Eric J

lol... I know how true that is...

Going into my first Kayak tournie season... My current rod count is as follows; Spinners- Lews TP1 6.9 Med/Lt Elysian Arcadian 6.8 Med/Lt Elysian Arcadian 7.0 Med Caster Lew's Carbon Fire 7.0 Med/Hvy My plan is to take 4 rods on the Yak; 2 Spinners and 2 Castsers. a Med/Lt and the Med SPinners and the Med/Hvy Caster . Given what I own at this point what do you all recommend for that 2nd caster? What gap do I need to fill? Eric J

Gotta thank you all for the great info! Eric J

Florida on one rig... I'll be in Fla last week of February and will have some time to fish while the wife has biz meetings and such. I'll have a single rod with me. Med 6.6 spinning travel rod. I'll be fishing mostly plastics I guess maybe some cranks and jigs. I pretty much have only used mono for my Med Lt rigs and do well with that. Braid (30lb) is on my Med/Hvy only. Should I just stick with mono for the trip or go with braid just in case of cover and heavier bass (I'm from New York)? Will there be higher line shy issues with braid and what lb test? I usually use 8lb mono so 15lb braid? Will be in the Naples area then closer to West Palm later in the week... Any help is appreciated...

I don't know if it's illegal not to wear one but its an immediate DQ if caught without your PFD on in any KBF event.

Damiki Angel EX Med spinner, $79.99. Are there any issues with having the attendants store it in the hanging closet on the plane? Tackle Warehouse is where I found the Damiki. I'm part of Team Elysian though and may get a custom from them but the thought of losing that one worries me... The alternative would be to ship it to destination in Florida.... Eric J

I'm looking for a 2 piece travel rod. Something I can keep in the car and take on a plane. I'm thinking of the Damiki Angel EX spinner, $79.99. Anyone have any suggestions? Eric J

Not to get overly technical but... While Gear Ratio is a constant the IPT will continue to change based on how full the spool is. So then, how accurate to how much line is reeled in is gear ratio?

I picked up an Okuma Stratus at a ridiculous price. Really had no choice ;). It's a smaller ratio than I'm used to- 5.0:1. I figure it might be good for finesse fishing. Anyone use spinners that reel this slow? Any thoughts? Eric J

Some days I will go out to work with a single type of bait or even a single bait. Forces me to concentrate on that one till I feel confident. Buckets or sight markings in the backyard are great for casting practice with a weighted line as well. Eric J

Hey all... Was out fishing with a buddy today and caught a couple decent bass but my Lew's Carbon Fire Med Lt 6.8 spinning rod snapped midway between the top eyelet and the 2nd one down. Second time this model has done that. That leaves me with one bass rod, a caster 7' Med Hvy. I have a 7' Med spinner on its way from Elysian but I'm looking for a 3rd rod. Any recommendations as to type? I don't need brands as I'm on staff with Elysian and that's the brand I'm obligated to use. I'll be doing my first Kayak Bass Fishing Tournie series in 2019. Any suggestions on a 3rd rod? Eric J

I use straight 30lb braid on my Med Hvy caster for the heavy stuff and punching. I have a Med Lt that I have only fished with straight 8lb mono and have done well with. 2019 will see me in my first Kayak tournie series and I want to broaden my arsenal.

Why Braid to Flouro rather than straight Flouro? Mainly for lighter lures or finesse fishing. Doesn't the knot create another weak spot? And if we go by the old adage that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link doesn't that just make the braid irrelevant? Eric J

Thanks flogger and Russ as well. Follow up question; I have a spinner set up, the rod is a Med Lt 6.8. I'm thinking about a second spinner which may become my primary finesse rig for representation reasons. WOuld I be better off with a Med or is even that too much for finesse?

Concerning finesse fishing, given the same rod, ie; same length, weight, action etc... What does a spinner reel offer over a caster? Eric J

I own two Carbon Fire combos; A spinner on a 6'8" Med Lt and a caster on a Med Hvy 7'. Love them both and use them constantly...

lol... Come to New York. Down state. Then show me what you got...

Great discussion and suggestions all. Thank you!

My first season back has been great. Right now I have a Med/Lt spinner and a Med/Hvy Baitcaster. I'm looking for another baitcaster, thinking a Med fast action. Question is; How is it using Mono on the baitcaster. I use 30lb braid on my Med/Hvy.

Trees give life to so much but sometimes if you release too early, they. are. not. your. friend.

Bow hunting, good analogy. Don't shoot anymore but still have a Jennings and a 6 foot long bow,,,

I was away from fishing for many years, Spinners were still the reel of choice and I always cast with the right and reeled with the left. Casters were not yet a freshwater thing. So when I got back into it it just felt natural to go left hand retrieve. No reason for me to try to change up, I don't have any issues with right hand cast/left hand retrieve... Really just curious...

When I bought my baitcaster I went with a left hand retrieve as it feels more natural to me, maybe because of years of spinning with left hand. Plus I'm a right handed and that's my power hand/arm. But I see so many right handed anglers go with a right hand retrieve, do the pass over after cast and set with the left hand. Any reason why you righties go with a right retrieve?

Which is why starting with the "free" combo is my ticket in. I really want to explore but don't want to invest on expectations...

Been going back and forth on this. I have a buddy I fish with who used to fly fish, which I never knew. He's going to run me through the ABC 's and we'll see what's what. I'm buying a Kayak for next season, my first and want to add a few more rods to the arsenal. So we'll see...