You can always check AlanTani.com for reel advice.

I originally got the back band thing for my yack.  To be honest for me it did not work.  So I finally broke down and got a Surf to Summit seat through my local West Marine. I also got 4 SS Pad eyes.  For those of you who haven't drill on your Stealth, here is my advice.  Avoid screws if you can't put a washer/nut on the back side. My experience is well nuts are much better for anything that is going to get used with a lot of pressure against it.   I have been switching to Water poof kayak rivets (look for the ones that have a small rubber or silicone washer under the head)  Sure they cost slightly more, but it is worth it.  Pad Eye's I went with SS for two reasons: 1. I can see exactly where those seat straps need to be . 2. The seat position is going to be under more stress so put something with it that reflects it.  and 3, that is all they had. 

So figure where you want the 4 Pad Eyes, mark and drill the first hole.  I went with keeping the pad eyes inline with the hull, as I notcied on some yaks they are set this way for the seats (hey I did some homework). I wanted the straps set back further, nothing worse as those straps are and stretch you will notice you can't get the seat any tighter, so make them longer than what you think you need.    Set the rivet in the pad eye, and swivel the pad eye to where you want your second hole.  The pad eye will act as you guide for hole #2.  Now rivet them in place. Do this for all 4 pad eyes.

Seat set up:  Place your seat as far rearward as possible, and set your rear straps. Pull in slack but don't over tighten.  Now do the same thing with the front straps.  Keep the seat as rearward as possible. And begin to tighten them  a little at a time. Depending on the seat, you may get get some side support, and you may need to adjust it so the two sides are equal.  Sit in it, see if works for you.  Your seat should be slightly forward, this aids you paddling.  I don't cut seat straps, I zip tie them, but tape or velcro would work as well.    Are you happy with it?  do you need to adjust your rudder peddles?

I haven't been on the water yet, but I can already tell it is an improvement. 

Point Wilson Darts & Anchovy jigs (similar to a Candlefish)  are popular up here in the Sound. I can't recall anyone using them in the bay area.  Do any of you fish a Point Wilson Dart or other jig for salmon?  If so can you share your techniques.  Thanks!

My neighbor and his girlfriend were going on a Charter out of Westport.  I had wanted to go but could never find anyone to go with. So I booked a couple of nights in a hotel, and got a seat on the Swifty with them.  5 am came early, a Southwind greeted me as we headed out.  Roughest ride I have been on.  I almost lost breakfast it was that rough.  Crossing the bar there is no joke.  Once we got out in open water the sea slowly settled down.  The plan was to jig/mooch herring.  His girlfriend brought the first Salmon in, a fat 22 inch keeper.  Shortly there after I got an 18 inch shaker, followed by a nice keep Coho.  I would get two more keeper (19" & 20" respectively) but only one more keeper Coho was brought up.  I lost on a couple others, one of which followed me up to the boat and missed the stinger and ate the body and left the head (like he knew where the hooks were).  We were trying different locations, when we ended up over some rocks, and bam!  The biggest Blackie I have ever caught come up, everywhere I hear "Fish on!"  One guy brings up 2 lings a 12 & 13 pounder (38 & 40 incher maybe), I hook into another fish and loose him, then drop down again and hook into a pig of ling! I am guessing 36" around 10 pounds. Fought like a M1 Tank , now mind you the boat has to change positions as we are getting to close to some exposed rocks. I have to hold on to my beast. 

My old Newell 220 is getting it done today!  We move and I am still trying to bring this guy up, I can feel head shake after head shake, still with me.  I am worried those barbless hooks are going to come free , but they held!  I am bringing this guy up, the rod is tripled over as Mr. Pig Ling is under the boat. If you can imagine your rod almost completing a circle that is kind of what it looked like.  That Shimano did not give, it held in there.  Boat is lurching  around, I am using my elbow to hook on to the railing so I don't get thrown around.  All I can keep thinking is "Hooks don't fail me now!"

I finally get him to the surface and the Captain scoops with the net!  He gets tossed on the deck with a bunch of other lings.  The crew is busy, so I whack with the Billy and put my number tag on him.   I get some pics, I am back to fishing.  Next thing I know my pig is now a bunch of filets (they work fast!). 

Total for the day for me:
1 Coho Keeper (PB)
3 Shakers
2 Starry Flounder
1 Black Bass (PB)
1 Ling (PB)

With the exception of small trebles for holding power bait when I trout fish, I have ditched trebles.  I may have some freshwater stuff I still need to convert.  I also am not the biggest Gamakatsu Siwash hook fan. I think they are too spindly compared to Owner.  Just can't hardly find Owner around here.  Gami could make amends with me if they made those big river hooks as an open eye.

Not to threadjack, but I’m looking for a new reel too. I used a Tekota 500 for several years. It’s awesome except that the low retrieve ratio is hard on my wrist. So last year I “upgraded” to the Tekota 500HG. That solved the retrieve ratio problem and my wrist was happy. Unfortunately the drag is not nearly as smooth on the HG and I blame it—rightly or wrongly—for the loss of several nice fish.

So I’m looking for something similar to my beloved Tekota 500, but with a higher retrieve ratio and silky smooth drag. I’m willing to spend a bit. Opinions?

You need to check out AlanTani.com, he has a tutorial for rebuilding the Tekota LC (Line Counter), not sure the differences between that and the HG model. He does show you how to replace the drags on it.  You have options and to make any reel better  check him out.  He is not a paid sight and he does this gratis.  Many of us have learned to fix a reel from him.  https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=357.0

I don't watch TV, but I wish the best!

And here I thought it was about our own Loleta Eric!  A more badass fisherman I have yet to meet or hear of.  Doesn't peddle, no fancy rod holders, and hardly ever gets skunked!