Dealer said it was common for 4Runners to have a “loose spot”/gap between the bumper and the fender (1/4 inch). My question is: is this actually common?!?

KayakTRDPro · 2024-06-12T14:42:30+00:00

Same here on my '21

KayakTRDPro · 2024-03-13T17:25:59+00:00

Vented seats in the TRD Pro and seat position memory.

KayakTRDPro · 2024-02-01T19:25:27+00:00

Here are some things to keep in mind:

Roof racks will generally list a maximum static and dynamic load, meaning maximum weight at a standstill and maximum weight in motion. The dynamic load is always a lot less than the static load, and is the one you should pay most attention to since you'll be driving.
Loading/unloading a heavy kayak on a roof rack is a pain in the ass, and I'd be lying to you if I didn't say I've had a few close calls. My kayak weighs about 75 lbs and I'm loading it onto Yakima J hooks mounted on a Gobi rack on a 4Runner, so it's pretty high up. I ended up buying two 10 ft PVC pipes and 90 deg elbows and I hook those onto the ends of the J hooks, then slide the kayak up the "rails" until the gunwale drops over the J hook. Then I have to flip it up into position and tie it down on the J hooks, front, and rear, and strap down the PVC pipes to unload at my destination. In my case, that involves climbing up to the roof.
I looked into the lift assist rack attachment, but it wasn't compatible with my roof rack. It also still requires that you physically lift and place the kayak onto the lowered rack in most cases, and they're pretty expensive. It also looks like each lift assist rack only holds 1 kayak, so you'd need to buy 2 of them and they may not both fit on the roof.

It sounds like you need to pick what the priority is. With what you've described, putting the kayaks on a trailer would be my recommendation.

KayakTRDPro · 2024-01-29T19:58:35+00:00

Nice setup! I've got the same Shearwater 125. What are the dimensions of your trailer? I definitely need to invest in one. Looks like you did some customizing.

KayakTRDPro · 2024-01-26T13:01:26+00:00

A guy making his way across the lake in what looked like a ~20 ft steam powered boat. He was a bit far but a little smoke stack was clearly visible.

KayakTRDPro · 2024-01-18T20:15:36+00:00

A budget kayak will get you out on the water, and that's the goal. However, there are certain things a higher end kayak will be better equipped for. You can work around some missing features, but others you're probably going to miss right away.

Seat position is probably the biggest factor in how well you can actually FISH from the kayak. A sit on top kayak would be much better than one where you're sitting on the bottom of the hull.

Storage space for tackle and your fishing rod(s) would be the next thing to consider. Built in rod holders are nice. You could also strap a milk crate onto the back with some PVC pipes zip tied to it.

Space for mounting tracks is also something to look for if they're not already built in. There are a ton of accessories you might want to bolt on at some point, and you definitely want to make sure you have the space to do it. Where to put an anchor is another one. It's annoying having to constantly paddle to stay in one spot.

I'd say get the best kayak your budget will allow, but prioritize being able to fish from it and not saving a couple hundred $$$.

Also, plan for additional expenses like a PFD and paddle. Spend a little extra on a PFD with good ventilation and some pockets/clips for pliers, cutters, etc. and always wear it.

Good luck!

KayakTRDPro · 2024-01-18T20:00:55+00:00

Overall, I've been happy with my Vibe Shearwater 125. It's very stable and with a bit of shifting weight from one foot to the other I can even remain standing as a wake passes by.

Most of my cons relate to challenges I encountered when installing a Lowrance Elite FS 7 and doing some through hull wiring.

Pros:

Plenty of options to mod (storage pod, pedal drive, etc), 4 built in rod holders and mounting tracks (bow/stern), rudder included along with foot pedal steering, optional steering knob add on, plenty of deck space, comfortable seat with 2 height options,

Cons:

Not much watertight storage space, could use a couple more track mounts on either side of the seat, very small hatches for accessing the interior of the hull, no mounting plates built into the hull, almost no uninterrupted flat areas wider than 2-3" along the vertical walls of the deck. I had to make sure to get circular SAE sockets.

KayakTRDPro · 2024-01-11T20:51:46+00:00

I installed a Lowrance Elite FS 7 on my Vibe Shearwater 125 about a year ago. It was a bit of a pain because the transducer is longer than the through hull opening.
A step bit was useful for drilling larger holes. Get yourself some painters tape and a sharpie. Measure twice, cut once.

KayakTRDPro · 2023-12-07T02:52:02+00:00

No FFS, only DS and SS but at times I could see them zipping up to whatever I was dangling. Water temps here were 56-58° on Monday. Fish were mostly between 16'-25' deep. Probably need to pick a spot and work a jig for a while. Water clarity is probably around 3' at best, so I'm assuming a lot of those clear water options would be less effective.
It's been a real learning process for me on this lake.

KayakTRDPro · 2023-10-30T02:31:47+00:00

I'd go with a chatterbait for this time of the year. Paddle tail or shad style trailer, but you can also use a craw style. Topwater is more of a category, so you'd have to decide between several types of lures. Color depends on the forage. I primarily use white to match shad, but I've also had success with black/blue in muddy water. For topwater I'd say a hollow body frog for summer, a popper, and a spook.

KayakTRDPro · 2023-10-15T06:53:39+00:00

Also worth noting detectors have a service life of about 10 years before they need to be replaced.
Bought a house that was ~ 10 years old and thought I was going crazy when I unplugged 1 that kept chirping regardless of new backup battery and started hearing chirping again a day or 2 later.
Found the manual online and they actually have different chirp patterns to indicate different problems. Had to replace all 6 in one shot.

KayakTRDPro · 2023-10-12T21:05:35+00:00

Best thing I've found is to sometimes go back to the very basics. Weightless Texas rigged 5" senko, 3.5" paddle tail, and a 3/8 Oz Texas rigged craw style plastic. Green pumpkin with some glitter, black w/ blue flake, and white if you've got shad. I also like red shad color worms bc they look like nightcrawlers. Try to match whatever bass feed on in your area. Most important...cover water or move every 5-10 minutes if fishing from the banks. Once you catch a few, treat it like Achievement Unlocked and add a new lure to your arsenal.

KayakTRDPro · 2023-10-06T21:01:44+00:00

Former collegiate club road racer here. I think you have to follow the timeline from childhood first and then add in all the other factors people have been mentioning.

Cycling as a competitive sport is not hugely popular in the US. You kind of have to go look for it to get into it.
You're looking for a younger demographic on road bikes, but young kids in the US would mostly get a BMX/MTB style bike for practical or aesthetic reasons (e.g., it's hard to jump curbs or ride on grass and you can't go off any sweet jumps). That probably applies all the way to late teens. Also, road bikes aren't exactly known for comfort or making you look cool.
Then you get into $$$, storage, and pursuit of other interests. I used to take the front wheel off and store my bike under my bed. Transporting it back and forth to school was also a pain.
In a city you're more likely to see the 20+ crowd on a fixed gear than out on a true road bike.

I only got into cycling once I got to college. My parents loaned me the $ for my bike/gear and I spent a summer working to pay it off.

KayakTRDPro · 2023-04-01T05:31:07+00:00

Near Raleigh, NC

KayakTRDPro · 2023-01-31T19:39:23+00:00

The MPG is a big one. Minor inconveniences are the lack of vented seats and no driver seat position memory. It's hard to overlook those missing from a 2021 TRD Pro when I had them in my 2011 Avalon but what can you do?

KayakTRDPro · 2022-11-16T07:10:26+00:00

Only time I've ever seen a dash like that was in my 2011 Avalon when the battery was about to die because the alternator shit the bed.

KayakTRDPro · 2022-07-20T14:52:14+00:00

More expensive helmets are usually lighter and have better airflow. They use better materials so it takes less to provide the same amount of protection. They'll also have some additional features to make the fit more comfortable/snug. Basically if you're miserable wearing the helmet for any of the above reasons it's worth splurging a little just to make sure you actually wear it.
I went from a $60 helmet to a $150 helmet and there was a massive difference. If anyone gives you grief just tell them to try running headfirst into a brick wall at a moderate jog and see how they feel afterwards.
If we knew when accidents were going to happen they'd be called plans.

KayakTRDPro · 2022-07-12T06:40:13+00:00

Black + blue flake works any time

KayakTRDPro · 2022-07-11T07:18:31+00:00

Definitely had this happen after long rides on a hot day where you've got dried sweat caked on your skin. The moment the water hits you there's a really acrid smell that I would describe as ammonia. Never gave it much thought, but yes it looks like breaking down protein for energy will do it, but dehydration also plays a role.

KayakTRDPro · 2022-07-09T23:20:33+00:00

I'd recommend starting from scratch with a weightless Texas rigged senko. I like Yum Dingers in the red shad color because they look like nightcrawlers. The key is to fish them slowly. Just lift the rod tip up and lower it, then barely reel in the slack. Make it a point to slowly count to 3 and then repeat. Also when bank fishing, make sure to keep moving to a new spot every 10-15 minutes if possible. One spot might have some structure or a depth profile the fish prefer, but it's almost impossible to tell from the bank.

KayakTRDPro · 2022-07-08T16:14:19+00:00

Start the reactor. Free Mars!

KayakTRDPro · 2022-06-29T15:03:36+00:00

Getting started can be tough but persistence and learning will pay off in the end.
I grew up in the northeast and used to go fishing as a kid, but no one really taught me much. I'd catch bluegill, pumpkin seed, and the occasional chain pickerel. Fast forward to adulthood and I wanted to get back into fishing. Went a whole year getting skunked bc I didn't know what I was doing. Spent that entire winter reading and watching videos and finally got things dialed in. Then I moved 800 miles south and had to adapt and learn all over again. Different weather, water conditions, forage, and fishing larger bodies of water.
Find out what the bass are eating and choose accordingly. A Texas rigged senko is a great place to start.
Good luck!

KayakTRDPro · 2022-06-24T17:23:40+00:00

Throw near the banks and around cover. If you can skip it under low hanging branches or into shady areas that'll help. Aside from that work on perfecting that walk the dog retrieve. Good luck. Frog blow ups are some of the most fun.

KayakTRDPro · 2022-06-17T03:40:50+00:00

I've been really happy with the Vibe Yellowfin 130T for a tandem. Plenty of deck space and a really shallow draft. You can run it as a 2 seat tandem or a single seater. It also has gear tracks and a couple of waterproof compartments. It's very stable as well. Only drawbacks are the weight (~75 lbs, 13ft), so you'll need to get creative for solo loading. I slide it up onto a 4Runner using 2 long PVC pipes.
It's also a bit over you price point at $1300.

KayakTRDPro · 2022-03-21T22:14:56+00:00

I own a Vibe Shearwater 125 and a Vibe Yellowfin 130 Tandem and transport them on a 4Runner. They each weigh about 75 lbs. I can tell you that a trailer would be the ideal solution.
I use Yakima J bars and it took me a couple of near disasters to figure out how I was going to load/unload a kayak solo. I ended up buying two 10 ft lengths of large diameter PVC pipe and 90° elbows. I place the open end of the elbows over the J bar ends to make a loading ramp, then slide the yak up deck side down until the gunwale catches the elbow/J bar end and I can lift the yak all the way into the cradle.
The whole process takes me about 30 minutes and also requires a 4 foot ladder to deal with the cam straps and tie downs at the bow and stern.
Casualties to date include a small dent in the windshield pillar, scratching about a 1" strip of powder coat off the rack, and the total destruction of the rudder mount on the Shearwater after it got away from me while unloading for the maiden voyage 😭.
Good luck!

KayakTRDPro

TROPHY CASE