heavypic

Hi All - Thanks for your replies and advice/recommendations for PDF, paddles, kayak transport and water shoes, etc. I ordered the NRS Chinook PDF and Bending Branches Angler 'Ace' (260 cm) paddles from Austin Kayak today for me and son...good sale prices ongoing. I little yuk for the yakkers...I sat on a low perch with an 8ft, 2x4, paddling the carpet in the family room to help decide on paddle length (LOL!!...no pics, thankfully!). When I was researching how best to carry two Predator MXs on the surface of my 8 ft. pick-up truck bed, I came across these J-Bar Racks that I plan to bolt to a 2x4 frame - https://www.walmart.com/ip/Smarten-Universal-2-pairs-J-Bar-Kayak-Roof-Rack-Carrier-Canoe-Boat-Surf-Ski-Roof-Top-Mount-Car-SUV-Crossbar/484478941 $50.xx for 2 pair (4 total), rated for 75-90 lbs, good reviews and returnable if they're not suitable. Interesting to note that a recent review article on the 'best' J-Bar Racks linked to another vendor selling these same racks under a different brand name...all product pics/dimensions were the same as the Walmart product/link. I discovered these from a y-tube reviewer with no complaints. I'll post again to let you know how it goes with the yaks. I'm anxious to get on the water with rod and paddle in hand. Thanks again! Regards...

Hey all - OP here. Thanks for your advice/recommendations. You have me thinking that perhaps a 250 cm length paddle may better than a 260 cm. A guidance chart I saw online recommended a 260 cm length for a 6 ft or taller person in a 34" wide SOT fishing kayak. Perhaps an adjustable length would be wise. BTW...Do the Bending Branch paddles float, or is a tether needed? Thanks for confirming the NRS Chinook PDF as well. Lastly, I will likely forego the PVC rack as I subsequently read that it's best to transport kayaks on their side or resting on the gunnels. I may instead attach padded J Style Kayak racks to 2x4's and lay the assembly in the bed of my truck...much less work. This should work well for transporting two Predator MX kayaks with my truck tail-gait down and likely be easier to load/unload at truck bed height. Any additional advice is welcome and appreciated. I'll be back with an update. Thanks again...!!!

Hi All, Greetings! I am new to this forum and yak fishing. I purchased and will soon pick-up an Old Town Predator MX, 12’L x 34”W, 2-position hi/low stadium-style seat that pivots rearward to provide a roomy standing platform. I will paddle-only for now. I will be fishing lakes/reservoirs and streams/rivers (e.g. Delaware and Schuylkill), primarily for LM/SM bass and possibly other species in eastern Pennsylvania. I have fished from canoes and boats, but mostly bank fishing off/on most of my life. My current tackle includes 6.5-7.0ft bait-caster and spinning rigs, Plano tackle bag and 3700 boxes. I am considering the following purchases: • NRS Chinook PFD in Lg/ExLg size (looks good online but have not yet seen/tried for fit) • Bending Branch ‘Angler Classic’ (fiberglass shaft / 34 oz) or ‘Angler Ace’ (carbon shaft / 30 oz)paddle; 260 cm length • Water Shoes or old cross-trainers? On-board equipment will be simple initially (1 or 2 bait-casters and 1 spinning rod, enough tackle/baits for fishing, anchor/rope, net, whistle, bright-colored flag, safety light and rain-gear.) I will likely DIY a crate with rod/net holders. I plan to DIY a PVC (2” diameter) rack that I will ratchet-strap onto the 8ft bed of my Ram pick-up so I can stack/haul 2 kayaks (both MX's - mine and son). I am looking forward to being ‘on’ the water instead on the bank dealing with rip-rap, branches and the frustration of seeing a great spot I can’t cast to/reach. I sincerely appreciate recommendations for paddles, PDF and any other ‘essential’ equipment I need to get started. FYI – I am 6ft tall, 190-200lbs. I look forward to your replies. Tight lines and regards…

Hi Glenn - Thanks for your reply. I am using an ACER laptop (I5, 2.60 GHz processor), Windows 10 Home version, and Internet Explorer. I check 'properties' but cant find IE version. Winddows 10 was uploaded ~2.5 years ago. I look forward to your reply. Thanks again. Hi Glenn - continued from above...I am using Internet Explorer ver 11. Thanks again.

Hi All, Thanks for replies. I do indeed use IE, and my internet settings include deleting the above mentioned browsing history (Temp Internet Files, etc), on exit. I did this before posting here and it didn't work. This is the only website that is giving me this problem. Curious. I'll keep looking for a solution. Thanks everyone...

Hi All, Great forum site! I joined recently. Question: I am a member of other forums as well. I am having problems with BassResource.com in that posts, searched topics, etc. don't wrap on my screen making reading the post a real pain. Glenn (administrator) kindly replied suggesting I delete my cache. I went into internet options but can't seem to fix the problem. I know what a 'cache' is but don't know how to delete my cache to fix this problem. Frustrating because I use computer/software apps all day at work. Any suggestions on how to clear cache for this website? Thanks all! Regards...

Hey all - Thanks for your time and help. Some good points to think about. I'll take my time...got a lot to learn. However, I'm hoping to find a boat in the next few months and catch some Fall fishing. I'll keeping searching the forum for more info and will likely be back with more questions. Good luck out there... Regards,

Hi All - I'm new to the forum and have been searching info on aluminum boats. I have fished off/on most of my life in and out of boats, and am now fishing regularly with my adult son. I will mostly be fishing lakes/reservoirs and rivers in Eastern PA (Nocamixon Lake 2.2 sq mi – 20HP limit); Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers), but may travel to fish larger lakes occasionally. Fishing mostly for bass but looking for a deep-V, multi-purpose/species alum boat and motor for lakes and river fishing with 2, maybe 3 adults on board at 400-550 lbs (no children or skiing). I’ll be towing with a long-bed, std cab, Ram 1500, 5.7 hemi. After some research, I'm leaning toward the Alumacraft Escape 165 tiller or SC. Would like to spend 8K or less on a used boat in good shape this Fall, however I’ve seen a new 2018 Escape 165 tiller with new trailer and Yamaha 20HP for $12.2K (dealer). Advice/answers to questions sincerely appreciated: Opinions on 2014 or later Alumacraft Escape 165 tiller or SC for stated use? What size/brand gas motor for safe operation in larger lakes/rivers? (Yamaha, Merc, Suzuki, other?). Will a trolling motor alone work on Lake Nocamixon (20 HP limit) if I op for a larger gas motor for other uses? If so, what brand of trolling motor/power/battery set-up would you recommend for slow trolls, structure-fishing for bass for a full-day and getting back to the launch? Advice on brand/model of fish finders? Apology for all the questions. I look forward to your advice/replies. Thanks! Regards

I have the Spartacus Plus and my son has the Assassin. The reels are new to us both. Fished them a few times. Very smooth, dual brakes, and comfortable. Can't speak to longevity yet, but features and quality seem very good. I think they'll hold-up well if properly maintained. I paired my SP with KastKings Perigree II carbon/graphite rod, 7ft, M/MH bait casting rod...the 2 piece rods come with 2 tips of your choice (ML/M or M/MH). I just purchased/received KK's Perigree II M/MH 7ft Spinning Rod and Sharky III 3000 Spinning Reel as well but haven't used them yet. My son fishes the Sharky III 3000 reel and likes it a lot. I tried his Sharky...it too is very smooth and seem well made/good quality and apparently OK for saltwater per KK. KK gear seems like a good value for the $$. My experience is limited however...just returned to fishing after several years off... ...and now winter is coming...ugh!

Hey all - Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I'll consider the options. Thanks!

Hey all - Great forum site! My first post here. I starting fishing again after being away from the sport for too many years. On my first day back, I was lucky to catch a 3+ pound, 17-18" smallmouth on a plastic. My adult son witnessed the fun! Needless to say...we are hooked better than that fish!! Good to be back fishing...!! I am upgrading my tackle. Recent purchases include bait-casting / spinning reels and rods (carbon/graphite, MH, fast action, 7ft). I will be bank fishing mostly for bass in local lakes, reservoirs and rivers. I am considering purchase of a Shimano Clarus CSS66MH2D (spinning rod, fast, MH, 6'6", 30 ton graphite blanks, 2 pc). Looking at this length for ease of casting from the banks but will also eventually use it from a boat in the future. This model seems to be general-purpose. I will be throwing a variety of baits (plastics/worms/crawfish/Ned-rigs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, swim jigs, etc., 3/8 oz +) Looking for a spinning rod in this length/weight/stiffness/price-range with a decent size grip in front of the reel. Ideally, I want a fairly stiff, fast action rod with a tip sensitive enough for a variety of baits/techniques. Most of the fishing will be in or next to the grass/weeds for bass. I'm going for a general purpose rod for now and expect future rod/reel purchases for more specific applications. I am comparing this Shimano to the Fenwick HMX66MH-FS-2. Both rods have similar specs. While there are good reviews for the Fenwick, there were several complaints about rods breaking mid-length and near the tips. Reviews seemed more favorably consistent for this Shimano model. Both rods retail for the same $$ which is a price-point I'd prefer at this time. I will be using this rod with 2000/3000 series spinning reels. I can't find either rod in local shops for hands-on evaluation. I will order on-line and hope to avoid returns. I may also consider this Shimano model/specs in a 6'6" bait-casting rod for bank fishing. Appreciate opinions on these models regarding uses, action and durability. Thanks all! Regards...