https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1yIlHQjzh5RlBiq5Uh6Sz6?si=3Tg9MBwRQsiknAKRNzlZiA

I’m a newby, went through a few cheap reels this year. I want to move up to a reasonably priced reel that can take a dunking without freezing up. Thinking about a Daiwa Lexa on sale, considering the line counter model. I’ve never used one.

- are line counters durable? Worth it?
- is the Daiwa Lexa 300 or 400 a good buy for salt kayak fishing? 

Brands and bling aren’t important to me. I just want a tough reel.  I’m tired of the awkwardness of spincasters in a kayak. Also something that wouldn’t break my heart if lost/stolen (I’d like to spend less than $200).

I appreciate the advice.

Bill

Thanks for this.  I bought a used Compass as my first proper kayak this fall and I love it. My rudder is beat to hell though, so I’ll check this out. Looks like you added some handles, I might do that too. The mesh pockets are super handy if you haven’t added them already. I’m not wild about the round hatch as it seems hard to close and seal, but makes a handy cutting board. I am thinking about adding the square hatch but may not bother with moving the round hatch forward. Crabbing has been a breeze with Danielson boxes if you unclip the rear bungie and stow them at a slight angle they stay put without straps. The kayak is stable enough that it doesn’t get tippy reaching for the stowed traps or pulling them in.  The much maligned paddle bungie doesn’t really bother me, and I’ve have a paddle and two rods strapped in with it for sporty landings. Trolling has been easy even with my OG standard drive. Love to get advice on whether I should upgrade to turbo, seems like marketing to me, but I’m a noob.  I’d appreciate any more ideas for customizing. I don’t like bling - light, fast, efficient/less-is-more seems to be the way to go in my brief kayak fishing career.

Good Evening...

My name is Jimmy Smith and have finally joined on to NCKA. For the past few years, I have been fishing solo out of HMB when I come down off the hill and I have recently started to look at expanding the areas where I paddle out. Toward that end, I have been following some of the NCKA members on YouTube, as well as lurking as a guest on the forum. I am impressed with this community and looking forward to meeting some new folks to swap stories with.

I appreciate the information that I have come away from this group and hope that someday I can put something out there that would be helpful to someone else. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to paddling around with some of you.

Jimmy

Welcome!  Let me know when you plan on fishing Rockaway and I’ll join you.

Bill

You're going to love it Bill.

Hahaha you’ve seen me carrying my kayak across the sand he-man style. Let’s go crabbing soon.

New kayaker, used Compass with basic Hobie wheels, looking to upgrade. Balloon wheels seem big, expensive and not that great on hard surfaces. Skinny wheels I have now are small, light and great on roads, stairs, etc... but like dragging a dead body in sand.  I looked in old posts for advice but wanted the latest and greatest (hope that is ok).  I live in SF and space is a factor so one set of wheels is my limit.  What is the best ‘all-around’ option?

Thanks, in advance, for any advice!

The list is already long, and I’ve been doing this all of two weeks, but a neck gaiter seems like a top ten item for anyone who spends time on the water.

What about those bead chain swivels?  MooMoo talks them up in his videos, but they seem kind of hard to find in local shops.