Smirak

My name is Kevin Smira. It pains me to say that I was only able to stay clean and sober (not buying any actual baits) for 25 days. Went down to smith lake (north Alabama) this am and had to stop in a local tackle shop to ask what’s selling and what’s biting. As many of you know, I didn’t have ANYTHING he said to use. So, I was FORCED to buy some. Grabbed a few crankbaits (KVD, SPRO, 6th Sense), a MB dynablade, some hover jig heads and gambler small presentation (can’t remember what they are), some more chatterspikes and some more spunk shad. I have some reading up to do on the hover rig, as I’ve never fished it. But the guy said he keeps selling out of 3/0 1/8oz heads. So, I got some and now have to figure that part out. and, I think since I wasn’t able to stay sober, I guess I’ll HAVE to spend a few gift cards I have to TW?

So since I’m on this self imposed “no actual bait buying in 2024” ban, the thought occurred to me that a subscription box wouldn’t technically violate that rule since I don’t know what’s in it, right? Been digging 6th sense lately and want to give their bag a try.

Sounds very interesting. I couldn’t find it in the bass 4 series. I couldn’t find a 7’3” MH/xs in any series. Perhaps it’s out of stock?

Thanks! Found the blank, I believe. I believe it’s the bass 4 series.

Thanks all. @Delaware Valley Tackle - forgive the ignorance, but M/Ct? Medium? Not sure about the Ct? thanks, kevin

That’s kinda my delimma. I find myself throwing a chatterbait nearly every time I go out, regardless. It’s become a confidence lure and nearly always produces. I bought a couple of MB 110s and want to fish jerk baits a little more this year? I don’t know how to fish a jig properly, so maybe a jig rod? kevin

But I don’t know what I want to build. Current stable is the following: A - st croix 7’-10” HF B - st croix 7’-1” MF C - Dobyns duty MHF , I think it’s like 7 or so) D - 13 fishing fate 7’-4” HF E - 1 crb rod I built. MLF I believe. Maybe 6-10” I have an extra reel laying around that needs a home. Current stable is: 1 - slx dc 7.3:1 (or whatever that gear ratio is) 2 - Curado 7.x:1 3 - Lews SS 8.x:1 4 - lews SS 6.8x:1 5 - lexa 300 - 7.x:1 13 fishing something (cheaper model was free with something I bought or was deeply discounted) - maybe 7.3:1? I fish most everything, but am impatient most of the time to fish slow. That’s what I grew up doing because that’s all granddaddy had in the tackle box. Mainly LM, SM, spots, etc…north Alabama species… what would you build and how would you pair everything up. I’ve gotten to where I am trying to be more technique specific and like to get the optimal setup given my inventory (to include new rod build). Also, I’m too lazy right now to want to have to switch baits. current pairings (rod letter, reel number from above): A5 B2 C4 D3 D1 sorry for long rant, but I always seem to get great advice here.. thanks, kevin

I love how you put “hardly fishable” in there. Folks - take note that this young man didn’t say “un-fishable”. I can agree and empathize. I’ll get on the TN River or Guntersville or Wherler at 200 degrees. Really only because I’m prone to getting real wet in my kayak.

I fish out of a Bonafide ss127 and it is stand up friendly. I would have to imagine any of the hobie pro angler ones are?

Since I live in Huntsville AL, I’ll hit the big ones around me…wheeler lake, lake guntersville, nickajack lake, TN River (nickajack is furthest at 1.5 hrs) Might go west to Picwick (I think it’s 2ish hrs). Have an opportunity to go to Hartwell (I think 6ish?) with a veterans service organization, so I’ll probably take that opportunity. My daughter lives about 3 hrs from me, but about 20 mins from Dale Hollow, so I’ll hit that up this year too. Might do some trout fishing in the caney fork river.

I’ve been using this for about 2 yrs now. All I run is my FF off it. Was a striker 4, but now a hook 9. https://www.yakattack.us/10ah-lithium-ion-battery-power-kit-with-charger/

My New Year’s resolution was to not buy any tackle this year. “Hello, my name is Kevin Smira and I’ve been clean and sober for 10 days now.” But members on here don’t count, right? And since it wasn’t actually tackle (it was a reel) it doesn’t count either, right? And I had to get line, but that doesn’t count either, right? Oh, and during rearranging my tackle over the last couple of days, let’s say the bait monkey sees me coming with apparent looks of belly weighted swimbait hooks of all sizes and shapes running through my head. Pretty sure if you took one swimbait of every one made, I’d have a hook for it…I have absolutely no idea why either…

Mine was $50 until last year. Last year, I was granted 100% disability through the VA. This year, mine is free, and is a lifetime pass. All game (minus duck), all fish species. This is in Alabama.

I’ve got a 16x16. I’ve got 4 on one side and 2 angled on the other. I have a hard time with my 7’-10” swimbait rod standing up. I can’t remember, but I think I can stand 7 3700 sized boxes in there standing up. Leaves about 5 inches of “headroom”. I believe I can fit a couple of 3600s there. I can’t remember.

There was a body recovered at Lake Guntersville last week-ish. Apparently, a younger guy (early 20s) was duck hunting from a kayak. Found the kayak capsized/overturned, and the body a couple days later. Stories never said anything about a PFD. I see recreational kayakers where I fish often and they hardly ever have one, much less have it on.

I figured Tom! No worries. Went and picked it up last night. Bought online and did in store pickup. Guy brings it out, box looks kinda beat up, but no big deal. Get it out to the truck and realized they gave me the display. Everything was just kinda thrown in the box. Like screws and stuff loose. They had wired it up to use with whatever power source they were using and had clipped the lines awfully short. Just crap. Took it back to the other Academy in town and switched it out. Ready to get it on my kayak and use it!

Who you talking to @WRB?

You can always try camel, camel, camel if the fish finder you want is for sale on Amazon. They will show you the lowest price it’s been and you can gauge and see if it’s a trend…

I was looking for the last week or so. I wound up with a hook reveal 9 from academy for $499.

Thanks all. I was just talking to Chad Hoover (KBF). He said I need a spacer about 1.75” in order for it to clear. He runs LOWRANCE on an SS127. I’m gonna run over to see him and see exactly what his setup is and 3d print a spacer.

Thanks @WRB like I said, I have no problems with 2d and that setup, but…

Thanks @Koz the recessed area is where my current transducer is, but it is recessed and the two “catamaran style ribs” are lower than the recess. I didn’t want interference.

I can always go with a switchblade transducer mount. I figured the through hull (bonafide ss127) was a no go for anything other than downscan/2d

Currently running a striker 4cv on my kayak. Eyes have gone to crap and need a bigger screen. Academy has the hook reveal 9 on sale for $500. Looking at that or a hbird. I hear the Hbird has better si. That said, I have thru hull transducer mounting ability (which is where my gt-20 currently is). The transducer is “hidden” beneath the hull. How would this affect SI? also, don’t need anything for live scope/manuf alternatives, so those are not even considered (unless there’s a screaming deal). Would like to keep it in the $500-ish range. Looking for at least a 7” model. thanks, kevin

I actually just bought 6 of those from Dicks. They were buy 3 get three free. I think I got 3 fast sink, 2 slow and 1 floating…floating only because of the available options for color. Also picked up some speed wakes and speed glides. I threw a trace (fast sink) around today. It has great action.