NYWayfarer

In NY news: Staten Island Chuck predicted an early spring. However our local Upstate NY groundhog predicted 8 more weeks of winter... Its been real cold up here.

Grats! I wish you much luck.

I have a Cabelas inflatable PFD. It was about half the price of my kayak but worth every penny. It’s light, doesn’t interfere with paddling or casting and its an open back style. That helps you sit properly in your kayak.

I am unable to stand in my kayak. I fish most every kind of bait from it and I would say I have the most trouble with jerkbaits and walk the dog style baits. Not being able to point the rod tip down makes me have to alter the way I move these baits and it is not as comfortable to me. Whopper Ploppers are great when kayaking. I have a 2lb pickerel hit the WP right next to my kayak. Really got the heart pumping.

These are pretty new. I have not seen them yet at my local DSG. I have however used the Berkley Fusion line of hooks and they are a great value option for hooks IMO. Hopefully these halfhead jigs will be of the same quality.

The difference between the Ocho and the Senko is the shape and scent. They are both cylindrical baits but the Ocho has 8 flat sides where the Senko is round. The Ocho has the Strike King coffee and salt scent while the Senko has, to my nose, no added scent.

My choice would be a Berkley Havoc Pit Boss.

The Shimano Caenan

They are in-store deals. My DSG uses stickers (pink or yellow dot) to indicate sales on the rods. I got two of those blue elite tec spec rods for $19.99 each a few months ago. Wish I saw the Veritas 2.0 rods.

He speaks the truth. On ebay Speed Demon is also on sale for $53.99 and Stealth for $39.99

And *bleeps* of steel to be in the water in the dark with Gators.

The Stealth is great for casting weightless plastic and light lures. The cross-drilled wiffled spool is crazy light.

For bathroom breaks on the water a red solo cup works as well. It has as large an opening as anyone human will need I never leave on a kayak excursion without one.

If you are going to get both eventually, I would suggest starting with the Assassin. It is a more versatile reel than the Speed Demon. I have used mine for jerkbaits, topwater, shakyheads, tubes and T-rig Senkos.

I use the Palomar knot exclusively for everything other than tying two pieces of line together. It is an easy to learn, strong knot.

My old Pflueger Supreme came with one. I was included to protect the magnesium foot from being damaged from the reel seat. It was basically a piece of cardboard with folding tabs. Once it became unusable due to wear and tear I cut out a new one from a file folder I had laying around the house.

Glad I am not the only one that thinks this isn't a good idea.

Good eye. They got the reel in the right direction on their Field and Stream weekly flier.

The Exostick is pretty tough. I get quite a few fish out of one bait. Seems like these will last longer than the Keitech. That squid scent on the Keitech is the real magic though. Might have to put a Fat Impact in a baggie with these Exoswims and let them marinate.

It will be missed. Still one of my favorite reels. Mine is the metal reel with the lubrication port and it was less than $100 when I purchased it.

Very nice gesture. That's quite a haul!

I like, in no particular order: Abu Garcia Powell St Croix Denali Fenwick One three fishing

I am going to try these as a drop shot bait this year. Hooking it through the solid nose part seems like a great idea for dropshotting.

Get yourself an Assassin. Out of all the Kastking BC's I own (White max, Spartacus, Stealth, Assassin, Speed Demon) it's my favorite. Like @J Francho said it's light, smooth and the brakes are very forgiving of backlashes.

Second vote for this. I am liking the Berkley Fusion hooks. I like the low price and quality seems to be decent.