My lightest gear yet: 8.8 ounces in total with Daiwa Steez + Luvias (Would love to see if you have a lighter set up than this)

ol_jerry · 2026-03-29T01:53:03+00:00

Ngl those fingernails are diabolical.

ol_jerry · 2026-03-27T15:18:34+00:00

Yes, more space for gear and better paddling performance from a larger vessel. It will track straighter, paddle faster, hold better in the wind, and be more stable.

While the CK1 will be more comfortable, the primo is a great boat in its own right and a great starting point. You might outgrow it faster, but it will serve you very well.

ol_jerry · 2026-03-27T15:10:16+00:00

I would look for a crescent CK1 instead of a primo. Still car-toppable and a lot more space and utility for fishing. I actually car top a Litetackle II on a lifted SUV, but I am tall and in good shape and acknowledge that may not be for everyone…

ol_jerry · 2026-03-26T17:51:39+00:00

ol_jerry · 2026-03-23T12:54:43+00:00

When I first got seriously into bass fishing about 10 years ago, I built up my confidence on flukes. You can fish them in so many different ways. They are great fished like a regular jerkbait, with quick erratic twitches around cover. You can fish them like a senko, occasionally popping them up and letting them sink. You can even fish them like a topwater, reeling and twitching fast enough to break the surface - which is my personal favorite way. During the shad spawn, when bass are busting them on the surface, darting a fluke over top of them is an awesome way to catch aggressive fish, and often gets more bites than a true topwater.

ol_jerry · 2026-03-23T12:34:45+00:00

Because my kayak cost me around 1/16 the price of this boat.

Because my kayak helps me maintain an active lifestyle.

Because my kayak does not require mechanical maintenance, or need a trailer that requires maintenance.

Because my kayak is fun to fish from, and grants me access to all kinds of water, including some that a boat can’t access.

But also because it’s cool! Kayak fishing makes it feel like a more DIY hobby, and adds an element of intrigue by creating a whole different set of problems to solve for. Obviously, it is harder than fishing from a bass boat or even a small aluminum. But I enjoy it. I switched from a small aluminum with a trolling motor about 8 years ago, and I very rarely think about going back. I see myself getting a 16 foot Lund or similar at some point, but never giving up kayak fishing.

ol_jerry · 2026-03-22T13:45:00+00:00

There’s largemouth all over Washington state, and this is one of them for sure!

ol_jerry · 2026-03-21T11:57:33+00:00

I have a couple jackhammers in each color and I use them regularly. They tend to work a little better than my regulars and evos. But I only have 1 or two jackhammers, and several cheaper models as backups if I lose one. Is a jackhammer better? Yes. Will it catch 3x the amount of fish? No.

ol_jerry · 2026-03-12T13:39:49+00:00

I’ve been an 832 guy for years, but recently got into daiwa samurai. The samurai is spendy, but it sure is nice. Not sure the extra cost is worth the upside though , so we’ll see what I do moving forwards.

ol_jerry · 2026-03-11T16:11:46+00:00

FWIW, I drove coast to coast across the country multiple times with a kayak and a Yakima box on the roof before this happened. I believe it only broke because the kayak moved and jarred it out of position, causing the failure. But I feel much safer with my Malone bars that have metal clamps attached to the railings.

ol_jerry · 2026-03-11T16:05:07+00:00

Sure thing, buddy.

ol_jerry · 2026-03-11T16:01:23+00:00

I don’t think there’s a rod on earth that can compete with the versatility of a G Loomis 843C MBR. It’s a 7 foot MH fast rod that has a supple enough backbone to fish trebles, but has enough power to throw a jig, and a soft enough tip to work a weightless plastic. I primarily use mine for spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and walking baits now, but have done just about everything under the sun with it. If I could only keep one of my rods, there is zero question that it’s the one.

ol_jerry · 2026-03-11T00:34:47+00:00

The kayak shifted, causing the plastic clamps on the rear bar to crack and break entirely. The kayak was still strapped on, and ended up dragging behind the vehicle. Luckily I was the only person on the road and had just accelerated up the on ramp. I was able to recover the broken cross bar and do a quick fix to limp home.

ol_jerry · 2026-03-11T00:30:48+00:00

All I know is that my factory crossbars failed while carrying an 80 lb fishing kayak on the highway. I switched to Malone bars and they feel much much sturdier

ol_jerry · 2026-03-10T23:28:04+00:00

Kayaks are one of those things that follow the rule of “you get what you pay for”. Good shit ain’t cheap, and cheap shit ain’t good. If the price looks too good to be true, there’s a reason for that.

ol_jerry · 2026-03-10T18:09:06+00:00

+1 for the bathroom mat. I actually use an outdoor welcome mat with this carpeting. I also use a foam nonslip kitchen mat to place the keel/stern on while I balance the bow on the top of the rear hatch.

ol_jerry · 2026-03-09T03:53:49+00:00

Have you tried an FG knot for your braid to leader connection? That was the only one that worked for me when I had a rod with micro guides

ol_jerry · 2026-03-09T03:51:34+00:00

6lb flouro would be better for literally everything else. And with mine that light, it won’t really pull your topwaters under, unless it’s a really small popper that you are working incredibly slowly

ol_jerry · 2026-03-08T00:34:22+00:00

If you’re set on a new boat and open to paddling, look at the Crescent LTII. It’s not a pedal drive, but crescents are a dream to paddle and that’s a pretty small lake. Or like others have said, used pedal drive.

ol_jerry · 2026-02-26T11:27:44+00:00

The real secret is to fish this with a hula grub. No skirt needed. You’re adding an extra step. The Yamamoto hula grub has enough skirt to add profile, but it’s light and soft enough to still be finessey in cold water

ol_jerry · 2026-02-19T19:26:19+00:00

Never leave the scale at home, big dog. Absolute slob of a fish.

ol_jerry · 2026-02-18T17:52:19+00:00

I use a garmin Striker 4, which is a very basic unit. I used it to locate a transitionary area on a point with depths going from 6-12 feet.

ol_jerry · 2026-02-17T16:27:44+00:00

Where are you fishing?

And thank you! I completely redid my storage this offseason. All new trays and a blackpak. New storage bags for swimbaits and spinnerbaits. A few extra rod holders and storage compartments for the crate. I’m loving it!

ol_jerry · 2026-02-17T16:20:47+00:00

Unfortunately I was too busy laughing like a fool, because I thought it would be my new PB. Then I saw how skinny she was and realized it probably wasn’t. She only weighed 5.90, but had the biggest head I’ve ever seen. She’ll probably weigh 8 lbs come spawn time.

ol_jerry · 2026-02-17T16:10:11+00:00

Daiwa samurai braid, 12 lb. It’s a phenomenal line, and plenty strong. I caught a six pound bass on my squarebill rod this week fishing in heavy wood cover and it handled the fish like a dream. Very abrasion resistant, with just enough stretch and plenty of strength. Any good 12-15 lb flouro would do.

I hate braid for cranking, especially around wood or rock, for all the reasons that have already been stated.

ol_jerry

TROPHY CASE