HazeRVA

Holy crap. That is awesome! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks so much guys! Have a nice little group of kayaks to check out. Now/later options: Wilderness Systems Radar Wilderness Systems Recon Vibe Shearwater Bite the bullet: Old Town Topwater 120 PDL

Thanks guys! Keep em comin! Looked at the Jackson Big Rig, but at $3500 all told that is out of the budget. As for the Zulu, that is cool, but not for me. Thanks for the suggestion though!

Oh, I will take a look at that. Thanks! Any insight into the Vibe Shearwater? A friend has that and it is also convertible, but he hasn't had it but a couple weeks so no longterm durability review. Saw where it is also accepts the Hobie drive systems. Might be an option to get it without the drive and get the Hobie drive later. That does bring up another question though. Is there a major difference between the pump style pedals and the bicycle style?

Probably $2000 with some wiggle room. Really like that Topwater 120 PDL at $2200, but also need to get the roof rack system which is gonna be $400+ which is why I was hoping to get a paddle now and add pedal later.

400lbs would be ok for my weight? Figured I would need more overhead, but have no idea really. Edit: The seat rating is only 275.... Ha! Thanks that was actually the next link in my Google search. I posted before reading that one.

So I am beginning to look into getting my first kayak. I know no one has them at the moment so I have plenty of time to start looking and narrowing my focus. I think I am going to start just paddling as I will need to buy a roof rack system as well. I was hoping to be able to add pedal drive later, but it doesn't seem like there are many "convertible" kayaks. Especially for a big guy. I am currently 310lbs. Working on getting that way lower as it is the heaviest I have ever been. Paddling a kayak should help with that some too, I would think. I am narrowing it further by wanting a 450+ lb capacity, without moving up to a 13'+ kayak. My cousin has the Old Town Topwater 120 PDL, which is really nice. I was thinking about the regular Topwater 120 and adding the pedal drive later, but it is not designed for that. FeelFree isn't the only one who makes their boats with the option to add pedal drive later are they? Thanks for the insight!

Really liking my Eye Surrender polarized glasses.

Placed my first Siebert's order: Fogy - Weight: 3/8, Blade Color: Black Nickel, Collar: Wire Tie, Skirt Color: Black & Blue Fogy - Weight: 3/8, Blade Color: Black Nickel, Collar: Wire Tie, Skirt Color: Hot Sauce Fogy - Weight: 3/8, Blade Color: Black Nickel, Collar: Wire Tie, Skirt Color: Lightning Craw Fogy - Weight: 3/8, Blade Color: Stainless, Collar: Wire Tie, Skirt Color: MudShad Cosmic Double Willow Spinnerbait - Weight: 3/8, Collar: Wire Tie, Skirt Color: Super White Then ordered what is seemingly the only Yamamoto Zako 4” 6pk Watermelon Copper Orange Red Laminate left in existence from ALF Also ordered some bearings for some level wind upgrades during teardown/cleaning.

Dang it...subscribed. Want to hear the suggestions....been looking into UL lately.

That's what I figured. I have the Levante but have not seen the Royal or Deep Purple in person. Guess I'll go another route.

Anyone that buys Hedgehog/Ray's Studio parts have a newer Levante? I have seen where the Deep Purple is usually the go to for Daiwa/Megabass stuff, but seems like the thread wrap on the Levantes might be lighter. Should I go with the Royal purple? @rippin-lips maybe?

I have the Falcon BuCoo SR MH/MF in the 7' version (they call it the Trapcaster) for basically all of my treble hook baits. It fishes lighter than a MH and has a great bend to keep them pinned. I agree with the others, would not recommend mono as that would be too much give. I think mine has 30lb braid on it. Have moved everything else to 40lb so that will too when it is time. Probably not the best jerkbait rod as it has so much flex, usually you want a faster tip to be more responsive and impart the action on the bait, but I have used it successfully for jerkbaits. Have not thrown any single hook baits on this setup, and if I ever did I would make sure they are light wire. Absolutely love the rod though, can't recommend it enough.

1 x Megabass F5-72LV Diablo Spec R (Megabass 2021 Levante F5-72LV) 1 x Carbontex Daiwa Tatula 100 3 x Carbontex Daiwa Tatula 1 x Daiwa Tatula 6.3:1 Gear Set LEFT 1 x Daiwa Handle Nut Plate and Screw set - Red "Large" 1 x Daiwa Handle Nut Plate and Screw set - BLACK "Large" 1 x Cal's Drag Grease - 1oz 1 x TSI 321 - 1oz

Well, that took a turn.... Was planning on going with the Daiwa setup, but cannot find the 7'1" ML in stock. I will wait on that, but still plan on that being the setup I end up getting. That meant I was going to get a new chatterbait rod. Really been wanting to check out the Megabass Levante (yes I know about the previous issues). After reading and lots of YouTube, I just ordered a 2021 Megabass Levante Diablo Spec-R from TackleTrap. Excited and nervous all at the same time, like I am with any bigger purchase like this.

I'll watch that video later, thanks for that. My thinking was, bass fishing being a confidence game, if I am not confident in my setup, I won't use it, just like confidence in technique matters. I have other rods I can and have thrown chatterbaits on, so it isn't like I HAVE to have a new rod for that, but I do get you guys' point. Just not sure it makes sense to replace 1 of 4 BC rods when I feel like I don't have 1 quality spinning setup. Keep the thoughts coming. Obviously I still have some thinking to do!

No experience with the 150 but absolutely love my 100. So palmable and super smooth. My cousin, also a Lew's guy, tried it and was blown away. Said it was the smoothest reel he's ever felt.

Thanks for that! I had you in mind when looking at the Pflueger as I have read you recommending them. Editing first post to change size.

Hey guys need some input. First is deciding direction. I am torn on buying a new spinning setup vs buying a casting rod for chatterbaits. I love throwing a chatterbait and my rod (Abu Vengeance) broke, have been wanting to upgrade this rod anyway so this is a good opportunity to do that. However, I am also really considering getting a new spinning setup to force me into using more finesse tactics (Ned, Shakey, Dropshot etc.). I don't have any confidence in finesse and honestly think that starts with having no confidence in my setup, a Lew's American Hero combo. Looking at a ML if I go with a spinning setup. Have $150-$200 (could push to $250 if it is a noticeable upgrade). Here is what I am looking at: Option 1 - Falcon BuCoo SR 7' Med Lt paired with a Pflueger President XT 25X - I have a Falcon Bucoo SR Trapcaster that I love, but nothing else to go on. Have read some good reviews of Pflueger reels here. Option 2 - Daiwa Tatula 7'1" Med Lt paired with a Daiwa BG 2000 - pushing the budget a little, but have read a lot of good about Tatula rods and have read good things about the BG. Would also get me the Daiwa/Simms hoodie haha Casting rod I am looking at is the Daiwa Tatula 6'10" Med Hvy to use with my Tatula 100 for chatterbaits. Don't want a glass rod. Looking forward to the insight. Thanks guys!

Took delivery yesterday

Really like the Booyah Glow Blade, white with white willow blades.

Berkley Frittside Crankbait Honey Shad 9 MegaStrike Cavitron Buzzbait Black Black 3/8oz 6th Sense Curve 55 Crankbait 4K Shad 6th Sense Curve 55 Crankbait Mudbug Red Rapala Shad Rap Silver 7 6th Sense Provoke 106X 4K Shad Booyah Glow Blade Snow White Wil/Wil Wh/Wh 3/8oz Beast Coast Vanquish Flip Jig Cali-Melon Craw 3/8oz Beast Coast Vanquish Flip Jig Elite Craw 3/8oz Strike King Rage Craw Okeechobee Craw Picasso Tungsten Knocker Grn Pum Chrt Tiger/Blk 3/8oz Mustad Wacky O-Ring Replacement Pack Small Owner Hyper Welded Quick Snap 33lb Rogue Fishing Phone Tether

Oooohhh. Never heard of ProTech, gonna have to check them out. That and Hooker Bait and Tackle.

Just took delivery: Eye Surrender ESE Sunglasses Black/Copper Lens 6th Sense Crush 50x Craw Bomb