C_R_TX

Swimbo is spot on. Yaks allow low drama fishing. I believe the biggest benefit is stealth... IMO, a pedal system is crucial if you plan to cover a large/ windy body of water. I personally fish out of a Diablo Amigo, Hobie Revolution 11, or a Hobie Outback. Diablo is great for when you know exactly what water you are going to fish... "Milk run" type situations. The Rev11 is a very fast boat and allows me to cover a large amount of water, exploring new lakes, ponds, etc. The Outback is my overall favorite as it has a good balance of what the previously mentioned boats offer. I can stand in all three boats, but the Rev gets sketchy on the hook sets.

I always keep a dive mask and 44 mag lure retriever with me. The 44 works 90% of the time. Because of that, I usually only go swimming if I am shore fishing (can't get correct angle to use retriever), or the bait snapped off. In Summer- I will go swimming for just about anything over $5 in the summer. Good way to cool off. In the winter- I will go in for anything $30 or up. Latest cold water swim was last winter. Snapped a 250 off on a fish in 8 FOW. Came back the later day and found it about 10 yards further up creek in 3FOW. Best recovery was when a rod/reel set up fell overboard when unhooking a fish. Luckily only in 5ft FOW. But there was slight current so I lost position of the Kayak. My buddy and I spent the next 20 min dragging our feet around, at 1AM, in the middle of winter. My bud then let out a "ouch"... he got the hook in his foot. We kept pulling the line until the combo finally came to surface. Funny how stuff like that work out.

Only lube "issue" I have had is with my Z200 and Pluton. The Z200 started buzzing after 30-40 hours of fishing or so. The Pluton I bought used, but it requires lube every couple of trips. In comparison with my other reels, the two mentioned above are the most lube needy.

I am probably missing a few, but I believe what will be there are: Thumper Tails Floating Bullshooter 160s Just a hunch- but possibly variations of bluegill colored deps. (Floating 250s, Sinking Silent Killer 250s, etc.) This is based on Butch's FB page (on Nov 4th) saying these baits "will be released in this color in the near future". Photo from Butch's FB page

Check out Reel KustomReels. He has a Facebook page. Makes top notch carbon handles and EVA knobs. Does not come with the JDM price tag either.

Powder coating takes off a slight bit of the edge while fishing in cold weather.

From Andrew's FaceBook page:

Check out the "Member Review" section. Here is what I came across: Rising son- http://swimbaitunderground.com/forums/index.php?/topic/4694-316-rising-son/?hl=rising Rising son- http://swimbaitunderground.com/forums/index.php?/topic/2655-just-a-brief-summary-of-options-with-the-rising-son/?hl=rising Magdraft- http://swimbaitunderground.com/forums/index.php?/topic/28149-review-request-megabass-magdraft/?hl=magdraft

I would stick with the carbon rod, but it sounds like it may be to late. I am under the assumption the carbon rods provide the right amount of strength and flex. Might help for comparison- I used a .110 carbon rod to repair a BAA.

My go to setup is a custom 2015 conquest with work done by Reel KustomReels, on a 838 Black Dimond Hybrid. http://swimbaitunderground.com/forums/index.php?/topic/30194-review-request-reel-kustomreels/?hl=%2Breel+%2Bkustomreels

I have not fished the Ryoga, but am I am a big fan of the 2015 Conquest in 400 size. Here are some write ups I found while trying to decide between the Ryoga and Conquest: http://swimbaitunderground.com/forums/index.php?/topic/29671-request-conquest-400-old-vs-new/ http://swimbaitunderground.com/forums/index.php?/topic/26213-daiwa-shrapnel/

Not sure how many Kansas guys are on here, but you may have put one of you possible spots on blast. Unless its posted no trespassing, act like you belong, and be courteous. Be sure to pick up any trash you come across, as that will be associated with you even if its not yours.

Looks like there are some DRT Varial Handles showing up in the USA. Anyone have some detailed information? It looks like they are priced around $200-$250, but I am not finding much information on them other than they are made of aluminum. Size Options? Bearing Size/ quality? What reels will they fit? How to order/ buy? Is there anything that is separating the Varial from other custom handles other than looks? Anything special that is putting an aluminum handle at the price point of $200+?

http://swimbaitunderground.com/forums/index.php?/topic/21312-rod-question-for-everyone/?hl=%2Bspiral+%2Bguides&do=findComment&comment=189128 http://swimbaitunderground.com/forums/index.php?/topic/28962-spiral-wrap-left-or-right/?hl=%2Bspiral+%2Bguides&do=findComment&comment=239307 http://swimbaitunderground.com/forums/index.php?/topic/31523-spiral-wrap-or-not/?hl=%2Bspiral+%2Bguides

http://swimbaitunderground.com/forums/index.php?/topic/12741-strangest-things-youve-came-across-while-fishing/

A couple summers ago, fish in a spring fed creek only wanted the Deps 250 waked along the surface. The bite came about after there was a decline of water clarity. The bite only lasted 1.5 week.

+1, I think this would be the safest option. But at the same time, its a long term plan. (if i remember correctly,) A bass has to eat around 10 lbs. of forage to gain around 1 pound. A few years ago, a neighboring pond was getting ready to get filled in so we began transferring the BG and LMB to a new man made pond. Nothing over 5 pounds though. Some fish did great, and continued to grow for the years to come, but some became floaters even though they were treated the same. Just never know how a fish will react to a new environment.

Good luck. I spent a lot of time in Dev. Den park when I was younger. I came across 3 mountain lions there about 8 years back. Be sure to check out all the caves as well.

http://swimbaitunderground.com/forums/index.php?/topic/30831-trout-fishing/ Here is a thread from a little while ago. Flipside is a good place to check for anything non-bass related.

Very legit man.... I am hoping to do the same. Goal is a 40"+ tiger before the end of the upcoming school year.

+1, work the night bite. During the day time: I will try and find healthy, and (preferably wind blown) shallow weeds. Don't be afraid to really burn the baits in... Shad glides as fast as you can reel.

Got a couple... Growing up in Arkansas, my father and I would hike around the far side of the lake we lived on. We were about 2 miles in, and came across an open field, we cut across it and a dude pops out of some knee high grass with an AR pointed right at us. Dude looked like a former meth head... he asked us what were were doing.. we said sorry, just out hiking, and peaced out. The area has problem with meth. I assume the dude was protecting his meth lab. Same area in Arkansas, we were wade fishing a creek. I look up and there is a mountain lion walking down the shore. We both get low and hide in the water to watch... about 10 seconds later 2 kittens come skipping after her. Mom had no clue we were 30 yards from her. She turned and disappeared into the brush. Night fishing in central TX, I had something start barking 15 yards behind me... scared the crap out of me. I turn around and light him up with the light... it was a grey fox. It kept barking for 10 more seconds and then started to make a dash for me. I yelled and was getting ready to punt him and it turned around with about 5 feet left and went back into the brush. Not my story, but is from a trusted bud. He was fishing an east TX lake, and was fishing bridge pillars around 1AM. A truck drives by twice, and then stops about 20 yards from him down the bridge. The dudes say "Dump it here?" and then drop the tail gate, carry over a plastic trash bag to the rail, and push it over. The bag sunk quickly. He was not sure what was going on, but was freaked out it might have been a body. He called it in and is not sure what it turned out to be.

Use what you think will work best. Butch recommended to me I use Owner 2/0 st36 and Owner split rings in size 5. I have been happy with this for the past few years, I do not lock down my drag though.