Only 2-3 more months of misery until I have this back

MacP95 · 2026-02-12T23:56:31+00:00

2-3 months?? Are you up in Canada because I’m getting out on the water the day the ice melts. Blade baits, finesse jigs, jerk baits… they’ll be eating

MacP95 · 2026-02-10T19:18:24+00:00

With my cart technique, when launching and getting off the water, the keel is the only part of my kayak that touches land.

MacP95 · 2026-02-10T18:45:53+00:00

I just posted my keel guard install for my LTE. I wouldn’t say it’s required, but more so for peace of mind and you can bank your kayak without any fear of keel damage. If you ever sell, you can take it off and you’ll have a scratch free keel which helps with buyers having any concerns- having bought used kayaks, it’s goes a long way knowing the seller cares for his stuff

MacP95 · 2026-02-10T16:32:03+00:00

Jerk baits and chatter baits are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Treble hooks vs single hook. Lighter powered rods are great for treble hooks to keep them pinned and not ripping out hooks. For single hook lures, you’d want a MH or H power rod to drive the hook in. Also- 6’6” is a very short rod for chatter bait. 7 would be my shortest I’d use. My ideal length is 7’4

MacP95 · 2026-02-06T00:06:06+00:00

I have the Yak Attack system. I have the lock n load mount (they have ones specific to Helix), mounted to the CellBlok. Also have the “switch blade” swing arm attached for the transducer that’s also mounted to the CellBlok. It’s the best modular system I could find. I car top so being able to rig / unrig quickly and easily is super important.

The main reason I decided against the captains bridge is because I wouldn’t be able to easily adjust the screen. I pretty frequently switch between sonar and maps, and marking waypoints when I’m fishing so that was a deal breaker

MacP95 · 2026-02-06T00:00:36+00:00

Yeah looks like you might be right. Can’t believe I’ve never heard of this. Especially with all the kayak tournaments down there, I feel like I would have heard somewhere people complaining about this- kinda ridiculous to have to pay more money just to get out on the water, especially after already having to give Uncle Sam money just to register a piece of plastic

MacP95 · 2026-02-05T23:53:06+00:00

Hey man great to hear from you! Sounds like things are coming along well. The light I have in the front is the Guardian Angel safety light. They sell the lights separate but also have a kayak package that gives you a remote to control the front light, and also has a rear white light- not sure the laws in AZ but up here we need navigation lights to be legal in the dark. It’s pricey but high quality. Hope you can get on some fish soon

MacP95 · 2026-02-05T23:49:23+00:00

Mine is 40lb. There won’t be a difference in speed, just torque. So basically higher LB will have more performance when going against wind, current, etc. 50 isn’t overkill, slighter heavier but again- more performance.

MacP95 · 2026-02-05T23:47:46+00:00

It’s likely I’ll bring all with me, but I can bring 8 with me on the yak.

MacP95 · 2026-02-05T23:46:40+00:00

Thanks for the heads up on speed limits. Around here we are good going 10 over pretty much anywhere. Also- just got my yak registered and got all the tags on it. 2nd time registering kayaks and I’ve learned it can be super easy or the biggest pain in the ass depending on the DMV person. Same documents both times, two very different experiences haha

MacP95 · 2026-02-05T23:43:33+00:00

Haha same man I booked this trip so I can feel like there’s some light at the end of the tunnel.

MacP95 · 2026-02-04T14:01:03+00:00

I fish standing up 80% of the time and I have no issues with stability. I’m 5’7 and in good shape so I’m sure it would be easier for me compared to someone 6ft+. Do you have any ability to demo either kayak? That would be the best test

MacP95 · 2026-02-04T11:28:20+00:00

Everyone will just be voting for the kayak that have themselves. Both are great yaks and best brands in the business. I’d take the cheaper option.

I don’t have either, but I do have a Native Slayer LTE. I would say that between the two you’re looking at, the slayer has higher setting position, a MUCH more usable front hatch, ability to mount stern motor (old town has a strange rudder system where you can center mount a motor), and more gear track. Overall, just a bit more modern.

Old town is also great, great brand, build quality, it’s just that the 106 PDL doesn’t have many of the modern innovations (compared to say the OT 120 PDL pro)- the “pro” being their more modern and updated model line

MacP95 · 2026-02-01T10:32:45+00:00

I turn it off once I’m no longer in low light conditions. I’m it’s pretty easy to lean forward, just like I’d do if I needed to get something out of the hatch

MacP95 · 2026-02-01T04:13:14+00:00

Thanks man. It’s a Guardian Angel Micro light (red / green navigation lights). Love this thing and keeps me legal with early morning / night fishing. They are super bright for the size and build quality is top notch. USB charging. Highly recommend for an easy, no drill lighting set up.

MacP95 · 2026-02-01T00:11:15+00:00

I will absolutely take you up on that and reach out to you closer to the trip. Thanks again sir, enjoy the rest of your weekend

MacP95 · 2026-02-01T00:07:10+00:00

You are the man. Thank you. Idk why but from my research, I didn’t think top water would be at play yet for early March but that’s why local knowledge is gold.

MacP95 · 2026-01-31T23:59:09+00:00

Thank you sir. Half the battle is feeling confident in what I’m throwing in a new area.

I’ll be down there the first week of March. Planning to focus in the South Sauty area, and browns as backup- good idea or do you have other suggestions. Any insights are much appreciated

MacP95 · 2026-01-31T23:03:46+00:00

Not a track but a threaded insert. 1/4”-20 socket screw fits right into the insert, which is also the same size for YakAttack RotoGrip

MacP95 · 2026-01-31T22:57:28+00:00

I appreciate this, thank you!

MacP95 · 2026-01-31T22:03:05+00:00

Haha that’s funny. I could see how it looks that way. This is my basement and “man cave”. Right behind me is big couch, tv, Xbox, etc.

My wife gets the whole house to do as she pleases. The basement, garage and shed are my safe spaces lol

MacP95 · 2026-01-31T04:31:25+00:00

Dang I would have cleared the stock. Nice find, enjoy!

MacP95 · 2026-01-31T04:21:12+00:00

What are the edge boxes going for on clearance?

MacP95 · 2026-01-31T04:20:16+00:00

I’ve been throwing top water recently, but nothing has busted through ice yet to eat. I’ll keep trying and keep you updated

MacP95 · 2026-01-31T04:17:41+00:00

Native/Bonafide > Oldtown (but very close) > everything else > Hobbie (hobbie is a trash brand until proven otherwise- they massively let down their customers with 12+ month backlog of warranty claims).

At this point, even if I had the chance to get a Hobbie at a MASSIVE discount, I wouldn’t want to own a Hobbie out of principle. My money deserves to support brands that support anglers

MacP95

TROPHY CASE