keep fish grips in a sheath on my belt with a coiled lanyard. The fish grips are great when I use trebles or if i catch a fish with teeth. Which model do you have?